This is very motivating! Your book is definitely going on my to-do list.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Thanks so much! My biggest inspiration is Jakey and his father with Greg Welch very high too.
Jakey was a 4 year old boy who died in his sleep and has been the igniting purposed to help other kids like him have every chance to be as able bodied as possible.
Congrats on your accomplishments! Which was more difficult? (I've done the Ironman 9 times. Kona, once in 2003.) What was the hardest part for you? I always find the run most difficult, by far but the bike at Lake Placid toughest.
I'm really hoping you say Kilimanjaro was harder..
Thx so much! Ironman was hardest and the bike for me with CP was most difficult part of Ironman. COngrats on 9 Ironmans. THats awesome!
Ironman is tough enough without added physical challenges. I can't imagine...
Funny little story - my first IM - I was sick as a dog prior to the race, head cold, stuffy, etc... the bike took me about an hour longer than expected, nearly 7 hours. When I got off the bike I felt so weird, sensations like I'd never had before. I actually thought to myself "I wonder if I might by dying?" (you probably know the feeling). I went into the medical tent, feeling all out of whack. They tested everything, my weight, HR, BP, etc.. and said I was fine. They asked what was wrong again. I said "I just feel so weird." Their reply "How did you think you were going to feel? They don't call this the sunshine and lollipops 140.6. This is THE IRONMAN. Go out there and be an Ironman!!!!" Out the door I went. A few hours later I was crying my way through the finish line.
THats a great story and aweesome you stuck to it and finished! COngrats!!! Maybe you can start the Sunshine and Lollipops race :)
Hi Bonner, how was your journey? what are the biggest challenges you encountered along the way?
Mt Kilimanjaro is in my home country Tanzania
HI! I loved my time in Tanzania and go back every year! THe people of Tanzania have taught me so much about appreciating all that life has to offer and what we have. We are currently supporting the Faraja School and are truly inspiring to me every day. Being on Kili was a very tough 8 days. So many weather factors and the altitiude takes a toll.
Bonner, today is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. If you could share one piece of advice with the CP community, drawing from your experiences and all that you've been through over the years, what would it be?
Embrace having CP, be proud to talk about and take the opportunity to educate others about CP. Sharing is critical to the acceptance of CP in our communities.
Good Morning! Now that you've done these amazing things, what is next for you? Who would you like to play you in a movie based on your book? (Because you KNOW that will happen!). ;)
Good morn! haha...not sure about a movie but then again just a few years ago I wouldve said the same about a book ;) I would be happy with whomever to be honest. Easy to shave their heads and make them bald like me :) haha Next for me is Team Jake Global Challenge with Oakley. Easiest way to learn about it is at www.teamjakechallenge.org
how does it feel doing something that has never been done in the history of the human race?
well when said like that, its a very humbling thing and still sinking in to be honest. I hope that it inspires others because I am no different in the sense of we all have it in us to go so far beyond what we think is possible. Great feeling to know that I have broken the mold and causing some to rethink whats possible. Be very fortunate to have amazing p[eople help me on the journey and couldnt of done it alone.
Hi Bonner! I'm pretty amazed by the work you and the OM Foundation have done for children with disabilities. How on earth do you start something like that, and what was your experience between having the idea of starting a foundation, and then making it come to reality?
Hi! Thanks for the kind words. It has been a labor of love and challenges of how to set-up and run a foundation. I have a very active Board and an amazing woman who runs my foundation. I get more credit than I deserve as its many people who make the foundation go and grow as big as it has. I am just trying to help it along as the freight train is getting bigger and faster every day. I am very fortunate to work for Young's Market Company who supports all of this and allows me the time to be here and do all the work my foundation is doing. When you have people like that show so much love and support, it truly makes you feel unstoppable and confident in what we are trying to do.
Given all you've been through, it must've been an emotional journey as well as a physical one. Did you learn anything about yourself along the way?
I have learned a ton in the last 10 years. Most important forgiveness and enjoy the journey. I used to only care about winning and never saw many of the great moments getting to whatever goal it may be. Greg Welch really helped me understand the journey during my 2 years training with him. I also learned that its harder to heal from emotional damage than the physical damage I endured during Kilil and Ironman.
Will you be participating in any other big races in the near future?
Yes I will be doing the Orange County Half marathon in May here in California and then full marathon next May as part of the Team Jake Global Challenge. Hope you will join us on the challenge www.teamjakechallenge.org
What does the Team Jake Challenge involve?
3 steps: - register on our website and we send a shirt to wear for free - any half marathon in the world in 2015 - any full marathon in the world in 2016 and Oakley will send you a pair of my signature eyewear for free just for completeing the challenge :)
I am A Bot. v0.01. Extremely buggy, very unstable, should not be allowed to escape from bot-containment zone. Under care of /u/downvotesattractor.
If bot is alive, next update will be at 11:21 PST