No arms or legs, no problem

Photo: Instagram - ifican.chriskoch

Chris Koch doesn’t know what it’s like to have arms and legs, so he’s never really felt like he’s missing out.

Koch was born without full limbs, and no one really knows why.

“It’s just one of those things,” he said.

Rather than letting that slow him down, the 37-year-old has learned to push himself to overcome challenges, like completing the Calgary marathon in four hours and 23 minutes.

Six years ago, Koch bought a longboard on a whim, and quickly realized getting around on it was faster and easier than using his prosthetic legs.

Using his “mobility device,” he was able to compete in the marathon – but he’s not resting on his laurels.

“I definitely want to do another marathon … try and see if I can get under four hours,” Koch said. “That’s the qualifying time for Boston, and see if there’s a possibility to get to that.”

“We’re all capable of incredible things. It’s all psychological the barriers we create for ourselves.”

Koch is a motivational speaker by trade, but still finds time to get back to the farm in southern Alberta where he grew up.

“I have to take time off of work to go back and work on the farm,” Koch said. “It’s a nice conundrum to be in. I’d rather be too busy than too bored.”

He is currently visiting family in Kelowna, where his motivational speaking company – If I can – is based.

“I’ve been coming down here for years now,” he said. “I usually try and make a point of once a year.”

He says his speaking tour takes him to plenty of schools, where he’s able to talk with younger kids about overcoming challenges.

“When I go to schools, kids will ask me: ‘What does it feel like to not have any arms and legs?’” he said. “I’ll ask them: ‘What does it feel like to have arms and legs?’

“It is what it is, I’ve just figured out how to do things.”