One firefighter’s drive — from Ironman start lines to service in the firehouse — shows the power of simply showing up
How do you plan to celebrate your next milestone birthday?
Some people take a vacation. Others gather family and friends for a party. Nicole Prorock, chief financial officer of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and its affiliate organization, the First Responder Center for Excellence, has chosen a different path.
For her 50th birthday, Nicole will celebrate by competing in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, this October.
That’s right, an Ironman.
The event begins with a 2.4-mile open-water swim, followed by a 112-mile bicycle ride, and concludes with a full 26.2-mile marathon. Participants must complete the entire course within 17 hours. It is widely regarded as one of the most demanding endurance events in the world.
What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is that Kona will not be Nicole’s first Ironman. It will be her 13th.
While that alone is remarkable, what makes Nicole’s story truly inspiring is the journey that brought her to the fire service and the lessons she continues to share through her example.
Nicole grew up in Maryland, in the same county as the National Fire Academy. Long before she would become a firefighter herself, her family had a connection to the historic campus. When the property was acquired and transformed into the National Fire Academy, her father worked there as a contractor. Recently, Nicole shared photographs of herself as a young child standing on the grounds of the newly established academy.
Photo: Nicole (center) with her dad, Glenn, and her brother, Mark, shortly after the completion of the National Fire Academy campus.
Looking back, it almost seems like a glimpse of what the future would hold.
Yet Nicole’s path to the fire service was anything but traditional.
She is a first-generation firefighter who joined the New Market District Volunteer Fire Company at age 42. At a time when many people are settling comfortably into routines, Nicole chose to challenge herself, serve her community, and pursue a calling she had not previously imagined. Today, she serves as both a firefighter and an EMT.
Did I mention that she is also now an officer?
Perhaps the greatest influence on Nicole’s life was her brother, Glen Kenneth “GK” Prorock the second.
Diagnosed with leukemia at age 14, GK refused to allow the disease to define him. He continued to play sports throughout high school, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, graduated from college, and became a volunteer firefighter. Despite the challenges he faced, he lived with determination, resilience, and optimism. GK passed away at the age of 21, but his example obviously continues to influence others.
For Nicole, that inspiration became a driving force.
What began with running a marathon in honor of her brother eventually evolved into a passion for endurance sports, perhaps even an obsession. Over time, marathons became triathlons, and triathlons became Ironman competitions. Along the way, she also found time to become a yoga instructor.
There are a few important lessons here for firefighters.
Ironman competitions are extraordinary, but the real value is not in crossing a finish line or collecting medals. The true reward lies in the preparation, discipline, and commitment to health. Firefighting is an endurance profession. Whether operating at a working fire or providing emergency medical care, firefighters depend on physical and mental fitness to perform at their best.
Race results matter far less than the decision to show up.
Nicole says it best, “Death before DNS (did not start),” a phrase that captures her belief that the hardest part is simply getting to the starting line. It is a mindset that applies not only to endurance sports but also to life and personal wellness.
It reminds me of a phrase I learned long ago while preparing for my first marathon. Having completed two New York City Marathons, I can attest to its truth: “The hardest part is putting on your sneakers. Once you do, anything is possible.”
Showing up for yourself.
Showing up for your family.
Showing up for your crew.
Showing up for your health.
As Nicole prepares to celebrate her 50th birthday on one of the world’s most challenging stages, she reminds us that age is not a limitation, purpose can be discovered at any point in life, and extraordinary achievements begin with a willingness to start.
We are all rooting for her.
Most importantly, we are grateful that she continues to show us what is possible when determination, service, and resilience come together. An early happy 50th birthday, Nicole, and good luck in Kona. We will be cheering you on every step, pedal stroke, and mile of the journey.
Photo: Nicole with NFFF and FRCE CEO Victor Stagnaro at the 2026 Memorial Weekend at the National Fire Academy.
