Wow hey well I’m excited okay I’ve got a great story to tell you today I think
great story to tell you today I think
great story to tell you today I think it’s cool and I think it’s fun but
it’s cool and I think it’s fun but
it’s cool and I think it’s fun but unfortunately I’ve got to start it at
unfortunately I’ve got to start it at
unfortunately I’ve got to start it at this photo which is not a cool moment
this photo which is not a cool moment
this photo which is not a cool moment okay but we’re not going to dwell on it
okay but we’re not going to dwell on it
okay but we’re not going to dwell on it this is me four years ago performing in
this is me four years ago performing in
this is me four years ago performing in a stunt show I was a professional
a stunt show I was a professional
a stunt show I was a professional mountain bike rider of 25 years but this
mountain bike rider of 25 years but this
mountain bike rider of 25 years but this photo just moments after it I had a
photo just moments after it I had a
photo just moments after it I had a crash and in that crash I sustained a
crash and in that crash I sustained a
crash and in that crash I sustained a spinal cord injury which was devastating
spinal cord injury which was devastating
spinal cord injury which was devastating to my career but what I’m gonna do to
to my career but what I’m gonna do to
to my career but what I’m gonna do to keep this moving fun and cool right
keep this moving fun and cool right
keep this moving fun and cool right we’re gonna we’re gonna skip forward an
we’re gonna we’re gonna skip forward an
we’re gonna we’re gonna skip forward an hour from this photo to where I think it
hour from this photo to where I think it
hour from this photo to where I think it started getting cool okay so we’re gonna
started getting cool okay so we’re gonna
started getting cool okay so we’re gonna skip past the very tense moments with
skip past the very tense moments with
skip past the very tense moments with paramedics and a dawning realization of
paramedics and a dawning realization of
paramedics and a dawning realization of what this might mean to me and a very
what this might mean to me and a very
what this might mean to me and a very noisy helicopter ride to an hour from
noisy helicopter ride to an hour from
noisy helicopter ride to an hour from here where I was in one of those MRI
here where I was in one of those MRI
here where I was in one of those MRI scanners you know like one of those
scanners you know like one of those
scanners you know like one of those claustrophobic tunnels I was all alone
claustrophobic tunnels I was all alone
claustrophobic tunnels I was all alone for the first time since the accident
for the first time since the accident
for the first time since the accident and there was these magnets droning away
and there was these magnets droning away
and there was these magnets droning away around me and I was finally in a place
around me and I was finally in a place
around me and I was finally in a place where I could ever think right what
where I could ever think right what
where I could ever think right what what’s going on and I’ll be honest I was
what’s going on and I’ll be honest I was
what’s going on and I’ll be honest I was in a lot of pain around my midriff died
in a lot of pain around my midriff died
in a lot of pain around my midriff died was kind of hypersensitive and then
was kind of hypersensitive and then
was kind of hypersensitive and then below that I could feel nothing and I
below that I could feel nothing and I
below that I could feel nothing and I had no movement and it was really scary
had no movement and it was really scary
had no movement and it was really scary did I say this was get fun and cool it’s
did I say this was get fun and cool it’s
did I say this was get fun and cool it’s gonna get fun and cool but I was in
gonna get fun and cool but I was in
gonna get fun and cool but I was in turmoil in all honesty I was thinking
turmoil in all honesty I was thinking
turmoil in all honesty I was thinking all the things you would expect
all the things you would expect
all the things you would expect someone would think in that situation
someone would think in that situation
someone would think in that situation how am I going to work you know I’m
how am I going to work you know I’m
how am I going to work you know I’m never going to walk again wheelchairs
never going to walk again wheelchairs
never going to walk again wheelchairs how am I going to be a good dad how am I
how am I going to be a good dad how am I
how am I going to be a good dad how am I going to be a good husband all that
going to be a good husband all that
going to be a good husband all that stuff but I’ve got to admit something
stuff but I’ve got to admit something
stuff but I’ve got to admit something today that I’ve not retold many people
today that I’ve not retold many people
today that I’ve not retold many people underneath all the turmoil I’m already
underneath all the turmoil I’m already
underneath all the turmoil I’m already starting to smile a little bit
