Sam is an inspirational endurance athlete driving diversity and redefining what people perceive possible with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).<\/p>\n
On a global stage, Sam is challenging the stereotypes for those with neurodiversity, while tackling one of the world\u2019s toughest endurance sports. Sam was diagnosed with Austism at 4 years old and remained non-verbal until 6 years old. In 2022, he became the first openly Autistic endurance athlete to complete the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, showing it is possible to break through the perceived societal barriers of sport.<\/p>\n
In 2024 and beyond, Sam will be continuing to prove there are no limitations for athletes with neurodiversity through competing in more Ironman Triathlon events, Marathons, Cycling and Trail Running events.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sam is an inspirational endurance athlete driving diversity and redefining what people perceive possible with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). On a global stage, Sam is challenging the stereotypes for those with neurodiversity, while tackling one of the world\u2019s toughest endurance sports. Sam was diagnosed with Austism at 4 years old and remained non-verbal until 6 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":78903,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_trash_the_other_posts":false,"editor_notices":[]},"sa_speaker_category":[136,89,139,37,141,88,142],"sa_language":[250],"sa_employability":[188],"class_list":["post-79010","sa_speaker","type-sa_speaker","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","sa_speaker_category-diversity-inclusion","sa_speaker_category-individual-development","sa_speaker_category-inspiration","sa_speaker_category-leadership-strategy","sa_speaker_category-motivation","sa_speaker_category-personal-leadership","sa_speaker_category-sports-team-building"],"acf":{"sa_introduction":"Sam is an inspirational endurance athlete driving diversity and redefining what people perceive possible with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He became the first openly Autistic endurance athlete to complete the Ironman World Championships.","sa_one_liner":"Autism and Athletics","sa_name_title":"","sa_region":[],"sa_degree":"","sa_stars":"","sa_maglr_ids":null,"sa_publications":null,"sa_socials":null,"sa_subjects":null,"sa_faq_items":null,"sa_minimum_price":"1700","sa_maximum_price":"12000","sa_banner_image_id":78904,"sa_videos":[{"sa_video_title":"Humans of HOKA: Sam Holness | The Trailblazer","sa_video_embed":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jBqUa7R9COU"},{"sa_video_title":"Time To Be Awesome with Sam Holness","sa_video_embed":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=u8-aWrMg2aM"}]},"yoast_head":"\n