(Shannon Galpin walks through the streets of Afghanistan with her bike. Photo: Mountain2Mountain) By Julie Huynh Like any other person turning the big 3-5, Shannon Galpin set out for an adventure-filled celebration. She packed up her single speed bike, helmet, and lycra, and prepared herself for a solo vacation in... Afghanistan? Wait... that doesn’t sound right. Who [...]
(Robert Thompkins grinds a handrail in his chair. Photo courtesy of Robert Thompkins) By Rachel Afraimi With Robert Thompkins, 32, what you see isn't exactly what you get. Thompkins grew up skateboarding the streets of San Diego. However, when he was 23 years old, he broke his back and severed his spine in a cliff diving accident. [...]
Photo: JordanSpieth.com September was a huge month for Purpose 2 Play. We talked to some of the most inspirational people imaginable, and thus, shattered our previous months pageview records. Here are our top five stories from the month. They're definitely worth another look. 5. Give A Kid A Dream Through Boxing at Gleason's Gym “They’re not bad kids at [...]
Damon Boiser sticks the landing in his wheelchair from 22,000 ft. Photo courtesy of Damon Boiser By Matt Petrero We here at Purpose 2 Play get to cross paths with some truly amazing people. And every time I think I have written an article whereby the human experience and determination could not get any more incredulous, I [...]
Grant Mattos played for the Chargers, Broncos, and Titans while in the NFL. Photo: GrantMattos.com By Matthew Case Football and yoga may seem like a unique pairing, but former NFL wide receiver Grant Mattos happens to be the human embodiment of the combination. Mattos grew up in Mountain View, California aspiring to play in the NFL [...]
Photo: Mile High Squash/Facebook By Kim Constantinesco It turns out that like prescription glasses can help people with poor eyesight see better, squash goggles can enhance vision and clarity for disadvantaged youth. After school, Justice Vigil, 16, packs up his backpack and hops on a bus. It seems like a fairly normal thing for a student [...]
(Jordan's favorite summer vacations are at the beach in Wilmington N.C. with family. Photo: JordanSpiethGolf.com) By Patti Putnicki There are a lot of 20-something gifted athletes; phenoms who play their sport with a precision that defies logic. We’re drawn to them. We, as fans, elevate them. And, sometimes, we watch them plummet from a catapult to greatness into [...]
Brent ready to take the field with his Southern Florida University teammates at their game. Photo: Team IMPACT By Kim Constantinesco While sports generally require a team effort, there are cases in which the addition of a single individual, a bench player in fact, can make all the difference in the world. Tufts Women's Basketball team had [...]
Photo courtesy of John Cardiel By Rachel Afraimi Ask any skateboarder to describe John Cardiel and the most commonly used word is 'Legend'. Cardiel was known for being fast and fearless. In 1992, he was named Skateboarder of the Year by Thrasher Magazine. In 2011, Transworld Skate Magazine named Cardiel the 11th most influential skateboarder of all time. [...]
Photo: Give A Kid A Dream By Kim Constantinesco Even though Brooklyn, New York is ever-changing, its history and character subtlety thread through the borough's worn cobblestone streets. That's its draw and its charm. There's a neighborhood Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO) that represents Brooklyn's longing desire to draw more people in, but still stays [...]