Tulsa Athlete Shares His Larger-Than-Life Journey To Ironman Starting Line

Ironman Triathlon competitors are larger-than-life athletes. One Tulsa native is hoping his journey to the Ironman starting line in his hometown will inspire others.

The Ironman Triathlon is one of the toughest sporting events on the planet. Chaz Stephenson didn't exactly fit the bill of a triathlete, weighing in at more than 430 pounds.

"I would eat easily a meal for two or three people and then usually finish a buddy’s meal and there was always a desert of some sort and candies," said Stephenson.

From hard work to dedication, and countless hours of training, Stephenson lost 200 pounds and competed in his first Tulsa Ironman.

"I'm here to tell you can do it, these prove it, you can do it, you just have to make up your mind and you have to surround yourself by positive-thinking people and people that believe you can do it," said Stephenson.

Stephenson hopes his journey leading up to the race will inspire other people to dream big and achieve their goals.

"If I'm running next to someone or biking, I want to be their friend,” Stephenson said. “I want to be encouraging them, I want everybody doing this race to finish.”