Montgomery's inspiring story featured on 'Rachael Ray Show'
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
One of Lipscomb University’s newest members of the women’s track & field team has been making national headlines with her inspiring story of perseverance and courage.
On Monday, Feb. 9, freshman Kayla Montgomery was once again in the national spotlight as she was featured on CBS’ the "Rachael Ray Show." The show aired in Nashville at 9 a.m. CST on WTVF-CBS (Channel 5). Montgomery went to New York City Jan. 21-22 to tape the interview for the popular talk show. Click here to view the interview.
Her story has been featured in numerous media outlets across the country including the New York Times and on ESPN’s E:60 series.
At age 14, Montgomery was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord resulting in loss of muscle control, vision, balance and numbness. With clearance from her doctors, she turned those effects on her body into a technique that has helped her defy the medical odds against her and to excel as a runner. Because MS blocks the nerve signals from her legs to her brain, Montgomery is able to move at steady speeds that cause other runners pain. She can’t feel the pain, but at the end of a race when she stops putting one foot in front of the other, she collapses as her legs become unstable. Her coach is always there to catch her.
Last year as a high school senior, Montgomery became one of the fastest young distance runners in the country. Her phenomenal success drew the attention of university cross country and track and field programs across the country. But, she said, in the New York Times, that when most coaches found out she has MS, they didn’t call her back. Bill Taylor called her back. He saw something in Montgomery that he knew would be a fit for Lipscomb University.
She is continuing her success at Lipscomb. Currently in the midst of her first track and field season at Lipscomb. Just last week, Montgomery took first in the women’s 5000m run with a time of 18:02.39 at the Tennessee State University Invite.
Montgomery competed with the cross country team this past fall. During the Vanderbilt Invite, she secured the third best time (17:34.8) in the history of Lipscomb’s home course, Vaughn’s Gap.