Iron Cowboy - Redefine Impossible

by James Lawrence

Iron Cowboy is an endurance memoir in the tradition of Dean Karnazes’s Ultramarathon Man—a lifetime’s worth of intensely lived experience packed into twenty riveting chapters. Readers will discover the secret to redefining their own goals and achieving great success. When James Lawrence (aka the Iron Cowboy) announced his plan to complete 50 Full Distance Triathlons in 50 consecutive days in all 50 states, the only person who believed that he could pull it off was James himself (and his wife, Sunny). An Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. In Lawrence’s case, he would have to complete those distances and then make it to the next state in time to do it all over again the next day. Even Lawrence’s coach didn’t think he could do it; he penciled in another event the day Lawrence was supposed to complete the challenge. But with the support of Sunny and their five children in tow, and with grassroots support conjured always at the last minute via Facebook, Lawrence accomplished exactly what he set out to do. Iron Cowboy is the story of Lawrence’s herculean 50-day journey and all the wonderful, miserable, and life-threatening events that happened along the way, as well as a glance at his life leading up to the mission, and winning two prior world records. Lawrence holds two world records in the Guinness Book of World one for completing 22 half-Ironmans in one year (2010) and one for completing 30 full Ironmans in one year (2012). In 2015, he set a record for completing 50 Ironman distances in 50 states in 50 days. Through social media and press, Lawrence was able to find fans in each state—anywhere from 3 to 500 people—to complete some of the Ironman alongside him, and supporters were invited to join him for the Iron Cowboy 5k (the last 3.1 miles of James’s marathon); for his last Ironman in his home state of Utah, more than 3,500 people showed up. Along the way, Lawrence survived tropical storms, internal bleeding, hypothermia, hyperthermia, dehydration, nerve damage, infected foot blisters, a blood-clot scare, extreme sleep deprivation (he only got four to five hours of sleep each night), and a bike crash!

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Sports, Self Help, Psychology, Audiobook, Memoir

300 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2017

Reviews

[RusTedHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!

I couldn’t put it down. James and his story have inspired me to make a long-in-waiting and much-needed change in my life. He made me ask myself when my kids watch me make choices, what do they see?

[Cassies.EndlessReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it doesn’t make me want to jump up and run 50 triathlons it does give me inspiration and determination to complete the Run Crazy Horse Marathon in October 2025

[Hailey Henrickson · Rating 1 out of 5]

5 stars for what Lawrence accomplished.

1 star for everything except last 2 chapters were maybe 3-4 stars. I really struggled with this book, I had a hard time bridging the incredible feat Lawrence accomplished with how poorly written his book was. He came across as arrogant, limited in emotional depth and selfish. Having grown up not LDS in Utah I also recognized common themes of women ‘serving’ their husband’s whims, in this case Lawrence’s wife, Sunny serving his ‘dream’ at the expense of her joy and autonomy. Multiple times it feels like Lawrence is trying to convince the reader that he does in fact love his wife and children but it feels forced and awkward. With all that said I still want to watch his documentary because I don’t think his memoir gives a full picture of who he is.

[Alana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admire James Lawrence’s incredible accomplishments and the way he pushed past every physical, mental, and spiritual limit to complete his 50 Ironmans, in 50 states, in 50 days. His feat is undeniably inspiring, but I didn’t enjoy reading this book.

While I expected a motivational memoir, much of the story was bogged down with detailed accounts of every single injury he suffered. It was hard to stay engaged with so much focus on his pain and suffering, even though that was part of his journey.

To achieve something so extreme, it’s probably necessary to be self-centered, arrogant, and even narcissistic—all traits that Lawrence seems to embody. It’s clear he couldn’t have done this without the unwavering support of his wife and their “village,” but it also felt like his family bore the brunt of his ambition. At points, his life seemed to be unraveling: no job, no income, repossessed vehicles, no stable home, and extreme risks to his health that could have ended his life.

While I respect what he accomplished, I couldn’t overlook the toll it took on his family and the seemingly reckless way he approached this challenge. The book didn’t leave me feeling uplifted or inspired, just drained by the sacrifices and hardships described.

