Loren Ollenburger is fundraising
Running 220 Miles in 8 Days for Multiple Sclerosis
Senior Vice President with Multiple Sclerosis…I should have shared my condition
By age 34 I was a Senior Vice President at one of the most prestigious investment firms in the world, traveling the globe collaborating with some of the most influential players in the capital markets, working with incomprehensible dollar figures in the billions and trillions. 12-hour workdays were the short ones, red eye flights immediately into client meetings was the norm and an ultra-intense and stressful work environment were part of the job that really fueled me. And it was worth it. I was married to the woman of my dreams, had three beautiful and healthy kids – on the surface living the dream.
Hidden from my superiors, colleagues, clients, and quite frankly pretty much everyone but my family and closest friends was the fact that I had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 27, in the midst of pursuing a MBA at the University of Southern California, and right around the birth of our first son. On the surface I was living a very fruitful life. Within, I endured physical and neurological adversity and uncertainty that required daily injections, routine MRI’s and blood panels, steroid treatments, often sneaking away at lunch for neurologist appointments. But that wasn’t going to stop me. I gave my career my all. Promoted to Vice President at 31, Senior Vice President at 34, the sky was the limit because while I had MS, MS didn’t have me. But it was my secret.
Fast forward, after 14 years with the company, just short of age 40, I got laid off.
Reflecting on that chapter of my life, I regret not sharing that I was diagnosed with and living with MS. I look back now and realize the impact that I may have been able to have as a “successful corporate executive” with MS. Instead of being afraid of how I would be judged, I could have really proven that those with MS are not always as we imagine. Instead of silently dealing with challenging personal situations and leaving the office for “unknown reasons”, I could have been candid about what I was going through, and perhaps made others understand the disease more. There are opportunities we are sometimes provided with our positions and sadly, I did not respect that position enough to really stand up for those that perhaps don’t have the platform I did. My fear of being treated differently overshadowed my ability to speak.
I know of and admire several high-profile celebrities with MS, that use their platform and circumstances to not only live their best life, but also make a hugely positive impact on the fight to stop MS. I may not be high-profile, but with a little more maturity I understand the platform I do have. I am a business owner, working hard to provide for my family while still being a present husband and father. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I needed this new path, for many reasons. My family, my health and my need to do more.
In a couple of days, I turn 42. In a couple of months, I’m running 220 miles in 8 days (yes, an average of 27.5 miles per day…yes that’s more than a marathon a day) from Barstow, California to Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the 2020 MS Run the US relay from Santa Monica to New York. Please help me make up for my previous missed opportunity. Help me raise awareness and much needed $$$$$$ to help find a cure for MS, and to provide assistance to those who struggle with the disease far more than I do. Who knows, they could be sitting next to you.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and your generosity. With all of us working together, the sky is the limit.
I have MS, but MS doesn’t have me.
Loren Ollenburger lives in Santa Ynez, California (near Santa Barbara) with his wife Sarah and their three kids Jackson, Lucas and Scarlett. In addition to building their small business, Loren serves on the MS Run the US board of directors, joining after running 190 miles in 7 days in the 2017 MS Run the US relay. He coaches his son’s basketball team, volunteers at the kid’s schools and is making up for other lost opportunities.
MS Run the US is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support multiple sclerosis (MS) research, while also supporting those living with disability due to MS. Our running events focus on pushing our individual limits while inspiring individuals to maximize their capabilities and become more active to help those in need.
By age 34 I was a Senior Vice President at one of the most prestigious investment firms in the world, traveling the globe collaborating with some of the most influential players in the capital markets, working with incomprehensible dollar figures in the billions and trillions. 12-hour workdays were the short ones, red eye flights immediately into client meetings was the norm and an ultra-intense and stressful work environment were part of the job that really fueled me. And it was worth it. I was married to the woman of my dreams, had three beautiful and healthy kids – on the surface living the dream.
Hidden from my superiors, colleagues, clients, and quite frankly pretty much everyone but my family and closest friends was the fact that I had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 27, in the midst of pursuing a MBA at the University of Southern California, and right around the birth of our first son. On the surface I was living a very fruitful life. Within, I endured physical and neurological adversity and uncertainty that required daily injections, routine MRI’s and blood panels, steroid treatments, often sneaking away at lunch for neurologist appointments. But that wasn’t going to stop me. I gave my career my all. Promoted to Vice President at 31, Senior Vice President at 34, the sky was the limit because while I had MS, MS didn’t have me. But it was my secret.
Fast forward, after 14 years with the company, just short of age 40, I got laid off.
Reflecting on that chapter of my life, I regret not sharing that I was diagnosed with and living with MS. I look back now and realize the impact that I may have been able to have as a “successful corporate executive” with MS. Instead of being afraid of how I would be judged, I could have really proven that those with MS are not always as we imagine. Instead of silently dealing with challenging personal situations and leaving the office for “unknown reasons”, I could have been candid about what I was going through, and perhaps made others understand the disease more. There are opportunities we are sometimes provided with our positions and sadly, I did not respect that position enough to really stand up for those that perhaps don’t have the platform I did. My fear of being treated differently overshadowed my ability to speak.
I know of and admire several high-profile celebrities with MS, that use their platform and circumstances to not only live their best life, but also make a hugely positive impact on the fight to stop MS. I may not be high-profile, but with a little more maturity I understand the platform I do have. I am a business owner, working hard to provide for my family while still being a present husband and father. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I needed this new path, for many reasons. My family, my health and my need to do more.
In a couple of days, I turn 42. In a couple of months, I’m running 220 miles in 8 days (yes, an average of 27.5 miles per day…yes that’s more than a marathon a day) from Barstow, California to Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the 2020 MS Run the US relay from Santa Monica to New York. Please help me make up for my previous missed opportunity. Help me raise awareness and much needed $$$$$$ to help find a cure for MS, and to provide assistance to those who struggle with the disease far more than I do. Who knows, they could be sitting next to you.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and your generosity. With all of us working together, the sky is the limit.
I have MS, but MS doesn’t have me.
Loren Ollenburger lives in Santa Ynez, California (near Santa Barbara) with his wife Sarah and their three kids Jackson, Lucas and Scarlett. In addition to building their small business, Loren serves on the MS Run the US board of directors, joining after running 190 miles in 7 days in the 2017 MS Run the US relay. He coaches his son’s basketball team, volunteers at the kid’s schools and is making up for other lost opportunities.
MS Run the US is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support multiple sclerosis (MS) research, while also supporting those living with disability due to MS. Our running events focus on pushing our individual limits while inspiring individuals to maximize their capabilities and become more active to help those in need.
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