“Emotions in Motion” – the perfect place to meet Graham B. for the first time
First I met him at the Indoorcycling Event “Emotions in Motion” at Biel, 2014. His capability to touch the participants hearts was indescribable and unique.
Since then we kept in touch time by time but never as close as at the moment I finished a chapter in my life and startet with NO BRAND. To let something behind, to start something new was the main theme. That for I was really touched to know that the FENIX means also that much to Graham. He absolutely wanted to get one of these NO BRAND jerseys; for me a really meaningful honor!
Have a look at him – it really fits perfectly!
Some of you already know him. But to get some more insights of Graham’s life is really astonishing. Thank you so much Graham!
Challenges, Changes – Graham’s life
Graham was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus which has resulted in paralysis from the waist down. Therefore he is a full time wheelchair user. Already at a very early age 8-9 years old, he started wheelchair racing supported by his family. At 12-13 years old, he became a well established wheelchair racer. He was the UK’s number 2 for his age group, also beating very experienced adults. At the age of 14 he had a bad crash while competing a 10km road race which he still finished. But looking back now he cannot help but think if he hadn’t, would he still be able to race now? Unfortunately due to the pain and damage to his shoulder he was advised to retire from wheelchair racing.
Changes
Fast forward a couple of years he got into air pistol shooting which again was a sport that he loved. He became quite a good club level shooter. But September 1996 a new law with regards to firearms and ownership of them caused his club he was shooting at to close down. He startet at this time to work 1 day per week for a local sports centre, and gained a qualification in sports and recreation. So he was offered a full time position and became a certified fitness instructor and then onto level 3 personal training diploma.
Huge Challenges – admirable Graham
2009 the center manager invested in some indoor bikes and asked him to become cycling instructor if interested and possible. After the first day as an observer he decided together with MI Stefano to pass through the exam on day 2. With an exam scored 24/25 the highest grade on that course, he had also to pass the practical part. Therefore another instructor was demonstrating the techniques he was teaching.
He startet his personal training business and was still teaching indoor cycling classes. Even more he startet to learn for the Silver Level Test and finally passed also the Gold Level.
Ups and Downs
2014 he attended and experienced “Passion & More” an international event. There he was asked to present a ride together with Cara B. at Emotion in Motion. Honored they accepted this team teach. From then on “this ride with his partner in climb”, so called because they did a hill ride class, was an unforgettable moment.
Competing in a shoot competition he was invited by the Paralympics GB Talent Squad manager to join the Talent squad with the view to one day join the main squad.
2019 teaching again at “Emotions in Motion” as a single presenter he remembers it as such an amazing experience. But later in 2019 he was told that he’s not longer part of the British Shooting Team. Due to his upcoming surgery at his neck he would be too long out of action to qualify for Tokyo. For Paris he would be classed as too old.
Aims his Motivation
Since then he has fallen in love with outdoor hand cycling and got his sights on becoming of the UK national team for Schwinn and hopefully one day MI.
Dear Graham, we wish you all the best for the upcoming. You are a great idol to rise up after setbacks, keep on moving and fighting for your aims. Respect and thanks again for your spirit.