The Kevin Saunders Story - From Tragedy to Triumph

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Kevin speaking to schools about the importance of fitness
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2010 The media catches up with Kevin Saunders nominee for chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, where he talks to students about fitness and the importance of accountability and keeping daily journals with their long and short term goals for education, fitness and making healthier choices.
 
Kevin says he wants to follow the First lady Michelle Obama's lead and Start moving on improving childhood obesity. Kevin knows after pushing his wheelchair thousands of miles across America promoting health and fitness that it is critical to get people to buy into the program to be successful in the long run. From the administrations, students and parents and school boards of ISD's across America and the Mayors and city councils, community leaders and concerned citizens to Governor and their Health and Human Services staff to want to create a healthier state. One way along with education on why fitness is important and making healthier choices is getting candy machines replaced with healthy choices and replace soda machines with fruit drinks and healthy choices. Kevin plans to start his Fitness 4 All 50 state tour shortly after appointment by President Obama.

2010 Winner Houston half marathon
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For the 2010 Houston Half Marathon win. I would say; 'Kevin commits to keep his winning ways, but he also talks about how it is more important to take part and stay fit. Kevin also explains part of his plan after being nominated for chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports and what he plans to do the "Fitness 4 All 50 state tour" soon after he is appointed by President Obama as the first person with a disability and Paralympian to serve in this position. Like Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says; "Kevin's broken body bears silent testimony to one who has overcome tremendous obstacles to get fit and beckons others to follow." Kevin is deeply passionate and committed to reaching as many students as possible and helping America get the community support and take personal accountability to help students get fit!

USA Tour
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See video footage of Kevin's 2,500 mile push across America promoting health and fitness for everyone. Over a period of six grueling weeks and months, Kevin pushed his wheelchair from one end of America to the other, over 2,500 miles, meeting with local officials and families along the way to share his insight on the nation’s health crisis. Kevin is interviewed in many cities from Detroit to Houston and Dallas to Laredo all the TV media were amazed at that he was pushing his wheelchair when the heat index was in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

European Tour
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See footage of Kevin as he pushed his hand-cycle and his wife Dora rode her bike alongside him through the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Italy. Along the way, they saw sites ranging from the countryside winills to the Eiffel Tower and the Roman Coliseum. It was like riding through a series of postcards, first in the Alps, then through to the vineyards, followed by beaches and more!

Press Videos
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- Commercials and Interviews 1984 to present. See Kevin's School Tours and commercials promoting education and college commercials promote education. Like Kevin says; "Without an education you'll be operating with a REAL HANDICAP!"

USA Tour Press Interviews
Below is a short selection of USA Tour Press Interviews from all over the country about the USA Tour why Kevin pushed over 2,500 miles across America promoting education, health and fitness.

USA Tour 1
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Interview with Pam Elliot, "Kevin Saunders is pushing his racing wheelchair over 2,000 miles across America in 12 weeks WHY? Kevin is very concerned about obesity and out of shape people in this country and now Kevin wants to go out and help inspire all Americans to get fit!"

USA Tour 2
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Memphis – Announcer, "How do you feel stacking up to World Champion Paralympian, Kevin Saunders? He is pushing his racing wheelchair over 2,000 miles across America to get peoples attention about health and fitness, Saunders has proved that anyone can exercise. Kevin says; "We want to provide resources and tools to help communities get healthy and fit and create lasting healthy initiatives."  Announcer says; “I hate the idea of driving over 2,000 miles I feel pretty humble next to Mr. Saunders who is pushing his wheelchair over 2,000 miles just to help Americans get fit."

USA Tour 3
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Memphis - short interview – Announcer, "Kevin Saunders stopped in Memphis today to challenge communities and Americans to get fit. Paralyzed from the chest down after a grain elevator explosion Saunders knows that the road to good health and fitness isn’t always easy."

USA Tour 4
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School interview – Kevin says; "Students need to understand the importance of education and fitness and making the right choices to win the gold in their own lives and bring out the champion within them."

USA Tour 5
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St. Louis – Announcer, "Need some motivation to get off the coach and exercise? Well, maybe Kevin Saunders can provide it! Kevin is pushing across America to encourage everyone to get healthy and fit and stay that way.  He stopped at the arch today to receive a Proclamation with Mayor Francis Slay, Proclaiming today “Kevin Saunders Day” in St. Louis, for his contribution to the St. Louis community for providing inspiration, tools and resources to help the community get fit."

USA Tour 6
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Indianapolis - Announcer, "Mayor Peterson proclaims today is “Kevin Saunders Day” in Indianapolis." We caught up with him today with a police motorcycle escort to bring his message of health and fitness to City Hall and the community. Kevin says; “He is pushing his racing wheelchair across America to prove fitness and healthy choices are for everyone.”

USA Tour 7
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Shreveport, LA – Announcer, "Kevin Saunders is getting a police escort to meet with the Mayor an important visit because he did come all the way from Detroit in his wheelchair. Kevin Saunders brought a message with him; "Get fit and make healthy lifestyle choices." Kevin says, His mission is to inspire and motivate people to form good habits when it comes to health and fitness." Announcer, “Kevin Saunders is more than just a photo opportunity two Presidents noticed that, President Bush and President Clinton.”

