The way Robbie Peime is today shaped by his decisions and actions of the past. Robbie has learned valuable lessons and implemented these into his everyday life. Robbie believes that with enough determination you can achieve anything - whether it be as small as learning to put shoes on again or something as big as becoming an Ironman.

Robbie was involved in a head-on collision between a car and his motorbike at a combined speed of 180km/hr. He was left in a state, described as a broken man with a high chance of not making it through the night. With most of his body being mangled by the accident, a strong possibility of having his arm amputated and a severed spinal cord - a complete paraplegic.

The surgeons were able to salvage Robbie’s arm, although being severely damaged in the accident, Robbie was unable to do most tasks which resulted in his time in rehab feeling useless. Once Robbie reached home after nearly a year in the health system, his future seemed bleak. Robbie was an 18-year-old who couldn’t shower, toilet, or even put himself to bed. His independence had been stripped away from him, causing a chain reaction leading to spiraling depression.

It took many years before Robbie’s attitude and outlook changed. Robbie found an outlet through exercise. The more weight he lost and the stronger he got, the easier it was for Robbie to be independent and not rely on others. As Robbie continued to progress physically, he set his sights on becoming an Ironman. He was using Ironman as a motivator for his everyday life. Throughout the grueling competition, Robbie continued to tell himself to never stop moving, no matter how hard it got. Some days are harder than others and we need to remind ourselves to just keep moving.

After Ironman, Robbie was left unfulfilled and looking for the next best thing. He had to always set his sights on achieving other physical goals that pushed his body to the extreme. Robbie was unprepared mentally for what would be thrown at me next.

From being able to put all my focus into training, his mental and physical health was tested once again, and Robbie found himself on permanent bedrest for the best part of a year. Then the mental challenge began. He had lost all coping mechanisms that helped manage his mental illness, which prior to this year was through physical challenge. Robbie now had to work on refining his mental game.

The thing Robbie wants to show people is that it wasn’t his physical ailments stopping him, it was self-doubt. Everyone doubts themselves, although the goals and constraints may be different. Now, Robbie travels across Victoria to reach as many diverse groups of people as possible. He shares his story across many platforms, including the T.A.C, Australian Red Cross, Big Build Metro

Project, Level Crossing Removal Project as well as many secondary schools across metro and regional Victoria.

Robbie discusses his life and the struggles that he has come across, to motivate those who are listening to make even the smallest change to improve their outlook. Robbie focuses on overcoming adversity and how you can use your “weaknesses” and turn them into strengths through resilience.

As well as sharing his own story to help inspire and motivate those he meets, Robbie also consults with a group of organizations on how to close the gap between able-bodied and those living with a disability. He is heavily involved in extreme sports and is very passionate about demystifying the stigma that surrounds living with a disability and being able to participate in these activities. Robbie’s goal is to enable those living with a disability to enjoy the same activities with friends and family. Accessibility means inclusivity to Robbie. This is one of the key driving forces that Robbie had behind him when he completed an Iron Man, he was on equal ground alongside everyone else.

Robbie has found my purpose, and it is to inspire YOU to achieve your ‘Iron Man’.

SPEAKER TOPICS:

Extreme Sports | Disability | Overcoming Adversity | Discrimination | Inclusion