How Life’s Greatest Setbacks Lead to the Greatest Purpose
On July 14, 2016, André set out for another day of training, riding his bicycle from San Marcos to Austin, Texas, in preparation for Ironman 70.3 Austin. He never made it. While riding, André was struck by a pickup truck traveling at highway speed.
“Witnesses said I was thrown into a ditch and somehow stood up and walked several yards before collapsing,” says André Greene, author and traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor. “I have no memory of the impact, the ambulance ride or the first month that followed.”
André sustained a TBI so severe he scored a three on the Glasgow Coma Scale, the lowest possible score, indicating a deep comatose state. He spent nearly a month in a medically induced coma while his family and friends waited, prayed and wondered whether he would survive.
“I didn’t fit the description of someone who was about to suffer a life-changing injury,” says André. “I was healthy, fit, disciplined and doing everything right. In a matter of seconds, my entire future changed.”
Following his accident, André had to relearn how to walk, balance and speak. His TBI and vocal cord paralysis made even simple tasks exhausting. But the hardest part of all was losing his independence.
“I went from training for an Ironman to relying on others for transportation and daily support,” says André. “I wasn’t just grieving my injuries; I was grieving the life I thought I was going to have.”
Prior to the accident, André was in the best physical shape of his life. He had completed 11 half marathons, several sprint triathlons and was regularly riding 70 miles round trip from San Marcos to Austin.
“Swimming, running and cycling weren’t just hobbies,” says André. “They gave me purpose, discipline and confidence.”
André had always been focused on the next goal, the next race or the next accomplishment. Recovery from his TBI forced him to slow down and appreciate small victories, like taking one more step without falling or speaking one more clear sentence. It also taught him that he didn’t need to have his whole future figured out. He just had to keep moving forward, one day at a time.
“A huge turning point for me was when I stopped asking, ‘When will I get my old life back?’ and started asking ‘What can I build from here?’,” says André. “This wasn’t the life I planned, but the one I fought for.”
During his recovery, André was introduced to ConnectAbility, a passion initiative of Warm Springs Foundation, by his speech therapist who recognized that his recovery would require community, resources and support for living independently. “ConnectAbility didn’t just help me recover; they helped me rediscover my purpose,” says André. “It reminded me that while my life had changed, I still had a voice, valuable experiences to share and the ability to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Today, André serves as the District 5 multimodal transportation commissioner in San Antonio. Informed by his lived experience, André is working to help create safer and more accessible communities. He is also an author, advocate and public speaker on brain injury, using his story to raise awareness, promote accessibility and support others navigating life-altering disabilities.
“Sharing my story publicly has been a defining moment in my recovery,” says André. “I realized that one of the worst days of my life could become a source of hope for someone else.”
For years, July 14 was a day that André remembered as the day he almost died. But now he’s reclaiming it as a celebration of resilience, hope and second chances.
“It’s not the anniversary of the day my life almost ended; it’s the anniversary of the life I fought to rebuild.” says André. “10 years later, those words mean more to me than ever.”
While André’s story is deeply personal, his message is universal and filled with hope for everyone.
“We all face unexpected challenges,” says André. “Your life may not go according to plan, but some of life’s greatest setbacks can become the foundation for its greatest purpose.”
Key Takeaways:
- André Greene’s memoir, “Keep Calm & Live On!,” was published on July 14, 2026, exactly 10 years after his life-altering bicycle accident. The title has become André’s mindset that carried him through his TBI, his recovery and finding his purpose in the years since. Learn more about André and purchase a copy of his memoir here.
- Founded in 2016 by Warm Springs Foundation, ConnectAbility is a nonprofit that works to ease the burden on people with life-altering injuries and conditions as well as their families and caregivers by coordinating care and connecting clients to resources free of charge. Learn more about their mission and the services they provide here.
- At Warm Springs Foundation, we proudly support ConnectAbility along with others in our Circle of Care who provide life-altering possibilities for those living with disabilities.