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Dustin Plantholt’s “Life’s Tough, YOU Can Be TOUGHER!” podcast this week features Coach Rob Mendez, offensive coordinator at Fransis Parker High School in San Diego.
During his recent interview with Dustin, Coach Mendez tells of his lifelong passion of football and coaching the sport—even though he has no limbs at all.
Born without arms or legs due to tetra-amelia syndrome—a rare congenital disorder that prevents the formation of limbs during embryonic development—Rob Mendez was never able to play football, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his passion for the game as a coach. Yet he was always inspired and encouraged by his father Robert Mendez Sr. to not see himself as “special” but as “unique,” and “never to focus on what I couldn’t do but rather on what I could do.”
“I am grateful for the work I get to do every day. Coaching my team fills me up in a way unlike anything else. The purpose and fulfillment we get from our jobs positively impacts our lives and our communities.” Says Coach Mendez.
Coach Mendez is also the author of his recently published book, Who Says I Can’t? The Astonishing Story of A Fearless Life. Besides coaching football, Mendez is also a busy and accomplished motivational speaker, and has been the subject of dozens of profiles in national media, as well as the ESPN documentary short feature, “Who Says I Can’t? ” He will also be partnering with Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin & Metro Chicago in support of their mission to help individuals with disadvantages and different abilities overcome obstacles, find jobs, and achieve their goals
To learn more about Coach Rob Mendez, follow him on social media @coachrobmandez and listen to the full episode on the “Life’s Tough” podcast network.
Dustin Plantholt is founder and CEO of Life’s Tough. Surviving a traumatic childhood and now raising a family of his own, he is dedicated to helping others find their voice through sharing their story. Dustin says “Together, we are sparking a movement and changing the world, one heart at a time. It’s life … life is tough … but YOU can be TOUGHER!”
