Scott Rigsby: an inspiration

Working at CDC is really cool at times. This was one of those times. A fitness workgroup brought Scott Rigsby to CDC on May 7th. If you have never heard or seen Scott Rigsby, you are in for a treat. He is an amazing individual, with very humble and humbling story.

This is Scott Rigsby. He is the first double amputee (below the knee) to complete the Ironman. Yes, THE Ironman, the one in Hawaii, the grand-daddy triathlon of them all!  But it did not come easy or quick.

He has an amazing story of struggles (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual), training, injuries along the way (broken vertebrae), and triumph to finish the goals to set for himself, against all odds. When I heard some of his race stories, I was just in awe. In one race, he spoke of how much he bled due to his prosthetics not fitting right, since he had lost so much weight training for it.  He had to take them off every 3-4 miles to let the cups of blood out. And to think I moan and groan about my knees and hips "hurting".

His other anecdotes were equally awesome. When he decided to train for the Ironman, he didn't know how to swim without legs, and he didn't own a bike. He got laid off from his job, which ended up being a blessing in disguise, because not only did it allow him to train more, but when they hired him back, they paid him twice as much. 

He now has a book and a foundation. He is dedicated to helping other people with physical challenges, especially military men and women. Though he really wants to inspire people, he comes across as the most ordinary guy that he really IS inspiring. He really makes you think, "if he can do it, I can do it." I told him when I met him after the seminar that I will no longer complain about my minor pain after hearing what he has been through. I'd like to read his book, but I'll have to add it to my ever-growing list...