The official summary captures the scope of his endurance and records, but as a memoir, Iron Cowboy wasn’t an enjoyable read for me. It’s a testament to human determination, but at what cost?

[Mark Mullally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply mind-boggling what this guy accomplished!! Of course, it took an amazingly inspired support team to make it possible but, nonetheless, he somehow found some kernel of motivation to take the next step when it made zero rational sense to do so. 😳 Definitely worth reading and may be the impetus for someone out there to get off the couch and give ‘er!!

[Jeremiah D · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You've got to know the destination" is the quote that stuck out to me the most. Firstly, I love the constant inspiration this book brings to the human mind. It gives you the willpower to go out there and prove people wrong and make a name for yourself. In this book, James Lawrence shows and demonstrates how you can put your mind to anything; if you put in that grind, you can also accomplish anything. Nevertheless, he also shows you can also push yourself no matter what the obstacle is in front of you. James proves this by delivering the many struggles he went through during his journey and the ways he found to get around these complications to keep striving for greatness. Furthermore, the challenges he is doing not everyone can do. He is doing a fantastic 50-ironman race in not just 50 days but also 50 states. An ironman race consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and to end things off with a 26.22-mile run. As you can see, this isn't a normal thing that anyone can do. Also, I love how the book doesn't just tell you about the events he put himself through. Still, it also uses illustrations with pictures of what James is going through. It gives you a fantastic look of joy, discomfort, pain, and reassurance of all the running, swimming, and biking he is doing while also making history. Lastly, despite all of this and his injuries, James still finds time to find happiness and love for his friends and family. He even finds a way to visit family in other states that he doesn't get to see regularly. Even though all these bottled-up emotions show that no matter what you put yourself through, your family will always be that happy place for you, cheering for you and giving you that comfort to keep going and get to that destination.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guys is a warrior! True grit and mental toughness. Inspires me to workout even if I am not "feeling it", I think if the Iron Cowboy can do a tri I can complete a 45 minute workout. The journey is describe in only a way that a athlete can understand. I don't think a sedentary individual can appreciate the pain he endured. Without attempting to discredit his accomplishment or to be a "troll", the adventure didn't make much sense. He files for bankruptcy, has no place to live with his 5 children and he embarks on this insane journey. I can't fathom why he wouldn't utilize his mental fortitude to provide for his family. I am still uncertain how he made ends meet before and after his mental journey.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about Iron Cowboy (James Lawrence) after watching the World’s Toughest race and I seriously geeked out after watching his documentary. This man did 50 Iron Man races, in all 50 states, in 50 consecutive days 😱. If you’re not sure (like I wasn’t at first) what that consists of it’s a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run. EVERY. DAY.
It’s refreshing reading triumphs of such an impressive endurance athlete who is humble and tells his story authentically. And honestly, his story helped me set a goal and accomplish my first half-marathon last weekend. 💪🏼

[Russ Tigges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read that takes the reader along with the author along his challenge of doing the 50-50-50. Insightful description of the various triathlons along the way, giving the reader a glimpse into his mind along the way. His commitment and dedication is truly an example of putting everything out there for what you believe in.

[Paige Staley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so inspiring and even after finishing the book I still can’t wrap my head around what he accomplished! Perfect read mid marathon training

[Roman Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book five stars because it really shows you what the human body AND mind are capable of. Its about this guy ( I cant remember his name ) who does 50 triathlons , in 50 states of america, in 50 days. If you don’t know what a triathlon is, then ill tell you now random good reads user. A triathlon is a competition which starts off with a 3 mile swim, then a 112 mile bike ride and to finish it off its an entire marathon, yep very crazy doing 50 EVERY DAY. This book talks about his travels, his crew but also his lifestyle and how his family played a role in this madness. It talks about his doubters online and it also has snippets of his metal talk, because if you imagine it would certainly take a big role in such an event. Most of all it taught me how to go through pain, so whenever I stub my toe I realize that if this cowboy has gone through all this pain, surely I can withstand 30 seconds of immense pain on my right big toe. apparently not.

