Making Dreams Come True

Rod Hutchins Back-Story

Rod Hutchins was born and raised in Ogden, Utah, and now resides in Idaho Falls, ID. He has been involved in many leadership, education and training organizations, as well as numerous local, regional, national and International projects throughout the course of his life. In his mid-30's, Rod contracted Guillain Barre Syndrome, a serious virus that  affects the nerves and joints. This insidious virus deteriorates the Myelin Sheath, which is responsible for protecting the spine and spinal cord. 

The virus landed Rod in the hospital ICU unit for the better part of 3 months and caused Rod the loss of his limbs, one-by-one, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down for more than 30 days. In addition, during his hospital stay Rod contracted a staph and strep infection of which he almost died from. The doctors informed Rod and his family that if his body were to build-up an intolerance to the last drug in their arsenal which they had been using to treat him, that he would only have a brief amount of time to live.

This life or death health-crisis caused a 'life-changing' transformation in Rod. A transformation that led him to create a list of seventy (70) verbal goals which were transcribed the very next day after the doctors had informed him that he may only have a short time longer to live. This transcribed list contained transformational goals of which Rod declared he would do if he were able to come back from his near death-bed experience and be given a second chance at life. The goals on his list were created from Rod having the mindset of... “If given a second chance, what would I do if I Knew that I could not fail?

Being on his death bed, Rod knew deep in his heart that if God were to give him a second chance at life, that it would be God who would be Rod's strength in the realization of his 70 transformational goals. Rod was inspired to draw upon his own life's areas of Spiritual, Physical, Social, Emotional and Financial in which to create his goals. On the list of the seventy (70) goals that Rod had transcribed from his hospital bed, resided his goal to complete the Iron Man 'Course' in Kona, Hawaii. If you were to ask Rod... Why that goal? Rod would say... "If you want to overcome a challenge, choose a goal that is bigger than the challenge"... which is exactly what Rod did! This was to be one of the monumental goals that Rod set for himself that would positively change millions of lives around the world.

It was at that time, 26+ years ago when Rod first set his goal to complete a full Iron Man Course in Kona, Hawaii. Even though Rod would experience the attacks of the Guillain Barre virus/syndrome two more times after the first insidious and violent attack of the virus on his body; a virus which led to the state of Rod being a temporary quadriplegic, paralyzed from the neck down, leaving him with on-going daily residual affects and life-long health problems... Rod did not waver from his original goal of completing the full Kona, Hawaii IronMan course. A goal that Rod would later in life complete by having the mindset of "His Race at His Pace", a theme that became a Mantra of Rod's to this very day. 

No Stranger To Hardship

Rod is definitely no stranger to overcoming hardship. Since his original paralysis, Rod has endured a total of 23 surgeries and procedures. In 2014 alone, he had nine (9) surgeries within the short timespan of 9 months. These surgeries included: Dual hip replacements, dual knee scopes, one knee replacement, hiatal hernia repair and Nissen stomach surgery, in addition to several other major procedures, all of which were necessary due to the severe damage caused to Rod's body from the Guillain-Barre' syndrome/virus.

In 2015, a tenth (10th) surgery was performed to install a spinal stimulator to help Rod manage the intense pain caused from the virus; a virus that also left Rod with two deteriorated disks and a pinched sciatic nerve. The stimulator was to also help Rod endure the intense pain he would experience during his grueling task of completing the 2018 Iron Man 'Course' in Kona, Hawaii; a course that consisted of Swimming 2.4 miles, Biking 112 miles and Running 26.2 miles. 

During the span in time of these surgeries, Rod had three (3) near-death experiences while in the hospital. Each time Rod was brought back to life. These near-death experiences transformed Rod and brought him closer to God, helping him to further realize his Higher Purpose and true mission in life. That mission being... to be a source of light and to inspire others by over-coming life's difficulties with a positive attitude and a plan of action. To date, Rod has achieved forty-one (41) of his 70 goals, all being of the magnitude of his Kona, Hawaii Iron Man course completion goal. Rod's near-death experiences and the successful completion of those forty-one (41) goals is an inspiring topic that Rod is frequently asked to speak about. Those in attendance experience a personal life transformation. 

The 2018 Iron Dream Team

It was with the help of the many people who inspired Rod over the years, and through the mentorship of certain individuals who were personally invited by Rod to be on his mentorship team, that ultimately took Rod to Kona Hawaii and realize his (26) year goal. While fulfilling his goal on the Ironman Course in Kona, Rod's life would once again go through a transformation that would inspire people worldwide. Unexpectedly, Rod experienced an unimaginable amount of muscle cramps in his legs throughout the entire course. Because of the enormous pain produced by the muscle cramps, it took Rod 3 ½ hours in the ocean to swim the 2.4 miles of the course. During that time, Rod experienced approximately 85 severe lower body muscle cramps. When Rod next transitioned to the bike portion of his race, he rode on his bike for 19 straight hours in "His Race at His Pace" in order to complete the 112 mile IronMan bike course. 

