About Kirstie Ennis
An incredible woman who overcame tragedy, persevered against all odds
and who has given her life to serving her mission
Backstory
After being injured in Afghanistan and forced into a medical retirement, Kirstie Ennis needed to figure how she was going to continue serving people. After recognizing non-profits who needed support raising awareness and fundraising, Kirstie decided to take action. The non-profits are ones that Kirstie proudly stands behind. In order to legitimize her efforts in fundraising and to fairly distribute the funds behind climbing, The Kirstie Ennis Foundation was incorporated.
In the early stages of her recovery, Kirstie relied heavily to get back to being who she really was. Thanks to the outdoors Kirstie does more now on one leg than she ever even dreamed of doing on two. Kirstie wants to provide opportunity in the outdoors, and ultimately opportunity for the rest of peoples lives. The possibilities in the outdoors are endless.
Mantras
- Reflect on who you are and what you have to offer. Give more than you get.
- There are no boundaries – we want to help all people, not just one category (i.e. veterans, disabled, kids, women).
- Show the world that we control our circumstances, they do not control us.
- The intention to go further than just the Seven Summits/Grand Slam, for example to swim the English Channel or do the Seven Volcanoes.
- The reason for the non-profit is to distribute funds evenly – for example Everest being a big, sexy mountain will raise the most funds, isn’t fair to other non-profits to be dedicated to smaller mountains.
Her Activities Outside of the Non-Profit
Motivational Speaker
Kirstie is an incredible motivational speaker because of her inspiring story of perseverance and resilience. She has overcome tremendous challenges and has continued to pursue her passions despite her injuries. Her experiences in the military, her mountaineering adventures, and her personal struggles have given her a unique perspective that she shares with audiences around the world. Kirstie’s speeches are not only engaging and entertaining, but they also leave a lasting impact on her listeners, inspiring them to overcome their own challenges and live their lives to the fullest.
A Few Of Her Clients
High Profile Realtor
In 3 Words: Adventurer, Resilient, Dedicated. Kirstie Ennis is happy to call the Glenwood Springs, Colorado area home after spending many years living in different areas of the US. Here, not only does Kirstie finally feel settled and ‘at home’ –she is thrilled to help others call it “home” as well. Kirstie’s background in military and educational endeavors has instilled a strong ethic of “service first” in her professional career of real estate. Kirstie is motivated to help others to own their own homes, even if faced with adversity. These characteristics make Kirstie a strong advocate to have on your side. Kirstie’s fierce drive and motivation add to her ability to multi-task her priorities.
Call on Kirstie and see her motivation in life and career kick in to obtain your goals. Kirstie’s drive and passions for engaging women, veterans, and wounded populations in outdoor recreation and rehabilitation make her an excellent addition to the Engel & Völkers team.
Motivational Speaker
Kirstie is an incredible motivational speaker because of her inspiring story of perseverance and resilience. She has overcome tremendous challenges and has continued to pursue her passions despite her injuries. Her experiences in the military, her mountaineering adventures, and her personal struggles have given her a unique perspective that she shares with audiences around the world. Kirstie’s speeches are not only engaging and entertaining, but they also leave a lasting impact on her listeners, inspiring them to overcome their own challenges and live their lives to the fullest.
She has spoken at companies like Pepsi and Advanced Auto Parts.
High Profile Realtor
In 3 Words: Adventurer, Resilient, Dedicated. Kirstie Ennis is happy to call the Glenwood Springs, Colorado area home after spending many years living in different areas of the US. Here, not only does Kirstie finally feel settled and ‘at home’ –she is thrilled to help others call it “home” as well. Kirstie’s background in military and educational endeavors has instilled a strong ethic of “service first” in her professional career of real estate. Kirstie is motivated to help others to own their own homes, even if faced with adversity. These characteristics make Kirstie a strong advocate to have on your side. Kirstie’s fierce drive and motivation add to her ability to multi-task her priorities.
Call on Kirstie and see her motivation in life and career kick in to obtain your goals. Kirstie’s drive and passions for engaging women, veterans, and wounded populations in outdoor recreation and rehabilitation make her an excellent addition to the Engel & Völkers team.
Detailed Backstory
Kirstie Ennis is a retired United States Marine Corps Sergeant and a veteran of the Afghanistan war. She was born on February 23, 1991, in Florida and grew up in Colorado. Kirstie joined the Marines in 2008 at the age of 17 and served for six years, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2012.
During her deployment, Kirstie was involved in a helicopter crash that resulted in severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, facial trauma, and the amputation of her left leg above the knee. Despite her injuries, Kirstie remained determined to continue living an active lifestyle and pursue her passions.
After retiring from the military, Kirstie became a mountaineer, snowboarder, and Paralympic hopeful. She has climbed several major peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro, and has snowboarded across Antarctica. In addition to her athletic pursuits, Kirstie is also a motivational speaker, sharing her story of resilience and perseverance with audiences around the world.
Kirstie is the founder of The Kirstie Ennis Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with disabilities and provides them with the resources necessary to continue leading fulfilling lives. The foundation focuses on four main areas: outdoor rehabilitation, education and opportunity, veteran empowerment, and research and development.
Kirstie has been recognized for her service and achievements, including being awarded the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V” for valor. She has also been featured in several media outlets, including ESPN, People magazine, and the Today Show.
Overall, Kirstie Ennis is an inspiring figure who has overcome tremendous challenges and continues to make a positive impact on the world.