MEET TOM
On his birthday in 2015, Tom Hulsey heard these dreaded words from his doctor, “you have cancer.” The diagnosis sent him into a tailspin. Having lost one of his best friends to prostate cancer the year before, he was ready to quit, to not even try to fight the disease. Why is this important? He is not a quitter, yet this bad news overwhelmed him. What changed? Loved ones and friends gave Tom ways and reasons to live. One reason was to be around to walk his daughter down the aisle. After completing his cancer recovery goals, including the IRONMAN® and walking his daughter down the aisle, Tom was confronted with another life-threatening issue.
Seven months after crossing the finish line at arguably the most difficult single day athletic endurance event known to man, the IRONMAN® World Championship, Tom went to his cardiologist complaining of pain in his shoulder. The cardiologist completely dismissed Tom’s concerns. Not satisfied, Tom sought a second opinion and was subsequently diagnosed with clinically severe coronary artery disease. Two stents were implanted and subsequently three more (while on the operating table, he had a myocardial infarction). Moral of the story; seek a second opinion if you sense something is wrong – be proactive with your health! Life threw Tom another curveball in 2021. He was diagnosed with severe carotid artery stenosis and subsequently had a life-saving carotid endarterectomy.
Three life-threatening illnesses have given Tom a wonderful perspective on life and a purpose. As both a survivor and advocate, he is passionate about utilizing his lived experiences to fuel positive changes and impact the health of our world. He has dedicated his life to helping and inspiring others facing life-threatening and life-altering obstacles.
Tom was the recipient of the 2019 Lauren Beam Philanthropy Award at the New York University School of Professional Studies and the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport for his “dedication and contributions toward philanthropic efforts that resulted in significant, positive effects on the world of sports and beyond.”
He serves on the boards at ZERO Prostate Cancer and Mary Crowley Cancer Research and is a research advocate & Patient and Family Advisory Council member at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Tom is a board member and the past president of the North Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition and served as a peer reviewer & mentor multiple times for the DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) – “transforming healthcare through innovative and impactful research.”
He is a 2-time author; detailing his journey, how mindset was key, and lessons learned. All book sales are being donated to philanthropic organizations making a positive impact on humankind.
Tom is a graduate of the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee and had a decades long career in technology / cyber security / physical security. He is a graduate of the FBI Citizens’ Academy, Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Citizen Prosecutor’s Academy, Texas Department of Public Safety Citizen’s Police Academy, Plano Citizen’s Police Academy, and member of the Plano Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
He is also an 11-time IRONMAN® (personally sponsored by Subaru) and 6-time Mountainman Winter Triathlon finisher (personally sponsored by NordicTrack) and was a professional hockey instructor in the Dallas Stars organization.
Tom lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife, Lauren. They have two married children and four grandchildren.


Making a Difference