starting to smile a little bit
starting to smile a little bit underneath the turmoil there was a
underneath the turmoil there was a
underneath the turmoil there was a genuine excitement which sounds weird
genuine excitement which sounds weird
genuine excitement which sounds weird but bear with me in all the turmoil I’ve
but bear with me in all the turmoil I’ve
but bear with me in all the turmoil I’ve been thinking through some scenarios
been thinking through some scenarios
been thinking through some scenarios like what is it like in a wheelchair
like what is it like in a wheelchair
like what is it like in a wheelchair like what’s it like being four foot tall
like what’s it like being four foot tall
like what’s it like being four foot tall all the time and all that kind of stuff
all the time and all that kind of stuff
all the time and all that kind of stuff but my competitive sportsman brain was
but my competitive sportsman brain was
but my competitive sportsman brain was starting to kick in and I was starting
starting to kick in and I was starting
starting to kick in and I was starting to think like so who’s the best
to think like so who’s the best
to think like so who’s the best paraplegic in the world like
paraplegic in the world like
paraplegic in the world like who’s that guy or girl must be pretty
who’s that guy or girl must be pretty
who’s that guy or girl must be pretty impressive person and like what’s the
impressive person and like what’s the
impressive person and like what’s the world rankings of paraplegia like how
world rankings of paraplegia like how
world rankings of paraplegia like how did you get in the top hundred of being
did you get in the top hundred of being
did you get in the top hundred of being a paraplegic I can’t help it that’s the
a paraplegic I can’t help it that’s the
a paraplegic I can’t help it that’s the way I think and I was I was excited and
way I think and I was I was excited and
way I think and I was I was excited and I instantly know although it was a dumb
I instantly know although it was a dumb
I instantly know although it was a dumb thought it was also a very useful one
thought it was also a very useful one
thought it was also a very useful one I could feel it had energy and movement
I could feel it had energy and movement
I could feel it had energy and movement it was positive and I nurtured it from
it was positive and I nurtured it from
it was positive and I nurtured it from that moment on I kept hold of it I knew
that moment on I kept hold of it I knew
that moment on I kept hold of it I knew that it was an important moment for me
that it was an important moment for me
that it was an important moment for me and I I really used that energy to move
and I I really used that energy to move
and I I really used that energy to move forward in my life and let me explain
forward in my life and let me explain
forward in my life and let me explain why I was excited by it because I’ve
why I was excited by it because I’ve
why I was excited by it because I’ve been riding bikes for a long time and
been riding bikes for a long time and
been riding bikes for a long time and often I would get excited by an idea it
often I would get excited by an idea it
often I would get excited by an idea it was quite often an idea as you can see
was quite often an idea as you can see
was quite often an idea as you can see that probably wasn’t a good one
that probably wasn’t a good one
that probably wasn’t a good one some people were try and talk you out of
some people were try and talk you out of
some people were try and talk you out of it
it
it that’s stupid Martin you might hurt
that’s stupid Martin you might hurt
that’s stupid Martin you might hurt yourself or you could potentially get
yourself or you could potentially get
yourself or you could potentially get arrested for riding on bridges illegally
arrested for riding on bridges illegally
arrested for riding on bridges illegally and things like that and the excitement
and things like that and the excitement
and things like that and the excitement and that energy that I was recognizing
and that energy that I was recognizing
and that energy that I was recognizing in the MRI scanner that’s what I used to
in the MRI scanner that’s what I used to
in the MRI scanner that’s what I used to use to get past that in a voice that was
use to get past that in a voice that was
use to get past that in a voice that was saying I shouldn’t and the people
saying I shouldn’t and the people
saying I shouldn’t and the people actually physically saying to me don’t
actually physically saying to me don’t
actually physically saying to me don’t and I would use this energy that was a
and I would use this energy that was a
and I would use this energy that was a particularly silly bit I would use that
particularly silly bit I would use that
particularly silly bit I would use that energy to get stuff done so I knew it
energy to get stuff done so I knew it
energy to get stuff done so I knew it was important I went into hospital after
was important I went into hospital after
was important I went into hospital after the accident for five months I had 12