[Samar · Rating 4 out of 5]

although this might sound extremely cliche, i just have to say it. This book was so inspirational its mind blowing, the physical power just to complete this amazing feat is incredible, let alone the mental side of things. He has done what little can do. 50 IRONMEN 50 STATES 50 DAYS......

The Iron Cowboy, the man who had travelled 140.6 self-propelled miles every day since March 1, starting at 5:30 each morning and ending at around 8:45 p.m. It was a daily regimen of 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling and a marathon on foot, or the equivalent of a full-distance triathlon

People would say he is a freak of nature. He is, but what made him like this? The undying mindset of not giving up no matter what, the mental pain just to get up each day and saying "I can do this is" near impossible.

If im truly honest i wouldve rated this 5 stars but the story telling just wasnt there, dont get me wrong what he actually did was bloddy incredible but just the way the story was told didnt help him one bit

overall 4.5/5 :)

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know James and his wife, Sunny, they live in my neighborhood and we are friends. I finally listened to this book, and was pleasantly surprised. I gained a deeper understanding and admiration for all they went through during the 50, and then witnessing them doing the conquer, 100 was pretty incredible!

[Vinay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The obvious things first: This is no ordinary feat. 50-50-50 stands for 50 Ironman Triathlons in 50 states.......wait for it....in 50 DAYS! Just the thought of visiting the 50 states of the USA by driving or by flying is tiring enough, but completing one of the toughest endurance events in this world is a whole new level of madness. The amount of drive and motivation required to achieve this feat is unimaginable to me. Sounds impossible right ? Rightfully so, the book is titled “Redefine Impossible”.
For those of you who don’t know what an Ironman Triathlon is: you swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, run 26.2 miles and brag for the rest of your life!

Getting to the actual book: Overall, it’s a good one time read. It talks about James’ many experiences during the 50 days of this challenging venture. He writes about the difficulty in coordinating the logistics, he describes in great detail about the pain and suffering that his body had to endure, he talks about the mental fortitude necessary to keep going to accomplish a goal you set for yourself, and more. It’s a well written book.

I did find this book a bit boring at times because it drags some of the stories and experiences James had during the summer of 2015. I was expecting more details about how he specially strengthened his body to get the job done.

In the end, James does finish this book with a strong message and reaches out to people in terms of setting their own standard, setting their own terms of success and always remembering that the word impossible is relative and you can choose to define it however you want.

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book and a feat of human endurance that you may not have heard of or will get to see repeated for a long long time. If you're interested in running or endurance competitions this is a must read. Ultimately it's a book about willpower quite unlike anything I've ever read before. He completed 50 ironmen competitions. In 50 days. In 50 different American states. Read that again.

Here are the best bits from the book.

How young is too young to run a marathon. So how much suffering should a young athlete be allowed to be subjected to? These are important questions but not questions I spend a lot of time thinking about because I've seen more lives soured by risking too little than risking too much. Achieving success of any kind in life demands resilience. Like physical fitness this kind of mental fitness cannot be purchased in a bottle but must be developed through consistent effort over an extended period of time. I began to cultivate my mental fitness at age 11 when I took up wrestling and I've never regretted it. Another person in my place might have urged caution on Ashley and offered her a way out. I did not. Keep pushing I told her as we entered the last mile. There's a better you on the other side of that finish line I promise. As we approach the finish line the other runners backed off allowing Ashley to fulfill her dream alone with me. We held hands aloft as we took the final stride and then embraced while our companion cheered. The tears she'd been holding back burst forth but she was smiling now no longer grimacing.

How the heck do you do this every day? I heard this question often and the question puzzled me. People seem to want to hear something novel some single nugget of wisdom that I alone had discovered. The truth was simple: I believe that it was always possible to take one more step. I had this philosophy before “the 50” and it remained my philosophy 18 days into the 50.

It was clear to me, quitting was a choice not to necessity.

