Richard Bernstein Wins Governor's Fitness Award

Governor’s Fitness Awards: One in a Million

Video Tribute to Award Winner Richard Bernstein

November 12, 2008

Accepting the challenge to be physically active is only one of the inspirational aspects of Richard Bernstein’s life. And he attributes many of his accomplishments to physical fitness.

As an attorney, Richard fights for the rights of people with disabilities. In his pro bono work, he has taken on giants like Northwest Airlines, the University of Michigan, and the City of Detroit.

According to Richard, “People think disabled people and those with special needs are weak, but my attitude is that I am an ironman.”

And Richard truly is an ironman. He completed the Ironman Triathlon on June 22, 2008 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. With help from his guide Matt Millar, he completed the grueling race in 14 hours and 36 minutes.

Richard says it changes your entire life to get through something like that. It makes you realize you can survive anything that is thrown at you.

Richard credits two important organizations, C-Different and Achilles, with helping him realize his physical activity goals. C-Different’s goal is to empower people who are visually impaired to compete in triathlons. The Achilles Track Club has also given Richard and scores of others the opportunity to compete. The mission of the Achilles Track Club is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics.

C-Different’s founder, Matt Millar, served as his guide for the Ironman. Richard says, “Imagine someone doing a complete Ironman Triathlon for another person. That is what Matt does.”

Richard began training with Achilles four years ago and has since completed ten marathons. “These programs are so important - they help us to realize our full potential,” says Richard.

Today, Richard runs fifty miles a week, but he knows that anyone must take physical activity one step at a time. “It must be a fun and enjoyable experience,” he says.