Pulling a 45,000lb fire truck isn’t the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about the hobbies of the people around you. And this thought is even more impressive when the person you are thinking about is an amputee. But that is exactly what Dan Nunnelly from Dallas/Texas did. He is one of the growing number of strongman (men and women) and power lifters who are amputees. Here is his story, which was originally published by yoocan.

On November 10, 2014 I was on my way to work riding my motorcycle as usual. A few blocks from my house, a driver ran a red light and broadsided me.

The accident left me with a broken neck and ultimatly the loss of my lower left leg. Lying in the hospital I started watching YouTube videos to keep myself entertained. (There is only so much reality TV that one man can take).

During my video searches I stumbled on a video of North America's Strongest Disabled Man. I was blown away watching these guys achieve these feats of strength. This was when I knew what I wanted to do.

My first day back at the gym was devastating. I couldn't benchpress an empty bar, and curling a 5 pound dumbbell with my left hand just wasn't happening. The nerve damage in my spine had affected me a lot more than anyone had realized.

I refused to let this stop me. I started with an online program from bodybuilding.com and followed that to a T. At the end of the 12 weeks, I felt myself getting stronger.

In June of 2015 I decided to hire a personal trainer. I found a trainer who not only had competed in the sport I was looking to compete in, but he refused to underestimate me despite the fact I was still on crutches.

Fast forward to April of 2016. I competed in my first strongman competition, North Americas Strongest Adaptive Athlete in Columbus, Ohio. I came in 4th place.

I have been competing in strongman competitions ever since. I am currently training for my first power lifting competition, and 2018 was the year that I made the transition from adaptive sports to mainstream sports.