the accident for five months I had 12
the accident for five months I had 12 weeks bed rest which is a Fleming long
weeks bed rest which is a Fleming long
weeks bed rest which is a Fleming long layin that’s like the longest lay in any
layin that’s like the longest lay in any
layin that’s like the longest lay in any of us need that’s probably the longest
of us need that’s probably the longest
of us need that’s probably the longest laying in this room any no yeah
laying in this room any no yeah
laying in this room any no yeah definitely long as Lane and I also spent
definitely long as Lane and I also spent
definitely long as Lane and I also spent that time rehabilitating getting some
that time rehabilitating getting some
that time rehabilitating getting some Fitness back getting used to the very
Fitness back getting used to the very
Fitness back getting used to the very basics of what life meant in a
basics of what life meant in a
basics of what life meant in a wheelchair I was also on a ward with
wheelchair I was also on a ward with
wheelchair I was also on a ward with lots of other people who had spinal cord
lots of other people who had spinal cord
lots of other people who had spinal cord injuries and I was amazed at the
injuries and I was amazed at the
injuries and I was amazed at the bravery I saw in these other people just
bravery I saw in these other people just
bravery I saw in these other people just everyday people that had this disruption
everyday people that had this disruption
everyday people that had this disruption in their life that they hadn’t been
in their life that they hadn’t been
in their life that they hadn’t been expecting and it’s incredible to see how
expecting and it’s incredible to see how
expecting and it’s incredible to see how this human spirit comes through and and
this human spirit comes through and and
this human spirit comes through and and finds a way to get back and progress
finds a way to get back and progress
finds a way to get back and progress from stuff that can be devastating and
from stuff that can be devastating and
from stuff that can be devastating and I’d come out of hospital inspired by
I’d come out of hospital inspired by
I’d come out of hospital inspired by that and with that energy so I come out
that and with that energy so I come out
that and with that energy so I come out of hospital inspired and with a mantra I
of hospital inspired and with a mantra I
of hospital inspired and with a mantra I guess III used it a lot it was if I’m
guess III used it a lot it was if I’m
guess III used it a lot it was if I’m gonna be paralyzed well then I may as
gonna be paralyzed well then I may as
gonna be paralyzed well then I may as well be really good it I may as well
well be really good it I may as well
well be really good it I may as well just be the best one I can be getting
just be the best one I can be getting
just be the best one I can be getting that top hundred as well as thinking it
that top hundred as well as thinking it
that top hundred as well as thinking it started with the basics things like this
started with the basics things like this
started with the basics things like this escalator looks like a simple problem
escalator looks like a simple problem
escalator looks like a simple problem but in a wheelchair actually an
but in a wheelchair actually an
but in a wheelchair actually an escalator is pretty tricky you need to
escalator is pretty tricky you need to
escalator is pretty tricky you need to practice especially going down because
practice especially going down because
practice especially going down because you have to go down facing the same way
you have to go down facing the same way
you have to go down facing the same way you would as up so you have this moment
you would as up so you have this moment
you would as up so you have this moment of like oh my god I hope I’m right and
of like oh my god I hope I’m right and
of like oh my god I hope I’m right and then a security guard chases you down it
then a security guard chases you down it
then a security guard chases you down it you’re not allowed on here with
you’re not allowed on here with
you’re not allowed on here with wheelchairs and I’m not a pram
so it start with the basics but like I
so it start with the basics but like I said I I really wanted to be as good at
said I I really wanted to be as good at
said I I really wanted to be as good at this as I could be and I thought sport
this as I could be and I thought sport
this as I could be and I thought sport was where I was going to find my fund my
was where I was going to find my fund my
was where I was going to find my fund my niche and and use some of the experience
niche and and use some of the experience
niche and and use some of the experience I’ve had in my my riding career so I
I’ve had in my my riding career so I
I’ve had in my my riding career so I started hunting around what sports could
started hunting around what sports could
started hunting around what sports could I try and I tried loads of things and
I try and I tried loads of things and