I was not challenging myself, exercising my gifts or making any meaningful contribution to the world.

At 100 miles or the bike ride my right leg cramped so badly I had to complete that remaining 12 miles using only my left leg. My unraveling continued in the marathon. At mile five I was forced to slow from a jog to walk to get my heart rate under control. 3 miles later I threw up every ounce of liquid I had swallowed in the preceding six hours. I then began to hear a strange buzzing in my left ear. At mile 17 my tired body suddenly went into full rigor and I tumbled to the ground like Deadwood.

A week later I was in St. George UT where Sunny was to make her Ironman debut at my side. She'd been waking up early as 1:30 AM to squeeze in her training and running back and forth in front of the house so that our young children could call her if they needed to. Sunny: that is dedication – incredible.

I'd expect it would be difficult to drag a 71 pound human for 2.4 miles in a lake but it turned out to be relatively easy. The key I discovered was to maintain a completely steady tempo as any slacking of the rope between us required me to rebuild our momentum from zero.

There was a sign on a wall in our cramped basement kitchen that I saw several times every day: no success can compensate for failure in the home.

I got out of the van and got back on my bike still tired still scared but now accepting my predicament: the rest and nutrition had failed to fix it. Nothing physical could fix it. The one thing I could control was my attitude so I decided the predicament was a test rather than a set back. Unable to challenge my situation I changed its meaning instead, embracing the idea that today it was not meant for me to conquer the source of my fear but to face my fear to keep believing and take the next step anyway.

Continuing to use my right arm was as impossible as keeping a bare palm in contact with a hot burner. I had no choice but to tuck my right arm away against my body like a broken wing and stroke with my left arm only the rest of the swim.

I have a theory: if you can make a joke you can take another step.

I get a lot of strength when thinking about prisoners of war. As much as I'm suffering it's nothing compared to being tortured and starved and locked up 10,000 miles from home. Plus I'm doing this by choice: I have control. It's only 50 days. I think about how they fought to survive in fighting was the only choice they had.

Most injuries have an emotional component. I texted Sunny asking her to help me identify the source of this latest bodily mutiny. She consulted her copy of messages from the body and texted me back: “worrying too much about details. Trying to control everything”. I began to speak healing statements. I forgive myself for believing my team isn't handling their tasks. I forgive myself for believing that I need to control everything.

Muscle testing: a widely practiced technique in alternate medicine for 20 years first with my mother and more recently with sunny. Jennifer named a series of negative emotions: sadness, fear and so forth and pressed down on my fist with each utterance. Again and again my arm dropped with little resistance until she mentioned frustration. At that point Jennifer stopped and asked me to focus on this feeling. Now we're going to find the cause of your frustration she said.

Putting the full weight of my butt on the seat felt like sitting down on a mound of jacks. The nether parts of my physical person had been on a degenerative course throughout the 50 and now I had reached a point of crisis. Too much time on a bike seat had turned my groin, ass and the space between them into an anatomical warzone dumpster of overlapping maladies. Problem number one was a nasty pair of internal hemorrhoids which hurt like hades.

No longer did I feel hurt and betrayed by the hills the heat my hemorrhoids and all the other things that had gone wrong today and yesterday and the day before. I felt a new and icy resolve and nothing left to lose determination to defeat and defy the many causes of my suffering. No more hoping the things would go my way. No more depending on factors beyond my control. I had a new attitude: or the beginnings of a new one and my attitude was: bring it on!

I've had some really hard days in my recovery. I've lost hope sometimes gotten depressed but then I think of you. It's because you never quit that I won't either.

[Jung]

"Iron Cowboy: Redefine Impossible" by James Lawrence is a powerful exploration of what happens when an ordinary person refuses to accept the limits society, circumstance, and even his own body impose on him. The book opens with a challenge that sounds almost delusional - completing 50 full Ironman triathlons across 50 U.S. states in 50 consecutive days. For most, finishing just one Ironman in a lifetime is monumental. Lawrence, a husband and father of five with no elite athletic pedigree or natural genetic advantages, set out to do the impossible. What follows is not a story about superhuman talent, but about deliberate suffering, relentless forward motion, and the quiet, almost stubborn belief that the line between possible and impossible is far more flexible than people think. This book, more than a memoir of endurance, is an awakening - a reminder that limits aren’t real until we submit to them.

