Jami Marseilles’ story is one of courage, determination, and an unwavering belief that life’s hardest moments can lead to extraordinary purpose. From surviving ten harrowing days stranded in a snowstorm to making marathon history as a bilateral amputee, Jami inspired athletes and communities across the globe with her resilience, compassion, and unstoppable drive. 

From Survival to Strength 

In December 1987, while driving home from a ski trip in New Mexico, 19-year-old Jami and a friend became stranded on a snow-covered logging road in Arizona. With only a cinnamon roll and frozen soda for sustenance, they endured ten days in subzero temperatures before being discovered by chance. Though Jami narrowly survived, gangrene forced the amputation of both her legs below the knee. 

Relearning to walk was only the beginning. With characteristic determination, Jami rebuilt her health through countless hours of therapy and training. Inspired by watching the 1996 Paralympic Games, she set her sights on running competitively. Fitted with running prosthetics, she trained relentlessly and began competing internationally, setting world records and earning multiple gold medals. 

Breaking Barriers in Marathon History 

In 2015, Jami became the first female double amputee to finish a full marathon when she crossed the Chicago Marathon finish line. Just a year later, she became the first woman with bilateral amputations to complete the historic Boston Marathon. 

While preparing for Boston, Jami mentored fellow athletes including Boston Marathon bombing survivor Patrick Downes, helping him train to complete the race on a prosthetic leg. Her example proved that the power of determination, community, and support can take athletes further than they ever imagined possible. 

Teacher, Mentor, and Motivational Leader 

Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Jami dedicated her life to teaching and inspiring others. For more than 15 years, she served as an ambassador for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), mentoring newly injured athletes and advocating for access to sports. She taught elementary school children, shared her story as a motivational speaker, and founded Warriors With Hope, a nonprofit supporting amputees and cancer survivors. 

Even while facing her own health battles—including a breast cancer diagnosis in 2016—Jami continued to motivate others with her message that loss does not define a life. Her journey was captured in her book Up and Running: The Jami Goldman Story, a candid and uplifting account of survival, recovery, and rediscovering purpose. 

Remembering Jami’s Legacy 

On February 10, 2022, Jami Marseilles passed away at the age of 53 after her cancer returned. She is survived by her husband Beau and their two children, Tanner and Sydney. Friends and family celebrated her life at Huntington Beach, where a Mobi-Mat now provides wheelchair access to the shoreline thanks to her Warriors With Hope organization. 

Huntington Beach City Councilwoman Natalie Moser summed up Jami’s impact: 

“She inspired so many, both here in Huntington Beach and around the world. I do know that when I walk down the Mobi-Mats, I will think about Jami.”