Exclusive: Nick Mayhugh Throws “Victim Card” Away to Reveal Struggles and Sacrifices Behind Track And Field Career

Nick Mayhugh’s journey to becoming a Paralympic champion is a story of defiance, resilience, and extraordinary achievement. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 14 after suffering a grand mal seizure, Mayhugh was told he might never play sports again. Instead, he became a Division I soccer player, a Paralympic soccer bronze medalist, and then transitioned to track and field, where he made history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. There, he won three gold medals and one silver, setting world records in the T37 100m and 200m sprints and becoming the first T37 athlete to break the 11-second barrier in the 100m.

His accomplishments on the track are staggering, but what truly defines him is his refusal to be defined by his disability—a mindset that has propelled him to the pinnacle of elite sports.

In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Nick Mayhugh articulated the philosophy that has guided his career. He recalled, “You know, I could play the victim card my entire life and say, you know what? I had stopped playing soccer in high school, you know, because I got diagnosed with this disability and I couldn’t play anymore.” But instead, he embraced the gritty advice passed down from his father: “Rub some dirt on it and, you know, if you fail, get up and try again.”

From childhood, Mayhugh experienced a numbness on his left side, which doctors initially overlooked, leading to misunderstandings with teachers and coaches who couldn’t understand what he was going through. Rather than succumbing to frustration, he internalized these challenges, using them as fuel to prove his capabilities. Mayhugh’s transition to track and field was marked by immense sacrifice and relentless dedication.

After para soccer was excluded from the Tokyo Paralympics program, he shifted his focus to sprinting, despite having no prior experience in the sport. He described this period as one of grueling labor: “I sacrificed almost two years of my life, you know, not families, birthdays, friends, birthdays and vacations and such. And all I did was train, you know, nine, 10 hours a day, seven days a week.” This commitment was not without its difficulties; he initially struggled with the technical demands of sprinting, calling himself “one of the world’s slowest sprinters” at the outset.

Yet, with the coaching of his brother Thomas, he persevered, honing his technique and strength until he emerged as a world-record-breaking athlete. Central to Mayhugh’s success is his transformative perspective on disability. He has repeatedly stated, “I’ve never viewed myself as someone with a disability,” and this outlook is reflected in his training regimen, where he works alongside elite able-bodied athletes like Noah Lyles without receiving special treatment. He believes that his cerebral palsy is not a limitation but a “superpower” that has unlocked unique opportunities for growth and impact.

This reframing allowed him to find purpose in his struggles: “If I was never diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, if I was never born like this, if I never had any of this, I wouldn’t be who I am today. You know, I wouldn’t be able to help as many people in the way that I can.” Mayhugh’s resilience is matched by his deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. Representing the United States in international competition is, for him, a “privilege” and an “honor” that he never takes for granted.

This appreciation fuels his desire to inspire others, particularly those with disabilities who may feel marginalized or overlooked. He has made it his mission to use his platform to reshape the narrative around disability, advocating for greater visibility and respect for Paralympic athletes. Furthermore, through social media, he combines humor and education to engage audiences, addressing misconceptions and challenging stereotypes with wit and authenticity. However, there weren’t just physical and mental challenges that he faced, which persisted even after achieving almost everything he could.

Nick Mayhugh couldn’t catch a break with the Paralympic classification system

The challenges Nick Mayhugh has faced are not solely physical; they also include systemic issues within the Paralympic movement. He has been vocal about his frustrations with classification systems, which he believes can sometimes hinder athletes rather than support them. After being reclassified from T37 to T38—a move that limited the number of events he could compete in—he criticized the process as poorly understood even by classifiers themselves.

During the same interview with EssentiallySports, he argues that classification should be based on medical diagnoses rather than performance metrics, emphasizing that athletes should be celebrated for exceeding expectations, not penalized for being “too fast.” This advocacy is part of his broader effort to ensure that the Paralympics receive the same recognition and support as the Olympics.

Despite the accolades and world records, Nick Mayhugh’s true measure of success lies in the impact he has on others. He finds profound joy in the messages he receives from parents and fans who draw inspiration from his story. This connection has given his career a deeper purpose: “Now, I feel like I have a responsibility to continue to compete to represent people that are like me that don’t have a voice.” And guess what? It looks like he hasn’t given up yet and is still chasing his ambitions.