Running wasn’t always something Peyton was passionate about. In fact, he never ran a day in his life until 2012. Remnants of a former car accident left him with degenerated discs in his neck and required him to have a discectomy of his cervical spine. During his recovery, one single wrong move could leave him paralyzed. Peyton refused to let the victim stance mentality win. He resorted to walking for exercise. Walking soon led to running and running soon led to racing. 5k races led to half marathons. Half marathons led to marathons.

During his second marathon, Peyton started feeling nauseous around mile 20 and did a walk/run for the last 6 miles. He chalked off his disappointment to dehydration and rookie mistakes. Weeks later Peyton was running a 10k in Oak Island where he fell to the ground just 200 meters from the finish. Peyton was rushed to the hospital and after many tests and doctor visits he was diagnosed with Bradycardia and type II Atrioventricular Block, which required him to get a pacemaker.

Inspired by other adaptive athletes like Buddy 1 Leg (skateboarder/snowboarder), Misty Diaz (Spartan athlete), and Mikey Da Temple (surfer), Peyton refused to be defined by his circumstance. He hired a running coach, started training for marathons, and 11 months post pacemaker surgery he PR’d his first marathon. 2 years to the day of getting his pacemaker he qualified for Boston. Peyton is still running wild and free today, even during the eye of a hurricane.

Peyton talks about his set backs, injuries, and life as a “wired athlete”. He now aims to inspire and motivate others to work to the best of their ability with what they have. He is a high school counselor and expects the same of his students. Accountability is a huge factor for him. He quotes, “there are plenty of days I don’t want to run but there’s never a day I wish I hadn’t.”

Insta/FB: @thewiredathlete | @PeytonChitty

Show notes:

Favorite Books:

• Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI | https://amzn.to/2xMJWcT
• The Long Run Home by Greg M. Zinner | https://amzn.to/2Imtl3C

• Cardiac Athletes: Real Superheroes Beating Heart Disease by Lars Andrews | https://amzn.to/2N8y3mo
• Be on the lookout for Cardiac Athletes II: Gloves Off, by Lars Andrews, coming out this year.