Jeff Booher, Tri4Him Founder

I was quite reluctant to include this page on the website because I am such a small part of what Tri4Him is and has become. If you've heard great things about Tri4Him, it's a very safe bet that it had nothing to do with me. It's much more likely related to one of the hundreds of other members living out their faith through their involvement with Tri4Him. That's what we're all about...coming together to glorify Jesus in triathlon and life. However, I'm told that it's important to let people learn more about me to have a better understanding of Tri4Him—the community and training system. So here goes...

Triathlon Philosophy

I see triathlon as simply one way in which we can glorify God, learn more about ourselves (and Him), and serve others through our participation in the sport.

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
—1 Timothy 4:8

But don't get me wrong. I love trying to win races too. I love yelling, "On your left!" (followed by an encouraging word, of course). I believe that God has a purpose for each of us and that we need to give our all to whatever race He marks out for us, triathlon or otherwise. The Christian life is not a spectator sport. One of my favorite non-Biblical quotes is by Teddy Roosevelt. It sums up my attitude about competing in triathlons and in life.

"It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly...who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Triathlon successes isn't about winning or losing on any given day. It's about doing the most with what talents, time, and treasures that the Lord has given each of us. Laying it all out there and having nothing left when we cross the finish line.

When I cross this life's finish line, I long to hear my Master say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21)

Prayer for Tri4Him

No matter how you are involved with Tri4Him, it is my fervent prayer that Tri4Him will equip and encourage you to run a race that honors Him and is a blessing to others.

Athletic and Coaching Background

I suppose that I'm just like most other Tri4Him members in that I love sports and participated in them all my life. As a young kid, I played as many sports as I could fit into my schedule...which was a lot (soccer, baseball, football, basketball, tennis, swimming, track, weightlifting, racquetball). By high school, I began to focus my time more and stuck to just football and track. Once I entered college, at Texas A&M University, I had another chance to broaden my athletic horizons picking up rock climbing, scuba diving, jiu jitsu, and a few others. I was also a decathlete on the A&M track team for a short while. I love the variety and skill required to train and compete in multiple disciplines. I guess that's what originally drew me to triathlons.

I've been working with competitive athletes professionally for more than 20 years as a personal trainer, physical fitness instructor while serving in the US Army, and a triathlon coach since 2002.