Support Team USA Paratriathlete's Norseman Dream

About Me:

I am a Cincinnati-based Paratriathlete (below knee amputee) racing with Team USA in World Triathlon and competing in Ironman 70.3. My weeks are filled with training, which includes swimming an average of 15,000+ yards, running 35+ miles, cycling 150 miles, and strength training. I am constantly challenging myself to do my best and to keep moving forward. 

I've recently been selected to compete in the Norseman Triathlon in Norway on August 4th 2024. It will be an experience of a lifetime, and is said to be the hardest triathlon in the world. The race will include swimming 2.4 miles in a glacial fjord, cycling for 112 miles, and running a full marathon, where I will be scaling the side of Zombie Hill mountain. Because of the rigor of this race, I am required to have a team assisting me with nutrition, clothing, and available in case of emergency. This might seem crazy, and you're not wrong. If I can pull this off...no, when I pull this off, I'll be the first amputee in history to have fully completed this race and earned the coveted "black shirt." What makes me think I can do this? No matter what, I refuse to quit. I've raced in Ironman 70.3 Triathlons while suffering from food poisoning, the flu, misplaced and broken prosthetics, in massive amounts of pain, and at times my leg has gone completely numb. My journey of navigating 8 1/2 years of the worst chronic pain condition known to medical science has been a gift in disguise. It has helped me to develop the mental and physical toughness needed to complete this race. I've dreamed of competing in the Norseman for many years prior to regaining my mobility, and I know I can complete it. Furthermore, representing the adaptive community in such a rigorous race will increase visibility for adaptive athletes in competitive sports and hopefully inspire many others to pursue similar opportunities.

My Dream:

I want to use my experiences to motivate and inspire others to be in relentless pursuit of their dreams. I want to provide representation for adaptive athletes competing in Endurance Sports and inspire the next generation to dream BIG. We need to do hard things, and we need to normalize competitive sports for disabled individuals. It's how we continue to grow and create change. Together, I think we can do that. I invite you to join me on my journey. 

My Ask:

I will need to raise some some much needed funds for this journey. Funds will go to travel, lodging for myself and crew, equipment, food, and car rental for 1 1/2 weeks.

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together"