Just a few days after turning 21, Marilyn Cruz was a passenger in a devastating car accident and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. Her brain injury left her with severe amnesia.  Fighting for her identity, understanding of self and who she was became Marilyn's biggest battle.  Sleeping 22 out of 24 hours in a day, and waking up everyday not knowing where she was or who she was became an extremely difficult reality for her.  At the time she was a Volleyball Coach and studying Philosophy at the Florida International University, but after her accident she was told she would forever be 'disabled'.

Having an 'invisible injury & disability' was difficult, as most of her family, friends and peers just couldn't 'see' what was "wrong".  It took Marilyn 6 years of dark times, life altering confusion and several suicide attempts to finally see the light.  While at the end of her rope, she took a chance and flew to California to walk on fire at a Tony Robbin's seminar.  She was forever changed from that experience as it ignited her fire for life and not subcuming to a mentally crippling diagnosis.  When she returned to Florida, she joined a new concept gym called Crossfit.  Through Crossfit and extreme exercise her brain finally started healing itself, creating new neuro-pathways, and bringing back memories of her past and identity.  Marilyn became obsessed with her progress. She spent her time self educating about mental health, psychology and healing post brain injury. She vowed to live a life helping others and became a certified Crossfit Coach & Life Coach. 

In 2014 she was busy creating a name for herself in the fitness industry when she learned the term "Adaptive".  She dove deep into learning about all things adaptive related and saw a big disconnect between adaptive sports, events, activities and people who identified as disabled and handicapped.  She remembered how being diagnosed as disabled took away from her spirit.  She envisioned a world where people weren't disempowered by labels or descriptive language, but rather lifted up and empowered by the words they use to self identify.  She took the two most powerful words she knew "I AM" and paired them with this new term that stood for the willingness to change and overcome adversity - ADAPTIVE... soon I - AM - ADAPTIVE was born.  I AM ADAPTIVE was registered in 2014 as a 501(c)3 organization and has since gone on to become one of the largest known Adaptive Movements in the world, standing for inclusion & diversity, connecting people together, empowering Adaptive individuals of all walks of life to believe in their abilities, bringing Adaptive stories to light and showcasing the 'impossible' becoming possible.
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Since 2014, Marilyn has attended and spread awareness at countless Adaptive events, competitions, sporting activities, workshops and more throughout the country.  Through I AM ADAPTIVE she has worked with like minded companies, creators, non-profits, schools, hospitals, advocates and incredibly athletes defying all the odds, throughout the 10+ years of its existence. She has been asked to speak at seminars, colleges, universities and support groups as well as consult and advise companies on their inclusion & diversity policies.  She continues to work with adaptive individuals and help them expand their gifts.  Empowering people to believe in themselves and what they don't believe to be possible, is a huge part of her personal purpose.  With unwavering respect and a soft spot in her heart for Veterans, I AM ADAPTIVE works to help those who have served our country.  Every year helping the Homeless Veterans at Vetsville during the holidays has become an I AM ADAPTIVE tradition. Marilyn has a grand vision for I AM ADAPTIVE and what she vows to continue growing the organization into.  With the support of people like you this movement continues to span across the globe touching the hearts and minds of all those who believe in inclusion for all.  

After 10 years of running I AM ADAPTIVE, Marilyn received a late in life diagnosis of ADHD.  Her car accident and brain injury had only exacerbated a neurological difference that she had been born with, which went undiagnosed for decades.  Battling an invisible adaptation continues to be her greatest endeavor in life.  Impairment she believed stemmed from her brain trauma, only surfaced what was always lying underneath.  Women all over the world are being diagnosed with neurological differences that they've battled with silently all their lives.  ADHD has been hugely undiagnosed in females.  As much as 50-75% of cases are missed in girls.  Generations of women are healing through the process of not knowing they've been living with a neurodivergent mind in a neurotypical world.  Marilyn is a personal advocate and testament of living with a life long invisible difference.  Creating a more inclusive world, above all for people that are called to adapt to life in extreme ways continues to be her driving passion.

"Push boundaries, strive for the impossible and do it with love!"
Marilyn Cruz
Founder & President
I AM ADAPTIVE INC.