For many Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) athletes, competition is only part of the experience. Through the Athlete Leadership and Healthy Athletes programs, athletes can become Special Olympics Health Messengers and be educators, advocates, and leaders who inspire healthier lives both on and off the field. Health Messengers demonstrate that the Special Olympics is about much more than sports – it equips athletes with the tools to strengthen their communities, support one another, and create lasting change.
Through the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program, Health Messengers receive specialized training to promote health and wellness across SOSC. Whether they’re encouraging healthy habits, advocating for inclusive healthcare, or simply leading by example, these athletes use what they’ve learned to help others live healthier lives.
Two athletes making a lasting impact through the program are Joseph Gorin and Michael León.
A Special Olympics Southern California athlete since 2003, Joseph became a Health Messenger after serving as a Global Messenger. Today, he uses his platform to encourage fellow athletes to make healthier choices and prioritize their well-being.
“I think health and wellness is important for me because spreading health is important among my fellow athletes,” Joseph said. “Most of them, like me, live on their own, and health is not always the top priority.”
Joseph believes leading by example is the best way to inspire others to take better care for themselves and their communities. One of the biggest changes he made was replacing soda with water, a simple habit that has improved his own health and become a lesson he shares with fellow athletes. One of his proudest moments was encouraging a teammate to become a Health Messenger herself, expanding the program’s impact one athlete at a time.
For Michael, becoming a Health Messenger transformed his personal health journey into an opportunity to serve others. Since completing his Health Messenger training in 2023, Michael has shared lessons on nutrition, exercise, and mental wellness through Healthy Living with Michael, a virtual class he teaches for Tierra Del Sol Foundation, which helps support people with developmental disabilities.
“Health and wellness is important not only because I want to stay healthy and fit but also making sure I’m taking good care of my Type 1 Diabetes,” Michael said.
Michael regularly shares these lessons with teammates, coaches, family members, and community groups, believing that everyone deserves the knowledge and confidence to make healthier choices.
“I love being able to share and teach others about the importance of staying physically and mentally healthy,” he said.
For both athletes, being a Health Messenger extends beyond fitness. It has shown them how important accessible healthcare and education can be for people with intellectual disabilities.
With Healthy Athletes, SOSC athletes can receive free health screenings in a variety of health disciplines. Joseph recalls a moment when a Special Smiles Healthy Athletes screening, a dental exam that a fellow athlete used to dread, led to them discovering gum cancer. However, because it was caught early, it was able to be treated.
“Healthy Athletes not only help, but also save lives,” Joseph said.
Michael hopes healthcare providers recognize the importance of communicating clearly and treating people with intellectual disabilities with patience and respect.
“People with intellectual disabilities should be able to get the best care just like anybody else,” Michael said.
By serving as Health Messengers, Joseph and Michael have grown into leaders in their communities. The healthy habits they have learned for themselves have become lessons they proudly share. Their stories reflect what makes SOSC so special. It is not only an opportunity for athletes to compete, but it is an opportunity to discover their voices, develop leadership skills, and inspire others to live healthier lives. By empowering athletes like Joseph and Michael to serve as Health Messengers, SOSC continues to help build stronger communities, one healthy choice at a time.