Meet Adaptive Athlete: Jon McIvor

Jon grew up with a passion for fitness and the outdoors, finding stress relief and joy through lifting, mountain biking, and skiing. After college, he moved to Colorado to fully immerse himself in the mountains and pursue his love for challenging sports in bigger, bolder environments.

 

On April 26, 2022, while mountain biking with friends from the fire department at Freedom Park in Virginia, Jon suffered a crash that left him with a C6–7 spinal cord injury and wheelchair-dependent quadriplegia. Following emergency surgery at Norfolk General and a four-month stay at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Jon faced the painful reality of losing both independence and the physical strength that had long defined him. The adjustment has been mentally difficult, but with the support of friends and family, he continues to seek new outlets for resilience.

 

A longtime firefighter, Jon rose to the rank of Battalion Chief, serving in both operations and administrative roles. While still searching for a sport to fill the competitive gap left by his injury, he was introduced to adaptive training through a friend at Kaizen Gym. His goal now is to continue exploring movement, regain confidence, and strengthen his mental wellbeing as he adapts to life after injury.

 

Kaizen Adaptive Training