The Journey | A Film About Triathlon

What does it take to swim, bike, run 140.6 miles? This is the story of an average Joe looking to do big things!
Film by Zack Johnson 2017
All music used by permission
Special Thanks to:
Joe Wong
Pasadena Triathlon Club
Endurance Nation
World Triathlon Corperation
zackj.com/
pasadenatriclub.com/

[@stneonbl]

"We're all just middle-aged people, swimming, biking and running in funny cloth and pointy hats" - love this quote! Haha!

[@zackj_com]

Me too!

[@braindrain8922]

20yrs of and ive just entered a tri , just under 3 months to train , im buzzing again

[@brianjacobs8839]

My favorite quote from this video:"You can stop and the pain will stop but you won't get across the line until you live fully"

[@zackj_com]

Brian Jacobs so true.

[@brianjacobs8839]

Zack Johnson Those words motivated me on my run this morning when pain set in

[@sabertoothwallaby2937]

That's, indeed, some shit

[@bull716]

Brian Jacobs amen

[@user-jp8fr7xw6z]

Absolutely. Stopped the video and jotted it down in my notebook! Beautiful video!

[@edgarrobertocarrilloreynos1297]

Thanks for the inspiration, I’m a 51 years old Guatemalan blind triathlete and I completed my first Ironman 70.3 on September 2, 2018. Now I’m trying to compete in an international Ironman 70.3, so I’m training very hard ‘cause my goal is to compete in an Ironman 140.6 in 2020, I’ll be looking for an invitation to the World’s Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawai.

[@noahgreisser4163]

Edgar Roberto Carrillo Reynosa how is your training going?

[@pearsemcnamara5078]

Your blind. ??

[@pasiaedcharles9198]

I'm teary-eyed watching this. You're an inspiration

[@zackj_com]

Joe is the man!

[@DanielMooreDJ]

Wow this is really inspiring!! I’m 18 years old and entered my first half marathon 2km in i forced my knee sideways and tore my MCL. I was told I will never be able to run again and here I am 6 weeks away from my first triathlon

[@vitporiz]

Oh no, I wish you a quick recovery! Hopefully it will be fine and you will be able to achive your triathlon. Best of luck to you, dont give up

[@tanmaygarg30]

I recently turned 18 and umm I'm going to do my first half ironman in some months...!

[@lifegrip6477]

Love that quote: “You can stop and the pain will stop....but you’ll never get across the finish line!” What a legend! 🙏👍

[@davidferreras195]

10:41 yes! 1K at a time. Before you know it, you're crossing that finish line. Love it.

[@sonsoftheedelweiss72]

I’m 58 this month completed my last triathlon at 35. Between injuries, married kids, stressful job, I stopped. My goal was to complete an Ironman Triathlon but I never got to realize that dream. I developed chronic low back problems, diabetes (insulin dependent), bilateral neuropathy and other problems, good news I started “training again” 5 weeks ago lost about 25 pounds and ran my first two miles today, my breathing has been so horrible but today gave me alittle hope. Love your video it also inspired me to keep going.:)

[@mauriuncle]

Wow! This guy, Joe, almost moved me to tears.

[@BenJones-eh8jz]

Excellent video/story. i'm 36 years old, where hearing aids and have asthma. Years ago i was watching an ironman in switzerland on Tv. Just thought,i would love to do that, but never could as i got constant ear infections,so i would never be able to do the swim. Last year in 2016,i thought what the heck. i wanted to do it,so booked myself on one of the toughest triathlons in country (Slateman , north wales) olympic distance.i done the swim in 18 minutes. It was slow and painful due to the coldness of the water in the lake,my ear plug came out,so my ear was painful from the cold water bashing in to it. I had a canoe next to me which helped me feel more confident. After the swim,got out breathless and dizzy,determined to carry on,so i hit the bike for the 32 mile cycle,then the 6 mile run. I finished the triathlon a different person. More confident,more outgoing. In August that year, had an ear operation. i can now swim without ear plugs. After the op,booked myself for ironman70.3 in weymouth September 2017. i done other events leading up to it. London Triatlon, Bournemouth and the Slateman again.In between all this i had an op on my other ear.so i couldn't get the training in i wanted. Weymouth came up and i just give it my best shot, the cut of time for the swim was 1 hour 10 minutes. i made it with 17 seconds to spare. i missed the cut of from t2 to T3 by 13 miutes and they wouldn't let me carry on. I'm not disapointed in anyway?No. everything went right for me that day, just had a few knock backs along the way which meant i could train to my full potential. Never give up on your dreams, i have no operations next year, and am booked back in for weymouth next year for a 2nd shot! My aim is to complete a full ironman,and 1 day i will! Thanks for reading.

