In this powerful episode of The Business of Doing Business, 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 - Intro
01:54 - Jon's Accident
07:11 - I-Beam Incident Thoughts
14:17 - Impact of Cancer
17:53 - Accomplishments Post-Accident
23:15 - What Happened
25:25 - The Ups and Downs
31:45 - Realizing No More Walking
38:03 - Beginning of the Upswing
40:48 - Denial Stage
42:45 - Doctors' Perspectives
46:26 - Experiencing Anger
50:50 - Dealing with Depression
54:29 - Finding a Vision
1:00:10 - Importance of Mentors
1:05:07 - Value of Saying Yes
1:06:29 - Share the Show
1:06:50 - Disclaimer
This episode offers valuable insights for anyone facing significant life changes or seeking to overcome obstacles in their personal or professional lives.
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
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Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Business of Doing Business are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Business of Doing Business 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.
