Athlete Spotlight: Martha Boddy

Martha Boddy has been involved with Special Olympics New Hampshire for 30 years. Living in Exeter, she competes in Track & Field on the Exeter Area team. Martha is one of six children and, growing up, she couldn’t physically do everything her siblings could and battled with depression and anxiety. In 7th grade, one of her resource teachers introduced her to Special Olympics. Her first event was the 100 meters, and as Martha says, “It was the first time I felt like an athlete.”

Martha later joined a Special Olympics soccer team that competed at the Special Olympics World Games in Connecticut in 1995. They played against athletes from the United States and, notably, against Lebanon in the finals, where her team won the silver medal.

These games marked a turning point for her family. Before the World Games, Martha’s family didn’t fully understand her involvement in Special Olympics and had never attended one of her competitions. Watching her compete at the World Games made them realize how much it meant to her, and since then, they have attended several of her competitions.

Special Olympics New Hampshire has also supported Martha in her journey towards a healthier lifestyle. This coming September, she will undergo gastric bypass surgery. Staying healthy is important to Martha, as she aims to compete at the highest level. She says, “I’m taking control of my future, and I know that my Special Olympics family is cheering me on along the journey!”

Thanks to Special Olympics, Martha feels empowered to follow her own path and believes her dreams are achievable. She says, “I can be myself, an athlete, and know that I am accepted and celebrated. Because of Special Olympics, the opportunities ahead of me are endless.”

In April, Athlete Leaders were invited to apply for an Athlete Storytelling Series hosted by Special Olympics North America. A small number of athletes were chosen to develop and enhance their storytelling skills over six months. After submitting her video and written applications and interviewing, Martha was selected and is now honing her storytelling skills.

Martha is also involved in the Athlete Leadership Program and serves as an athlete representative for Reveal the Champion events, where she shares the impact of Special Olympics with those unfamiliar with the mission. When she isn’t competing, Martha volunteers when needed. She takes full advantage of everything that Special Olympics New Hampshire has to offer and we can’t wait to see what’s next for her!