[@MichaelMonoson]

Good luck Ben! YOU are going to be an Ironman someday!

[@BenJones-eh8jz]

Thank you Michael. Merry christmas

[@rogerc23]

@Ben Jones. Cool story Ben thanks for sharing. Reminds of the old adage, you only lose if you quit. Keep on truckin.

[@mvee05]

well done!!! have you done the iron man yet??

[@maddog8787]

We desire these small moments of incredulous joy, cause they just don't happen enough in daily life.

[@louisbuisson]

Joe, that was one of the toughest Ironman race we've had at Tremblant. Congratulations!

[@tblightningbolt8902]

Love that it’s a 10 plus hour race for many and they sprint into the water and jack up their heart rate right away. Emotion. Congrats!! You did it!!! You didn’t pick an easy race either. Hilly

[@senwdy]

"You can stop and the pain will stop but you won't get across the line until you live fully" so inspirational!

[@zackj_com]

So true! more than in just triathlon.

[@leonoramanzano9488]

“ “you put yourself in and you’re c transformed through it an emerge as another person. “. Blow my mind !!!!

[@johnguillaume5919]

Well done film. You captured the essence of the struggle and joy of the finish. Pain is temporary...

[@dergoldenereiter]

Thanks. I´m almost at the same point in my life now...Kids are almost grown up and after i put all my energy in my kids and my family it´s now time to focus on me and set new goals. I´m ready!

[@marilynnfreeman459]

At 70, I just finished my first Sprint. Your video is inspiring me to shoot for the full enchilada! Beautiful, heart-touching, provocative film. Thanks to everyone!

[@zackj_com]

Really appreciate the support! Stoked on your first sprint. What's next?

[@kathleensullivan3926]

That is lovely and inspiring! Congrats to Joe

[@kevinh5325]

What an incredibly inspirational story! Thank you for sharing!

[@keshiakeele3985]

JOE! I wrote your quote re: pain on my leg for my long ride over the weekend, it helped to push me and motivate me throughout my entire ride. Thank you for being you and thanks for helping to create this documentary. Amazing.

[@dianaoddenino2195]

You’re an inspiration to us all! Bravo Joe 👏👏👏

[@Snguyendesign]

Wow, incredible video. This is one of the best triathlon motivation videos i've seen. Here's to taking bigger steps everyone!

[@zackj_com]

Thanks Steve! So glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate the kind works. Good luck with whatever your working towards in your own life bro.

[@Snguyendesign]

After last week, I crossed that line at Lake Placid and can officially call myself an Ironman. Just want to say thank you. This video has helped me countless times over the past year. Even if in the smallest of ways.

[@davecaldwell1910]

Zack. Joe. You have captured the epitome of what I think this life experience is all about. I sit here, 50 years old, with my first ironman in October next year, after three years of events and training. I booked it the week before a fairly nasty bike accident but now starting well on my road to recovery. This gem of a video will be played many times over the weeks and months ahead. Thank you so much for sharing your journey, and in such a talented way.

[@zackj_com]

Dave Caldwell so sorry to hear about your accident bro, always think twice about how much time I️ spend on the open road. Good luck with recovery and thank you so much for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it. Let me know how the ironman goes!

[@davecaldwell1910]

I certainly will, thanks Zack. It's all in the journey, it'll just make my story more colourful. Are you aware of the Facebook Group, The Ironman Journey? You must do, as it's so in tune with it. I posted your fantastic video there, which might help explain why it's jumped from 6200 to 8800 views in 8 hours! Well deserved. PS I've watched it three times myself today!

[@davecaldwell1910]

Wow. 15000 more views in 2 days, great stuff!

[@zackj_com]

Dave Caldwell proud of this little piece. Thanks!

[@maxanderson2925]

Dave Caldwell Hows it going?

[@christophershane4813]

Thank you, I really enjoyed your journey. I was right there with you in Tremblant. Cheers mate

[@JOHNNYHAULAWAY]

Great mini film.. I love these... I don't know why..

