Roderick Sewell II made history in 2019 when—at just 27 years old—he became the first double above-the-knee amputee to complete the IRONMAN World Championship. His journey is a powerful testament to athletic determination, personal triumph, and the power of family, sacrifice, and unshakable will.
Born without tibias in both legs, Sewell’s future was shaped by his mother’s courageous decisions. Before he was two years old, she made the difficult choice to have his legs amputated so he could live an active life. Later, when she couldn’t afford the prosthetics he needed, she quit her Navy job—plunging them into homelessness—so California Children’s Services would cover his care. Through years of living in shelters battling poverty and uncertainty, Sewell credits his mother with instilling in him a deep sense of purpose, gratitude, and resilience.
Sewell’s life changed forever when the Challenged Athletes Foundation gave him his first running blades and helped him begin training as a competitive athlete. Fueled by his mother’s unwavering support and a growing confidence in his identity as a Black disabled athlete, he pursued sports not just as a passion, but as a platform for impact.
Sewell’s memoir, Iron Will: An Amputee’s Journey to Athletic Excellence, tells his powerful story overcoming systemic barriers, fighting for disability rights, and showing the next generation of youth with disabilities that they are seen, capable, and powerful.
A magnetic and sought-after speaker, Sewell captivates audiences with hard-earned lessons on perseverance, the importance of community, and the mindset needed to rise beyond what others believe is possible— embodying his motto, “If you want to go fast, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together.”
