Jeff’s Story

In 1964 a little baby boy was born to Donald and Joann Clay. It was a common, everyday home and a common child in a small and very common town called Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Jeff was a busy little fellow who loved to be outside. He would leave the house early in the day and usually not return home until it was time to eat. (Kids could do that back then.)

Jeff was a painfully shy and bashful little boy. He was deeply insecure and would never raise his hand in class to answer a question, even if he was confident that he had the correct answer. He was afraid of failure and the possible embarrassment if he had a wrong answer. This fear and timidity would challenge him throughout his life.

At 10 years old he would look at the “Guinness Record Book” and “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” books and silently dream of being “Somebody” one day. Jeff would whisper silent prayers that the Lord would make him special like the people in the books.

This was when some of the family’s personal challenges at home began. Jeff’s father, Don, struggled with severe depression and alcoholism. As a young man, Don was involved in a car accident where his best friend was killed. Don was the driver. Subsequently, at any point where Jeff’s family would begin to be happy and prosper, Don would begin a pattern of self destructive behavior. Jeff’s relationship with his dad began to decline as Jeff’s insecurities only grew stronger.

In 5th grade, however, during the school’s “Field Day” activities, a very significant event took place. Though Jeff knew he was fast and could jump well, the thoughts of failure and losing would overpower his desire to participate.

That’s when a friend, named Tracy Bass, found him standing all alone on the sidelines. Tracy was the first person to speak into Jeff’s life and encourage him. (Never under estimate the power of an encouraging word!) Jeff was so reluctant that Tracy had to tell the teacher that Jeff was interested in the long jump and foot race. The teacher called on Jeff to participate that day. The blue ribbons that he received that day remain his proudest accomplishments in his jumping, running and hurdling career.

Although this was a major turning point, Jeff still would struggle to overcome his shy and timid disposition. In high school, when given the option of an oral presentation or a failing grade, Jeff still chose to fail the class rather than risk the possibility of people laughing at him.

At this time two more significant events would take place in Jeff’s life. First, in the spring of his freshman year, he tried out and made the Lakeview/Fort Oglethorpe Track Team where he finally found a sense of purpose and gratification. The first time he high jumped he tied the high school record of 5’ 10″.

In the summer of that same year, Jeff was so inspired by equaling the school record that he made a home-made high jump in his front yard to practice. Since Jeff did not have a landing mat (yet) he was just hurdling the bar. After one such hurdle Jeff realized that he had cleared a height greater than his own height of 5’10″. He noticed his family’s car parked in the driveway. With a sly smile he went over to the car and measured the height. It was about five feet tall. He decided that if he could get his speed up, then his momentum would carry him the rest of the way.

Jeff backed up into his neighbor’s yard and, after running up to the car several times, decided that he would jump the car or break his neck trying. Jump it he did. (Thankfully without the broken neck.) Jeff didn’t think much of his jump at the time. It was then that a neighbor across the street, who had seen the jump, came out and gave Jeff the encouragement he needed to do it again. She even called for her husband to come and see.

By this time, several passer-bys had stopped to watch this “lanky, awkward teenager”. Had Jeff found something that he could do that was unique? Was this the gift that God had given him to make him special? He was encouraged that now no one would laugh at him, but rather applaud him.

From that moment, the little city of Fort Oglethorpe was never the same. It became a place where you might be driving down the road and have to do a double take as a “flash” might come across the top of your car. That was a pivotal moment for Jeff.

Over the next few years Jeff would hone his high jumping skills and became a nationally ranked High School High Jumper and be scouted by some major Southern Conference Colleges. However, the problems in his home life had escalated and his parents divorced.

His confidence in himself and his abilities detoured him from applying to college. His relationship with his father had become virtually non-existent. Jeff decided he would try and use his car hurdling ability to get some recognition and create the potential of getting into a National commercial. He would try, yet be rejected by every company and TV show he sent his ideas to.

Finally after 10 years, Jeff’s personal faith in Christ was strengthened and he began using his God given ability to take part in motivational speaking. His message to the crowd was, and continues to be, that in this life you will have troubles, trials and even tragedies. However, you can find a way around them, through them or, like Jeff, “Just Get Over IT!”

While everyone has something they are inspired and motivated by, Jeff’s faith became the igniter that continues to drive him today. His faith gets him through the challenges that this life can bring. He is motivated by a quote in the Bible that says, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Jeff went on with his life and began his Sales and Marketing career, which now spans a quarter-century. Jeff began his career by forcing himself to make those dreaded initial “cold calls” selling office supplies door to door. He is currently a Vice President of Business Development where he provides sales, marketing and Operations assistance to those he serves.

Still he never lost the fire and desire that burned inside of him to be recognized for the unique accomplishments of his “Car Hurdling” feats. Thirty-three years after that little boy prayed to somehow become special and believing that God knows even the smallest desires of your heart, Jeff was finally recognized by both “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” as well as “Guinness World Records” for jumping 101 cars in 38 minutes.

That same year, he stood in front of a congregation of people and spoke lovingly at his father’s graveside. God’s grace had brought forgiveness to their relationship. During the final years of his father’s life, he shared with his son that he had let circumstances destroy him. He asked Jeff to take their story of forgiveness and love and share it with others. He asked his son to help his life and his trials not be in vain. Jeff honors his father still today as he spreads his testimony everywhere he goes.

This brings full circle the dreams of a painfully shy 10 year old boy just praying to be “special”. Jeff wants to use his life and his accomplishments to glorify God and motivate others that they too can overcome and succeed in life no matter what obstacles they must JUMP.