About twenty years ago I tasked my older brother Charley Lochtefeld with finding and booking inspirational speakers for my University of Dreams Summer Speaker Series at various campuses around the world. He found a gem in Paul Martin.
Paul lost a leg in a car accident, and instead of giving up on life he chose to begin living one. He became an accomplished triathlete, an author, a motivational speaker, a real estate investor and so much more. He married an amazing woman and fathered three wonderful boys.
Paul and I met for the first time the night he delivered his inspirational speech on one of my campus stages twenty some years ago. Neither one of us can remember which campus it occurred on, but I clearly remember his speech cause it gave me goosebumps on my soul. It left a very big impression. I tend to remember such moments, even if the surroundings are forgetable.
Yesterday we reconnected in person for the first time since that night decades ago. We have stayed in touch through Facebook all these years and he recently reached out with interest in investing in my Hamakua Hotel real estate project in Hawaii.
This is Paul and his wife Sharon, with Lori and I enjoying a beautiful moment together last night at our Waterfalling property.
Earlier in the day he became the first amputee to descend our two story slide of terror & joy! This is likely the least of his lifetime accomplishments, but it was still fun to capture it!
