About

Our Story

Out of the box, on display.

Medal Blocks did not start as a business plan. It started because I was tired of seeing hard work hidden away in a shoebox.

Hi, I’m Patrick Dolan. I have been running for a long time, and over the years I have accumulated my fair share of race medals. Like most people who finish an event, I was proud of what they represented: the early mornings, the training miles, and the commitment it took to cross the finish line.

But every time I came home from a race, I faced the same dilemma. I did not want a massive hanger taking over the wall, so my medals usually ended up tossed on top of a dresser, tucked into a drawer, or packed away in a box.

It felt wrong to treat something meaningful like clutter. I wanted a clean, simple, and minimalist way to keep a single, significant milestone visible on my desk or shelf without making a big production out of it.

Patrick Dolan finishing an Ironman Triathlon

Encouraging the next milestone

When I made the first clear acrylic block, I realized the display itself should be understated. The focus belongs entirely on the medal, not the frame holding it. Acrylic was perfect because it gave the object a clean place to stand, completely self-standing and uncluttered.

But more importantly, I wanted to build something that would encourage people to keep moving. When you hide a past achievement in a drawer, it is forgotten. When you keep it where you can see it, it serves as a visual spark.

My philosophy has always been that celebrating your past achievements gives you the momentum to focus on your next goal. Most of my medals are not first-place finishes, and I know that is true for most people. The real value is a daily reminder that you showed up, pushed through the challenge, and finished, and that you can do it again.

"The display should stay simple, because the story is already entirely inside the object you earned."

How we grew

What started strictly for race medals naturally evolved over time. Before long, people reached out asking if these self-standing blocks could hold military challenge coins, rare collectible coins, special event tickets, or family keepsakes.

Today, medal displays and coin displays are the core of what we do. We still operate as a genuine small business, packing and shipping orders out of our workshop right here in Peoria, Arizona. We do not chase mass-market corporate trends. Instead, our new designs come directly from customer requests, or from ideas we test ourselves to solve an actual display problem.

What we stand for

Honoring the work

A medal or a challenge coin represents service, discipline, or personal breakthroughs. It deserves to be treated with respect.

Uncompromised quality

We stick to dense, premium high-grade acrylic and precise dimensions because the physical weight and clarity matter.

A real human element

We know that behind every single order we ship out of Arizona, there is an individual person and a unique personal history.

Thanks for taking the time to read our story.

Whether you are putting a marathon medal on your desk, celebrating a lifetime of military service, or saving a ticket from a life-changing concert, thank you for letting us help you share your achievements. If you ever have a question or need a unique display idea, please feel free to reach out directly.

Reach Out to Us