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                Amazing Americans Guests                                                                          
UPCOMING GUEST
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​Roderick Sewell

Airdates: January 30 & 31, 2021

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​PAST GUESTS
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Tom Byrum
 
In a sport where nearly every pro grew up on a country club, with
private lessons and the best equipment, he grew up in a town of 650
people, in cold climate. And on a public, 9 hole course that he mowed himself. 
With sand greens.

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​Erich Manser &
Matt Smith

 
He set a world record in the Ironman Triathlon for 
a visually impaired competitor. 
And he says it was impossible without his incredible guide.

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John Howard
When it comes to the greatest athletes in American history, people
don't normally think of John Howard.
​But maybe they should!
 
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Kathrine Switzer
Despite the race director attacking her on the course, she completed the race, becoming the first woman to officially finish the Boston Marathon. And opened the door for millions of female runners. 

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​​Bill Burke
When he retired from practicing law, he decided he was going
to get adventurous. But no one expected he would climb Mount Everest. 
​Not at age 78 anyway.

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​Ryan Ledger
He is a former college football player who lost a son at 
just 33 days . And since that day, he has done all he can 
to help other parents going through the same thing.

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Orlando Franklin
He endured a dark and troubling childhood, including homelessness and incarciration, to become an NFL star. 

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​Phil Sutherland
He was told he would never live past his mid 20's because of Type 1 Diabetes.
He not only proved the experts wrong but formed a world class cycling team
with nothing but the same people.

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​Bob Babbitt
As a world class triathlete in the 1980's, he treasured the
thrill of competing in the sport. Then spent the rest of his life helping 
the physically challenged do the same thing.

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Bryan Sederwall

He is a former college basketball player who traded the sports life for one of trying to give hope to the very hopeless.
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Brendan Tuohey

He went to the most divided places on earth to try to bring people together. Places like the Middle East, South Africa and Northern Ireland.  And he did it by using the sport of basketball.


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Matt Vossler

When his childhood buddy had cancer and a leg amputated, he refused to sit back and do nothing. He decided to swim. And after $85 million donated to cancer research, he is still at it. And has inspired thousands of others to follow. 

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Kim Hess

It began as a challenge from her brother. And turned into one of the greatest mountain climbing accomplishments in American History.

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Tyler Polumbus

His mother was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer while he was still playing in the NFL. She was given six months to live. But six months turned into six years. When she  passed away last spring, he did something extraordinary in her memory. On his bicycle.

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Sika Henry

One of America's brightest and most charismatic triathletes, she suffered a horrible accident during a race. There were serious thoughts of quitting. Until she thought about African American kids.

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Justin Wren

He became a star as an MMA and UFC fighter. One of the best heavyweights in the world, he had a 15-2 professional record. But after a six year battle with substance abuse, he found his purpose in Africa, empowering the most bullied people on the planet.

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Frank Shorter

What has always been known is that he is one of America's most iconic distance runners. Maybe the best ever. His marathon victory at the 1972 Olympics in Munich remains one the greatest triumphs in U.S. history.
But what hasn't been known, until now, is the dark, almost inconcievable childhood, at the hands of a brutally abusive father.

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Rick Byrd

He spent 33 years as the Head Basketball Coach at Belmont University. He retired two years ago with the 12th most wins in NCAA history. But Rick Byrd might best be known as for the unprecedented academic success of his players. 



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Pat Gillis

He had the opportunity to turn professional in not one sport, but three. But he turned them all down for the chance to follow his passion and his dream. The passion and dream were to help people live better lives. And in the process, he became an incredible inspiration.

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Jake Olson

Unable to hold off retinal cancer any longer, he had both eyes surgically removed at age 12. But being completely blind would not stop him from his dream of becoming a college athlete. Incredibly, he became a long snapper for the USC Trojans. And made history in the process!


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Scott Masters

He spent 20 years in the NHL as a coach and scout and found nothing but success. But the pressure he put on himself to thrive turned out to be his downfall. But recovery has happened. And now he spends his days uniquely helping others with the same issues.


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Megan Blunk

She was a bit of rebellious teen. A young woman from Tacoma, WA who had no clear direction in her life. Until a motorcycle accident, where she broke 18 bones and barely survived, left her a parapalegic. The same motorcycle accident that led her to become one of the greatest wheelchair basketball players in U.S. history.

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Jason Romero

After being declared legally blind in middle school, Jason Romero manuevered through college and law school, graduating both with honors. But the mental battle against blindness began to take a toll.  Until he discovered endurance events. 15 world records later, he is still at it.


