jeremy renner
Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com

Jeremy Renner is a “walking” miracle. The “Hawkeye” star recently sprinted up his driveway for a Brooks running shoe campaign after almost losing his life last year in a snowplow accident. In an interview with People, Renner explained, “I was barely walking, so I didn’t know what these shoes were going to do for me.” The actor shared how he took small steps during his recovery and saw improvement over time.

Renner said, “When I really got to use them was one day after a workout, maybe 10 months into the recovery. I was feeling really great and strong, and I felt pretty good about trying to move around in these things and see if I could do it. I said, ‘I’m going to try to sprint up this thing, and I did.’’ He shared how victorious the moment was for him. He said, “For me, it meant so much because to go from a wheelchair and limping around with the cane and [being] told you’re never going to walk right again and you’re never going to run again, it was pretty hopeful for me. It gave me an ally.”

The actor shared the importance of holding onto hope. “You got something on your side. When you get hope, hope is a powerful ally. A lot of things help us build hope, and progress helps us build hope. That’s the easy one,” he added. “Failures don’t feel like they do, but they also really fuel hope because you could get progress out of failures. You can’t really keep progressing without failing. You got to have both. You have to fail to succeed.” Renner suffered 30 broken bones after being run over by a snowplow. He was attempting to help his nephew get a stuck vehicle out of the snow, but the 14,300 machine ran him over.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jeremy Renner (@jeremyrenner)

Shortly after the accident, the actor took to Instagram to share the news. “Morning workouts, resolutions all changed this particular new years …. Spawned from tragedy for my entire family, and quickly focused into uniting actionable love,” the actor said with a photo of him receiving physical therapy. “I want to thank EVERYONE for their messages and thoughtfulness for my family and I …. Much love and appreciation to you all. These 30-plus broken bones will mend, grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens. Love and blessings to you all.”

He’s continuing to recover. “I feel it is my duty to get better for my family, for myself, and for all those who helped me. So wherever THERE is for you… a new beginning, a dream, a goal. Let’s Run There!!!” he said in a recent Instagram post.

More from Beliefnet and our partners