I’m a Tulsa Kid: Tiffany Shoulders

Obstacle Course Racing is a sport in which competitors overcome various obstacles and physical challenges to complete a race course.  Seventeen-year-old Tiffany Shoulders competes in Obstacle Course Racing at the World Championship level throughout the United States and in Great Britain. Even at such a young age, Tiffany pushes her body and mind to the limit just to overcome any obstacle put in her way.

TK: What is a OCR Racer?

Tiffany: An OCR Racer is anyone who participates in Obstacle Course Racing, like Spartan or Tough Mudder.

TK: How did you get involved in OCR Racing?

Tiffany: I started by doing mud runs with my friends, and then I tried Conquer the Gauntlet, which is a step up from mud races. I was hooked after that.

TK: What have you learned from OCR Racing?

Tiffany: I have learned that I am capable of a lot more than I thought. I learned to push through whatever obstacle stands in my way on the course in life.

TK: What have you accomplished with OCR Racing?

Tiffany: I am ranked in the top 10 in the World in the 17 and younger age group. I competed in the 2018 World Championship in London. I have qualified to compete at the 2019 North American Championships in Vermont in August. I have come in as one of the top three overall female in several races, including one first place overall female.

TK: Where is your favorite place in Tulsa to train?

Tiffany: I love all the places I train. I go to ADD Multiply in Broken Arrow to work on my explosiveness and vertical jumping. I train at BA Ninja Warrior to work on obstacle work, and I do CrossFit at Okie CrossFit to help with strength and endurance.

TK: Being a gymnast, does that help with OCR training?

Tiffany: Yes, it helps with body awareness and strength.

TK: I heard you are on the quest to complete a half marathon in every state before May 2020.

Tiffany: I have completed 38 states and am registered for the remaining 12. If I stay healthy, I will complete number 50 in March 2020. My family loves to travel, so we thought this would be a fun way to see America.

TK: What are your plans for the future?

Tiffany: To complete my 50 states. To compete at NA Championships and qualify for Worlds again this year. I have been approached by teams to turn pro. I’m waiting to see if that will work once I’m in college, but I would love to be a Pro OCR Racer.

TK: Who inspires you?

Tiffany: My gymnastics teammates inspire me to be kinder, work harder and dream bigger.

TK: What advice do you have for others who want to get into OCR Racing?

Tiffany: To just find one and do it. They are so much fun. Most of the people who participate can’t complete every obstacle, but that is ok.  It’s about doing what you can do and having fun.

TK: What is a fun fact about you?

Tiffany: My nickname is Toes. I have watched every episode of every season of Survivor.