Since birth, Adam has embodied the spirit of Never Give Up. Born with Down Syndrome and a serious heart defect, he underwent major heart surgery at just 2½ months old. Despite being told he would likely never speak, Adam defied expectations at every turn. His boundless energy and ADHD led him to swimming at age 9 under the guidance of a Special Olympics coach, where he trained daily and developed remarkable focus, strength, and confidence.
Adam’s talent grew so much that he competed not only in Special Olympics but also on a mainstream swim team—winning first place and becoming known for swimming 100 meters underwater without surfacing. In 2012, tragedy struck when a solo swim accident left him underwater for seven minutes. Doctors said survival was unlikely, but Adam once again proved them wrong.
After years away from competition, Adam rediscovered his love for swimming in 2024, earning a gold medal in the 50m butterfly and qualifying to apply for the 2026 USA Games. Out of nearly 800 applicants, Adam was one of 245 chosen. His journey continues to inspire—showing what it truly means to Never Give Up.
Grab a tee today inspired by Adam! 20% of proceeds will go directly to the Special Olympics of Minnesota.
