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One-legged wrestler and "American Ninja Warrior" star Zach Gowen is raising money for amputees.

(Ed Pevos | MLive.com)

NORTHVILLE, MI -- Every time former WWE wrestler Zach Gowen climbs the ropes of a professional wrestling ring, he amazes audiences. When he participated on the hit TV show "American Ninja Warrior," he climbed into the hearts of millions who were in awe of his accomplishment.

Later this summer, Gowen faces a different climb as the amputee who lost his left leg because of cancer when he was 8 years old will attempt to climb a mountain in Ecuador all in a effort to raise money so that other amputees might be able to do the same one day.

Gowen is one of several amputees who are involved with the fundraising effort started by the Range of Motion Project (ROMP) to help amputees receive the treatments and prosthetic they need so that they are no longer held back by their limitations.

"It's significant because it gets them out of their house, the ability to go to work and provide for their families and to be part of their community," Gowen said. "They go from liabilities to assets, just like that."

ROMP aims to serve people in under served countries who need the assistance of an orthopedic brace or prosthetic in order to regain their mobility.

"We work to increase the mobility, visibility, and dignity of all those marginalized by lack of access to rehabilitative technology," reads a portion of the ROMP website.

Gowen first became involved with ROMP last year after he had a chance to visit one of the countries ROMP serves to see firsthand the impact they make. He said seeing how the organization is able to help people made want to get involved as soon as possible.

"Anything I can do to help raise awareness or funds for what this great teams does, I'm 100 percent behind," Gowen said.

Although he lost his leg as a child, Gowen has not allowed that to hold him back from achieving his dreams. A lifelong wrestling fan, he wrestled for the WWE from 2003-04. He works as a trainer for the highly successful DDP Yoga program and of course appeared on "American Ninja Warrior."

Through his work with ROMP, Gowen says he wants to inspire other amputees to realize they too can do things that don't seem possible.

"I do things that I'm not supposed to (be able to)," Gowen said.

As he prepares for the climb in July, Gowen is hosting a fundraiser at CycleBar Northville on May 27 with all proceeds going to ROMP. The fundraiser will include a 50-minute cycling session led by a CycleBar trainer, a meet and greet with Gowen, food and drinks along with prizes and raffles for the event.

The cost of the event is $25.

Because Gowen's flight to Ecuador has been covered through a sponsor and CycleBar has donated the space and instructor, all monies raised during the event will go directly to ROMP.

"It's a really positive, fun event. I think people are going to leave there feeling great," Gowen said.

The class is open to all ages and people of any fitness level can attend as the cycling is a go at your own pace style of workout. Gowen will be working out with the class as well. Space is limited however, as only 50 tickets can be sold.

"I'm really excited to be part of the process," Gowen said.

For more information on the fundraiser, visit the website here.