Feb 23, 2016 2 min read

Eric McElvenny credits his wife and daughter for helping him pull through after he lost part of his right leg while serving with the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan in December 2011.

“I attribute my success to the people around me,” the Rostraver Township native said, referring to his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, Lupe, who was 5 years old when her father was injured.

McElvenny, who will deliver a motivational speech Thursday at Mon Valley Hospital, said he set a high goal for himself after recovering from injuries suffered when he stepped on a improvised explosive device while embedded with soldiers from Afghanistan in Helmand Province.

“I set a personal goal of running in the Iron Man Triathlon,” the 2001 graduate of Belle Vernon Area High School said.

Just 22 months after he was fitted with a carbon-fiber prosthetic leg, McElvenny crossed the finish line in the 2013 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.

McElvenny said he received excellent care from the military after he was injured. Eventually various groups began to ask him to speak about his experiences, and led to his career as a motivational speaker.

“I realized there was something special about me possibly helping someone,” he said. “I’m going to tell my story, the obstacles and how we can embrace challenge and grow.”

The Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring his appearance at the hospital after its executive director, Gina C. Lynn, met him at an appreciation day at a baseball game at his high school.

“They honored me. I pitched the first pitch,” said McElvenny, who played baseball in high school.

He will speak at 7 p.m. in the hospital’s conference center, 1163 Route 88 in Carroll Township. For tickets, call 724-929-3329.