Dec 11, 2023
https://araceagainstblindness.org/
Welcome back to the competitive edge podcast, I’m your host, Daniel Hickman.. where fathers learn from fathers.. to sharpen their competitive edge as an athlete… and in life!
Where we interview dads that mirror the 3 pillars of this show: Fatherhood, Fitness, and Mental Focus
This is a super special episode with Dr. Stephen Johnston, a father, Radiologist Physician, a new non-profit founder, and a competitive Ironman athlete. When he found out his nine-year-old son, Luke, was going blind as a result of a rare disease, he decided to create a non-profit organization named A Race Against Blindness to fund “eyesight-saving research” for his son and thousands of kids like him.
Though Stephen is relatively new to the nonprofit world, he’s a man on a mission to raise Millions of dollars to fund a promising clinical trial and taking on challenges like Ironman Races to raise money and be an example for his son. So far, A race against blindness has raised over six figures and also has been featured on GoodMorningAmerica.com, Multiple podcasts, and TV spots in multiple major markets.
Stephen lives outside of Phoenix and spends his spare time training hard for his next Ironman challenge and traveling with his family to create lifelong sighted-memories for Luke.
- Maintaining mental health and self-care is crucial when facing challenges.
- Asking for help and seeking support from others is important in navigating difficult situations.
- Having a strong mindset and being mentally tough can help overcome obstacles.
- The fundraising process for medical research can be expensive and challenging.
- Supporting organizations like A Race Against Blindness can make an immediate impact in the lives of those affected by rare diseases. Erase Against Blindness is hosting a raffle for a customized van, with the proceeds going towards taxes so that the winner can keep the van without any additional financial burden.
- The hardest Ironman race for Steve Johnston was the Victoria race in Canada, where he had to overcome physical challenges and maintain proper nutrition and hydration.
- Listeners can find Steve Johnston and Erase Against Blindness on their website eraseagainstblindness.org and on social media platforms.
- Steve Johnston's closing advice is to never quit and to remember that you're never out of the fight.