As Joe Matthews notes in his inspirational story Biking for a Trigger, “Life just isn’t a costume rehearsal. You solely get one shot at it, so why not try to make it rely.”
Matthews made his life rely by biking throughout the nation and elevating funds for these affected by the invasion of Ukraine — though his underlying message is that even small acts of kindness or charity can profoundly change another person.
On this current interview, Matthews described his journey, what impressed it, and what he took away from it.
Q: Your journey started with a serious bodily problem: recovering from bilateral knee alternative. How did that have form your mindset for tackling the even better problem of biking throughout America?
A: As I believe again, my restoration from the surgical procedure was difficult. My Peloton stationary bicycle was a vital instrument I recurrently used throughout my restoration. As my health improved, I turned extra assured that I might return to my earlier health stage. Sadly, that didn’t occur, nevertheless it didn’t deter me from trying to cycle throughout the US to boost cash to feed Ukrainian refugees.
Q: The ebook highlights your response to the invasion of Ukraine as a turning level. What was it about that specific occasion that impressed you to take motion?
A: On February 24, 2022, I used to be rehabilitating my knees with a Steady Passive Movement Machine. This machine, which you should use whereas mendacity in your sofa, repeatedly strikes your legs like a bicycle. When my tv broadcast the information of Russia invading Ukraine, I couldn’t assist however really feel empathy for the folks of Ukraine. It introduced again recollections of 9/11/2001 when terrorists attacked the U.S. I bear in mind the world coming collectively and other people throughout wanting to assist us. I needed to do my half and assist the folks of Ukraine.
Q: Your story emphasizes the significance of resilience and getting again up after setbacks. Are you able to share one of the crucial troublesome moments in your experience and the way you discovered the energy to push ahead?
A: One of the vital difficult days I confronted throughout my bicycle experience throughout the nation was the day I biked 67 miles from Pampa, Texas, to Amarillo, Texas, towards a gradual 25-mile-an-hour headwind. That day took a toll on me, and I by no means totally recovered. For the remaining 5 weeks of the journey, I needed to battle with bouts of hysteria and insomnia. I needed to remind myself time and time once more of the difficulties that the Ukrainian folks should be going through, and that motivated me to hold on.
Q: You encountered unbelievable kindness from strangers throughout your journey. Have been there any specific moments of generosity or connection that stand out?
A: We as soon as stopped at Stroud’s Diner in Mayflower, Arkansas, for lunch. As John and I chatted with locals, they turned intrigued by us. When it was time to depart, John and I approached the cashier to pay. We had been shocked to listen to an nameless particular person had paid for our lunches.
A connection got here whereas staying in Choctaw, Oklahoma. After ending breakfast, I turned apprehensive. I used to be not within the temper to bicycle. An 8-year-old woman approached me and requested what I used to be doing with my bicycle within the lodge. After I instructed her I used to be trying to bicycle throughout the nation, her eyes lit up, and her smile was all I wanted to get again on my bike that day.
Q: Balancing bodily restoration, psychological well being struggles, and an bold charitable mission isn’t any small feat. How did you keep motivated and hold your mission in focus all through your journey?
A: Staying motivated throughout an extended journey takes work. I had but to study of the numerous adversities that I’d face. There have been extra good days than dangerous, however I centered on small targets in the course of the robust occasions. It could possibly be one thing like: “I do know I can bike for half the day in the present day,” or “Let me make it to our first break two hours from now.” I might even break these smaller targets into even smaller targets. “I do know that I could make it one other 5 miles,” or “I do know I could make it to that constructing within the far-off distance.” Breaking what could appear to be an unimaginable aim into smaller, extra manageable targets helped me immensely all through the journey.
Q: The ebook’s proceeds are being donated to 6 charities. How did you choose these organizations?
A: Right here is how I chosen them:
- The World Central Kitchen as a result of it was feeding Ukrainian refugees, and it was the charity for which I used to be fundraising.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Most cancers Analysis Basis — took care of a pricey buddy of mine throughout a most cancers scare, and so they have achieved distinctive issues for different firefighters.
- NYFF Burn Care Basis subsidizes the Burn Camp, the place I volunteer and assist New York burn survivors.
- Shriner’s Youngsters’s Hospital takes care of a few of the campers on the Burn Camp, the place I volunteer.
- Tower to Tunnels is one other firefighter favourite group that builds houses for these in want.
- St. Jude’s Youngsters’s Hospital is a charity that I’ve donated to for over 30 years.
Q: For readers impressed by your journey, what recommendation would you give to somebody seeking to flip their private challenges into alternatives to assist others?
A: Why not do it? My ebook evokes folks in some ways. You would not have to tackle a big or complicated problem to assist folks. Even small acts of kindness or charity can profoundly change another person. Lend a serving to hand when you can. Volunteer a day at your native church, hospital, or soup kitchen. One of many traces in my ebook is, “Life just isn’t a costume rehearsal. You solely get one shot at it, so why not try to make it rely.”
Biking for a Trigger is out there on Amazon.
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Joe Matthews is a retired Captain from the New York Metropolis Hearth Division who just lately revealed his first ebook Biking for a Trigger: A Cross-Nation Journey. He has lived his whole life on Lengthy Island, NY. He was a New York Metropolis firefighter for 22 ½ years, rising to the rank of Captain earlier than retiring on December 8, 2012. He has two kids. He’s now semi-retired. As a philanthropist, he enjoys taking part in guitar, volunteering, cooking, and making an attempt to remain match. Over the previous two years, he has fulfilled two long-held goals: In 2022, he rode a bicycle throughout the nation, and in 2023, he completed penning this ebook.