63. Part 1: Saying Yes to Life: Jon Thurston’s Inspirational Journey

In this powerful episode of The Business of Doing Business, host Dwayne Kerrigan sits down with Paralympic bronze medalist Jon Thurston to discuss his extraordinary journey of resilience and determination.Jon Thurston is a first-time Paralympian in wheelchair curling, with quite a list of accomplishments to date. He is a 4-time Provincial Wheelchair Curling Champion, a 3-time World Silver Medallist and a Paralympic Bronze Medallist in the sport of Wheelchair Curling. Jon is born and raised in Dunsford, Ontario. Jon has represented Team Canada since 2019, playing a pivotal role in Team Canada's recent success, including a Gold medal at the 2019 World B Wheelchair Curling Championships, a Silver medal at the 2020, 2023 and 2024 World Wheelchair Curling Championships and a Bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics. He is also a member of the Team Canada Adaptive Waterski Team, achieving notable finishes at the World Disabled Waterski Championships in 2019 and 2023, helping Canada win it’s first Team Medal in World Championships history placing 2nd.Facebook - Jon ThurstonInstagram - @‌jonthurston23Key Highlights:Jon shares his experience surviving a devastating construction accident in 2008 when a building collapsed during a severe storm, leaving him paralyzed from the chest downPrior to his accident, Jon had already overcome large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 15, an experience that helped shape his perspective on facing adversityThe importance of accepting help and mentorship, particularly highlighting the role of Carl Rennick in introducing Jon to wheelchair curlingJon's transition from focusing solely on physical rehabilitation to discovering new passions and purpose through adaptive sportsHis journey to becoming a Paralympic bronze medalist in curling at the 2022 Beijing ParalympicsDiscussion of his involvement in multiple adaptive sports, including water skiing (where he captained Canada's 2023 World Championship team to silver), mountain biking, boxing, and jujitsuKey Insights:The importance of saying "yes" to new opportunities, even when facing uncertaintyHow mentorship and community support play crucial roles in recovery and achievementThe process of working through stages of grief and finding new purposeThe value of transforming anger and frustration into determination and focusPersonal Development Themes:Adapting to life-changing circumstancesFinding purpose through sports and competitionThe role of determination and persistence in achieving goalsThe importance of self-care and maintaining a positive mindsetTime Stamps:00:00 Introduction00:52 Guest Introduction: Jon Thurston01:43 Jon's Life-Changing Accident02:54 Surviving and Coping with the Injury07:09 Overcoming Cancer at a Young Age13:42 Achievements in Adaptive Sports19:44 Rehabilitation and Determination25:35 Adapting to Life in a Wheelchair27:22 Discovering Wheelchair Curling30:00 The Five Stages of Grief32:38 Dealing with Denial and Anger37:09 Finding Purpose Through Sport48:23 The Role of Mentors53:29 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThis episode offers valuable insights for anyone facing significant life changes or seeking to overcome obstacles in their personal or professional lives.Connect with Dwayne KerriganLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/Facebook:

Om Podcasten

Welcome to "The Business of Doing Business" hosted by Dwayne Kerrigan. Dwayne has navigated the business world for over 35 years, owning close to 30 businesses in 12 distinct industries. Today, entrepreneurship often seems more about glitz, glamour, and a celebrity venture. On this podcast, Dwayne collaborates with overlooked but accomplished entrepreneurs, delving into their journeys of forging exceptional enterprises. Join them as they share their personal journeys, lessons learned, and strategies that keep them moving forward. Let’s celebrate the true essence of entrepreneurship and inspire the next wave of business trailblazers.