[@zackj_com]

Johnny Muskrat 🙏

[@coreycooper5458]

this video was incredibly inspiring. It motivated me to email and find the closes races to me. As a kid I raced in tons of road runners races always qualifying and I remember it was fun! Life happens and I lost focus on what makes me happy and I still struggle with that but this video pushed me this morning to put one foot in front of the other. Pretty badass man Thank you!

[@DanNoz]

So much love I've got for the footage you put together. Amazing effort my friend. thanks for sharing and helping to grow that fantastic game that we play :)

[@zackj_com]

Dan Noz thanks bro! So glad you enjoyed it! It is an amazing thing isn’t it.

[@ukpyro13]

What a truly inspiring story. I think you did a great job capturing the essence of what endurance sports means to a lot of us.

[@zackj_com]

Appreciate it bro! That was the goal, glad we got there. Good luck in your future races!

[@marilynnfreeman459]

Phillip Henderson I completely agree. Excellent!

[@brandonsebastianzornado2600]

Very inspiring! I will be experiencing my first 70.3 Half-Ironman in less than 2 weeks. I am so excited for the adventure ahead.

[@andrewli7575]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I applaud you for sharing a genuine story and genuine feelings.

[@zackj_com]

Andrew Li thanks Andrew. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. That was my goal. Always.

[@davidmcilmoyl4807]

Captures the essence of triathlon perfectly. Nothing more I can say about that. Thank you for making this.

[@zackj_com]

Thanks David! Glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with whatever race you're chasing right now.

[@ejquezad]

I wish I had a friend who could record my journey as I train for my first ironman. I've thought about doing it myself but I just can't capture it like I would like. Like this video.

[@zackj_com]

ejquezad lot of work went into this project. Working with ironman, local race directors... defiantly wouldn’t have been able to film my own race.

[@humphreyin]

Loved the video. Thanks for sharing and good luck in the future.

[@aliitil]

i got really excited for the guy when he was hanging out. around the finish line.. cool stuff !!

[@samrt7464]

Loved this video. You're a beast Joe. Well done.

[@brianeisentraut6]

This was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it and could relate. Well done.

[@Coachnilo]

Great video. You captured some great content. Way to go Joe! Hope you're still out there taking care of your health.

[@gurya]

Wonderful. I just started into the world of triathlon. Has changed my life. So happy

[@zackj_com]

gurya changed my life too!

[@rodbar78]

Great video!!! You know you can do it! Just keep going!!!

[@DP-sh3nk]

What a great lil documentary and great accomplish. You come across very sweet and genuine. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@zackj_com]

Dean Profis thanks! Joe is such an authentic guy, really an inspiration to me. Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DP-sh3nk]

Yes I actually noted afterwards that you're the maker of the film vs the subject. Regardless very nice work Zack and Joe does seem wonderful. All the best!

[@simon_stannard]

Really enjoyed watching this, amazing video!!

[@arneldollosa2142]

Just cried for happiness for you. Great inspiration👏👏👏💪

[@zackj_com]

Ahh, glad you enjoyed it! @joe is an inspiration to me as well. Just finished his second full distance Ironman at Louisville.

[@isondd]

Great video! Inspiring, even for this 1-time Ironman :)

[@jonashering9522]

Absolutely amazing, my biggest respect to Joe and all who take that beautiful choice in life to get on the journey of becoming an Ironman.

[@zackj_com]

🙏🙏🙏 Thanks for the support!

[@pierreheim4695]

"... I wanted to remember it, because that's the best part !" So true

[@zackj_com]

SO TRUE!

[@shauntanaka7079]

Loved this!

[@RobertoIvanGondokusumo]

amazing video!

[@stevenagel6096]

Thank you. Really needed this.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Good freaking job, man. You did the work and you got the results. Well done.

[@markusroder1692]

What a wonderful, warm and inspiring film full of heart and joy for our great sport!

[@zackj_com]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@darrinkinney2268]

Haha, love the training swin in NAPLES! That is where I grew up as a kid.

[@4nagels]

Inspiring - Keep going Joe ! Thanks for sharing your journey! IMNZ finisher at 55 yrs old - and the journey continues.

[@zackj_com]

Thanks for sharing! Congrats on the IM finish! So awesome. What's next?

