Tyler Saunders
Tyler Saunders is a British wheelchair basketball player, coach and personal trainer.[1] He was born without a right leg.[2]
Saunders was born 1982 or 1983. Living in Edgware, he had played able-bodied basketball in school, but then discovered a local wheelchair team.[3] He started playing wheelchair basketball seriously around 2006.[2] By 2010, he had been supported by the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative, was part of the Team GB development squad, and hoped to play in the 2012 Summer Paralympics.[4][5] Though he ultimately didn't qualify,[6][7] he was one of the carriers of the Olympic torch during the 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay in Ealing. He had been picked as a torchbearer by Lloyds TSB, due to his work in basketball and coaching his club's junior teams.[8][9]
Saunders then played for a German club, and after returning to Britain he became a physical trainer.[5] He had expected to work with disabled people, but eventually found that his message of overcoming limitations appealed to a broader audience. He cooperated with a video production company owner and started to gain online attention. He had 25 000 followers on Instagram in early 2021,[5][10] which had risen to over 100 000 in 2026.[11]
He has competed on the gameshow Ninja Warrior UK,[5] Hyrox and Spartan Race. As of 2023, he works with the athletic apparel retailer Gymshark.[12]
Saunders is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[9] As of 2023, he has two daughters.[12]
References
[edit]- ↑ Morelli, Olivia (17 May 2023). "10 people on what accessible travel means to them". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- 1 2 Masoliver, Daniel (12 November 2016). "My workout: Tyler Saunders, 33, wheelchair basketball player: 'Taking shots, I'm happy'". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ↑ "Hard-working heroes on the road to glory: Meet six of the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes who aim to make an impact at the Olympic and Paralympic Games". The Daily Telegraph. 18 July 2012. ProQuest 1026774090.
- ↑ "Basketball star on track for the Olympics". Times series. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Wrench, Scarlett (3 February 2021). "Meet Tyler Saunders, the Disabled PT Who Wants to Show Everyone That Limitations Are Self-imposed". Men's Health. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ↑ "Tyler Saunders - Paralympic Athlete". Hope Channel. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ↑ Heald, Claire (8 September 2011). "London 2012: Paralympic sports inspire capital". BBC News. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ↑ "Torch route Day 67 – Kingston to Ealing". The Times. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- 1 2 "Olympic Flame Witness Climaxes in London". tedNEWS. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ↑ Millar, Jamie (16 December 2022). "Are Fitness Influencers a Force for Good?". Men's Health. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ↑ Saunders, Tyler. "iamtylersaunders". Instagram. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- 1 2 Wrench, Scarlett (9 March 2023). "Team Talk: How PT Tyler Saunders is Breaking Down Barriers for Adaptive Athletes". Men's Health. Retrieved 26 February 2025.