#14 Paralyzed at Four, Gold Medal at the Finish Line: Josh George’s Inspiring Story

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich talks with Paralympic gold medalist and six-time world champion racer, Josh George. At just four years old, Josh survived a harrowing 12-story fall that left him paralyzed from the waist down—an unimaginable curveball that instantly changed his life. In their heartfelt conversation, Josh shares how his resilient mindset, his parents’ unwavering support, and the power of sport helped him not only to adapt, but thrive. From racing around hospital hallways as a child to competing on the world’s biggest stages, Josh’s story is a testament to human adaptability, creativity, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about overcoming obstacles, redefining limitations, and finding opportunity and meaning in life’s greatest challenges.

Listeners Will Learn: 

• Josh describes his accident as happening at the "perfect time" in his life because of his young age of four.
• Josh credits his parents with focusing on what he could do, not what he couldn’t, from the very beginning. 
• The podcast highlights the absence of a “playbook” for dealing with major curveballs in life. 
• Josh talks about the importance of sports and athletics in his recovery and overall well-being. 
• Josh shares that he uses his limitations as springboards for creativity. 
• The episode discusses the contextual view of disability, contrasting it with the more static "medical" model.
• Josh has described his accident as a “blessing” due to the introspection and growth it brought. 
• The conversation touches on vulnerability and the process of accepting help from others. 

Key Moments:

(00:00) Child's Fall Incident

(05:55) Adapting to Life's Challenges

(07:43) Rediscovering Sports After Spinal Injury

(12:21) Heightened Awareness Through Parenting Challenges

(15:03) Competitive Spirit in a Wheelchair

(19:21) Maximizing Time Constraints

(22:35) Resilience Through Adversity

(23:40) Embrace New Challenges for Growth

(28:41) Fostering Understanding for Special Needs

(31:29) Perceptions of Help and Growth

(33:15) "Curveball: Perseverance to Gold"