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An Interview With Michael Elliott

Submitted by Bill on August 21, 2014 - 18:55

Michael Elliott doing a very<br /> heavy squat at the ISBA world powerlifting championships in Prog

Michael Elliott began his life as a normal child with 20/20 vision and dreams of becoming a professional basketball player. As an adult he earned a masters degree in clinical social work and climbed the ladder of professional success to become the bureau chief for the Board of Education's Division of Blind Services. He is a multi world record holding powerlifting champion and recently started his own I.T. business, (soarconsultants.com) allwhile being totally blind!
Some of the topics we discuss in this in-depth interview include:

  • How he lost his vision and the effect it had on his life;
  • How he got started in weight training;
  • Transition from college wrestling to coaching and playing Goal Ball;
  • The obesity problem in the blind community;
  • Blind athletes vs blind tec geeks;
  • The importance of sports in socialization;
  • Sports where blind athletes compete against sighted athletes with no real adaptations;
  • Becoming a powerlifting champion on a whim;
  • Competing in an open powerlifting meet;
  • How he felt representing the USA at the world games in Prague;
  • Making friends in Prague;
  • Beer for breakfast;
  • World blind games in Québec;
  • Interacting with athletes from around the world;
  • World records and knee injuries;
  • Lifting in the gym vs in competition;
  • Working for the Division of Blind Services;
  • S.O.A.R. Consultants;
  • Giving back;
  • How his sports connections have opened doors for his current business venture;
  • Fair pay for disabled workers;
  • And much, much more.

Interview with Michael
Elliott

Tags: 
Interviews

Comments

Walter (not verified) - March 25, 2015 - 22:14

Great interview, good stuff!

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