While attending the United States Naval Academy as a recruited athlete on its nationally ranked rowing team, Grace experienced a life-changing cardiac event that almost took her life and ultimately resulted in a diagnosis of Long QT Syndrome. After undergoing heart surgery at age 19 for the placement of an implanted defibrillator and pacemaker, she faced the reality that life had different plans for her.

A forced medical separation from the Academy brought an immediate end to her D1 athletic pursuits as well as her plans to commission as a Marine Corps officer. She faced the challenge of finding new purpose outside of the sport and career she had always prepared for. Through faith, family, and an unwavering determination to keep moving forward, she found a new competitive outlet in USPSA shooting.

What began as a challenge to find her new path quickly became a pursuit of excellence. Grace brought the same discipline, athleticism, and competitive mindset that shaped her previous athletic career into the shooting sports. She began documenting her journey and growth in hopes of inspiring others to embrace challenges and to never quit.

Today, Grace is a highly competitive USPSA shooter and personal safety advocate focused on an unrelenting pursuit of excellence in the sport while always working to be in service to others through her coaching and advocacy. With a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and a background in human performance and biomechanics, she brings a unique perspective to competition, skill development, and the process of becoming a better athlete.

Through 2AlphaGrace, she shares the real journey behind competitive shooting - the successes, setbacks, failures, breakthroughs, and the work it takes to experience it all. Whether competing, exploring new challenges, or sharing the knowledge gained through her own training, Grace’s mission remains the same: inspire others to pursue growth, overcome obstacles, and never quit.

#neverquit