MY STORY

Motivation is found where you least expect it

In 2003, Brad Kelley was in the hospital, paralyzed and bedridden. After intensive blood work and numerous extensive medical tests, Brad was diagnosed with a rare nerve and auto-immune disorder that affects 1 in 100,000 people called Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). He underwent a five-day blood transfusion and doctors told him he might not ever walk normally again. It was at this point that Brad left the hospital in a wheelchair knowing that his life would drastically change.

But sometimes fate isn’t always what we assume it to be, and that’s when our will to live, thrive, and survive can be most noticeable. Because not only did he walk again, but Brad is now an Elite Ultra Distance Triathlete who has inspired many with his “Anything Is Possible” mantra and “Never Quit” determination to overcome his medical challenges that consisted of relentless pain, tingling and numbness.

Despite this painful medical disorder, Brad has completed some of the hardest, longest and most grueling triathlons in the world. He also recently overcame the obstacles of altitude that once again where he was doubted, step by painful step he climbed to top of Africa’s highest peak Mt Kilimanjaro. His extremely positive attitude about life no matter what he is faced with realizing “It IS Possible” with the right mindset and taking the little steps achieve the big goal.    

“You’ll never compete in an IRONMAN.”

Those words from his neurologist initially became a source of inspiration to complete his first full 140.6 mile IRONMAN triathlon.

And with that, Brad overcame the odds and has now completed numerous endurance events, including:

• Quintuple Iron Distance Triathlon (12 mile swim, 560 mile bike, 131 mile run)
• 16 IRONMAN Triathlons (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run)
• 3 Double Iron Distance Triathlons (4.8 mile swim, 224 mile bike, 52.4 mile run)
• 2 Triple Iron Distance Triathlons  (7.2 mile swim, 336 mile bike, 78.6 mile run)

Brad continues to race on a regular basis and also competed as an honored IRONMAN Legacy Athlete at the 2017 IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, Hawaii where he became the first Guillain Barre Syndrome Survivor to cross the finish line at the exhausting one day race.

In 2025, Brad is planning to compete in a DECAMAN (24 mile swim, 1120 mile bike, 262 mile run), 10 IRONMAN distance races stacked together – (1406 total miles) and is also hopeful to someday compete in a Double Deca Ultra Distance Triathlon (One full 140.6 Ironman Distance Triathlon every day for 20 days straight – 2812 total miles).

Inspiring thousands

Brad has spoken to thousands at businesses, schools and churches across the country about his painful medical journey from paralyzation due to a rare auto immune disorder and recent cancer diagnosis, to becoming an Ultra Distance Triathlete where he continues to do the “impossible”. His captivating on-stage stories and visuals inspire and motivate audiences to leave their comfort zone, find the right mindset and do more than ever thought possible, not just for themselves, but also for others in the process that can identify with Brad’s condition and story.