Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary John Register: Resilience, Reinvention, and Running a New Race (ep. 792)
Jul 10, 2025
In this enlightening conversation, John Register, a two-time Paralympian and TEDx speaker, shares his transformative journey after losing a leg in an accident. He discusses how he 'amputated the fear' associated with disability and found new purpose. John's experiences encourage listeners to redefine their identities and embrace life's unexpected detours. He explores profound themes of resilience, the impact of supportive relationships, and the importance of recognizing one’s unique journey. This is a tale of hope and personal reinvention that inspires all.
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From Idolizing To Competing
- John remembers being invited to compete against his heroes and finishing last after idolizing them instead of preparing.
- A woman (Jeanette Bolden) told him to circle those people as targets and come back to beat them, which changed his mindset.
The Injury That Changed Everything
- In a 1994 practice John misstepped a hurdle and suffered a catastrophic left leg injury that eventually led to amputation.
- He describes the immediate physical trauma and the swift life pivot from Olympic hopeful to facing amputation decisions.
Hardest Day: Mental Reckoning
- The worst day for John was not the amputation but a mental low point in recovery, when he sat alone in pain watching a news broadcast.
- A voice he believes was God told him "it's going to get worse before it gets better," which became a turning point.
