In 2009, Ian Bowen's life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis. A rare disease that left him needing spinal cord surgery that caused him to be paralyzed from the chest down.
At just 32, with two young children and a promising career, doctors told Ian he would never run again. But instead of accepting defeat, Ian chose to defy medical expectations through sheer willpower, determination, and what he calls Positive Persistence.
His rehabilitation journey was gruelling, requiring him to relearn basic tasks like sitting up and standing. With every small victory, Ian’s mindset strengthened, leading him to adopt the RINSE Methodology: Remember, Imagine, Notice, Shift, and Expect—a framework he now uses to inspire others to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.
In 2009, Ian Bowen's life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis. A rare disease that left him needing spinal cord surgery that caused him to be paralyzed from the chest down.
At just 32, with two young children and a promising career, doctors told Ian he would never run again. But instead of accepting defeat, Ian chose to defy medical expectations through sheer willpower, determination, and what he calls Positive Persistence.
His rehabilitation journey was gruelling, requiring him to relearn basic tasks like sitting up and standing. With every small victory, Ian’s mindset strengthened, leading him to adopt the RINSE Methodology: Remember, Imagine, Notice, Shift, and Expect—a framework he now uses to inspire others to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.
Here is how I earned my PhD in comebacks:
At 32 years old, I was married, had two young children, and had a promising beverage industry career. That all changed when I started to have strange tingling sensations in my legs. Those sensations grew into chest pain and eventually a diminished ability to walk. All of this led to me having spinal cord surgery, which discovered I had a chronic disease called Neurosarcoidosis. The good news was it’s treatable. The major setback was the surgery left me paralyzed from the chest down. My doctors said I would need a walker or crutches to walk again and that my running days were over. It took me 13 years to prove them wrong and make my comeback when I ran my first marathon.
Ever had a setback in life you didn’t see coming?
After months of physical therapy, I could return to work full-time with my walker. Since I could not fulfill my job duties, I was demoted (twice), my salary was cut in half, and with my family to support, I found myself in a “dead-end” job. Talk about an ego bruiser.
Ever feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders?
After leaving that job, I jumped into entrepreneurship as a personal trainer and bought a private gym with the full moral support of my wife. Little did I know I bought a failing business. After 5 years of blood, sweat, and tears, I shut it down and started a franchise gym from scratch.
This time I didn’t have the moral support. As a matter of fact, I was told, “This is your dream, not mine…..I don’t want any part of it.” Which didn’t help the sting of going $80k in debt to start my business.
I ended up leaving that marriage, found someone who supported my dreams, built a team, and now have a business recognized as one of the top 10% worldwide in the franchise.
Have you had that feeling of being stuck? And that if you just had some help, you know you could take it to the next level.
Here is how I earned my PhD in comebacks:
At 32 years old, I was married, had two young children, and had a promising beverage industry career. That all changed when I started to have strange tingling sensations in my legs. Those sensations grew into chest pain and eventually a diminished ability to walk. All of this led to me having spinal cord surgery, which discovered I had a chronic disease called Neurosarcoidosis. The good news was it’s treatable. The major setback was the surgery left me paralyzed from the chest down. My doctors said I would need a walker or crutches to walk again and that my running days were over. It took me 13 years to prove them wrong and make my comeback when I ran my first marathon.
Ever had a setback in life you didn’t see coming?
After months of physical therapy, I could return to work full-time with my walker. Since I could not fulfill my job duties, I was demoted (twice), my salary was cut in half, and with my family to support, I found myself in a “dead-end” job. Talk about an ego bruiser.
Ever feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders?
After leaving that job, I jumped into entrepreneurship as a personal trainer and bought a private gym with the full moral support of my wife. Little did I know I bought a failing business. After 5 years of blood, sweat, and tears, I shut it down and started a franchise gym from scratch.
This time I didn’t have the moral support. As a matter of fact, I was told, “This is your dream, not mine…..I don’t want any part of it.” Which didn’t help the sting of going $80k in debt to start my business.
I ended up leaving that marriage, found someone who supported my dreams, built a team, and now have a business recognized as one of the top 10% worldwide in the franchise.
Have you had that feeling of being stuck? And that if you
just had some help, you could take it to the next level.
In 2022, Ian achieved what doctors thought impossible—he ran his first marathon, a testament to his mental fortitude.
Today, Ian is not only an athlete but also the owner of Fit Body Bootcamp in Chesterton, IN, and a dynamic motivational speaker.
Through his business, coaching, and public speaking engagements, Ian shares his journey of overcoming adversity and helps others tap into their potential, crush limiting beliefs, and rise beyond their challenges.
Ian's story is not just about survival; it's about thriving despite the odds. His experiences offer hope and inspiration to anyone facing obstacles, proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
Ian lives an active lifestyle with his wife and six children, continually striving to inspire those around him to find their own inner strength and greatness.
Whether through his speaking engagements, coaching, or podcast, Ian helps people unlock their potential and push beyond their limits.
Ian Bowen's journey from paralysis to marathon running is an inspiring story of what it means to turn adversity into triumph. Through this story, Ian has crafted his RINSE methodology- a powerful tool that helps you break free from limiting beliefs and overcome life's toughest challenges.
