Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s “Evolved Man of the Week” profile. Each week we will highlight an individual that embodies what it means to be an evolved person, famous and non-famous individual alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to Army veteran, father, teacher, and Men’s Health magazine “Ultimate Men’s Guy” Corwyn Collier.
Collier is an Ohio native and former All-American athlete in track and field. While on deployment in Iraq, Collier’s convoy was attacked. His truck was hit with an improvised explosive device. Collier suffered serve injuries to his legs and right hand.
Collier also spent a year in the hospital and was told he’d never walk again. After multiple surgeries and physical therapy Collier was able to walk again. However, he still dealt with invisible wounds due to his combat experience. He suffered from PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Fortunately, Collier had a great support network. His wife told him that he appeared like his regular happy self to the outside world, but it was a facade. Collier sought out therapy. Through therapy, he learned to accept his injuries and no longer tried to hide them from others in public. He also came to terms with the fact that having disabilities shouldn’t limit people to what they can or can’t accomplish.
He got back into getting physical fitness and bodybuilding. He also received his master’s degree in education in 2010. In 2016, he became the first wounded/partial-amputee vet to receive a pro card with the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness.
He now teaches history in his hometown and has become a mentor to many students at the school. He coaches track and field. His journey has inspired his sons to pursue careers in engineering and being physical therapists, all because they want to be like the people who helped their dad on the road to recovery.
Here is Corwyn Collier in his own words about never giving up:
“Stop focusing on what you can’t do, and focus on what you can do. You’ll find that you can do much more than you think. For me, it’s motivating for my sons to see it— to see that their dad never gave up.”
We at the Evolving Man Project salute Corwyn Collier for not letting his darkest moment define him for the rest of his life. He continues to break down barriers. He’s shown the world he’s not broken but unbroken. Today we honor Corwyn Collier as our Evolved Man of the Week.
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