Oz Sanchez

While growing up in the Los Angeles area, Oz Sanchez’s early life was marked by abuse and family dysfunction. His late teens were riddled with drugs, misdirection, and the common street life for a youth in the city. In 1996, he opted for a different life and joined the Marine Corps. Sanchez instantly fell in love with the military culture and decided to make a career of military service.

In 2001, after five years of service and following two deployments to the Middle East, Sanchez’s life took a tragic turn. One Saturday morning near his home, Sanchez was involved in a severe motorcycle accident, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left him with permanent paralysis in the lower extremities.

Following the accident, Sanchez fell into deep depression and lost all hope for a meaningful life. He spent the better part of the decade battling hopelessness and deep depression, merely going through the motions of day-to-day life… but the mind is a resilient and plastic entity.

Following some soul searching, Sanchez chose to redefine himself and began to move forward in life. He enrolled in school, dedicated himself to his studies, and earned his master’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University. He also actively pursued sports and is now a three-time Paralympian, winning a total of six medals in three game appearances. A seven-time world champion, Kona Ironman finisher, and now a motivational speaker, Sanchez takes great pride in his role as a mentor for the wounded warrior community and as a source of inspiration for anyone suffering from depression or struggling with life’s many challenges. He firmly believes that with passion and purpose, there is no obstacle that can stop us.

His message: Know No Limits.