I just want to say that half an hour ago I was actually just outside crying what
I was actually just outside crying what
I was actually just outside crying what I’m about to share is really really
I’m about to share is really really
I’m about to share is really really personal very emotional for me and it’s
personal very emotional for me and it’s
personal very emotional for me and it’s also a very recent it’s something I’m
also a very recent it’s something I’m
also a very recent it’s something I’m still coming to deal with so I’ve spent
still coming to deal with so I’ve spent
still coming to deal with so I’ve spent most of my adult life on the edge
most of my adult life on the edge
most of my adult life on the edge I’ve pushed myself physically and
I’ve pushed myself physically and
I’ve pushed myself physically and mentally in some of the most challenging
mentally in some of the most challenging
mentally in some of the most challenging mountain environments in the world and
mountain environments in the world and
mountain environments in the world and for the most part it’s been through
for the most part it’s been through
for the most part it’s been through endurance sports I’ve been on five
endurance sports I’ve been on five
endurance sports I’ve been on five different national teams in five
different national teams in five
different national teams in five different sports I started out in the
different sports I started out in the
different sports I started out in the national triathlon team national
national triathlon team national
national triathlon team national duathlon team Canadian mountain running
duathlon team Canadian mountain running
duathlon team Canadian mountain running team ultra running team and most
team ultra running team and most
team ultra running team and most recently in the Canaan ski
recently in the Canaan ski
recently in the Canaan ski mountaineering team and what I’ve as I
mountaineering team and what I’ve as I
mountaineering team and what I’ve as I moved through sports I’ve moved more and
moved through sports I’ve moved more and
moved through sports I’ve moved more and more into the wild with my adventures
more into the wild with my adventures
more into the wild with my adventures most recently I’d be known for running
most recently I’d be known for running
most recently I’d be known for running hundred mile races and some of the most
hundred mile races and some of the most
hundred mile races and some of the most challenging mountain environments in the
challenging mountain environments in the
challenging mountain environments in the world so I’ve run 100 miles around Mount
world so I’ve run 100 miles around Mount
world so I’ve run 100 miles around Mount Fuji I finished second in a race there
Fuji I finished second in a race there
Fuji I finished second in a race there more recently I’ve run a race called the
more recently I’ve run a race called the
more recently I’ve run a race called the hardrock hundred in Silverton Colorado
hardrock hundred in Silverton Colorado
hardrock hundred in Silverton Colorado and it’s a beautiful beautiful part of
and it’s a beautiful beautiful part of
and it’s a beautiful beautiful part of the world and these these mountain
the world and these these mountain
the world and these these mountain ranges the race is 100 miles with 66
ranges the race is 100 miles with 66
ranges the race is 100 miles with 66 thousand feet of elevation gain and loss
thousand feet of elevation gain and loss
thousand feet of elevation gain and loss so imagine running from Calgary to Lake
so imagine running from Calgary to Lake
so imagine running from Calgary to Lake Louise while doing 12 Hollings all at an
Louise while doing 12 Hollings all at an
Louise while doing 12 Hollings all at an average elevation higher than any
average elevation higher than any
average elevation higher than any mountain in Alberta quite a challenging
mountain in Alberta quite a challenging
mountain in Alberta quite a challenging feet and however that edge wasn’t quite
feet and however that edge wasn’t quite
feet and however that edge wasn’t quite enough for me so I started taking my
enough for me so I started taking my
enough for me so I started taking my fitness closer and closer to the wild I
fitness closer and closer to the wild I
fitness closer and closer to the wild I sort of moved away from races because
sort of moved away from races because
sort of moved away from races because they felt a little bit contrived and I
they felt a little bit contrived and I
they felt a little bit contrived and I took my fitness into higher in mountain
took my fitness into higher in mountain
took my fitness into higher in mountain higher and higher mountain peaks trying
higher and higher mountain peaks trying
higher and higher mountain peaks trying to push myself wanting to get closer to
to push myself wanting to get closer to
to push myself wanting to get closer to the edge so I would try to run up and
the edge so I would try to run up and
the edge so I would try to run up and down mountains faster than anybody or I
down mountains faster than anybody or I
down mountains faster than anybody or I wouldn’t actually that wouldn’t be
wouldn’t actually that wouldn’t be
wouldn’t actually that wouldn’t be enough for me I’d run from home to the
enough for me I’d run from home to the
enough for me I’d run from home to the top of the mountain and back and then I
top of the mountain and back and then I
top of the mountain and back and then I decided I wanted to try to do as many
decided I wanted to try to do as many
decided I wanted to try to do as many mountains in a day as possible however
mountains in a day as possible however
mountains in a day as possible however on August 31st the last year I took one
on August 31st the last year I took one
on August 31st the last year I took one step a little too far over the edge I
step a little too far over the edge I
step a little too far over the edge I was doing something in Rogers Pass
was doing something in Rogers Pass
was doing something in Rogers Pass called the Horseshoe Traverse I met up
called the Horseshoe Traverse I met up
called the Horseshoe Traverse I met up with two of my friends – the best
with two of my friends – the best
with two of my friends – the best mountain runners in the world Nicholas
