Yana Stepanenko’s new beginning on Levitate running blades

From a tragic story of loss to a national symbol of endurance and courage. Yana Stepanenko’s story is truly remarkable. 

In the heart of Lviv, Ukraine, Yana Stepanenko, age 13, stands at the starting line of the NewRun event, ready to test her new Levitate running blades.

Nearly 2 years ago, Yana's life changed drastically after a missile attack on a train station in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, leaving both her and her mother severely wounded. Yana lost both legs. Her mother, Natalia, lost her left leg.

Last month, we met Yana at Unbroken Ukraine's facility in Lviv. Here, we witnessed Yana trying on our running blades for the first time with the help of Unbroken's O&P crew. Taking a few tentative steps, she quickly found her rhythm, and with a little guidance from our very own Product Engineer, Jacob Bolton, she was running confidently in no-time.

At the NewRun event in May, the day after fitting Yana with running blades, Yana joined fellow runners from Unbroken. As the starting signal sounded, she launched forward, her blades carrying her smoothly over the pavement, finishing her first 1K on Levitate running blades.

The 1K race was more than just a distance to cover; it was a symbol of Ukrainian perserverance and courage.

With each stride, Yana felt the support of the community and local spectators as they cheered her on, a recognition of her remarkable journey. She had not only completed the race but also embraced a new beginning with confidence and strength.

We are proud to be part of her journey, providing the tools that help athletes like Yana achieve their goals and redefine their limits.