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Editor’s note: It is truly an honor to publish this interview with Scott Rigsby who is an AMAZING human being by any standards.

When Scott was 18 years old the pickup truck he was riding in was suddenly hit by a passing 3-ton attached trailer truck, which subsequently dragged him 300 feet. His back suffered third degree burns, his right leg was severed off and his left leg hung barely intact. His life was seemingly over.

Over a decade of countless doctor visits and hospitals, 26 surgeries, additional amputation, depression, fear, and uncertainty, Rigsby had become a professional patient. An inevitable battle with prescription drug addiction followed, as did the loss of many relationships and trust. At one point, things got so desperate that Rigsby sold what little furniture he had just to pay rent. There was no steady income and no dreams for a stable or successful future.

In 2005 he decided to change his life and became determined to “Do the Unthinkable.”

image source: Mike McGill

On October 13, 2007, after enduring the elements for 16 hours and 43 minutes, Scott Rigsby became the first double amputee in the world to finish an Ironman distance triathlon with prosthetics at the 140.6-mile World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Rigsby used “swim legs” to navigate the difficult 2.4 mile ocean swim, “bike legs” to cycle 112 miles through the heat and gusting winds of the Big Island lava fields on a standard road bike, and “run legs” to complete the marathon segment in darkness and intense pain.

Question 1. Your story, will, and character motivates and inspires so many people. What inspires and motivates you?

Scott’s answer: I am motivated by doing the“unthinkable.” In December 2005, I was looking for a way to inspire our (the U.S.) wounded soldiers who have put themselves in harm’s way for my freedom. I had gone through a difficult period in my own life for years after my accident that included much pain and despair. After seeing stories of our brave service men and women and how they gave so unselfishly of themselves, I began to dream of a purpose for my life. When I shared my vision, some people did not believe me and said it was unthinkable. You want to motivate me? Tell me it’s unthinkable.

Question 2. Within your life you have been able to overcome a tremendous amount of adversity where many other people would have given up. For the readers out there who might be letting fear keep them from pursuing their aspirations and dreams, what words of advice would you give to maybe help them move beyond fear?

Scott’s answer: When faced with adversity, people really only have 2 choices: fear or faith. I had the “opportunity” to face my fears so many times over a long 12 year period after I lost my limbs. Fighting fear had become so much a part of my everyday life. For me, I only had one option, and that was faith. Yes, I had plenty of fear and there were many times of doubt, but faith always prevailed. A walk of faith comes with fear. It is faith though that helps me walk into the valley of the unknown with the confidence that I will be much better after going through a tough trial. My success is based on that I believe that there is a divine plan and purpose for me. I just need to trust God and to continue to follow His plan for my life.

Question 3. When you are in full IronMan Triathlon training mode what is a typical workout week like? What is the most difficult aspect of training/racing with prosthetics?

Scott’s answer: I was injured before I did the World Championship Ironman in Kona, Hawaii so my training was significantly down from the average. Typically, most Ironman athletes when in full training mode, swim about 7 miles a week, bike 250 miles a week, and then run about 40 miles. That would be my goal when training for an Ironman at full strength.

The difficulty with competing with prosthetics is that there are certain muscles used by able bodied athletes that I do not have to bike and run. I use a standard road bike so I have to rely on my quadriceps more than most people. The running becomes even more of a challenge when racing against the cutoff clock as I have to stop every 4 miles to remove sweat from my prosthetics. There is also quite a bit of wear and tear on my legs that I just simply have to fight through the pain. At some point, pain becomes your friend. I feel privileged to be able to swim, bike and run.

Question 4. With such a long prep period required to complete the IronMan Triathlon, how are you able to maintain your training focus, inspiration, and motivation for such an extended period?

Scott’s answer: Ironman training starts a year in advance so you go through multiple stages of training. I have a coach who helps schedule my workouts and ensures that I stay fresh and not bored. The training takes long hours and can get very lonely so I try to train with other people. I swim with a Master’s swim group at my athletic club; I almost always find someone to ride with me; and I usually run by myself but in a highly populated area of town. I set a goal, visualize the race and stay focused on what it will be like to cross the finish line. It’s like the old saying goes, “if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” Ironman training is too difficult not to have a goal and then intermediate benchmarks to determine your progress.

When I am feeling down or lack motivation, I remember where I was at in life, what point of despair I came from and what my overall purpose is. It’s not me that I am racing for, and I rely on a spiritual awareness that drives me onward through those difficult times.

Question 5. What was going through your mind as you lined up for the two mile swim at the beginning of the IronMan race? Conversely, what was the last mile of the marathon like and do you actually remember crossing the finish line at the end of the race?

Scott’s answer: Looking back to the bay of Kona from the swim start is a remarkable sight. Seeing that finish line all lit up in the early morning sun and knowing I would see it again much later…only just before midnight! I just thought back to where I was 2 years ago, lonely, uninspired and without purpose. Here I was at this place that only few people can compete in and I became overwhelmed with such amazing joy and peace. I had endured so much to get here and I was finally about to start the next part of my incredible journey.

