We recently connected with Scott Bennefield and have shared our conversation below.
Scott, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
When asked why I love triathlon so much, a primary reason is because it is such a great parallel to life. Although you race as an individual, you are never alone in your journey. You can plan and prepare properly, but on race day, you have to be ready for unexpected things to happen in an endurance event. Things that are outside of our control such as weather issues, mechanical issues, your stomach decides not to cooperate….it happens to many of us. As in life, the athlete should focus on what they can control, most notably, their response to these unexpected situations. Success in finishing a race many times comes down to not being overwhelmed by what happens that you did not expect, but having a strategic mindset on how to respond to the unplanned adversity, and carry on.
In 2001, my 9 year old daughter, Whitney, wrote a story for a school project. She wrote about how I was her hero. The story was her account and hand drawn illustrations about me finishing my first IRONMAN race. The teacher had the report and drawings made into a book. Aside from my Bible, it is my most cherished book. I have gone on to finish nine IRONMAN races so far. So we know a little something about perseverance and endurance at our house. Whitney went on to do triathlons with me during her high school days and she graduated with honors. She went on to graduate from Texas Tech University and then moved to Denver, CO.
I had no idea that a few years later, we would both have some major life detours. Whereas I have been her hero, she would become my hero too.
In my life experience, purpose and providence transcend coincidences.
As I was nearing 40 years of serving in pastoral roles, I began exploring about how my exit from serving on church staff would look like and what my new path might become. I am not so much about retirement as I am about repurposing. I had been racing in triathlons since the 1990’s and thought that coaching would be a good fit. As a pastor/shepherd, I helped people evaluate where they were in their spiritual life and guide them to take steps in the right direction. As a coach, I would use a similar approach – assess where people are athletically and guide them in the right steps for their success in sport. In 2012 I earned my USAT coaching certification and began my coaching path as I went part-time in pastoral roles.
There was a step in the middle of this new growth that would impact my life professionally and personally. I volunteered to assist adaptive athletes – paratriathletes – in my region to race in triathlons in 2014. This new avenue of helping paratriathletes captured my heart as I worked with awesome people such as injured military, those with spinal cord injury, limb difference, traumatic brain injury, deaf, cognitive impairment and visually impaired athletes to learn to swim, bike and run. I was excited to see how this new direction would unfold. In the summer of 2016, I earned my Certified Personal Trainer from National Academy of Sports Medicine. The combination of these coaching certifications and my past pastoral experience gave me a solid foundation in serving others whether they were novice or experienced athletes.
Just weeks later in August 2016, my life of service and hope would be turned upside down and take on a deeper meaning. Now at the age of 25, Whitney narrowly survived a life-changing, near fatal vehicle accident in the Denver, CO area. All the professional emergency medical service folks on the scene did not expect her to survive. Her injuries were severe and life-threatening. This included a traumatic brain injury requiring a craniotomy, significant facial reconstruction and cosmetic surgeries, bi-lateral humeral displaced fractures, compound fracture of the right tibia, major cuts, bruised lungs, and fractured tailbone to list a few. The emergency team at the hospital did what was necessary to save her life and had her on machines to assist with breathing and drainage. It was brutal how severe her situation was. They said it was necessary to wait for 72 hours to see if she would live before taking any other steps of surgery such as addressing the broken bones. It was so hard to see our beautiful daughter in this devastating condition. Because she was in a low stimulation protocol, we could not touch her and were relegated to being in a position of observer only in this moment by moment reality. We put a photo of her up on the mirror by her daily medical board so that the ICU personnel who were attending to her would know who they were really working on. She had six vital surgeries in the first twelve days. We were told with great caution “she will have a long road ahead of her.” My optimistic reply was always “we just are grateful to have a road, no matter how long it takes.” Just as we hold to in life and sport – direction is more important than speed. Beyond surviving, she would have to learn how to walk, talk, feed herself, and do activities of daily living again. I wished there was some way I could give some of my endurance and fitness to her.
