A smiling woman, man, and young girl stand together by a wooden railing with the ocean behind them. Text shares Mandy Drakes story of resilience after surviving a brain aneurysm. The Bee Foundation logo appears at the bottom left.

Mandy Drake’s Story

I suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm back in April 2021, unbeknownst to me… woke up on a Sunday morning… asked my husband to call 911, as I knew something was wrong.

I ended up dying in the ambulance on the way to the hospital… and in the smallest of worlds, the ER doctor that brought me back to life was a friend of mine from my gym!!! I was very active in CrossFit at the time… I’m convinced it’s the reason, I’m still here.

Now, I compete as an adaptive CrossFit athlete and ended up making it to the adaptive CrossFit games in 2025 in Las Vegas in the neuromuscular major category.

I still suffer from major deficits, such as terrible balance and vision, but have worked hard to learn to adapt and overcome. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we have a 13-year old daughter.

A smiling woman, man, and young girl pose together for a selfie in a garage. The woman and girl wear glasses; the man wears a blue cap and tank top. Bicycles are visible in the background.
A woman and man wearing sunglasses and hats smile outdoors with a happy black and white dog, all enjoying a sunny day under green trees.
A woman and a smiling girl wearing orange Houston Astros shirts sit together at a stadium. The woman holds a drink and has her arm around the girl, who is wearing glasses. Fans in orange shirts fill the seats behind them.
A woman in glasses and an orange shirt and a bearded man in a gray shirt with colorful stars smile for a selfie at a stadium, with other fans and green pillars visible in the background.
A man and two smiling children, all wearing winter jackets and knit hats, take a selfie outdoors in a snowy area with trees, people, and buildings in the background.
A group of four adults and five children pose together outdoors. The children wear matching Minnie Mouse shirts, and one has a butterfly face paint. The adults are smiling, and two hold children in their arms. Rocks and plants are in the background.
Two smiling women pose for a selfie indoors; one wears a white cap and red shirt with a blue strap, the other wears a sleeveless black top and sunglasses on her head. Both appear happy and close together.
A group of people of various ages smile and pose together on a suburban driveway in the evening, with houses and trees in the background. Some are seated, others standing, and a boy sits on a womans lap in front.
A smiling family of three poses by a wooden railing with the ocean in the background. The man and woman wear white, and the young girl with red hair wears sunglasses and a blue dress. The sky is partly cloudy.
A smiling family of three poses in front of a colorful chalk mural with palm trees and the words CrossFit Anavah. The adults wear matching shirts and glasses, and the child stands in front wearing a gray shirt and backpack.
Four people pose and smile in front of a mural with palm trees and the words “CrossFit Anayah.” Three wear matching American flag shorts, and two wear “CrossFit Anayah” shirts. The group stands in a gym-like setting.
Two women smiling outdoors, both wearing matching white t-shirts and athletic wear. One gives a thumbs up, while the other holds a pink item. Trees and buildings are visible in the background.
A man in a red shirt and cap leans toward a smiling woman seated on a bench, wearing a CrossFit Open 2022 tank top, knee sleeves, and glasses. Chalkboard walls and gym equipment are visible in the background.

Related Posts: