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Melissa Ruiz — NYC Para Climber, Coach & Adaptive Athlete

I’m the current Para Climbing World Champion, a four-time U.S. Para Climbing National Champion, and six-time Para Climbing World Cup gold medalist. I’m also an aerialist, and a climbing coach.

I'm still representing the US on the world’s biggest climbing stages, but now I also perform aerial art on the Lyra with Omnium Circus. No matter what I'm doing, I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself and redefine what’s possible. I have cerebral palsy, but that doesn’t stop me from having adventures. If anything, it’s taught me to approach movement differently, embrace the unexpected, and find creative ways to do the things I love.