Inspiring Conversations with John Prescott of WheelWod Inc, Neuse River CrossFit and Wheelpay

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Prescott.

Hi John, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey through adaptive sports started in 2012 when Logan Aldridge walked into my old CrossFit affiliate. As arm amputees, we were forced to figure out how to complete the intended stimulus effectively. That interaction brought me to Miami, where I met Chris Stoutenburg, founder of WheelWod, and began working closely with adaptive athletes. The next eight years involved working with WheelWod doing programming, and volunteering at the competitions where adaptive athletes were present. We are hosting the biggest adaptive athlete competition in the world here in Raleigh on December 2-4. This primary event used to be hosted in Northern Ontario, and last year was moved for the first time into the states and hosted at Neuse River CrossFit here in Raleigh. This year we’ve expanded and rented the 48,000 sq ft Expo Building at the fairgrounds. While the venue has changed, the mission has not, and we will do our best to grow the community and the opportunities provided to them.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest hurdles is that typically adaptive athletes are underemployed, so they cannot facilitate monthly dues. Much of my time was spent working one-on-one with these athletes to make them better humans. Another of the biggest issues around the success of these particular athletes is that there is minimal sponsorship or competition money opportunity. So even though they are high performing fittest on earth, the money has not come their way despite organizations using the powerful imagery they create as advertising.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about WheelWod Inc, Neuse River CrossFit, and Wheelpay? What should we know?
Neuse River CrossFit employs three adaptive athletes as coaches and is co-owned by an adaptive athlete. While partnering alongside WheelWod, has created an opportunity for my gym to accelerate in adaptive sports.

What do you do/specialize/know for?
I am the part owner of the three mentioned businesses above. Although recently undergoing a life-saving brain surgery, I have been able to maintain and be involved in all three businesses. At WheelWod, I am most known for organizing and facilitating the correspondence and running of competitions. At Neuse River, I am most well known for my coaching ability and being able to connect with each of my athletes. At WheelPay, a transaction software company new to the CrossFit space, I am most well known for building and fostering relationships with the new gyms, doing the demos, and answering questions through the conversion process.

What sets you apart from others?
My ability to relate to people sets me apart from others. My fundamental belief that everyone deserves health and wellness helps me to connect with people regardless of where they are on their fitness journey.

What are you most proud of?
I am most proud that my organization is recognized in CrossFit as one of the best-regarded platforms for adaptive athletes to pursue their dreams. WheelWod has also recently become a household name on the global level in adaptive programming and competition.

What do you want our readers to know?
I want our readers to know that Neuse River is a home for everyone regardless of physical, emotional, or mental roadblocks. I also want our readers to know that through WheelWod, there is a space for adaptive athletes to be competitive on the highest of levels or help them create a better quality of life through incorporating fitness.

What matters most to you? Why?
I have built my life around the successes of others so what matters to me most is ensuring that I give them a platform for success because that is just who I am.

Pricing:

• 39.99 / mo WheelWod Programming – Unlimited adaptive programming

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wheelwod.com
• Instagram: @wheelwod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wheelwod/
• Other: www.wheelwodgames.com

Image Credits
Leslie Alexandra Photography