[@Bydey]

Who in the God Damn Hell gives this video a thumbs down. You need to evaluate your lives. Made me emotional watching this. I'm about to compete in my first half Ironman in 3 days. wish me luck.

[@zackj_com]

Congrats on committing to your first half. Would love to hear how it goes. Good luck!!!!

[@MsMonster73]

Sue a beautiful story Joe!!!

[@jjwa2439]

Brilliant brilliant brilliant it captures triathlon and life so well. Good for a need-motivation day.

[@zackj_com]

joejoe willis andrews so glad you enjoyed it! Keep crushing it.

[@superstar9221]

Wow an incredible video/story! this video really moved me and inspired me to keep working hard on my training for my first triathlon race dream. It left me in tears of motivation and making me realise that sometimes as human's we turn to not realise how powerful we are, how much potential we have and how much out of the ordinary we can do if we put our mind and heart to it. We can do the impossible! but is all start with taking a first step forward, believing that you can, showing up, signing up and taking the RISK because you will eventually become a HISTORY maker.

[@zackj_com]

Caroline Pule very good word! History maker. Love it. Write your own history!

[@QueroSerAtleta]

It is a great and fully emotional movie! Congratulations.

[@zackj_com]

Quero Ser Atleta appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@christinaroeh7340]

I could watch this over and over again! So inspiring! I am doing my first Ironman 70.3 next year and stories like this keep inspiring me to dream big!

[@zackj_com]

Christina Roeh thanks! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with your 70.3!

[@gailleach5315]

I am a new member. I will be watching you all the way. Push on.

[@vytao11]

Awesome and very inspirational!

[@decoeric]

As someone that just finished my first 70.3 in Madison, I can't tell you the emotion I felt crossing that finish line! I can't even imagine the feeling finishing a full would be like. Great video.

[@zackj_com]

Thanks for the love! It's a good feeling. Everyone's "Hard" is different, just be content with your own personal effort. Keep pushing!

[@michbiker]

Great video. I'm motivated to start training for next year. Thanks!

[@zackj_com]

Glad you enjoyed it. Good luck on training!

[@marcobertoldi3649]

Good man. I did my first 70.3 in Tremblant this year I'm right behind you.

[@karthikthyagarajan1593]

Amazing video !. Inspirational

[@zackj_com]

So glad you enjoyed it! Good luck on your personal Journey. Whatever that may be.

[@RunningAotearoa]

I'm a day and a half into finally taking the leap into the world of Tri..Love this Flim, Thank you.

[@zackj_com]

Awesome! Congrats. Tell me about your first race. Thank you for the kind words.

[@AdventureMoore]

Way to go! The Psaadena Tri Club is such a great and speedy group. Hope you're all staying safe & healthy!

[@zackj_com]

Great group of people there! Thanks for the support. 🙏

[@EhBough]

Wow - Zack, such an amazing video! Time to get outside for a long run...!

[@zackj_com]

Thanks! I second that. Need to get this quarantine body back in shape. Appreciate the support!

[@claudiabauder]

Beautiful and inspiring. I have only done a few sprints, and keep stopping, due to injury. Seeing that others take a decade to accomplish, is giving me hope again.

[@zackj_com]

It's all about progress, and everyone's progress looks different. I use to say, life is a treadmill... if you're standing still, you're only moving backwards. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vesnahozjan5704]

Awesome video man.

[@jjgarcia6833]

What a wonderful and insperational video.

[@zackj_com]

JJ Garcia thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@kellicoxhead1690]

Thank you for sharing your story.. inspirational

[@axelpeeters6219]

Awesome, that's the beauty of triathlon. The the fight with yourself and conquering yourself, by transforming your body and especially your mind.

[@zackj_com]

AXL truth.

[@OsservatorioPsichedelico]

So inspiring. Thank you! Great video!

[@zackj_com]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.

[@jasonrosenbaum861]

This video was extremely moving. I am doing my first Half Ironman in june. I plan on doing a full next year. This video was inspiring. I love the journey one takes when accomplishing goals. I teach spin class and I have shared this with all my students. Thank you! Keep it up.....never quit!

[@zackj_com]

Jason Rosenbaum thanks for sharing Jason! Stoked on your first half. Good luck. Let me know how it goes! Thanks for sharing the film bro. Appreciate the support.

