I might be going out of my mind, but this Monday is gonna be off the chain.
For the last 6 months, I’ve had a bunch of things incubating in my brain and on Monday, we’re finally taking a lot of those ideas live. It’s going to be on. Like Genghis Kahn. Wearing Sean Jean. In Bhutan. Yea, like that. So what’s going on anyways?
Introducing Impossible T-Shirts
I’m launching t-shirts on Monday.
WHAAA?
For the last 6 months, I’ve gotten email after email from you guys asking for t-shirts. I finally took the hint, got my butt in gear and got them made – complete with a shiny new logo that I’ll be rolling out over the next few weeks. Many thanks go to Steven (who you should hire now for your next t-shirt gig and pay him exorbitant amounts of money) and now, after 6 months of waiting, they’re done.
So how did they turn out?
They’re amazing, they’re comfortable, and they’re guaranteed to make you more attractive to the opposite sex (It’s true. I have research*).
Here’s what they look like (some quick close-up shots of the dark-blue shirts. Better photos coming Monday!)
| The Front (directly across the chest) | The Back (much smaller, on the upper back). |
|---|---|
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I’m not lying when I said that as soon as I put it on, I instantly became 50% more ecstatic. Results may vary, but that literally happened for me. Here’s proof.
Maybe I’m biased in my opinion of the shirts, but there’s no denying the ecstatic quotient on that face. Not for one second.
So you’re probably thinking…yea yea. American Apparel. Most comfortable shirt ever. Instantly become more attractive to the opposite sex + a gorgeous new impossible logo. What’s that going to cost? A million dollars, right? Wrong.
If I told you the story of all the trouble I went through to get these shirts made at to the price points they’re at, you probably wouldn’t even believe me. So, with that in mind, I made up one. Enjoy:
I walked into my office monday morning and my lawyers that I don’t have threw a fit when they read through this blog draft. They kept saying that I can’t ‘guarantee’ someone will be “instantly more attractive to the opposite sex.” Something about it not being “legal.” Whatever. Luckily, I hate lawyers so I punched them in the face and told them I was doing it anyways. With the lawyers out of the picture, I turned to my accountant that I don’t have. He kept muttering on and on about how I should price them a million dollars a pop. I got tired of listening to him talk nonsense so I slammed my hand on the table, told him to shut his trap and ordered him to sell them for $20 as I got up and turned to walk out of the office.
His jaw dropped as he sputtered, trying to find a response, “There’s no way you can sell them for $20. That’s impossible!“
“Well, that’s perfect,” I told him as I slowly looked back, “because that’s all I do.” Then I put my sunglasses on and walked out the door.
(Yes that entire story did just play out like a movie scene in your head because that’s exactly how it happened**)
So Impossible T-Shirts. On sale MONDAY for only $20, cause that’s how I roll (and yes, you can bet your pretty face that includes shipping). People have literally fought wars over these t-shirts*** and you can get them on Monday for just $20.
But have no fear. If you can’t wait a second longer without peeing your pants for an impossible shirt and you literally don’t have a penny to your name, at the end of the post, I’ll give you a chance to win one of 3 Impossible T-Shirts for free.99. That’s right, your own impossible t-shirt for $0.00. That’s right suckah! I got your back, but you gotta keep reading…cause there’s a lot more coming down the pipeline!
ImpossibleHQ
Impossible HQ is another project I’m launching. Yes, another. When I started this blog, I started it as a challenge to myself. I never figured more than a few people other than my Mom would read it. Well, that’s sort of changed. 18 months, 160+ posts, and thousands of readers later, I have an entirely different monster on my hands than when I started. And, it’s absolutely awesome (I even think my mom still reads it – hi Mom!).
But I’ve also realized that there’s a lot more to this than just me. Impossible is more than just what I’m doing on this blog. It’s bigger than just me. It’s a community. It’s a movement.
Enter: ImpossibleHQ
ImpossibleHQ will be the launching point for a bunch more important projects. It’s another site, not another blog. Impossible HQ will be a central hub for all things impossible – on the internet and off (we’re thinking big, like really big remember?).
ImpossibleHQ raises the ceiling and allows me to create a bigger adventure – one with space for a lot more people and projects. Don’t worry. Nothing’s going to change around here. I’m still going to write 2 posts a week here for free and keep working on my journey to do the impossible, but we’re adding things to the adventure and making it better. We’re building things. We’re making the adventure bigger. And we’re launching a lot more things.
- The first was a community, ImpossibleLeague.com. BOOM (It’s already 150 people strong, where are you?)
- The second is an apparel line (launching Monday). DOUBLE BOOM
- The third is a new site – ImpossibleHQ.com (also launching Monday). TRIPLE BOOM.
