Tune out the naysayers and embrace your dream

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By Daryn Kagan, Staff Writer Updated 3:38 PM Saturday, October 23, 2010

Scott Rigsby talks about legs the way most women talk about shoes. Like us gals, he has a pair for just about any occasion.

He’s got a pair for running. There’s another for just walking around. Don’t get him started on his cycling legs. He’ll go on all day about those.

Scott lost his right leg as a result of a truck accident when he was 18 years old. He battled for 12 years to keep his left leg, but the infections and complications were just too much. Finally, he begged doctors to amputate that one as well.

Sure enough, soon after Scott let go of the thing most people thought he was crazy to give up, a treasure showed up in his life. He discovered a dream and a purpose.

Scott decided he was going to become the first person to complete the Ironman Triathlon using prosthetics. We’re not talking a stroll in the park. The Ironman is the ultimate fitness competition: a 2.4-mile ocean swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride, wrapped up with a full marathon — a 26.2-mile run.

The big race was 10 months away when I went to interview Scott. I had to strap on my running shoes just to capture some time with him. I quickly learned this is a man who understands the value of time and how best to spend it.

There were plenty of people telling him he would never reach his goal. What more proof did he need, they’d point out, than the fact that no one had ever done it before?

Scott brushed off the naysayers as effortlessly as flicking sweat from his forehead as we jogged down the road.

“Daryn, I have what I call my ‘energy budget,’” he explained in his slow, south Georgian drawl. “Most folks understand a financial budget — how much they can spend on rent, food, clothes and the extras. I see my day the same way. I have a finite amount of time. My power is deciding how I’m going to spend it. I have a lot to do. Swim, bike, run. Sorry, I have no energy budgeted for folks who just want to tear me down.”

How brilliant is that? The Energy Budget! It’s come in so handy as I’ve worked to create my own website and company built around telling inspiring stories.

Cynics who whine that no one really wants to hear good news... sorry, no time for you!

I’m too busy gathering stories for the millions out there who really do enjoy this service.

The next time your own finish line seems like a far-away dream, take a look at your own energy budget.

Who’s getting your attention? Negative nellies who want to tear you down or cheerleaders who want to help you make your dream come true?

Think about what Scott was able to accomplish. He crossed his finish line — a pretty major one — a year and a half after he started training.

As he triumphantly threw up his arms, Scott said he didn’t hear a single one of those people who told him his dream couldn’t and wouldn’t come true. How could he? The roar of the crowd was deafening as they witnessed history being made. Above the cheers, all Scott could hear was the PA announcer, “Scott Rigsby, YOU are an Ironman!”

Daryn Kagan is the creator and host of DarynKagan.com, an online community that features a daily Web cast of inspirational stories. The former CNN anchor and news reporter is the author of “What’s Possible! 50 True Stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make a Difference.”

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