During the 2011 season, Bobby Jesmer’s Bridgeport High School athletic career was cut short because of a back injury.

 

“I had a herniation and decided not to play for the benefit of the long run,” said Jesmer, who had played tackle and defensive end for the program his freshman, sophomore and junior years.

 

He admits that it wasn’t easy to walk away from the sport he not only liked, but which his high school life revolved around.

 

“Outside of school, that’s about all I did – training for football,” he said. “I liked the sport, but I almost enjoyed the training as much as the football.”

 

Four years following his high school graduation and many doctor visits and subsequent treatments, Jesmer has completed the Maryland Ironman.

 

It’s been a goal for quite some time and though he crossed that finish line two weeks ago, it’s still a little surreal, he said. It wasn’t so long ago that he couldn’t in his wildest dreams imagine accomplishing such a physical feat.

 

In the early stages of his injury, Jesmer pursued local treatment, including visits to Bridgeport Physical Therapy. It was Owner/Physical Therapist Mike Martin who referred him to a neurologist, Dr. Joseph Maroon in Pittsburgh. It was impressive that Maroon had worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his prescribed treatment regimen for Jesmer – who had pain due to compressed and bulging discs – was even more impressive, said his mother Anita Jesmer.

“He said he didn’t want to do surgery because it could only be done twice in a lifetime,” she said. “He sent Bobby to the pain doctor at the (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) and what they basically did give him injections to try to relieve some of the pressure. He took out a lot of the fluid causing pressure on the disc and it helped.”

 

As Jesmer became more mobile, he began to get physically active.

 

“I did some rehab and got back to my routine of working out – mainly lifting,” he said. “And I had always enjoyed bike riding with my dad on the rail trail, so my freshman year of college, I bought a road bike and got involved with that.”

 

Jesmer, who had begun studying exercise science at Fairmont State University in the fall of 2012, began riding regularly with a friend, who challenged him to take part in a triathlon at Stonewall Jackson. As he also had been running, he was up for the biking and running, but not the swimming, he said. With a partner to do the swimming leg of the race, Jesmer completed the four-mile run and the 26-mile bike ride.

 

That was great, he said, but he then was fired up to do a triathlon all by himself.

 

“I started training to do that, doing shorter distance races,” he said. “I swam at the YMCA and at Fairmont State and did open water swim at Stonewall and Maple Lake.”

 

As he completed the smaller races, he gained confidence.

 

“I knew with more training, I could do more,” he said.

 

The dream just kept getting bigger and after completing short-distance races, Jesmer set his sights on completing an ironman, in particular the Oct. 1, 2016 Ironman Maryland.

 

“I had a fairly flexible schedule this past year so I was able to train mornings,” he said.

 

In addition to finishing up studies at FSU, Jesmer worked as a tech at Bridgeport Physical Therapy. He said he probably trained 10 to 20 hours per week. Like he did in high school, he enjoyed the training and he liked challenging himself. He gained motivation from watching others.

 

“I’d see people who were overweight and with disabilities and I thought if they can go out there and do that than I – who am physically able – can do it too,” he said.

 

Jesmer took it upon himself to study nutrition and live a healthy lifestyle. He shared information with his parents, encouraging them to eat healthier and get more physically fit. Before the Oct. 1 Iron Man rolled around, his dad Mark had completed a triathlon.

 

His parents accompanied him to the Ironman race where he completed a 26.2-mile marathon and 112-mile bike ride. Because of high winds, the 2.4-mile swim was canceled. His mental attitude was as important as being in good physical shape.                    

"I looked at it just like I would a long training day,” Jesmer said. “The run was definitely the hardest part. Usually at some point of a race, you hit a low point, but I felt pretty good. I knew it would take a while, but I felt fairly confident throughout the day.”

 

He felt good about his finish.

 

“It’s normal for leading amateurs or pros to finish in nine hours or so and there is a 17-hour cutoff,” he said. “I completed it in 10.19 hours.”

 

Anita Jesmer remembers the moment her son crossed the finish line. She also remembers just how proud she was and what he had overcome.

 

As is often said, it’s not just the destination, but also the journey.  Bobby Jesmer couldn’t agree more.

 

“I definitely felt a sense of accomplishment, but it was also about leading a healthier lifestyle and getting into that fitness community – with a lot of great people who are so supportive," he said. "You have this family around you to support you with no one ever putting you down and always encouraging, regardless of how far you’re going.”

 

In addition to working at Bridgeport Physical Therapy, Jesmer teaches fitness and wellness at Fairmont State and is applying to various physical therapy schools. His top picks are schools in Colorado and Maryland, as well as the University of Pittsburgh. Regardless of where he goes to school or eventually begins his practice, Jesmer hopes he can encourage people of all ages to overcome their own obstacles and accomplish their goals. 

 

Editor's Note: Jesmer is pictured above; in the bottom photo with parents Anita and Mark.