Talking points: motivation, resiliency, transformation, Mt Kilimanjaro, Kona marathon, family secrets, doubt, shame
I’m proud to have known Bonner for some time now, thanks to him being a member of the Alliance, my private men’s group. But the reason I wanted him on the show is to share his powerful story and how he’s alchemized his life and his troubles into something that serves others. Many others, as you’ll find out when you hit play.
I strongly recommend checking this one out if you or someone you know has any form of disability. It’s important not just to help each other along, but to gather perspective on the extra hurdles many of us face, how they’re managed or overcome, and the radical change that can stem from all of the above.
(00:00:00) – Intro and Bonner’s defining moment
(00:10:21) – Growing up with cerebral palsy
(00:14:31) – The different kinds of family rules, and how came to hide his CP
(00:20:44) – How Bonner used athleticism to both get attention and distract himself
(00:32:00) – The story of Jakey
(00:42:10) – How “dark motivation” got Bonner to the top, but couldn’t get him down
(00:58:15) – Challenges of completing the Kona Triathlon
(01:04:10) – Next steps, and a return to Kilimanjaro
Bonner Paddock Rinn is the Founder and Chairman of Project Possible, a 501c3 non-profit that serves children with disabilities. PP was established in 2009 to raise awareness and build and support early learning centers that provide services for children with all types of disabilities and their families so that they can live a life beyond limits all around the world. He began by raising funds to aid the construction of an early learning center in Orange County. The foundation has now helped the establishment of early learning centers around the globe, including Tanzania, Northern Uganda, Kenya, and Nicaragua.
Project Possible promotes the idea that anyone can make a difference if they dedicate themselves to looking beyond their personal limits to achieve their goal, just as Bonner himself has done.
Team Jake was formed by the parents of four-year-old Jake Roberts, Steven, and Alison, to celebrate his life. Jake had severe cerebral palsy and passed away suddenly in his sleep in January 2006 at 4 1/2 years old.
When Jake passed away, Bonner experienced a lightning bolt moment that changed his life. He had just completed his first full marathon, the Orange County Marathon, raising $30,000 in donations for children with disabilities. This race, developing a close friendship with Jake’s family, and meeting young Jake, fueled Bonner’s ambition to be the first person with cerebral palsy to climb Mt Kilimanjaro unassisted in 2008. He set out on a mission to raise $250,000 to help provide the therapy needed for all the young kids like Jake.
Jake’s legacy took Bonner on to his next and most extreme physical challenge four years later when he became the first person with cerebral palsy to complete the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in 2012, where he raised over $700,000. When asked what kept him going in the last 10 miles of a 140+ mile grueling race, he replied, “It’s Jakey. That boy lives in my heart forever, along with all the other special needs kids out there.”
All of Project Possible’s Centers in the world are named Team Jake Centers, including our Team Jake Virtual Center, an online training and support for organizations and families worldwide.
Connect with Bonner
-Website: https://projectpossible.org/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectpossibleorg
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonpdkrinn/, https://www.instagram.com/projectpossibleorg
-Book: One More Step: https://amzn.to/3K1h85v
Pick up my brand-new book, Men’s Work: A Practical Guide To Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, And Find Freedom: https://mantalks.com/mens-work-book/
Check out some free resources: How To Quit Porn | Anger Meditation | How To Lead In Your Relationship
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