Meet John-Edward Heath | Professional Athlete

We had the good fortune of connecting with John-Edward Heath and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John-Edward, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk-taking is very scary, as humans we are used to security and the known. Risk-taking is what helped with my career and I would not be here if it was not for the risk I took on myself three years ago. The hardest part is going into debt and betting everything on yourself because security makes you feel safe and when making a decision that could potentially leave you without money some may not have the courage and the fear of risk-taking can take over. When I look back on many risks I have taken I would not take them back. The development it played in my personal and professional career will always remind me that it was the right decision to make. We need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable is a saying we see all over social media, but I truly believe true character development is in that space.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a T-64 Professional Sprinter and a Lower Extremity Adaptive CrossFit Athlete. I am currently training for the 2024 Paralympic Games along with expanding adaptive sports. My passion has become the education of adaptive sports and general knowledge on amputees. Training in Cincinatti I have had the oppurtunity to train with Bengal, FC Cincinatti and Reds players where I have been the only Paralympic/Adaptive athlete they have ever met. There is little to zero understanding how much prosthetics cost, general body care that is required for an amputee and how there is little to no resources for professional adaptive athletes. This path has not been easy as there is a huge mental toll that is taken after a traumatic event like an amputation. But luckily through different support systems and groups I have been able to speed track my athletic career. What everyone needs to understand is that no matter what is thrown your way you can overcome it and achieve great things.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would not make it in the city without my spot Good Plates Eatery. Not only becasue of thier food but also becasue of the relationship I have with the owners Jamie and Andrew Schlanser. They turned thier establisment into a home for a lot of the pro athletes in the area. Another addition is all of the things they do for the community. From food banks for those in need to coat drives in the winter. This spot will have you coming back for more food but the mission behind the food is larger.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without community, we are nothing. Without those who believe in us every step of the way, we would not find success. In 2021 I was introduced to Dr. Nick Rohlfs a doctor of chiropractic for the Cincinnati Reds who does so much work in the Cincinnati community at Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and Moeller High School. Nick became a very close friend of mine not only in my professional athletic career but also in my personal life. The passion he has for his athletes and his community is unmatched and I would not have had a successful career without his care and always ensuring my body was ready for training and competition. Highly recommend any who needs movement prep help along with chiropractic, seek him out.

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Image Credits
Bruce WIlliams (BAW Media) Elizabeth Cox Jose Matias