Healthier Illawarra Men is thrilled to announce that John Maclean, an inspiring and celebrated athlete, will be the guest speaker for the Healthier Illawarra Men's International Men's Day Lunch. The event will take place at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach on Friday, November 22.

John Maclean's story is a powerful testament to overcoming adversity and embracing challenges as fuel for growth and achievement.

“The theme for International Men’s Day in 2024 is ‘Positive Male Role Models’ and I don’t think we could find a better example than John to host in Wollongong for what will be our third annual IMD event,” HIM chair Mark Sleigh said.

The HIM Committee reconvened in 2021 and in April 2022 produced the Gotcha4Life fundraising brunch with Karl Stefanovic and Gus Worland, raising over $35,000 for Gotcha4Life programs in the Illawarra. In total, the HIM Committee has raised $200,000 to support local organisations and initiatives.

John Maclean's story is one of incredible determination and resilience. In June 1988, during fitness training near his hometown in Sydney, John was hit by an 8-tonne truck while riding his bike. The impact left him with multiple injuries, including a fractured sternum, punctured lungs, and a broken arm, ultimately resulting in paraplegia. Despite the immense challenges and pain, John chose to rise above his circumstances, proving himself in some of the world's toughest sporting events.

In 1995, John made history as the first wheelchair athlete to finish the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon, a testament to his inner strength and perseverance. He went on to achieve numerous other milestones, including swimming the English Channel, completing the Molokai Ocean challenge, and representing Australia at the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. John also co-founded The John Maclean Foundation in 1998, dedicated to supporting young wheelchair users in Australia.

John's journey took an extraordinary turn in April 2013 when he began working with NeuroPhysics therapist Ken Ware. After 25 years in a wheelchair, John started walking again, achieving a lifelong dream.

In October 2014, John returned to compete in the Nepean Triathlon, the event he was training for when his accident occurred. He completed the race as a conventional athlete, walking the final 10 kilometres over three and a half hours.

John featured on Sunday 9 June’s Wide World of Sports panel and will be part of Nine’s commentary panel for the Paralympics in Paris.

Tickets for the Healthier Illawarra Men's International Men's Day Lunch are now on sale and are expected to sell out quickly. Don't miss this opportunity to hear John Maclean's remarkable story and be inspired by his journey of resilience and triumph.

For more information about Healthier Illawarra Men, please visit the Healthier Illawarra Men website.

John’s virtual speaking reel: https://vimeo.com/522158327