In 2013 the Women’s Health Conference featured inspiring stories of role models who work towards health: mental, physical and emotional. Kathleen Wrigley is a healthy role model for hope. She always says, “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

Kathleen is no stranger to an active lifestyle. Kathleen has participated in 8 full marathons and tons of half marathons and other races. She is extremely dedicated to working out every single day; she says running and working out is her therapy. In addition to her daily workouts Kathleen makes certain she spends time with her family. Kathleen and her husband, Drew, have been blessed with 3 active and remarkable children: Quinn 13, Patrick 12, and Harper 6. Kathleen is also a freelance writer and columnist for “On the Minds of Moms” magazine for moms and parents that is distributed on the eastern part of North Dakota.

Although Kathleen has led a very active and healthy lifestyle, none of us are immune to life’s bumps. Several years ago Kathleen didn’t feel “right” and went to her doctor. Instead of waiting even when sensing something was wrong, Kathleen acted and advocated for herself. If she hadn’t, she would not be here today.  Not long after, Kathleen under went three brain aneurysm surgeries, and has suffered some permanent vision deficits after some complications during a craniotomy. None of this, however, stopped Kathleen from continuing to live her life the way she wanted to. While it was a long journey, she has adapted and is able to live exactly the same way she did before surgery. At first, she needed help and people rallied around her family. Kathleen was able to experience how important it is to step up and help those in need, and recognized that kindness is not only beautiful, but also contagious.  

Kathleen lives by the adage: “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” Take what you are given and make the best with it. We cannot escape some battles, but that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope in tomorrow.

Kathleen’s advice to everyone today is to listen to your instincts. Pay attention to your bodies. Be your own health advocate.