During the difficult time with Rod being in severe pain, yet still enduring the IronMan course, Rod's Iron Dream Team members witnessed a miracle that only could be accomplished through God's Tender Mercies. Rod would experience over approximately 400 muscle cramps in his legs, causing him severe pain. The Iron Dream Team emotionally helped Rod off of his bike many times due to the immense pain in order to have his muscle cramps rubbed out of his legs. His team would then help him back on his bike for the completion of the 112 mile portion of "His Race at His Pace”. Rod's entire racing team agreed that they had truly witnessed a miracle, declaring that they had witnessed Rod hitting the “Proverbial Wall” five (5) times and yet still continuing on. They knew in their hearts that they could not stop Rod from achieving his 26 year goal.

Upon successful completion of his Bike portion of the race, Rod transitioned into his Marathon portion of the race, which would entail running  26.2 miles. Rod's Iron Dream Team upon seeing a dramatic physical change in Rod during the first 2 ½ miles of the course, consulted with the team doctor. It was at that period in time that the team doctor pulled Rod from the course. Rod had completed just 2 ½ miles of the Marathon race before then being rushed to the Kona Regional Hospital, as directed by his doctor. In the hospital's emergency room Rod was diagnosed with severe Rhabdomyolysis, a rapid destruction of skeletal muscle resulting in leakage into the urine of the muscle protein myoglobin. In the ER, Rod was told that his Kidneys had begun the process of shutting down somewhere during the bike portion of his race. Rod was also told by the doctors that he would be in the hospital for over a week. The hospital’s head ER doctor of over 21 years, told Rod that his case was one of the worse cases of Rhabdomyolysis that he had seen in his 21 years of practice as an ER physician.

Rod's Iron Dream Team affectionately laughed when Rod's reply to the doctor was: “When today, can I get back on the IronMan Course to finish my race safely?"... this being said with a smile on his face and passion in his eyes. Rod's journey in life had already taught him to have an IronMan mindset, and to meet every challenge head-on and successfully accomplish and master it.

Blessed with yet another miracle, Rod was released from the hospital the following morning with certain strict discharge orders written by attending physician, that Rod was to adhere to. Rod, through pure inspiration and determination upon being discharged from the hospital, proceeded forward with a previous commitment he had made to deliver an Inspirational message to a large group of Islanders later that evening, along with fellow Iron Dream Team members; Larry Gelwix (Forever Strong Movie)and Jim Rhoades. The following day, Rod and his Iron Dream Team traveled to the other side of the island to meet with the Homeless victims of the 2018 Pele (Volcano) historic disaster; offering service, hope, inspiration and financial aid to them. 

Rod returned to his home town of Idaho Falls, Idaho after leaving Kona. It would be there that Rod and his Iron Dream Team, along with the community would finish the Marathon portion of his race. This was accomplished by Rod running 26.2 miles. It was during that portion of the race that Rod's Spinal Stimulator would stop functioning because he had worn it out. Rod in intense pain and still healing from Rhabdomyolysis, along with his Iron Dream Team experienced yet another miracle in his journey; that miracle being that Rod successfully finished the marathon portion of his race and then celebrated the victory of completing his 26-year goal! A goal that was never diminished in Rod's mind, but  instead, one that he grew even more passionate about with every challenge that he faced. 

Overall, it took Rod 33 hours to complete the physical portion of  his 2018 “His Race at His Pace”. Rod's team of mentors consisted of dedicated, like-hearted, like-spirited, positive-minded individuals, who all deeply believe in Rod, his Vision and in the Mission he stands for. This team is affectionately known to Rod as his Iron Dream Team. This prolific Iron Dream Team consisted of successful business owners and individuals who are leaders in their prospected areas of expertise.

Rod Hutchins is an individual who knows at a very deep level the difficulties that life can deliver. He  knows what it takes to come back from extraordinary challenges, and he knows what it takes to accomplish great feats. He understands what it takes to make positive change and transformation in one's life and how to create an environment that fosters "Making Dreams Come True". 

Rod knows the need, value and greatness in a person having a safe environment, the correct mentorship, and an on-going source of inspiration in order for them to heal from the wounds life brings. He understands that being in a state of Total Health and Wellness at the body, mind and spirit levels, is a vital component to "Making Your Dreams Come True". It is for reasons such as these why Rod created an even bigger dream and set yet an even greater goal than before; this dream and goal being... to make it a reality for him to complete the full Iron Man 'Course' in Kona, Hawaii, again in 2023! 

