Meet Adaptive Athlete:  Erika Draht

Erika Draht grew up along the East Coast, staying active through sports like soccer, basketball, and softball before eventually finding a different outlet in her high school robotics team. That willingness to explore different paths carried into her military career, where she served in the U.S. Army as both a Military Police officer and an Operating Room Specialist. Her service included deployment to Iraq as a gunner and later highly technical medical roles at Walter Reed, where she supported hundreds of surgical procedures and contributed to critical hospital operations.

 

Following her deployment, Erika’s health began to decline in ways that were both complex and difficult to diagnose. Over the years, she faced a traumatic brain injury, multiple surgeries, a heart attack, and a cascade of other medical challenges that gradually took over her life. At her lowest point, she became bed-bound for an extended period, losing significant weight and strength while searching for answers that never seemed to come. That experience ultimately became a turning point - forcing her to reevaluate everything and take control of her own healing journey.

 

Over the past two years, Erika has committed fully to rebuilding herself - mentally, physically, and emotionally. Through veteran programs and a renewed focus on her mental health, she has embraced the process of becoming someone new rather than trying to return to who she once was. Her mindset has shifted from constant motion to intentional growth, learning to slow down, listen to her body, and prioritize long-term well-being.

 

Through the ReDefine program, Erika is looking to continue that transformation - finding new ways to train that align with her current capabilities while strengthening both her body and mind. She approaches this next chapter with openness and determination, focused on building a sustainable, balanced life rooted in resilience, self-awareness, and continued healing.