Lawrence’s path didn’t originate in greatness. As a teenager he was a promising wrestler with Olympic potential, but an injury ended his athletic dreams abruptly, sending him spiraling into complacency. He drifted, working aimless jobs, living without direction. His turning point came not from success but from humiliation - realizing he couldn’t run four miles without collapsing while others casually passed him. That embarrassment woke him up. What began as a simple challenge from his wife Sunny evolved into his first marathon, and that race lit a revelation he would never forget: the body will obey long after the mind demands surrender. He learned that quitting is not a condition - it is a choice. That principle became the foundation of everything that followed.

From that point, Lawrence trained and stumbled his way into greater challenges - not because he was ready, but because he was willing. He completed increasingly painful races, and eventually broke his first major world record by completing 30 full Ironman triathlons in a single year across 11 countries. It nearly destroyed his finances, strained his family, exhausted his body. Yet every finish line lit a new fire instead of closing a chapter. Everywhere he went he saw people touched, inspired, awakened by what he was doing, especially those who felt broken or incapable. It made him realize his mission wasn’t personal - it was generational. It wasn’t about what he could prove to himself, but about the permission he could give to millions.

That realization fueled the audacity behind the 50-50-50 challenge. The logistics alone were insanity - daily travel across states, 140.6 miles per day, nonstop for nearly two months, in uneven climates, before unpredictable crowds, without proper sleep, often through pain beyond description. Lawrence didn’t pretend to be fearless; he began each day in pain, sometimes broken before he even started. In Missouri he cried before the morning marathon began, already defeated before his first step. In Tennessee he literally fell asleep mid-ride and crashed to the pavement. In Virginia his body no longer responded to rest or food. Everything became ritual survival - ice baths, compression, closing his eyes for minutes between transitions - just to stay conscious. Eventually, he admitted the deepest truth: it was never a physical challenge. Physical strength was irrelevant without mental sovereignty. The race was against his mind every single morning.

But what saved Lawrence wasn’t just his mental discipline - it was community. In state after state, strangers showed up to run alongside him, to feed him, to treat his injuries, to share their own impossible battles. A grieving police officer joined him hours after finding him asleep injured on the road. Overweight fathers ran beside him in tears, promising to honor their children by changing their lives. People who had never run a mile joined him for their first. His suffering became public courage. It was no longer his journey. It belonged to every person who had ever been told they couldn’t.

On the 50th day, back home in Utah, over 3,500 people came to run the last miles. History was made - not in a stadium, but on suburban streets with everyday people running beside a man who should by all logic have been dead on his feet. He finished stronger than he had started. And yet, the most important part of the book begins 'after' the so-called finish line. Lawrence admits he spiraled into depression almost immediately after. He gained 28 pounds in a month. His body broke down completely. Worse, he couldn’t remember 'why' he had even done it. His identity had vanished with the mission. He calls it 'the void of completion,' the psychological collapse people rarely talk about. The glory lasts minutes. The emptiness can last years.

But Lawrence’s true transformation came not from the achievement, but from what he did afterward. Instead of chasing bigger stunts or cashing in with fame, he went back to schools, to entrepreneurs, to parents, to ordinary people - and began telling them: your story matters. The impossible is personal. The limit is imaginary. His purpose shifted from showcasing his endurance to awakening others to their own. That shift - from achievement to impact - became the most meaningful finish line of all.

By the end of "Iron Cowboy: Redefine Impossible", it becomes clear that James Lawrence did not write a book about athletic dominance. He wrote a book about the single most important law of human potential: movement is always possible. No matter the pain. No matter the past. No matter the logic. You do not need to be ready. You need only take the next step. And then another. There is nothing mystical about greatness - it is merely the refusal to stop moving. The greatest victories are not won by strength, but by stubbornness against surrender. In a world obsessed with talent and shortcuts, this book is a declaration that discipline beats destiny.

