Megan Rosenberg: Competing with Heart—A Special Olympics Story from Maine

And today it's really a pleasure to speak to somebody that I met, I'm going to say probably around two years ago. And I've been thinking about bringing her on the radio show ever since. And fortunately she agreed to come in today. This is Megan Rosenberg. She is a Special Olympics Maine athlete and health messenger. She also is an athlete representative on the executive council for the law enforcement torch run here in Maine. And she brought with her just a small number of all these many, many things that you have won over the years. So I mean, I'm very humbled. Thank you. Thank you for coming in today. Megan, you've been an athlete and working with the Special Olympics for a very long time now. So tell me about how this first got started. I think it was back in the day, maybe at Mount Ararat in Topsham, or maybe before. It was before when we lived in California. I did some Special Olympics stuff like swimming and bowling. And then when we moved here in 2005, that's when things started to be more track, more swimming. I didn't do bowling when I moved here though, but more track and snowshoeing. They didn't have a lot of snowshoeing out in Not where you lived anyway. What were you, I understand that you have a parent who was in the military. Is that the reason you were out in that part of the world? I did. My dad was in the US Air Force and then we retired here in Maine in 2005. And so what was it that brought your family here to Maine? We wanted to be near the ocean and my mom's, half of the family is in New Hampshire, so we wanted to be close to them too. Yes. And you and I originally met because we have an art gallery connection. What's your connection with the Portland Art Gallery? My Aunt Annie. Ann Trainor Domingue is an artist and she brings her art there and other galleries as well. Thats was how I believe you and I first met was at one of her openings. And she knows this because I've told you this many times, but I'll reiterate with you that she's one of my favorite artists. Don't let the other artists at Portland Art Gallery know because of how that might make them feel. Don't tell them, no Not that we've told everybody else here. I love a lot of the other artists as well and their works, but hers, it just happens to be some of my favorite work because of the way that it's so different and special. So knowing that I get to talk with her niece is also pretty special for me. So talk to me about all of these different things that you've been involved in. My understanding is that the next thing that you'll be going and competing in and focusing on is golf. But you just listed off a whole range of other things that you've competed in over the years. Is that a normal way to approach being an athlete with the Special Olympics, is to do all kinds of different things or are you just somebody who likes to really get good at a lot of things? I think it's because I like doing different sports and just the different trainings that you have to do to get ready for it is what I like. And not every athlete does different sports. Maybe they'll have maybe one or two sports that they do, but it doesn't make them any less of an athlete. And I love that. And it also means that you have to be good at kind of switching gears. Because your focus has to be on different things that are going to allow you to do well at whatever sport it is. So why golf now? I like playing it even though sometimes when I go out I kind of don't hit the ball right. Or if it goes off in the woods I get a little mad. But I think I just like playing and it's a lot of fun. And then going to nationals with my mom next year as my unified partner will be a lot of fun. That does sound like a lot of fun. mhm Think I would love to do something like that with one of my daughters. So tell me what a unified partner is. So a unified partner is someone that doesn't have a disability that partners up with a Special Olympics athlete, and they do the sport together, whether it's golf or track and field or soccer or basketball or any other sport. They kind of help you do well in your sport and they're your partner through it all. So it helps. Has she been a unified partner with you before? No, this is my first time in nationals, but in golf they have a unified partner. In Athlete Day we go to a golf course and she's been my unified partner twice already with that, but not at the national level. Do you feel like that puts a little pressure on at all? No. No. I think it makes it easier. We both kind of help each other. If I have a bad shot, she makes it better, or if she has a bad shot, I kind of make it better. So it helps a little bit with that. So it's nice. Yeah, that is really nice. Is that unusual to have somebody that is a relative of yours be a unified partner? I don't think it's unusual. I think I've heard of other athletes have either your dad or your brother or sister or somebody as your unified partner. It doesn't have to be a family member, but it helps I guess in that way. They know you and they know how you do things. And would you say that your family has really contributed to your doing this work as an athlete and been supportive of you over the years? Oh yeah. Yeah. They've been very supportive of my athletic abilities and wanting to go to nationals as well. And just I think sports really helped me with day-to-day life. It helps me keep myself physically active so I'm not sitting on the couch sometimes I want to do, but I don't. Well, you've been to nationals before. So tell me about those experiences. My first 2018 nationals were in Seattle, Washington. That was my first games. Went out there for track and field. It was a little scary because those were my first games away from Maine and I didn't know what to expect or anything. But I think that being there with my team and knowing that I can do it, I was fine. I had my family out there too, which helped. My brother even came out to see me run and that was very nice of him to do that. And then in 2022, I went out to Orlando, Florida for track and field as well. And the day of opening ceremonies, it was 101 degrees, it was hot. And