It’s Only A MountainThe Story of Rick and Dick Hoyt :It’s Only A MountainThe Story of Rick and Dick Hoyt Richard Hoshino Shad Valley Presentation July 22nd, 2004


Outline for Tonight’s Talk :Outline for Tonight’s Talk Starting the Race Constantly Raising the Bar on Yourself “Dare to Risk” Running the Race Persevering Despite Obstacles “Attitude more than Aptitude determines Altitude” Finishing the Race Using Your Gifts to Serve and Inspire Others “Pay It Forward”


Two Pithy Quotes :Two Pithy Quotes Be the Change you want to see in the World – Mahatma Gandhi Most people see things as they are, and ask “Why?” But I dream things that never were, and ask “Why Not?” - George Bernard Shaw


Jimmy Akana and Ryan Hreljac :Jimmy Akana and Ryan Hreljac


Dare to Risk :Dare to Risk To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.To reach for another is to risk involvement.To expose your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.To love is to risk not being loved in return.To live is to risk dying.To believe is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.


Dare to Risk (continued) :Dare to Risk (continued) The people who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, are nothing. They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live. Chained by their attitudes, they are slaves; they have forfeited their freedom. Only a person who risks is free.


Biography :Biography 1816 - His family was forced out of their home. 1818 - His mother died. 1831 - Failed in business. 1832 - Ran for state legislature: lost 1832 - Lost his job. He wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in. 1833 - Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.


Biography (continued) :Biography (continued) 1834 - Ran for state legislature again: won. 1835 - Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken. 1836 - Had a nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months. 1838 - Sought to become speaker of the state legislature: defeated 1840 - Sought to become elector: defeated 1843 - Ran for Congress: lost


Biography (continued) :Biography (continued) 1846 - Ran for Congress again: won 1848 - Ran for re-election to Congress: lost 1849 - Sought the job of land officer in his home state: rejected 1854 - Ran for Senate of the United States: lost 1856 - Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention: got less than 100 votes. 1858 - Ran for U.S. Senate again: again he lost


Biography (continued) :Biography (continued) 1860 - Elected President of the United States The path was worn and slippery. My foot slipped from under me, knocking the other out of the way, but I recovered and said to myself, "It’s a slip and not a fall." - Abraham Lincoln


Pay it Forward :Pay it Forward The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live. - Ethel Andrus We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill


Rick Hoyt :Rick Hoyt Born in 1962 as a Spastic Quadriplegic. Communicates using a Special Computer. Graduated in 1993 from Boston University, becoming one of the only non-vocal quadriplegics to graduate from university. Currently employed as a developer and consultant at Boston College for “Eagle Eyes”, a system to help disabled people operate a wheelchair with their eyes.


The First Race :The First Race


The Boston Marathon :The Boston Marathon


Team Hoyt :Team Hoyt 940 Races Completed, including 22 consecutive Boston Marathons. Personal Best of 2:40 in the marathon. Biked and Ran across the USA in 1992 (3735 miles in 45 consecutive days) Created the “Hoyt Fund” to integrate the physically challenged into everyday life (see www.teamhoyt.com)


The Ironman Triathlon :The Ironman Triathlon The Ironman takes place in Kona, Hawaii every year. It consists of three events: 3.8 km SWIM 180 km BIKE 42.2 km RUN