Meet Adaptive Athlete: John Hayes Bey

John served in the U.S. Army from 2002 to 2008, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He trained as an Armor Crewman, operating the M1A2 SEP and M1A1 Abrams tanks, and completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, under Drill Sergeants Frescatore and Penning. Stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, John served with B Co. 1/12 CAV “Bandits,” later joining D Co. 2/5 CAV “Diablos.” In 2004, he deployed to Sadr City, Baghdad, where he operated as part of Camp War Eagle under the leadership of Col. Gary Volesky.

 

In November 2023, what began as nothing more severe than a common cold turned into a fight for his life. John began fighting multiple illnesses and his prognosis was extremely grim and ultimately led to the amputation of both of his legs below the knees. This has tested him physically, mentally, and emotionally, but he refuses to let setbacks define him. For John, healing begins in the mind. He believes that staying focused and committed is the key to overcoming adversity. He approaches each day with discipline, maintaining a mindset that defeat is never an option and pushing himself to grow stronger through every challenge.

 

John’s goals are to continue improving each day, striving to become better than he was the day before. Physically, he pushes himself past his limits, training with the belief that growth happens just beyond discomfort. Mentally, he stays locked in on what’s important and embraces a “me vs. me” mindset as he rebuilds, refocuses, and redefines what’s possible for himself.