my female coach for track and field ended up getting heat stroke and having to go to the hospital after opening ceremonies. She was making sure that all of us were drinking water and staying hydrated throughout opening ceremonies. And she wasn't doing it for herself. So it was bad. But we made sure she was when we got back And she's okay now? She's okay now. That is scary. It was very scary. Yeah, we didn't know where she was. Oh my gosh. We were like Coach Jeff where's so and so and he's like she's at the hospital. And we're like, okay. So it sounds like you've had to push through some challenges in order to compete at these high levels of athleticism. So you've already said it can be a little scary, it can be a little intimidating, obviously heat, you can't do anything about that. Are there other challenges that you've needed to overcome as you've continued to compete and other lessons that you've learned as a result of going through those challenges? Probably that there are other athletes that are probably better than you at your sports. And you just have to say, I can do this and just go for it. Because that's exactly what I did in Orlando for my 200. I got first place in my 200 just because, well, I was looking at all the other girls that I had to run against and I was like, yeah, no, this is not going to be good. They were taller than me and had long legs, same as Seattle, but I was like, nope, I got this and just got to keep going. That is really hard in track and field It is. Yeah, I mean in track in particular, I used to run track as well. Oh, fun. Yes. And I ran 100, 200. I didn't love the 400 kind of on the long side. It is long I've done that too. Yes. But you're right. You look on either side of you and you're looking at these people, you're thinking, well, that person looks pretty fast and that person looks fast too. But it's really, you have to think about, well, those people are there. I'm going to run my race. And it sounds like that's what you did. It is. They pooped out halfway through and I was like, oh, well they ran out too fast. My coach always told me that, don't go out too fast in the beginning he's like, pace yourself. And so I kind of had my coach, coach George, he's our head coach, and I had him in my head in Seattle and I told him after I saw him after the race, I was like, you were in my head. Why were you in my head? And he is like, I don't know. But it was fun though. I really enjoyed being out there and both games were really fun. It sounds like having him in your head at that moment probably worked out okay. It did. So we often will have people who bring in art to share. You brought in all of these impressive metals, and I understand they're just a small subset of all of the things that you've won over the years, are there special memories that are associated with these that you've brought? So this one is from Seattle and this was my 400 meter race that I got gold in. And then this one was from this year when my mom and I did our unified golf before the fall hit, and we got gold this year. And then the bronze one is also another unified one that mom and I did. We got bronze that year. And then the other gold medal is from Orlando, and that was my 200 meter race. And then the trophy is from the last year. I did the mile at the state games in Orono. Don't do it anymore. I have a bad knee. But you won first place, But I got first place in it. The mile is a tough race. Yep. Five years in a row. I won the mile. And I feel for you, I have a bad knee too, so I understand that it's hard to go out and keep running. It is. But I also love that you've said, well, alright, I'm not, maybe this isn't my focus anymore, but I am going to go do golf because I am still able to use my talents in this other area. Have you needed to be flexible in the way that you think about things or the way that you approach your athletic work? Have you needed to shift gears sometimes when things don't go the way that you've wanted them to? Yes, especially in track and field. I knew that some of my races that I used to do, I don't do anymore because of my knee and everything. So doing golf and soccer and basketball and all those other things, I've learned to just kind of take it how it is and just say, yeah, I did those races before and yes, I know I can't do 'em anymore, but that's not going to stop me as an athlete, so I'm going to keep going until I can't do it anymore. I think that's a good approach. Tell me about your torch run and tell me about your experiences with that. Every year before the state games, officers from different agencies around the state of Maine do this thing called the Torch run for Special Olympics. And they run down the street with a torch and they usually have an athlete with them, and if they don't, they just run together. And I run it. I run the Brunswick leg with the Brunswick PD every year. It means a lot to all of us athletes because knowing that the police are there, not only to give you medals or put medals around your neck or congratulate you, they're there for you no matter what. And it's really nice to know that they're there. I have a couple of officer friends that I can go to about anything, or if I'm having a bad day, I can call them up and say, Hey, can we talk? And they're like, oh yeah, what's wrong? Or they're like, oh, I'll call you back. And they do. So it's really nice to have them there. Have you met a lot of people through the Torch run or through the things that you've done with the Special Olympics? I have met quite a few people, most of them officers and some really good coaches of mine that I've had. I think my favorite nationals coach would have to be my coach, Jeff Bossy. He's a great track and field coach, and I don't think there is anybody that would be able to do what he does, especially at that level. But he was really good. And then my mom and coach George really helped us too. They push us and that's what we need. We need to be pushed. We don't need to be babied. So it's really nice to have those kind of people in our lives. In addition to being an athlete and being an advocate and health messenger for people within these organizations, you are