We are excited to announce our newest MitoQ ambassador, Gary Hall Junior. Over his 15-year competitive swimming career for the United States national team, Gary has amassed an impressive number of achievements.
He won his first round of medals at the 1996 Olympic games winning two individual silvers and two team relay golds. He also helped set the world record in both the 400m freestyle and medley relays.
Devastating Diagnosis
In 1999, Gary’s health and career took a hit when he received some devastating news. The 24-year-old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a condition in which your body produces little or no insulin, the hormone that fuels the breakdown of food into energy. Doctors told him he would never swim competitively again.
For most sportspeople, this would be a career-ending diagnoses but for Gary, it was just another hurdle. He took a short hiatus from swimming and focused on learning more about diabetes.
The ultimate comeback
The more Gary discovered about diabetes the more he found he could manage it. By taking a proactive approach to his diet and exercise regime he was able to return to training.
In the ultimate comeback, Gary returned in time to compete in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. There he won the 50m freestyle and placed second in the 100m freestyle. His 50m time, at 21.76 seconds set a new American record, beating the ten-year old record set by Tom Jager.
His success continued at the 2000 Summer Olympics where he tied for a gold medal and won the gold and silver in the team relays. He also won the bronze in the 100m freestyle.
Again, at the 2004 Summer Olympics Gary won the gold medal in 50 m Freestyle. He also won a bronze medal for competing in the preliminary heat of the men's 400-meter freestyle relay.
Awesome Advocate
Since this time, Gary’s focus has shifted, and he is using his accomplishment in sport as a platform to advance diabetes advocacy. For over 20 years, Gary has amassed an influential network and is currently an active healthcare consultant with a focus on diabetes care providing board support, strategic alliance, marketing and public relations strategy, international sales and distribution services, advocacy, awareness/outreach planning and implementation.
In 2013 he was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame, having won a total of five gold, two silver and three bronze medals from 1996 to 2004.
Gary has long known about the importance of supporting his cellular health and has been taking CoQ10 supplements for years. When he found out there was a product that enters the mitochondria 100s of times more effectively than any other CoQ10, he knew he had to have it. That is where his MitoQ journey began.
Gary and MitoQ
At MitoQ, it’s important for us to partner with ambassadors who share our values and vision. Gary is a natural fit as his passion for health and helping others extends to all areas of his life. He has three times testified before Senate subcommittees on healthcare related issues and was a featured speaker at the 2016 Vatican-hosted Cellular Horizons conference on stem cell therapy. One of his health initiatives was recognized at the Aspen Institute's Project Play Summit.
“I am proud to let the world know that a person living with a potentially devastating chronic health condition can also be the fastest swimmer in the world and make it into the Olympic Hall of Fame. Ultimately, that makes a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis a little less scary for some kid and their family. That is something that I can be proud of.”
With the help of Gary, we hope to educate the world about the importance of mitochondrial health. We are passionate about providing people with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and believe that Gary has the platform to help us to do just that. Welcome to the MitoCrew Gary.
To read more about our MitoQ Ambassadors, click the link below.
