If there’s anybody who can overcome an obstacle, it’s Alex Matthews.
The 33-year-old firefighter from WA – who took on the Australian Ninja Warrior assault course at the weekend – broke his neck two years ago in a near-fatal car accident that left him bedridden for months.
He was driving home from a friend’s house when another driver ran a red light and smashed into his hatchback, leaving Alex unconscious and upturned in his car.
The near-fatal car crash that left him bedridden for months.
“Ninja Warrior has finally given me closure!”
“I had to spend three months in a collar, had problems with my foot and wrist, and also bruised ribs, so I spent the majority of the time lying on my back in bed,” Alex confessed.
“I struggled big time. The pain side of things didn’t really faze me – it was more about not being able to do the stuff I had taken for granted.
“It pushed me into a pretty bad state and I became really introverted and grumpy.”
It wasn’t until he turned to counselling at the suggestion of his girlfriend of nine years, Mia, and his mum, Carlene, that Alex really began to recover. And taking care of his mental health made all the difference.
“That was my path to recovery. It was just so frustrating not being able to do anything [while I was bed-bound] and the whole situation just compounded.
“It made me realise I’d had all my happiness eggs in one basket – if I was physically fit, I was happy.”
Thankfully, the accident has given Alex a new appreciation for life. It was his newfound attitude and determination that saw him apply for Australian Ninja Warrior.
“Two years on, and I’m a better person for what happened. When I found out about the show it became my end goal.
“Now I can prove myself and have closure from the accident.”
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