Double Amputee to Ironman: Sidney Smith | The Conquer Cast Ep 014

Sidney Smith never envisioned living a life without legs. Diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive neurological disorder, he was forced to adapt—but he never let it stop him. In this episode, Sidney sits down with Trevor Farnes to share the life-altering decision to amputate his legs, the struggles and triumphs that followed, and the miraculous story of his Ironman journey.

If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, Sidney’s story will inspire you to push through and conquer every obstacle in your path.

The Decision That Changed Everything

Sidney’s condition began to affect him in fifth grade, causing difficulty in sports and everyday movement. Despite the challenges, he refused to let it define him. For years, he wore braces to support his legs and endured multiple surgeries. But by the time he turned 30, his mobility had significantly declined.

When doctors told him that amputation was his best option, Sidney and his wife took time to pray, reflect, and seek guidance. Though it was a terrifying decision, he ultimately found peace in knowing it was the right path.

🚀 “I wanted to be able to play with my kids, provide for my family, and live without constant pain. It was time to take control of my life.”

The Journey to Becoming an Ironman

While recovering from surgery, Sidney watched the Ironman World Championship on TV. He had never considered endurance sports before, but something inside him sparked:

🔥 “That’s what I want to do.”

From that moment, he set his sights on becoming an Ironman—a grueling challenge that includes:
🏊 2.4-mile swim
🚴 112-mile bike ride
🏃 26.2-mile marathon

He trained relentlessly, overcoming setbacks like infections and blisters, and in 2019, he crossed the finish line of the Florida Ironman—proving that his limits were only mental, not physical.

Overcoming Darkness & Finding Gratitude

Despite his incredible achievements, Sidney opens up about the mental battles he faced, particularly during recovery. At his lowest point, he wondered:

💭 “Is this life really worth it?”

But two things pulled him out of despair:

1️⃣ His daughter – Watching her learn to walk at the same time as he was learning to walk with prosthetics made him realize that he couldn’t give up.
2️⃣ Faith & Gratitude – He turned to God, choosing faith over fear and shifting his mindset from “Why me?” to “Thank you for this journey.”

🌟 “I started listing everything I was grateful for—my family, my job, my faith, my opportunities. That’s when I realized: This trial was given to me for a reason. I wouldn’t change it.”

Lessons from Sidney’s Story

Sidney’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and perseverance. His key takeaways for conquering life’s challenges:

✔ Choose faith over fear – When faced with the unknown, lean into faith and take action.
✔ Embrace gratitude – Instead of focusing on what’s missing, appreciate what you have.
✔ Push your limits – The hardest obstacles lead to the greatest rewards.

Sidney’s story is a testament to the power of human endurance—both physically and mentally.