Doing Hard Things My Way: Building Community Through Movement
By Chad Williams
This past August, I had the opportunity to organize the very first Doing Hard Things My Way 5K, a week-long virtual event created not just to celebrate movement, but to bring people together in support of those living with cerebral palsy. What started as a vision turned into something much bigger — a chance to bring awareness, community, and encouragement to others walking their own hard paths.
My brand, Doing Hard Things My Way, was born out of a personal season of challenge. At first, it was simply a way for me to work through my own adversity and find strength in the process. But as I kept showing up, I realized this message wasn’t just mine — it resonated with others, too. As I did what I needed to for myself, I found strength in the support of others, and I also discovered something bigger:
I could be someone the CP community could look to for encouragement.
That realization is what led me to expand even further and create the Doing Hard Things My Way 5K. I wanted to build more than an event — I wanted to build a space where others could feel the same possibility, empowerment, and pride I had discovered. A space where every form of movement mattered, and where each person could show up and take part in their own way.
None of this would have been possible without Cerebral Palsy Strong. When I first shared the idea with Katy, she was open to supporting it — and that support turned a dream into reality. Without them, it would have remained just an idea. With them, it became the opportunity I was searching for: a way to give back to the CP community in a meaningful way.
Their support meant even more because Cerebral Palsy Strong has been part of my journey from the very beginning. They were one of the first to share my story after my very first Spartan race, and over the years they’ve continued to highlight the steps of my journey through social media. To have Katy and Cerebral Palsy Strong backing this 5K — the very first event under the Doing Hard Things My Way name — was incredibly meaningful. It felt like everything had come full circle.
I came up with the idea for the virtual 5K after finishing a big race of my own. As we looked at the calendar, it became clear that we didn’t have much time to put everything together and promote the event. But working together and making the most of the time we had, we were able to organize the event in just under a month that included 61 participants and raised over $2,000 for Cerebral Palsy Strong! Seeing people come together in their own way — running, walking, rolling, or simply supporting — was an incredible reminder that the CP community is not just surviving. We are thriving, moving forward, and lifting each other up.
Over the last few years, I’ve been able to prove to myself what I needed to: that with persistence, heart, and resilience, I could take on challenges I never thought possible. But now, my focus has shifted. It’s not only about what I can accomplish for myself — it’s about how I can help others in the CP community believe in their own strength, tackle their own challenges, and know that they’re not alone.
That’s the heart of Doing Hard Things My Way. It’s not just my story — it’s ours. As we step into October, with World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 6, I hope this event serves as a reminder of the power of community, awareness, and resilience. The 5K was just the beginning, and I’m excited to see how this movement continues to grow.
Because when we face adversity together and celebrate doing hard things our way, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.
Thank you, Chad, for your desire to support others in the CP community and also, our organization! We’re so grateful for your effort in making this event possible and we can’t wait until the next one. To follow along on Chad’s journey, find him on Instagram
