Andy Lipman is 39 years old. For most people, that`s not a significant age, but for Andy every year after 25 is an accomplishment. Andy fights a disease called cystic fibrosis (CF).

When he was born, his parents were told he wouldn’t live to his teens. When he was 7, he read that he wouldn`t be around at 25. When he was 20, he almost ended his own life. Today, he has turned it all around.

Andy beats cystic fibrosis by keeping a positive attitude and working hard to stay fit. He is an avid weightlifter and has benched as much as 300 pounds. He has run the Peachtree Road Race, an annual 10K in Atlanta, 13 times and this year completed his first triathlon. He also loves to play softball, basketball, and tennis. For the past decade Andy has served as a motivational speaker for civic organizations, schools and professional groups.

With the help of many of his close friends, Andy runs a softball tournament every year in memory of his sister. A Wish for Wendy has raised over $1 million for the CF Foundation. Andy was fortunate to be selected as an Olympic Torch bearer and as an 11 Alive-TV Community Service Award recipient. He is married to his inspiration, Andrea, and thanks to the miracle of IVF medical assistance they have two children, Avery and Ethan.

Andy’s words of wisdom are “Live your dreams and love your life!”