I’m riding in the El Tour de Tucson to raise money for Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports — not just because I believe in them, but because I’ve lived the kind of struggle they help people overcome.

I’m a veteran, a father, and an adaptive athlete living with a progressive neuromuscular disease. At one point, I couldn’t even walk without pain — let alone ride a bike. I spent over a year off the road, watching my body betray me, wondering if I’d ever get back to the things I love. It was isolating. Frustrating. Humbling.

But I clawed my way back. One step, one workout, one mile at a time.

Not everyone has the resources or support to do that — and that’s where Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports comes in. They provide adaptive equipment, coaching, and opportunities for athletes of all abilities to move, compete, and reclaim their independence.

They’re not just changing lives — they’re restoring dignity and purpose.

This ride is personal. But more than that, it’s purposeful. Because every dollar raised helps someone else fight their way back, just like I did.

If you believe in second chances, in grit, and in the power of movement — please consider donating. Your support helps put someone back in motion, and that’s a gift most people never forget.

Thank you for riding alongside me in this.