About

Meet JJ Arness Flax, an 11-time marathoner sprinting across world-class courses from America to Asia. Off the roads he uses that unstoppable energy into vital charitable work and global donations that change lives worldwide.

JJ Arness Flax was born on July 17th in Newburgh, Indiana. Growing up, he wanted to be a lawyer. Through elementary and junior high, he played Ice Hockey. Before moving to Pensacola, Florida, to complete his high school education. In 2019, he started his Business Administration program. In 2020, JayJay began his weight-loss journey. Starting at 290 pounds, he thought he tried everything. From the diets, supplements, and workout routines. He kept hitting that wall until late 2021. In 2021, he started the HARD75 challenge. Pretty simple concept: workout twice a day for 75 days and eat cleaner. The only "problem" was JJ continually increased the HARD75. First it was 75, then 80, 100, 250, 365, before ballooning to 1001 days. Losing over 150 pounds in the process. The gym streak ended in June 2024 to dial focus in on long-distance running. Running was discovered along the HARD75 journey. He fell in love with it from Day 1. With his heart set on completing a marathon in 2022. Along that journey, he discovered how difficult marathon training would be. After shuffling through a few coaches. JayJay landed on one in late 2022, aiming for a marathon debut in 2023. Why start your racing career with a 5k when the marathon exists, right? The 2023 marathon ended up being a sweltering 90 degrees. JayJay finished the race exhausted but with determination to improve. After months of small wins through the Midwest and consistent training. He came back to the marathon scene in late 2023 with a marathon improvement of over an hour. In late 2023, JayJay signed with adidas running, and the rest, as they say, is His Story.