Paralympian Melissa Stockwell and her husband, Brian Tolsma, both actively participate in triathlons and other athletic events and support each other.
Melissa Stockwell, born on January 31, 1980, is an American Paralympic triathlete, swimmer, and former U.S. Army officer.
She is known for her exceptional journey from being a wounded soldier to a world champion athlete.
Also, she was the first female soldier to lose a limb in the Iraq War after a roadside bomb explosion in 2004.
Despite this, Melissa competed in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in swimming and was the U.S. team’s flag bearer at the closing ceremonies.
She later turned to triathlon, winning a bronze medal in the inaugural paratriathlon event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Melissa Stockwell’s Husband, Brian Tolsma, Has Been A Significant Pillar of Support in Her Life And Career!
Melissa Stockwell is married to Brian Tolsma, a vital part of the Paralympic community.
As evidenced by the social media posts, they have been together for almost a decade.
Brian has stood by her through her journey from being a wounded soldier to becoming a world-class Paralympic athlete.
He has participated in triathlons himself, often joining Melissa in events and supporting her training.
Melissa often mentions how her husband and family are her biggest support system via social media posts.
On August 20, 2020, Melissa Stockwell shared a post about her journey and the incredible support of her husband, Brian.
Melissa reflected on her experience after losing her leg in 2004 while she was married to her now ex-husband.
She mentioned that they had been married for 9 years, but they grew apart over time and ultimately decided to go their separate ways.
Then, after their divorce a few years later, she became confident in herself as an amputee. However, doubt remained about whether anyone would love her with only one leg.
Melissa met Brian Tolsma in 2010, and he often tells people that he was attracted to her walking style.
When it comes to their marital journey, some sources claimed that the couple got married on May 8, 2015.
Their relationship is filled with mutual encouragement and love, and the couple has two children: a son named Dallas and a daughter named Millie.
Melissa often posted pictures of her family on her Instagram, showcasing their strong bond.
Furthermore, she mentioned how her husband’s encouragement and understanding have been crucial in her success as a Paralympian.
Certified Prosthetist Brian Tolsma’s Expertise In Custom Prosthetics For High-Performance Athletes Made Him Integral to the Paralympics!
Brian specializes in pediatric orthotics and lower extremity prosthetics, including for high-performance athletes.
He has been certified in orthotics since 2009 and in prosthetics since 2012.
In early 2020, he co-founded Tolsma Stockwell Prosthetics in Colorado Springs, where he works alongside his wife, Melissa Stockwell.
Their company specializes in creating custom prosthetic and orthotic devices and focuses on helping patients regain mobility and independence.
Brian, certified in orthotics and prosthetics, and Melissa, an accomplished athlete, and prosthetist, work together to provide personalized care for their patients.
Moreover, the pair opened the practice in Colorado Springs after moving there in 2019 so Melissa could pursue her dream of competing in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
On January 15, 2020, Melissa posted on Facebook, mentioning,
Guess what everyone! My husband, Brian Tolsma and started a business and just opened a prosthetic company in Colorado Springs! I am so proud of Brian for all the work he’s put into it and can’t wait to spread the word. We will fit all patients, ranging from pediatrics to elite level athletes and everyone in between. Brian will be the only practitioner for now but after Tokyo I’ll be in there seeing patients as well…
In addition to Tolsma prosthetics, Melissa co-founded Dare2Tri, a triathlon club for athletes with disabilities, and works as a prosthetist, helping others overcome similar challenges.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Melissa was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for her service in Iraq.
- She won multiple gold medals at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships from 2010 to 2012.
- She earned five medals in the ITU Paratriathlon World Cup (four Golds, one Silver) and 12 medals in the World Paratriathlon Event (four golds, six silvers, two bronzes).
