Game Changers: Incredible Stories of Resilience in Sports

Paralympian 2 x Gold Medalist Jack Wallace - S3 Episode 5

Linda Martindale

It’s always a privilege to sit down with Olympians and Paralympians—but this week’s guest takes resilience and versatility to a whole new level. Meet Jack Wallace: two-time Paralympic gold medalist, world-class sled hockey player, and sprint kayaker with Team USA.

On the ice, Jack is a powerhouse. At the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, he was named Best Defenseman—a title that speaks to both his skill and his grit. But he doesn’t stop at hockey. Since 2022, Jack has also competed with the U.S. Paracanoe national team, pushing his limits in sprint kayaking.

Jack’s story begins in New Jersey, where he grew up playing just about every sport—hockey, football, baseball, lacrosse, and wrestling. At age 10, his life took a sharp turn when a boating accident resulted in the loss of part of his right leg. One year later, at Camp No Limits—a program for kids with limb loss—he was introduced to sled hockey. That moment changed everything. By 2016, Jack had earned his place on Team USA.

And in true Jack Wallace fashion, he’s never stopped testing boundaries. A couple of years ago, he pulled off a feat few athletes could even imagine: competing in the World Para Ice Hockey Championships in Canada, then traveling halfway around the globe to race at the Paracanoe World Championships in Hungary—all in the same week. He missed qualifying for the Paris 2024 Paralympics in paracanoe by mere hundredths of a second, but that near miss only adds fuel to his relentless pursuit of greatness.

Jack Wallace is more than an athlete—he’s proof that resilience can open doors to possibilities most of us never dream of.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Game Changers. We hope you found inspiration and motivation in the stories of resilience and adversity shared by our incredible guests. Remember, no matter what challenges you face, your ability to overcome them lies within. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward towards your goals. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others who may benefit from these powerful stories.