At 51 years old, Rhonda Schmidt is proving that dedication, resilience, and a positive mindset can take you farther—literally—than you ever imagined. A proud mother of five, grandmother of one, and wife to Doug for over 25 years, Rhonda is this month’s featured athlete not just because of her accomplishments, but because of her incredible spirit and drive to keep growing stronger.

Since moving to Wichita, KS from Houston in 2019, Rhonda has made her mark in the local running community. She’s a process safety professional working at the El Dorado refinery by day—and a powerhouse of endurance and motivation in her free time.

“I enjoy running and getting outside,” she shares. “I enjoy challenging myself to go faster and farther than I ever thought possible.”

Her fitness journey began 15 years ago in Amarillo, Texas, when her young children became interested in running. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Rhonda started the Amarillo Striders, a youth running club that brought together around 30 kids.

“We would all meet with our matching shirts at the fun runs,” she remembers fondly. “It was a little overwhelming because I really didn’t know what I was doing, but I had great support from local XC coaches.”

Fast forward to today, and Rhonda is checking off major accomplishments like running five half marathons in five states in five days—an incredible feat of physical and mental endurance.

“Day five was terrible…but I DID IT!” she says. Her passion for setting goals and pushing her limits hasn’t slowed down, and her next big adventure is the Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon this September.

“I feel stronger than I have ever felt and love finding balance between running and strength training, thanks to Dr. Allison,” she says.

Beyond the medals and miles, Rhonda’s story is inspiring for another reason—she’s a proud living kidney donor.

“Yes, I now run with one,” she says. Her resilience and gratitude shine through in every part of her journey. “There is no greater feeling than being fit, to know I can go climb a mountain, run a marathon, or play soccer with my grandson is a priceless gift to myself.”

“There is no greater feeling than being fit, to know I can go climb a mountain, run a marathon, or play soccer with my grandson is a priceless gift to myself.”

Rhonda’s approach to fitness is about more than hitting PRs—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and finding joy in the process. “Find the joy in fitness,” she advises.

“You don’t have to be the strongest, the fastest, or have the perfect athletic body. Being active and moving your body every day is a blessing!”

Since working with Dr. Allison at Natural Wellness Physiotherapy, Rhonda has seen major improvements in her strength and mobility.

“Just thinking back to September and how far I have come with the simple 20–30 minutes each day is crazy,” she says. She recently tackled the Goggins Challenge (running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours), just weeks after resolving a hamstring issue with targeted treatment and rehab.

Rhonda has also found strength and community through her Saturday long runs with TJ’s Running Club.

“It’s a great way to meet people, especially those interested in running lots of miles and taking goofy pictures,” she says. “Having friends that understand the ups and downs of running and are crazy enough to join you on some extreme challenges is amazing.”

Her adventurous spirit doesn’t stop with running. Last summer, she crossed off a bucket list item—skydiving—with her son, a Pararescue Jumper in the U.S. Air Force.

“It was an amazing experience, but I think once is enough for me,” she says. “To do this with him and my youngest son was perfect.”

Rhonda is a living example that it’s never too late to set bold goals, embrace the journey, and inspire others along the way. Her story reminds us that strength comes in many forms—and sometimes, it runs on one kidney. as if what you've read until now wasn't impressive enough, Rhonda is a proud kidney donor! 

Congratulations, Rhonda! We’re honored to have you as our April Athlete of the Month.

Want to follow in Rhonda’s footsteps? Learn how performance physical therapy can support your goals—whether you’re just getting started or preparing for your next big challenge.