On Dec. 5, 2003, after experiencing numbness and tingling in his lower extremity, as well as coordination problems, Leonidas Katsetos was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He continued to live a normal carefree life, and the disease ended up in remission. But in Sept. 2007, he woke one morning to stroke-like symptoms. Katsetos had lost motor control on the left side of his body. He could not utilize his left arm and properly control his left lower extremity without the use of a noticeable limp. He was struggling to walk. In Dec. 2007, Katsetos regained full function of his extremities and decided to make a change in his life. Once he did, he never looked back. “I have MS,” Katsetos told StrengthUSA.com. “It doesn’t have me.”
Through a healthy lifestyle, Katsetos lost over 45lbs. of unhealthy weight and began to rebuild his body. He started running 5K and 10K races in hope of working toward a triathlon. In Sept. 2009, Katsetos competed in his first sprint triathlon, only after learning how to swim three weeks prior. He was hooked, and a mere two weeks later, Katsetos competed in another sprint triathlon. “I was bit by the bug,” he said. “I was addicted.”
So far this year, Katsetos has completed three more sprint triathlons and one Olympic distance. On Aug. 21, Katsetos finished the grueling Ironman 70.3 Timberman in New Hampshire, consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. Katsetos, who plans to continue training and competing in triathlons, anticipates a future in completing a full Ironman‘s 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run.
After growing up in the small town of Chincoteague Island, Virginia, Katsetos spent his whole childhood and high school days playing sports. Appropriately, he is currently in his 10th year as the Associate Head Athletic Trainer at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Katsetos is responsible for the prevention, recognition, rehabilitation and treatment of injuries for athletes involved in all 32 intercollegiate sports at the university.
“My diagnosis was a blessing in disguise, a gift that would allow me to help others,” Katsetos said. “I needed to make a difference with my own life in order to make more of an impact on others with this disease, because after all there is no changing the cards that I have been dealt.”
