#23 - Patrick Bohan: Overachieving in Life and Cycling

I am joined today by Patrick Bohan, the author of “How a Neurological Disorder Changed My Life for the Better.”  Patrick is a writer and an avid cyclist who has won state and national championships despite being afflicted by two neurological disorders.

While it’s true that Patrick has two neurological disorders, but they do not have him. 

Listen in as Patrick explains how his outlook on life and a simple philosophy of always overachieving allows him to do more than seems possible. His story is amazing.  We all can learn from his example in not making excuses, never feeling sorry for himself, and never giving up. 

When you look up the word “Grit” in the dictionary, you should see a photo of Patrick standing atop a podium after he has beaten completely healthy, very strong cyclists in state and national level time trial events. Patrick lives by the philosophy of over achieving in whatever he does, and the results speak for themselves.

Patrick suffers from the neurological disorder, multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) from which there is no cure.

MMN is marked by muscle atrophy, difficulty walking or lifting items, cramping, muscle twitching and muscle spasms, muscle tightness and discomfort, lack of mobility in the affected muscles, loss of Achilles reflex.

And if that wasn’t enough, Patrick also suffers from cramp fasciculation syndrome (CFS) and Peripheral Nerve Hyper-excitation (PNH) … a major symptom of which is paresthesia (par-uhs-thee-zhuh) in hands and feet, cold hands and feet, numbness in all affected muscles, stabbing pains, buzzing sensations among other annoyances. 

As a result of his medical conditions, Patrick is required to spend 14 or 15 hours a day laying down in discomfort and fatigue.

We all can learn from his example in not making excuses, never feeling sorry for himself, and never giving up. 

Patrick’s Bio

I am an engineer by trade and avid cyclist who has won state and national championships despite being inflicted with two neurological disorders. Currently, my diagnosis is both cramp fasciculation syndrome (CFS) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), but the diagnosis can change since my disorder does not fit into any one bucket of disorders. I am the author of several books including the Adventures of a Bike and his Boy. I enjoy the outdoors and love living in Colorado.

It is possible to improve athletically over the age of 50 with a debilitating neurological condition. Furthermore, improvement may come in the absence of athletic genes (or slightly favorable). I achieved athletic success with a debilitating neurological condition for four reasons. First, training techniques can alter muscle protein composition overcoming physical limitations. Second, training can teach the body to bypass diseased cells by creating alternate neural pathways for the brain and muscles to communicate. Third, cycling is the great equalizer in sports. What I mean by this is that cycling is a sport that enables older individuals and people with disabilities to remain fast and competitive. Finally, disease influences personality traits such as resiliency, grit, and mental toughness to overcome physical limitations such as pain.

Patrick’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.bohan.9

Patrick’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Neurological-Disorder-Changed-Life-Better/dp/B08WK51VNB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=patrick+bohan&qid=1617135941&sr=8-1

Patrick’s children’s book: https://www.amazon.com/ADVENTURES-BIKE-HIS-BOY-Castle/dp/B08VFJ5YJL/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=patrick+bohan&qid=1617135964&sr=8-2