Roderick Sewell was an active kid. Born without tibias in both of his legs Roderick wrestled with his cousins and climbed every surface of his grandmother’s home. When he was two years old his mother, Marian, made the incredibly tough choice to have his legs amputated to save his life. That didn’t stop Roderick, a rambunctious toddler who could hardly sit still while his body healed.
But when his mother's modest income couldn’t cover Roderick’s prosthetics, she made another impossible decision: to leave her demanding job working for the US Navy and go on unemployment. That way California Children’s Services would pay for Roderick’s prosthetics that would enable him to walk. Roderick and his mother were left homeless and moved from California to Alabama. All the while she instilled in him the lessons of gratitude, love, and patience that aided him as he built confidence in his disability and pursued his passion: sports.
Roderick was still homeless in Alabama when he met coaches from the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which helps athletes with disabilities. They gave him his running legs, and his life quickly changed for the better. He learned how to swim, how to challenge his body, and how to be a fierce competitor and athlete—all with his mom cheering from the sidelines.
Iron Will is the story of an athlete with an indomitable spirit and proof that an athlete’s mindset is about more than physical and mental endurance. It’s about enduring love, support, and the willingness to try.
The story of the first bilateral above-the-knee amputee to become and IRONMAN champion.
Roderick Sewell II was born without the tibia in both of his legs. Before he turned two years old, his mother, Marian, made the tough choice to have his legs amputated so that he could continue wrestling with his cousins and climbing his grandmother’s good furniture. But when Marian’s modest income couldn’t cover the prosthetics Roderick needed to attend school, she made another impossible decision: to leave her job so that California Children’s Services would pay for Roderick’s prosthetic legs.
Roderick and his mother were left homeless, keeping their long stays in shelters a secret while he learned to swim at the YMCA. All the while, Marian instilled in Roderick the lessons of gratitude, love, and patience to build his confidence in his disability, his identity as a Black boy, and his true passion, sports.
Roderick was still homeless when he met coaches from the Challenged Athletes Foundation. They gave him his running legs, and his life quickly changed for the better. He learned how to challenge his body to become a fierce competitor and athlete—with his mom cheering from the sidelines all the while.
Iron Will is the story of an athlete with an indomitable spirit and proof that a winner’s mindset is about more than physical and mental endurance. It’s about the unique places you can find love, and the rewards of conquering your fears.
