Diagnosed with juvenile arthritis as a child, health and exercise sciences major Macy Coad ’29 grew up learning how to manage pain and inflammation while pursuing the sport she loves. 

Now, a second year on University of the Pacific’s women’s swimming team, Coad has adapted those lessons to compete at the Division I level—and hopes her experience can help other young athletes facing similar challenges.

Finding her passion

Coad played soccer as a child, but running was difficult on her joints. After her physical therapist recommended swimming as a low-impact activity, she joined a local recreational team and quickly fell in love with the sport.

“I’m a very competitive person by nature, so just getting to race other people is fun for me,” Coad said.

Swimming eventually became a year-round commitment. As Coad grew older and became more familiar with what her body needed, she continued to improve, eventually earning an opportunity to compete at Pacific.

Learning to adapt

Growing up with juvenile arthritis brought challenges that extended beyond the pool. Coad remembers having to explain her condition to classmates and friends who often did not understand that children could have arthritis.

“It was also the mental and emotional load of having to grow up faster than my peers. I had to learn more about my body and understand what the doctor was talking about to know what’s going on with my own health,” Coad said.

At nine years old, Coad attended the Arthritis Foundation’s JA Kids Camp in Livermore, California. It was there that she first met other children her age living with arthritis.

“That was really special, and I still have contacts with some of those girls that I met when I was there,” Coad said.

Her involvement eventually grew into a fundraising effort called “Macy’s Parade,” started by her mother. Over more than a decade, Coad and her family have helped raise more than $300,000 for the Arthritis Foundation.

Competing at the collegiate level

Today, Coad works closely with her doctors, family and Pacific’s athletic training staff to manage her condition. Her treatment includes medication and a personalized treatment plan with Pacific athletic trainer Stephanie Nguyen that involves the cold tub and soft-tissue work.

Some days are completely normal. Others require adjustments, particularly when the weather gets colder, or Coad gets sick.

Communication has become a necessary part of her experience at Pacific, and swim and dive Head Coach Katelyne Herrington has made sure it remains a priority.

From Coad’s first season, the coaching staff worked with her to identify potential flare-ups and develop a plan for handling them.

“The most important part was us just having a plan, making sure we were communicating with one another, and not being afraid to speak up,” Herrington said.

Through it all, the pool remains her happy place. A wave tattoo serves as a reminder of the impact swimming has had on her life and of her strength.

Now Coad hopes that strength can help others facing their own challenges.

“If my story of overcoming adversity to get to this point of being a Division I athlete at an amazing school can help somebody younger than myself start their own path, that would be amazing,” Coad said.

Coad and the Tigers will take to the pool for the 2026-27 campaign beginning with the PAC Invite at the start of October. See the full schedule.