also a champion and a health messenger really. Generally your message is we all have the opportunity to be healthy and we all have the opportunity to find things that we like to do to be physical. I mean, you just said it keeps you off the couch. But that's a challenge for some people. People think I can't run to the mailbox and back, so how can I run a mile? So what types of things do you say to people to encourage them to also be? Well, I usually tell my athletes that it's good to get out and exercise and eat healthy. Lots of times I'll be with a fellow athlete friend and they'll go and eat a donut, and I'm like, is that healthy? And they're like, well, it tastes good. And I'm like, yeah, but what are you going to do if there weren't any donuts at say a Special Olympics thing and there was only healthy granola bars and stuff like that. And they're like, oh, well, I just won't eat it. And I'm like, okay, but that you say you want to get healthier and you want to lose weight, this is not going to help. So it sounds like you explore maybe the gap between where they want to go and the behavior that they're engaging in right now as somebody who's a colleague and a friend to try to help them understand, well, if that's what you really want, then think about the choice that you're making. And what about people who might say to you, well, I can't do this because I have a hurt knee, and you have an experience of having a hurt knee. So how did you work through your own process of deciding, well, I can't be a runner right now because of my hurt knee, but I can be something else. And you working through your own process, are you able to come up with advice for other people who may need to switch sports? I would say don't give up because there's always a sport that you can do. And I've actually had an old teammate of mine that would complain all the time that, oh, I can't do this because of this. And it was like, well, you're not trying. You're just not wanting to do the stuff that you need to do. And I've even tried to tell her that I have a bad knee too, but that's not stopping me from doing the stuff I need to do. So sometimes it's hard to get my fellow athletes to understand that even though you have a bum knee or ankle issue or something like that, that you can't just say, oh, I can't do that, because you just have to power through it and just do what you need to do. Well, I can tell you that as a doctor, when I have patients who show up and say, well, I can't do this, then I also find it challenging because I also want to come back and say, but I think you could do something else. But I try to meet them where they're coming from because I don't want them to feel like I'm not listening to them and I don't want them to feel like I'm judging them. But I'm wondering how you do that because I know you've worked really hard yourself and you push yourself. So when somebody else shows up and thinks that they can't push themself, how do you respond to that? How do you respond to your own feelings about their ability to do this? I try to help them out as much as possible, and I run alongside them if they're having a hard time with it. And I do that with a lot of my athlete friends if they need help, especially during track and field season. If I see someone on my team who's struggling to get around the track, I run with them and I don't leave them until we finish. I love that because instead of just talking at them, you're actually saying, Hey, we're in it together. And I think that that does make a big difference to people. And I said, if we need to walk, we walk, I'm fine with that. That's very powerful. You've had to overcome other life challenges it sounds like, in your years on this planet. Have you been able to, well, first of all, are there any life challenges that you'd be willing to share with us? And talk to me about how you've taken some of the lessons from being an athlete into overcoming those life challenges. Yes. So one of my life challenges is when my parents got divorced, when my dad said that he was no longer in love with my mom. And that really hurt me. And I said a couple mean things to him, but we won't go into that. But I guess that's kind of what makes me and my relationships a little bit more better nowadays. Even though at the beginning my trust in men wasn't that great. And so getting back together with my now fiance was hard for me because I didn't really trust that he was going to be there and stuff through everything and all my little setbacks of going, I can't do this and stuff like that. But he stuck with me. So I guess it just helps with my relationships a little bit better because I have a better relationship with my mom than I do my dad. And I think that's because of his choices of remarrying and stuff. So it's, that's been a difficult thing of mine That is very hard. It is. And I really appreciate your sharing that because I think it's a very personal thing that you're talking about. And I also think there are a lot of people who go through this, whether its the parents going through separations and divorce, and sometimes it can feel really lonely. So you're sharing this and saying, I went through this, it impacted me this way, and here I am now. I think is really, again, you're doing the same. You're role modeling, you're sharing something that I think can be really powerful for people. I guess I'm wondering with regard to your dad, I mean, obviously he made some choices that impacted you, but he's still your dad. So how are you continuing to work on that relationship? Because I'm guessing that one has been a challenge as well. It has been a challenge. I do call him every now and again just to check in on him. But I think I just still struggle with going up and visiting because I haven't been up for quite a while, actually, I think since last Christmas. And it's tough still for me to go up and visit just because I feel like I just want one-on-one time with him without his new wife. And I know that might sound selfish, but I just want my one-on-one time with my dad, but that may never happen. I would say, Megan, I have, so I have three children and I'm remarried, and my husband has three