Visually impaired Kerry based powerlifter raises €2k for local Tralee charities

Josh Moore, a native of South Yorkshire originally, is now based in Cloghane in Tralee and he is being celebrated this month for his remarkable resilience and achievements to date.

Josh was in his early 20's when he suffered an acute brain injury, one which led to loss of his sight with doctors saying that he was lucky to even survive the severe injury.

A regular gym-goer before his accident, Josh has always enjoyed a huge passion and grá for lifting weights. It was this passion that helped to focus his mind while in hospital recovering. It was here that he committed to re-building his mind as much as his body after leaving hospital.

As part of this, Josh is currently on a journey to compete in powerlifting while using the skills and knowledge he's learnt to help and inspire others and as a result, Enable Ireland is sharing his story as part of their 2024 'Life With No Limits' campaign.

Josh shares his story below:

"Before I acquired my disability and lost my vision, I was very active. I did boxing regularly with my brothers and cousins as well as power lifting. My uncle, Frank Richard, was Mr Olympia and Mr. Universe for 5 years in the 80s and he was a great inspiration to me. After I had my accident, the first thing I wanted to do when I got out of the hospital was go to the gym," he said.

"I must have asked my parents hundreds of times while I was there. To return to the gym was important for my independence, I didn't want to let my accident hold me back," he continued.

At that time, Josh was living in Doncaster, UK, and when he came home, he said that he started going to a local gym with his family.

"When I moved to Ireland with my family in 2015, I found a gym in Dingle. During my first session there, my PT took me around every machine and free weights to test which part of the body it trains and I got them all correct!"

"For the past two years, I have been training with Victory Fitness in Tralee. My PT at Victory Fitness is brilliant. Our sessions are very technical, we don't just train the body, we train the mind. My focus is currently on powerlifting and I want to enter my first competition by the end of this year. The deadlift is my favourite and strongest exercise, but I am pleased with the progress I've made in the chest press and squats and all other exercises too," said Josh.

Josh's love of exercising has also led him to studying a Personal Training course at Kerry Education Training Board (KETB). Using the skills he has learnt here, Josh now works with Enable Ireland leading exercise meditation sessions with the group's virtual services.

"After my accident, I was worried whether I would get noticed again and that people might judge me but Enable Ireland recognised my skills and offered me a job. I really appreciate that. Through Microsoft Teams I connect with Enable Ireland Adult service users across the country and guide everyone in stretches and breathing exercises. It feels great to use my abilities and the knowledge I've gained to encourage others to get moving," he continued.

Recently, Josh did a power-lifting fundraiser to support two local charities, Meals on Wheels Tralee and St Vincent De Paul.

"I went to a public place and did some training using a bike, ground work exercises, and a weight bar for two hours. Thanks to everyone who donated, I managed to raise over €2,000. My goal in life is to lift trophies and chins. I want to inspire other people to achieve, to discover their abilities, and live life with no limits."

Enable Ireland provides vital therapy and support services for over 13,000 children and adults with disabilities. Their services for children with disabilities and their families cover all aspects of a child's physical, educational, and social development from early infancy through adolescence.

For adults, they offer a range of services which include daycare, training, personal development, supported and independent living, and social and leisure activities.