Team Hoyt : A Motivational Team Experience for All People

I have had many clients in the gym that make me disgusted. That is to say, they make me disgusted of myself whenever I come up with some excuse to avoid a workout. These clients workout even with various disabilities. They come to the gym regardless of what is holding them back, defying amazing odds. I have had paraplegic clients. I have had clients that are blind. Yet they somehow are able to get to the gym and workout on a regular basis. Who am I to miss a workout on a given day because I simply don't feel like it? These clients are a true inspiration to myself and many others that maintain a healthy lifestyle.

But few can compare with the inspirational effects of Team Hoyt.

Rick Hoyt was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. The umbilical cord wrapped around Rick's head and reduced the oxygen to his brain, cutting off certain developmental functions.

Dick and his wife were somehow able to maintain an amazing perspective through Rick's birth: everyone deserves a chance. Certain that Rick was able think cognitively they pursued ways to allow him to communicate. With certain software, hardware and overall computer creations, a team of Tufts University experts came to Rick's aid. He was given the ability to spell out words on a computer screen and then have them voiced out for him.

Anticipating Rick's first words, Dick and his wife expected, "Mom," or, "Dad." Instead the first words out of Rick's "mouth" were, "Go Bruins." Unbeknownced to his parents, Rick had been keeping up with the latest hockey games along with his brothers. As his parents stated later, they now knew that Rick loved sports.

This love of sports became an even further progressive inspiration. Rick surprised his father by suggesting that they compete in a local fund raising race. Dick took Rick up on the idea and Team Hoyt was born.

Through the use of a special cycle attachment Rick is able to ride on the front of father Dick's bike. A special wheelchair allows for the team to run in events. And a well stabilized boat, featuring Rick, is towed by Dick during their swimming events.

Through the use of these aids Team Hoyt competes in triathlons and marathons on a regular basis. Although Team Hoyt regularly finishes near the end of the pack, they are clear and amazing inspirations to all those around them. They admit that, at first, they were not accepted by every competitor. But, through their continued efforts to show that all should have the chance to lead a rich and full life, Team Hoyt has turned the tide. Now many competitors will race citing Rick and Dick as their inspiration.

Along with his continued ability to inspire and motivate his father, Rick has been able to not only graduate from high school, but go on and get his bachelors degree. Rick received a degree in special eduction from Boston University in 1993.

Now Rick uses his special insights to develop equipment to allow others to follow in his stead. He helps to design specialized wheel chairs that can permit others like himself to move around with minimal head motions and even eye movements.

In looking at team Hoyt's accomplishments in the competitive race world, most marathoners a triathletes would love to achieve what they have. As a two man team their best time in a marathon is two hours, 40 minutes and 47 seconds, a truly phenomenal accomplishment. At one point in time Rick and Dick Hoyt even traversed the entire United States. This is an athletic accomplishment suitable for any Hall of Fame.

Now, Rick and Dick Hoyt are regulars in a variety of speaking venues and motivational seminars. With the ability to motivate virtually any crowd, Team Hoyt is an inspiration to all.

Included in the "Resources" section of this article are links for more on the amazing Team Hoyt. Check out their site and some of the motivational video footage of this remarkable duo and you'll be as inspired as I was.