Local sports producer overcomes health crises to compete on ‘American Ninja Warrior’

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By Charlie Walters

SAN FRANCISCO — A area sporting activities radio producer overcame considerably more than just the problems of demanding schooling to become an “American Ninja Warrior.”

Sports are a given in Chris O’Connell’s day by day daily life, whether or not he is manufacturing athletics at 95.7 the sport, or coaching for the levels of competition-based mostly actuality show. It can be straightforward to see his like for athletics.

However, it’s what you cannot see about his previous that totally tells his story.

“When I was 3 yrs previous I identified out — my parents uncovered out — I had a congenital heart ailment,” O’Connell spelled out.

As a youngster, sports activities had been a forbidden fruit for O’Connell, however he admits he “was normally a athletics enthusiast.” The only challenge was his health care provider instructed him to preserve his heart price down, which held him absent from any arduous bodily exercise until adulthood.

“I barely did any exercise routines ahead of I was 21,” explained O’Connell. That’s how old he was when a new health practitioner he’d seen gave him the environmentally friendly light to start out functioning out. 

“For the 1st fifty percent of my daily life they explained to me to slow down,” claimed O’Connell. “So if I’m likely to exercise, I’m heading to train for American Ninja Warrior and do that.”

"American Ninja Warrior" contestant Chris O'Connell
“American Ninja Warrior” contestant Chris O’Connell.

CBS


Chris educated for his prospect at a spot on the present for 3 years till he was completely ready to mail in his audition tape, right all-around the time his spouse geared up to beginning their very first child….

“In just two months, my life altered fully. I wished to attempt out for ‘ANW.’ Rather, I observed out I would want my second heart surgery,” O’Connell mentioned. “I was meant to be in there [the hospital] for 3 days I was in there for 11. My wife stayed by my facet the overall time, sleeping on a cot when she was a few months pregnant.”

After surgical treatment, Chris had to recuperate for 12 months. It was during that time his son Cavin was born, main to a different challenge existence threw his way.

“At his two week checkup, that’s when we discovered out he necessary coronary heart operation as well,” he reported.

Like Chris, Cavin was a coronary heart warrior too…

“I have to slow him down. He’s also my little ninja. He swings on the ropes and operates up the wall,” O’Connell said.

8 many years just after the birth of his son, the two shared the nationwide stage together on “American Ninja Warrior.” O’Connell arrived up an obstacle limited, but if his tale has taught us anything, beating obstacles is what he does best…  

” However have still to strike the buzzer. Up coming year I want to strike that buzzer and be on top rated of that wall,” he stated.

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