On October 6, in Kona, Hawaii, Chris Nikic became the first athlete with down syndrome to successfully complete the Ironman World Championship. He did that with the help of real estate professional Dan Grieb who used the affirmation of being 1% better in everything you do, every day, to inspire and motivate the athlete.
In order to qualify for the Championship, Chris completed a full Ironman race in 2020– another first. For that feat, Tim Tebow presented him with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2021 ESPYs with his friends, family, and “Uncle Dan” — Dan Grieb of The Dan Grieb Home to Sell Team of Keller Williams at the Parks — cheering on in the front row.
When Nikic crossed the finish line in Kona, he jumped into the arms of Dan Grieb, who was at his side for every inch of the 2.4 mile swim through the Pacific open-water, the 112 mile ride up some of the most challenging terrain and into strong winds, and finally on the 26.2 mile run. But, Dan was also there every step of the way for the countless hours of training that are emblematic of endurance sports.
I have not had the honor of meeting Chris; however, we are blessed to know Dan, who now has completed 21 Ironman races. Lucido Global had the privilege of hearing Dan speak at last year’s Momentum, which was co-sponsored by HW+.
Dan spoke openly, humbly, and movingly about his difficult upbringing and the circumstances that still plague his siblings today. In spite of his challenging upbringing, Dan is one of the most genuine, selfless human beings in our industry. Whether in real estate or serving those with special needs, Dan has a sincere commitment to contribution — no small feat in a society in which high-achievers are most often motivated by personal significance.
Whenever an individual transcends terrible circumstances to emerge a better person, I think of an excerpt from Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life:
“Many, perhaps even most, of the adults who abuse children were abused themselves as children. However, the majority of people who were abused as children do not abuse their own children. This is a well-established fact, which can be demonstrated, simply, arithmetically, in this way: if one parent abused three children, and each of those children had three children, and so on, then there would be three abusers the first generation, nine the second, twenty-seven the third, eighty-one the fourth—and so on exponentially. After twenty generations, more than ten billion would have suffered childhood abuse: more people than currently inhabit the planet. But instead, abuse disappears across generations. People constrain its spread. That’s a testament to the genuine dominance of good over evil in the human heart.”
JOrdan peterson’s 12 rules for life
We all have something to learn from both Chris and Dan, who have both transcended challenges outside of their control. Congratulations on your Ironman feats and your significant contributions towards inclusion.
Robert Lucido is chief strategy officer for Lucido Global / Bob Lucido of Keller Williams Lucido Agency.
