216: Jeremy Poincenot Podcast

In today’s episode of ‘Finding your Summit’ podcast, host Mark Pattison, former NFL Player, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and mountaineer who has climbed the Seven Summits, talks with guest, Jeremy Poincenot (Inspirational Speaker & Blind Golf Champion – providing perspective to help others see the power of interdependence). He shares his incredible life story, experience and professional journey as a successful player in the world of golf despite being blind.
Listen to “EP 216: Jeremy Poincenot world champion blind golfer Podcast” on Spreaker.

Episode Highlights

• 01.46 – Mike introduces Jeremy and says, “I’m just going to break the ice, and I’m sitting here talking to you and your story is really amazing.”
• 03:40 – Jeremy reveals that he is the first person in his family to be diagnosed with this disease so the family didn’t know they had it or carried it until he lost his sight.
• 05:30 – Jeremy answers to the query of how he mentally dealt with the reality of suffering from an incurable disease at the age of 19.
• 08:30 – Mark asks Jeremy how he thought about golfing as a way to liberate himself from the place that he was in.
• 10:25 – Jeremy says that in the United States Blind Golf Association, they are going have their 75th National Championship this year.
• 12:40 – He describes how his dad has played an integral part as his guide/mentor in his journey of becoming a successful golf player.
• 14:50 – Jeremy explains what he does for the chip shots, and then when it comes to putting, he walks it off and paces it off from the ball to the hole.
• 17:20 – Mark enquires from Jeremy about the sensation and reality in his day-to-day life.
• 19:20 – Jeremy mentions that he and his dad were really good friends growing-up, he played golf with him when he was fully sighted from when he was 12 till he was 17 — until he went off to college.
• 21:30 – The guest answers Mark’s query, “Give me an idea what your life looks like today.”
• 23:35 – As per Mark, it is interesting that while technology for some people may be seen as a negative, it can be very beneficial for people who have challenges.
• 25:50 – Jeremy informs about his non-profit – CURE, and its cause. He says it’s a really cool experience to raise money and awareness, selflessly and it’s a really fun thing to do every year with a great group of guys to help raise funds for this disorder.
• 28:07 – He gives out the links for his social media accounts and website.

3 Key Points

1. Jeremy mentions that Golf is such a hard game as it’s a visual sport and hence he thought he would never be able to play the game again. But it’s actually his mom who found the United States Blind Golf Association and said that there are tournaments all over the world. Initially, Jeremy was reluctant in wanting to try it, but gradually he resolved to give it a go.
2. Jeremy states that the sensation and reality in his daily life is like, “One hand on top of the other, put them right in front of your face and look around the room, you’re in with your hands directly in front of your face and it’s comparable to a donut. I can’t see anything through the donut, and it’s just completely blurred out”.
3. He talks about his non-profit “CURE” – Cycling under Reduced Eyesight, a Fundraising Bike Ride that they do every year to help raise money and awareness to find a cure for the disorder that he suffers from. “CURE” was created by Jeremy and his roommate at the time when he lost his sight.

Tweetable Quotes

“You became blind at the age of 19, and I was going through and I was researching some of this.” – Mark Pattison

“I’m now legally blind with no central vision, and lost complete central vision in a matter of months.” – Jeremy Poincenot

“Of course I still have those depressed days, I still have those denial days, it’s natural, but I think you kind of have to go through those stages to finally reach acceptance.” – Jeremy Poincenot

“Yeah, so golf is an individual sport and Blind Golf is a team sport.” – Jeremy Poincenot

“He is the guy champion trophy and it’s really cool to share that bond.” – Jeremy Poincenot

“That’s what we’re here on this planet for, and I’m lucky that I’ve learned at a young age that it’s okay to ask others for help and I’m all about it.” – Jeremy Poincenot

“Technology has done wonders for my life since losing my sight.” – Jeremy Poincenot

“So, you can make that race, whatever you want to make it the big picture, but at the end of the day you’re out there trying to help people.” – Mark Pattison

“I think we need to change our perspective on how we view asking for help.” – Jeremy Poincenot

 

Resources/ Links
Jeremy Poincenot: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram