Humans of HOKA: Amy Winters
Amy Winters is driven by three powerful motivators: helping others, cherishing time with her family, and conquering the seemingly impossible. Throughout her life, sports have been a guiding force, pushing her to tackle some of the world’s most demanding races.
This past summer, Amy faced one of her greatest challenges yet—standing on the starting line of the UTMB, the legendary 100-mile race around Mont-Blanc in Chamonix, France. Her awe-inspiring journey continues to redefine what’s possible, not only for herself but also for those who follow in her footsteps.
HOKA:Please introduce yourself.
Amy Winters: I am Amy Palmiero Winters – a mother, athlete, coach, wife, and the director of A Step Ahead Prosthetics, a world-renowned prosthetic facility with locations in Hicksville, New York, near Manhattan, and Burlington, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. For nearly 20 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside world-renowned prosthetic expert Erik Schaffer, C.P., dedicating myself to transforming patients’ lives by helping them regain their independence and achieve their goals.
I am also a proud mother of two incredible children serving our country: my son Carson is in the Navy aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, the only forward-deployed nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy, and my daughter Marilynn serves in the Army as a 74D Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist, protecting the nation from weapons of mass destruction. My husband, Christopher Acord, a Navy veteran and “Submarine Nuke,” now works as a project manager for a tri-state window company with over 50 years of experience. Together, we have two younger sons at home who ensure our “empty nest” is far from empty.
My days are long, often spent working 70-90 hours a week alongside my incredible team at the New York facility, changing lives one prosthetic at a time. But every moment is worth it. Witnessing the joy on a patient’s face–the moment they realize their life is not over, that they’re going to be okay–is what makes the hard work so rewarding.
In the evenings, I push myself even further through Military Fitness Training (MFT) with Retired Gunnery Sergeant Tony Hernandez of the Marine Corps. With his blend of honor, strength, and a uniquely “sinister” sense of joy, he challenges us to push past our limits. His approach reminds me that neither life nor the trail cares about how hard it is–it demands resilience, grit, and strength. This life is a gift, and I refuse to waste it.
HOKA:Has running always been a part of your life?
Amy: Yes, running has always been my sanctuary. As a child, what began as a way outgrew into a passion and a lifelong journey–a storyline that continues to unfold. Running has taught me discipline, perseverance, and the beauty of pushing my body, mind, and spirit to their full potential. It has taught me to love my body and who I am. It has saved my life more times than I can count and, above all, reminded me that I am alive.
During COVID, when many of my teammates lost access to gyms, it brought me back to the day the doctors told me I would never run again. I remember feeling purposeless, like a part of me had been taken away. I never want anyone to feel that way. That memory inspired me to create an indoor-outdoor gym in our driveway, open to anyone willing to join. The membership rules were simple: no complaining, no whining, and clean your equipment. Five years later, regardless of snow, rain, freezing temperatures, or excessive heat, the 5:30 a.m. team is still going strong.
Fitness, sports, and running saved my life, and I never want anyone else to feel like they have no way forward–not if I can help it. As tough as fitness and hard work can be, they equip us to handle the rest of life. They make us stronger mentally and physically, allowing us to be better in every other area.
Fitness opens the door to who we can be. Think about it–how often do we stop to watch the sunrise in the midst of life’s hustle or look up to see the stars? My team and I get to experience both every morning, and it’s a powerful reminder of the beauty of life and the gift of simply being alive.
One of my greatest joys is witnessing the incredible strength and perseverance of my children. Recently, my daughter Madilynn competed in the grueling Norwegian 19-mile endurance test. Not only did she earn the prestigious “Marsjmerket” badge, but she also conquered the challenge with an outstanding time of 4 hours and 4 minutes–beating the men’s standard by 26 minutes and the women’s by 56 minutes. Even more remarkable, she achieved this just a week after receiving 14 stitches for a laceration above her eye. Her resilience and determination inspire me every single day and remind me why I continue to push forward.
HOKA:How did that change in 1994?
Amy: In 1994, my life changed completely after a motorcycle accident led to the loss of my left leg. It was a moment that could have defined my limits, but instead, I chose to redefine my potential. With the countless surgeries, grafts, transplants, and setbacks, the simplicity of running became even more
significant to me–it transformed from what once was a way out to a passion, and now into a mission. I refused to let this loss take away what I loved most.
1994 was also a gift. It gave me the realization that we don’t all get second chances, so we must learn from those around us and not let fear, anxiety, struggle, or the unknown hold us back. That year taught me how I would be the best mother I could be and the strongest example for my children. It showed me
that I could turn adversity into strength and help others see that being different doesn’t have to stop them or limit their potential. Loss, struggle, and change have shaped me into the person I am today, allowing me to not only grow but to inspire and change the lives of those who are open to it. These challenges have taught me that adversity can be a powerful catalyst for transformation–both for ourselves and for those we touch. By embracing these experiences and sharing my journey, I’ve been able to show others that while life may not always be easy, it is always worth fighting for. It is through struggle that we discover our strength, and through change that we find our true potential.
