Popsugar Health & Fitness Disability Employment Awareness Month Nike Signs Justin Gallegos First Athlete With Cerebral Palsy Witness the Moment Justin Finds Out He's Nike's First Signed Pro Athlete With Cerebral Palsy 10 October 2018 by Perri Konecky Justin Gallegos is breaking barriers while breaking records. On Oct. 6, the University of Oregon junior and club team runner did what he always does: arrive at the finish line with a smile on his face. But this wasn't just another race where cameras were filming; the cameras were waiting for Justin to finish so they could hand him a Nike contract, making him the brand's first signed professional athlete with cerebral palsy. Film company Elevation 0m captured the life-changing moment showing Nike Insights Director, John Douglass, announce the news to Justin's teammates and Justin's reaction as he falls to the floor overwhelmed with emotion. It was a magical day for Justin — not only did he sign a three-year deal with Nike Running, but it all happened on Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. After the confetti settled and the ink on the contract was dry, Justin took to Instagram to reflect on this monumental day. "You don't realise how realistic and emotional your dreams are until they play out before your very eyes!" he wrote alongside the video. "Signing this contract was a huge success for me and I would not have made it without my friends and family and teammates! This was perhaps the most emotional moment in my seven years of running! Growing up with a disability, the thought of becoming a professional athlete is as I have said before like the thought of climbing Mt. Everest! It is definitely possible, but the odds are most definitely not in your favour!" He continued, "I was once a kid in leg braces who could barely put [one] foot in front of the other! Now I have signed a three year contract with Nike Running! Trust the process. . . Thank you everyone for helping show the world that there is No Such Thing As A Disability!" According to Yahoo Sports, Justin worked with Nike earlier this year on its Breaking2 campaign, "which helps athletes break the two-hour barrier for marathons." He also worked with the brand on a FlyEase version of its Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 sneakers in May, which added a "lightweight zipper-and-strap technology" made for runners of all abilities. Watch the heartwarming video ahead, and see how Nike's vision of inclusivity is truly coming to life. The Video of Justin Finding Out the Great News 1 / 6 Justin's Reaction to the News View this post on Instagram Today on world Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day, I reached a milestone in my running journey! Today I made Nike history and became the very first athlete with Cerebral Palsy to sign a contract with Nike! You don’t realize how realistic and emotional your dreams are until they play out before your very eyes! Signing this contract was a huge success for me and I would not have made it without my friends and family and teammates! This was perhaps the most emotional moment in my seven years of running! Growing up with a disability, the thought of becoming a professional athlete is as I have said before like the thought of climbing Mt. Everest! It is definitely possible, but the odds are most definitely not in your favor! Hard work pays off! Hundreds of miles, blood, sweat, and tears has lead me here along with a few permanent scars! But the journey is damn sure not over!!! Looking back, I would guess there is only a few select people who would see me were I am today! I have gone through just about everything in the book to be where I am today! I was once a kid in leg braces who could barely put on foot in front of the other! Now I have signed a three year contract with Nike Running! Trust the process! And most of all trust in God! God is good! Thank you to all my friends, family, and teammates on running club, and now a brand new atmosphere on teammates with Nike! This moment will live forever! Thank you everyone for helping show the world that there is No Such Thing As A Disability! #ProfessionalAthlete #SWOOSH #Nike72 #NikeTrackandField #NikeXC #ThereIsNoFinishLine #StrongerEveryMile #NoSuchThingAsADisability #NikeRunning #Limitless #Breaking2 Video Credits: @elevation0m A post shared by Justin "Magic" Gallegos (@zoommagic) on Oct 6, 2018 at 5:33pm PDT 2 / 6 Making It Official! View this post on Instagram I’m still at loss for words! Thank to everyone for the love and the support not only the past couple days but the last seven years of my life! Beyond blessed to officially represent the swoosh! Still can’t believe I made Nike history! Very excited! Big things are yet to come! Trust in the process! And trust in God! All glory to the most high! God is truly good! #NikeRunning #NIKE #SWOOSH #SwooshFamily #Beaverton #Nike72 #JustDoIt #ThereIsNoFinishLine #StrongerEveryMile #NoSuchThingAsADisability #Limitless #Breaking2 A post shared by Justin "Magic" Gallegos (@zoommagic) on Oct 8, 2018 at 12:08pm PDT 3 / 6 Still Beaming With Pride! Is this real life? Thank you to all my friends and family and teammates who got my back and supported me through everything! This is a freaking dream come true! Proud to officially be apart of SWOOSH family!! pic.twitter.com/7uDwWkHhPW— Justin S. Gallegos (@zoommagic98) October 8, 2018 4 / 6 The Official Photos From Elevation 0m Take this story, and "Run" with it. Link below @zoommagic98 https://t.co/niwkPkwEeTElevation 0m. Digital Media Redefined. pic.twitter.com/B902Yn8rLx— Abdullah Khawaja (@kabdullah360) October 7, 2018 5 / 6 Justin's Breaking2 Campaign With Nike From May 6 / 6 Disability Employment Awareness MonthDisabilityTouching StoriesRunningNike