Life IS Sport

Karen Gaffney: A Disabled Athlete who Refuses to be "Down" on Life

I ran across a great story that epitomizes the value of sport to lift a life from discouraging circumstances and in doing so, inspire others to rise above. Watch video

Karen Gaffney is an amazing long distance swimmer who was born with Down Syndrome. The following is a bit of her story from her website.

"When I was born, the doctors told my parents that I would not be able to have a life of my own," Karen said.

Karen's father, Jim Gaffney, introduced his 9-month-old daughter to the pool as a means of rehabilitation for her badly dislocated hips after numerous surgeries, a malady common to those with Down Syndrome.

"Each time, I would have to recover in a full body cast," she said. "Each time I would have to learn to walk all over again. I would start in the pool and gradually make my way to solid ground."

What started out as therapy has blossomed into a nearly-daily regimen for Karen. She swims more than two miles a day, four to five times a week at the Multnomah Athletic Club in downtown Portland. She also lifts weights several times a week.

To learn more about how Karen is modeling the way to individuals with Downs Syndrome and their families, visit the website of The Karen Gaffney Foundation, a non profit organization that is dedicated to championing the journey to full inclusion in families, schools, communities and the workplace for people with Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities.

Starbucks Founder Howard Schultz on the Impact of Sports

"...the truth of the matter is that sports, being on a team, understanding the responsibility of doing something collectively, and the power of that, the friendships I formed as a result of sports, the connections I made with people - those things are linked to how I approached my personal life, and ultimately, my business career."
~ Howard Schultz, Founder of Starbucks

Olympic Legend Edwin Moses Promotes Sport to Hurdle Social Injustice

Our passion at Life IS Sport is to tell the positive and inspiring stories of athletes and sports organizations that are leveraging sport for positive social change. We believe the movement of sport inspiring humans to overcome social injustices around the globe is young but growing and one of the leading figures in this movement is Edwin Moses.

Moses is best known for winning two Olympic gold medals in the 400-meter hurdles but now he is using his fame and influence for good as Chairman of Laureus, an international sports organization dedicated to positive social change through the influence of sport.

About Laureus
"Laureus's core concept is simple, brilliant and daunting: to create global awards that recognise the achievements of today's sports heroes; to bring sportspeople together; united in achievement but divided by sporting code and then, once that community is brought together, put their reach and the support and investment of Laureus's Founding Patrons and Partners to work by supporting a message that can help social projects around the world who are using sport as a tool for social change. That message, simply, is Laureus Sport for Good."

Laureus comprises the Laureus World Sports Awards, the Laureus World Sports Academy and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Collectively, these three elements form the essence of Laureus, harnessing the power of sport to promote social change and celebrating sporting excellence

As chairman, Moses has overseen funding of 60 such projects in 28 countries. He estimates 175,000 children have benefited from projects funded by Laureus. Reflecting on his experience at Laureaus, Moses says, "Having visited countless projects I have seen the transformative power of sport with my own eyes."

To read more about Edwin Moses, click here.

Life IS Sport Podcast with Duke's Coach K

Our third episode of the Life IS Sport Podcast features my conversation with Hall of Fame Duke basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski.

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I have been fortunate to interview several powerful and influential people in my short career but none have impacted me more than Coach K. Few coaches or humans alive have tasted the success that he has yet he was humble, authentic and so relational I came away with a whole new perspective on success. The intense sideline demeanor that most sports fans know him for is just a shade of a passionate leader who values a family atmosphere with those he leads above everything else.

In his 27 years at Duke Coach K has set a new bar for excellence. Consider these achievements:

800 plus total victories and counting, including a NCAA-record 68 NCAA Tournament wins.
An NCAA-best 390 weeks ranked in the Top 25, 331 weeks ranked in the Top 10, 92 weeks ranked No. 1.
98% graduation rate (players who completed four years of eligibility)
9 30-win seasons (an NCAA-record)
11 ACC regular-season championships (nine more than any active coach).
10 ACC Tournament titles (eight more than any active coach).
3 National Championships

Beyond his success on the court, Coach K is influencing future generations through the Emily K Center, a community center in Durham, NC, named in honor of his mother. "The Center's mission is to inspire economically disadvantaged students to dream big, act with character and purpose, strive for academic excellence, and reach their highest potential as future citizen leaders."

To learn more about Coach K's active participation in giving back, click here.

If you are a reader or a parent, Coach K's book, Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life is mandatory reading.