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Dan Jansen


On the very morning he was to skate his Olympic race, the race he was favored to win the gold medal in, he got the news that his sister had passed away from luekemia. He fell in the first turn of that race.
And the next race.
But finally, in his fourth Olympics, he won a speedskating gold medal. And dedicated it to his late sibling.




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Muffy Davis

She was on track to become America's next great snow skier, until a tragic ski accident almost took her life and left her a parpalegic. But the ordeal didn't ever really slow her down. She still became an Olympian. In two different sports. And a gold medalist in one. 

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Kent & Bambi Dixey

After they lost their two youngest sons in a tragic houseboat ordeal, Kent & Bambi Dixey decided to honor their baseball loving boys by buidling one of the great youth baseball complexes in the state of Colorado.  
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Sue Reynolds

At 335 pounds, Sue Reynolds decided she had had enough. Unable to pick up her keys if she dropped them, or even tie her shoes, she began an incredible transformation. She lost 200 pounds. And in the process, found out that she was one of the best triathletes in the world. 




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Al McCoy

Every once in a while, in sportscasting, there comes along a legendary announcer. We saw it in baseball with Vin Scully. And we have one in basketball. Al McCoy has been the Voice of the Phoenx Suns for 48 years. One team. One voice. 48 years. For 48 consecutive seasons, he has combined talent with passion, warmth and character.

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Major Taylor
Featured Postumously
Guest was Lynne Tolman, President of the Major Taylor Association

Many refer to him as the Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods of his time. He was a cyclist and the very first African American to win a world championship in any sport. He set new fewer than six world cycling records. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment was overcoming relentless and incredibly ugly racism. 

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Clint Hurdle
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He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 20, described as the next Major League Baseball phenom. But the baseball playing career never met expectations. He then became a successful coach and manager, all the while fighting personal demons. But the birth of a daughter, with special needs, changed everything. 


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​Gage Hecht

He is one of America's best young cyclists. The Colorado native is a youth national champion in both Road Racing and Cyclo-Cross and a stage winner in the Colorado Classic. Yet, because of the Covid 19 Pandemic, he has no where to race. 
​For now.

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Jim Morris

His was one of the greatest comebacks in the history of professional sports. He made his Major League debut at age 35. A hit movie, 
The Rookie, was made about his story. But the comeback he has made in his personal life since the film might be even more impressive. ​

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Bryce Weiler
He was born blind. But that never stopped Bryce Weiler from being an athlete, sportscaster, consultant and motivational speaker. Being blind has actually inspired him. It has inspired him to dedicate his life to changing the lives of others with disabilities.

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Sarah Thomas
She might well be the best female ultra distance swimmer in the world. She owns numerous long distance records, including being the first person ever to swim four consecutive crossings of the English Channel - a feat accomplished less than two years after being diagnosed with cancer.
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Dave Burchett

He had long and very successful career in TV production, iuncluding 37 years the the TV Director for the Texas Rangers. But these days Dave Burchett is known more his book writing than his TV work. He has a passion for writing, a passion fueled, in part, by the death of his daughter. 

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Sean Swarner

As a teenager, Sean Swarner was diagnosed with two different deadly cancers. At one point, doctors had zero confidence in his surviving and gave him 14 days to live. But survive he did, even if he lost a lung in the process. Then, years later, he did the unthinkable - he climbed Mt. Everest. And became the first cancer survivor to do so.
And he was just getting started. 



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Dave Dravecky

He was in the prime of his Major League Baseball career when the diagnosis came. Cancer. In his left, pitching arm. Surgery was performed and the comeback began. But no one could have imagined what would happen next to Dave Dravecky.

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Craig DeMartino

He was a talented, experienced, and passionate rock climber. Until one day in Rocky Mountain national Park, when miscommunication with a climbing partner changed his life. He fell 105 feet. And miraculously survived. They were more than a dozen broken bones, including feet and ankles that literally exploded. Months later a decision was made amputate a leg. But he came back. And today he’s considered the best para climber in the world

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Scott Linebrink

After a successfull Major League Baseball career, Scott Linebrink was ready to retire to the life pro athletes were supposed to retire to. Spending more time with family, golf, maybe a long neglected hobby. Until a trip to Haiti changed everything. Today he is on the frontlines of a charity saving lives, with clean water, in Third World Countries.