mountain runners in the world Nicholas
mountain runners in the world Nicholas Dakotah Jones from Squamish and from
Dakotah Jones from Squamish and from
Dakotah Jones from Squamish and from Colorado and we were looking to to
Colorado and we were looking to to
Colorado and we were looking to to basically link up 14 different peaks in
basically link up 14 different peaks in
basically link up 14 different peaks in Rogers Pass the fastest previous time
Rogers Pass the fastest previous time
Rogers Pass the fastest previous time for anybody doing this was three and a
for anybody doing this was three and a
for anybody doing this was three and a half days being really cocky and a bit
half days being really cocky and a bit
half days being really cocky and a bit ambitious we decide we were gonna do it
ambitious we decide we were gonna do it
ambitious we decide we were gonna do it in one day some of these pictures here
in one day some of these pictures here
in one day some of these pictures here give you a sense of what the terrain is
give you a sense of what the terrain is
give you a sense of what the terrain is like these are from different eventually
like these are from different eventually
like these are from different eventually I’ve done I’m the same route with my
I’ve done I’m the same route with my
I’ve done I’m the same route with my girlfriend over the last couple years I
girlfriend over the last couple years I
girlfriend over the last couple years I had a pretty good sense what we were
had a pretty good sense what we were
had a pretty good sense what we were getting into
getting into
getting into however we the day started out
however we the day started out
however we the day started out beautifully the weather was perfect we
beautifully the weather was perfect we
beautifully the weather was perfect we knew that all conditions were in our
knew that all conditions were in our
knew that all conditions were in our favor when you’re going light and fast
favor when you’re going light and fast
favor when you’re going light and fast in the mountains you want to make sure
in the mountains you want to make sure
in the mountains you want to make sure that conditions are in your favor we got
that conditions are in your favor we got
that conditions are in your favor we got up at 6 a.m.
up at 6 a.m.
up at 6 a.m. started running by 10 a.m. we’d already
started running by 10 a.m. we’d already
started running by 10 a.m. we’d already gone over four peaks we were bang on
gone over four peaks we were bang on
gone over four peaks we were bang on target we were rolling it was a great
target we were rolling it was a great
target we were rolling it was a great day and we got to this tower here called
day and we got to this tower here called
day and we got to this tower here called the salt cert hour and this altar tower
the salt cert hour and this altar tower
the salt cert hour and this altar tower is relative to what we were looking to
is relative to what we were looking to
is relative to what we were looking to do is pretty benign I actually didn’t
do is pretty benign I actually didn’t
do is pretty benign I actually didn’t even know it existed on the route I
even know it existed on the route I
even know it existed on the route I didn’t even count it as a mountain which
didn’t even count it as a mountain which
didn’t even count it as a mountain which is kind of funny in retrospect and so we
is kind of funny in retrospect and so we
is kind of funny in retrospect and so we were making our way up here Nick and
were making our way up here Nick and
were making our way up here Nick and Dakota were just in front of me I was
Dakota were just in front of me I was
Dakota were just in front of me I was following behind we’re about 200 feet up
following behind we’re about 200 feet up
following behind we’re about 200 feet up in that rock band I’m going to step over
in that rock band I’m going to step over
in that rock band I’m going to step over here just to show you we were
here just to show you we were
here just to show you we were approximately up in that area over there
approximately up in that area over there
approximately up in that area over there and Nick and Dakota were maybe 50 meters
and Nick and Dakota were maybe 50 meters
and Nick and Dakota were maybe 50 meters above me I pulled on a rock and all of a
above me I pulled on a rock and all of a
above me I pulled on a rock and all of a sudden I heard the rock crack and I felt
sudden I heard the rock crack and I felt
sudden I heard the rock crack and I felt it pulling out and it hit me in the face
it pulling out and it hit me in the face
it pulling out and it hit me in the face and I fell backwards and I started
and I fell backwards and I started
and I fell backwards and I started tumbling from ledge to ledge and I was
tumbling from ledge to ledge and I was
tumbling from ledge to ledge and I was falling backwards and I wasn’t panicking
falling backwards and I wasn’t panicking
falling backwards and I wasn’t panicking I was fully conscious and but I knew I
I was fully conscious and but I knew I
I was fully conscious and but I knew I was gonna die there was no panic because
was gonna die there was no panic because
was gonna die there was no panic because it was just such a certainty in my mind
it was just such a certainty in my mind
it was just such a certainty in my mind I was a dead man and I have a very very
I was a dead man and I have a very very
I was a dead man and I have a very very clear image it still makes me shake I’ve
clear image it still makes me shake I’ve
clear image it still makes me shake I’ve seen the mountains flipped upside down
seen the mountains flipped upside down
seen the mountains flipped upside down their horizon behind me and just being
their horizon behind me and just being
their horizon behind me and just being terrified
terrified
terrified well not terrify it wasn’t it was just
well not terrify it wasn’t it was just
well not terrify it wasn’t it was just like she was like wow the mountains are
like she was like wow the mountains are
like she was like wow the mountains are upside down this is wild and I tumbled
upside down this is wild and I tumbled
upside down this is wild and I tumbled further and further down the mountain
further and further down the mountain
further and further down the mountain conscious the entire time and suddenly I
