 |
John learned to swim in a unique style. When he was six years old, he went fishing with his grandfather, off of the Keys. While they talked on the bow of the boat, “My grandfather pushed me overboard, to “teach” me how to swim. Talk about “tough love!” I thrashed around enough to keep from dying.” While in high school, he competed on the wrestling team. Sampedro didn”t swim very much, except during his surfing years, into his twenties. After high school, he worked as an ironworker and welder. In 1990, he fell from a high beam and suffered extensive injuries. He spent the next 2 1/2 years going through considerable rehabilitation . By 1993, he was no longer interested in the high-risk business of working on iron beams ten and twelve stories high. He launched a new career after attending massage school. Currently, he is a Licensed Massage Therapist, and works in sports medicine with patients who have chronic and acute injuries, to assist them through their rehabilitation. “Margie responded to my massage ad in the MAD DOGS newsletter, in 1997. She wanted relief for her unused muscles, after three months of being cooped up in a halo, with a broken neck, from a horrible car accident. I joined the Mavericks soon after meeting Margie and Paul, and learning that their new club offered me an opportunity to train in a less restrictive atmosphere than I was used to.” He considers his five-time survival of the 1 1/2 K swim portion of the St Anthony”s Triathlon, as his most outstanding swim accomplishment. We'll see him in the pool more often, as he trains for two major goals--Hawaii Ironman and ultra distance races. His sons, Jeremy and Zeb are two of his greatest accomplishments. “They rock!” In addition, “I'm most proud of becoming a massage therapist and having patients trust me with their care for fourteen years.” Sampedro lives in St Petersburg with his new Vizsla puppy, Molly. |
John Sampedro, 44, was born in Tampa Florida , the youngest of five. He has always lived in the Tampa Bay area.