Health & Fitness

Health & Fitness

Sports are a powerful force. They work towards shifting the focus from disability to ability, and from isolation to involvement.

Special Olympics Health, made possible by the Golisano Foundation, is working to achieve inclusive health for people with intellectual disabilities, leading to equitable access to quality healthcare, education, and service throughout the community.

For information or questions about health programming contact:

Mallory Frank, Director of Health & Fitness at mfrank@somt.org

Health Programming

Current & Upcoming Health Events

July

August 2026

September

Current News Stories

What’s new in athlete health this season? Check out the latest newsletter to get caught up! Click here for the Spring 2026 Newsletter!!!!

May 26, 2026

Celebrating the 2026 Golisano Health Leadership Award Winners Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement that uses sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day, around the world, to end discrimination and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Central to this mission is a vision made possible...

May 12, 2026

The Healthy Athletes event at the 2026 State Summer Games is coming to MetraPark Expo Center in Billings on May 14 from 6:00–8:30 p.m. Athletes are invited to stop by for an evening focused on health, wellness, and performance, all while having fun and learning...

May 6, 2026

Building Independence & Planning for the Future Join us for an evening of connection, learning, and community at the Special Olympics Montana State Summer Games Friends & Family Dinner! This year’s topic, “Building Independence and Planning for the Future,” is designed to support families and caregivers...

April 20, 2026

At this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Kickoff Conference, 28 athletes took an exciting step forward as leaders. Through a dedicated training, these athletes earned the title of Fitness Captains, a role that will have a lasting impact across their teams and communities. Amber GertschCarson...

March 20, 2026

On Friday, February 6, 2026, Special Olympics Montana partnered with Rocky Vista University to create a learning experience that benefited both future healthcare providers and athletes alike. The simulation training, held at Rocky Vista University in Billings, MT, brought together medical students and Special Olympics...

February 11, 2026

What’s new in athlete health this season? Check out the latest newsletter to get caught up!  Click here for the Winter 2026 Newsletter!!!!

January 22, 2026

Healthy Athletes Brings Wellness Courtside at the 2025 State Basketball Tournament While the competition was heating up on the court at the 2025 State Basketball Tournament, something equally important was happening just steps away. Our Healthy Athletes program was hard at work, providing free, high-quality...

December 22, 2025

Special Olympics North America Move Challenge Special Olympics North America (SONA) recently wrapped up its SONA Move Challenge, an inspiring 8-week movement challenge designed to motivate participants to stay active and prioritize their health. Athletes from across the country logged their weekly minutes of movement—proving that when it comes...

December 19, 2025

The energy inside gymnasiums across the city of Helena was unmistakable. You could feel it in the intensity of the teams, hear the squeak of shoes on basketball floors (my personal favorite), and the smiles that stretched from baseline to baseline. The 2025 State Basketball...

November 25, 2025

What’s new in athlete health this month? Check out the latest newsletter to get caught up!  Click here for the October Newsletter!!!!

October 2, 2025

Let’s Suit Up, Helena – 2025 Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament Marks a Bittersweet Send-Off Helena, Montana, will once again open its arms to athletes from across the state as it hosts the 2025 Special Olympics Montana State Basketball Tournament from November 6-8, 2025. This...

July 15, 2025

What’s new in athlete health this season? Check out the latest newsletter to get caught up!  Click here for the Summer 2025 Newsletter!!!!

July 12, 2025

After a seven-year hiatus, the Opening Eyes discipline made a powerful return to Special Olympics Montana’s State Summer Games as part of SOMT’s broader Healthy Athletes initiative. This free vision screening program, offered to all participating athletes, proved once again how vital it is to...

June 10, 2025

It’s a Wrap!! The 2025 State Summer Games were nothing short of spectacular! From the roar of the crowd at Opening Ceremony to the laughter and dancing at the closing Dance Carnival, this year’s Games were a powerful celebration of inclusion, determination, and joy. Over...

June 4, 2025

IN THE NEWS    5/17/24 Montana Special Olympian Brandy Peterson helping fellow athletes boost health     5/3/24 ‘Warrior Dance’ weighs heavy on Montana Special Olympian Keith King    5/16/24 Revitalized Blue Pony Special Olympics program thriving in Havre    5/15/24 ‘It’s fun’: Missoula’s Jared Redeen...

April 3, 2025

Special Olympics Montana State Summer Games Return to Billings in 2025 2/12/2025 As we sit in the freezing cold on what seems like the 400th day of February, anticipation is mounting statewide for the return of one of Montana’s most inspiring events. The 2025 Special...

February 14, 2025

“All You Hear Is Noise” to Close MINT Film Festival SOMT is thrilled to share that the independent documentary All You Hear Is Noise has been selected for screening at the MINT Film Festival in Billings, Montana. This fearless and moving film will be the...

September 4, 2024

Healthy Athletes and Performance Stations at the 2024 State Summer Games The 2024 State Summer Games was a vibrant celebration of athletic prowess, community spirit, inclusivity, and health awareness. This year, alongside the much-anticipated sports events, we once again proudly presented the annual Healthy Athletes...

July 15, 2024

Meet Tom Moody, and a dedicated and seasoned athlete from Billings, Montana. Tom’s 18-year journey with Special Olympics has been nothing short of remarkable. At 25 years old, Tom has embraced a variety of sports, accumulated numerous medals, and earned the prestigious role of a...

June 29, 2024

June 2024 Health Bites 2024 June Health Bites

June 12, 2024

WATCH MTN’S WRAP-UP VIDEO HERE! 2024 SSG RESULTS SOMT IN THE NEWS CHECK OUT PHOTOS OF STATE SUMMER GAMES! The Magic City was abuzz this May as nearly 800 athletes, 198 Unified Partners (individuals without Intellectual Disabilities (ID) who compete alongside those with ID), 395...

