Carlos Moleda
2014
Carlos Moleda’s story is one of courage, resilience, and transformation — from a Brazilian teenager chasing the American dream to a U.S. Navy SEAL whose life was forever changed in combat, and ultimately to a world-class athlete and mentor who has inspired generations of adaptive athletes.
Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Carlos first visited the United States at age 16 for a skateboarding championship in California — a trip that ignited his love for America and its people. Two years later, he moved to the U.S., still learning the language but determined to make his mark. His drive and discipline eventually led him to join the U.S. Navy at age 26, where his exceptional performance earned him a place among the elite Navy SEALs.
In 1989, during Operation Just Cause in Panama, Carlos’s unit came under heavy fire. Nine of the ten men were wounded — four fatally — and Carlos was shot near his spine and leg, leaving him permanently paralyzed from the waist down. Rather than surrender to despair, he channeled his fighting spirit into adaptive sports, which became both a pathway to recovery and a new mission in life.
Just six months after his injury, Carlos competed in his first event — the 1990 National Veterans Wheelchair Games — and discovered a new form of purpose through sport. What followed was one of the most remarkable athletic careers in adaptive sports history.
Carlos went on to become a five-time IRONMAN World Champion in Hawaii, the most grueling triathlon on earth. He conquered the Race Across America, a 3,000-mile coast-to-coast endurance cycling challenge, and dominated the 367-mile Sadler’s Ultra Challenge in Alaska. He became a six-time National Handcycling Champion, and, in a breathtaking feat of determination, he even summited Mount Kilimanjaro.
Yet, as impressive as these achievements are, Carlos’s greatest legacy lies in how he used his platform to uplift and inspire others. In the early 2000s, he coached the Virginia Beach Sun Wheelers Junior Team, leading them to multiple Junior Nationals. He became a spokesman for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and a triathlon coach for CAF Operation Rebound, mentoring veterans and adaptive athletes alike.
Carlos also founded and coaches the world’s only all-female handcycling team, empowering women athletes with disabilities to compete at the highest levels. He frequently mentors and collaborates with programs such as the New Jersey Navigators, offering workshops, sharing his experiences, and helping young athletes find confidence and strength through sport.
Through his words and actions, Carlos Moleda turned tragedy into triumph, redefining what is possible for athletes with disabilities. His life’s work continues to inspire both civilians and service members to face adversity with courage, persistence, and purpose — proving that true strength is measured not by what we lose, but by how we rise again.