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A story of transformation, faith, and the power of refusing to quit. From energy drink addiction and a humiliating 37-yard swim to competing at the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona and Nice. Paperback & Kindle
THE STORY BEHIND THE BOOKWhat Happens When You Can't Even Swim Across a Pool?
In 2012, I couldn't swim 37 yards without stopping—gasping for air, humiliated, and wondering what I'd gotten myself into. I was overweight, addicted to energy drinks, and living far from the life I knew God intended for me. Thirteen years later, I stood on the start line at the IRONMAN® World Championships in Kona, Hawaii—one of the most prestigious endurance events on the planet. Then I did it again in Nice, France. This book tells the complete story of that transformation: the brutal training sessions, two back surgeries that threatened everything, the faith that sustained me through doubt, and the lessons learned from 16 IRONMAN® finishes. But more than that, it's about discovering who you really are when you refuse to let your worst moment define you. |
Whether you're an athlete, a dreamer, or someone who's ever felt like giving up—this story is for you.
It's time to rewrite your story.
It's time to rewrite your story.
WHAT READERS WILL DISCOVER
Inside This Book
- The 37-yard moment that changed everything and how humiliation became the catalyst for transformation
- Overcoming two spinal surgeries and returning to compete at the highest level of the sport
- The faith principles that sustained me through 13 years of training, setbacks, and triumphs
- Practical lessons from 16 IRONMAN races including what I learned from both victories and failures
- Balancing ministry, family, and athletic dreams—how I competed at World Championships while serving as a worship pastor, being a husband and a father
- The coaching philosophy that emerged from my journey and now helps athletes achieve their own "impossible" goals
- Real talk about mental toughness, doubt, pain, and what it actually takes to achieve a seemingly unreachable dream
ENDORSEMENTS SECTION
As the Legendary Voice of IRONMAN, I’ve had the privilege of calling hundreds of thousands of athletes across finish lines throughout the world. Jason’s challenging journey from 37 yards to Kona exemplifies everything IRONMAN stands for: the refusal to quit, the courage to start when success seems impossible, and the transformation that happens when ordinary people attempt extraordinary things. This is a story that needed to be told.
—Mike Reilly, the Voice of IRONMAN
Jason doesn’t give you a cute comeback story, he gives you truth, pain, setbacks, surgeries, doubt, and the grit to keep showing up anyway. From 37 Yards to Kona is proof that ordinary people can do outrageous things when they stop whining and start working. Read this, then go earn your finish line.
—James Lawrence, “The Iron Cowboy,” two-time Guinness World Record holder, author, and speaker
Jason’s journey—from barely managing a single swim lap to standing on the starting line of the IRONMAN World Championship—is a powerful testament to what becomes possible when unwavering determination meets intentional preparation. This book is a blueprint for anyone who has ever questioned their own potential, and Jason’s story invites each of us to consider what transformation might look like in our own lives.
—Meredith Kessler, professional triathlete, 11-time IRONMAN champion, 20-time IRONMAN 70.3 champion, and author
From 37 Yards to Kona challenges us to shed fear, embrace growth’s pain, and harness community strength. I am inspired by him, proud to know him, and honored to call him my friend. Pick up his book and let his remarkable testimony ignite the fire within you to pursue your own extraordinary finish line.
—Coach Elizabeth Inpyn, founder of INPYN and former NCAA Division I athlete
From 37 Yards to Kona is a gripping story of perseverance and the deep difference between doing and becoming. The moment Jason describes dragging himself those first 37 yards offers a vulnerable picture of how God begins His greatest work in our smallest, most humbling beginnings. This book reminds us that endurance sports can be a sacred classroom, shaping our faith as much as our fitness. Athletes and ministry leaders will find strong encouragement here—especially those who see sport not just as competition but as transformation, personal growth, and a platform to point others to Christ.
—Mark Long, director, FCA Endurance
AUTHOR SECTION
About Jason Millsaps
Jason Millsaps is the Lead Worship Pastor at Bell Shoals Church in Brandon, Florida, and founder of 121 Tri Coaching, LLC. A certified triathlon coach (USAT Level 1, TrainingPeaks Level 2, & 80/20 Endurance certifications), Jason has completed 16 IRONMAN races, including World Championships at Kona 2024 and Nice 2025.
His transformation from being unable to swim 37 yards to competing on the world's biggest endurance stage has inspired athletes across the country. Jason brings the same passion for transformation to his coaching practice, where he helps athletes of all levels achieve goals they once thought impossible.
He lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife Andrea and their two sons, Jonathan and Jaden.
His transformation from being unable to swim 37 yards to competing on the world's biggest endurance stage has inspired athletes across the country. Jason brings the same passion for transformation to his coaching practice, where he helps athletes of all levels achieve goals they once thought impossible.
He lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife Andrea and their two sons, Jonathan and Jaden.
START YOUR TRANSFORMATION TODAY!
Your 37-yard moment doesn't have to define you. Let this story inspire your next chapter.
Paperback & Kindle