Ivan Castro
Major (Ret) Ivan Castro's never quit attitude has allowed him to serve 28 years in the US Army, as an Army Ranger, and as an elite member of the Army's Special Forces, also known as Green Berets. Ivan enlisted as a young Private and advanced in leadership and became an Officer, obtaining the rank of Major before he retired. His career included deployments around the world, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, South and Central America, to name a few.
Although this would be an accomplished career for most, what is remarkable, is not this twice awarded purple heart veteran's military awards and credentials, but his so-called recreational activities. In the past 11 years, Ivan has run over 60 marathons, skied over 200 miles in extreme weather conditions to reach the South Pole with Prince Harry, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, cycled across the United States, completed over 500 miles of El Camino de Santiago, and ran with the Bulls in Spain. He even found time to write a book with New York Times Bestselling Author Jim DeFelice, titled "Fighting Blind".
Ivan understands what it means to take life by the horns. Many of these feats would be amazing in themselves, but he completed them after sustaining life threatening injuries in combat leaving him permanently blind.
Ivan battled back from his injuries and remained on active duty for another ten years, becoming the only blind soldier serving in Special Forces until his retirement.
Listen to Ivan's message of resiliency reminding us that life is a choice of how we respond to adversity and all we need is the courage to move forward through the darkness after any setback or failure.
Major (Ret) Ivan Castro's never quit attitude has allowed him to serve 28 years in the US Army, as an Army Ranger, and as an elite member of the Army's Special Forces, also known as Green Berets. Ivan enlisted as a young Private and advanced in leadership and became an Officer, obtaining the rank of Major before he retired. His career included deployments around the world, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, South and Central America, to name a few.
Although this would be an accomplished career for most, what is remarkable, is not this twice awarded purple heart veteran's military awards and credentials, but his so-called recreational activities. In the past 11 years, Ivan has run over 60 marathons, skied over 200 miles in extreme weather conditions to reach the South Pole with Prince Harry, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, cycled across the United States, completed over 500 miles of El Camino de Santiago, and ran with the Bulls in Spain. He even found time to write a book with New York Times Bestselling Author Jim DeFelice, titled "Fighting Blind".
Ivan understands what it means to take life by the horns. Many of these feats would be amazing in themselves, but he completed them after sustaining life threatening injuries in combat leaving him permanently blind.
Ivan battled back from his injuries and remained on active duty for another ten years, becoming the only blind soldier serving in Special Forces until his retirement.
Listen to Ivan's message of resiliency reminding us that life is a choice of how we respond to adversity and all we need is the courage to move forward through the darkness after any setback or failure.
Fighting Blind
Ivan will discuss his life story, love of the military, devastating injuries that left him blind, and the mental anguish of survivor's guilt. His daily fight to survive and remain himself has led him on a long twisted journey around the world to places like the South Pole, Kilimanjaro, and across the Sahara. You will walk through his moments of complete darkness, and despair and learn how the power of athletics and competition provided him with a vision and gave him the courage...
Moving Through Adversity One Step at a Time
Finding Vision Through Risk
Ivan will discuss the important concepts of vision and velocity; vision, so you can see the risks ahead, velocity, so you can move forwards and take these risks on, head strong. Your audience will leave realizing risk is essential for growth and everyone is responsible for navigating their own success.
Lessons in Leadership
