“Anything is possible when you have the courage to start a journey – whatever that journey may be.” – Sue Reynolds

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of courage is: “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.”  When I look back on Sue Reynolds’ journey from 335 pounds to world-class triathlon in 4 short years, courage is definitely a word that comes to mind.  I can’t help but be overcome by the incredible amount of fortitude it took for Sue Reynolds to one day say “enough” to her then obese body and begin to take those first few steps that ultimately would lead her to a whole new life.  The Athlete Inside: The Transforming Power of Hope, Tenacity, and Faith is Reynolds’ inspiring true story, a story that has stayed with me long after I finished narrating this incredibly powerful book. 

The Athlete Inside, begins with Reynolds providing us with a bird’s eye view of a race that is about to happen at Worlds (the International Triathlon Union’s Age Group Triathlon World Championship) in Cozumel, Mexico.  As she readies herself to jump into the Gulf of Mexico, and begin the first leg of the race, Sue is struck by the thought that four years earlier she was considered morbidly obese at 335 pounds.  She couldn’t tie her own shoes, couldn’t fit into a restaurant booth, couldn’t walk a block, or much less stand, without gasping for breath – and now … here she was  – a member of Team USA, and one of 113 of the fastest women in the world in her age group.  Inconceivable.  She reflects on the many people that believed in her and cheered her on, from family and friends, to her coach, to complete strangers who came into her life at just the right moment to offer a word of encouragement when she needed it the most.  At the sound of the air horn, the race begins and we are transported back to how it all began and how Sue ultimately finds the strength to say no to fear, doubt, exhaustion, pain and unbelief and to ultimately say YES to herself, to a new way of living, to a spiritual journey that she never expected, and to the athlete inside … that she never knew was there.  

The Athlete Inside is now available in print and on Audio and can be found at Audible and on Amazon.  Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful team at christianaudio for inviting me along on this extraordinary journey.