Dare to Dream Scary Fast: The Road to Kona

by

Wade Wilson

Inspirational memoir about the author's amazing triathlon journey.

Dare to Dream Scary Fast: The Road to Kona is a wonderfully inspirational memoir by Texas triathlete and author Wade Wilson. The story of his humble grit and tenacity had me soaking up every word, almost feeling his physical and emotional journey, as he grew from a newbie participant to a world-class competitor. 

Wade had an unusual entry into the sport of triathlon, having not grown up in a family where sports were emphasized, and having to overcome a physical challenge with his feet at birth. I loved that he unexpectedly excelled as a pitcher in middle school and ached when he was unable to continue playing the following season. It's impossible to say how far he would have gone, as his perseverance in practicing and pushing himself to improve was already evident by then. He also recognized early that he had a love for participating in team sports, and this passion continued throughout his path to competing in his extreme sport alongside many like-minded enthusiasts. You could feel the joy of the after-race play-by-play sharing by the competitors the following day. 

For those looking to enhance their involvement in the sport, Wade enthusiastically, and with scientific backing, details his training and humbly acknowledges his naivete when he was just getting started. I found it personally inspiring that he focused intensely on competing and completing the events he entered, trying to improve his personal bests, rather than being consumed by the desire to win it all. His attitude and encouragement are applicable to all sports and participants at every level of performance. His training successes, sometimes shaving seconds off his previous time, really brought home how even small improvements can add up to significant differences in the end. Additionally, as a spiritual person, he discusses his devotion to God, family, career, and his sport, in that order. 

With his easy-going, conversational style, I felt this was a man who genuinely wanted to share his journey to encourage others to follow their own dreams. I recommend DARE TO DREAM SCARY FAST to readers of sports memoirs. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.