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Kyle Taulman is a 22 year old Paralympic and World Cup alpine skier as well as an engineering student at the University of Colorado Boulder.
At the age of 2, Kyle was paralyzed by a cancerous tumor that left him with stage 3 high risk neuroblastoma. His family moved to Steamboat Springs, CO where he grew up and learned to live like any other kid his age.
Throughout the years he has tried almost every adaptive sport available to him and worked to push the boundary of what people perceive of people with disabilities. He competed at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing where he raced in the slalom. He also had competed on the World Cup circuit and at world championships, although he has not been able to commit full time to training as he is still pursuing an education at the same time. Kyle also love music and songs in an a cappella group at school while also playing solo on the street and at different gigs. He plans to release his own music soon and hopes to be able to do something with music as well in the future.
What is your WHY/Your mission?
My goal in everything I do is to normalize people with disabilities and show that just because someone has a different ability doesn’t mean that they can’t live a full and fulfilling life. Anyone can end up with a disability, but I want to show that life doesn’t end after an accident or diagnosis and that anyone can do what they put their mind to.
Some causes/non-profits that you support?
The National Sports Center for the Disabled as well as the High Fives Foundation are two incredible programs that provide adaptive sport opportunities to people so that they can get out into the outdoors and experience the healing power of sport.
What's your favorite bacon recipe or way to enjoy bacon?
My favorite times to enjoy bacon are on a burger or in the morning with a stack of pancakes.
What is a song that pumps you up before a sporting event?
It’s a strange one but Light Up The Night by The Protomen is one of my favorite pump up songs before competing.
Who is your favorite athlete currently?
My favorite athlete currently is Chuck Aoki who is leading the US Wheelchair Rugby team at Paris 2024
If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
It would have to be to stop time without aging. Being able to stop time at will and use that time however wanted while not aging would be incredible and would allow you to learn and work on anything without worrying about the time.
What sport do you find unappealing and have trouble understanding why others enjoy it and why?
For me it has to be golf. I definitely do understand how others can enjoy it, but it’s the one sport that truly makes me feel disabled when I try to play it so not for me.
One thing you can’t live without?
Definitely my guitar. Music is a huge way I relieve stress.
What changes would you like to see in sports?
I would love to see adaptive sports treated in a more equal playing field as able bodied sport. For a long time professional para athletes have had to fight for equal representation and most of the time don’t get the light of day. Things are getting better slowly but there’s still a long way to go.
What do you think is the most important lesson that sports can teach us about life, and how have you applied that lesson in your own life?
Sport is all about learning to keep pushing through failure. You are never going to be the best right off the bat and will need to keep pushing and pushing forward to achieve what you really want. You will be beaten down and have days where you just want to leave it all behind, but those tough days just make that day when you finally are able to make it so much better. You learn from losing and you learn from failure. Without that failure no one can achieve their true potential.
Tell us what we really wanna know... do you like your bacon?
Soft & chewy
Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
@sitskier123 on TikTok or Instagram