News 03.31.25

Breaking Barriers: Kendra Herber’s Inspiring Story

Paratriathlete Kendra Herber has a relentless drive to balance family life with her athletic and professional endeavors. With an impressive resume as an author, model, public speaker, disability advocate, longtime teacher, wife and mother of two, Kendra proves that you can find harmony in the chaos of life by pursuing what you love and never giving up. 

Born with fibular hemimelia (a congenital limb deficiency where the fibular bone is partially or completely missing in the lower leg), Kendra’s parents decided to amputate her leg at age two to help improve her long-term mobility.  

Post amputation, Kendra quickly joined in sports with other able-bodied kids, building her resilience, determination, and love for competition. “After surgery, I just hit the ground running, and I wanted to keep up with the neighborhood kids. So, my parents put me in sports, and I played against all able-bodied kids growing up,” shared Kendra.  

Kendra always liked taking on new challenges, and being an author was a lifelong goal. Kendra’s journey eventually led to writing her book, “WHOLE: A Leg Up On Life”, which offers a deep look into her life and the challenges amputees face. When promoting the book, it opened doors to connect with the disabled sports community – which prompted Kendra to meet a Paralympian who encouraged her to try triathlons. She started training with a cosmetic prosthetic foot and received her first running blade shortly after.  

Kendra’s search for different prosthetics brought her to the Fillauer Obsidian Sprint Blade, which she found vastly superior in responsiveness and comfort compared to other running blades she had tried. Despite extensively training for three years, Kendra narrowly missed meeting her ultimate goal of competing in the Paralympics by securing her spot as the 2024 alternate for the Paris Games. Instead of getting stuck on this setback, Kendra switched to tennis (which she loved in high school), and within six months, she became the top female para standing tennis player in America and the second best in the world. Kendra wears the AllPro Posterior Mount for tennis, which supports her everyday activities and her dynamic play style. 

Kendra’s drive extends beyond personal achievement; she is motivated by a desire to demonstrate to others with disabilities what they can achieve. ”It’s not just about me,” Kendra explains. ”When I compete, I’m not only challenging myself, I’m also showing the world the potential of athletes with disabilities. It’s about proving what’s possible and pushing for greater visibility and opportunities in sports.” Her dedication to this cause highlights the transformative power of sport, not only for athletes but also for everyone who sees the barriers they can overcome. 

Her heartfelt advice to other adaptive athletes entering sports: ”Embrace every opportunity, try different sports, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are more resources and support networks available today than ever before.” 

Kendra is dedicated to advocating for the disabled community and wants to expand para standing tennis into future Paralympic Games. She believes, “Sports have the power to transform lives, not just for athletes but for everyone who sees what’s possible when you refuse to set limits on yourself.” 

As she continues to compete, teach, and advocate, Kendra’s story shows that it’s never too late to try new things and make a significant impact. Her work enriches many lives, making her an inspiration in the world of adaptive sports and beyond. 

Follow Kendra’s Journey On Instagram