of an accident. when you're sort of up and coming, you got hit by a car, is that right? >> yes. i had a successful amateur career as a racer and my first professional year i was kind of really looking forward to it. i had picked up sponsors that were supporting me. and the spring of my first year before my first race even i got hit by a car and broke my back, broke three vertebrae in my back. it was, you know, it was a tough one to take at that point in your career. >> did you think it was over. >> for a little bit, yes. the struggle, you have to definitely survive something like that mentally, not only physically but mentally and know you can come back. it's thinking that you're going to be strong enough again. >> and you were. and in 2001, you won the iron man here in kona. it was just about a month after the tragic attacks of 9/11.