I try and I tried loads of things and Rohan cycling and I tried tennis have
Rohan cycling and I tried tennis have
Rohan cycling and I tried tennis have you ever noticed they wheelchair tennis
you ever noticed they wheelchair tennis
you ever noticed they wheelchair tennis players they’ve got a hold of tennis
players they’ve got a hold of tennis
players they’ve got a hold of tennis racquet and push a wheelchair which is
racquet and push a wheelchair which is
racquet and push a wheelchair which is like that’s two things so I couldn’t do
like that’s two things so I couldn’t do
like that’s two things so I couldn’t do that I could hit the ball on a spot
where else did I try well I tried
where else did I try well I tried basketball but I couldn’t I couldn’t
basketball but I couldn’t I couldn’t
basketball but I couldn’t I couldn’t throw basketballs before my accident and
throw basketballs before my accident and
throw basketballs before my accident and the chair hadn’t improved it so I didn’t
the chair hadn’t improved it so I didn’t
the chair hadn’t improved it so I didn’t but I did try wheelchair racing which is
but I did try wheelchair racing which is
but I did try wheelchair racing which is what you can see here and you’ve
what you can see here and you’ve
what you can see here and you’ve probably seen this on like the
probably seen this on like the
probably seen this on like the Paralympics going around a track or the
Paralympics going around a track or the
Paralympics going around a track or the marathon London Marathon you see these
marathon London Marathon you see these
marathon London Marathon you see these guys and they’re amazing and I thought I
guys and they’re amazing and I thought I
guys and they’re amazing and I thought I had a pretty strong upper body from my
had a pretty strong upper body from my
had a pretty strong upper body from my ride and I thought this is where I’m
ride and I thought this is where I’m
ride and I thought this is where I’m gonna find I’m gonna find my moment this
gonna find I’m gonna find my moment this
gonna find I’m gonna find my moment this is my one and only day racing
is my one and only day racing
is my one and only day racing wheelchairs just simply because this is
wheelchairs just simply because this is
wheelchairs just simply because this is a hundred meter race this photos sort of
a hundred meter race this photos sort of
a hundred meter race this photos sort of annoys me actually it’s 100 meter racing
annoys me actually it’s 100 meter racing
annoys me actually it’s 100 meter racing I’m the person there with the the black
I’m the person there with the the black
I’m the person there with the the black helmet a little red line on it blue
helmet a little red line on it blue
helmet a little red line on it blue t-shirt I’m lined up ready the girl just
t-shirt I’m lined up ready the girl just
t-shirt I’m lined up ready the girl just to this side with the pink purple helmet
to this side with the pink purple helmet
to this side with the pink purple helmet and pink purple matching wheelchair
and pink purple matching wheelchair
and pink purple matching wheelchair right she beat me she’s 12 years old
right she beat me she’s 12 years old
right she beat me she’s 12 years old now all right wait wait wait right she
now all right wait wait wait right she
now all right wait wait wait right she beat me by 60 meters yeah so kayaking
beat me by 60 meters yeah so kayaking
beat me by 60 meters yeah so kayaking right is a really cool war
right is a really cool war
right is a really cool war I love I I love this video
I love I I love this video
I love I I love this video I went hunting around on the internet
I went hunting around on the internet
I went hunting around on the internet trying to find something else after the
trying to find something else after the
trying to find something else after the wheelchair racing disaster and I found
wheelchair racing disaster and I found
wheelchair racing disaster and I found kayaking these boats are incredible they
kayaking these boats are incredible they
kayaking these boats are incredible they are super long really really narrow and
are super long really really narrow and
are super long really really narrow and and mega fast and I managed to get in
and mega fast and I managed to get in
and mega fast and I managed to get in touch with the coach of the GB team and
touch with the coach of the GB team and
touch with the coach of the GB team and he asked me to come over try out like
he asked me to come over try out like
he asked me to come over try out like we’ll come and try out and we’ve got a
we’ll come and try out and we’ve got a
we’ll come and try out and we’ve got a space on the GB team right for someone
space on the GB team right for someone
space on the GB team right for someone wayne laughing wait right what for
wayne laughing wait right what for
wayne laughing wait right what for someone with my disability category I’m
someone with my disability category I’m
someone with my disability category I’m like this is it so I went along free our
like this is it so I went along free our
