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Beating the Impossible: A Life of Comebacks, Extreme Sports and PTSD
Extreme athlete Don Schwartz has achieved, overcome, and somehow survived the impossible...repeatedly. A pioneer in the snowboarding world, Schwartz was horrifically burned in a tragic helicopter crash at the age of twenty which left him permanently disfigured. In the years following the accident, Schwartz goes on to become a world-level champion in various extreme sports and outdoor survival competitions. From winning and losing the legendary Death Race to standing on the podium of the World's Toughest Mudder, to winning Gold at the Barefoot Waterskiing World Championships, Schwartz distills his inspirational perspective to provide insight into any sort of obstacle that life might erect.
Despite a dizzying series of triumphs and calamities, Schwartz remains motivated throughout, all the while suffering debilitating PTSD that he didn't even recognize he had. With an infectious positivity, this riveting and honest first-person account, gives readers intimate access to a life that has been a million miles from ordinary.
Despite a dizzying series of triumphs and calamities, Schwartz remains motivated throughout, all the while suffering debilitating PTSD that he didn't even recognize he had. With an infectious positivity, this riveting and honest first-person account, gives readers intimate access to a life that has been a million miles from ordinary.
228 pages, Paperback
Published August 10, 2022
19 people want to read
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March 10, 2026
Beating the Impossible: A Life of Comebacks, Extreme Sports and PTSD by Don Schwartz is a powerful memoir that explores resilience, survival, and the relentless pursuit of pushing human limits despite overwhelming adversity.
Schwartz first made his mark as a pioneer in the early world of snowboarding, embracing the spirit of risk and adventure that defines extreme sports. However, his life took a devastating turn at the age of twenty when he survived a catastrophic helicopter crash that left him severely burned and permanently disfigured. For many, such an event would mark the end of an athletic career, but for Schwartz it became the beginning of an extraordinary story of perseverance.
In the years following the accident, Schwartz not only returned to competition but continued to push himself into some of the world’s most demanding endurance challenges. His journey includes competing in events like the grueling Spartan Death Race and earning a podium finish at the World's Toughest Mudder competitions known for testing the limits of physical and mental endurance.
Perhaps even more remarkable is his success in an entirely different discipline, earning a gold medal at the Barefoot Waterskiing World Championships. These achievements illustrate not only his physical determination but also his ability to continually reinvent himself as an athlete.
Beyond the feats of endurance and competition, the memoir also offers an honest and deeply personal look at Schwartz’s struggle with post-traumatic stress. For years he faced debilitating symptoms without fully recognizing them as PTSD. His reflections shed light on the invisible psychological battles that often accompany extreme trauma and high-performance lifestyles.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the tone of optimism that runs throughout the narrative. Even while recounting moments of intense hardship, Schwartz maintains a perspective rooted in resilience and growth. Rather than focusing solely on triumphs, he openly acknowledges setbacks, failures, and the emotional toll of his experiences.
Through these candid reflections, Beating the Impossible becomes more than a sports memoir. It is a story about confronting fear, rebuilding identity after trauma, and discovering the strength to move forward when circumstances appear insurmountable.
Ultimately, Don Schwartz offers readers an inspiring reminder that resilience is not defined by avoiding adversity but by finding the courage to rise again and again in the face of it.
Schwartz first made his mark as a pioneer in the early world of snowboarding, embracing the spirit of risk and adventure that defines extreme sports. However, his life took a devastating turn at the age of twenty when he survived a catastrophic helicopter crash that left him severely burned and permanently disfigured. For many, such an event would mark the end of an athletic career, but for Schwartz it became the beginning of an extraordinary story of perseverance.
In the years following the accident, Schwartz not only returned to competition but continued to push himself into some of the world’s most demanding endurance challenges. His journey includes competing in events like the grueling Spartan Death Race and earning a podium finish at the World's Toughest Mudder competitions known for testing the limits of physical and mental endurance.
Perhaps even more remarkable is his success in an entirely different discipline, earning a gold medal at the Barefoot Waterskiing World Championships. These achievements illustrate not only his physical determination but also his ability to continually reinvent himself as an athlete.
Beyond the feats of endurance and competition, the memoir also offers an honest and deeply personal look at Schwartz’s struggle with post-traumatic stress. For years he faced debilitating symptoms without fully recognizing them as PTSD. His reflections shed light on the invisible psychological battles that often accompany extreme trauma and high-performance lifestyles.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the tone of optimism that runs throughout the narrative. Even while recounting moments of intense hardship, Schwartz maintains a perspective rooted in resilience and growth. Rather than focusing solely on triumphs, he openly acknowledges setbacks, failures, and the emotional toll of his experiences.
Through these candid reflections, Beating the Impossible becomes more than a sports memoir. It is a story about confronting fear, rebuilding identity after trauma, and discovering the strength to move forward when circumstances appear insurmountable.
Ultimately, Don Schwartz offers readers an inspiring reminder that resilience is not defined by avoiding adversity but by finding the courage to rise again and again in the face of it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review