The finish line was surreal and magical. The Ironman in Kona is the Super Bowl of triathlons. There were 20,000 plus people at the finish line and the sound was deafening. The air was electric. I was so excited at getting this thing over with that I passed 4 people in the last mile. I have to say that it was one of the greatest moments of my life. The double pump at the finish line was an expression to all people and specifically the physically challenged athletes out there that we can “Do the Unthinkable” if we persevere and never quit. This was not the end of my journey but the conclusion of a warm up race for greater things.

image source: ASI photo

Question 6. After all of your tremendous success do you now see yourself as a marketable commodity, or brand? Do you have entrepreneurial aspirations?

Scott’s answer: Yes to both questions but mostly for the greater cause to inspire people, both able bodied and physically challenged, to reach for their goals and never quit on life. I have received quite a bit of publicity and media attention as a result of completing Kona and becoming the first and only double amputee to complete an Ironman. My business manager is working with me on a number of speaking engagements and a potential book to expand the “Do the Unthinkable” message. We are also working to advance opportunities with sponsors to support my growing expenses as a result of a more global event schedule.

Question 7. Other than the IronMan, what goals are you working toward now? Did you make a New Year’s resolution?

Scott’s answer: I have a few goals this year that include staying healthy and expanding the message of “Do the Unthinkable” across the globe. From a charitable standpoint, I hope that my story can continue to touch the lives of many people as we seek to raise funds for the Scott Rigsby Foundation. While there have been tremendous improvements in prosthetic technology, there remains so much more to do to advance the care and support of people suffering from loss of limb and mobility. I would love to join with other global non-profits to lead this cause and help to change the world for so many people who do not have the resources we do in the United States.

On the event side of things, success in 2008 will be when another amputee, physically challenged athlete, or an able bodied person finishes an athletic event and states that they did it because they saw Scott Rigsby do it.

Question 8. Many people, at one point or another in their life, hold themselves back from success. How did you go beyond fear and turn your IronMan dreams into action and ultimately, success?

Scott’s answer: I heard once that “you can’t steer a parked car.” Just like a car we need to be moving for us to steer our wheels in the right direction. My success was a result of a simple prayer and then setting a goal. Once the goal was set I started moving toward the goal by taking small steps. You have to take the first step and don’t fear success just because people tell you it can’t be done. At certain check points along the journey to my goals I would stop to evaluate my progress to see how I was doing and make adjustments.

Two other critical factors to my success were having great people around me who were committed to my success and having the right resources or equipment to accomplish my goal. Lastly, I live by the motto,“do what you can, do the best that you can, and never quit until you cross your finish line.”

Question 9. For anyone reading this who might be depressed, or caught in a rut, what do you do to maintain a positive, happy, and optimistic outlook on life?

Scott’s answer: Let me first start out by saying that it is ok to be stuck. I was at that point and stayed at that point for a very long time. The wonderful thing to consider is that you do not know what life has in store for you on the other side. I had no idea over a 15 year period that I would be where I am at today. Two years ago, I had no vision of being a triathlete, achieving four world records and traveling worldwide to spread the message of hope.

My message is, don’t give up on a dream. You have a purpose in life and your story is being written everyday. As a Christian I have faith that God has a
plan and purpose for my life. I just need to stick to it even if at times it really does not make sense in the world’s eyes. When I lose touch with His purpose, I go back to struggling doubt and depression.

Question 10. Please tell us about the Scott Rigsby Foundation. Specifically, how is it assisting physically challenged athletes, and how can the readers support your organization?

Scott’s answer: The spirit of the human heart is not contained by our physical being. The Scott Rigsby Foundation meets physically challenged people where they are at in life, to inspire and mentor them in reaching for their personal goals. Our efforts work in concert with partner scientific research and community service providers to strengthen our programs in a way that will:

• Make it easier for physically challenged people to pursue an active lifestyle and their athletic dreams
• Help challenged athletes benefit from advances in technology
• Increase funding for orthopedic community support systems worldwide
• Improve the quality of life for our wounded veterans and their families

Donations to the Scott Rigsby Foundation provide funds for grants and endowment programs for advanced research and grassroots support organizations as follows:

• Collaborative efforts with The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) for the world’s only accredited program for advanced scientific studies in prosthetics and orthotics
• Global community based orthopedic care and support systems for amputees and people living with loss of mobility
• Training, coaching and mentoring for challenged athletes in the communities where they live. These support organizations offer personal, hands-on athletic programs based on an individual’s specific physical challenge.

You can get more information and make donations online at www.scottrigsby.com or send donations to:

SCOTT RIGSBY FOUNDATION
1205 Johnson Ferry Road
Suite 136-201
Marietta, GA 30068

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