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

In this powerful episode of The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast, 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 Thurston

Instagram - @‌jonthurston23

Key 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 down
• Prior 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 adversity
• The importance of accepting help and mentorship, particularly highlighting the role of Carl Rennick in introducing Jon to wheelchair curling
• Jon's transition from focusing solely on physical rehabilitation to discovering new passions and purpose through adaptive sports
• His journey to becoming a Paralympic bronze medalist in curling at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics
• Discussion 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 jujitsu

Key Insights:

• The importance of saying "yes" to new opportunities, even when facing uncertainty
• How mentorship and community support play crucial roles in recovery and achievement
• The process of working through stages of grief and finding new purpose
• The value of transforming anger and frustration into determination and focus

Personal Development Themes:

• Adapting to life-changing circumstances
• Finding purpose through sports and competition
• The role of determination and persistence in achieving goals
• The importance of self-care and maintaining a positive mindset

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Guest Introduction: Jon Thurston

01:43 Jon's Life-Changing Accident

02:54 Surviving and Coping with the Injury

07:09 Overcoming Cancer at a Young Age

13:42 Achievements in Adaptive Sports

19:44 Rehabilitation and Determination

25:35 Adapting to Life in a Wheelchair

27:22 Discovering Wheelchair Curling

30:00 The Five Stages of Grief

32:38 Dealing with Denial and Anger

37:09 Finding Purpose Through Sport

48:23 The Role of Mentors

53:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This episode offers valuable insights for anyone facing significant life changes or seeking to overcome obstacles in their personal or professional lives.

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Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.