conscious the entire time and suddenly I
conscious the entire time and suddenly I found myself down there this is a
found myself down there this is a
found myself down there this is a picture from the rescue helicopter face
picture from the rescue helicopter face
picture from the rescue helicopter face down in a pool of blood having fallen
down in a pool of blood having fallen
down in a pool of blood having fallen over 200 feet down a mountain but I was
over 200 feet down a mountain but I was
over 200 feet down a mountain but I was alive
alive
alive I push myself up rolled over onto my
I push myself up rolled over onto my
I push myself up rolled over onto my back wiggled my toes and I knew had
back wiggled my toes and I knew had
back wiggled my toes and I knew had broken my ankle and it would broken my
broken my ankle and it would broken my
broken my ankle and it would broken my hip and I knew that there was a heck of
hip and I knew that there was a heck of
hip and I knew that there was a heck of a lot of blood around me so I told
a lot of blood around me so I told
a lot of blood around me so I told myself not to panic I had to stay calm
myself not to panic I had to stay calm
myself not to panic I had to stay calm in that moment and Nick and Dakota came
in that moment and Nick and Dakota came
in that moment and Nick and Dakota came running down towards me and I had an
running down towards me and I had an
running down towards me and I had an emergency beacon on me then Nick who you
emergency beacon on me then Nick who you
emergency beacon on me then Nick who you can see in the picture there funny
can see in the picture there funny
can see in the picture there funny enough his hair wasn’t the scariest
enough his hair wasn’t the scariest
enough his hair wasn’t the scariest thing in that photo Nick being the
thing in that photo Nick being the
thing in that photo Nick being the incredible mountain athlete that he is
incredible mountain athlete that he is
incredible mountain athlete that he is ran up to the previous the mountain
ran up to the previous the mountain
ran up to the previous the mountain behind us and was able to call search
behind us and was able to call search
behind us and was able to call search and rescue and within an hour and a half
and rescue and within an hour and a half
and rescue and within an hour and a half search-and-rescue who were luckily doing
search-and-rescue who were luckily doing
search-and-rescue who were luckily doing a training mission in the area had flown
a training mission in the area had flown
a training mission in the area had flown by it spotted us and because the
by it spotted us and because the
by it spotted us and because the conditions were perfect they were able
conditions were perfect they were able
conditions were perfect they were able to get to us then and I was long lined
to get to us then and I was long lined
to get to us then and I was long lined out of there flown to the Rogers Pass
out of there flown to the Rogers Pass
out of there flown to the Rogers Pass Visitor Center and I’m just gonna we
Visitor Center and I’m just gonna we
Visitor Center and I’m just gonna we have an amazing security network in the
have an amazing security network in the
have an amazing security network in the mountains here and it’s free and they do
mountains here and it’s free and they do
mountains here and it’s free and they do an amazing job and they put themselves
an amazing job and they put themselves
an amazing job and they put themselves at risk they put and they’ve saved a
at risk they put and they’ve saved a
at risk they put and they’ve saved a heck of a lot of people and it they do
heck of a lot of people and it they do
heck of a lot of people and it they do an incredible job so you know first so
an incredible job so you know first so
an incredible job so you know first so just a big round of applause for the
just a big round of applause for the
just a big round of applause for the safety people
and we’re lucky to live in a country
and we’re lucky to live in a country where there’s a safety a safety net like
where there’s a safety a safety net like
where there’s a safety a safety net like that but just free like it didn’t cost
that but just free like it didn’t cost
that but just free like it didn’t cost me anything to do that so there’s no
me anything to do that so there’s no
me anything to do that so there’s no risk in calling them and so I was flown
risk in calling them and so I was flown
risk in calling them and so I was flown to the Rogers Pass Visitor Center where
to the Rogers Pass Visitor Center where
to the Rogers Pass Visitor Center where there was a air ambulance waiting for me
there was a air ambulance waiting for me
there was a air ambulance waiting for me and I’ve had a chance to speak to the
and I’ve had a chance to speak to the
and I’ve had a chance to speak to the rescuers and they said they’ve never
rescuers and they said they’ve never
rescuers and they said they’ve never seen somebody who isn’t as bad a state
seen somebody who isn’t as bad a state
seen somebody who isn’t as bad a state as I was who was also still conscious as
as I was who was also still conscious as
as I was who was also still conscious as I was talking to them and who’s also
I was talking to them and who’s also
I was talking to them and who’s also alive they’d never dealt with that I was
alive they’d never dealt with that I was
alive they’d never dealt with that I was flown to Kamloops Hospital and I was in
flown to Kamloops Hospital and I was in
flown to Kamloops Hospital and I was in surgery for eight and a half hours I
surgery for eight and a half hours I
surgery for eight and a half hours I broke my t8 two t11 spine I broke the
broke my t8 two t11 spine I broke the
broke my t8 two t11 spine I broke the top of my hip you can see the bone has
top of my hip you can see the bone has
top of my hip you can see the bone has sheared off so they pinned that I’d
sheared off so they pinned that I’d
sheared off so they pinned that I’d severe lacerations across my entire body
severe lacerations across my entire body
severe lacerations across my entire body and but I was alive and you know I was
and but I was alive and you know I was
and but I was alive and you know I was so needed to find my life by movement in
