Jim Lubinski grew up in Niles, Illinois, a suburb outside of Chicago. Excelling in ice hockey, Jim earned a DI athletic scholarship to play at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. After graduating, Jim went on to play professional ice hockey and after one season, he decided to hang up the skates and move to Los Angeles, California. From 2005 to 2008, Jim was a recreational triathlete with average times. With minimal training, he finished Ironman Arizona in November 2008 in 10:01. He was 30 years old, in the prime of his endurance sport athletic career, and knew he could achieve a lot if he put his mind to it. In just six months of intense training, Jim racked up five age group wins in six races, two overall wins, including an overall amateur win at the very prestigious Vineman 70.3, and he earned his qualification to become a professional triathlete.

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