like this is it so I went along free our drive very excited took my wife Lisa and
drive very excited took my wife Lisa and
drive very excited took my wife Lisa and my son Alfie came see daddy get picked
my son Alfie came see daddy get picked
my son Alfie came see daddy get picked for the team and I went kayaking for the
for the team and I went kayaking for the
for the team and I went kayaking for the first time now when I got on this got on
first time now when I got on this got on
first time now when I got on this got on this boat I had a moment of panic
this boat I had a moment of panic
this boat I had a moment of panic because like I said they’re pretty
because like I said they’re pretty
because like I said they’re pretty wobbly and I was slightly concerned and
wobbly and I was slightly concerned and
wobbly and I was slightly concerned and I said to my wife Lisa it was just the
I said to my wife Lisa it was just the
I said to my wife Lisa it was just the side of the Jay you know what I’m a bit
side of the Jay you know what I’m a bit
side of the Jay you know what I’m a bit worried about this beau is pretty tricky
worried about this beau is pretty tricky
worried about this beau is pretty tricky to balance and that I’m about to set
to balance and that I’m about to set
to balance and that I’m about to set sail and the coach says to me he’s just
sail and the coach says to me he’s just
sail and the coach says to me he’s just holding the front of the boat just by
holding the front of the boat just by
holding the front of the boat just by the J and he says don’t worry just you
the J and he says don’t worry just you
the J and he says don’t worry just you just kind of balance it with your core
just kind of balance it with your core
just kind of balance it with your core and I’m like okay some really important
and I’m like okay some really important
and I’m like okay some really important information has been lost in our email
information has been lost in our email
information has been lost in our email communication because
communication because
communication because I haven’t got a call right that’s what
I haven’t got a call right that’s what
I haven’t got a call right that’s what the wheelchairs about right I don’t know
the wheelchairs about right I don’t know
the wheelchairs about right I don’t know why I didn’t get it but he pushes me out
why I didn’t get it but he pushes me out
why I didn’t get it but he pushes me out okay
okay
okay and I’m strapped in with this big velcro
and I’m strapped in with this big velcro
and I’m strapped in with this big velcro strap so you can’t fall out the boat I
strap so you can’t fall out the boat I
strap so you can’t fall out the boat I float out a little bit and a bit of a
float out a little bit and a bit of a
float out a little bit and a bit of a wobble and then it just goes blue the
wobble and then it just goes blue the
wobble and then it just goes blue the other way and I’m literally sat in it
other way and I’m literally sat in it
other way and I’m literally sat in it perfectly set right but but the bottom
perfectly set right but but the bottom
perfectly set right but but the bottom of the rivers there like I’m upside down
of the rivers there like I’m upside down
of the rivers there like I’m upside down like I sure didn’t have there or I was
like I sure didn’t have there or I was
like I sure didn’t have there or I was just like oh my god I’m like looking at
just like oh my god I’m like looking at
just like oh my god I’m like looking at mud and fishes and right ok and I’m
mud and fishes and right ok and I’m
mud and fishes and right ok and I’m trying to rip this velcro thing off of
trying to rip this velcro thing off of
trying to rip this velcro thing off of my waist to get out of the boat and I
my waist to get out of the boat and I
my waist to get out of the boat and I managed to get out enough to get a
managed to get out enough to get a
managed to get out enough to get a breath of air just long enough to see my
breath of air just long enough to see my
breath of air just long enough to see my son Alfie looking at me like dad’s
son Alfie looking at me like dad’s
son Alfie looking at me like dad’s drowning like that looks bad I go back
drowning like that looks bad I go back
drowning like that looks bad I go back under I haven’t come away from the boat
under I haven’t come away from the boat
under I haven’t come away from the boat for some reason because my feet have got
for some reason because my feet have got
for some reason because my feet have got kind of caught up in the boat and I sort
kind of caught up in the boat and I sort
kind of caught up in the boat and I sort of struggle my way out it’s really
of struggle my way out it’s really
of struggle my way out it’s really there’s a lot of splashing and a lot of
there’s a lot of splashing and a lot of
there’s a lot of splashing and a lot of I’m not making the waves in this sport
I’m not making the waves in this sport
I’m not making the waves in this sport like I planned and I’m yeah I miss a
like I planned and I’m yeah I miss a