June 4, 2024

Nickadoums Heinzman: Championing Health and Wellness Meet Nickadoums Heinzman, a dedicated athlete from Billings, Montana, who has taken his passion for sports and health to a whole new level. Nickadoums, a seasoned participant in Special Olympics for nearly 20 years, recently completed the Athlete Leadership...

May 29, 2024

Melissa Stiles, PT, Receives Golisano Health Leadership Award Special Olympics, a global movement promoting inclusion through sport, health, education, and leadership programs, envisions a world where individuals with intellectual disabilities have equal opportunities and access to healthcare. This vision, supported by the Golisano Foundation, is...

May 29, 2024

What’s new in athlete health this month? Check out the latest newsletter to get caught up! Click here for the March Newsletter!!!!

March 11, 2024

Special Olympics Montana (SOMT) is proud to announce Mr. Geof Rohrlach, Family Nurse Practitioner from St. Ignatius as the recipient of the 2023 Local Golisano Health Leadership Award! The Golisano Health Leadership Awards recognize health champions – leaders and organizations – that are making a...

June 20, 2023

Thad Powell has been involved in Special Olympics for half his life, starting at age 17. Thad loves sports.  “I have competed in skiing, bowling, basketball, swimming, javelin and turbojav, and cycling.  My favorite sport is skiing because I love the outdoors.  One of my...

February 6, 2023

Want to learn more about Special Olympics Montana’s health opportunities? Check out our January newsletter to see all the health team has been busy with! January Health Bites Newsletter

January 12, 2023

This Fit 5 class will be an 8-week portion of Cohesion’s Spring Session Adaptive Dance for Disability Class at Cohesion Dance Project, 1020 Argyle Street, Helena. These in-person classes start Wednesday, February 1 but is limited to 10 athletes. Fit 5 is based on the...

January 5, 2023

This virtual Zumba class begins January 5, 2023! Zumba Gold offers both standing and sitting options for all athletes.   Who: Special Olympics Montana athletes   When: Thursdays, 4:30pm-5:00pm   To participate, contact Mallory Frank at mfrank@somt.org or 406-315-4230. Once registered with Mallory, she will...

December 16, 2022

Want to learn more about Special Olympics Montana’s health opportunities? Check out our December newsletter to see all the health team has been busy with! December Health Bites

December 7, 2022

Want to learn more about Special Olympics Montana’s health opportunites? Check out our October newsletter to see all the health team has been busy with! October Newsletter

October 4, 2022

Kick off fall with Zumba by Zoom! Join Instructor Kelly Harris for 7 weeks. Join us Thursdays at 4:30pm! Email Bill Salonen to get registered. 

October 3, 2022

Rebecca Morley of Missoula has been recognized as one of seven health trailblazers in the world. Representing North America and the Caribbean region, Morley stood shoulder to shoulder with other 2022 Health Leadership Award recipients from Japan, Macau, Lebanon, Chile, Ukraine, and Senegal who were...

September 29, 2022

Healthy Athlete activities will take place on Friday, November 11th at the Butte Plaza Mall from 7:00-9:00pm. Health professionals volunteer their time to conduct various health screenings including Fit Feet, Healthy Hearing, and Special Smiles. Did you know? In 1997, Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® began...

September 7, 2022

Want to learn more about Special Olympics Montana’s health opportunites? Check out our July newsletter to see all the health team has been busy with! July Health Bites

July 27, 2022

This summer SOMT is collaborating with Special Olympics Colorado and Special Olympics Alaska to bring athletes 13 weeks of fun, educational activities. There will be weekday sessions on cooking, yoga, Strong Minds (our mental and emotional health component of Healthy Athletes), and exercise.  The exercise...

June 20, 2022

Want to learn more about Special Olympics Montana’s health opportunites? Check out our June newsletter to see all the health team has been busy with! June Health Bites

June 17, 2022

Join us for this 8-week movement challenge to see how many minutes of intentional exercise participants can complete each week. Each week has a health education reminder/focus.   Prizes and certificates will be awarded to Individuals in various age divisions and for the top 3...

May 17, 2022

Want to learn more about Special Olympics Montana’s health opportunities? Check out our May newsletter to see all the health team has been busy with! May Health Bites

May 12, 2022

Are you looking for a way to stay fit and healthy this summer while still having a good time?  Then look no further. Special Olympics Montana has some great Fit 5 classes available in multiple cities as well as virtually to keep you moving.  Check...

May 12, 2022

Athletes, are you looking for a fun way to step up your exercise game? Then register for one of our many Fit 5 classes across the state! This a variety of different exercise classes available to athletes looking to work out and have some fun...

March 6, 2022

Get ready for spring competition by signing up for an upcoming MedFest. This event is free for any Special Olympics athlete and will ensure that your athlete paperwork is completed so that you can participate in upcoming competitions! Schedule: March 4th- Ronan April 4th- Missoula...

March 6, 2022

Join us for this 8-week distance challenge to walk, run, or roll in a wheelchair. Prizes and certificates will be awarded in various age divisions and for manual & motorized wheelchairs. You can register as an individual, as a team, or part of a Unified...

March 6, 2022

Join us for a 6-week Winter Virtual Fitness Season starting Tuesday, January 18! Every Tuesday at 6:30 pm we will have a 30-45 minute workout. Workouts will vary from yoga, arms, legs, full body. and HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training). Workouts will be led by fitness...

January 12, 2022