Born the daughter of physical education teachers and coaches, as well ski shop entrepreneurs, Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham grew up under downhill ski racks, on wintery slopes by the age of five, on a lake waterskiing, swimming, and sailing in her youth and teens, and venturing on hikes in nature around New York State.
Entrenched in her spirit, are the memories of trying many sports in her youth and high school days, then putting them on hold during college and raising sons until she re-emerged into sports at the age of 30.
It wasn’t until she turned 50 that the challenge of running in the 2017 Boston Marathon took her from an average 2-mile-a-day runner to a marathoner six months later where the adventure of completing this arduous and exhilarating feat ramped up her sports spirit to new and higher levels, reminding her of her athletic birthright.
By the time she turned 57, completely bald from alopecia, she found solace, strength, and self-acceptance by participating in daily sport activities instead of business, and a goal of trying every sport once in her lifetime arose.
Compiling a list of 125 “regular” sports and 40 “adventure” sports, which she found in an online search, Tracy started tracking past and current sport activities, trying a new one approximately once a month. After announcing her intention publicly, other sports and adventure challenges have been brought to her attention and an ongoing list of those are being kept and tracked to try.
Tracy’s goal is to inspire women, like she has done in her 30-year entrepreneurial career, to try more sports in their lifetime no matter their age, but especially in middle-age. She has opened the door for men to participate with her as well since she has two sons and a husband interested in joining her on some of her adventures.
Tracy’s favorite song by The Dave Matthews Band is “You Might Die Trying” which she ran to in the Boston Marathon with the first few lines of the song signifying her attitude towards this life goal, “To change the world, start with one step. And however small, first step is hardest of all. But once you get your gate, you’ll be walking tall, you said you never did, because you might die trying.”
The meaning behind “Tracy’s Sports Adventure”
Tracy = a warrior
Sports = an activity involving physical exertion and skill
Adventure = a daring and exciting activity calling for enterprise and enthusiasm. Also, a journey or series of events. And, an unusual, stirring experience.