In just a couple days I’ve received over 100 stories (thanks for spreading the word Fatty!) from folks around the world who claim to be ordinary. Truth be told they are all far from ordinary. I’ve read every single one of them over the long weekend and have now responded to everyone that submitted something prior to today. I’ll get back to everyone, eventually.
I thought I’d share a couple of the stories to give you an idea of who our future team riders are, I’m keeping them anonymous for now.
As an eight year old I lost my right leg to cancer. In 2006, I rode 6580km across Canada to raise money for kids with cancer. I can ride forever, but slowly.This year that’s changing. I will no longer be the tortoise, but the hare (I do like to nap). I’m starting racing. Of course, I only have half the “engine” of a regular racer, but I have more desire and determination.I’ve raced once; I finished 1201 of 1204. No excuses; results must improve. I’m competing in the same race, and will ride ‘cross in the fall. I will be in the top 900 this year, and in the top 75% in ‘cross. I won’t ever win, I can guarantee that. But I’ll become a smart racer, who will fight like hell for every position and love every agonizing moment.
And this:
I weighed 325 pounds last January. I weigh 268 today. Not the biggest person in the world but big enough. In November, I will complete a 1/2 Ironman. After suffering through years of depression and struggling with suicidal tendencies, I have come along way. Far enough that I am now EXCITED to live and EXCITED to be as healthy as I can be. I am not pursuing these things for the sake of accomplishment. I am doing this for life. I am doing this to prove that mental illness doesn’t have to win. That being “morbidly obese” doesn’t meen death. I am doing this for my wife and son – so that I live to see them grow old and so that we can grow old together.I am 30 years old, morbidly obese and overcoming clinical depression but seeking the journey of a lifetime.A 1/2 Ironman is hard enough for a fit man. It is near impossible for someone of my size. Losing another 75-90 pounds will not only be crucial, it is vital to the accomplishment.
I need to go back and edit part of the “press release” for the team. The part where I say, “We will be there when you fall down, first to laugh at you and then give you a hand up, a dusting off and a gentle push onward.” I won’t be laughing, I’ll be cheering, jumping up and down and making a complete fool of myself.
What’s crazy is that all of the submissions are compelling. I have no idea how to get to just 10 team members.
CarboRocket 
Good luck with the selection process, judging by those two samples it’s going to be tough. Regardless, your idea for this team is fantastic and positive so don’t get too weighed down by the selection process.
Brad can’t wait for the stories to start coming in. Good Luck with the selection process glad I am not in your shoes.
Good stuff. Keep them coming. After my 4 hour dose of Olympics every night I am really getting into the motivational stories. Love it.
Wow, reading those I’m not sure if I was reaching far enough with my submission. I still got my fingers crossed that I will be one of the choosen few.
Either way I intend to reach my goals, and reading the stories of other trying to expand the horizons will motivate me even more
The stories you just shared are awesome. Thats great!
Very cool project Brad – look forward to following it’s progress through the year.
The suspense is killing me! After reading the above stories, I don’t expect to be chosen, but…. Hopefully there will be news soon, I can imagine how difficult this is going to be.
Yeah I kinda feel the same as KovasP… I don’t expect to be chosen at all now, but I’d definitely like to see who was!
I have a friend who entered… She’s overweight (but much less so, and dropping), but she took it upon herself last fall to sign up for a half-Ironman, never having been active before. She’s been training almost every day, all through a Saskatchewan winter, outdoors more often than not. She’s pretty much guaranteeed to finish, now she’s working on finishing strong. The best thing is, her enthusiasm is contagious, and she’s convinced me and some of her co-workers to get into fitness as well. I’ve dropped 20 lbs, my resting heart rate is down by 10 bpm, and I’m going to do my first bike race this spring. I love this idea of showing how amazing regular people can be, and I can’t wait to hear more of these inspiring stories!
Awesome BK!