The University of British Columbia Athletics

During her four years at UBC, from 2008 to 2012, Martha McCabe not only excelled academically as a Kinesiology graduate but also blossomed into a formidable athlete and leader. She played an instrumental role in the success of the UBC Thunderbirds swimming program, securing two national championships with the team in 2008 and 2012, and an impressive three Canada West Championships. Her individual prowess in the 200m breaststroke was evident through her consecutive CIS national titles in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The culmination of her collegiate career saw the UBC women's team dominate the 2012 nationals, winning by a remarkable margin of over 200 points against the next closest competitor. Martha's outstanding performance and leadership were recognized with UBC's prestigious 2012 May Brown Trophy for outstanding graduating athlete. 

Martha's impact extended far beyond the UBC campus. She proudly represented Canada as a two-time Olympian in the 200m breaststroke, competing at both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. At the London 2012 Games, she achieved an impressive 5th place finish in the 200m breaststroke, solidifying her status among the world's elite. In recognition of her stellar 2012 season, she was named Female Swimmer of the Year at Swimming Canada's Big Splash Awards.

Her international achievements include a bronze medal at the 2011 FINA World Championships, where she truly found her place on the global stage. She consistently performed at the highest level, advancing to her third straight world championship 200m breaststroke final in 2013. Even when faced with adversity, such as a stress fracture in her right clavicle in 2014, Martha demonstrated incredible resilience, earning spots on the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships teams and making the 200m breaststroke final at both events. Her tenacity was further highlighted by her silver medal win in the 200m breaststroke at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games. Her career culminated as co-captain of the Canadian Olympic swimming team at Rio 2016, where she swam her last competitive race. 

Beyond her remarkable athletic career, Martha McCabe has made significant contributions to her sport and community. Upon her retirement, driven by a desire to inspire the next generation, she founded Head to Head Canada. This innovative organization provides vital mentorship to youth through club and school programs, focusing on mental resilience, physical wellness, and life skills development. The idea for Head to Head was sparked by a cross-Canada drive where Martha conducted 55 workshops in 60 days at over 45 swim clubs and schools from Victoria, BC to St. John's, NL, confirming the immense appetite for Olympian-led mentorship. Through Head to Head, she has created a sustainable platform for other Olympians to share their experiences and help young people navigate challenges like managing nerves, building resilience through adversity, and establishing healthy habits.