“You’ll never compete in an IRONMAN,” my doctor told me in 2008.
Those words inspired me to complete a full 140.6 mile IRONMAN triathlon! In 2017, I will become the first person with Guillan-Barre Syndrome to complete the Kona IRONMAN.
Since finishing my first IRONMAN in 2010, I’ve proven my doctors wrong numerous times. So many individuals let FEAR of failure stand in the way of success and the great things that might happen if you actually try. I am a living example of not letting others tell me what I was capable of, not just in athletics but anything in life. I constantly live my life knowing that “Anything Is Possible” if I set my mind to do something.
What is Guillan-Barre Syndrome?
Have you ever heard of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)? I HADN’T!
In 2003, over a three day period, my body went numb and I fell to the floor when trying to get out of bed. I was rushed to the hospital with an unknown future. After four days unable to get out of hospital bed, extensive medical tests, and over 50 vials of blood taken for testing I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare auto immune disease that affects 1 in 100,000 people and without proper treatment results in paralysis. I was told by doctors I needed a five day blood transfusion to fend off the GBS. I also got the bonus news that I might not ever walk normal again. Being an athlete all my life and love for the outdoors I was devastated. I left the hospital in a wheelchair not knowing what the future had for me.
After months of rehab and progression from wheelchair, walker, cane, to walking unassisted I was finally able to return to work. A long road, but I was so happy to be out of the wheelchair. I’ve been an athlete all my life, and that was the next chapter in my life I wanted back. Slowly, I worked towards that goal. Five years after being paralyzed, I gained confidence and set aside the fear of the unknown and started doing small distance triathlons. Despite the pain, tingling and numbness that occurs in everyday life, and even more while racing, I completed my first sprint triathlon. I finished 2nd to last in my age group, but I was so excited to finish! I was hooked on the awesome sport of triathlon. I loved the new challenges of swimming, biking and running. I finished a few more sprint races, but I knew I wanted more and I set my goal on doing a full IRONMAN someday. After finishing my first half IRONMAN distance triathlon (70.3 miles) in 5 hours, 31 minutes, I knew I wanted more. I wanted to complete a full 140.6-mile IRONMAN event. The full IRONMAN competition requires a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bicycle ride, and a 26.2 mile run, raced in succession within a 17 hour time limit.
Shortly after finishing my first IRONMAN 70.3 (half of Ironman distance) I went to my yearly neurological exam. At the end of the exam I asked my doctor if he thought I could complete a full IRONMAN race. He looked directly at me and said “Brad, I don’t think that’s possible with what you have, I have never heard of anybody with Guillain Barre Syndrome finishing such a long endurance event.” I told him at that moment I would be the one who WILL change that…I WILL be the one who finishes an IRONMAN despite the medical effects of GBS. I walked out of the doctor’s office, and with extra determination to prove him wrong, six hours later I had signed up for IRONMAN Louisville which would take place just four months later.
I trained very hard, and I knew the odds were against me to finish. Race day was very hot and humid. I nervously jumped into the Ohio River without a wetsuit to start IRONMAN Louisville. I got out of the murky water after swimming 2.4 miles, proceeded to do 112 miles of biking, and fought off the pain, tingling and numbness during the 26.2 mile marathon. As I was nearing the finish line, my emotions took over; with tears streaming down my face, I crossed the finish line of my very first IRONMAN 14-plus hours after I started swimming. I just did the unthinkable, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what I just accomplished.
Since my first IRONMAN I finished in August 2010, I’ve proven my doctors wrong numerous times. So many individuals let FEAR and the possibility of FAILURE or others stand in the way of great achievements and the great things that might happen if you actually try something new. Sadly, so many people in life don’t even try at all and then have regrets later in life. I’m a great example of just an average athlete not letting others tell me what I was capable of achieving not just in athletics but anything in life. I constantly live my life knowing that “Anything is Possible” if I set my mind to do something. Everything is impossible until somebody does it.
Accomplishments: I have now completed 15 full IRONMAN events, a handful of Double-IRONMAN (281.2) and Triple-IRONMAN (421.8) distance triathlons plus other ultra endurance events.
2017 Goals: My plans for 2017 include two more full distance IRONMAN races, IRONMAN Texas, and every triathlete’s dream race at the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, Hawaii as a Legacy IRONMAN athlete, and Florida Double Iron Distance Triathlon. In 2018 I will focus on more ultra distance triathlons.
I now thank the doctor who told me I would never be able to complete an IRONMAN. He changed my life for the better. I was determined to prove him wrong, and now with each IRONMAN I complete, I set my goal on the next challenge.
People often ask me what my limits are, and I always tell them I don’t know my limits. I haven’t found them yet. I just know that as long as I can get to the finish line, I will keep going for longer distances. I won’t let FEAR of failing, the pain, tingling and numbness from the Guillain-Barre Syndrome I have in every race and daily life stand in the way of bigger challenges and obstacles. Realistically, we all have two choices – let the obstacles or illness we are faced with destroy us or define us.
Crossing the finish line of my first IRONMAN was overwhelming. Seeing thousands cheering me to the finish line was an incredible feeling. I knew then that I wanted to inspire others to go beyond what they think is possible in athletics, business and life. If I can complete an IRONMAN with GBS, then anyone can get out and exercise. No doubt, I will keep pushing myself to do more as I grow older.
Nowadays, I compete in honor of my mother and all Special Olympians. My incredible mother passed away in 2012. As a speech pathologist she worked with special needs kids. She taught me at a very young age to accept people as they are, and to help those with disabilities. Through this I found the Special Olympics many years ago, and they are the true champions and the most inspiring individuals in my life.
In 2003, I didn’t know if I would ever walk again. Today, I compete for those who can’t and to try my best to inspire those who can.
Simply put….BIG DREAMS, NO FEAR. LIVE LIFE!!! Step out of your comfort zone and you will be amazed at what YOU can accomplish.