I simply set a goal to become a champion!

Today, we’re sharing the story of Ruslan. He is an incredibly open, communicative, and positive person. His story is inspiring, highly motivational, and a true example for others. So, let’s dive in…

Ruslan was born and raised in Marganets, Ukraine. He finished school and got a job. In 2003, he was in an accident, and a “New Life” began. Three months after being discharged from the hospital, he bought a motorcycle with a sidecar and started his own business. He started working out after he didn’t recognize himself in the mirror. He joined a powerlifting group, and four years later, he began competing in regional competitions among able-bodied athletes!

– Ruslan, how did you become a Master of Sports with a prosthesis?

– I was invited to train among able-bodied athletes, and there I learned about the Ukrainian championships for people with musculoskeletal disabilities. I worked hard on myself, and in 2017, I became a Master of Sports of Ukraine.

– That’s a huge achievement! Who supported and believed in you?

– I simply set a goal to become a champion! Some guys laughed at my ambition, but I didn’t care, and two years later, in December 2019, with God’s help and thanks to my coach, my dream came true — I became the champion of Ukraine.

– How comfortable and suitable was your first prosthesis?

– My prosthetics journey followed a simple logic — close to home and convenient to get to by bus. Accordingly, I got the simplest prosthesis: it didn’t bend at the knee when walking and had a Soviet-era foot. It was tough to walk and completely uncomfortable. When I saw the prostheses that other athletes were using, I realized I needed to focus not on convenience for travel but on finding a place that fitted comfortable prostheses with quality components.

I started looking for such a place and, after calling several prosthetics companies, I chose the Tellus Center in Odesa.

– Ruslan, what would you like to say to those reading your story?

– To anyone who thinks they’re missing something or can’t do something, I want to say: You just don’t want it badly enough — period! If you move forward, God will help you. Just act and work hard! And if you’re a man, you’ll always find a way out of any situation!