As I settle into this training block in Ireland, I’m finding exactly the kind of environment that pushes an athlete to grow; not just physically, but mentally and strategically. The terrain is demanding, the weather keeps you adaptable, and every session requires intention. It’s the ideal setting to build the resilience and consistency I’ll need heading into the 2026 season, and it aligns closely with my mission of empowering people to move with confidence and purpose, no matter the challenges they face. For me, there is something about training in Ireland that sharpens you in ways no structured program ever could. The wind has a personality of its own, the rain arrives without warning, and the greenways roll endlessly through fields that feel almost ancient. It’s a place that doesn’t just host your training, it tests it. Being here right now, preparing for the upcoming triathlon season, has reminded me why I do this. Every session carries a kind of honesty. There’s no hiding from the elements, no shortcuts, no comfort zones. Between my mornings swimming at the University of Limerick and my afternoons on the Limerick Greenway, grinding through long rides past stone walls and open fields, Ireland has a way of stripping everything back to the essentials: effort, discipline, commitment, and heart. This upcoming season, with bigger races on the horizon, represents far more than competition. It’s a chance to demonstrate what resilience can achieve, to honour my journey as a Veteran and para‑endurance athlete, and to inspire others facing their own challenges. Ireland has become the proving ground for that mission. The tougher the conditions, the stronger the growth, and I’m leaving every session here more prepared, more focused, and more determined to make this season count. This material does not constitute medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult a physician for specific treatment recommendations. Get to know the writer Stephen La Salle, Stephen served for 12 years as member of the Canadian Armed Forces. As a member of the reserves he worked with the Cadet and Junior Ranger Support Group as both Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer and Unit Public Affairs Representative. For his dedication to the cadet program The Canadian Armed Forces awarded him the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. While on duty in the spring of 2018, Stephen was conducting a training exercise where he sustained a serious injury to his lower leg that caused nerve damage and the discovery of a rare neurological condition that left him with debilitating pain and the inability to recover from the injury.
View Stephen La Salle, Meet Stephen – Client Ambassador Meet Motion’s newest client ambassador, Stephen! Stephen is a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran who became a wheelchair user after an injury to his lower leg led to the discovery that he had a rare neurological condition. Read more about Stephen’s story below, including his passion for physical activity as a para-endurance athlete. My name is […] Learn more View Sue Gilpin, CEO at Motion International Wheelchair Day 2026: Celebrating the Power of Mobility, Community, and Client Voices On International Wheelchair Day, I’m filled with gratitude, inspiration, and renewed commitment as we celebrate the strength of individuals who redefine what mobility means – not as limitation, but as possibility, independence, and purpose. At Motion, every client story reminds us why our work matters and why we must keep innovating, listening, and supporting. Our […] Learn more View Callie Foster, Meet Callie – Client Ambassador Motion is excited to introduce our newest client ambassador, Callie! Callie is a 26-year-old graduate student in Critical Disability Studies, disability advocate, and wheelchair user who turned a sudden onset of chronic illness into a powerful source of purpose. Drawing from lived experience, Callie’s work centres on accessibility, radical accommodation, and universal design, with a […] Learn more Previous Next