Overcoming physical struggles to become an Ironman

Dave Mull: Overcoming physical struggles to become an Ironman

The Louisville Ironman was Aug. 26, and some of our associates participated this year. How do these athletes do something so intense? What is their motivation, and who inspires them the most to push them through that finish line?

Some of the participants have written their Ironman stories, and we're sharing them with you over the next few weeks.

Financial Consultant Dave Mull was one of a few associates to be sponsored by Humana Vitality in the race. This is his story:

Athletics have always been a part of my life. Primarily baseball through high school, but I enjoy pretty much every sport. Luckily for this I’d always been in relatively decent shape until about 5-6 years ago. I found myself spending more and more time at work or on a couch.  When my wife was pregnant with our first child (4.5 years old now) I gained a bunch of weight and really got out of shape. I started playing basketball in a pickup league shortly after he was born and blew out my ACL and pretty much my entire knee. That was a turning point for me.  After having my knee repaired and dealing with some back pain I decided enough was enough. I bought a bike and started changing my eating habits. I really enjoyed the bike and started riding in club rides and racing mountain bikes.  As the fitness came back and the weight dropped I started running again. This got me thinking. I’ve always been interested in triathlons, so why not give that a shot. So I did and really enjoyed it.

I’ve never been a person that could do things halfway, so it was only natural for me to quickly realize I wanted to tackle what I once thought was insane, the IRONMAN.

So now at 6’2” 182 lbs I’m in the best shape of my life. My back pain isn’t a problem any longer, my Asthma is more controlled than it’s ever been, and I feel GREAT. Training for this challenge has prompted much of my family and friends to also tackle weight loss goals and other fitness related changes. I realized this fitness
thing is addicting, and I love what it’s done for me and for people around me.

I’ll finish by saying another major reason for doing IRONMAN is so my kids and anyone else willing to pay
attention to my story know that anything is possible. I was once a 230 lbs, asthmatic with slight spina bifida and scoliosis. I’ve had knee
and shoulder surgery, and now I’m an IRONMAN.  If I can do this, anyone can do this!

Never Give Up!

Dave Mull, MBA