From the pages of Peak Region Cyclist Magazine

Interview by David Pico

Iraq war veteran Justin Widhalm came home from the Middle East with a broken back, brain injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other injuries. But he never gave up hope and today he is a member of the U.S. Paralympics Team. Widhalm knows how to fight and that's why he is an honorary chairperson for the Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure scheduled for July 16th.

How has breast cancer affected you or someone you know?
My wife's mother is a breast cancer survivor, a wonderful woman. During this ride, first and foremost in my mind, of course, will be my mother-in-law.

What brought you to become a chairperson of this ride?
I was actually asked by my friend's fiancé, after we met at the 2010 US Paracycling Track National Championships. I got a call the day after the championships wondering if I might be interested. I was so honored, humbled, and scared at the same time.

I realized that when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer that I did not really do anything. I watched as my wife was hurting and feeling helpless, worrying about her mother. I don't want another mother, daughter, grandma, aunt or sister to be lost. Life is about action, when we see something wrong, we need to do something rather than just let it take our loved ones.

What does this ride mean to you?
This ride means a lot to me. It is a chance to give something back. Growing up we were not rich, the most valuable gift we could give was our time. I believe that there is a lot to be said for giving what means the most to you.This ride is not just to bring about awareness for breast cancer and research. It is a celebration of life, the tenacity with which these women have met this disease head on and come out on top is somethingthat needs to be celebrated.

What has cycling done for you?
Cycling to me makes all things possible. I was first introduced to the sport as a means of physical therapy after being injured as a soldier in Iraq. I never thought of how it was helping me mentally, I just knew that I never wanted to get off the bike. It has served as a passport to possibilities that I never knew were there.
I had a broken back, brain injury, foot and knee reconstruction, and Post Traumatic StressDisorder after serving in Iraq. The door that cycling has opened for me is both physical andmental. Cycling allowed me to dream of greatness once again, so much that we named my daughter Londyn because of the London Games in 2012.
It helped me mentally because it gave me confidence again that I was so lacking at the time. Physically, what is a better workout than cycling? It was something that I could do and not be in pain. The biggest door that it has opened for me is the opportunity to represent my country again, this time on the playing field.
From someone who could barely walk in 2009, to making the US Paralympic Development Team in 2010. “Amazing Awaits” is not just a saying, it is a way of life.

What do think cycling brings to the fight against breast cancer?
Cycling brings a never-say-die attitude. You learn a lot about life and a lot about yourself in those lonely hours spent training. You learn what you truly can endure, how to push yourself, and what you are really made of.
These are such great life lessons that can truly take someone from feeling like a victim to being a survivor.
Who or what kind of people would you like to see ride in the Ride for the Cure?
Simply put, everybody. Cycling is a sport that anyone can do. I have had the pleasure of riding internationally with some of the most amazing human beings on the planet, from stroke survivors, to people missing limbs, to athletes in wheelchairs.
I remember growing up I had a poster on my wall that had a world champion lightweight wrestler and a world champion heavyweight wrestler standing next to each other. The poster simply said, "Anybody can wrestle." That is how I feel about the sport of cycling, "Anybody can cycle." You just have to find the bike that will work for you.
What impact do you want to achieve personally with this ride?
My biggest goal for this ride is to increase awareness of breast cancer, the need for research, and to celebrate the heroes that have defeated breast cancer. These heroes walk next to us every day, not bragging, but just going about their everyday lives like nothing happened. They should never go unnoticed, they need to be celebrated.