HOKA:You have an incredible list of accomplishments, from world records to marathons, ultramarathons, and triathlons. What is your motivation?
Amy: My greatest motivation comes from my children and the those who allow me to inspire them along the way. Hearing my kids say, “Mom, when it got hard, I kept going because if you can do it, I can do it,” is the ultimate fuel for my journey. When someone reaches out and says, “When it got hard, I
remembered you, I didn’t give up, I did it!” that’s what keeps me going.
I want people to ask themselves, when was the last time you did something for the first time? My motivation comes from a deep desire to show what is possible–not just for myself, but for others. I want my children to see resilience in action and to understand that hard work and determination can
push us past the barrier’s life places in front of us. Our patients inspire me every day. Watching them rise to their challenges and achieve what once seemed impossible reminds me that there is always a reason to keep going. And on a personal level, I am driven by the belief that I can always become stronger–not
just physically, but mentally and emotionally. For me, every step forward is an opportunity to inspire, grow, and break through limits.
HOKA:What about your story are you most proud of?
Amy: I am most proud of how I’ve used my challenges to inspire and empower others. My father, a world-class weightlifter, passed his unrelenting work ethic down to his children. One day as a high school student, I experienced anaphylaxis while out running. I came into the house gasping for air–my throat, mouth, and eyes all swelling shut. Panicked and terrified, I told my dad we needed to get to the hospital, or I would not make it. He calmly looked at me and said, “No. Figure it out. What are you going to do next if you cannot get to a hospital?” I lay down on the floor, and he sat by my side for five hours,
coaching me through it: “Relax, breathe, you can do this.” At the time it was one of the hardest moments of my life, but I did it. I survived. My dad taught me something I would carry forever: strength comes from within.
Years later, that lesson came back to me during some of the hardest moments of my life. When I woke up in the hospital after my accident, the pain was excruciating–more than I thought I could bear. I remember my dad by my bedside, saying, “Amy, you can do it. Use your mind. Get outside of the pain. Do not push that button.” For days, I trained myself to separate from the pain, to endure it without medication. Eventually, the nurses realized I had not touched my pain pump and asked why. My dad answered for me, “Because she can control the pain on her own.” They took control of the pump after that, but his lesson in mental resilience stayed with me.
Fast forward to the Marathon des Sables, one of the worlds hardest races. During my first MDS, five miles into the race, I went into anaphylactic shock. Just 22 months earlier, I had lost my mom, my sister-in-law, and my father, and I felt his presence with me in the desert. My throat was swelling shut, my eyes and lips were swollen, and I could barely breathe. I needed medical attention but knew seeking help would disqualify me from the race. Instead, I leaned into everything my dad had taught me: I focused on my footfall, kept my pace steady, and reminded myself to relax. Step by step, I kept moving forward. It was slow, it was painful, and it was terrifying, but six days later, I crossed that finish line.
That experience shaped my return to the Marathon des Sables, which you can see in Netflix’s Human Playground, Episode 1.
I’m proud of life’s lessons and the fact that I get to carry them with me every day.
HOKA:What would you want to share with someone that has set their eyes on their goal and may be feelingdefeated by it?
Amy: I would tell them what my father told me: “Figure it out.” Life will throw challenges at you, and sometimes you won’t have the perfect solution or the resources you think you need. But you are stronger than you realize. Focus on the next step, the next breath, and keep moving forward.
Success isn’t about never falling–it’s about finding the strength to get back up. Break your goal into smaller steps and remember that failure is not the opposite of success–it’s part of the process. You can do this.
HOKA:You shared a bit about your experience at UTMB in 2023 and again in 2024. We cannot wait to see you back at the start line–what advice do you have for your future self?
Amy: To my future self: Remember everything you’ve already overcome. When the trail gets tough, think back to the lessons you’ve learned. At the Marathon des Sables, you went into anaphylactic shock in the middle of the desert and kept moving forward to the finish line 6 days later by focusing on your footfall
and trusting your ability to figure it out. Take that same mindset to the UTMB start line. Trust your training, enjoy the moment, and remind yourself: You’ve done hard things before–you can do this again.
I’ve had two vastly different UTMB experiences, each teaching me hard but invaluable lessons. In 2023, I went in completely unprepared for what the relentless climbing and descents would do to my body with my prosthetic. My prosthetic leg was too long. The climbs were like climbing out of a deep hole with every gain in elevation, while the chaotic descents–with no heel, ankle, or flexion to stabilize me on the rocks–were a free-for-all. I fell constantly which is par for the course. Every fall was unpredictable, with my prosthetic catching on rocks and throwing me in the direction of the steepest drop. My trekking
poles, strapped to my hands, twisted painfully with each fall. I walked away from 2023 with incredible scars–both physical and emotional. But every scar tells a story, and 2023 was one for the books.
