(NEXSTAR) – Para-cycling world champion and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dennis Connors tries to always keep things in perspective.

“I have to focus on having fun, cause as soon as I start focusing on those like performance outcomes, my performance goes down,” Connors said.

Connors, who is from Beaverton, Oregon, suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries while serving three combat tours in Iraq. The 38-year-old found para-cycling through fellow veterans who encouraged him to try the sport.

“Bringing that mentality from the military,” Connors said. “It goes really well with bike racing because you have to be able to make decisions after being tired.”

Connors suffered a stroke in 2020, limiting mobility in his left side. Connors is hoping to make the U.S. Para-cycling team and compete in Paris this summer. 

“The obstacles are gonna come at you your whole life and you just have to adapt,” Connors said. “You can always continue to do the things that you love to do.”