[@terrible_torres]

Great video!

[@trinirvana]

this is an awesome video! nice work!

[@husnain_01]

Thank you for the inspiration.What a great video!!

[@zackj_com]

Appreciate it! 🙏

[@NellieBelle-23]

Oh that was such a lovely film, I have been lucky enough to experience the finish line 15 times, but I still teared up watching this film

[@zackj_com]

Appreciate the support! May we all continue to find new finish lines in whatever thing we're chasing now. It's about the Journey, not the finish line lol. Thanks for the watch.

[@peterrobson6624]

Awesome video to go with a great story.

[@zackj_com]

Thanks bro, Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brianoriordan2006]

Great Film!

[@danielbojarski]

WOW! That film is amazing.

[@zackj_com]

Daniel Bojarski thanks! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@NickOtury]

Loved it and quite encouraging...! Am not a swimmer but its time to try if am ever to give triathlon a try....!

[@zackj_com]

Give it a shot!!! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@JoeWong2000]

Hi KZbinrs, thanks for all the kind word. I hope you find inspiration to tackle a triathlon for yourself. you can read about my race report in my blog post: joechoosehappiness.com/2016/08/24/ironman-mont-tremblant-race-report. also, there's a follow up post on mental recovery here: joechoosehappiness.com/2016/09/28/anger-whew-glad-thats-over/ thanks, joe 10/16/18 Update PS. I finished my second Ironman Louisville. Here's my race report. Fortunately, I learned many lessons at Ironman Mont Tremblant, which helped during another cold and rainy Ironman. Here's my race report - Ironman Louisville 2018. joechoosehappiness.com/2018/10/16/race-report-ironman-louisville/

[@davecaldwell1910]

Wow Joe. Just read your report, and follow up. I thought you were tough dealing with the weather, but running sockless and in cycle shorts. Wow. What a legend. And fair credit to Zack for making you look cheery!! Well, you deserve a great race in Louiseville, but check your bags!

[@pandats]

joe wong you inspire me. my day started on a good note. 🏊🚴🏃

[@dewesh28]

joe wong b

[@henrichvarganitra]

Motivational-emotional. Wonderful stuff, thanks.

[@zackj_com]

Heňo Varga so glad you enjoyed it.

[@mgiovanelli18]

Man.... thank you! It's I wanna tell you!! Thank you

[@martykott5565]

Wonderful video. We can do this, whatever our this is!

[@prathimad4566]

Loved the video! So motivated to train for my first Ironman.

[@zackj_com]

Congrats! I hope the training is going well. One foot in front of the other. You got this!

[@ToolTimeTabor]

I finished my second attempt at the Maryland IM 2017. My time was 16:58:15 according to the video and 16:58:35 according to the timing chip. The next person finished after the 17 hour cut-off by 8 seconds. And as I watched this video, I could not help flashing back to that morning entering transition. I had a twinge of nausea here today, remembering the trepidation I had felt that morning. Everything seemed possible individually, yet how could I do it all in one day? Your video brought it back like it was yesterday. Great job and congratulations.

[@theoverengineer]

Thanks for making it. Really well done, to the point, good picture, good editing. (I wish my videos were this good.)

[@ajm12321]

You choked me up!!🥺 So glad you made it past that line. 🥳

[@zackj_com]

Thanks bro! Joe is a champion for sure.

[@priscillacaldwell2588]

Thanks Zack!!🚴‍♀️

[@akdwayne]

This is inspiring. Thanks!

[@zackj_com]

Thanks for watching! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@guest00791]

Damn you made me tear up.. good effort!

[@zackj_com]

J S. Ah, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@guilhermelacerdasilva8539]

Beautiful!

[@zackj_com]

Appreciate it! 🙏

[@vzlaeli]

He has a great attitude :)

[@prestonflick5359]

Well done! Well said!

[@TheJoeRoberts]

Loved this video!!! You are lucky they did not catch you with your helmet undone in minute 8:29 of the video. My coach hounds me on this one as I train for my Ironman. Thanks for the motivation!!

[@smokegames1179]

Great cinematography

[@terrysmallwood1755]

loved this video, certain to come back to it from time to time. Inspirational!!

[@zackj_com]

So glad it can be an inspiration! Good luck on all your efforts. Crush it.