Minda Dentler

Motivate, Inspire, Achieve

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Motivate, Inspire, Achieve

About Minda

Minda is the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship

Minda’s life is one of inspiration, courage, and determination; she will have you on your feet ready to face your personal Ironman and set even higher goals. As an infant in India, Minda contracted polio, resulting in the paralysis of her legs, and was left in the care of an orphanage. Adopted by an American family, she moved to Spokane, Washington and underwent a series of surgeries on her hips, legs and back, which enabled her to walk with leg braces and crutches. Undeterred by her disability, she became an independent, educated woman with an intention and drive to face and overcome the many obstacles she has encountered throughout her life.

Minda’s athletic journey began as a young adult when she discovered the sport of handcycling. Soon after, she threw herself into the sport of triathlon. In 2013, Minda became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. This accomplishment led to her nomination for an ESPN ESPY Award.

This athletic feat was not easy. As a wheelchair triathlete, Minda completes all three disciplines of a triathlon using only her arms. Her first attempt was a failure. Her second attempt was a success—thanks to her perseverance, determination, and unique personal philosophy, which enabled her to see beyond setbacks and disability.

Minda now inspires people around the world to push past their fears, set goals, and conquer their personal Ironman. Every goal, whether athletic or personal—requires hard work and training. Let her share her story with you.

Minda is an athlete, speaker, polio survivor and advocate, author of The Girl Who Figured It Out, a mom, and a force to be reckoned with.

After spending 20 years in New York City, Minda is now based in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband and daughter.

20

Half-Ironman triathlons completed on six continents

4

Ironman triathlons completed

22,000

largest single audience

23

children vaccinated against polio in India

1

children’s book written

Her story has been

Featured in

Be touched, moved and inspired!

Speaking

Watch Minda’s TED TALK

Minda is the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship

Minda speaks about:

  • Overcoming adversity

  • Self-belief: believe it, see it, positivity

  • Persistence: never give up

  • Planning for success

  • Facing fear and failure

  • Finding the why

Whether you are an individual business owner, a member of a small or medium sized organization or the head of a fortune 500 company you will benefit from the lessons of Minda Dentler’s career as a triathlete and polio survivor.  As the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship after being paralyzed from the hips down by polio, she has overcome the impossible.

Through her presentation, Minda shares her incredible story which impacts and inspires audiences around the world.  Minda leads audiences to realize their potential by facing their fears, setting goals, planning, thinking positively and remaining determined despite setbacks.  Minda is engaging, passionate and funny and touches people in a profound and memorable way.

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You’re in good company

Clients have said

Minda has a highly motivating story and is a great storyteller! I loved it!

Minda is extremely moving! She touched my heart and my soul. Unbelievable!

What an inspiration! To see Minda identify, adapt, overcome and accomplish her dreams is beautiful and amazing!

Mind blowing! Minda is the ultimate inspiration and not to be matched!

Picture Book

A story of resilience, determination, and triumph—for readers of all ages, 0 to 100.

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Available wherever books are sold!

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  • Caitlin O'Hara
  • Caitlin O'Hara
  • Caitlin O'Hara
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The Girl Who Figured It Out

Minda always felt different from other kids. Her leg braces and crutches made it hard for her to run and play. Sometimes she fell. Sometimes she got mad. And sometimes she wanted to give up. But Minda never did. She worked hard to show everyone she could do anything she put her mind to!

This is the true story of how Minda became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the world’s toughest triathlon: The Ironman World Championship.

Join Minda as she takes on life’s hurdles – from climbing stairs to crossing finish lines. Learn how she overcame obstacles, faced down fears, and achieved goals that seemed impossible. It’s a blueprint for raising resilient, confident, and unstoppable individuals. Discover Minda’s courageous spirit and maybe YOU will be inspired to rethink what’s possible!

Recognition

This best-selling book has earned a starred review from School Library Journal, a Junior Library Guild Gold selection, and featured in The Horn Book. It is also recognized on state reading lists in California, Michigan, Missouri, and Texas, including the prestigious Bluebonnet Award List.

Breathtakingly inspiring…the message is perfect for all ages.
A “movie-ready story.”
Kids who say ‘I can’t’ will learn from someone who could.
An uplifting ode to persistence.
Packed with words of wisdom for people of all ages.
[An] inspiring story.
An inspiring story that opens up our hearts to ourselves and the people around us, and that shows the value of perseverance, determination, and self-confidence.
A fantastic read for all…Minda Dentler’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the limitless potential that lies within us.

Author Visits

If you would like information about author visits, click here to contact Minda’s school booking agent.

