We recently connected with Aaron Baker and have shared our conversation below.
Aaron, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
As a person living with a spinal cord injury for more than 25 years, I have not just survived, but thrived because of three very specific areas of influence. The quality of my life began with the education and empowerment process of physical, mental and emotional rehabilitation. I rediscovered my passions in the world when I was reintegrated back into society through outdoor recreation programming. And, I have found purpose in advocating the necessity of investing in science and research. Our 501 (c)(3) non-profit, Adversity Into Adventure Foundation, highlights rehabilitation, recreation and neurological research as the three fundamental pillars (3R Ethos) by aligning and integrating with other high-impact organizations for the disabled community.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have spent over two decades rebuilding my body and redefining my life from complete paralysis. Through my adversity, I discovered a profound purpose and a deep passion for empowering others to live the highest version of themselves.
In 1999, as a professional motocross athlete, I sustained a career ending spinal cord injury. I fractured cervical vertebrae 4,5,6 rendering me a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chin down. I was given a “one in a million” chance of ever feeding myself again.
From the onset of my injury, the focus was on rebuilding and redefining life. I became a student of the mind and body, and mastered a set of fundamental tools I still use and teach daily.
Today, I am a recovering quadriplegic husband, father, adventure athlete, author, orator, entrepreneur and ambassador for spinal cord injury. I co-founded the Center Of Restorative Exercise and represent Red Bull’s non-profit charity – Wings For Life Foundation as a member of the Board Of Directors, USA and Chairman of the Ambassador Council.
Most recently, my wife and I founded Los Angeles based non-profit, Adversity Into Adventure Foundation, with a mission to enhance rehabilitation, recreation and neurological research by funding high-impact organizations for disabilities. Together, we embarked on route one of our World Tour, wheeling, walking and rolling along America’s Main Street, Route 66. 2, 448 miles from Santa Monica, CA to Chicago, IL with our message in motion – to create life enhancing opportunities for a diverse-abled world.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Life is all about pivoting… change is the only true constant! Once a professional motorsports athlete, life threw its first curveball – a spinal cord injury that ended my career and identity. The next 10 years were spent with my head down and eyes up as I ate, slept and worked at my recovery. In my time of need, I recognized the larger need for accessible rehabilitation post hospital discharge. My mother and I bridged a gap between physical therapy and regular fitness by opening our own facility in Los Angeles, CA. We worked that business for a decade, and exited prior to Covid when we sold the company. Faced with, yet again, a blank canvas, I put my pen to paper and published my memoir, “The Rebellious Recovery”. After the birth of our daughter, my wife and I founded a non-profit with the desire to pay forward the 25 years of experience that has lead me to a full life. With that in mind, we can embrace inevitable adversity and see obstacles as opportunities.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Having been injured in a time before social media, connections between people were through hand shakes, high fives and hugs. I have never lost sight of the importance of human physical interactions. At the center of our foundation is true heart felt understanding and empathy for those struggling with adversity. I understand this, because I live this and know how valuable our services are to a person’s quality of life. These are not wants, but absolute needs. I have built my reputation by living the words I speak.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imaaronbaker.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaaronbaker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.baker.9634
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-baker-5b077019
- Twitter: https://x.com/imaaronbaker
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t3t7BEMjLgQ0Xhc3bLrwg
- Other: https://www.adversityintoadventure.org
Image Credits
We own all photos.