Elaina Camacho’s Health Messenger Profile

My name is Elaina Camacho. I play soccer, swimming, snowshoe, and kayaking. I wanted to become a Health Messenger to help my fellow athletes achieve their health goals.

In the lead up to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, I served as Health Champion for Team Maryland. I would meet on ZOOM with my fellow Health Champions. We all shared our ideas on how we were training. Every delegation member received a fitness kit. In the kit was a step counter, water bottle, jump rope, cones and a step ladder. I make easy follow along videos on some workouts they can do with their kits. There was a step challenge in the lead up to the Games. The challenge was to get at least 20,000 steps before the Games. At the Games me and my soccer team attended the Healthy Athletes screenings. There was a challenge to complete at least five stations and receive a free pair of shoes. Me and my soccer team completed all seven stations and we received a commemorative pin that said I’m a Health Athlete.

I help my fellow athletes in my program by encouraging them pack their favorite healthy lunches, snacks and beverages for competitions. A healthy tip I like to use is instead sour cream on a baked potato I’d use plain greek yogurt. A healthy choice I encourage my fellow athletes is to plan out their meals with whole foods and measure out each portion.

– Elaina Camacho

Strong Minds