The "We've Been There" DVD

I'm kind of excited about my latest venture, a DVD that I'm producing with the goal of bringing positive energy to all those who view it.

The more I find myself working with wonderful non-profit organizations across the state, nation and world, the more I witness the power we have when we use our time, talents, and influence for the good of others. It can be as simple as serving at a local soup kitchen or as elaborate as establishing a world-wide foundation to support cancer research. Whether we reach out to one or one million, the result is the same: we make a difference.

I have seen the kids smile at an after school club we visited who were there because there was no one at home to take care of them. I have seen the relief on the faces of brave men and women at the veteran's hospital we toured who were glad to have someone to talk to that afternoon. I have see joy on the faces of cancer patients whose bravery inspired us all each time we stopped by. The list goes on and on, but perhaps more important are those quiet moments I've been able to be the friend, be the shoulder to lean on, or just be the listening ear to someone in need.

Life can get so crazy one day and monotonous the next, but we can call ourselves lucky if we have someone to turn to in those times of need.

Lately I have been working with some organizations who spend their time helping teenagers deal with adversity like family troubles, social pressures, academic difficulties and more. Their goal is to help teens understand that its ok to struggle, ok to ask for help and ok to believe in themselves. The hope, the overall desire, is to help teens realize they're not as alone as they might feel and that the situation isn't as hopeless as they might believe.

To that end, I'm working on this incredible new project that I hope will help teens all across the nation feel understood and inspired at the same time. The project will consist of several athletes telling their inspiring stories of overcoming adversity, pushing themselves to the limits, and relying on friends, family, teammates, etc. to do it. As each athlete talks about their experiences in life and sport, it is our hope that the teens, parents, educators and administrators who watch the DVD will feel that spark of hope and the fire of belief in life and their future.

If this DVD sounds like a good idea to you then I challenge you to come up with a way to make a difference in your own part of the world. It doesn't have to be big or world-saving, but to that one person you reach out to you might just be the world.

The DVD is in production right now, but here's a sneak peek at the cover of the piece. Stay tuned for release date and details on how you can get a copy!

My Latest Adventure

So as many of you know, I tend to try and fill my life with enough projects, activities, goals and other productive tasks to keep myself busy. But I guess I'm a gluten for punishment because I'm going to through another big time-taker onto my schedule: higher education.

Part of my goal to further my education is to apply for a very special scholarship at Westminster College in Salt Lake called the "Exemplary Achievement Award." Its only awarded to three students each year and is based on the student's achievements in career, sports, arts, service, and more.

For the past three weeks, in addition to everything else, I've been working on my official application with the help of some very talented friends who've been my sounding boards and proof-readers. In addition, I've been gathering up letters of recommendation from some of my colleagues. I know I'm qualified for this scholarship, I just hope the Westminster scholarship committee thinks the same thing.

So please send any good thoughts/vibes my way!

A Brave New World

Ok, I know, I know. We've done a terrible job updating our blog over the past year. The sad thing is we've had so many great experiences and announcements and events that we should have been posting about. And we will. We'll go back and post videos and photos and tell you about the things we've been up to as athletes, as friends, and as a family.

But lately my (this is Jeremy, team captain) energies, and my time, have been directed towards developing and coaching the United States Adaptive Bobsled Team. It has been a marvelous opportunity, one full of adventure and courage. I say courage, not on my part, but a bravery that so many of us can't even comprehend.

When I say the United States Adaptive Bobsled Team, perhaps the easiest way to explain is to think of these athletes, of this team, as Paralympic hopefuls. I am surrounded by men who are defined as AKs, BKs,Paras, Quads, and so on. Translate: above-knee amputee, below-knee amputee, paraplegic, quadraplegic, etc.

I am the explorer who has entered the brave new world, their world, a world that isn't defined by what they cannot do. Instead, these men have taught me to define my world, my horizons, by what I can do. Our whole program is designed around the ethos that these athletes can do.

When I first began coaching these pilots and brakemen, I felt as though I was there to help them enter my world, one that I have been in for over a decade now. Its an exciting, challenging world of exhileration and growth. We use science and physics to our advantage as we roar down icy tracks at over eighty-miles an hour. We pull more G's than the astronauts do on take-off. And we do all this as a team. Again, I thought I was there as a coach to help these athletes enter my world, the world of bobsled. But I was wrong.

It's not about me or them. Its about us as we work together to grow this program, not just nationally, but internationally as well. I appreciate their patience and dedication, their willingness to learn and to try. We are breaking new ground, setting new standards, and developing new guidelines. In the words of one of my favorite TV shows, we are working to "boldly go where" no adaptive athletes have gone before.