Student-Athlete Spotlight: Amber Custodi

A: I competed in my first triathlon in the summer of 2015. I was going to be a junior in high school that fall, and I was being recruited for running in college at the time. Having a strong background in running and being comfortable with cycling left me very anxious for the swim portion of the race. I remember going down to the lake a few days leading up to the race to practice open water swimming for my first time ever. To say the least, that first race day, my swimming was not very pretty and I may have had to hold on to a kayak for a break, but I made it through and have come a long way since!

A: Gary Raby, my high school cross country coach definitely made a huge impact on my outlook of life. Unfortunately, he passed away from cancer the year after I graduated, but he was the kind of person who would always have a smile on his face and always greeted you with a high five. His motto was to simply "believe," a quality that he worked to instill in every one of his athletes. He focused on what opportunities athletics provides us with and how to apply these unique qualities to real life experiences and situations. He emphasized the importance of family and to not take the simple things in life for granted. His life was filled with adversity, from childhood through adulthood, but no matter what he pushed through knowing he would come out a stronger person. I have always looked up to him and I will continue to strive to have the same perspective on life each day. Not a day goes by that I do not think about him and all he had to offer.

A: I knew Daemen was the school for me given its close knit community, prestigious physical therapy program, and Division II athletics. Having grown up only 35 minutes north of Daemen, I was already familiar with the area and knew it would be a great fit. My original plan was to run track and cross country, however, things changed after having a conversation with my current coach, Jon Metz, in transition of my very first triathlon. After our initial conversation I had a lot to ponder, but I eventually realized for a number of reasons, that triathlon would be the best fit for me. Five years later, I can say that I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I was offered and the decision I made to be the first-ever signee for the Daemen women's triathlon team.

A: Given the small size our team, we are all very close and spend a lot of time together. On road trips, we always have to find the closest Starbucks, mall, and Panera. Nowadays, we frequently have team zoom meetings to catch up and have fun. 

A: My parents have always been my idols. My parents have been though some very difficult times, however, they would never show that to my brother and I. When times were tough they would always put us first to make sure we had anything we needed, even if they had to make other sacrifices. While I may not have fully understood the situation when I was younger, I now realize just how hard my parents had to work for what we have. My parents are the most selfless, determined, and humble people I know. They truly inspire me to want to embody the same qualities they have. 

A: I can honesty say I have received a lot of great advice from many of my mentors over the years and it is nearly impossible to pick just one. however, Dr. Schenk, a Daemen PT professor who recently took a position at a different college, once said "don't sweat the simple things because most things are simple." This piece of advice stuck with me because when life gets crazy, it is very easy to get caught up in things that are either going wrong or that you are worried about going wrong. However, most of the time those things are very little when you take a step back and look at the big picture. So don't stay focused on that, rather take a second to reflect and then move on to what is next, and you will find yourself in not only a better place but a happier place as well.

A: The Bills and Sabres, of course! I also follow several professional triathletes.

A: PT 506/507 Kinesiology and Biomechanics has been my favorite thus far. I have a strong passion for human movement and biomechanics and fell in love with this material. As movement specialists, this course serves as a foundation for physical therapists in understanding how to properly evaluate and treat patients by analyzing their movement strategies. Since taking this course I have had the opportunity to be a teacher's assistant and tutor several students in the class. It has been very rewarding being able to help the students succeed and share my passion and enthusiasm with them.

A: I have a black lab named Luna and a cat named Storm.

A: My most memorable vacation was to Florida with my family. I have not been to Spain, but one day plan to visit and I am definitely bringing my bike!

A: I see myself working in a clinic, treating high level athletes and possibly athletes with disabilities if the opportunity arises. Like I mentioned, my ideal job would be working with the Paralympics and advocating for those athletes in both sport and in life. Given my strong passion for teaching, I see myself as an educator at a college or university down the road. I plan to still be competing in triathlons and to have settled down likely somewhere out west.