2008 –Del Mar College Interviews Former Wall of Fame student and World Champion Gold Medalist Kevin Saunders – The featured spokesperson for Del Mar college at the unveiling of the multimillion dollar renovation Expansion for Del Mar college Kinesiology Complex Fall 2008.

Del Mar College Interview Fall 2008 - 1
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KRIS Channel 6 SPORTS – Announcer, "Kevin Saunders World Champion Paralympian's message is still resonating around the world. Kevin says; "It wasn’t my physical injuries that almost killed him but the emotional and mental trauma that almost did. You have to keep pushing strong towards your goals making the right choices to be healthy and fit and Never Give Up!" Kevin shows his latest book that was just released this fall 2008 entitled Blueprint for Success and he shared with us why he keeps pushing and wheeling across America and around the world and writing books and passing on a message of perseverance, fitness and the importance of education."

Del Mar College Interview Fall 2008 - 2
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Announcer, "He has given more than 5,000 speaking engagements written 5 books and he’s got plenty left in the tank! We caught up with Kevin Saunders at Del Mar College a place he credits for helping him through the toughest part of his life. He rarely if ever says, Why Me? One of Kevin’s friends and heroes is OU Head Coach Bob Stoops! Kevin Saunders World Champion Paralympic medalist was the spokesperson to help Del Mar college officially kick the opening of their multimillion dollar renovation of their Kinesiology Complex. Kevin explains how Del Mar helped him get his life back into the main stream and how education, fitness, exercise and healthy choices are now available at Del Mar college with state of the art facilities, tools, information, equipment and education thanks to the support of all the sponsors of the expansion."

2008 Kevin Saunders Wins Chevron - Aramco Half Marathon Houston, Texas
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Kevin Saunders overcomes flat tire to WIN the Chevron - Aramco Half Marathon Houston, Texas in the Men's Wheelchair Division.

2008 The Good Samaratin Story TV Interview
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See actual footage from the explosion that hurled Kevin 300 feet (the length of a football field) over a two-story building onto a concrete parking lot and left 10 co-workers dead.

Actual explosion footage (Length - 0:42)
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See actual footage from the explosion that hurled Kevin 300 feet (the length of a football field) over a two-story building onto a concrete parking lot and left 10 co-workers dead.

Motivation (Length - 0:30)
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A commercial for HEST Fitness Products starring Kevin.

You just can't miss with Del Mar College (Length - 0:30)
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See Kevin's acrobatics in this educational commercial for Del Mar College.

Finding the Competitive Edge (Length - 0:30)
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A commercial for HEST Fitness Products starring Kevin.

You can do anything! Set your goals high! (Length - 0:30)
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In this television sports interview, Kevin talks about giving back to your community and your country.

The Dan & Dave of Wheelchair Track & Field (Length - 2:14)
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See the story of Kevin Saunders & William Brady, America's arch rivals in the wheelchair Pentathlon Track & Field competition. Kevin says, "Sports gives you the opportunity to gain self confidence and feel good about yourself by working hard and believing 'There's Always A Way!'"

NBC National News coverage: of the Grain Elevator Explosion (Length - 1:35)
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See a report of the accident that injured Kevin. As he was working at a grain elevator in Corpus Christi, the building exploded. Kevin was blown 300 feet through the air onto a concrete parking lot, and his body was broken over at the chest. Ten people died and more than 20 were injured. Pay special attention to Corpus Christi Port Authority - Don Rodman, who said; "Only secondarily is there a safety consideration!" On National News! What do you think he would have said if it would have been someone he loved or cared deeply about?

Never Give Up! There's Always A Way (Length - 1:45)
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See how Kevin's inspiring success as a wheelchair athlete helped him land a role in the Oliver Stone movie "Born on the 4th of July", and meet President Bush at the White House. Kevin also gives away most of his gold medals to hospitalized children.

Awards ceremony in the Olympic Stadium (Length - 0:41)
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Kevin receiving medal in Olympic Stadium.

Kevin speaks for Tony Robbins’ certification in Hawaii (Length - 1:02)
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Kevin speaking at Tony Robbins NPL certification training – Hawaii.

Come join me and let's GO for the Gold! Together! (Length - 0:30)
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A commercial for Central Power & Light Company, a Fortune 500 company, starring Kevin.

The Possibilities are Endless (Length - 0:30)
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In this commercial for Central Power & Light Company, a Fortune 500 company, Kevin works toward his goal to motivate all ages to be the best they can be.

Kevin flipped over Del Mar College and so will you! (Length - 0:30)
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In this educational commercial for Del Mar College, watch as Kevin does a backwards summersault with his wheelchair strapped to him, even though he is completely paralyzed from the chest down.

Without an education you'll be operating with a real handicap! (Length - 0:30)
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In this educational commercial for Del Mar College, Kevin stresses the importance of a good education.

Going for the Gold and getting it -- and a hug! (Length - 0:21)
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Kevin volunteers his time to the Special Olympics by presenting medals and giving hugs to competitors.

See how Kevin turned a negative into a positive (Length - 0:17)
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Turning a negative into a positive.

Dora shows off one of Kevin's awards (Length - 0:28)
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Dora holding hand-blown glass sculpture.