The Impossible Mile: The Power in Living Life One Step at a Time

An incredible story of Johnny Agar, an athlete born with cerebral palsy and whom doctors thought would never walk, overcoming the odds to compete in Ironman triathlons. As featured on ESPN, ABC World News Tonight, and many national media outlets, this powerful memoir 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 relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. 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. Assisted by his father, Johnny trains for the 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 and now serving 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, like Johnny, you never walk alone, and anything is possible, if you’ll just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

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