BIO: Robert Paylor suffered a spinal cord injury in 2017 while playing rugby. He has picked himself up to defy the odds. Robert graduated from UC Berkeley, is winning the fight to walk again, and is sharing his method of how he overcomes quadriplegia.
STORY: Robert suffered a spinal cord injury while playing rugby and could not move anything below his neck. He fought so hard to walk again to satisfy himself, but after a letter from one of his rugby trainees battling cancer, Robert realized that he needed to fight his challenges to inspire others.
LEARNING: To overcome challenges, you must first believe that you can. You can overcome your challenges, do not let the world tell you otherwise.
“The more positive affirmations we give ourselves throughout the day, the more positive we become and the more able we are to take on life’s challenges.”
Robert Paylor
In one moment, Robert Paylor was on the best day of his life, competing for the collegiate rugby national championship. In the next moment, his life changed forever. Robert suffered a spinal cord injury in the first minutes of the game and found himself face down on the turf, unable to move anything below his neck.
His doctor told him he would never walk or move his hands for the rest of his life. Through an unbreakable vision and relentless determination, Robert is defying the odds. He has graduated from UC Berkeley, is winning the fight to walk again, and is sharing his method of how he overcomes quadriplegia.
Every person faces challenges; Robert’s are just visible. The skills Robert uses to overcome paralysis can be used by all to optimally perform. His message is one that inspires others to access their full potential and conquer their challenges no matter how daunting they may seem. Visit https://www.robertpaylor.com for more information.
On May 6, 2017, Robert played at the collegiate rugby national championship when a player tackled him. He lost his footing and dropped to the ground snapping his neck. He could not move or feel anything below his neck. Robert could tell something was wrong, and at this moment, all he could think of was his goals, dreams, and aspirations.
When Robert found out that he could not walk, he wanted to get better for himself. He just wanted to get better and nothing else. Robert just wanted to be able to stand up on his feet, feed himself, and go back to school. Just for his satisfaction.
This need for self-satisfaction changed very quickly. One day after his injury, Robert’s high school was hosting a prayer service for him. He would typically teach rugby to young players at the school and share this passion with them.
As Robert was chatting with his dad about the service, he showed him a photo of a young lad who was fighting for his life. His skin was white as a sheet, and his body as thin as a rail. After a closer look, Robert recognized the guy. He was one of the high school kids that he trained.
The student’s mom had written a message to Robert telling him that his son wanted so badly to be at the prayer service to pray for Robert, but he couldn’t because he was undergoing chemotherapy. He was wearing Robert’s rugby shirt because he inspired him. And because of Robert, the student was fighting hard to beat cancer so he can play rugby. At the end of the message, the mom asked Robert to stay strong and keep smiling because his strength was...