so needed to find my life by movement in
so needed to find my life by movement in moving fast in the mountains and I got a
moving fast in the mountains and I got a
moving fast in the mountains and I got a lot of satisfaction from that and
lot of satisfaction from that and
lot of satisfaction from that and competition was my life i defined myself
competition was my life i defined myself
competition was my life i defined myself as somebody who’s competitive my edge
as somebody who’s competitive my edge
as somebody who’s competitive my edge was trying to beat other people do
was trying to beat other people do
was trying to beat other people do things faster than other people and I
things faster than other people and I
things faster than other people and I was very much aware of it that edge was
was very much aware of it that edge was
was very much aware of it that edge was going to be gone
going to be gone
going to be gone it was definitely gonna be dulled and
it was definitely gonna be dulled and
it was definitely gonna be dulled and very very likely going to be gone and
very very likely going to be gone and
very very likely going to be gone and that was really really hard for me to
that was really really hard for me to
that was really really hard for me to deal with the other thing about doing
deal with the other thing about doing
deal with the other thing about doing endurance sports and things in the
endurance sports and things in the
endurance sports and things in the mountains is very often you’re by
mountains is very often you’re by
mountains is very often you’re by yourself and I kind of took pride in
yourself and I kind of took pride in
yourself and I kind of took pride in that you know I you know I got I was
that you know I you know I got I was
that you know I you know I got I was very very self-sufficient I was not a
very very self-sufficient I was not a
very very self-sufficient I was not a vulnerable person you know I was
vulnerable person you know I was
vulnerable person you know I was conquered mountains I didn’t see it that
conquered mountains I didn’t see it that
conquered mountains I didn’t see it that way but like you know that could be the
way but like you know that could be the
way but like you know that could be the outward impression is you know you get
outward impression is you know you get
outward impression is you know you get to conquer these incredible feats it’s
to conquer these incredible feats it’s
to conquer these incredible feats it’s something quite incredible be able to
something quite incredible be able to
something quite incredible be able to run hundred miles and be able to run
run hundred miles and be able to run
run hundred miles and be able to run across more mountains and other people
across more mountains and other people
across more mountains and other people in a faster time than other people and I
in a faster time than other people and I
in a faster time than other people and I love the joy I love the movement I loved
love the joy I love the movement I loved
love the joy I love the movement I loved how it made me feel to do that and I
how it made me feel to do that and I
how it made me feel to do that and I wasn’t gonna be able to do that anymore
wasn’t gonna be able to do that anymore
wasn’t gonna be able to do that anymore but what happened is so this is the
but what happened is so this is the
but what happened is so this is the state but I was named and I was in the
state but I was named and I was in the
state but I was named and I was in the hospital and I was just so vulnerable I
hospital and I was just so vulnerable I
hospital and I was just so vulnerable I was dependent on the nurses and the
was dependent on the nurses and the
was dependent on the nurses and the doctors in the hospital to be kept alive
doctors in the hospital to be kept alive
doctors in the hospital to be kept alive as it was I was relying on machines to
as it was I was relying on machines to
as it was I was relying on machines to be kept alive on drugs at that point
be kept alive on drugs at that point
be kept alive on drugs at that point what I’d have happening to is my body
what I’d have happening to is my body
what I’d have happening to is my body shut down due to the trauma and the
shut down due to the trauma and the
shut down due to the trauma and the drugs that I was on my entire digestive
drugs that I was on my entire digestive
drugs that I was on my entire digestive system shut down I couldn’t take in any
system shut down I couldn’t take in any
system shut down I couldn’t take in any food when my body started eating itself
food when my body started eating itself
food when my body started eating itself and I was scared I was really really
and I was scared I was really really
and I was scared I was really really scared but my family lives around the
scared but my family lives around the
scared but my family lives around the world my brother lives in tile
world my brother lives in tile
world my brother lives in tile and my father lives in Nigeria my mom
and my father lives in Nigeria my mom
and my father lives in Nigeria my mom lives in Victoria my girlfriend’s a
lives in Victoria my girlfriend’s a
lives in Victoria my girlfriend’s a medical resident in Calgary and they all
medical resident in Calgary and they all
medical resident in Calgary and they all flew to me and they were all there
flew to me and they were all there
flew to me and they were all there within a day so I this incredible
within a day so I this incredible
within a day so I this incredible support network around me so here’s this
support network around me so here’s this
support network around me so here’s this person who’s like solitary and
person who’s like solitary and
person who’s like solitary and independent all of a sudden reliant on
independent all of a sudden reliant on
independent all of a sudden reliant on all these people around me in this
all these people around me in this
all these people around me in this incredibly vulnerable state and I’m
incredibly vulnerable state and I’m
incredibly vulnerable state and I’m gonna do something that I wasn’t sure if
gonna do something that I wasn’t sure if
gonna do something that I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be able to do because it’s
I was gonna be able to do because it’s