Book Media

Articles, Videos and Photos

CBSMornings: Failure can be a motivator to try again

KirkusReviews: An Uplifting Ode to Persistence

YouthServicesBookReview: 5 Stars

SpokesmanReview: Book Aims to Inspire Families

ScottsdaleProgress: A Movie-Ready Story

BookwormSez: Women Can Do Anything

CityParent: Book Inspiration

Contact Minda

Questions, Comments, Requests? Get in Touch!

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Connect with Minda

Instagram & LinkedIn

Triathlon

Swim, Bike and Run

As a child, Minda watched from the sidelines as her siblings participated in many sports. Her athletic journey began as a young adult living in NYC, when Minda was given an opportunity to try handcycling. After a few years she made the switch to triathlon, and within 10 years, Minda has won two USA National Triathlon titles (2009, 2011) and completed 35 triathlon and road races. This included her first Ironman Distance Triathlon in Louisville in 2012, just 6 weeks prior to her first attempt at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

A wheelchair paratriathlete, Minda completes all three disciplines of a triathlon with only her arms. After a failed attempt at the Ironman World Championship in 2012, Minda returned to the race even stronger in 2013 and she persevered under difficult conditions, pressure and heat.

On October 12, 2013, Minda added her name to the Ironman World Championship history books. With her 14:39:14 finish in Kona, Minda became the first official woman handcyclist to complete this event, by swimming 2.4 miles, handcycling 112 miles and pushing a racing wheelchair 26.2 miles.

This accomplishment led Minda to have the honor of being nominated for an ESPN ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete with a Disability in 2014.  Minda is the only female wheelchair athlete in the world to have completed four Ironman distance triathlons AND six Half-Ironman distance triathlons on six continents.

Today, Minda continues to work for a large global insurer while training part-time with her husband and daughter.

Triathlon Media

Articles, Videos and Photos

Ironman: 6 Half-Ironmans x 6 Continents completed

PBS News Hour: Brief But Spectacular feature

NY Post: How this polio survivor became an ironman world champion

The Female Lead: Featured in Female Lead Book About Inspiring Women

Ironman: Completed 4 Ironman Triathlons

Triathlete Magazine: How I Did It-Getting The Kona Start

Press of Atlantic City: 2016 Ironman 70.3 AC

Ironman: Women for Tri Video

HSS: Featured in “Back in the Game” TV Commercial

Asphalt Green Triathlon: Wheelchair athlete & triathlon club member becomes a 3X Ironman

Hospital for Special Surgery: Back in the Game

Ironman.com: Most Inspiring Women in Endurance Sports

One.com: Polio Survivor and athlete Minda Dentler’s inspiring story

Glamour Magazine: Hometown Heroes – 50 Phenomenal Women of the Year Who are Making a Difference

West Hawaii Today: 2014 Ironman World Championship – First female handcycle Ironman champion returns

CNN New Day Interview 10-28-13

CNN: This woman is an inspiration! – New Day Interview with Chris Cuomo

Minda Dentler - CCTV Full Frame Essay

CCTV: “I represent what is possible” Interview on Full Frame

UW Alumni Magazine: Persistence Power

Advocacy

Polio Eradication, Global Childhood Immunization

Minda was born in India and contracted polio as an infant, leaving her legs paralyzed.  When she was three, Minda was adopted by an American family.  She earned her MBA from Baruch College in New York after earning a BA from the University of Washington.  Minda currently works at a large global insurer.

In 2013, she became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. This accomplishment set her on course as an advocate in the global fight against polio.

Minda is incredibly passionate about using her platform as an athlete, speaker and polio survivor.  She has written articles for Time and Huffington Post on the importance of global immunization efforts and polio eradication. She has served as a global advocate for Rotary International and the UN Foundation Shot at Life campaign and was a 2017 Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow.

Advocacy Media

Articles, Videos and Photos

GPEI: World Health Summit Polio Pledging Moment

NPR: Striving to outrace polio – what’s it like living with the disease

Project Syndicate: Funding the Polio Eradication Endgame

NY Times: Controversy Over Vaccine Passports

Scientific American: 3 Ways to End Polio Once and for All

Project Syndicate: Helping the Heroines of Polio Eradication

Forbes.com: Rotary International Conference Event

Rotary International Conference Event

Global Moms +Social Good Event

Forbes.com: These Americans Will Never Forget Life Without Vaccines

LA Times: Global health efforts are in jeopardy A polio survivor reflects on proposed cuts to foreign aid

Huffington Post: When Parents Opt Out Of Vaccinations, All Kids Are In Danger

Aspen Institute: 2017 New Voice Fellowship

Aspen Institute: 2017 New Voices Fellow

Aplus Media: Meet The Woman Fighting To Eradicate The Disease That Injured Her As A Baby

UN Foundation: A Polio Survivor’s Message to the World

Rotary: Ironman Athlete & Polio Survivor Reflect on India’s Success