On today's show I sit down with 2x Open-Heart Surgery occupant and former NCAA Champion, Derek Owens. Being born with a heart condition and the odds stacked against him Derek makes every minute count. Growing up he was completely unaware that his heart only has two valves instead of three. Derek went to doctor’s appointments more than other kids his age, but he just thought it was a regular routine all kids had to do. He was aware of his condition at 16 when he had to get his first Open-Heart Surgery.

He went on to play Division 1 basketball, where he was captain of his team his senior year. Two weeks after the season ended, he couldn’t run half a mile or even go upstairs without getting winded. It became clear that he would need to go into surgery again.

Derek Owens's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/derekowensheart/

Heart Warriors Foundation - http://heartwarriorsfoundation.org/home