Dianna Carda - Swimming/Track & Field/Equestrian
When Dianna Carda appeared at the World Dwarf Games in 2001, she was hoping to have fun, meet people like herself and maybe, just maybe, bring home a medal. Even though Dianna had been active in sports since childhood, at age 45, not only was this her first organized dwarf athletic competition, but she also would be challenging seasoned, record-holding athletes from around the world.
No one could believe the competitive effort put forth by the diminutive athlete from small-town Nebraska.
The first day Dianna won bronze medals in discus and shot put and a gold medal in badminton. The next day, she scored a silver medal in table tennis. Then came swimming. In addition to winning gold medals in all four swimming events, Dianna set a world record in the butterfly, a record she broke during a competition in France in 2005.
Dianna accomplished these stunning feats without a coach or expensive training facilities. In fact, she practiced among the animals on her farm. Dianna borrowed a shot put and discus from a local high school, practiced table tennis by herself against a wall (Forrest Gump style), and practiced for the javelin competition by throwing a fence post.
Dianna says Mannatech products help her prepare for competitive training while giving her a platform to discuss quality nutrition supplementation with others. Being a member of Team Mannatech gives her the opportunity to travel across the country teaching Total Body Wellness Workshops on diet, nutrition and fitness.
“Diet, nutrition and fitness are key components to achieving an optimal quality of life,” she says. “You must have all three to get the most benefit. Staying active gives me freedom to move.”
“I’ve been taking Mannatech’s Optimal Health System and sports performance products for years,” she said. “I’m now swimming better and still improving my performance. These are some really amazing products.”
Her life has always been about overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. What she might lack in stature, Dianna more than makes up for in heart.
Posted on Monday, July 21st, 2008
