1 project
2 women
10k swim
50 states
1000s impacted
Meet Mary…
Mary Lorraine Wood Borman is living proof that possibility expands when the world chooses inclusion.
Born with Down syndrome, Mary has never waited for permission to dream big. Instead, she has led—with courage, joy, and an unwavering belief in her own potential. As a self-advocate, international athlete, fashion model, and public speaker, Mary is reshaping how the world sees disability—not as a limitation, but as a powerful source of strength and pride.
In the water, Mary is a force. She is a silver-medal-winning Team USA Down syndrome international swimmer and a Special Olympics gold medalist, competing on global stages with determination and grace. Out of the water, she is just as impactful—using her voice to promote inclusion, empowerment, and belonging across the United States.
Mary made history as the first student with Down syndrome to attend the University of Arkansas, opening doors in education and athletics for those who will follow. Her journey has taken her from national television to the runways of Fashion Week, from the Peloton Studios in New York City to training alongside elite Ironman athletes—all while showing the world what joyful, unapologetic living looks like.
Through her speaking, her presence, and her social platforms, Mary invites us to see differently—to lead with empathy, to build inclusive communities, and to believe more deeply in what’s possible when everyone is given the chance to belong.
Mary doesn’t just inspire.
She changes expectations.
Bonnie Adams is a lifelong swimmer, elite coach, wife, and mother who believes water safety education should be available to everyone, everywhere.
A former University of Arkansas Razorback scholarship athlete, Bonnie has spent decades coaching and leading swimmers at every level, from first-time learners to world championship competitors. Her work in the water has always centered on access, confidence, and possibility because of the deep belief that swimming saves lives, and everyone deserves the chance to learn.
EPIC 10k50 was born from a simple, urgent truth: too many lives are lost because people never had the opportunity to learn water safety. Until there are enough pools and programs for everyone, Bonnie believes water safety education must be taught in our schools and made accessible to all.
Through marathon swims in all 50 states, Bonnie is using her body, her platform, and her story to challenge what we believe is possible—especially for everyday people who look at a goal like this and think, “There’s no way I could do that.” Her message is clear: you absolutely can. This translates to we absolutely can include water safety education in our schools.
With her three daughters now stepping into adulthood, this project represents legacy. EPIC 10k50 isn’t just about endurance—it’s about saving lives, expanding access, and changing the narrative around who gets to be strong, bold, and impactful.