The most powerful truth "Iron Cowboy: Redefine Impossible" leaves the reader with is simple: nobody is born extraordinary. Extraordinary is a decision. A repetition. A belief built from motion, not motivation. The barriers we fear most are self-imposed, and the moment we choose not to surrender - not once, but repeatedly - we have already crossed the impossible.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a little bit of difficulty rating this one because the inspirational story is worthy of a five star but the writing and composition was just OK. James' story is not simply one go hard, be relentless, mind over matter, and focus as one might be inclined to think without familiarity with the story. For me it is much more about a person reinventing themself and finding purpose. I don't inherently connect with long distance running or Iron Man competition myself, but I fascinated by those who do and the processes they navigate to tune the body, mind, ands spirit to accomplish the previously unfathomable as they compete against the greatest opponent....self. James shares many lessons from his experiences, only some of which actually pertain directly to running. I was initially pout off by some of James' attitudes and his particular brand of arrogance but in the end I understood him much better and could reflect on my own traits with a bit more objectivity. In the end life is so much about work/service, relationships, and becoming unselfish. James' journey in these areas is work examining.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tougher read for me. Incredible the struggles that not only he faced but the trials his family and everyone who helped him faced.
Most nights I stopped my ten pages feeling angry or frustrated with how he was treating those who were helping him.
But he did the impossible.

PS. I think I realized the last day too that I have thought about doing an IronMan triathalon and I feel like him doing them 50 times in a row would belittle that accomplishment. Gotta tell me self no- he’s trying to inspire everyone to be there best self no matter what that looks like.

[AshishB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly motivational book. I have been cyclist and runners all my life but never thought of triathlon because of my low confidence in swim. But this book has helped me realize that if I fear something, I need to fight it with all my will.
Thank you Iron Cowboy for inspiring.

[Lilly Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very motivational & inspiring. Really fueled my running journey. I looked forward to listening to this book. Highly recommend.

[Matt Fogarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book with a lot of great stories and good takeaways.

[Henrik Regitnig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unreal determination and overall enjoyable read

[Bryan Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)
An inspiring story of grit and grace — a reminder that “I can’t” rarely exists, but there’s always a cost. And that life’s real victories come when we help others discover they have no limits at all.

Executive Summary
Iron Cowboy: Redefine Impossible by James Lawrence chronicles his jaw-dropping quest to complete 50 full Ironman-distance triathlons in 50 states in 50 days. The book blends personal storytelling, road-trip adventure, and reflections on family, pain, purpose, and what happens when you dare to chase a goal that seems absurd on paper.

Key themes include:
- Mindset — pushing through fatigue, doubt, and criticism by refusing to accept “impossible.”
- Support system — his wife, kids, and community carried him when sheer willpower wasn’t enough.
- Grit and grace — endurance as a test not just of muscle, but of humility, faith, and love.
- Purpose beyond self — finding meaning not in the medals, but in helping others redefine their own limits.

Review
This story caught my interest because I once helped design an online fitness course for BYU where students set an audacious physical goal — something just beyond what they thought they could do. That experience taught me a lot about motivation and mindset, and reading Iron Cowboy felt like watching that same philosophy turned up to eleven.

James Lawrence’s journey is wild — part family road trip, part suffer-fest, part spiritual experiment. It’s raw and messy and human. You feel the exhaustion, the blisters, the self-doubt, and the small triumphs that pile up into something historic. But what really hit me wasn’t the number “50 Ironmans in 50 days.” It was his honesty about the toll — the physical pain, the emotional strain on his family, and the way growth always asks for something in return.
Two lessons stuck with me long after I closed the book.

