McKenna’s Story

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to never give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss only act as motivation to keep going."

Talented both on the track and road, McKenna McKee is Team Novo Nordisk’s youngest ambassador. The 16-year-old races and trains in the Changing Diabetes jersey on the domestic junior criterium racing circuit in the United States.

McKee’s first experience with a bike came at the age of two on the back of her parent’s tandem. She explains she’s been around bikes for as long as she can remember. Fittingly born in Portland, Oregon (otherwise known as Bike Town, USA), McKenna has a younger sister and grew up part of an active family.

When McKenna was six years old, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after experiencing symptoms of a prolonged period of dehydration, vomiting, and constant urination.

Without having anyone else in her family with diabetes, McKenna took the diagnosis hard, especially after seeing her parent’s reactions. She spent four days in the hospital and thought life was over. It took her some time to start feeling positive again. Her first activity after diagnosis was swimming but eventually found herself back on the bike. She started competing by the time she was eight years old.

Beginning to ride frequently brought about a fresh set of challenges, but that did not deter her. Once she learned about Team Novo Nordisk through a family friend, she was inspired and immediately started to dream of making the team.

In 2019, McKenna attended her first talent ID camp, which was a dream come true. After a strong showing at camp and consistent race results, McKenna  was invited to race as an ambassador for Team Novo Nordisk.

McKenna McKee