Returning to Kona in 2023 

Rod is both determined and dedicated to making his dream and goal come true! His passion in seeing his dream become reality again in 2022 is greatly fueled by his desire to continue his journey in being a presence that instills to millions of people worldwide, the understanding and belief that "With faith even as small as a mustard seed.... Mountains can be moved". As Rod frequently shares with others... "It's time to take your dreams off the shelf, dust them off and make them come true!" Rod knows from personal experience that the Journey will transform lives!

The 2022-2023 Veteran Dream Team Alliance

To assist Rod in turning his dream into reality and fulfill his goal of completing the full IronMan course in the 2023 Kona, Hawaii, he has selected the members of what Rod affectionately calls his Veteran Dream Team Alliance. This is a collaborative team of business owners and individuals that will be side-by-side with Rod, mentoring him throughout his journey. 

During the course of time that the Veteran Dream Team Alliance is serving as mentors to Rod on this journey, one of among the many revelations that this team will experience is of the beautiful and amazing interconnection of the innate synergistic energies and thread that resides within their relationship to Rod's journey. These synergistic energies not only will reside within the teams relationship to Rod and his journey, but of even a greater level of energetic circumference, they will experience the unfolding of purpose, and of the inter-connection between and amongst all of their journeys and the journeys of all those they touch, worldwide. 

To Honor Veterans

Rod chose to call this selected team of mentors The Veteran Dream Team Alliance. The team's name was chosen as a way to Honor Veterans. To bring recognition to them. To serve them by heightening awareness in our society of the monumental tragedy of the high suicide rate among Veterans and Active Duty Military. To bring attention to the height of seriousness and life-shattering consequences of P.T.S.D. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and awareness to the devastating high rate of suicides that result from it. This is Rod's "WHY" for all of his efforts in his training and what inspires him daily to achieve a successful completion in Kona in 2021.

The Veteran Dream Team Alliance is about fostering programs and support services that genuinely work. Mentorship programs that bring healing on all levels into the lives of Veterans and their families. Rod and his Veteran Dream Team Alliance is all about... 'Serving Others'. Serving and inspiring others and transforming lives.

Rod very much believes that when an individual serves from their heart and is then abused and not respected by a society; a society that has little concept to the level and depth of the individual's contribution and service... that light and awareness needs to be shed upon this injustice in order for true and sustainable change to occur. This is the foundational reason why Rod named his 2021 Kona, Hawaii mentorship Dream Team 'The Veteran Dream Team Alliance'; many of which who were members of the Original Dream Team for Rod's 2018 Kona, Hawaii Ironman course completion.

Rod greatly understands the vital importance of surrounding himself and to be mentored with people such as he has chosen for the The Veteran Dream Team Alliance. People that will humbly and gratefully provide the necessary heightened consciousness, heart, passion, wisdom, knowledge, experience and the dedication that it takes in order to allow him to successfully achieve his dream and goals, and most importantly, help others achieve theirs as he travels his journey. 

Provide Hope and Be A Shining Light

Rod and the members of the Veteran Dream Team Alliance believe that it is vitally important to always help instill hope and be an inspiration to people. This is of particular importance during this period of time in our history; a time where it is of paramount importance to provide hope and be a shining light in the lives of millions of people worldwide. Rod and the Veteran Dream Team have created a Community Resource Model which will greatly assist all victims of trauma and abuse... locally, nationally and internationally in getting the help that they need in order to achieve their goals.

As of this date, Rod is in preparation to complete the Iron Man 'Complete Course' Kona, Hawaii in 2022. He is preparing himself with the help of his Veteran Dream Team Alliance in numerous aspects of his life, including, but not limited to a Whole-Wellness Lifestyle Journey of body, mind and spirit. 

The 120 Day Wellness & Weight Loss Challenge

Rod knows first-hand through experience that without your health, (both physically and emotionally) it is near next impossible to make your dreams come true and to achieve your goals. It is for this reason that Rod is inviting you to join him on his journey as he prepares for the 2022 Kona, Hawaii IronMan full course completion..."His Race at His Pace". Beginning in May 2021 you can journey along with Rod and learn how you can participate in "The 120 Day Wellness & Weight Loss Challenge" with Rod. (Information can be found on the 120 Day Challenge on the top navigation bar under "Wellness & Weight Loss).

To learn how to walk with Rod in this journey, please view the 'Wellness & Weight Loss' tab at the top navigation bar of this site. 

The Wellness & Weight Loss Challenge is a journey that when embarked on will empower you into incorporating a healthier lifestyle. It will lay a foundation to assist you in "Making your dreams come true" and achieving your goals. Rod looks forward to being a part of your journey and to celebrate with you as you achieve YOUR dreams and goals. 

Rod is dedicated to having you travel the journey with him to creating a Whole-Wellness Lifestyle for you and your family