Aaron Scheidies - Triathlete

A Triple Threat to Society

Aaron Scheidies

Aaron Scheidies is a 27 year old that has overcome more in his short life than many conquer in a lifespan. Born with a hereditary eye condition that slowly deteriorates his central vision, Aaron now has 10% of the vision of a fully sighted person.

After battling through hard times in his early teens, Aaron found the sport of triathlon and turned his life around. Beginning with sprint triathlon and continuing up the triathlon pyramid, Aaron is now a four-time triathlon World Champion and five-time National Champion, having traveled around the globe competing in over 100 triathlons.

In 2005, Aaron teamed up with four other blind individuals to conquer the world’s single most grueling event, the Ironman triathlon (2.4mi Swim, 112mi Bike, 26.2mi Run).

Aaron Scheidies - Using visual impairment technology

Just as he is a multi-dimensional athlete, he also excels in all aspects of life. At Michigan State University Aaron had a perfect 4.0 GPA, was the president of the MSU Triathlon Club, volunteered over 100 hours helping other students with disabilities and was inducted into the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame. He graduated with a BS in Kinesiology from MSU, and in July 2008 completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Washington going on to work as a therapist for Rehab Care.

Aaron has also expanded his career into the film and modeling industry. He has been featured in such magazines as GQ, Esquire, Competitor and in Men’s Health running down the road of life. On screen he plays himself in the documentary Victory Over Darkness.

As a public speaker, Aaron has spoken in Thailand for the Young Presidents Organization, motivated Janus financial executives, represented the US Paralympic hopefuls for the NYC 2012 Olympic bid and in October 2009 he will speak at the Kennedy Space Center to the NASA employees on overcoming obstacles as a physically challenged professional athlete.

Aaron has set future goals for himself in athletics and one by one he accomplishes each goal, reaching new heights in the sport and continues to add new ones to the list.

On October 14, 2007 in Dallas, Aaron completed a longstanding athletic dream by breaking a world record and becoming the only disabled athlete to break two hours in an International distance triathlon, a feat only accomplished by a select few able-bodied athletes.

2008 proved to be a busy year for Aaron, competing in more than a half dozen triathlons, including the Wildflower, NYC, Chicago, LA, Malibu and again the Toyota US Open Triathlon in Dallas.

Well in to the 2009 season, Aaron has yet again accomplished a tremendous amount, winning the Accenture PC National Championships at the 2009 NYC Triathlon, as well as being crowned the 2009 ITU PC World Champion, finishing the course with a time of just over 2:04 hour. To finish out his season, Aaron will be heading to Clearwater, Florida to race at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

What is most impressive in this young man’s life is his never-ending spirit and humble demeanor. His goal in life is to change society’s perspective on those with disabilities and to instill confidence in those that lack it. With his contagious positive energy someday he will do this.

“You don’t have to have sight to be a visionary”