Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) is excited to share that one of our Combat Wounded Veteran Members, Jose Luis Sanchez, was featured on CrossFit HQ’s Facebook* and Instagram* page on Wednesday! Sanchez’s Facebook and Instagram posts showing his training, perseverance and hard core resolve at Warrior Fitness Center caught their attention.
In October 2011, SSgt Jose Luis Sanchez had no idea how drastically his life was about to change. While conducting a foot patrol in Afghanistan, Sanchez stepped on an IED, resulting in the amputation of his left leg below the knee, and an extremely damaged, but salvageable, right leg.
For the next four years, Sanchez would struggle daily to accept the man he had become. He hid from the world – physically and emotionally – because he feared how others would see him…his injuries. Yet he vigorously pushed himself in physical therapy so he would walk again. Then he began CrossFit, and physically pushed himself further than he ever imagined he could go. But still he hid away from the world.

In February 2015, Sanchez “came out of hiding” to show the world that he is no longer afraid, and to give back, inspire and motivate others who struggle as he once did. In June of last year – after some serious cajoling from fellow Combat Wounded Veterans, Cpl Nick Perales and Cpl Sebastian Gallegos – Sanchez joined an SDIA team participating in the Spartan Beast in Breckenridge, Colorado. Not only did he participate – he RAN the race.
Since then, Sanchez has participated in numerous SDIA-sponsored events (including the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Race in NYC), has become an Adaptive Athlete and is very open about who he is today, and how his injuries changed his life. He credits SDIA with getting him to open up to people again.
Jose, all of us at SDIA are incredibly proud of the man you are, and your spirit and drive to motivate and inspire others. We look forward to seeing where you go from here and being inspired by you every step of the way.
 
*The CFHQ posts have been removed at the gym owner’s request; the gym is not a CrossFit affiliate. However, you can still see the January 28 bar muscle-up post – as well as all Sanchez’s other inspiring videos – on Instagram and Facebook!