- The fourth is the impossible manifesto (yes, that manifesto – it does exists! Launching the next few weeks). QUADRUPLE BOOM.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. Yes, that’s a quadruple BOOM (can you tell I’m excited?).
The thing about launching is it gets addicting so the more and more I do it, the more and more fun I have so the more and more I keep doing it. Impossible HQ will be a more appropriate place to host all those things, so stay tuned and you’ll see the launch of it, very very soon. Eek! (That’s my excited scream, in case you didn’t know).
Free Impossible Shirts
So you skipped the whole article and looking for free stuff? You came to the right place. If you read it all, congratulations sir, you get a +1 (the old fashion kind, where they actually mattered – none of this google+ stuff, although you’re welcome to +1 this article all day long over there if you want to).
Anyways, here’s how you get one of THREE free shirts I’m giving away:
3 Ways To Win:
- Leave a comment telling me why you need a shirt –> Comment And Win.
- Become a fan of ImpossibleHQ and caption this photo –> Caption This!
- Follow me on twitter (@joelrunyon) and tweet this post out with something like “I want to win an impossible t-shirt from @joelrunyon because they’re proven to make you more attractive to the opposite sex [insert link here].” Or something like that. You guys are smart. Be creative :).
The contest Ends on 11:59 CST on Saturday (October 1st). The winners will be announced on Monday with the T-Shirt Launch.
Yes, if you enter all three ways, you’ll be eligible to win three times. Crazy how that works huh? Winners are chosen by a completely unbiased group of judges (aka me and whoever else I feel like including in the decision). I choose based on my own criteria, so no complaining suckahs! (Hint: if you make me laugh, you get bonus points).
Regardless of whether or not you pick up a T-shirt, I’m more than grateful for you being here and reading this. I wouldn’t be doing half the stuff I am without you guys. Over the last 18 months, this blog and you guys have done much, much more than I could have ever expected. Thanks for being awesome.
Now go do something impossible this weekend.
-Joel
*I don’t actually have research.
**These events may or may not have actually happened.
***No wars were actually fought (to my knowledge) over these shirts.
p.s. Bonus Shirt Opportunity – Yes I’m literally giving these things away. Here’s one more chance on how to get one: Saturday is October 1st. On Saturday, we’ll officially be launching the first Impossible Challenge in the Impossible League. The Impossible Challenge means you pick 3 things to do over the course of October:
- 1 endurance activity that will push your limits.
- 1 adventure to go on this month and have a story to tell.
- 1 way you’re going to give back to others this month.
Post your goals by this Monday and check in every week. At the end of the month, another unbiased group of judges will sit to discuss the winner and cough up a shiny new shirt for whoever wins the contest. The t-shirt will be awesome, but I bet you, you’ll probably change your life if you even just commit to doing the challenge. Do it. Sign up for the first impossible challenge here.
Commenting for free shirt 🙂
I’ve been in Munich for Oktoberfest the past 2 weeks. This weekend I’ll start the first leg of my bike trip across part of Europe- heading to Salzburg. Next week moving on to Linz, Vienna, and then eventually on to Bratislava, Budapest, and maybe Sarajevo too. Traveling on a 1-way ticket to do this bike trip is something I’ve wanted to do for years!
Joel. I’m thinking why I need an Impossible shirt. First, I need something to wear every time I upload a video of me doing something off of my impossible list. Secondly, I need a shirt like that because as soon as the ladies realize that it’s NOT impossible to date, talk to, or befriend me the better I’ll be. And lastly, I need a shirt because I’m new to the impossible list and the impossible league. Also, I’m spreading the word and I’m trying to get my roommate (Josh) to make an impossible list. AND make sure Tyler and Yoder NEVER get one of these. You should make wrist bands as well that have the impossible crossed out.
Hook it up? I want my free t-shirt. I’ll even it wear it during every webinar I do for BlogcastFM. I love what you’re up to right now and ben really enjoying your writing more and more each week. I’ll be in touch about bringing you back for another interview. BTW, i ‘d love to be a guest on NerveRush and talk to you about surfing.
Free shirt what?!
I think I am going to be different and tell YOU why YOU want me to have a free shirt. It’s quite simple actually. I am pretty awesome you see, and I know a lot of people. And if I had a sweet T-shirt…everyone is going to be like “WHOA! Where did you get that sexy shirt!?” And then I would tell them all about the Impossible League and your Blog if Impossible Things. 😛
BOOM!
Hey Joel,
I need one of those 3 shirts you’re giving away! OK, lets be honest here, I don’t need one. I want one! I have lots of shirts already, but I’m greedy. I also happen to be cheap. So, please let me know when I’m getting my free shirt!
