HOUSTON – It was 29 years ago this month that Kevin Saunders’ life was changed forever. “Thanks to the good Lord I got a second chance,” said Saunders. A grain elevator explosion left him paralyzed from the chest down so that second chance wasn’t going to be easy. “Physical injuries didn’t kill me,” said Saunders. “The self doubt and the deep depression that I went through almost did.” But a wheelchair race a year after the accident in Georgia changed all that. Since then, Kevin has made it a mission to encourage everyone, especially young people, to stay active and never give up. A message he learned through fitness.
“It means a great deal to me to be able to help the young people get excited about improving their education to enable them to make healthier choices for fitness activities and the foods they eat and to be able to make a difference in the communities across America,” said Saunders.
5:00 a.m. CST – I woke up and got things ready to go. We received a donation from Ron Sanderson, a guest at the hotel, that morning during breakfast. Again, I just want to thank everyone who has contributed to this Tour. With their support and enthusiasm, I know the Tour will be a success and that together, we will be able to win the war against obesity.
6:00 a.m. CST – We got packed and ready to go. We left some thank you cards and spoke with people before we left.
6:30 a.m. CST – I departed for WISH-TV-CBS for a 7:40 A.M. live interview with Anchor Pam Elliot, on the “Good Morning Indianapolis” show. Pam Elliot was a great interviewer. She really covered the subject well and we were able to let her know that the Big Push and Revolutions tour was to raise awareness and to demonstrate that if I could push my wheelchair across America paralyzed from the chest down, then anyone can become healthy and fit whatever their limitations or adversity they must overcome. We discussed that after the Big Push, I would continue my fight for fitness and write and publish the book “Revolutions” about my journey and plans to improve
The speaking engagement to the USF Bulls went great! The players and coaches were really fired up to hear me speak and I was excited to speak to them and get to see my good friend Head Coach Jim Leavitt. Before I went I knew these guys were capable of doing great things and after meeting them I’m even more excited about their chances this year. I tell you, Coach Leavitt knows how to get the best out of his players so look out for the Bulls this year. In giving them a little motivational coaching I told them they had to think a little like Mike Tyson when he was starting out. He said you train and work harder than anyone so you know you can take care of business. When you enter the ring (or field of competition) and see your opponent standing in the way of where you want to go you’ve got to kill’em and take them out! I let them know they had to give their very best, work harder and smarter than the competition and forge their way to the championship one opponent, one game at a time. I explained that they had to out train, out think, and be more dedicated than any other team. I let them know that to achieve their goals they had to stay focused and sharp as a razor blade. The players and coaches seemed to really respond positively to what I had to say. I had them all sign a team ball we called the 2009 USF Constitution for football promising to do their best and never take the easy way out. They all were enthusiastic about the journals I provided for them and promised to keep track of their progress everyday by writing their daily improvements, goals, sacrifices, and a teammates name and position, grade and something about their teammates goals, home, or favorite things to do, etc. Coach Leavitt liked what I had to say as well and said he was going to hold each team member accountable to what they had promised when they signed that football. Coach Leavitt also wrote a quote of mine on the chalkboard so they could see it every day; “Never let the thought of taking it easy ever enter your mind.” Well I bet these guys live by that this season and beyond. So if you’re up against the USF Bulls, look out because when it comes to their opponents they’re gonna kill’em, cook’em and eat’em!
10:00 a.m. CST – This morning I was presented a Proclamation from Mayor Peterson. As a way to thank the mayor’s office for their support and commitment to the Kevin Saunders’ Health and Fitness Tour of America, I presented Mayor Peterson with a plaque. I gave an impromptu motivational presentation to let everyone know the purpose for this Tour and that I would continue spreading my message of motivation and inspiration during my journey. I challenged the city to get in shape before I returned. I offered to provide tools and resources to help with the efforts that are currently ongoing in the Indianapolis area to make everyone healthier. My new book, “Revolutions” is a great motivational tool full of tips and information about the tour. My other books, “Blueprint for Success” and “There’s Always a Way” are available as well at 
In addition to being a Paralympic wheelchair athlete and author I work as a motivational coach and inspirational speaker. In that role I’ve been invited to speak to the University of Southern Florida Bulls today. Bulls head coach Jim Leavitt and I worked together at Kansas State where he was the co-defensive coordinator while I was the team’s motivational coach. At that time under Coach Bill Snyder’s leadership Kansas State Football experienced what was later referred to as the greatest turnaround in college sports history. Here in Florida Coach Leavitt has created his own amazing story taking this team from non-existence to Division 1-A status in just five short years. Coach Leavitt is truly a man that lives the philosophy of never give up and there’s always a way.
8 a.m. CST – Dora and I went to the Black Hawk Christian Church. We listened to Pastor Kelly Byrd who spoke on the subject of Father’s Day and about how women need to be strong for their husbands. It is the women who help provide the strength for fathers. It was a good message with all of the demands (physically, mentally, and emotionally) that are on my wife, Dora. The message reminded me to always be thankful for her love and support and to never take it for granted. I enjoy visiting new churches. As a church speaker I get to speak to various congregations and get new spiritual inspiration each time I speak. I was even invited to speak on Robert Schuller’s “Hour of Power”. It was a great honor and provided a lot of inspiration. As a motivational speaker I always enjoy my speaking engagements but when I present as a church speaker it’s even more special. The inspirational faith I see in the parishioners is always uplifting. I hope everyone out there can find their own inspiration and motivation to live better lives and be happy. Just make a promise to improve a little every day and life will get brighter and brighter.