I was gonna be able to do because it’s quite emotional but I kept a journal and
quite emotional but I kept a journal and
quite emotional but I kept a journal and I want to read the first journal entry
I want to read the first journal entry
I want to read the first journal entry but I wrote in and this is a week later
but I wrote in and this is a week later
but I wrote in and this is a week later after I’ve been in hospital for a week
after I’ve been in hospital for a week
after I’ve been in hospital for a week eh I was too out of it initially des
eh I was too out of it initially des
eh I was too out of it initially des starts to start writing so here’s what I
starts to start writing so here’s what I
starts to start writing so here’s what I wrote Monday September 5th one week ago
wrote Monday September 5th one week ago
wrote Monday September 5th one week ago today I was getting ready for work
today I was getting ready for work
today I was getting ready for work planning with my most ambitious
planning with my most ambitious
planning with my most ambitious endurance feats in the mountains to date
endurance feats in the mountains to date
endurance feats in the mountains to date today it’s 1:45 a.m. I can’t sleep from
today it’s 1:45 a.m. I can’t sleep from
today it’s 1:45 a.m. I can’t sleep from pain there’s a low humming noise coming
pain there’s a low humming noise coming
pain there’s a low humming noise coming from the machines around around me
from the machines around around me
from the machines around around me people are snoring and breathing in the
people are snoring and breathing in the
people are snoring and breathing in the slow shallow breaths of people who
slow shallow breaths of people who
slow shallow breaths of people who cannot sleep due to discomfort I’m one
cannot sleep due to discomfort I’m one
cannot sleep due to discomfort I’m one of those bodies I’m lying here sore
of those bodies I’m lying here sore
of those bodies I’m lying here sore broken and bruised
broken and bruised
broken and bruised I have metal rods holding my back and
I have metal rods holding my back and
I have metal rods holding my back and hip together
hip together
hip together I’ve drying scabs across my body I feel
I’ve drying scabs across my body I feel
I’ve drying scabs across my body I feel a deep stabbing pain with every gentle
a deep stabbing pain with every gentle
a deep stabbing pain with every gentle movement and my body is swollen with gas
movement and my body is swollen with gas
movement and my body is swollen with gas and swelling fluids strangely despite
and swelling fluids strangely despite
and swelling fluids strangely despite the transformation my body and a bit of
the transformation my body and a bit of
the transformation my body and a bit of fear and trepidation I’m also feeling a
fear and trepidation I’m also feeling a
fear and trepidation I’m also feeling a strange sort of simplicity and calm
strange sort of simplicity and calm
strange sort of simplicity and calm I feel surrounded by love and caring in
I feel surrounded by love and caring in
I feel surrounded by love and caring in a way I haven’t felt in years I’m
a way I haven’t felt in years I’m
a way I haven’t felt in years I’m looking forward to simple pleasures like
looking forward to simple pleasures like
looking forward to simple pleasures like my next part
which provides exquisite relief from the
which provides exquisite relief from the pain I can’t wait to see the smiling
pain I can’t wait to see the smiling
pain I can’t wait to see the smiling face of Laura and feel that sorry this
face of Laura and feel that sorry this
face of Laura and feel that sorry this is also kind of hard to read because I
is also kind of hard to read because I
is also kind of hard to read because I was on a lot of drugs at the time and
was on a lot of drugs at the time and
was on a lot of drugs at the time and feel the familiar comforting hands of my
feel the familiar comforting hands of my
feel the familiar comforting hands of my parents I can’t wait to try and move a
parents I can’t wait to try and move a
parents I can’t wait to try and move a few inches and work towards standing an
few inches and work towards standing an
few inches and work towards standing an activity I used to say I couldn’t live
activity I used to say I couldn’t live
activity I used to say I couldn’t live without my life is being about movement
without my life is being about movement
without my life is being about movement and that’s been taken away from me yet
and that’s been taken away from me yet
and that’s been taken away from me yet strangely I go on life goes on people
strangely I go on life goes on people
strangely I go on life goes on people around me are happy and by circumstance
around me are happy and by circumstance
around me are happy and by circumstance I am happy my family’s been brought
I am happy my family’s been brought
I am happy my family’s been brought together by my accident in a way I
together by my accident in a way I
together by my accident in a way I couldn’t have seen in years
couldn’t have seen in years
couldn’t have seen in years so it’s a feeling I didn’t think I could
so it’s a feeling I didn’t think I could
so it’s a feeling I didn’t think I could ever get to feel again I’ve been forced
ever get to feel again I’ve been forced
ever get to feel again I’ve been forced to face personal demons but I’ve used as
to face personal demons but I’ve used as
to face personal demons but I’ve used as a crutch for far too long or risk losing
a crutch for far too long or risk losing
a crutch for far too long or risk losing people and person I care for most deeply
people and person I care for most deeply
people and person I care for most deeply I’ve had to face my actions actions I’m
I’ve had to face my actions actions I’m
I’ve had to face my actions actions I’m not proud of and haven’t been proud of
not proud of and haven’t been proud of
not proud of and haven’t been proud of for far too long it’s a lot to think
for far too long it’s a lot to think
for far too long it’s a lot to think about but I’ve had but I have the chance
about but I’ve had but I have the chance
about but I’ve had but I have the chance to heal my body and soul I have a second
to heal my body and soul I have a second
to heal my body and soul I have a second some might say third chance to fix
