In 1970, Curt Brinkman was a six-foot seven-inch sixteen year-old with dreams of playing professional basketball.

Those dreams were shattered as 36,000 volts of electricity jumped from a power line into his body while he was climbing a high-voltage utility pole. Miraculously, the impact from the ensuing fall re-started Curt’s heart. He had survived. But as he struggled to regain consciousness, Curt was consumed by the thought ТMy life is over. I’ll never walk again.У

In the weeks following the accident, both of Curt’s legs were amputated. In the years that followed, he has endured more than fifty surgeries.

Despite his challenges, Curt Brinkman emerged as one of the world’s greatest athletes. He is an eight-time Paralympics medal winner. In 1980, he became the first wheelchair racer to win the Boston Marathon, finishing seventeen minutes faster than the first runner and faster than any other person had ever run a marathon, completing it in one hour fifty-five minutes.

Thirteen years later he set a new world record for the wheelchair marathon of 1 hour 23 minutes and 30 seconds. In his mid-50s, still racing, Curt is currently training for future marathons. He anticipates a cross country trek in his wheelchair before it’s all over. He states Тit is important to have goals, that challenges are to be conquered, and we can command ourselves in greatness.У

In addition, beyond his athletic accomplishments, Brinkman has spent 35 years amassing and sharing life-skills wisdom in the corporate and educational worlds, having spoken to over one million people. He has degrees in Psychology, Business, Elementary Education, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership. He has a great love for education, having taught for five years and worked as an assistant principal, before leaving to become a full-time motivational keynote speaker. Curt believes that ТYou Should Never Give Up What You Want Most For What You Want Now.У Curt’s greatest joys are his children and grandchildren.