Mike

Gallardo

Quick Facts

• Born and raised by a single mother in Los Angeles, Mike Gallardo faced a difficult childhood with the death of his mother, Debbie, at 10 years old to cancer
• Raised by his aunt, Gallardo turned down a college baseball scholarship to enlist in the U.S. Army after the September 11th terrorist attacks
• Also his birthday, September 11 took on a new meaning as he took it as a sign that he was meant to do something bigger than baseball
• After enlisting in the U.S. Army, he was on his first combat tour in Iraq in January 2007 when he sustained a severe injury to his right leg at the Achilles tendon after two IEDs simultaneously detonated beneath his truck
• After nine months of unsuccessful limb salvage, he decided to amputate his leg below the knee so he could continue to lead an active lifestyle
• He returned home to Texas and received the Purple Heart for his service
• After retiring from the Army, he completed the renowned Kona IRONMAN in 15 hours and 36 minutes nine months after his amputation
• In 2016, Gallardo applied to a graphic design internship with the MLB Network Veterans Apprenticeship Program where within a year, he had won a Best Visual Emmy for his work on the intro MLB Tonight
• He continues to stay involved in sports, including softball, Crossfit and track and field.

Career Highlights

• 2019 Bydgoszcz Grand Prix, gold (javelin)
• 2019 Arizona Grand Prix, silver (javelin)

Paralympic Experience

• 1-time Paralympian;
• Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, 7th (Javelin Throw F64 - Men)