February 2010 was a magical time in Vancouver. The weather, the people,  the parties, and Olympic spirit infected us all. Armchair coaches haunted every big screen corner and everyone had a “story” to tell.

Kevin Jagger was no exception. Having played football at McGill, Kevin had a career in Investment Banking before leaving to help build a small media company.  He had watched some of his former teammates who had been drafted to play pro ball, and all that infectious energy infected Kevin too.

For him, it was a re-connection with his love of sports….something the corporate life had dulled. He was at an all-time high weight and an all-time low fitness level, when he realized he wanted to do something extraordinary.

Coming from a business-planning background, he took a pragmatic approach to this new idea, too. He would need access to facilities, training and support. He evaluated his physical capabilities and the requirements of a variety of sports. In his search, he found long track speed skating.

Picture this: At the time, Kevin was carrying 220 pounds on his 6 foot 1 inch frame. He had not been on skates since he was about 12 years old, and these new skates were like nothing he had worn before! It is rare for a 26 year old to get started in speed skating – or any other Olympic pursuit, I should think – but he was not to be deterred. All this probably sounds a little far fetched, but in meeting Kevin and talking with him, his energy, commitment and sheer joy in his dream are simply impossible to deny. He is living an altered existence, building a whole new life.

With all the hours this takes, he now works on his sport full time. He bikes everywhere, eats differently, is dropping weight dramatically (30 pounds and counting), and is working hard for his next big test.

He has incredible buy-in from his family, girlfriend and friends. His brothers support and sponsor him in different ways and he has also made some incredible connections in the elite speedskating world.
• Catriona LeMay’s sister is a coach, who took the time to talk with him
• Nancy Goplen, the Team BC Amateur Coach, invited him to a 2 day camp (him and a bunch of 12-year-old junior girls = check your ego at the door!), which helped him evaluate his strengths and areas for work
• Joanna Russell engineered a workout with a recently retired member of the Canadian National Speed Skating team
• That brought former Olympian Brock Miron into Kevin’s life and training schedule. Having battled back from severe injuries in his own career, Brock understands the total-body approach to training for this very specific sport. Kevin’s life has changed.
• Brock introduced him to Jeremy Wotherspoon (500m World Record Holder), and now Kevin will be able to to tap into Jeremy’s braintrust of knowledge and experience while training in Calgary ( home to the fastest speed skating ice in Canada).

This week in Calgary will be his first time on an actual speed skating oval! Brock thinks he has a chance of success – Kevin is willing to do the rest.
Let Kevin share his Calgary experience at http://www.longtracklongshot.com.
Remember this: Speedskating is the world's fastest human-powered sport. Would you dare?