Grace Upshaw Tyler
Two-Time Olympian


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Grace is a high performance coach for young athletes who want to take their long jumping to the next level. Through her inspiring blog posts, game-changing group clinics, and intensive one-on-one coaching sessions, she teaches athletes to harness their physical strength through the knowledge of technique and the power of a focused mind, helping athletes achieve goals in both athletic competition and in life. Through Grace, they’ve got their own personal champion in their corner.

Grace cultivated and used these various techniques to transform herself from a ‘walk-on’ college athlete into a 5 x U.S. Champion, 5 x World Championship Team Member, and a 2 x Olympian.

Grace has been sponsored by Nike and competed all over the world at the highest level. She was ranked in the top ten of the world for 4 years. In 2014, she was inducted to Cal’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

When she’s not coaching, you can find her hiking trails with her two dogs and kiddos, running a highly esteemed Shakespeare for Kids Summer Camp, practicing Inneryoga, or ‘glamping’ yurt-style with her kids and own private superhero Special Forces/Peace Officer Husband.

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Meet Grace and get ready to take your
athletic performance to the next level.

Career Timeline
1993
“Walk-on” athlete at University of Oregon. Through the guidance and knowledge of Assistant Track and Field Coach Mark Stream, and renowned strength and conditioning coach Jim Radcliffe, Upshaw scored at Pac-10s in 1994.
1997
Graduated from Cal (after transferring from Oregon in 1994), “retired” from track and field to pursue a career in the Entertainment Industry with a music video production company, Propaganda Films.
2000
Working with a new coach, Edrick Floreal, for four weeks prior to competing in her first US National Competition at the Olympic Trials in Sacramento, finishing 9th, walking off the field with a determination and goal to make the Olympic team four years later.
2003
USA Outdoor Champion | Ranked #5 in world (#1 U.S.) by T&FN | Best of 6.99w.
2004
U.S. Olympic Team | Ranked #9 in the world (#2 U.S.) by T&FN | Best of 6.83m/22-5.25 & 6.88w.
2005 and 2006
Self-coached.
2005
USA Outdoor champion | 7th at World Outdoors | Ranked #4 in the world (#2 U.S.) by T&FN | Best of 6.73/22-1.
Fall 2006-2007
Relocated to Los Angeles to be coached by Mike Powell, World Record Holder in the Long Jump.
2007
USA Outdoor champion | Ranked #2 in the U.S. by T&FN | Best of 6.74m/22-1.5.
Fall 2007-08
Reunited with coach, Edrick Floreal.
2008
U.S. Olympic Team | Ranked #8 in the world (#2 U.S.) by T&FN | Best of 6.88m/22-7.
2009
Final year of competition | Moved to Chula Vista, CA to train at the US Olympic Training Center under the guidance and knowledge of Dan Pfaff and the support staff of the Olympic Training Center | Set Stadium record at Historic Edwards Stadium at UC Berkeley with a jump of 6.80/22-3.75.


a family legacy

Embracing my family legacy and history. Being the youngest of four siblings, I’m proud and grateful for the path that they’ve ALL carved out.

My father, Monte Upshaw, had tremendous success in the long jump as a high school athlete. He broke Jesse Owens high school record in 1954 with a jump of 25-4 1/4. He continued on with his career at UC Berkeley and contributed to the track and field team in the hurdles, long jump and record setting distance medley even after a severe injury to his knee occurred during his freshman year. Monte Upshaw was a track & field standout for the Bears from 1954-58. As a senior, he set a world and American record in the sprint medley relay (3:18.8), along with Jack Yerman, Willie White, and Don Bowden. He also established a national collegiate freshman record in the sprint relay (3:20.9) in 1955, with teammates Leamon King, John Merchant, and Bowden. GO BEARS!
My sister, Joy Upshaw, is a National and World Masters record holder for various age groups and is an integral part of introducing track and field to thousands of youth in our community through her Jackrabbits Track Club.

My brother, Chip Upshaw, had incredible success in the hurdles, long jump, and sprints at the high school level, and still holds many of our local high school records.

My sister, Merry Upshaw Irwin, was a two-time All-American and school record holder in the 800 meters at Linfield College.

My maternal grandfather, “Stormin” Norman Jackson, was a successful sprinter with a time of 9.3 in the 100yd dash in 1930!

Click Here to Read Grace’s Father/Daughter Hall-of-Fame Story
“Stormin” Norman Jackson