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Jamie Nieto

​Jamie Nieto is two time U.S. Olympian in the High Jump, whose world was shattered when an accident caused complete paralysis. Confined to a wheelchair, he vowed to himself he would one day walk his bride down the aisle. And he did just that! Today, he writes movie scripts by dictating into his Smartphone. Hear Jamie's journey. You will be amazed!






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Matt Elliott & Justin Garrity                                          
Two Raliegh, NC young men with college degrees, great jobs and great families, seperately fall into a world of drug and alcohol addiction. They meet each other in rehab, and decide to spend the rest of thier lives helping others beat their addictions. And they are doing it in a very unique way. Through running.  Come with them on thier journey through the incredibly dark world of drug abuse, then to a world of personal achievment and tremendous meaning.

Airdate: February 10, 2019
Matt & Justin's running club website:  oakcityrecoveryrunclub.com
                                                                                                                                                                  

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Anthony Robles


​No need for a big bio. The picture says it all! An NCAA National Wrestling Champion - with one leg!

Anthony's website: anthonyrobles.com


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Jim Abbott

​In a sport, baseball, where "good hands" are absolutely critical, Jim Abbott had only one. He was born without a right hand, but that fact never stopped Abbott from achieving. In fact, it never really even slowed him down. He was a Major League pitcher, and a very good one, playing 10 seasons at the big league level. His glove flip, from the right forearm stub to his left hand, became almost legendary. Come with us through Jim's journey from being ridiculed on the playground as a child, to Major League Baseball All-Star. 


Airdate: February 24, 2019
Jim's Website:   jimabbott.net
Jim's Twitter: @jabbottum31

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Jessica Cox   

​This young woman from Tucson is going to have you shaking your head in amazement. Jessica Cox is the first and only person with no arms to become a licensed pilot. She flies a single engine plane with her feet, one foot on the pedals and one on the yoke. She also plays the piano, types 25 words per minute and texts like a champ. She has a driver's license with no restrictions, ties her shoes and effortlessly puts in and removes her contacts. Get ready to be completely moved by this Amazing American!


Airdate: March 10, 2019
Jessica's website: jessicacox.com
Jessica's twitter: @jess_feet

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Erik Weihenmayer

Just when you thought something was completely impossible, along comes the story of Erik Weinmayer. Born with a disease that causes eventual blindness, Erik made it to age 15 before he became completely sightless. Living in total darkness, he became a wrestling coach and a middle school teacher. He then took up rock climbing. And completely redefined what is possible for a blind person. In 2001, incredibly, Erik became the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He went on to complete the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on all seven continents. He has written three books and has been featured in three films. Today Erik is a highly sought after motivational speaker. Come with Erik as he expertly tells his mind boggling story. You will be better for it!
Airdate: March 24, 2019

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Andy Lowry

What do you do when the high school you teach and coach football at is rocked by a massive shooting? When one of your teaching colleagues, as well as one of your own players, is murdered in the tragedy? If you are Andy Lowry, you pick up the pieces and you move forward. If you are Andy Lowry, you rally and motivate and love on your players. And win a state championship a few months later! Hear the absolutely incredible story of the 1999 Columbine High School Football Championship. Straight from its head coach! 

Airdate: April 21, 2019
Andy's website:  columbinefootball.com



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Micah McElveen

This man will rock your world with his story. Micah McElveen became a quadrapalegic after a surfing accident, only to completely baffle the world by not only coming out of a wheelchair, but becoming a college soccer player. Then, a trip to Africa completely changed his life and his purpose forever. And what he is doing for the poor in Third World Countries is truly amazing.     


Airdate: April 28, 2019
Website:  vaporministries.org

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Rich Dixon

This is an ordinary man doing extraordinary things. Rich Dixon fell off the roof of his house 32 years ago, an accident that caused almost complete paralysis.  Confined to a wheelchair, he wanted to give up on his life, until two friends convinced him to try a handcycle. And what has happened since that moment is truly incredible! Today, Rich cranks his handcycle for sex trade victims - and has inspired thousands of others to do the same.     

Airdate: May 5, 2019
Website: frontrangefreedomtour.org

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​Dick Beardsley

Many call the 1982 Boston Marathon the greatest race in that event's great hsitory.
Virtual unknown Dick Beardsley dueled the great Alberto Salazar to the dramatic finish.
That day completely changed the life of Dick Beardsley - and not all for the good.
No fewer than five serious accidents, a drug addiction, a conviction, and the death of
his son, shattered the life of this Minnesotan. Come with Dick as he picks up the pieces
​of his broken past and runs back to victory. 

