Skiing With Purpose

Michael “Mikey” O’Hearn, a third-generation Spring Lake native, comes from one of the town’s most beloved families. His mother is one of six children of the late Dr. Michael James Cahill, a highly respected and cherished pediatrician who served the Jersey Shore community for over 40 years (and was even my husband’s pediatrician!). Michael has carried forward his family’s legacy with incredible determination and resilience.

Born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita—a condition that causes joint contractures and stiffened muscles throughout his limbs—Michael has undergone countless surgeries and relies on walkers, wheelchairs and daily leg orthotics. Yet, he has never let these challenges define him. Today, at just 23 years old, Michael is a champion adaptive alpine ski racer, hitting speeds over 75 mph with skill and precision honed through years of dedication.

Michael’s journey into skiing began at the age of two. Watching other kids play sports, his parents sought opportunities for him to participate, and his great-aunt recommended the Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, New York. From the moment Michael was placed on skis, he felt at home. In fact, he skied before he could walk. Skiing became his sanctuary—a place where he could thrive, not despite his disability, but empowered by it.

Michael’s passion for the sport only grew as he trained at the Adaptive Sports Foundation every weekend with his father driving him back and forth. Eventually, he transitioned to competitive ski racing, joining the International Ski and Snowboard Federation’s Paralympic circuit. These competitions are as rigorous as the Olympic games, requiring intense training and qualifications.

Now living in Utah, Michael recently graduated from Westminster University and is part of the high-performance alpine ski racing team at the National Ability Center (NAC). Many of the United States Paralympic team athletes are selected from the NAC, and Michael is working tirelessly to earn a spot. His training involves five days a week of speed and technical drills, running gates and competing in domestic and international races to improve his world ranking.

Michael is currently ranked 38th in the world in Super-G, 52nd in Slalom and 53rd in Giant Slalom. He also serves as a role model for adaptive athletes worldwide.

Mikey, who started skiing at the age of two, is known as a leader and a gamechanger. “Ski racing is how I lead and represent defiance and tenacity.”

In 2018, as a USA Paralympic Ambassador, he traveled to South Korea to teach youth skiing, sharing the joy of the sport and witnessing the excitement of students as they skied for the first time.

Michael’s impact extends beyond the slopes. At 17, he joined an expedition with No Barriers USA, led by Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mount Everest. During their 15-day trek in Nepal, hiking the Himalayan mountains and visiting Buddhist temples, Michael experienced a transformative moment. Surrounded by acceptance and encouragement, he embraced his identity as a gay man, finding peace and joy in being fully himself.

Michael’s journey is a testament to resilience, courage and embracing one’s uniqueness. He describes his mission as more than athletic achievement: “Ski racing is how I lead and represent defiance and tenacity. It’s about transforming perceived limitations into opportunities for greatness,” he says.

Off the slopes, Michael is a motivational speaker, sharing his story at conferences, galas and corporate events, inspiring others to overcome their struggles with determination and purpose. He emphasizes that “physical tribulations don’t transmute into physical limitations but transpire with determination into victory.”

Michael’s biggest challenge now is funding. Like many adaptive athletes, he relies on sponsorships and fundraising to cover the high costs of custom equipment, specialized coaching, training and travel.

Balancing the financial demands of his sport with his full-time training is no small feat. Yet, Michael faces these obstacles the same way he tackles life: with grit, confidence and the belief that he can carve his own path.

For Michael, skiing represents freedom and empowerment. “Skiing is my anatomical freedom—a place where my scars and carbon-style leg braces transform into tools of strength and resiliency,” he says. As he continues to defy the odds, Michael is inspiring countless others to pursue their passions, no matter the challenges they face.

BY MARIA O’DONNELL