Palatine Triathlete Seeks Donations to Fight Cystic Fibrosis

It is not unusual for personal trainers to get close to their clients. But Equilibrium’s Peter Kadzielawski has taken it to a new level.

When Brian Larsen and his dad Dave came to train at a personal training facility located in Palatine at the corner of Dundee Road and Quentin Road, Kadzielawski did what he always did with new clients.

 “I want to know their motivation for training,” Kadzielawski said.  “And when I found out, it shocked me.”

Brian, who was 14 at the time, has cystic fibrosis, a degenerate disease of the lungs. Brian needed to train, not only to aid in his ability to breath, but to strengthen himself. He needed to gain weight and strengthen his heart because he is a lung transplant candidate.

 “It is a really become a life and death situation for him,” Kadzielawski said. “In order to be a strong, viable candidate for a lung transplant, he must be in very good health. So that’s why we began to train.”

 Kadzielawski also found out that Brian had a sister Kristen who died from the disease at 14 years old, the same as Brian. So he began to research cystic fibrosis even more so he could help his young friend.

“It gives me goose bumps every time I think about it,” Kadzielawski said. “I wanted to do something to help, I just didn’t know what I could do.”

In the meantime, Kadzielawski had begun to compete in Triathlons.

He had run a half-triathalon and was preparing for an ironman triathlon in Louisville. When we went to sign himself up for the ironman, he found that there was an organization called Charity Challenge that would help him raise money for a nonprofit group. One of those was the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“It just hit,” Kadzielawski said. “It was a great way to help and it kept me motivated. As I trained, I kept telling myself “I can’t let Brian down.””

Last year, Kadzielawski raised more than $6,000 for cystic fibrosis. This year, even though the triathalon he is competing in is not offering a fundraising option, Kadzielawski still is looking for donations. His goal this year is to top the $10,000 mark.

“It is so great what he is doing,” Dave Larsen said. “He is a tremendous role model and a good friend. He has really come through for us.”

Brian has become stronger working with Kadzielawski. Now 16, he has gained weight thanks in part to the training and has increased his muscle mass.

“It’s important to give back,” Kadzielawski said. “This is something important and I want to continue doing it.”

To help Kadzielawski reach his goal, visit him here.