Athlete, Johnny Agar With Cerebral Palsy Doesn’t Let Challenges Define Him

Johnny Agar walking across the finish, with his father, Jeff, behind him, after 17 hours of racing

Meet triathlete Johnny Agar

Jeff and Johnny Agar are the incredible father-son duo inspiration that defies the impossible. Team Agar is a two-man wrecking crew from Grand Rapids, Michigan, competing in triathlons and marathons. What makes the two truly amazing is that Johnny’s cerebral palsy limits his mobility Jeff swim, bikes, and runs for two while pulling Johnny behind him.

Despite the hardship, Johnny has not stopped motivating himself and his father to take on some of the toughest racecourses in the world. After failing to complete the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona two years ago, the Team Agar boys are set to challenge themselves once more in Ironman North American Championship in Texas (a 140+ mile race). Johnny will also be walking the last mile of a full triathlon on his own for the first time.

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that primarily affects the muscles because the brain is sending a mixed message to them. It is similar to your car misfiring. If the electricity doesn’t get to the spark plug, your engine will run rough. A person has over 650 muscles in their body, so can you imagine your brain sending mixed signals to all or some of your muscles at the same time or sporadically?

The biggest thing I want others to know is that people with cerebral palsy may move differently or not be able to talk (the mouth, tongue, and diaphragm are muscles after all!), but this does not mean they are not intelligent, and social people! Just like your car’s engine, we need a spark of conversation to start a friendship! So, please don’t be afraid to talk to me or my friends with cerebral palsy, it could be the start of something great!

This isn’t just a video about working hard, though. It’s about overcoming. Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian of all time because he refused to quit. He was on top, had some setbacks, but he never quit. He faced his challenges, fought through them, and rose to the occasion.

And this isn’t just a story about athletes. This is about you and everyone out there who thinks they can’t. Because you can. Do that 5K, get that promotion, start that business, be a great parent, start volunteering, maybe even become an Ironman. I sure hope to! Just don’t allow others or yourself to convince you that you can’t. Whatever your dream is – Prove them wrong. Prove yourself wrong. “Rule Yourself”. “Believe in Yourself”.

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