"My ability is stronger than my disability." —Justin Rankin

Last week, I was in a bad place. Really tough week. Then, I caught a glimpse of Justin Rankin on Friday night … and boom, my perspective flipped. If you’re going through something hard, take a minute to read this, watch Justin’s video, and see if it doesn’t have the same impact on you. Justin said to me, "My ability is stronger than my disability."

So Friday night (after blowing off some steam playing arcade games), I was about to head home, but randomly stumbled upon a martial arts competition at the convention center. Hundreds of kids from tons of countries practiced their kicks. Wow, I had stumbled on Team USA’s 2022 West Grand Prix competition! I stared at the athletes, in total awe. As I watched little girls practice fight moves, embracing their inner-badass-ery, it shot me back to my wrestling and jiu-jitsu days. I cried … because at that moment, I was exhausted and feeling defeated.

And then … I saw Justin. There he was. In a walker, with an obvious disability … practicing punches and kicks. I started sobbing as I watched him. I felt so much respect for him and thought, "If this guy is here kicking and punching with gusto, I, too, can make it through my obstacles right now." After five minutes of staring in tears of joy, I turned to head home.

But a little voice in my head stopped me as I thought, "Cat, go tell him how much you respect him and how he inspired you right when you needed that." But then ... I thought, "Come on, Cat, that would be WEIRD."

I headed back in Justin’s direction, and now I get to share this awesome story with you:

Justin has cerebral palsy. He is 36 years old and has been training Taekwondo since age 7. His dream is to compete in the Para World Championships, and he’s tracking. He has five more competitions this year, each progressing in difficulty. His amazing coach who I met, Cherith Shiba, has donated $5,000+ of her time and services to train Justin free of charge and travel with him on her own dime. Justin took a 20-hour bus ride, EACH way, to the competition.

Justin told me that Taekwondo is his Life Purpose—because he gets to show others (like me and you!) that when we set our minds to something, any of us can overcome insurmountable odds.

Well, THANK YOU, Justin Rankin, for serving as an example of a Powerful, Brave, Tenacious WARRIOR BEAST! I, and so many others who are in pain, need role models like you to inspire us in hard times! Thank you, Justin, for living your purpose, even in the moments when it must be 100% physically exhausting, discouraging, and feels daunting. You Defy the odds. Thank you for enduring that 20-hour bus ride … so you can show people like me what happens when WE JUST WON’T QUIT.

As I probed, I learned that Justin has self-funded travel to his competitions. I asked how I could donate to support his success. I just gave $250 on his GoFundMe. Today I asked my parents to join me in being generous, and they’re in for $200!!!

CALL TO ACTION: Watch Justin’s AWESOME video on this link and please:

1) Allow his courage to challenge you to not give up on something you’re facing right now.

2) Join me in contributing to his GoFundMe. He’s raised $9,000+ on a $20,000 goal. I KNOW my good friends have the ability to help him move the needle!

3) If you find Justin’s story inspiring, SHARE this post. You never know who needs to see this today. I needed to see it Friday when I was near a breaking point.

4) If you have AIRLINE MILES, consider donating some (I can connect you to Coach Cherith). They have yet to buy their tickets to the May 27-30 Para Pan Am Championships. They need to fly from Salt Lake City (hey, Utah friends!!) to Ft. Worth Texas. Can you donate miles for two tickets to that competition (or for any of the four additional competitions Justin Rankin is traveling to!!!)

Let me know in the comments how you’re contributing so we can see the beautiful outcome when a community rallies together to support someone in living their dream! Or DM me, or better yet ... just click the donate link on his GoFundMe and make it happen so we can give Justin the fuel he needs to keep living his purpose.

Headed back to Reno right now with John Jackson (who I roped into this to help me recruit and fundraise! Thanks!!) to take Justin and Coach Cherith to dinner now!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to hug them and give them any immediate encouragement that comes from this post. Thank YOU, from the bottom of my heart, to each of you who read this long post and allowed it to touch your heart.