An incredible story of Johnny Agar, born with cerebral palsy and whom doctors thought would never walk, overcoming the odds to compete in Ironman triathlons. Featured on ESPN, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, and other media outlets, Johnny delivers a moving memoir that is a testament to the power of family, faith, and extraordinary courage.

In The Impossible Mile, told with candor and lightened with humor, Johnny shows what is possible time and time again. His story starts in a Michigan hospital, where he is born eleven weeks premature. An ultrasound reveals bleeding on his brain, and he is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition that hinders a person's ability to control muscle movement. Doctors say he will likely have intellectual disabilities and that he will never walk. Despite the pending challenges, Johnny's parents choose to raise their firstborn without limitations on his abilities. This decision would forever shape Johnny's life, his enduring belief in himself and his dreams.

Growing up, Johnny aspires to be an athlete like his father, Jeff, once a professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers organization. Sports was in the young boy's blood. But how could he become an athlete? He can't walk unassisted, and his muscles have a mind of their own. To give Johnny a taste of competition, the father and son start participating in 5K road races, Jeff pushing Johnny in a modified wheelchair.

Until one day Johnny has a bold idea. He will chase his dream--literally--of becoming an athlete by walking part of a race. More than just the few steps he has taken in therapy, he decides that to truly become an athlete he needs to go further. Assisted by his father, Johnny trains for his first impossible mile. What he doesn't know is that his bold idea will do more than change just his life forever.

Johnny's story shows the impact of a life lived to its fullest, from the first difficult steps in training, to becoming a brand ambassador for global apparel company Under Armour. He now serves as an inspiration for not only other professional athletes, but for anyone facing their own impossible mile. Come walk a mile in Johnny's shoes, and realize, as Johnny did, you never walk alone, and anything is possible, if you'll just take on life one step at a time.

PRAISE FOR The Impossible Mile

"Johnny Agar is a true inspiration as a person and an athlete. Where most might see nothing but obstacles, he sees nothing but opportunities. Johnny's commitment to pursuing his dreams and sharing his journey along the way is a tremendous gift to us all." - Michael Phelps, twenty-three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer

Johnny Agar's life story is an inspiration to me and all who know him. He sees every challenge as an opportunity and his positive attitude and passion, combined with his faith, show us all that nothing is impossible." - Kirk Cousins, quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings

"When I won the gold medal with the USA 2018 Women's Olympic Team, it wasn't just an individual effort. I was surrounded by fantastic teammates and great coaches, but there were so many others. I had a team behind me; in my family and friends who encouraged me my entire life to work hard, stay determined and taught me how to never give up. In The Impossible Mile, Johnny understands the importance of surrounding himself with a good team. One who will support him, encourage him and be there for him when he falls (literally and figuratively). Johnny's strength coupled with his determination proves to everyone that barriers can be overcome with the right amount of hard work and great people surrounding you. Johnny may never win a gold medal, but his positive attitude and resilience at failure gives him a spot on the podium in my book!" - Megan Keller, Olympic gold medalist for USA Women's Hockey

"Working with professional athletes every day, I am used to seeing extreme sacrifices made daily by the players and their families. Reading The Impossible Mile has impacted my thought process regarding my approach to coaching. It has renewed my spirit and drive, and I want to use Johnny's story as a platform to facilitate team work and perseverance in my coaching." - Patrick Sullivan, director of recruitment for men's basketball at the University of North Carolina Tar Heels

"As a firefighter, I was surrounded by strong and courageous men who taught me how to fight, even when there was no fight left in me. When I needed lessons of courage, strength, and selflessness, I would turn to my firefighting community and look nowhere else. Then God placed Johnny in my life to humbly beat that arrogance out of me. This book has reinforced what Johnny has been teaching me all along. I fought a few fires every week, but Johnny courageously fights multiple fires every day. And he does it in a way that inspires me to be better. This book will do the same for you!" - Jason Sautel, author of The Rescuer: One Firefighter's Story of Courage, Darkness, and the Relentless Love That Saved Him

"In my lifetime I have been able to interview some pretty fascinating people and covered a lot of life-changing stories. From travelling with England's young royal family, to covering the growing nuclear threats in the hands of North Korea's Kim Jong Un. But the human-interest stories are the ones that really occupy a place in my heart. Getting to interview Johnny Agar and his family in my home state of Michigan for ESPN's E60 was a special moment for me. I got to witness a family who came together to help their son/brother realize a dream. What Johnny and Becki have written in The Impossible Mile captures the beauty of what it means to love unconditionally, no matter how difficult the journey." - Bob Woodruff, ABC news correspondent, New York Times best-selling author for In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing
The first time I met Johnny he was just fourteen years old. As a major fan of The Rookie, he wanted to know all about my story and how I was able to do something that no one thought was possible even when the odds were against me. Just a few short years later, Johnny did the same when he walked across that finish line for the first time! The Impossible Mile: The Power in Living Life One Step at a Time is a gift to all of us because it reminds us that no dream is ever out of reach. With so many people saying you can't, Johnny Agar said, 'I will!'" - Jim "the Rookie" Morris, relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, inspiration behind Disney's The Rookie, author of The Rookie and Dream Makers

"Johnny Agar is a true testament to what IRONMAN represents -- defying the odds and proving that Anything is Possible with each step he takes! Johnny displays determination and courage, and his story is an inspirational example to never lose sight of your personal finish line." - Andrew Messick, president and chief executive officer for The IRONMAN Group

This amazing story of determination and family love is an example for us all. The Impossible Mile is a testament to never giving up and to the power of love in the battle to overcome the odds. - Greg Meyer, former Boston Marathon winner

"Upon receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, my dad remarked, '...the greatest defeat of all would be to live without courage, for that would hardly be living at all.' This book was a great reminder for us all to take that courageous first step. When the goal seems overwhelming, it is the strength of the human spirit, our determination, and our resilience that propel us forward. John Agar is proof of that!" - Michael Ford, son of President Gerald R. Ford and Mrs. Betty Ford

"Leading a company for many years taught me a lot about the qualities needed to run a successful business. One important one is having a positive mindset - not only in business but in life. We can become so overpowered with negative thoughts that we can fail even before we try! I met Johnny Agar several years ago and was taken aback by the hopefulness he has, given the many challenges he faces. The Impossible Mile is a compelling testimony to the power a positive attitude has on achieving the goals you set out for yourself." - Dave Haffner, former CEO and chair of Leggett & Platt