Dartmouth Resident with Cerebral Palsy Shares Inspiring Video

Chris Martin is a graduate of Dartmouth High School living with Cerebral Palsy. He posted this video on Tuesday, August 28 and it has since gone viral. This is “The Chris Martin Story.”

My name is Chris Martin, I'm 25 years old and was born with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a condition that can affect you both mentally and physically, in my case it is a physical disability affecting my right side. Living with this disability has not stopped me from doing anything in life or in my fitness, I just might do things a little differently. Growing up, I played in youth leagues for baseball and soccer. When I was younger, I didn't want any special treatment and wanted to compete just like everyone else. I still have that mentality to this day, and truly do not see myself as being handicapped. In high school, I tried out for the baseball and basketball teams all four years, in which I was only able to make the baseball team my senior year. Although I was cut almost every year, the varsity coaches for both sports had reached out to me about managing the varsity levels for both teams. Looking back, I wouldn't change anything. The experiences that I gained by managing these teams were truly invaluable and the people that I got the chance to meet were a true blessing. After high school, I started to train in mixed martial arts. Training in both jiu-jitsu and kickboxing for about 2 years. During that time, I had competed in 2 kickboxing exhibition matches at KO Gym in New Bedford. I have my lifetime certification as a strength and conditioning coach with Joe Defranco and Jimmy Smith. Just over a year ago, I started CJM Fitness and Nutrition, an identity to go by on social media. I post anything from training videos, me working with athletes or nutrition-related things.

As a fellow graduate of Dartmouth High, I cannot tell you how proud I am to watch this video. Chris is an amazing person, and I truly hope that others are inspired by him as well.

You can follow Chris on Facebook, Instagram, and on Snapchat at cjmfitandnut. You can email him at cjmfitnessandnutrition@gmail.com.