First: “I can’t” doesn’t exist — but there’s always a cost. We’re capable of far more than we believe, yet every great push demands sacrifice. The trick is knowing when the cost is worth paying.
Second: Life’s greatest achievements happen not when we push our own limits, but when we help others discover they have no limits at all. Lawrence’s proudest moments weren’t his finish lines — they were watching strangers lace up, ride out, or swim farther because they saw what was possible. That’s the kind of ripple effect I want to design for in my own work: freeing people to chase their dreams and develop the mindset to overcome their own obstacles.

The writing is straightforward — more journal than literature — but that’s part of its charm. It’s a story told by a man who lived it, breath by breath, mile by mile. And by the end, you feel like you’ve been on the road with him, cheering him into the next sunrise.

TL;DR
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) – A raw, relentless story of endurance that reminds me why big goals matter — not for the glory, but for the growth. Perfect for anyone chasing something that scares them a little, or helping others find their “impossible.”

Similar Reads
- Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes — the original endurance-athlete memoir about pushing limits and loving the pain.
- Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins — a grittier, more extreme look at mindset and mental toughness.
- Never Finished by David Goggins — the follow-up that digs deeper into discipline, identity, and the ongoing battle to master yourself.
- Mud, Sweat, and Tears by Bear Grylls — a fast-paced autobiography that explores courage, resilience, and the call to adventure.
- Atomic Habits by James Clear — less sweat, more strategy; great for translating “endurance mindset” into everyday growth.

[Anthony Cappoferri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an absolute Pain-fest. I could not put it down.

The Ironman Triathlon is considered to be one of the most challenging one day sporting events in the world. To do that every day for 50 days is insane. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of this book is comprised of time spent inside of the innermost recesses of what is often referred to by endurance athletes as “the pain cave.”

James Lawrence does a surprisingly excellent job of chronicling the vast spectrum of human emotion experienced during the incredible physical feat of completing 50 full Ironman Races in 50 days and in 50 different states. The logistics alone are enough to make your head spin! And then to consider swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and then running 26.22 every day for 50 times in a row, rain or shine? Wow. This book does a phenomenal job of capturing just what it would be like and what it actually takes to do something so remarkable.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book was how pain and suffering filled the vast majority of its pages. I think it is far too easy (at least for myself) to romanticize great accomplishments of any kind and forget, or at least not think about just how much struggle, pain, and suffering goes into even the most moderate of achievements, let alone an event like the 50/50/50.

Another significant takeaway for me was just how much can be accomplished by just putting one foot in front of the other - pain, uncertainty, and all. And this far transcends the physical pain in the moment. Specifically I’m referring to the state of affairs of James’ personal life as he chose to undertake such a historic feat of human endurance. His financial and professional lives were in total shambles. They faced bankruptcy, car repossession, debt collectors, the lack of a home…the list goes on. The mental stress of any one of these things (let alone so many) would be enough to do most of us in and justify not getting up off the couch. But to have such adversity at home and decide instead to pursue such an audacious goal…to not let it defeat you mentally…only to push through all that - just so you could have the opportunity to endure days and weeks of seemingly unending pain and hardship with little to no respite? This book is the embodiment of what it means to be mentally tough.

David Goggins has famously said that (paraphrased), “Once you are at your absolute limit and you feel like you can’t walk another step…when you feel like you are absolutely going to die…it is then that you have only tapped into about 40% of what your body is capable of.” Before reading Iron Cowboy, I thought that number was crazy. After finishing? I think it might be a little high.

I cannot recommend this book more highly for anyone looking for inspiration, motivation, courage, and evidence to not only attempt great things, but also the mental toughness required to bring them to completion. Totally blown away by this book by not only the accomplishment it chronicles, but also the real and raw reality of the sacrifice, challenges, and courage it actually takes.

I cannot recommend more highly Iron Cowboy by James Lawrence. Once I had enough time to read as much as I wanted, I couldn’t put it down.

