Meet the 2026 Cycle of Hope Ambassador - Leanne Taylor
After a life changing cycling accident in 2018 left her paralyzed from the waist down, Leanne at twenty-five years old, had to rebuild her life from the ground up. Determined to create a fulfilling life and move forward, Leanne set a lofty goal of completing a triathlon, using only her arms, in a record-breaking time of just 8-months after her injury. This required her to swim 750s, handcycle 20kms and push a racing wheelchair 5km. She did it.
Encourage by this early success, Leanne went on to win Canadian Championships in her first year of competing. She quickly rose up the world rankings, and after an outstanding season in 2024, in which she earned a podium position in every race she entered (finishing 1st, 2nd, 1st, & 2nd), she became the first women to represent Canada in the wheelchair class of Paratriathlon in the Paris 2024 Paralympic games. The Paralympic bronze medal Leanne earned in Paris 2024, made her the first woman in Canadian history to bring home an Olympic/ Paralympic medal in Triathlon.
Because of this result, Canada’s first Triathlon medal at the Olympics/ Paralympics is held by a wheelchair user.
Since her accident, Leanne has been a strong advocate for this disabled community. She is passionate about demonstrating the extreme strength and resilience of the those with disabilities and helping others with disabilities to find their strength. To that end, she serves as a peer mentor for Spinal Cord Injury Manitoba as well as a board member of Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association.
While pursing excellence in sport, Leanne continues to thrive in her career in the pharmaceutical industry where she was recognized as one of the Top 25 Women in Biotechnology in 2022 for her work as a Compliance Officer for Medicure.
Leanne is currently taking a short break from her day job because in July of 2025 she welcomed her first son to the world. While training is going to look a little different for her this Paralympic cycle, she has her sights set on the top spot of the podium for the 2028 Paralympic Games.
Leanne is thrilled to support Cycle of Hope and Habitat for Humanity, celebrating the power of determination, community, and building brighter futures - on and off the bike.