In 2022, Ian achieved what doctors thought impossible—he ran his first marathon, a testament to his mental fortitude.
Today, Ian is not only an athlete but also the owner of Fit Body Bootcamp in Chesterton, IN, and a dynamic motivational speaker.
Through his business, coaching, and public speaking engagements, Ian shares his journey of overcoming adversity and helps others tap into their potential, crush limiting beliefs, and rise beyond their challenges.
Ian's story is not just about survival; it's about thriving despite the odds. His experiences offer hope and inspiration to anyone facing obstacles, proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
Ian lives an active lifestyle with his wife and six children, continually striving to inspire those around him to find their own inner strength and greatness.
Whether through his speaking engagements, coaching, or podcast, Ian helps people unlock their potential and push beyond their limits.
Ian Bowen's journey from paralysis to marathon running is an inspiring story of what it means to turn adversity into triumph. Through this story, Ian has crafted his RINSE methodology- a powerful tool that helps you break free from limiting beliefs and overcome life's toughest challenges.
Husband and wife team, Dana and Ian Bowen, bring a unique "power-couple" dynamic to the thought-leader and coaching space. Together, they offer insights that go beyond the surface, focusing on what really works—aligning the heart and mind to achieve the seemingly impossible.
For high-achievers who crave practical, no-nonsense strategies to live a fulfilled life without self-help fluff, Dana delivers a refreshingly honest approach to personal growth and high performance.
Ian brings experience and expertise to his mindset message. Living as a paraplegic taught him the true meaning of Positive Persistence, and he shares the HOW and WHY through his RINSE Methodology.
Together, Dana and Ian offer real, down-to-earth advice that resonates with people tired of superficial “just think positive” slogans. With a mix of unfiltered honesty, humor, and authentic partnership, they help high-achievers grow in ways that feel real, relevant, and achievable.
Through their podcast "Positive Persistence with Ian Bowen" , speaking engagements, and Ian’s personal coaching program, Dana and Ian guide their audience toward lasting change. Together, they are a trusted source for high-achievers ready to level up—powered by Dana’s wisdom and wit, and Ian’s grounded persistence and proven RINSE Method. It's more than just high-performance; it's real talk, delivered with a wink and a practical path forward.
Ian Bowen is a dynamic motivational speaker who brings his message of Positive Persistence to groups of all ages and
sizes. Ian shares his personal story of how he was left paralyzed after a rare and debilitating disease and how through
the concept of RINSE (Remember, Imagine, Notice, Shift, and Expect), he is now a marathon runner.
Book Ian today to hear the story of his incredible journey and empower your group with Positive Persistence.
Guests of the United Way in Porter County listened with intense focus as Ian shared his incredible journey from being paralyzed in his thirties to the marathon runner he is today.
His high-energy, positive message resonated with the audience as they asked engaging questions.
Ian spoke about the concepts of his RINSE method, which allowed him to step into his highest potential as an individual. After the talk, Ian stayed to engage with the audience, who thanked him for sharing his moving story.
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Ian Bowen delivered a compelling and positive speech to the Army National Guard in Gary, Indiana, under the facilitation of Captain Bridgette Kelly.
The session was highly interactive and informative, focusing on mindset and breaking through limiting beliefs.
Ian engaged with the young Warriors, inspiring them to persevere and succeed despite challenges they may face.
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Ian Bowen’s presentation, “Positive Persistence: Crushing Limiting Beliefs,” held on Monday, March 11, 2024, was a transformative experience for attendees.
Throughout the session, Bowen captivated the audience with his insights on the power of mindset, focusing on strategies to overcome self-imposed limitations through persistence and optimism.
Attendees were treated to a wealth of practical advice and real-world examples, urging them to challenge their beliefs and break free from their comfort zones.
Bowen’s emphasis on resilience and determination resonated strongly with the audience, inspiring them to embrace a new outlook on pursuing their goals with unwavering confidence.
By the end of the presentation, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation, armed with the tools to navigate their challenges with a mindset of positive persistence.
Ian Bowen’s talk undoubtedly left a lasting impact, empowering individuals to push beyond their boundaries and unlock their full potential.
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Ian is the man! His speech at the Fit Body Bootcamp mastermind was nothing short of inspirational. With a heart of gold, Ian captivated the audience with his powerful story of persistence and the importance of controlling our mindset.
His motivational delivery was emotional and engaging, showcasing how our thoughts and beliefs shape our outcomes.
Ian took us on a journey, providing actionable steps that resonate with anyone facing challenges.
He exemplified that anything is possible with self-belief and hard work, reminding us that quitting is never an option.
I highly recommend booking Ian to inspire your crew—you'll be grateful you did!
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Ian was one of the most engaging speakers that has visited our school. Ian was able to engage and hold the attention of a gymnasium full of elementary students with no PowerPoint, no props, just his inspiring story of resilience and a positive mindset!
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I enjoyed listening to Ian's inspiring story. I thought it was amazing that he took such a negative experience and turned into a positive one. The steps he shared to overcome one's own challenges seemed straightforward and attainable. I'm looking forward to utilizing them in my own life.
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