Michele
321.960.1070 michele@thebirdwells.com coach@brevardtnt.org
Barry 321.794.8481 barry@thebirdwells.com coach@brevardtnt.org
Michele is a native
Floridian that spent most of her teen years outside Boston before returning to
Florida. She has lived in Brevard County since 1995, moving there from Orlando.
She is a respected Neuromuscular Massage Therapist living in Melbourne Beach,
where she has practiced for 15 years, prior to that she was a rehabilitation
counselor.
Barry is
currently employed at the Harris Corporation in Melbourne Florida. Barry has been a telecommunication engineer
for over 25 years and been involved in emerging technologies throughout his
career. He relocated from Michigan to Central Florida in 1979. Barry is
currently serving the North & Central Chapter as a member of the Society’s
National Board of Representatives.
Marathon experiences: San Diego Rock “n” Roll Marathon (2004, 2005,
2007,2008,2010) ● Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon (2004, 2005, 2007)
● Maui, Hi (2005) ● PF Chang’s Rock-n-Roll (2006) ● Walt
Disney World ½ Marathon (2003) ● Nashville Country Music ½ Marathon
(2003, 2006) ● Virginia Beach ½ Marathon (2003, 2004, 2006) ● Key
West ½ (2004, 2005, 2008) ● San Jose Rock and Roll Half (2006, 2007) ●
Nike Women’s Marathon (2009) ● Chicago 1/2 (2009) ● Jacksonville
Run with Donna 1/2 (2009)
Barry & Michele joined
Team In Training in 2002 participating as run:walkers in the San Diego
Rock-n-Roll Marathon. They started coaching at the end of 2003. Since that time
the sport of running and walking has become a lifestyle. Combined they have
completed 20 TNT events as participants. This season will mark their 14th
leading teams to the finish line. Michele says “Running and walking makes you
healthier and Team In Training saves lives. A truly WIN WIN situation.” Barry
and Michele study the sport have been trained at advanced levels by the
National TNT run and walk coaches and both were recently certified as coaches
by the Road Runners Clubs of America.
In 1999 their family was affected by Leukemia. Barry’s sister Beverly was
diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). Beverly's
determination led her to participate in clinical trials of a new oral treatment
specifically for CML. Beverly's response to Gleevec is nothing short of the
miracle many families pray for.
They love to share her
story. They had no idea the role The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society played in
the research and development of the drug that allows Beverly to live. The
inventor of Gleevec, Dr. Brian Druker says ‘Without Team In Training my team
could not have done what we did’. Barry says “We have to keep working for the
future families. We want to give them the genuine hope that my family has
experienced.”
They are dedicated to assisting others achieve their personal goals of walking or running a marathon. Goals they admit initially seemed out of reach. Michele says “We started as complete novices and are proof that with a gradual increase in long runs/walks and a steady weekly mileage base, YOU CAN DO 26.2 or 13.1! “ They believe training to finish is the only way to go for the first timer, however if you have some experience they have studied several methods under some of the best coaches in the business and are glad to help guide you to a choice that suits your goals. They know how to improve your running and how to convert you from a mall walker to a race walker