That failure ignited a fire in me. I was determined to improve. I wanted to run more, climb higher, and push harder. But in my intensity, I forgot an essential lesson I learned in training for races like Badwater 135, Cocodona 250, and Western States: I am missing a leg. Training for ultras with a prosthetic isn’t
about endless mileage or elevation gain–it’s about quality over quantity. My 2023 effort ended near mile 72 when I timed out, and though the fire to redeem myself burned bright, I lost sight of balance, recovery, and patience.
In 2024, I packed my calendar with back-to-back events: Canyons in the rain, Tenerife Bluetrail (where I made the pavement and my face best friends), a grueling NYC Marathon photo shoot (that as funny as it sounds, it was harder than some races), the three-day adventure of Broken Arrow Sky Race Triple Crown, and the relentless brutality of Speedgoat followed next day Joe DeSena’s Spartan challenge up and down Utah’s Snowbasin. I relentlessly chased ascent and descent training, ignoring the warning signs from my body. By the time I arrived in Chamonix, I had an open wound on my residual limb that
required surgical revision and stitches just a week before the start. I maneuvered through pre-race festivities on crutches. The day before the race, I removed my stitches, held the incision together with Steri-Strips, and told myself, “This is your time.”
Two miles into the 2024 race, the incision ripped open. By mile seven, I was shivering, vomiting, and spiraling downhill. By mile 10, my body gave out. The medics–angels in disguise–ended my race, saving me from further harm as I battled internal hemorrhaging. My dream of crossing the finish line ended in a medical center, with crushed hopes and the weight of the world pressing down on me.
But there was a glimmer of hope amidst the disappointment. In the days leading up to UTMB 2024, I had the privilege of meeting Christophe Aubonnet, HOKA’s Director of Advanced Product Development. In one transformative hour, Christophe fitted and modified a shoe specifically for me. My sound-side foot has endured unimaginable challenges over the years–nerve damage, broken bones, pins, plates, screws, and fused joints. Since 2009, I had searched for someone who could help ease the pain and limitations of my body’s toll. Christophe’s creativity, empathy, and brilliance made that long-awaited
fairytale a reality.
Christophe’s innovative adjustments weren’t just about shoes–they were about hope. He understood what I needed to continue pursuing my dreams, from stabilizing my sound-side foot to adapting my prosthetic for UTMB’s brutal terrain. His support gave me a renewed sense of possibility.
For 2025, my training plan is different. Instead of cramming ascent and descent training on unfamiliar terrain, I will go straight to the source. I want to spend a weekend on the UTMB course itself, running the trails and dialing in every detail–the height of my prosthetic, the tread it will land upon, and the
sound-side foot shoe that will carry me. Testing my equipment and my body on the very terrain I’ll face is critical. It’s not just about being prepared physically-it’s about building confidence and trust in my gear and myself.
A friend texted me as I returned to my hotel room to come to grips with what had just happened and to remind me of Jim Walmsley’s story–how it took multiple attempts to achieve his dream of winning UTMB. That message didn’t erase the sting of my second failure, but it helped me reframe my journey.
This isn’t about revenge or redemption. It’s about doing it right this time. I’ve learned the hard lessons from 2023 and 2024, and I know now that reckless effort isn’t the answer. Success comes from training smarter, not harder.
For 2025, my focus will be quality, not quantity. Christophe’s expertise, my past lessons, and a balanced approach will guide me to the start line. This time, I won’t just aim to cross the finish line–I’ll do it on my terms, with a body and spirit ready for the challenge. UTMB is a story still being written, and the next
chapter will be one of resilience, intelligence, and success.
HOKA:You have become such an inspiration, from children to adults, sharing your story and leading by example. Tell us about One Step Ahead Foundation and how this has become your mission.
Amy: The One Step Ahead Foundation is my way of giving back to children facing physical challenges. It’s about empowering them to see themselves not as limited, but as limitless. Through mentorship, resources, and opportunities, we give them the tools to build confidence, self-esteem, and resilience.
Running gave me the confidence to believe in myself and face life’s challenges head-on. Whether it’s mentoring a child through sports or helping them navigate life with a prosthetic, I want to show them that being different is not a barrier–it’s a strength.
HOKA:Is there anything else that you’d like to share?
Amy: Life is a gift. It will test you, challenge you, and break you down, but it will also teach you how strong you truly are. My father always said, “Use your mind,” and I’ve lived by that advice every day. Whatever your goal is, take that first step. You never know where it will lead, but I promise it will be worth it.
It is truly an honor to share my story, and I am grateful to HOKA and their incredible team for believing in me. Being part of the Humans of HOKA is a privilege, and I am proud to stand alongside so many
inspiring individuals who embody resilience, determination, and the power of possibility.
HOKA’s mission to empower all athletes to feel like they can fly perfectly captures what I need to make this dream a reality. With their support, innovation, and belief in me, I know I can take everything I’ve
learned from the past and channel it into crossing the 2025 UTMB finish line. Together, we’ll fly to that moment of triumph. Thank you, HOKA, and everyone for giving me the wings to make this journey possible.
You can continue following Amy’s incredible journey on her Instagram.