“I have always been attracted to the idea of pushing myself beyond my limits.”

Jeff has been an athlete his entire life, but this year, he is taking his athleticism to the next level and changing lives along the way.

The Ironman 70.3 is no easy feat for the average human being. The breakdown of the race consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. The total distance covered being a whopping 70.3 miles.

Jeff has always been fascinated with the Ironman, but never felt a strong enough pull to inspire him to lace up and train; until he found i’mME.

Jeff recalls a memorable night at home, kicked back, watching ESPN. That night, ESPN featured an organization raising awareness on the orphan cycle. This organization happened to be i’mME.

Jeff was hooked, his eyes stuck like glue to the television. He remembers excitedly calling his wife and two children into the living room to see what he was witnessing. Right then and there, they knew they had to help.

Jeff and his family currently sponsor one of our children, Dae Dae . . .

but Jeff wanted to do more.

Jeff will be competing in the Ironman 70.3 on July 17th, 2016 in Racine, Wisconsin.

“I have always been attracted to the idea of pushing myself beyond my limits,” Jeff humbly proclaims.

This attraction is the outstanding reason Jeff made the decision to compete in this year’s Ironman.

Jeff says his biggest supporters are his own children, Trey and Dempsey. At first, his kids didn’t quite understand why their dad had become so passionate about the race ahead of him.

“My son, Trey’s eyes lit up when I told him I was competing for the children in Haiti, to raise money so that they can live better lives,” Jeff recalls as a proud father would.

Trey’s response: “Well then, you have to do it dad!”

“I know there are going to be setbacks along the way. I know it’s not going to be easy. This will be one of the hardest things I have ever done, but that’s the point. Pushing yourself farther than you think possible is one of the fastest ways to grow in my opinion,” Jeff shares.

Setbacks are more than familiar to Jeff.

When Jeff was 24, he tore his ACL and had reconstructive surgery on his left knee. Just ten years later, he tore his ACL again; this time his right knee.

After tearing both ACL’s, he knew the thought of even wanting to run was crazy, but he chose not to let it hold him back.

After a long recovery, Jeff began running, then sprinting, and eventually entered into races and triathlons.

“The children in Haiti and team members of i’mME inspire me to do more and to be a better person. I want to echo the same support that my family gives me to my new family in Haiti,. The only way I know how to do that is to bring awareness and give back as much as I can . . . so that is what I’m going to do,” Jeff says passionately.