Finding motivation to work out is difficult. I have struggled countless times to go for a run in the dark early hours of the morning or after dinner has already settled in my belly.
Next time working out seems too difficult, find inspiration from a few amazing athletes, like local hero Lauren Hill.
1. Ben Comen
In 2003, Ben Comen captured cross country fans’ hearts, even though he never won a race. Actually he never even beat other runners. Comen was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, which does not affect his mental abilities, only his muscles and coordination. Every single race, he would trip or fall, struggle to stand back up and race on in 51 minutes of excruciatingly slow and painful running form, but he would finish every single race.
2. Jason McElwain
You may recognize Jason McElwain from a 2006 basketball game in which he scored 20 points as a teen with high-functioning autism. He played only one game as a high school varsity athlete, but it was a memorable one. In the years following, McElwain ran two marathons in Rochester, New York, finishing with a time that qualified him for the Boston Marathon. In 2014, he completed the Boston Marathon in under three hours.
3. Noah Galloway
In 2005, Noah Galloway lost his left arm and leg after an IED attack on his convoy in Iraq. As a fitness buff, adjusting to his new disability was extremely difficult, but with the help of a friend, he began exercising with a prosthetic leg and competing in the Warrior Dash obstacle course series. Currently, he is a physical trainer and spends much of his time using social media to encourage people with disabilities.
4. Anthony Robles
Born with only one leg, Anthony Robles became the 125-pound NCAA tournament wrestling champion in 2011. Since graduation, Robles wrote the book Unstoppable and founded Team Unstoppable to support Make a Hero. The nonprofit organization “seeks to enable individuals with disabilities to experience freedom through sports.” The organization also films short movies about inspirational athletes facing disabilities, such as Robles.
5. Kayla Montgomery
Kayla Montgomery wasn’t always one of the fastest track runners in the nation. At 14, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Though she is in remission, and many of her symptoms were reversed after the initial diagnosis, the numbness she experiences in her legs will never go away.
Montgomery’s legs go completely numb while she is running and she can continue to move forward, but any disruption such as tripping or stopping could force her to lose control. At the end of every race, her coach must catch her before she collapses at the finish line.
In 2014, Montgomery won the North Carolina state title in the 3,200-meters and remains 21st in the country in that event.
Which athletes inspire you? Let us know on Facebook!
