The James Protin Podcast

A Hero's Journey: Eric McElvenny | The James Protin Podcast

James Protin Season 1 Episode 100

Eric McElvenny is one of us, a western PA kid…Belle Vernon to be exact. Eric graduated from Belle Vernon Area High School and the United States Naval Academy. Eric served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. 

Eric deployed three times as a Marine and on his final tour, an incredible experience in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, was wounded during combat action by stepping on an IED.  

That’s where this story really begins…

Eric suffered the amputation of his right leg below the knee, a life-changing opportunity that began his next journey. Yes…opportunity.

Lying in a hospital bed, recovering from the amputation, inspiration hit him hard. Eric made a promise to himself to run an Ironman Triathlon. 

On his journey from that hospital bed in southern California to the finish line in Kona Hawaii, he realized that the challenge and adversity he was up against and the practical techniques he used to reach the finish line could be used against the challenges we all entertain. 

He now travels the country speaking to and inspiring people to embrace their challenges.