STORY

Based on the true story of Jason Lester, “CHASING ME” is a story of survival of how one man persisted through some of life’s toughest obstacles (the loss of his family - father, brother and mother, the rehabilitation from a devastating car accident, physical abuse and drug addiction) to achieve great personal success in athletics and proved to the world that he is a true iron man in running, and in life.
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SYNOPSIS

The Starting Line

In a dreary desert town, 3-year-old Jason and his 10-year-old half-brother Quinton live in a trailer amidst a whirlwind of alcoholic rage, parental neglect, and daily abuse. The boys’ mother Cathy eventually abandons them, leaving the boys to fend for themselves. After the kids spend days without electricity or food, social workers finally step in and force them to live a country apart, each with his biological father.

As he grows up, Jason forms an extremely strong emotional bond with his dad Charles, and they become more like brothers than father and son. Helped out by his dad’s support and encouragement, Jason develops into a highly touted young athlete who becomes a six-time All-Star baseball player as well as a star in other sports. This success finally convinces young Jason that he’s no longer a social outcast. It also strengthens his bond with Charles, his #1 hero, best friend, and coach.

The Straightaway

Just when everything seems to be going amazingly well, 12-year-old Jason gets hit by a car while riding his bike. He spends three months in the hospital with 21 broken bones, a collapsed lung, and a paralyzed arm. This crushes his hope of excelling in athletics. And then another, more devastating blow falls. Jason’s father dies unexpectedly of a heart attack at age 39.

Even after his injuries and his dad’s death, Jason refuses to give up. He competes in over 60 biathlons and marathons and wins the “Iron Man” trophy from his high school for his tenacity and commitment.

When he reaches his early twenties, Jason moves to Los Angeles and takes a job with an elite sports agency, where he flourishes. Unfortunately, his success leads him to the darker side of the Hollywood and he nearly dies of an overdose.

Jason fights back again and escapes from this world through painting. He thrives as an artist and opens his own agency. He also meets his true love, Renee. She becomes Jason’s greatest supporter and helps him discover his true self, which includes rediscovering his love for athletics as he trains and begins to compete in triathlons.

Then the wheel takes another turn. Jason learns that his wayward mother is near death. He finds her and, in her dying moments, he manages to forgive her for all the neglect ad abuse. About that time, he also finally reconnects with his half brother Quinton.

Unfortunately, there’s a price to pay for Jason’s reinvigorated love of athletics and the time involved in dealing with family matters. A much neglected and now pregnant Renee leaves him and moves to Hawaii.

The Last Lap

Jason goes after Renee, determined to win her back, but gets distracted when he hears about the Hawaii Ironman Championships.  Suddenly nothing is more important than competing in that triathlon and others. Jason takes up residence in Hawaii and begins a rigorous training regimen, putting Renee in the back seat once gain.

But there are positive effects as well. The rigor and discipline of training and competition help Jason finally begin to come to grips with his past. Each segment of each triathlon gives him an opportunity to confront and defeat another of his demons.

As he crosses each finish line, Jason gradually becomes a new man, one who keeps moving forward toward his goal of qualifying for the Hawaii Ironman Championship.  More importantly, he’s also able to start making amends with the people he hurt, especially Renee and his new daughter Katana. And, miraculously, he begins regaining the use of his paralyzed arm.

Inspired by his good fortune, Jason goes beyond his athletic and personal achievements and makes it his ultimate goal to bring awareness to the struggle of everyone who battles paralysis. He creates Embracing the Possibilities Inc. as a vehicle for sharing his testimony around the world. In the end, Jason proves that he is a true Ironman – not just in running, biking, and swimming – but also in life.