A GOLD medal-winning Paralympian “transcended” his mind while filming a television show for which he was put through a gruelling military training regime.
Jonathan Broom-Edwards, 34, from Colchester, stars in the forthcoming celebrity series of the hit Channel 4 programme SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The long-running show sees rookie recruits push their mental and physical strength to the limits as they test whether they could cut it in the Special Air Service.
High jumper Jonathan, who scooped gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, has always been fascinated by the concept so was “over the moon” when asked to join the line-up.
In preparation for the body-breaking challenges he would have to face for the series, Jonathan embarked on an intense four-week training routine.
With a view of mimicking interrogation techniques, he also endured hours without sleep while listening to recordings of babies screaming and horrible noises.
Then, in November, he flew out to Jordan alongside fellow famous faces such as Maisie Smith, Pete Wicks, Amber Gill and Dwayne Chambers.
He said: “During the toughest points, I thought about the moment I won in Tokyo or when I had to overcome a big injury and that absolutely lifted me.
“If I visualised myself quitting, it would spur me on to not quit – it was extremely tough but I transcended my mind and went beyond my limits.
“I was in so much pain but then all of a sudden the pain just vanished and I felt much stronger, which was such an emotional revelation.
“You don’t know how strong you are until strong is all you have got left – it is all about survival.”
Jonathan was born with congenital talipes equinovarus which impacts his ability to use his feet and causes a muscular imbalance throughout his body.
As the only disabled recruit on this year’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, he now hopes his appearance on the show will inspire others to overcome adversity like he has.
He added: “Going on the show taught me we all have some form of struggle we are battling in life, even if that is not a visible impairment.
“I hope I can inspire those without visible impairments to push their own limits because if we encourage people to power through then we can liberate each other.”
SAS: Who Dares Wins start on Sunday.
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