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5 Ways The 'Man In Motion' Anthem Is Still Changing The World 40 Years Later

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The phrase "Man in Motion" immediately conjures the powerful, uplifting chorus of the 1985 rock anthem "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" by British singer John Parr. While the song is forever linked to the Brat Pack film of the same name, its true, enduring inspiration is far more profound: a Canadian athlete named Rick Hansen and his epic, world-changing journey. As of this December 2025 update, the legacy of this movement is more relevant than ever, with the 40th Anniversary of the Man in Motion World Tour approaching, prompting a fresh look at its colossal impact on global accessibility and spinal cord injury (SCI) research.

This article dives deep into the true story behind the iconic phrase, charting the unstoppable journey of Rick Hansen, the tour that inspired millions, and the modern-day work of his foundation that continues to break down both physical and attitudinal barriers for people with disabilities across the globe. The story is one of resilience, perpetual motion, and a commitment to a barrier-free world.

The Unstoppable Journey: Rick Hansen's Full Biography

The "Man in Motion" is Richard Marvin Hansen, a Canadian track and field athlete, activist, and philanthropist whose life was irrevocably changed by a tragic accident.

  • Full Name: Richard Marvin Hansen, CC OBC
  • Born: August 26, 1957 (Currently 68 years old as of 2025)
  • Hometown: Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
  • Life-Altering Event: At the age of 15, Hansen was paralyzed from the waist down following a pickup truck accident.
  • Education: Graduated from the University of British Columbia (UBC) with a degree in Physical Education.
  • Athletic Career: Before his World Tour, Hansen achieved remarkable success as a Paralympic athlete, competing in wheelchair racing. He secured six Paralympic medals, including three gold, at the 1980 and 1984 Games.
  • Major Project: The Man in Motion World Tour (1985–1987).
  • Current Role: Founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF), a lifelong advocate for accessibility and SCI research.
  • Honours: Companion of the Order of Canada (CC) and Member of the Order of British Columbia (OBC).

The Man In Motion World Tour: A Global Legacy in Numbers

The Man in Motion World Tour was not merely an athletic feat; it was a five-continent, two-year-long wheelchair marathon designed to prove the potential of people with disabilities and raise money for spinal cord injury research and awareness.

Hansen's motivation came from his mentor, Terry Fox, who had attempted a cross-Canada run on a prosthetic leg to raise cancer awareness. Hansen sought to expand this vision to a global scale, using his own journey to inspire change.

The Tour's Astonishing Metrics:

  • Duration: 26 months (from March 21, 1985, to May 22, 1987).
  • Distance Covered: Over 40,000 kilometers (24,856 miles).
  • Countries Visited: 34 nations across four continents (Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia).
  • Funds Raised: The tour successfully raised $26 million for spinal cord injury research and quality of life programs.
  • The Song's Connection: John Parr’s hit, produced by David Foster, was released during the tour and served as its unofficial, global soundtrack, forever cementing the phrase in pop culture.

The sheer scale of the tour made Hansen a global icon, challenging perceptions of disability and shifting the focus from limitations to possibilities. The sight of the "Man in Motion" relentlessly pushing his wheelchair across deserts, mountains, and bustling cities became a powerful symbol of human spirit.

Beyond the Anthem: The Modern Impact of the Rick Hansen Foundation

Today, the legacy of the Man in Motion World Tour lives on through the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF), which has evolved into a powerhouse for accessibility and inclusion. The foundation's work is particularly relevant now, as it gears up for the 40th Anniversary of the tour's start.

The RHF's current strategic plan for 2024-2028 is focused on tackling what they call an "invisible crisis"—the systemic lack of accessibility that continues to hinder people with disabilities.

Here are 5 key ways the Man in Motion legacy is still changing the world:

1. Driving Global Accessibility Certification

The RHF is the driving force behind the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program. This program rates the accessibility of buildings and sites based on a rigorous set of standards, going far beyond minimum building codes. The goal is to create a measurable, barrier-free world by incentivizing property owners to adopt universal design principles.

2. Investing in Spinal Cord Injury Research

The foundational mission remains intact. The RHF continues to fund cutting-edge research and innovative technology aimed at finding a cure for spinal cord injury (SCI). This includes supporting clinical trials and promoting knowledge transfer among researchers globally.

3. Changing Attitudes and Breaking Down Social Barriers

The foundation’s work extends beyond physical structures to tackling attitudinal barriers. Through educational programs and public awareness campaigns, the RHF challenges stereotypes and promotes a culture of inclusion, ensuring people with disabilities are seen for their potential, not their limitations.

4. The 40th Anniversary Momentum (2025)

The upcoming 40th anniversary of the tour's launch in 2025 is a major focus for the RHF. This milestone is not just a celebration of the past, but a renewed push for future progress. The foundation is engaging with communities, like Williams Lake, to mark the occasion and launch new initiatives, using the historical momentum to fund the next generation of accessibility projects.

5. The Enduring Power of the Anthem

The song "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" remains a motivational tool. Its lyrics, which speak of keeping your head high and fulfilling dreams, perfectly capture the spirit of perseverance and are frequently used in sporting events and motivational speeches, proving that the original message of hope and action is timeless. The song’s connection to the film, featuring 'The Brat Pack' actors like Demi Moore and Ally Sheedy, only amplified its reach, making the message of the 'Man in Motion' unavoidable in the mid-80s and beyond.

The True Meaning of Perpetual Motion

The concept of a "Man in Motion" transcends the 1980s film and the inspirational tour. In a technical sense, the term is even used in American football, where a 'man-in-motion' is an offensive player moving parallel to the line of scrimmage just before the snap. The motion is a strategic cheat code, used to identify the defense (man or zone) and create mismatches, demonstrating how movement itself is a powerful offensive tool.

However, the ethical and social definition championed by Rick Hansen is the most compelling. It is a commitment to perpetual progress—the idea that the work of creating a truly inclusive society is never finished. The Man in Motion World Tour was the starting line, not the finish line. Decades later, the Rick Hansen Foundation continues to push forward, ensuring that the momentum generated in 1985 translates into real, tangible improvements in accessibility for millions of people worldwide.

The approaching 40th anniversary is a critical reminder that while great strides have been made, the journey to a fully barrier-free world requires continuous, focused effort. The original Man in Motion is still moving, and his movement is still inspiring the world to follow.

man in motion
man in motion

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