Talking Sports And Fitness With Zeke

Chris Kaag, a disabled former Marine, tells Zeke about the degenerative nerve disorder called adrenomyeloneuropathy that slowly robbed him of the use of his legs and made it impossible for him to stay in the Marine Corps. Kaag tells Zeke that he began exhibiting symptoms of adrenomyeloneuropathy in 1997. It started out affecting his gait while running but eventually interfered with walking as well. "I spent nine weeks at Walter Reed Hospital and was diagnosed with adrenomyeloneuropathy," Kaag tells Zeke. "I was in a wheelchair in five years." Kaag tells Zeke that his Corps Fitness classes and philosophy are based on his experience in boot camp with the Marines Corps, which he joined as a 17-year-old in 1994. During a group cadence run that essentially was a 4-mile sprint, Chris’ drill instructor, Sgt. Dave Hart, uttered five words that continue to echo in Chris’ head during his most difficult times: “Don’t quit on me, Kaag.” After being diagnosed with the nerve disorder, Kaag tells Zeke that he realized that