CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 51 pace. Even though he was technically still recovering from hip surgery, Matos pointed out to me that Castro was preparing for an upcoming marathon, the All- American Mike to Mike Half-Marathon. At this point, I felt I should try harder, so I upgraded my leisurely stroll to a brisk jog. Aer we tried out a few more machines, Castro challenged me to a handstand. At this, I scoffed. Running without sight was one thing, but a handstand, I couldn't even do one without a blindfold. Both Matos and Castro took me to a corner wall to demonstrate how easy it was. Matos, who has more experience doing handstands, did one by herself, while Castro, who had only recently began practicing the exercise, accepted Matos assis- tance, without any hesitation or hint of ego. Blindfolded, I decided to take them up on their offer, and with the assistance of both, I managed to do my first handstand, which was as invigorating an experience as the two had promised. When we were able to sit later, and with the blindfold finally off, I asked Castro about how he has become so self-assured. He reminded me of the handstand from earlier, pointing out that accepting help and trusting in others was one of the biggest things he had to learn before he could accomplish everything he has set out to do. "Even while I was sighted, I was very blessed to have really great people around me, and now, even more so," Castro said. "We all have times of struggle, we all have our times when we need a little helping hand. Very few things in life are done solely by ourselves. Whether it was running marathons, going to the South Pole, even coming to the gym today, I have been very blessed to have people to help me. A lot of people put a lot of their own personal goals aside to help me, and that doesn't go unnoticed." To learn more about the Special Operators Challenge and the Special Operators Foundation, go to www.specialoperatorschallenge.com and www.specialopera- torsfoundation.org, respectively. In November, Castro will publish his first book about his life. CV After a short drive in which I tried to distract myself from my discomfort with a series of awkward questions about whether being blind enhanced any other senses (yes, I seriously asked this. I am not proud), we arrived at what I determined, by the smell of body-odor and grunt sounds, to be a gym. Photo by Laney Branch CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE 910.323.2409 www.FiveStar-Entertainment.com The Military Ball and Special Events Specialists Professional DJ Services Audio-Visual Rentals Photo Booths Karaoke Event Lighting Unit Crest Projection Dance Floor Rentals FREE Backdrop Photography 1239 Fort Bragg Road Fayetteville, NC 28305 (across from Hilltop House) Custom Monogramming • Custom Appliqués • Women's Apparel • Children's Apparel • • Custom Monogramming • Custom Appliqués • Women's Apparel • Children's Apparel • Custom Monogramming • Accessories • Monogramming and Custom Designed Appliqués By Kellie Blindfolded, James Johnson spins with Darlene Matos and Ivan Castro at The Spa Fitness Center.

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