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Claim to Fame: Ironman Triathlete
DOB: April 11, 1967
Diabetes Type: 1
Jay Hewitt is an Ironman Triathlete, member of the U.S. National Long Course Triathlon Team, a professional motivational speaker, and a practicing lawyer. While in his first year of law school at the University of South Carolina School of Law, Jay noticed that he was losing weight and becoming weaker and weaker. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 24. He says that he had no prior warning signs or history of the disease and believes that his diabetes was triggered by the stress of law school.
Jay was determined to not let diabetes control his life and strove to keep his A1C levels as normal as possible. He was also determined to not let diabetes prevent him from pursuing his athletic training. In 2002, 10 years after his diagnosis, he competed in his first Ironman race. The Ironman is a grueling competition consisting of a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. Since then, he has completed 14 more Ironmans and competed as a member of the U.S. National Long Course Triathlon Team at the 2004, 2005, and 2006 World Championships. Jay is the only person with type 1 diabetes to race with Team USA. In 2006, he and seven of his teammates set a record in the Race Across America cycling event by finishing in 5 days, 16 hours, and 4 minutes. Jay says that he races to prove that diabetes can't stop him from achieving his goals.
In addition to being a triathlete, Jay is also a motivational speaker. He speaks around the world on achieving personal and business goals, overcoming obstacles, life balance, and health. He has been an active speaker for the American Diabetes Association. He also practices business litigation as a lawyer in South Carolina, where he lives with his wife and daughter.
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Wasabi-Miso Marinated Flank Steak Baked Yellowtail Snapper with Onions Tilapia with Vegetable Topping Beet, Onion and Orange Salad Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins Pork Medallions with Orange-Rosemary Sauce Sesame Vegetable Medley Chocolate Almond Cheesecake Chili Bean Dip Scottish Oatcakes
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