Swim Strong x Take the Doughnut: Meet Howie Sanborn

Seven months after a bike accident left him with a spinal cord injury, Howie Sanborn raced paratriathlon for the first time, through Chicago’s Dare2tri program. A wheelchair failure mid-race in Paris didn’t slow him down for long — he’s since rebuilt his training setup at home, down to a 300-square-foot strength and conditioning shed currently under construction.

But the part of his Journey to LA interview worth thinking about is what he says when a  young athlete asks him how to get to the highest level, his answer isn’t about talent or hours logged. It’s about finding a coach — someone who can guide you both mentally and physically toward your goal — and surrounding yourself with a community that brings out your best. As Howie puts it, elite sport “is not something you can do alone.” He credits his own coach directly among the people who’ve carried him toward LA, even joking that he’s not always the easiest athlete to coach.

That’s the mantra behind “burn the ships” too — going all in doesn’t mean going it alone. It means building the team and the space around you that make the all-in possible.

This one’s a must-watch for athletes of any age. Whether you’re just starting out or years into a sport, Howie’s story is a reminder to actively seek out the coaches and mentors who can help you reach your goals — and to lean on them when the setbacks come. Watch the full interview below.

Stay tuned for more inspirational stories or follow Melissa Forziat’s Youtube Channel or Visit her Website to learn more about “Journey to LA” and “Take the Doughnut”.