Airdate: May 12, 20                       
​dickbeardsley.com

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Jim Cederberg

​It started with a trip to Kenya to simply introduce kids to the sport of baseball. But what that experiecne has led to for Jim Cederberg is truly remarkable.   

Airdate: June 9, 2019  

​website:       humanitythroughbaseball.org       
                        
hhchildren.org

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Sean Swarner       

Sean Swarner is a two time cancer survivor who became the first and only cancer survivor to achieve the "Explorer's Grand Slam," summitting the highest mountain on all seven continents, plus trekking to the South and North Poles. He was told it was phsiologically impossible to climb Mount Everest with one lung. He didn't listen. The documentary about his life, True North, will soon be released. Come with Sean on a journey that blow your mind with its impossibility! 

Airdate: January 6, 2019   seanswarner.com

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Zack Golditch

​Like so many teenagers, Zack Golditch decided one summer night in 2012 that he wanted to see a movie. He was big fan of the Batman films and decided to attend the midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises. Little did he know there was another man at the same Aurora, CO theatre that night, a man intending to kill as many peopke as he could. The man threw tear gas and then unloaded with multiple weapons. 12 people were killed. Golditch was one of 7o others hit by bullets. He survived the mass shooting even though he was shot in the head. And he not only survived but went on to realize his dream of playing in the NFL!

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Amy Van Dyken
 
She is one of the most successful Olympic athletes in history. She owns no fewer than eight gold medals. Her athletic success, along with her energy, passion and competitive drive made her one of the most enduring athletes in American sports history. But then life as she knew it completely changed after an ATV accident five years ago. An accident that nearly took her life. But today, the fire is back for Amy Van Dyken. And might be burning hotter than ever!  ​

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Bryce Matteson
 
Bryce Matteson was a college athlete, a Track & Field competitor at a small school in Indiana. He figured his competitive running days were over after college, until he went on a trip overseas and saw the that a lack of access to clean water was literally killing people. Daily. So he took up running again, to try to help the global water crises. To the tune of an incredible 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks!

Airdate: July 28healingwaters.org

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Tammy Krause

It's every parent’s absolute worst nightmare. Your young child has an illness. A serious illness, one that might take his or her life. In the case of Tammy Krause, the child was her daughter, and just 5 years old. Gabby Krause was found with a malignant tumor in her head one day before her 5th birthday. She left the world not long after. Gabby Krause would leave the world- but she also left the world a gift. A gift her mom Tammy carries on to this day.

Airdate: August 4, 2019
Website: bagsoffun.org

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Dave Stevens


He was born with no legs. Yet what Dave Stevens has done without them is truly remarkable. He was a three sport athlete in high school, setting and still holding Arizona state records in two different sports. Then, incredibly, he competed in three sports in college. And maybe just as impressive as his athletic achievements, are his zest, passion for life and his quest to live it to its absolute fullest.

Airdate: August 11, 2019
Website: davestevensspeaks.org

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Clay Dyer

He was born with no legs. He has no arm on his left side and a stub on the other. So he has no fingers. Yet Clay Dyer is a fisherman. He is a professional fisherman. And one of the very best in the world!



Airdate: August 25, 2019
Website: claydyerfishing.com

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Tom Southall
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He was born with one arm! Yet Tom Southall is one of the greatest athletes in Colorado history. He was a star in football, basketball and track and ranked third all-time in the state in career rushing yards when he graduated. Southall is a 2019 inductee into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. His determination and humility will capture you! 

Airdate: September 1, 2019

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Jamie Ketchum

Jamie Ketchum survived a car accident that was as horrific as one could possibly fathom. A dump truck blew a tire on I-25 in Denver and slammed into the SUV driven by her husband and occupied by her and her parents. Her father died in the accident, her mother and husband both seriously injured. Jamie barely survived, was burnt on an astonding 95% of her body and had both legs and an arm amputated. She spent a record 425 days in a Denver hospital.  ​​

Airdate: September 8, 2019


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​Noah Fredenburg

​He saw a need and developed a passion. The drive was to help underpriviledged kids, especially those in foster care systems in the United States. The passion was so strong that he started running. Really runnng. Running all the way across the country. Noah Fredenberg did 121 marathons in 121 days!
Airdate: September 22, 2019
Website: wemeus.org

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Jason Kuhn

Jason Kuhn's dream was to be a major league baseball player. From the age of four, it was all he ever wanted to do. He was on that path until his senior year in college, when it was all taken away. Only to be replaced by something more noble and much more meaningful, the honor of serving his country as U.S. Navy Seal!  

