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Iron90 Gives Back:
We would love to have you join our growing Iron90 family!
You may remember our Sept. 08' Ironbody of the Month Ryan Job. Now you can help us help some very special people, use the Coupon Code: Hero at the time of purchase and we will donate $20 of your purchase to Camp Patriot. Start your customized meal and heart rate training fitness program today. Click here to start
Ryan Job, a former Navy SEAL who was made blind by a snipers bullet in Iraq, returns from the 14,411 peak of Mount Rainier |
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What Are The Odds?
I believe that there are no coincidences in life. There are people and events that shape our lives and things are as they should be for a reason. Perhaps this is our destiny.
There are people who come into our lives that change them forever. Their presence is powerful, it sends a ripple through us and all who we meet. Their names alone are enough to motivate us to set worthy goals and to press on to finish difficult tasks. Ryan Job is this person in my life.
Ryan is a former Navy Seal. He was on a rooftop in Ramadi, Iraq on August 2, 2006, when a sniper's bullet struck the rifle he was holding in front of his face. Pieces of the shattered weapon tore through his face, severing one eye and damaging the nerves of the other, leaving him completely blind.
Ryan and I met this past summer, the meeting was totally "by coincidence". In June a friend was in town visiting me from Boston. What are the odds that anyone would come visit me in Phoenix in the summer? He had never been to Phoenix before and he came to work with me to train a group of clients at 5:30 one morning. My friend just finished his career in the Navy Special Forces, I introduced him to the group as an Iraq War Veteran and a member of the Navy Special Forces.
Later that morning, one of the client's in the session emailed to tell me that her friend trains with a former Navy Seal named Ryan Job and wanted to know if my friend (Steve) knew him. I asked Steve and he smiled wide and said yes, he and Ryan were good friends. This was in June 2008, my friend Steve had not seen Ryan since BUDS training back in 2003. What are the odds?
Ryan and I met and began training together to prepare him for his goal; the ascent of the 14, 411 foot Mount Rainier. What are the odds that a blind guy would be able to climb a mountain? Early each Saturday morning we put on our Heart Rate Monitors and hiked together on the various peaks that surround Phoenix. He would lead, I would call out directions from behind with my hand on his shoulder. We would pass young able bodied people all the way to the top where we would turn around to descend now facing the people that we had passed.
On the way up many were curious why I had my hand on his shoulder telling him where and how to step, now seeing Ryan they realized from his scare and closed eyes that he is blind. What are the odds that blind guy would pass you hiking?
On one occasion the people that we passed stood aside to let us come down and then without any warning or a single word, they broke out into spontaneous applause. Ryan asked me what was going on. I did not want a Navy Seal to know that I was crying so I muttered, "keep going, I will tell you later". Tears streamed down my face as I walked behind him thinking that they have no idea what happened to him on August 2, 2006, who and what he lost, how much he has overcome, how proud I am of him. All they know is a blind guy is doing laps around them at 6 o'clock in the morning on a steep desert hill.
My favorite book in the Bible is the Book of Job. It's about a man who has lost everything and finds the courage to walk by faith not by sight. What are the odds that now a blind man named Job was walking in front of me leading me by his faith not by sight?
Many who pray, including me, often request a sign or a clue that they are doing in life what they should be doing. Apparently, God knows that I sometimes miss his subtle suggestions, so he found a blind guy named Job to lead me early one morning on a desert trail, then he gathered a group of total strangers together to clap loudly as we passed by so that I would not miss his clue. (Thanks for tip, I got it).
On July 10, 2008, a little less than two years after Navy Seal Ryan Job cheated death on a rooftop in Iraq, he stood atop the roof of Mount Rainier (See Seattle Times Story). As he did two F-15 jets flew over him to salute his achievement. What are the odds?
Ryan has gone on to challenge himself in other areas of life, he creates his own opportunities because he works hard at everything he does. We are all very grateful for Ryan's and for his fellow veterans service to our country. We are also grateful to all the organizations that support them especially Camp Patriot.
What are the odds that Ryan Job will continue to inspire more people and go on to conquer more summits? Very good!
Ryan, thank you for teaching me the meaning of faith and the rate of God's Speed.
Regards,
Robert Vera, Co-Founder
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We Need Your Help!
Would you please help Ryan and our service members who gave so much by making a $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100 donation now;
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| Thank You! to our Iron90 family for your efforts, commitment and results.
We are grateful!
Your ideas, comments and feedback are important to us, please share your thoughts at info@iron90.com .
Sincerely,
Robert Vera & J.R. Rosania, Co-Founders
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