Many would find the birth of their first child to be a joyous event

For Lyz Mokler it was a tragedy she knew was coming.

At 18 weeks pregnant she found out her baby had thanatophoric dysplasia. This is a skeletal disease where babies do not survive after birth.

“It was a tough 22 weeks…and just our whole world turned upside down,” Mokler said.

After giving birth to him, Mokler said he lived for an hour and fifteen minutes before his heart stopped beating.

Although she was overcome with a range of emotions, Mokler said this experience changed her for the better.

“I said what can I do about it, what kind of example am I setting for the people around me, how is this going to develop my character,” Mokler said. “I just decided you know if I’m going to live then I’m going to do it better than I’ve been doing. [Life’s] too short and my son would want me to be happier.”

Her decision inspired her to use this experience to impact the lives of high school students and help them learn how to persevere through life.

“[I remember] my teenage years and I remember no one giving me a lot of hope…and that’s why I made a decision then that I was going to dedicate my life to serving kids…so one of my goals was that I was going to impart that on students and inspire them that no matter how hard things are, you can get through it,” Mokler said.

Mokler shared this experience with her students, and her students said they were inspired by it.

“She told us her story and how she worked hard every day and how she never gives up and how we should never give up on ourselves,” junior Fernanda Gallardo said. “Coach Mokler is a role model [and] an example of someone who’s went through something tough in their life and has achieved so many things.”

Junior Madi Hernandez said that Mokler’s experience has motivated her and others to just keep swimming no matter the circumstance.

This is what Mokler teaches to all her students and players.

“I tell them you can whine, you can cry, you can throw a fit, but you’re not going to quit. I didn’t quit and you’re not going to either,” Mokler said.