In 2017, Ashley Norton received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and set a remarkable goal: to compete in the Ironman World Championship – all 140.4 miles of it.
This dream of swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles naturally required her to manage significant challenges. As a single mother living with MS, she was navigating this new diagnosis and motherhood while also having undergone six heart surgeries and requiring two pacemakers due to lifelong heart complications.
Her journey was defined by resilience, persistence, and unwavering determination. This past October, Ashley achieved her goal by crossing the finish line at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. MSAA had the opportunity to speak with Ashley about her diagnosis, her journey to Ironman, and her experiences being on Team MSAA.
Q: What motivated you to begin training for Ironman, and how was it affected by your MS diagnosis?
Ashley: “My journey began in a place I never expected — a hospital bed. My life had been turned upside down by my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and suddenly, the body I’d always trusted felt unpredictable. It felt like the world tried to hand me a new definition of who I was — one built on limits and impossibilities. But I refused to accept that.
One day, as I lay there recovering, the Ironman World Championship came on TV. Watching those athletes push through pain, exhaustion, and the elements stirred something inside me. I felt this pull to prove not just to the world, but to myself, that a diagnosis doesn’t define your destiny.
When I began training, I had no roadmap. There were no examples of someone with MS — and later, with my heart condition and pacemaker — trying to take on something like Ironman. I had to learn everything through trial and error, by listening to my body and trusting my faith. My body had to relearn how to move, how to adapt, and how to endure in ways it never had before.
And every mile I trained, every time I got back up after a setback, I started to feel that I wasn’t just training my body — I was transforming my spirit. I reminded myself of why I started. I wasn’t just doing this for me. I was doing it for every person who’s ever felt trapped by circumstances, who’s been told their dreams were unrealistic, or that their condition defined them.”
Q: How did you find MSAA?
Ashley: “I first found the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) during one of the hardest chapters of my life. I had just come out of the hospital, trying to figure out how to rebuild my life while living with multiple sclerosis. I was scared, exhausted, and overwhelmed — not just by the diagnosis, but by the weight of trying to navigate everything as a single mother. I needed support, guidance, and hope. MSAA walked me through each step, helping me find resources and solutions that allowed me to take care of my health while still being there for my daughter. That kind of compassion and understanding was something I’ll never forget.
One of the biggest ways MSAA supported me came when I was training for my first Ironman. I had reached a point where I needed specialized equipment — specifically, cooling devices to help regulate my body temperature during the long hours of training. I reached out to MSAA, and they provided me with my very first cooling vest. I wore it during my first Ironman race, and it helped me make it all the way to the finish line. That moment wouldn’t have been possible without their support.
They also provided education on new medications, resources that kept me informed and empowered, and — maybe most importantly — a safe place to connect when I felt alone.
[Editor’s note: For a comprehensive list of MSAA’s resources, please visit our What We Do webpage.]
Throughout my Ironman journey MSAA stood beside me. They checked in on my well-being, offered encouragement, and made sure I was taking care of me before worrying about the finish line. That kind of support is rare, and it’s something I’ll always carry with me.
The support from MSAA isn’t just about resources or programs — it’s rooted in genuine compassion and love. They don’t show up out of obligation; they show up because they care. They see the person behind the diagnosis, and that makes all the difference.”
Q: What does Team MSAA mean to you? What would you say to someone who is considering participating in an endurance event or joining Team MSAA, but is hesitant to start?
Ashley: “Taking that first step can be scary. You start questioning your strength, your body, your limits.
When you live with multiple sclerosis, there are days when it feels like no one truly understands what you’re going through — the fatigue, the uncertainty, the invisible battles. But being part of Team MSAA connects me with people who do understand. People who wake up every day facing the same challenges, yet choose to keep moving forward. When you’re surrounded by people who understand what you’re facing and believe in what’s possible for you, hesitation begins to fade and hope takes its place.
So many people don’t understand how deeply MS affects someone — not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. That’s why education is so powerful. When you speak up, share your story, and help others understand, you’re planting seeds of compassion. Advocacy isn’t just about fighting for others; it’s also about reclaiming your own power.
So don’t wait until you have the perfect words or the perfect plan. Start where you are. Share your story. Be brave enough to be seen. Because your voice matters — and together, our voices can move mountains.”
Thank you, Ashley for speaking with us. If you would like to hear more about Ashley, please visit her website at: ironheartwoman.com
