“True success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be…”
When we meet someone who embodies what it means to truly LIVE- whose life reflects this virtue in practice, not just words- we notice…
I have met many incredible (indelible) humans in my lifetime; but only a few have stopped me in my tracks- Ronnie is one of them. It is a joy to introduce him here. Although he is part of niche (professional cycling), his humility and sense of shared humanity makes his journey relatable, even if you know nothing about endurance sports…
BACKGROUND
There have been many articles written about Ronnie’s athletic career- most notably his comeback from a horrific cycling crash at the 2014 Manhattan Beach Grand Prix.
While in the final sprint of this pro cycling race, Ronnie collided with a barrier and consequently, shattered every bone between his eyes and jaw. He also fractured his left orbital bone; lacerated his left eyelid; broke several teeth, and least notably (dark humor) fractured his right arm in three places.
After being transported to the UCLA Harbor Trauma Center, Ronnie was intubated and put into a medically induced coma for four days. He then underwent numerous surgeries to reconstruct his face and other structural damages. After spending twenty five days in the hospital, he discharged himself and returned home 30 lbs lighter, sporting a wired jaw and a tracheostomy tube.
When he returned home, he did what any average gent would do, he mounted his training bike and commenced his road to recovery (tube, wires and cast in tote…)
As you will read below, Ronnie has acquired numerous (and wondrous) athletic notches in his belt- beginning around the time he could walk (literally).
One of my favorite data points is that he once used a fake ID to sign-up for the 70.3 Ironman in Oceanside as a 17-year old lad. (You must be 18 to compete…)
If you would like to read more about Ronnie’s comeback story, check out this article: Ronnie Toth: destined for a career on two wheels, life of tenacity and thriving through adversity, limitlesspursuits.com, September 2024.
As a wellness coach, many people come to be hoping to improve their quality of life…One of the most important questions that I ask is, “what does it mean, to you, to Live?”
TO LIVE
My therapist once said,” Many Americans are obsessed with zombies because so many of us are akin to the walking dead…” That hyperbolic statement may sound harsh, but it also rings true…
Many of us are caged in fear, societal or familial expectations, and/or our own limiting beliefs…Our self-induced prisons keep us empty and isolated- reaching for distractions or numbing agents to fill an endless void…We develop expectations in lieu of gratitude; and our entitlement, sadly, suffocates Joy...
Few people truly LIVE unless they experience a close collision with their own mortality and/or are given a terminal diagnosis…Ronnie got the memo early in life that every day is a gift; and true happiness can only be found in living congruently and extending love to others...
Below are a few of Ronnie’s wisdom offerings. I hope that these snippets inspire and/or challenge you to think about your own life and how you can live more fully….every day offers a new opportunity to start again…
RONNIE'S WISDOM OFFERINGS
“How will I survive 20 years from now? Nothing is guaranteed my friend. You have no clue if you'll live another 4 days. let alone 40 years. Find gratitude in your daily needs being met today.”
“The chief end of man is to make our Creator proud and to leave others better than when we found them. This is love- the gospel essentially in 4 words. To love God, and love people. I find we can essentially do the first part by going all in on the second part. I figure if I can make someone's day through a kind word or small favor then it's a shame not to…”
“You are not a victim of your circumstance, but a champion of adversity meant to thrive and make circumstance your victim. The pity party only leads downward- you are your own rescue line. When in doubt, choose joy.”
“When you leak gratitude and do your best to leave each person better than you found them, hope has a way of following you around like a lost puppy.”
“Self pity is all too often rooted in entitlement.”
“The world is dying of selfishness.”
“Someone may bring value to your life or make you a better version of yourself- enriching your life. But you must first be able to be happy and at home within your own head before you can ever be a finished whole to a perfect pair.”
“The fulfillment of being able to look yourself in the eye inches away from a mirror and answer the question, ‘who am I and who do I want to become’ is a joy that only those who are in the ring, blood on the knees, and sweat on the brow will know.”
“In true fashion you must remember this mantra: it is better to try and fail, than to never try at all. …but you will not actually fail- you will adapt; you will pursue; and you will overcome, so that you will know who the person looking back at you in the mirror…”
“I love the lifestyle of being active and the quality of life it brings. I love how endurance sport makes me a kinder, more driven, and empathetic man.”
“Be happy, grateful, and eat all the things. The world has a way of bringing full circle that in which you release freely. If you lack hope and motivation, try giving it to others. Thank a volunteer, encourage a fellow competitor (but not that cute one that keeps lapping you, that's just creepy) and eat till your heart's content. Bring foods that you will look forward to, and will be genuinely happy to see your haggard pit crew holding when you come by each lap.”
“This was only the beginning of what would become a life of self-induced pain, intentional seeking of stupid-hard challenges, and a desire to see others hunt down their dreams with reckless abandon. I love laying waste to the demons luring me to a soft, cushy life couch-side and yapping at me to quit.”
“Friends, seldom are we given the chance to find out what we are made of. We can often simulate this by intentionally subjecting ourselves to adversity in training, but I was given a rare opportunity to look death square in the eye and decide who I wanted to be.”
As Ronnie would say..."Thrive On..."