Mike Florak, a motivational speaker, author and former baseball coach, is speaking at 5 p.m. today in room 115 of the Business Administration Building.

Florak, diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 22, will be speaking to students about how his faith helped him overcome the struggles he has had because of Crohn’s disease, a chronic medical condition characterized by inflammation of the bowel, and how it is important to not let a disease prevent people from doing what they love.

For seven years, Florak suffered from flare-ups of his disease that would cause him to lose 40 to 60 pounds at a time, undergo eight surgeries, battle depression and frequent trips to the hospital.

In 1996, Florak underwent ileostomy surgery that enabled him to lead a full and productive life again.

Since his surgery, Florak became one of the country’s youngest NCAA Division 1 head baseball coaches while also having written about his story in articles in publications for the Pittsburgh chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and for the Pittsburgh Intestinal Disease Foundation.

Florak says that since his life has been saved, he wants to help others and continue to let patients and his audiences know that you can do anything if you set your mind to it.

— Kelly Maile