The 24-year-old from New York competed in the 400, 800 and 4x400 metres T54 relay at the London 2012 Paralympics, as well as the marathon, but his latest challenge will see him going across America at the rate of two to three marathons per day.

The event is being run by Stay Focused, a non-profit organisation based in the Cayman Islands that offers young adults the opportunity to develop leadership and gain independence through scuba diving.

It will help both raise awareness for the Paralympic Movement in America, as well as funds for Stay Focused.

The push began today at the JW Marriott Los Angeles with Chalmers now set to pass through 14 different States before finishing in New York's Central Park on June 15.

"We've been talking about this for a while, so I'm finally ready to actually get pushing," said Chalmers, who has been planning the push for two years.

"I'm kind of one of those racers who bobs up and down in his chair, so it's not going to be comfortable in the beginning, but it's just something I have to train my body to do."

Chalmers will burning an average of 3,800 calories per day during the push and has spent the last few months mentally preparing and practicing new eating habits.

He plans to have large breakfasts and dinners, with small lunches and portable snacks such as rice balls to eat while he pushes across every type of terrain, including mountains, cornfields and deserts.

"Seventy-five per cent of the battle is going to be mental," he said.

"It's just kind of wrapping my head around the fact that there's going to be days where I don't want to push.

"It's going to be a learning experience along the way, and that's something that's exciting about it.

"If we had all the answers, it wouldn't be such a learning experience.

"This is one of those campaigns that's going to gain momentum along the way, and so there's a lot of people who haven't heard about the event yet.

"It's going to raise so much awareness for disability sports, and as long as I remember that along the way, I'm going to be okay and I'm going to be able to make it."

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November 2012: Chalmers hopes "Push Across America" will raise awareness of Paralympic Movement in US