[Sandy Jurkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter a tri athlete shared this book with me. It doesn't surprise me -the support James received from the running community. Runners are there for other athletes to show support and gratitude for athletes discipline and determination. Wow I can't believe James was able to complete all that he did in 50 days, even with his "people" and the help/support he had. I could appreciate his concern as to his family and weighing time together vs the example he was setting. Having four children, when they were young, I'm not sure that I could have made the same commitment. I loved his statement, "one thing I can control is my attitude" AND "tried to escape to someplace far away in my mind" - I've had to do the same self talk and escape when running. I too am a runner, I was an obese child and started running, losing 80 pounds...and since my running journey began have done many 5k's, 15k's and a couple half marathons. I liked the book, he personalized his journey, and many athlete's could identify with so many of his trials along the way. While he might not have raised the money he had hoped, he clearly gained awareness and had so many stories shared with him. I do agree that James "did the impossible and empowered others to do their impossible." This is a great read to inspire. I'd rate it a 4.5

[Paige Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did an excellent job taking you along for the ride as the Iron Cowboy completed one of the most incredible feats of human endurance. James’ story is inspiring and challenging and this is an excellent choice if you need a book to help you break out of your limited thinking about what’s possible in this life. Highly recommended!

Favorite Quote: “Lessons don’t empower, living examples do. Before I hired my public speaking coach, when I just stood up in front of people and told my story, everyone could relate to it in one way or another. My journey met each person where he or she was. Lessons bled the life out of the living example of the Fifty, and not just the life but also the truth. My speaking coach wanted me to tell people that achieving goals and dreams was a simple five-step process, or nine-step process, or whatever. Well, it isn’t. Completing a journey takes as many steps as there are steps in the journey, and you don’t get to the end by applying lessons. You get there by making the decision to take each step until there are no steps left to take. To do that, you need nothing more than the belief that you can. Such a belief comes mostly from within, but it can be fed by the example of others - like me.”

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met James during his Conquer 100. I fear I was a super annoying groupie and that I did not fully understand the suffering he was experiencing. From the outside, I think sometimes it is easy to believe that people who accomplish incredible feats are different--that they have some advantage that makes it easier for them than it would be for you or me. But in this book, James makes it very clear that he's every bit as human as the rest of us. Yes, he put in the work, but when it came down to it, he struggled, doubted and wanted to quit just like any of the rest of us. The difference is that he didn't. He just kept going, one painful step at a time.

This book is raw and honest. James shows us the ugly along with the inspiring and though I really have zero desire to do an iron man, reading his story has inspired me to do better at finishing what I start, one step at a time.

[Devin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to like this book more than I actually did. Probably would have quit reading it had it not been a book talking about not quitting. Doesn’t take away from James’ feat, which was incredible and what kept me wanting to finish the book. While he was inspiring, his book wasn’t. Not one I’ll recommend to people.

I was actually listening to the audio version. Whoever the reader was did a horrible job. My favorite was when he read ���How ARE you? The emphasis on the third word made me realize...” (paraphrasing). Reader emphasized the second word, not the third, so it ruined the feel of the sentence. A lot of stuff like that all throughout as he read. Made it sound strange and hard to listen to.

[Ladraney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how he is so real in this book. So many books with these kinds of “impossible” feats are toxically positive and how-to and this is not that. I appreciate that James took the time to be real and showed the nasty, the complaints, the mood swings, and that it seriously wasn’t all “positive mindset” but belief and resolve. I learn better from stories then someone telling me what and how to do it when it comes to belief and mindset. Why? Because it is different for everyone. James is definitely the Iron Cowboy! I found myself laughing when he laughed and cheering when he got back up, grimacing through his pain, and being angry at all the unfair things that happened on this 50 journey. And that is how it should be.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What James Lawrence did was absolutely incredible and I am in awe of the limits that he pushed himself to and through. That being said, the book was just so-so. The author does a lot of complaining about people along the way which felt like him “getting back at them” by publicly ridiculing the people he felt had let him down. I felt sorry for anyone who got thrown under the bus because I honestly think everyone on his team was doing the best that they could. What he did had never been done before and I doubt will ever be done again. I was hoping for more behind the curtain advice. How? How do you keep going when everything in you is screaming for you to stop? I’ve listened to interviews he has done and have gotten more out of those than this book.