This resulted in me suspending my coaching and athletic pursuits while attending to her during six months of intensive hospitalization in Denver and then being her full-time caretaker for the next several months. I was there at her side, offering encouragement and explanation through the pain and struggles of every procedure, every session of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. It was a very difficult process, but she met every challenge and did not give up. It was not easy, but it was worth it. We had the constant reminder that she knew she was never alone (Psalm 23). Being in the good hands of medical professionals and mighty hands of God, she has made phenomenal progress & is a living miracle today. We are not defined by what happens to us, but by how we choose to respond helps us find meaning in it.
Upon our return home in 2017, I was used my knowledge of coaching/training to supplement and continue her physical therapy beyond what her medical coverage offered. Whereas I wanted to work with adaptive folks, now I was immersed in having one full-time under my care. Her persistence and willingness to push through and attempt the difficult steps to recovery was a tremendous factor in a positive trajectory. I reminded her in the hospitals and at our home, that we could provide the modalities towards recovery, but if she ever gave up or decided to not attempt something, there was nothing anyone could do for her & her journey of progress would wither. Thankfully, she took on every challenge with a great attitude. I encouraged her to do not give up; keep moving forward. There was always hope. Movement is progress and progress is life. She was so determined and never gave up. It was not easy, but it was worth it. Many were praying with us and for us. She is still here because her purpose is not yet finished.
In concert with her remarkable progress, I returned to restarting my coaching business, with Whitney as my daughter and athlete. Amazingly, she went from deaths doorstep to comeback and compete in triathlon, win a national championship in duathlon, and run a half marathon within seven years of her accident. During her comeback, she would say in interviews “You might have people tell you that you can’t. But give it a try. Because you never know what you can do, until you actually do it.” Progress, not perfection, even through pain, is the goal. In addition to the athletic achievements she has had, she also has learned from all of this and uses it in her calling. Now almost ten years later from that tragic night, Whitney now serves in an administration position at a local rehab facility. Her purpose includes giving support, encouragement, and hope to others who have encountered similar injuries like what she experienced. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Having walked through this immersive & significant event with her and our family has made me a better man, dad, and coach. I gained as much from her perseverance as she did from my personal training routines for her. I have grown from this because I can truly identify with those who struggle with adaptive issues and other life altering hinderances in a much more personal way. I find it most incredible that the timing of my pathway from pastor to coaching would give me the blessing and honor to be equipped to serve my adaptive daughter who I love and cherish… as well as other adaptive athletes. We have learned so much from each other through these experiences. I do not think this was random chance.
Two years after her accident in summer of 2018, I was training for another IRONMAN and had a nasty kidney stone that would not pass. After images & scans were taken to identify it, to my great surprise, the doctor revealed I had kidney cancer. There were two advanced renal cell carcinomas on my right kidney which required immediate removal of the whole kidney. This is the only time I have ever been thankful for a kidney stone because it may have saved my life. My saying is “I have cancer, but cancer does not have me.” In 2021, I had partial removal of the left kidney because of the beginnings of cancer. On top of those things, recently I was diagnosed with Grade 1 prostate cancer that only requires surveillance for now. I am fortunate to be a cancer survivor and resilient enough to be active and compete in endurance sports. I know that I am never alone in this. I am still here because my purpose is not yet finished.
I have a positive history of coming through some tough triathlon race situations. But even as an endurance athlete, dealing with cancer can be very intimidating. My experience with Whitney persevering all that she has encountered, seemed to come full circle. Each day with her is a reminder that, just like for her, if I ever gave up or decided to not attempt something, there was nothing anyone could do for me & my journey of progress would wither. In these uncertain times of my journey, seeing her each day recalls for me all that I asked of her during her most difficult days. I want to be a good example to practice what I preached. Thankfully, when I feel down or isolated about my struggles, I recall how she took on every challenge with a great attitude and do not give up. Her example of determination and resilience inspires me to keep moving forward. That is the desire of my life also. There is no way I could possibly give up in my adversity after what we have experienced so far. Now, she is my hero.
My life as a pastor, coach, endurance athlete, and dad is providential. Whitney being my daughter and her journey is also part of a bigger plan. For all of us, in life, we will encounter suffering. In our choice of response, we can find meaning in the suffering. We are both grateful to God that our lives are purposeful reflections of hope.
