George set himself the goal of walking 3 marathons in 3 days and shared his progress on social media, raising money and proving his MS doesn’t define him.
Life threw me a curveball in 2021 when I lost 80% of my vision in my right eye. It was just the start of a journey that included falls, tests, and ultimately an MS diagnosis in March 2022. My life was turned upside down. The road was tough— I experienced a lot of fear and uncertainty—but it also led me to Overcoming MS.
When I discovered the Overcoming MS Program, I realised I could take control of my health through diet, exercise, and stress management. It sounded intuitive to me so I started it very early on. I was already exercising and bodybuilding but had to adapt and change how I did things. Finding the Program was such a positive contributor to my mental state in those scary early days.
I’ve always liked a challenge, and the Overcoming MS 300 Challenge felt like the perfect way to push myself while raising awareness about MS. There’s a misconception that everyone with MS is wheelchair-bound or bed-bound. I wanted to show people that, yes, MS brings challenges, but those challenges don’t define us.
For me, the 300 Challenge was also a way to tell my story and share my diagnosis with people beyond my close friends and family. As a young, healthy-looking man, there are a lot of societal expectations. Sharing my experience helped me lift that weight off my shoulders and helped give others a better understanding of MS. Lastly I wanted to do it for me – I wanted to do something significant and get a feeling of accomplishment from it.
For the 300 Challenge, I walked three marathons in three days. The hardest thing was actually the sleep – I was so pumped up I hardly slept those 3 nights! It was really hot as well. The first day went well, but by the second and third, the heat, fatigue, and my MS symptoms made every step feel like a mountain.
One of my biggest challenges was that when I get fatigued, my leg gets spasmic and feels heavier and heavier, like dead weight. I wore a splint for the second and third day, but still, the last 10 miles nearly killed me. But I pushed through—I’d set a goal, and I was determined to achieve it.
Preparation was key I even saw a I saw a podiatrist who gave me advice on socks and individually wrapping my toes! I made sure to:
Knowing my symptoms could flare up temporarily but wouldn’t cause lasting damage gave me the confidence to keep going.
Asking for donations directly can feel awkward, I did that with a couple of people and I was glad I did because I got some really good donations. But I found sharing my story on Instagram easier. I used a series of videos and posts on Instagram to explain what MS is, how it affects me, the fear of when I got diagnosed, and why I was taking on the challenge. This approach inspired empathy—not pity—and motivated people to donate.
My advice? Be open about why the challenge matters to you. Share your personal connection, articulate the challenges, and make people part of your journey.
For me, the 300 Challenge was a personal victory, a way to prove to myself what I’m capable of. I guess what I did was pretty significant but it should be whatever the bar is for you. This isn’t about competing with others. It’s about setting a goal that’s meaningful to you—something that will make you proud of yourself.
Whatever your challenge is, preparation is key. Do your research, pace yourself, and set yourself up for success. As the saying goes: “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”
Are you ready to take on the 300 Challenge this January? Remember your challenge doesn’t need to be as extreme as the one George took on, it should be tailored to you. Click here to sign up today, set your goal, and start your journey to making a difference.