some might say third chance to fix
some might say third chance to fix myself and build a life I’m proud of I
myself and build a life I’m proud of I
myself and build a life I’m proud of I can’t wait I will not waste it this is
can’t wait I will not waste it this is
can’t wait I will not waste it this is how I plan on doing that this is how I
how I plan on doing that this is how I
how I plan on doing that this is how I found myself here so yeah it’s quite
found myself here so yeah it’s quite
found myself here so yeah it’s quite powerful I mean you have those thoughts
powerful I mean you have those thoughts
powerful I mean you have those thoughts at two o’clock in the morning and one of
at two o’clock in the morning and one of
at two o’clock in the morning and one of the things that happened with the
the things that happened with the
the things that happened with the accident is um my parents for instance
accident is um my parents for instance
accident is um my parents for instance have been estranged for for about 20
have been estranged for for about 20
have been estranged for for about 20 years and they came together and by the
years and they came together and by the
years and they came together and by the time when I was in hospital they were
time when I was in hospital they were
time when I was in hospital they were out having lunch together which is it
out having lunch together which is it
out having lunch together which is it was incredible mom my my girlfriend and
was incredible mom my my girlfriend and
was incredible mom my my girlfriend and I to be honest I mean I had a divorce a
I to be honest I mean I had a divorce a
I to be honest I mean I had a divorce a few years ago and I used a lot of these
few years ago and I used a lot of these
few years ago and I used a lot of these mountain adventures it was a bit of an
mountain adventures it was a bit of an
mountain adventures it was a bit of an escape you know I’m sure there was like
escape you know I’m sure there was like
escape you know I’m sure there was like some deep psychology and running away
some deep psychology and running away
some deep psychology and running away from things there running towards things
from things there running towards things
from things there running towards things but you know she took a month out of her
but you know she took a month out of her
but you know she took a month out of her medical school and came and supported me
medical school and came and supported me
medical school and came and supported me her her mother actually lives in
her her mother actually lives in
her her mother actually lives in Kamloops and she grew up in Kamloops and
Kamloops and she grew up in Kamloops and
Kamloops and she grew up in Kamloops and so my family got to meet her family and
so my family got to meet her family and
so my family got to meet her family and we had this incredible union and we were
we had this incredible union and we were
we had this incredible union and we were all brought together by this you know
all brought together by this you know
all brought together by this you know what could have been a horrible tragedy
what could have been a horrible tragedy
what could have been a horrible tragedy a horrible accident but instead it it’s
a horrible accident but instead it it’s
a horrible accident but instead it it’s just there’s so much joy and love and
just there’s so much joy and love and
just there’s so much joy and love and happiness and I felt myself getting
happiness and I felt myself getting
happiness and I felt myself getting stronger through it and there I was
stronger through it and there I was
stronger through it and there I was actually in this orthopedic ward with
actually in this orthopedic ward with
actually in this orthopedic ward with two other people the one guy was in a
two other people the one guy was in a
two other people the one guy was in a helicopter crash and the other person
helicopter crash and the other person
helicopter crash and the other person was hit by a semi so this is one burly
was hit by a semi so this is one burly
was hit by a semi so this is one burly room
room
room however the entire time I was there
however the entire time I was there
however the entire time I was there neither one of them had a single other
neither one of them had a single other
neither one of them had a single other visitor it was just so incredibly sad I
visitor it was just so incredibly sad I
visitor it was just so incredibly sad I can’t imagine how lonely that would be I
can’t imagine how lonely that would be I
can’t imagine how lonely that would be I mean even with people all around me I
mean even with people all around me I
mean even with people all around me I felt loneliness at times just from from
felt loneliness at times just from from
felt loneliness at times just from from fear and pain it’s it’s a very very
fear and pain it’s it’s a very very
fear and pain it’s it’s a very very strange feeling and I didn’t have to
strange feeling and I didn’t have to
strange feeling and I didn’t have to worry about that and with that love and
worry about that and with that love and
worry about that and with that love and support
support
support I remember my physio coming in one day
I remember my physio coming in one day
I remember my physio coming in one day and saying I don’t we have to work on
and saying I don’t we have to work on
and saying I don’t we have to work on your endurance so you can go to the
your endurance so you can go to the
your endurance so you can go to the bathroom the bathroom was a foot away
bathroom the bathroom was a foot away
bathroom the bathroom was a foot away from me a week ago I could run hundreds
from me a week ago I could run hundreds
from me a week ago I could run hundreds of miles and now you know they’re
of miles and now you know they’re
of miles and now you know they’re telling me I’m gonna have to work on my
telling me I’m gonna have to work on my
telling me I’m gonna have to work on my endurance so I can take a single step
endurance so I can take a single step
endurance so I can take a single step but with the love and support of people
but with the love and support of people
but with the love and support of people around me you know I got to push my edge
around me you know I got to push my edge