Whitney wrote her “My Hero” book about me many years ago. Celebrating the tenth anniversary of her recovery next year, I plan to write a “My Hero” book about her amazing journey.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My journey got started as a high school senior. I served as the music director for a small church in southeast Texas. I participated in typical school and church league athletics, however, I did not pursue any sport beyond the minimal weekend warrior level. I continued to serve in pastoral roles as I graduated college. While completing my masters degree in my early 30’s, I found myself out of balance regarding physical self-care and suffered with kidney stones.
During those early years of serving pastoral positions, I had a consistent reminder that life is fragile. The impact of making a lot of hospital visits (and recurrent funerals) was a wake-up call for me in my self-care. In most of the hospital visits with those who were further down the road of life, regardless their illness, I found a striking commonality. Whatever they were dealing with, the majority made it clear to me – they regretted not taking better care of themselves when they were younger. Whether it was from indifference, procrastination or misplaced priorities, they all shared this sobering reality. All I knew was, whatever might come my way, I did not want to be in those same shoes of remorse one day if at all possible. In light of this, I grappled with how I could be a good steward of the days I have in front of me.
That experience galvanized me to make some lifestyle commitments to pursue a balanced and healthy life. This quote embodied many of the conversations I would have with people in my days moving forward: “Many people in their early years ignore their health in the pursuit of wealth, only to come to the end of life and spend all their wealth trying to regain their health”. I knew the wealth aspect was not so predictable. However, I knew I could have an impact on my wellness, so I began to compete in triathlon and other endurance sports as my health strategy.
I started making the move from pastoral duties to coaching in 2012. I established what is now known as Para Endurance Coaching under my business Bennefield Multisport Coaching, LLC. Para Endurance has the mission to help others achieve their athletic and wellness goals in a safe, purposeful, and healthy manner. “Para” means to “come alongside”. That is the heart of my services: alongside, together, supported, encouraged, and enabled to be successful. Our athletes improve their physical abilities as well as their knowledge base in endurance sports. This fosters confidence to overcome obstacles and exceed boundaries they previously didn’t believe they could in their journey. The culmination of their athletic experience translates positively over into daily life. I was made for this. I want others to know you don’t have to run your race alone. As I still learn and grow, I desire to be an influence in the world of endurance sports of an authentic faith and life. I want to model and assist others to run the ‘race of life’ with passion and purpose (Hebrews 12:1-3). I continue serving and dispensing hope through various opportunities such as coaching, consulting, and collaboration..
I value being relatable. Relationships are foundational and foremost to achieve maximum results. In the art of coaching, we embrace authenticity. Keeping it real is important in building trust. We coach the whole person, not just the athlete part. Everything the person encounters in their daily life goes into the mix of performance. I like to say in our relationship with the athlete – ” I need to know your business, without getting up into your business.” Our affinity is not merely academic. It emanates from the perspective of wisdom gained through experiencing the journey ourselves. Many times athletes assert that I “get it”. This connection fosters a community that is making a difference in endurance sports, and in the lives of individuals.
I value being relevant. The integration of sport and science is ever evolving. The masses can treat you like clones. Relying on fads and shallow programming may be popular, but not healthy or effective. One size does not fit all. Unique needs of the athletes sometimes require creativity and discovery. Our services are contemporary, customized, practical, and applicable. We put the athletes needs first. We empower you with established, relevant tools you can use in your everyday training journey. I assist with solutions for the various needs of individuals, particularly adaptive athletes. Each athlete requires some creativity, so I do not offer cookie cutter approaches. I foster “understanding” as a favored objective to just “transmission of information”.
I value community. Triathlon training and racing is an individual sport. To get the most out of the experience, that involves a team, a family, to come alongside for the journey. That’s what “PARA” means – “alongside of”. And that is what we do well in our holistic process. We desire that our advocacy be contagious. We are there for each other in the ups and downs. We forge together. We finish together. We do life – together. With PARA Endurance, while you may compete as an individual, you are never alone in the journey.