like I planned and I’m yeah I miss a mess I I get to the edge and I am one
mess I I get to the edge and I am one
mess I I get to the edge and I am one I’m freezing and – I feel pretty stupid
I’m freezing and – I feel pretty stupid
I’m freezing and – I feel pretty stupid I get lifted out the water and I’m just
I get lifted out the water and I’m just
I get lifted out the water and I’m just kind of annoyed because I’m like I mean
kind of annoyed because I’m like I mean
kind of annoyed because I’m like I mean I’m used to succeeding in sport that’s
I’m used to succeeding in sport that’s
I’m used to succeeding in sport that’s that’s what I’ve always strived to do
that’s what I’ve always strived to do
that’s what I’ve always strived to do and this was not that I get put back in
and this was not that I get put back in
and this was not that I get put back in the boat again I might put me back in
the boat again I might put me back in
the boat again I might put me back in that boat because I can do this they put
that boat because I can do this they put
that boat because I can do this they put me back in flow out you probably guessed
it was a horror show I come back out the
it was a horror show I come back out the war again I’m even cold I’m embarrassed
war again I’m even cold I’m embarrassed
war again I’m even cold I’m embarrassed to admit now that it took me four more
to admit now that it took me four more
to admit now that it took me four more attempts right to realize right I don’t
attempts right to realize right I don’t
attempts right to realize right I don’t kayak I like no I’m not a kayaker okay
kayak I like no I’m not a kayaker okay
kayak I like no I’m not a kayaker okay and I come out of that water and I just
and I come out of that water and I just
and I come out of that water and I just felt so humiliated I I’d gone I just a
felt so humiliated I I’d gone I just a
felt so humiliated I I’d gone I just a three-hour drive to get to this place
three-hour drive to get to this place
three-hour drive to get to this place with a lot of ambition in my mind and
with a lot of ambition in my mind and
with a lot of ambition in my mind and that excitement and this was not what I
that excitement and this was not what I
that excitement and this was not what I was after
was after
was after so we had a very quiet drive home but
so we had a very quiet drive home but
so we had a very quiet drive home but halfway back my son’s died laughing in
halfway back my son’s died laughing in
halfway back my son’s died laughing in the back of the car laughing at and he
the back of the car laughing at and he
the back of the car laughing at and he was like well did you see that cafe just
was like well did you see that cafe just
was like well did you see that cafe just next to the jetty you know wherever was
next to the jetty you know wherever was
next to the jetty you know wherever was and everyone’s inside having coffees
and everyone’s inside having coffees
and everyone’s inside having coffees from the cold watching I was like yeah
from the cold watching I was like yeah
from the cold watching I was like yeah yeah and he said well imagine how that
yeah and he said well imagine how that
yeah and he said well imagine how that scene look to those people in that why
scene look to those people in that why
scene look to those people in that why do they keep putting that poor guy back
do they keep putting that poor guy back
do they keep putting that poor guy back in he clearly can’t do it terrible mean
in he clearly can’t do it terrible mean
in he clearly can’t do it terrible mean people like I’m like don’t put me back
people like I’m like don’t put me back
people like I’m like don’t put me back in the boat and like get back in the
in the boat and like get back in the
in the boat and like get back in the boat awful you know what since my
boat awful you know what since my
boat awful you know what since my accident I would never able to get bike
accident I would never able to get bike
accident I would never able to get bike riding out of my mind
riding out of my mind
riding out of my mind I was looking for where I would find use
I was looking for where I would find use
I was looking for where I would find use for my skill set but I’d always presumed
for my skill set but I’d always presumed
for my skill set but I’d always presumed bike riding would be there I I didn’t
bike riding would be there I I didn’t
bike riding would be there I I didn’t really know how but I knew I’d want to
really know how but I knew I’d want to
really know how but I knew I’d want to do it and the problem was no one was
do it and the problem was no one was
do it and the problem was no one was doing it no one was riding two-wheeled
doing it no one was riding two-wheeled
doing it no one was riding two-wheeled mountain bikes who were was paralyzed
mountain bikes who were was paralyzed
mountain bikes who were was paralyzed and it just wasn’t happening so I got to
and it just wasn’t happening so I got to
and it just wasn’t happening so I got to thinking how I could do it and I found
thinking how I could do it and I found