around me you know I got to push my edge my edge had changed at this point it
my edge had changed at this point it
my edge had changed at this point it changed quite dramatically and it
changed quite dramatically and it
changed quite dramatically and it changed instantly for me so I ended up
changed instantly for me so I ended up
changed instantly for me so I ended up taking my first step I remember the
taking my first step I remember the
taking my first step I remember the first time I got to go outside in a
first time I got to go outside in a
first time I got to go outside in a wheelchair in feeling this cold breeze
wheelchair in feeling this cold breeze
wheelchair in feeling this cold breeze across my body and I started crying
across my body and I started crying
across my body and I started crying because being outside and being feeling
because being outside and being feeling
because being outside and being feeling the elements was just so refreshing
the elements was just so refreshing
the elements was just so refreshing hospitals are not a nice place to be
hospitals are not a nice place to be
hospitals are not a nice place to be especially not when you’re in a bad
especially not when you’re in a bad
especially not when you’re in a bad state so getting that air was just so
state so getting that air was just so
state so getting that air was just so uplifting and then I also remember the
uplifting and then I also remember the
uplifting and then I also remember the first time I got to go out and now I’m
first time I got to go out and now I’m
first time I got to go out and now I’m hearing previous speeches really brought
hearing previous speeches really brought
hearing previous speeches really brought this to life you know it’s terrifying to
this to life you know it’s terrifying to
this to life you know it’s terrifying to go in a wheelchair for the first time
go in a wheelchair for the first time
go in a wheelchair for the first time like every little bump you really do
like every little bump you really do
like every little bump you really do feel it and I remember going down the
feel it and I remember going down the
feel it and I remember going down the lip and being terrified for my life and
lip and being terrified for my life and
lip and being terrified for my life and here’s somebody who I was used to
here’s somebody who I was used to
here’s somebody who I was used to walking you know like the edge of
walking you know like the edge of
walking you know like the edge of mountains and I was terrified of a one
mountains and I was terrified of a one
mountains and I was terrified of a one inch lip there’s a real real shift for
inch lip there’s a real real shift for
inch lip there’s a real real shift for me but slowly with the love and support
me but slowly with the love and support
me but slowly with the love and support of people around me I you know I took my
of people around me I you know I took my
of people around me I you know I took my first step so that picture up in the
first step so that picture up in the
first step so that picture up in the right-hand corner there fishing we were
right-hand corner there fishing we were
right-hand corner there fishing we were fishing in Banff and there’s one of my
fishing in Banff and there’s one of my
fishing in Banff and there’s one of my first times back out and
first times back out and
first times back out and it’s actually quite funny story by that
it’s actually quite funny story by that
it’s actually quite funny story by that photo it’s a beautiful photo however
photo it’s a beautiful photo however
photo it’s a beautiful photo however what happened is I took a step in the
what happened is I took a step in the
what happened is I took a step in the mud and I got stuck and I couldn’t move
mud and I got stuck and I couldn’t move
mud and I got stuck and I couldn’t move because I couldn’t walk it can I
because I couldn’t walk it can I
because I couldn’t walk it can I couldn’t stabilize myself so Laura came
couldn’t stabilize myself so Laura came
couldn’t stabilize myself so Laura came and like helped walk me out of there but
and like helped walk me out of there but
and like helped walk me out of there but then a month later I was out hiking in
then a month later I was out hiking in
then a month later I was out hiking in the mountains again been a month and a
the mountains again been a month and a
the mountains again been a month and a half later as backup ski touring two
half later as backup ski touring two
half later as backup ski touring two months later I went out climbing and
months later I went out climbing and
months later I went out climbing and then three months later I ran back up my
then three months later I ran back up my
then three months later I ran back up my first mountain and running in those in
first mountain and running in those in
first mountain and running in those in Guatemala and the other amazing thing
Guatemala and the other amazing thing
Guatemala and the other amazing thing that happened during that time is I
that happened during that time is I
that happened during that time is I allowed myself to be vulnerable and
allowed myself to be vulnerable and
allowed myself to be vulnerable and through that vulnerability it allowed me
through that vulnerability it allowed me
through that vulnerability it allowed me to you know give back to the people I
to you know give back to the people I
to you know give back to the people I love and just really appreciate and just
love and just really appreciate and just
love and just really appreciate and just how much they mean to me and how much
how much they mean to me and how much
how much they mean to me and how much their support helped me through it and
their support helped me through it and
their support helped me through it and so actually Laura and I got engaged a
so actually Laura and I got engaged a
so actually Laura and I got engaged a couple of months ago which is beautiful
couple of months ago which is beautiful
couple of months ago which is beautiful and I mean she gave up a month of her
and I mean she gave up a month of her
and I mean she gave up a month of her medical residency to come to support me
medical residency to come to support me
medical residency to come to support me my mom moved out from Victoria to come
my mom moved out from Victoria to come
