Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"RON "SHOWTIME" HAWTHORNE"!
Let's get into some exclusive questions...
STANDISH: Growing up in Kansas City, what experiences shaped you into the athlete and person you are today?
HAWTHORNE: Wyandotte County Kansas City Kansas gave me my grit. Growing up here, you learn quickly that nothing is handed to you; you have to earn every single inch. Whether it was playing slap boxing/wrestling in local parks or dealing with the Midwest winters, KCK built my foundation. The community here is incredibly tight-knit and supportive, but they also expect you to work hard. That combination of deep love and high expectations taught me to respect the grind and never forget where I came from.
STANDISH: What does being a Paralympian mean to you beyond winning medals and competing?
HAWTHORNE: The medals are great—don't get me wrong, we all want the gold—but being a Paralympian is about shifting perspectives, It’s about showing the world that "disability" isn't a limitation; it’s just a different starting line. When I put on that Team USA uniform, I'm representing everyone who has ever been told "no," or "you can't." It’s about visibility, breaking barriers, and proving that human potential doesn't have a rigid mold.
STANDISH: Can you tell us about the moment you realized you could compete at an elite level?
HAWTHORNE: It was a specific moment during a regional wrestling meet early in my career. I remember looking at the coaches after securing qualifying for the KSHSAA high school State wrestling tournament and realizing my work ethic and skill set weren't just good for a para-athlete—they were competitive on *any* stage. The crowd went crazy, and in that split second, the self-doubt just vanished. I realized that my athleticism wasn't just a hobby anymore; it was a calling.
STANDISH: What obstacles have you faced in your journey, and how did you overcome them?
HAWTHORNE: Access and funding are always massive hurdles in adaptive sports. Early on, finding the right coaching, specialized training facilities, and equipment was a constant battle. I overcame it through sheer stubbornness and building a village. When one door closed, my team and I found a window. I learned to treat obstacles the same way I treat hurdles on the mat: you don't stop for them, you just adjust your stride and clear them.
STANDISH: Why do people call you "Showtime," and what does that nickname represent?
HAWTHORNE: (hahaha) "Showtime" came about because I don't just like to win—I like to use my faith and purpose. When the lights are the brightest and the pressure is the highest, that’s when I feel most alive. It represents my belief that sports should be fun, dramatic, and inspiring. When I step onto the mat, the hard work, dedication and discipline comes out, and it’s time to showcase God's work and all that he is worth. It’s an alter ego that locks me into absolute focus.
STANDISH: What has been the proudest moment of your athletic career so far?
HAWTHORNE: Standing on the podium at the Pan American championships and also the junior World championships hearing the national anthem play, knowing my family was watching from Kansas City Kansas. Looking down at a medal and remembering the exact days I wanted to quit, the days my body ached, and realizing every single sacrifice was worth it.
STANDISH: How do you stay motivated during difficult training days, injuries, or setbacks?
HAWTHORNE: Motivation is fleeting; **discipline** is what keeps you going. On the days I don't feel like training, or when I'm rehabbing an injury, I focus on my "why." I think about the next competitions and potential opponents, and I think about the kid out there watching me who needs to see that setbacks are just setups for the comeback. You have to love the boring, painful parts of the process just as much as the podium.
STANDISH: What misconceptions do people often have about Paralympic athletes?
HAWTHORNE: The biggest misconception is that we are just "happy to be there" or that it’s an inspirational participation event. Look, we are elite, cold-blooded competitors. We train 2 to 3 a day, watch our nutrition, study film, and suffer through highs and lows and lactic acid just like any Olympian. We aren't inspirational just because we show up; we deserve respect because of the elite athletic metrics we produce.
STANDISH: Who were your biggest inspirations growing up, both in sports and in life?
HAWTHORNE: In sports, it was guys like Scott Moore and Maurice Greene—athletes who brought massive personality and flair to their respective sport. They made it a spectacle. In life, it’s my family. My Grandparents, especially. They never allowed me to use my circumstances as an excuse. They taught me that a setback is just a prompt to figure out a creative solution.
STANDISH: What advice would you give to young athletes with disabilities who dream of competing at the highest level?
HAWTHORNE: "Never let someone else's low expectations define your ceiling."
Define your own boundaries. Find a sport you love, show up every single day, and don't be afraid to fail publicly. Failure is just data—it tells you what to fix for the next competition.
STANDISH: How has representing the United States on the world stage changed your perspective on life?
HAWTHORNE: It made my world a lot bigger, but it also made it feel more connected. When you’re in the Paralympic Village, you see athletes from countries going through immense hardships, yet everyone is united by sportsmanship and mutual respect. It made me realize how incredibly blessed I am, and it gave me a global perspective on what it means to be a resilient human being.
STANDISH: What's next for Ronald "Showtime" Hawthorne, and what goals are you focused on right now?
HAWTHORNE: Right now, the focus is entirely on the next World Championships and the upcoming Paralympic Games. I’m hunting for world/paralympic greatness I must earn a paralympic medal. Off the mat, I’m focusing on expanding adaptive sports programs in inner cities, making sure the next generation of para-athletes has an easier path than I did. Furthermore, I was honored to receive a proclamation key from the Mayor of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, which was presented to me by Mrs. Crystal Watson. My official holiday for Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas is every June 6th, and this year marks the inaugural date of this holiday.
STANDISH: As a Kansas City native, what message would you like to share with the next generation coming out of our city?
HAWTHORNE: To the kids in Wyandotte County KCK: Your zip code does not dictate your destiny. We come from a city of champions—from the Chiefs to the Royals to the local legends. Carry that Wyandotte pride with you, put your head down, do the work, and when your time comes, make sure you show the world exactly what you're made of.
STANDISH: If your life story became a documentary, what would the title be and why?
HAWTHORNE: It would be called, "BEYOND SIGHT" The Ronald Showtime Hawthorne Story. Because my life has been full of drama, high stakes, and moments where I had to perform when everything was on the line. It captures both the hard work behind the scenes and the spectacle of the performance.
STANDISH: Looking back at everything you've overcome, what are you most grateful for today?
HAWTHORNE: I’m most grateful for the perspective my journey has given me. If everything had been easy, I wouldn't appreciate the losses and wins the way I do now. I'm grateful Jesus for my health, my family, the community in Kansas City Kansas that raised me, and the platform I have to show the world that "Beyond Sight Showtime" is just getting started.
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Thanks so much for your
time!
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