WACO, Texas (KWTX) - The countdown is on for the seventh annual Waco Ironman, which kicks off Sunday along the Brazos River, but one athlete has been putting in the miles for months.

Long Nguyen, one of five athletes competing with Team Waco, is inspiring others to step out of their comfort zone and “take the first step.” His story stretches beyond the starting line… 8,000 miles away.

Nguyen is an immigrant from Vietnam who came to the United States alone in 2016 at only sixteen years old, with dreams of better opportunities.

But those dreams quickly became a harsher reality. Nguyen knew little to no English upon arrival.

“I think I wanted to give up more than I can count. Just cry every day after school. ‘Why am I not understanding? Is this for me? Should I go back home?” he said.

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