my mom moved out from Victoria to come to live with me in Canmore to help me
to live with me in Canmore to help me
to live with me in Canmore to help me rehabilitate myself you get these
rehabilitate myself you get these
rehabilitate myself you get these incredible connections with people
incredible connections with people
incredible connections with people during that time and the other thing
during that time and the other thing
during that time and the other thing that happens I I got to slow down for
that happens I I got to slow down for
that happens I I got to slow down for the first time in my life since I was
the first time in my life since I was
the first time in my life since I was about 16 I’ve been a professional
about 16 I’ve been a professional
about 16 I’ve been a professional athlete I was forced to slow down and do
athlete I was forced to slow down and do
athlete I was forced to slow down and do things I haven’t done before like I took
things I haven’t done before like I took
things I haven’t done before like I took up sketching which is amazing so Laura
up sketching which is amazing so Laura
up sketching which is amazing so Laura and I would go and sit beside the
and I would go and sit beside the
and I would go and sit beside the mountains and you get to look at them in
mountains and you get to look at them in
mountains and you get to look at them in a completely different way and you know
a completely different way and you know
a completely different way and you know every time I get out and move even
every time I get out and move even
every time I get out and move even though I’m not moving with the same kind
though I’m not moving with the same kind
though I’m not moving with the same kind of efficiency or smoothness I wanted
of efficiency or smoothness I wanted
of efficiency or smoothness I wanted it’s just I was so wonderful you know
it’s just I was so wonderful you know
it’s just I was so wonderful you know and I’m also just so appreciative I
and I’m also just so appreciative I
and I’m also just so appreciative I understand that like it could have been
understand that like it could have been
understand that like it could have been a centimeter different a different
a centimeter different a different
a centimeter different a different slightly different way of landing and I
slightly different way of landing and I
slightly different way of landing and I would I wouldn’t be walking I wouldn’t
would I wouldn’t be walking I wouldn’t
would I wouldn’t be walking I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing I would
be able to do what I’m doing I would
be able to do what I’m doing I would still probably still be appreciate the
still probably still be appreciate the
still probably still be appreciate the mountains but I still am able to express
mountains but I still am able to express
mountains but I still am able to express myself through movement which is
myself through movement which is
myself through movement which is incredible incredible feeling for me and
incredible incredible feeling for me and
incredible incredible feeling for me and so what’s what I’ve realized is that you
so what’s what I’ve realized is that you
so what’s what I’ve realized is that you know my edge has changed I’m still
know my edge has changed I’m still
know my edge has changed I’m still chasing my edge I’m still pushing it and
chasing my edge I’m still pushing it and
chasing my edge I’m still pushing it and I’ve actually signed up for the hardrock
I’ve actually signed up for the hardrock
I’ve actually signed up for the hardrock hundred again next July so I’m gonna see
hundred again next July so I’m gonna see
hundred again next July so I’m gonna see what I can do I’m like clearly we won’t
what I can do I’m like clearly we won’t
what I can do I’m like clearly we won’t be there to win it like it would have in
be there to win it like it would have in
be there to win it like it would have in the past but just just to see what I’m
the past but just just to see what I’m
the past but just just to see what I’m actually capable of and see if I can
actually capable of and see if I can
actually capable of and see if I can push my edge a little bit and take a few
push my edge a little bit and take a few
push my edge a little bit and take a few steps and the other beauty about it is
steps and the other beauty about it is
steps and the other beauty about it is I’m sharing it with the friends so I’m
I’m sharing it with the friends so I’m
I’m sharing it with the friends so I’m the Pacers I’m gonna go with their Nick
the Pacers I’m gonna go with their Nick
the Pacers I’m gonna go with their Nick and Dakota who were with me during that
and Dakota who were with me during that
and Dakota who were with me during that traversal I’m gonna get to share the
traversal I’m gonna get to share the
traversal I’m gonna get to share the experience with them I’m gonna have some
experience with them I’m gonna have some
experience with them I’m gonna have some my family they’re Laura’s gonna be down
my family they’re Laura’s gonna be down
my family they’re Laura’s gonna be down there and hopefully she’ll be other
there and hopefully she’ll be other
there and hopefully she’ll be other share something as well and so I’m
share something as well and so I’m
share something as well and so I’m really really looking forward to that
really really looking forward to that
really really looking forward to that and so I’m getting to explore the edge
and so I’m getting to explore the edge
and so I’m getting to explore the edge not alone anymore but with other people
not alone anymore but with other people
not alone anymore but with other people and the other thing I realized though is
and the other thing I realized though is
and the other thing I realized though is your edge is so much dependent on where
your edge is so much dependent on where
your edge is so much dependent on where you are in your life your edge is
you are in your life your edge is
you are in your life your edge is constantly evolving so I can’t wait to
constantly evolving so I can’t wait to
constantly evolving so I can’t wait to explore the edge of my wild thank you
explore the edge of my wild thank you
explore the edge of my wild thank you [Applause]
”
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