I coach athletes of various levels of experience and skill. Some are brand new to the sport while others have attained National & World Championships. I also design and offer adaptive sports clinics, camps and staged the historic, inaugural Para Endurance Adaptive Triathlon in 2024. This was the first ever USAT sanctioned triathlon race for adaptive athletes only. I collaborate with other organizations that share similar heartbeats for adaptive athletes. I am proud and fulfilled when we see how the difference we make through sport translates over into making a difference in their daily lives.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Navigating difficulties and setbacks in life are inevitable. I am well acquainted and understand the economy of comebacks and overcoming – both personally and professionally. Change is possible and can happen against all odds. Resilience is a vital aspect that I value. I think an example of resilience has been in my coaching business. The constant ups and downs of anxiety in trying to balance life issues and business environments. Fall down seven times, stand up eight. It is ok to pause, but not ok to quit. I focus on what I can control – my response to adversity. Adapt, adjust, and carry on. This snapshot illustrates my challenge of leaning into the uncertainty of events.
In summer 2016, I was honored to coach at paratriathlon camps in San Diego, CA and Pleasant Prairie, WI. When Whitney had her accident that August, I paused my coaching to be her caretaker. She comes home to live with us in February 2017. I thought of stepping away from coaching to focus on her rehab. But realizing others might benefit from what I was learning, I ease back into coaching others. In July, I am part of the inaugural class of USAT Paratriathlon Coach certification.
In June 2018, things seem to be picking up as I coach Injured Military Camp in Hammond, IN. Then a month later, for the first time in my life I hear the words – you have cancer. This changes and challenges me. Having my right kidney removed in July 2018 slows me a bit physically. However, I pursue keeping the passion. On the heels of my new context, I press forward to coach a Visually Impaired camp at the Olympic Training Center in August, and put on my first adaptive triathlon camp in Denver, CO on Labor Day Weekend with seven athletes.
I tried to be positive about my health in 2019 as I coach Injured Military Camp in Hammond, IN again. In October I put on a paratriathlon camp in Houston, TX with over 20 athletes. I get excited at planning the next year’s opportunities and then Covid hits in spring of 2020 and that lessens coaching opportunities since many races are canceled.
In 2021, I resume a more robust coaching schedule. I again coach Injured Military Camp in Hammond, IN and put on my camp in Arlington, TX that summer. Two of our campers would go on to race and podium at Nationals the following year.
Just when it seems there will be some consistency in life, I have a second kidney cancer surgery that fall. Results show they got all of it. I have to take it easy for a bit, but we pick ourselves up and in 2022 make a difference in the lives of twelve athletes at camp again in Dallas, TX.
Once again I feel I am gaining traction in moving forward with the business. Then in the spring of 2023 I was diagnosed with Grade 1 prostate cancer. It seems that I am running against the wind. It is disheartening, but I can not give in, just pivot and carry out my purpose. I went on to coach an Adaptive Multisport Camp at UCLA in July and put on my camp in October in the Dallas area with eight athletes.
In 2024, I really lean into it. I start a non-profit to support athletes and my camps – Para Endurance Foundation. We staged the historic “Para Endurance Adaptive Triathlon” in Pflugerville, TX with twenty two athletes from eight different states. In May 2025, I led an inaugural Special Olympics Segmented Triathlon in Miami, FL and was the USAT Paratriathlon Coach for the Nationals Qualifier event in Texas City, TX. I do not know what is in store for the future, but I do know I will keep getting up and continue to make a difference.
The struggle is real. It will look different in everyone’s lives. I hope you don’t think you are on an island by yourself in facing adversity. Sometimes it seems that life obstacles were relentless and hard to get traction in the business arena. It is a challenge to be tossed back and forth. I have gained much from our adaptive athletes who are accustomed to obstacles in everyday life. Endurance and perseverance are the fabric in the backdrop of who I am. Things go awry, I get up again. I have learned to lean in to it. My passion and purpose keep me in the game. So we keep our chin up, pivot and carry on.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Working with adaptive athletes requires trust.
As important as it is to have “credentials” (knowledge), it is equally or more important to have the “essentials” (relationship wisdom).
The saying goes “They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” In my experience, that trust is developed greatly through personal interaction and authenticity, not just marketing. I have found that a bonus of my life experience with what I have experienced with Whitney, that there seems to be a unique empathy with adaptive athletes. I don’t have just the head knowledge, but practically have lived it full-time for a few years. That does not make me “the best” coach out there, but it does make me a much “better” coach. For me, it is more than just handing out workout sessions. It is about making a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paraendurance.com/
- Instagram: @paraendurance
- Facebook: Scott Bennefield
- Twitter: @ScottBennefield
Image Credits
all photos – Scott Bennefield