thinking how I could do it and I found the answer watching the Sochi
the answer watching the Sochi
the answer watching the Sochi Paralympics I don’t if you’ve ever seen
Paralympics I don’t if you’ve ever seen
Paralympics I don’t if you’ve ever seen these six key races they’ve got like a a
these six key races they’ve got like a a
these six key races they’ve got like a a single ski and then they’re in this kind
single ski and then they’re in this kind
single ski and then they’re in this kind of bucket seats and they go absolutely
of bucket seats and they go absolutely
of bucket seats and they go absolutely howling down snowy mountains with like
howling down snowy mountains with like
howling down snowy mountains with like these crutches on either side with
these crutches on either side with
these crutches on either side with little skis on the end and I was
little skis on the end and I was
little skis on the end and I was watching that and I thought wow why
watching that and I thought wow why
watching that and I thought wow why hasn’t anyone ever put one
hasn’t anyone ever put one
hasn’t anyone ever put one those seats on a mountain bike like
those seats on a mountain bike like
those seats on a mountain bike like that’s that’s what I need I need
that’s that’s what I need I need
that’s that’s what I need I need something to really hold me securely on
something to really hold me securely on
something to really hold me securely on the bike and then once I’m rolling we’re
the bike and then once I’m rolling we’re
the bike and then once I’m rolling we’re golden it’ll be great and I started
golden it’ll be great and I started
golden it’ll be great and I started asking some people in the industry you
asking some people in the industry you
asking some people in the industry you know could I get this done and some of
know could I get this done and some of
know could I get this done and some of them were like you know and we could do
them were like you know and we could do
them were like you know and we could do that and in other people were like hang
that and in other people were like hang
that and in other people were like hang on a minute like you need like to sort
on a minute like you need like to sort
on a minute like you need like to sort be a pedal you know to keep momentum and
be a pedal you know to keep momentum and
be a pedal you know to keep momentum and obviously you know stability and stuff
obviously you know stability and stuff
obviously you know stability and stuff like that valid points and I thought
like that valid points and I thought
like that valid points and I thought well no actually because all you need is
well no actually because all you need is
well no actually because all you need is a hill and then gravity is like free
a hill and then gravity is like free
a hill and then gravity is like free energy it’s so eco it’s just like let’s
energy it’s so eco it’s just like let’s
energy it’s so eco it’s just like let’s go I’ll sure it’s worked they also said
go I’ll sure it’s worked they also said
go I’ll sure it’s worked they also said think about stopping I was like yeah
think about stopping I was like yeah
think about stopping I was like yeah we’ll get to that so right this is me
we’ll get to that so right this is me
we’ll get to that so right this is me right a year and a half after my
right a year and a half after my
right a year and a half after my accident out with my friends on the top
accident out with my friends on the top
accident out with my friends on the top of a mountain and I can’t tell you how
of a mountain and I can’t tell you how
of a mountain and I can’t tell you how amazing this fell to go riding with my
amazing this fell to go riding with my
amazing this fell to go riding with my mates once I got rolling it was
mates once I got rolling it was
mates once I got rolling it was incredible what was incredible
incredible what was incredible
incredible what was incredible experience I had with my friends it was
experience I had with my friends it was
experience I had with my friends it was just such a team effort and getting out
just such a team effort and getting out
just such a team effort and getting out riding on the bikes I had that kind of
riding on the bikes I had that kind of
riding on the bikes I had that kind of like cheek ache for days afterwards
like cheek ache for days afterwards
like cheek ache for days afterwards because I’d smiled so hard it was an
because I’d smiled so hard it was an
because I’d smiled so hard it was an amazing experience and I got back riding
amazing experience and I got back riding
amazing experience and I got back riding and that video we put out on the
and that video we put out on the
and that video we put out on the Internet right and it got it got
Internet right and it got it got
Internet right and it got it got millions of views on like YouTube and
millions of views on like YouTube and
millions of views on like YouTube and Facebook and Instagram and that stuff
Facebook and Instagram and that stuff
Facebook and Instagram and that stuff and there was so much noise in fact my