Airdate: September 29, 2019
Website: stonewall-solutions.com

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Danny Chew

He was one of the world's best endurance cyclists. He's a former professional road racer who turned to ultra-cycling and won the grueling Race Across America twice. He set a personal goal of riding 1 million miles. He almost got there. A cycling crash in 2016 left him paralyzed from the chest down. Today, Danny Chew is pushing to those 1 million miles from a hand cycle. 

Airdate: October 6, 2019
Website: dannychew.com


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Mike Eruzione

He was a member of perhaps the most famous team in American Sports History. The captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team, who also scored the winning goal in the "Miracle On Ice" game, the improbable victory over the Soviet Union, that led to the gold medal.

Airdate: October 13

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Brent & Kyle Pease

The ultimate story of brotherly love began when Kyle Pease, who has Cerebal Palsy, asked his older if he, too, could be a triathlete. Older brother Kyle refused to say no to his sibling, and together they figured out a way to do triathlons as one.  The incredible  journey led the Pease brothers to become the first "push assisted" brother duo to complete the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon. 

Airdate: October 20, 2019
Website: kylepeasefoundation.org

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Melissa Stockwell

She was the first American female soldier to lose a limb in the War in Iraq, after a roadside bomb exploded when she was leading a convoy in Bagdad. The tragedy barely slowed her down. Melissa Stockwell is a Bronze Star and Purple Heart Award Recipient - and a now a world class athlete! 

airdate: November 3, 2019
website: melissastockwell.com

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Scott Hamilton

His is considered by many to be the greatest American male figure skater of all time. He is a multiple world champion and an Olympic Gold Medalist. But the challenges of long bouts with two different cancers pale in comparison to any skating program.

airdate: November 10, 2019
Scott's website: scotthamilton.com

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Winter Vinecki

She became the youngest person to complete a marathon on all seven continents. Now, inspired by the death of her father, Winter Vinecki is on misson to become an Olympian. In a totally different sport. 

airdate: November 17, 2019
wintervenicki.com

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Kyle Coon
He was born with a rare form of cancer in his eyes. After numerous rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, his right eye was removed. His world then went completely dark at age six, when his left eye was removed. Yet Kyle Coon never slowed down. He became even more determioned. And today, he might well be the best blind triathlete in the world
Airdate: November 24, 2019        Kyle's website: kylecoon.com ​

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Davis Phinney

He is one of America's greatest cyclists. He is National Champion, an Olympian and multi Tour de France stage winner. He racked up an astounding 328 professional cycling victories. But shortly after retirement from the sport, Davis Phinney had his world rocked with a Parkinson's Disease diagnosis. For the past 20 years, he has battled this physically and mentally crippling disease. And he has won! 
Airdate: December 8th, 2019
​Davis's website: 
www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/
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Jay Scott
When his precious daughter was dying of cancer, she wanted to do a lemonade stand to raise money for children's cancer research. The first one raised an astounding $1,800. She subsequently did several more, until she passed away at age eight. Dad then refused to let her memory and legacy fade. Today, thousands of lemonade stands later, over $200 million has been raised.

Airdate: December 15, 2019

Jay's website:  alexslemonadestand.org

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Reza Zadeh

His is the most unlikey athletic story. Reza Zedeh was born in Iran, where his father worked for the Shah of Iran, until that government was overthrown. He moved to the United States at the age of three and grew up Muslim in Southern Cailfornia. At an early age, he discovered sports and fell in love with football. While playing collegiately at Colorado State, he turned from his roots in Islam and has never turned back. Today, he is in full time Christian ministry, with part of his duties being the chaplain for the Denver Broncos. 

Airdate: December 22, 2019

Reaza's website: teamzadeh.com

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Jeff Glassbrunner

He lost his left leg, just below the knee, in a farming accident, when he was eight years old. For many years after, the disability slowed him down. Then one day he was invited to play wheelchair basketball. He loved it, thrived in it and eventually became the best U.S player in history. That led to triathlons. Which led to mountain climbing. Which led to Jeff Glassbrunner becoming the first American amputee to scale Mount Everest.
​And he's not done conquering!
Airdate: December 29, 2019
Jeff's website:  teamglas.com

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David Wise

He is two time Olympic Gold Medalist and generally considered the greatest male Freestyle Skier in U.S history. He is also a man who refused to allow a series of near tragic events to pry his grip from Olympic glory.

Airdate: January 12, 2020
Website: mrdavi


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