Hope is an easy thing to give up on, especially when times are hard.
Two people from two very different backgrounds. Terry’s childhood was tumultuous. His father abandoned his family when Terry was just ten after years of abuse and alcoholism. His mother took multiple jobs to support her five children and as a result rarely saw them. Terry had no plan when he graduated from high school, functionally illiterate after struggling for years with undiagnosed learning disabilities. Nancy’s childhood, a far cry from Terry’s. She grew up in a secure home with parents who were married almost 54 years. Stable, loving, and safe.
In 2014, Team Gurno took to an Ironman course in picturesque Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to cheer on their son, Levi, as he competed in his first Ironman. Levi’s finish inspired Terry, who put his motivation (and hope) over fear and signed up for next year’s Ironman race. That race day in 2015 was an unbearable 108 degrees, and Terry was disqualified at mile 90. “I am done today, but I am not finished,” said Terry as he recommitted to the following year. He put all his effort into training and finished as the final finisher that June night with less than two minutes to the cut-off time.
Meet Terry Gurno
“I want people to believe there is hope for every situation they’re in, personally or professionally. I’m convinced that hope is one of the most powerful motivator’s there is.”
After Terry found his own faith and his personal relationship with Jesus, he found Nancy. Almost 40 years later, they are the proud parents of three adult children and four beautiful grandchildren, lovingly known as Team Gurno.
After Terry found his own faith and his personal relationship with Jesus, he found Nancy. Almost 40 years later, they are the proud parents of three adult children and four beautiful grandchildren, lovingly known as Team Gurno.
With the goal of another Ironman finish, Terry set out on his bike on a chilly February morning to find he was out of breath on mile one. Chalking it up to age and being out of shape, Terry pushed through for 9 more miles.
Labor Day weekend 2022, after a short walk up a very small hill, it took him 20 minutes to catch his breath. Terry knew something wasn’t right. He continued to notice challenges breathing and even fatigue when doing the chores around the house. In September, a trip to the cardiologist turned into an immediate ER visit where numerous tests were ran resulting in open heart surgery for five blockages scheduled for two weeks later.
Even after all the preparation from the team at Kootenai Health, nothing could have prepared Terry and Nancy for the feelings of gratitude after he came out of the surgery. “I remember seeing Nancy there and I couldn’t talk and I wanted her to know how much I loved her. I tried to look into her eyes as deeply as I could and I squeezed her hand three times (code for I love you), just seeing her was such a relief for me.”
After heading home with a new lease on life, Terry was admitted back into the hospital a month later with a blood clot in his thigh, two in his lungs, and one in his liver. A week later, Terry passed out at his cardiac therapy appointment. He awoke once again, in the emergency room, where he learned three of his five bypasses had failed. His cardiologist went back into his heart and was able to place two stents. “I was so grateful, I felt like they performed a miracle.”
Terry would be driving himself to the ER a few weeks later with debilitating abdominal pain. After a colonoscopy, a surgery and a lot of waiting, Terry was alone in a hospital bed when his doctor delivered the news no one ever wants to hear, “You have Stage 3 colon cancer.” After fighting so hard for his heart, this news was shattering, and Terry had never felt more alone, never felt so hopeless. But he had Nancy, in sickness and in health, forever by his side. “If I had one more day at home with Nancy, that would be enough for me.”
Terry has, since then, lived every day knowing that, “One more day is enough”. Him and Nancy both are committed to living with intention, slowing down, and taking in every moment, every sunset, every laugh from an excited grandbaby, every hug from their children, every opportunity they have to change a mindset, or maybe even a life. Throughout all the trials, hope has never been lost. “I am still not afraid; I do not believe this life is all there is. I have a lot of hope regardless.”
These days, you’ll find Terry and Nancy living every moment. Terry’s last blood work showed no signs of cancer. He completed a sprint triathlon and a 37-mile bike race this summer with Nancy cheering him on.
They are successful real estate agents with Ladder Real Estate, and Terry, a powerful business coach who delivers motivational and impactful messages to leaders and businesses nationwide.
Most importantly, the reason you’re reading this, they started the podcast UNYIELDING HOPE. To help people find hope even in the darkest times, to give strength when there may be none and courage to keep going no matter how high the mountain is in front of them.
The mission of Unyielding Hope is to help you find strength for today, courage for tomorrow, and hope for the future.
Whatever your relational, financial, health, spiritual, or personal struggles, you are not alone in this space. Unyielding Hope is for you, to give you the strength to take another step and find hope in tomorrow.
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