I’m An Amputee – But I Go to The Gym, Run a Trainer Store and a Mental Health Club

My name is Ben Lovell. I’m 40 years old. I used to be a tarmacer here in my town, and living a pretty good life until one day when I got a cramp in my right calf. After 5 months of excruciating sciatica, my foot had turned white. I was rushed to hospital and was found with no pulses in my foot. To say this came as a shock is an understatement.

I was sent home for a further 3 weeks waiting for an MRI appointment, by the time I got to see a vascular consultant it was too late to clear with a stent. I then had a 10 hour bypass operation which yielded no positive results. Three months later I was informed that I needed to consider amputation, which was a tough decision to take, but I went ahead to do it.

Five weeks after the operation, I was back in the gym.

This year in January I got a blade which changed everything for me. I realised I only needed only one trainer. Having spent weeks trying to find ‘one shoe’ on sale, I decided to set up Solo trainer store, a unique trainer store which not only sells pairs but also single trainers to amputees in different sizes. This is the first and only company that offers this to amputees in this town.

The support I’m getting is something I’d never imagined, I’m now supplying Paralympic champions, world record holders and the England amputee football club. I’m getting to meet some really amazing and inspiring people from this. I also run a mental health club, we use exercise to help people deal with their mental health issues. My goal is to help as many people as possible get off their seats and do something positive in their lives.

This story was produced in collaboration with Weren’t Born Rich. Weren’t Born Rich is a clothing brand championing young people to be fearless in their pursuit to make their dreams come true.