and there was so much noise in fact my
and there was so much noise in fact my phone I was getting so many
phone I was getting so many
phone I was getting so many notifications my phone’s ding broke you
notifications my phone’s ding broke you
notifications my phone’s ding broke you know when you’re getting over to you
know when you’re getting over to you
know when you’re getting over to you guys ding ding it broke I broke my phone
guys ding ding it broke I broke my phone
guys ding ding it broke I broke my phone so I’m thinking right millions of years
so I’m thinking right millions of years
so I’m thinking right millions of years right that’s like what you reckon that’s
right that’s like what you reckon that’s
right that’s like what you reckon that’s like top hundred I’d say I’d say I’ve I
like top hundred I’d say I’d say I’ve I
like top hundred I’d say I’d say I’ve I think I’ve made it into the top hundred
think I’ve made it into the top hundred
think I’ve made it into the top hundred paraplegics in my opinion
paraplegics in my opinion
paraplegics in my opinion you know what’s important from my story
you know what’s important from my story
you know what’s important from my story I think is that that moment in the MRI
I think is that that moment in the MRI
I think is that that moment in the MRI scanner was really important for me
scanner was really important for me
scanner was really important for me because who would have thought before
because who would have thought before
because who would have thought before that moment you know like seeing me with
that moment you know like seeing me with
that moment you know like seeing me with that injury that some of the best days
that injury that some of the best days
that injury that some of the best days of me riding bikes were ahead of me you
of me riding bikes were ahead of me you
of me riding bikes were ahead of me you know it wasn’t the end of the career was
know it wasn’t the end of the career was
know it wasn’t the end of the career was just a change in it and I have traveled
just a change in it and I have traveled
just a change in it and I have traveled the world since my accident I’ve ridden
the world since my accident I’ve ridden
the world since my accident I’ve ridden in international events I rode iconic
in international events I rode iconic
in international events I rode iconic places that that I would never have
places that that I would never have
places that that I would never have dreamed of going before and had
dreamed of going before and had
dreamed of going before and had experiences on my bike that have just
experiences on my bike that have just
experiences on my bike that have just been incredible and I don’t think many
been incredible and I don’t think many
been incredible and I don’t think many people would have said that was coming
people would have said that was coming
people would have said that was coming you know so I think there’s an important
you know so I think there’s an important
you know so I think there’s an important message there and I think it’s that
message there and I think it’s that
message there and I think it’s that excitement and that energy that made
excitement and that energy that made
excitement and that energy that made that possible because that’s passion you
that possible because that’s passion you
that possible because that’s passion you know that’s that’s when you’re
know that’s that’s when you’re
know that’s that’s when you’re passionate about saying and you want to
passionate about saying and you want to
passionate about saying and you want to get done when you’re passionate about
get done when you’re passionate about
get done when you’re passionate about things you want to do in your lives and
things you want to do in your lives and
things you want to do in your lives and decisions you want to make it’s very
decisions you want to make it’s very
decisions you want to make it’s very easy to put up barricades of excuses and
easy to put up barricades of excuses and
easy to put up barricades of excuses and blockades of reasons why you can’t or
blockades of reasons why you can’t or
blockades of reasons why you can’t or make obstacles out of disabilities but
make obstacles out of disabilities but
make obstacles out of disabilities but when you’ve got that passion and you’ve
when you’ve got that passion and you’ve
when you’ve got that passion and you’ve got that excitement and you let it come
got that excitement and you let it come
got that excitement and you let it come through and you let it steer you you can
through and you let it steer you you can
through and you let it steer you you can just create a path around all those
just create a path around all those
just create a path around all those barriers and you can achieve great
barriers and you can achieve great
barriers and you can achieve great things and that is what I wish for you
things and that is what I wish for you
things and that is what I wish for you guys Thanks
guys Thanks
guys Thanks [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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