WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue Director of Diving Adam Soldati approached the 14th hole at Allen Ackerman Golf Course last Sunday.
He was competing in the Lafayette Men's City Golf Championship less than a month after announcing his retirement from coaching after being diagnosed with ALS.
He let out a high-pitched grunt after his tee shot went over 200 yards — outdriving his playing partners Paul Sadler, Casey Bartley and Kevin Moore.
Soldati isn't allowing ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, to dictate his lifestyle.
"I feel good," Soldati said. "Professionally I feel very content at moving on and making a decision. Clearly I have full mobility. I just have some weakening and atrophy in my right hand and right arm. But still fully functional."
Soldati opened up about his ALS diagnosis, how he's dealt with doctors, changed his fitness routines, the roots of his upbeat attitude, how the sport of golf has allowed him to connect with his family and satisfy his drive to compete, and coming to terms with the life-threatening disease.
Soldati takes life into his own hands
Soldati was diagnosed with ALS and presented with "doomsday scenarios" when first meeting with doctors.
"At the beginning, it was thought that I wasn't going to be fully functional a year from now and so I think I need to step away and capitalize that time with my family and my kids because you don't know how fast this disease this disease can progress," Soldati said. "But I think it's switched."
Faith and his Christian belief system allowed Soldati to maintain his upbeat perspective upon hearing his diagnosis.
"As God began to take me down his path exploring the Bible and his word, I've spent the last 20 years digging into that and it's been a beautiful eye-opening understanding of the human existence," Soldati said. "Where we come from, what we're doing, what's the point of our life and what's the purpose of our life. There's never been a moment of fear of death."
Soldati shared how having ALS is teaching Blake, 18; Isaac, 16; Maiya, 14; Emi, 12; and twins Noah and Rylie, 10, to appreciate their lives and understand how fragile it can be.
And how his wife Kimiko, who he met in 1995 at Indiana, has continued to support him.
"It's a great opportunity to teach our kids that we have to trust and believe in something greater than ourselves," Soldati said. "Suffering is going to be a part of life. If we live long enough, we are going to suffer and lose a loved one. They are going to watch me be joyful and excited about life in the face of whatever God brings us."
Soldati has researched holistic methods to strengthen his body against ALS. He started a daily two-and-a-half-hour workout regiment where he stretches, bikes and performs light lifting at Hotworx in West Lafayette. Hotworx has exercise rooms that are retrofitted with saunas and allow members to exercise at heated temperatures.
"One thing I've realized going through this phase is you have to put your body through quite the detox," Soldati said.
Family time, golf and change of coaching setting
Soldati says he's cherishing spending time with family after he retired from coaching.
One of the ways Soldati is bonded with Blake and Isaac has been through the sport of golf.
"A year ago some of my family came out and we did a golf scramble," Soldati said. "(Blake) enjoyed it so we go out at 6:30 a.m. and play nine holes and over the last year, we picked up. Both twins play golf in a junior league and my wife plays as school gets back for the kids. We just enjoy the sport as a family activity and something healthy for me to do."
Which led Soldati to compete at the Lafayette Men's City Golf Championship.
"I enjoy doing this even though I'm outclassed," Soldati said after shooting a score of 103. "I got to figure out how to do tournament play but it'll be good. You have to figure out the game just like my divers diving at their first Big Ten Conference Championship."
He won't be appearing at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a coach or spectator this year after spending the last four Olympic cycles training divers
But coaching will still play a major role in Soldati's life. Just in a different setting.
"I've always had a passion for helping young men grow in their wisdom and helping them skillfully navigate life," Soldati said. "It's not just about how to become a great diver or how to become a great diver. From the age of 18-22 you have to learn to navigate life. You really become a life coach and I hope some of that never changes."
'Our biggest obstacle is ourselves': Soldati shares his approach to ALS
Soldati realizes the challenges ahead but starts every morning by praying each day with Kimiko.
"The reason why we do this is to try and orient ourselves in the correct position," Soldati said. "Today is not about trying to bring me glory or make me look good.
"Our own selfishness can be our biggest obstacle. The more I'm free from making things about me, it opens myself up to really love people, to be okay with failing and to be okay to succeed. The biggest obstacle for me is getting out of the way of myself."
However many seconds, days, weeks or years are left, Soldati is a man who left coaching content. He not only mentored five Olympians but left the program in the hands of his greatest athlete with two-time gold medalist David Boudia.
His focus is on enjoying each second he has left. By spending time with the people he loves and attacking ALS without fear.
"Whether God gives me two years or he gives me 30, however many he gives me, these are going to be sweet years," Soldati said.
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