children. We have six children. Oh, wow. And I'm glad that none of our six children has given up on either one of us because we are able to have that one-on-one time with them. And so I really appreciate your saying this about how important that is for you to have that relationship with your parent and just your parent. And certainly you also want to have a relationship with his new wife, his new family. But I think that as an adult, sometimes we forget that those powerful relationships one-on-one are just as important as they were when we were younger, and we don't always bring it up. It seems like you've been able to really dig into some inner resilience and some inner strength in trying to figure out your way through some challenges in your life. Do you feel, when you look forward in your life in the future, do you think that you'll end up, I don't know, turning more into coaching or into doing more teaching? I mean, it seems like you're really good at sharing your own experiences, and I think that that inspires me. I'm guessing it inspires other people. Do you feel like this is something you're going to do more of as you continue your career? I think so. I think as I start getting older, I may get more into coaching, but not give up the athlete part of it as well, because that is still part of who I am and what I do. So I don't think I'll give up the athlete part just yet. I think that's fair. And I think I know that working with a lot of, well, I've worked with athletes before. I've worked with a lot of physicians and certainly a lot of artists. And I think the ones who continue to have their own practice in whatever it is, but also then go into teaching or coaching, I think one helps inform the other. It does. But when I hear you talk about these things, I think this wisdom that you're offering and your willingness even to come in here in front of all these cameras and have this conversation and the courage that it takes is something that is, I think I've used the word powerful. It's very powerful to me. I'm guessing it will be for other people who are listening as well. So how did you first learn about the Special Olympics? Wondering if people who are watching, if they would like to learn more about the Special Olympics or about the executive council for the law enforcement torch run, how would they learn more about these organizations? I would say come out and see what it's all about and just come to summer games or winter games and just come and meet the athletes. Come and see what we're all about. Because I think that we help people that don't have disabilities, and we just kind of bring them into our world a little bit so that they know how we work and think and everything like that. So I think just come out and see what it's all about. A lot of people when I ask them that question, they say, well, you should go to our website. And you didn't say that. You said you should come see us. And I know having met you first at the gallery, and obviously that kind of stuck in my mind, that conversation that you and I first had. I know that that just being around other people is so much more powerful sometimes than going to the website. So I appreciate that you've opened up that invitation. You're welcome. So maybe at some point in the next year or so, maybe I'll have a chance to come out and actually see you in action. That'll be fun. Yeah. Although I got to say golf. I mean, it's a lot easier to watch a hundred meter or 200 meter run than to watch a golf match. So maybe we'll have to curate that one a little bit and figure out, what that might look like. Okay. Is there anything else that, oh, actually, before we go, would you mind talking to me just a little bit about Loretta Claiborne? Oh, yeah. So I got the chance to meet Loretta this year at the LETR International Conference for Special Olympics. And I got to meet her for the very first time. And I went up to her when I first saw her, and I was like, Loretta, I think you're amazing. I saw your movie at my state games one year, and I said, I want to meet this girl. And I was like, I finally get that chance. And I said, you're an inspiration and I think that you're amazing. And she actually made this bracelet that I'm wearing right now, and I wear it every day. I don't take it off. But I just think that she's a great athlete, a great speaker, and she makes me feel good as an athlete. Well, maybe you could be somebody else's Loretta Claiborne someday, or maybe you are now. Yeah. Well, I really appreciate your being willing to come and talk with me today. And I loved learning more about all that you've done and all that you've accomplished and all these medals that you've won. But I also, I appreciate your willingness to be honest and to talk about things that a lot of people experience, but don't always get to hear about. So that's been really special for me. So thank you for that. You're welcome. And thank you for having me. Thank you. It's been my pleasure. She's many other things. She's a role model, she's a coach. She's just a wonderful human being. And if what you've seen or listened to today is any indication of the work that these organizations are doing and the community they're building, at least in part, I think it's probably worth joining them and seeing what is this community all about? Of course, as a parent, I would also say, I think that probably there's some amount of possibility that the parents had something wonderful to do with this wonderful human sitting across from me. And even though she's not appearing on camera, I want to give a shout out to Megan's mom who happens to be in the studio with us today. And I hope that both Megan and her mom are going to do wonderful things in the upcoming National Championships for golf. As representatives of our wonderful state of Maine. You've been listening to or watching Radio Maine. I'm Dr. Lisa Belisle. I actually hope that both Megan and her mom will come back to the Portland Art Gallery at some point in the future, and we'll trade experiences. I'll come find you on the field at some point and you'll come find us back in the art gallery. Sound good? Sounds good. All right. Thanks very much, Thank you.