Jon’s AWSome, inspired by its creator Jonathan Olaleye, was created to show kids with sickle cell—and anyone facing setbacks—that anything is possible.
I was born with sickle cell anemia, and from a young age it challenged my ability to do what I loved most: play soccer. Despite the pain and limitations, I was determined to keep going and reach the highest level I could. Along the way, I faced major obstacles, including a TIA at 18, a stroke at 22, a bone marrow transplant at 21, and countless sickle cell crises and surgeries.
Still, I earned the opportunity to play collegiate soccer and became team captain my senior year. My journey doesn’t stop there; I aspire to keep playing and to make a lasting impact in the sickle cell and bone marrow transplant community. Above all, my goal is to inspire others and demonstrate resilience, passion, commitment, and love.
"I would like to start a foundation that helps AWSome people thrive. While illness is a major barrier, it is unfair to not be able to do what you love due to that illness. Having a chronic illness can bring significant challenges, but with supportive care and adaptive strategies, people can still find ways to pursue meaningful activities. I plans to bring personalized diets, workout plans, and emotional/psychological support to anyone that has a desire to be their most AWSome self! Thanks for reading, stay AWSome!"
No Catch, No Gimmicks, Just real training for real people.
~ Jonathan Olaleye