Ir is this better? It’s all true…
Joel,
I am a single parent with full custody of two young adult girls that have extensive expenses. Every extra dollar I have goes towards them or my mortgage. I would love to have a large IMPOSSIBLE shirt but I know that I will not be able to afford one any time soon. The depression of not having such an awesome shirt may make me spiral down in to depression so badly that by the time I can afford to purchase one I will need an XXXL. So please, for my health and my daughters’ happiness at not seeing their father balloon in to a human blob…give me one of your fine shirts.
Thank you,
Ken
I need a shirt because otherwise I would be shirtless and you wouldn’t want to be responsible for me going to jail for indecency? Would you? What would the kids think? PLUS, my birthday is tomorrow and I decided instead of thinking about how old I am getting (24) I am going to run a half marathon, which is something I never thought I could do a year ago. How amazing would it be to commemorate that with a shirt? Oh, and if you plan on building your shirt line…I suggest you make a Day Glow line of Impossible shirts..Why you ask? Well because WHY NOT? I am running my race in a head to toe Day Glow outfit and if you make a day glow line of shirts I can buy one and wear them for all my future races, i.e. full marathon..ultra marathon and a Spartan Beast 😀 What was that you said? Will I have photos of my most amazing epic outfit? Why yes Joe…I will along with my friend who has duct tape saying “do not hit” and will probably wrap himself with.
Sorry for such a long and random message..but it’s Friday, and I am PUMPED for this weekend!!
Joel not Joe…:D
You must give me a free tshirt becauser when you were an impossibly scrawny fifteen year old kid, I saw the possibilities in you that one day you would do the IMPOSSIBLE. And I must say, I am not disappointed.
If you pick me to get the free T-shirt, I’ll actually have to punch you in the face. I’ve got green falling out of my pockets and if that green ain’t folded nicely in yours this coming Monday I’ll be forced to murder myself.
Seriously, don’t pick me. I’m buying one of those bitches because those T’s are Saweeeeeet!!! Bring on the heat brothaaaaa!
P
Hi Joel,
I need that wonderful shirt, because it´s impossible for you to give it to me 🙂
If I will get it, I wear it at Dusseldorf Marathon next year!
Love Nicole
I’ve noticed people looking at me rather strangely in church. If I had a shirt to wear it might stop some of the gawking. I guess I really do need a shirt.
Because people keep telling me I can’t do things and I think…oh yeah?? Watch me!
Plus I could use a new Tshirt 🙂
I would like a shirt! I am always trying to do impossible things that make my family and friends go crazy.
Hi Joel,
You should give me the t-shirt because since becoming minimalist I have given away all of my clothes*. Most of my friends seem to suddenly be “busy” all of them time and those that do still hang out with me refuse to go out in public with me. So you see, me and my social life need your shirt! It’s either that or I’ll have to punch all my remaining friends in the face.
*These events may or may not have actually happened.
Lindsay
Hey, I want to win this TShirt for a few GREAT reasons!
I wear shirts like this when I want to share innovative ideas and get people talking. As I travel alot and attend lots of courses / presentations on science, technology, innovation, I can advertise and promote the domain all day long. I sit at the front of the class and the presenter ALWAYS checks out my TShirts. I also make sure I am wearing it when I Skype my clients all over Canada and the US. They see me wearing it and 99% of the time, visit the URL I promote. Lastly, I ONLY wear stuff thats hip, cool, and generates discussion from leaders and people who dare to dream. Joel, You and I both need me to wear your Tshirt. Its the most effective marketing you will get! Rock on!
No extra bonus points here for laughs. I do know “funny” but my reason for wanting the free shirt is pretty dang serious. On November 5th I’m doing Florida Ironman (1st one). The trip & race has taken on new meaning for my family as my wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer(9/13). The trip now becomes therapy and inspiration for her (& our family). I already have two “surprise” bike and run jerseys that will bring her to happy tears. I can think of nothing better to get her ready for her fight (upon her return she will begin chemo)than to witness an Ironman event live. To sport that sweet t-shirt around Florida all week would be icing on the cake. I’m pretty sure I will wear it every day. If I don’t win a freebie, I’ll still buy one (do you have any with pink lettering? 😉 ). It is a very clever logo, makes my arm hair stand on end…
Joel playing JV basketball with you, living with you, and loving the fact you hate Mark Gardner is not enough reasons why I deserve a shirt then having poor grammer and just liking shirts should do the trick.
I love your site and philosophy behind the impossible life, so I hope it’s not too late to win one of your free shirts. I deserve one because most people think what my goal is impossible – to become a full time artist. I have been pursuing this for the past twenty years and don’t intend to give up. I want to set a good example of what not giving up on your dreams can do, and I would certainly advertise your shirt, as I have my own site. So please consider, I would even consider bartering one of my smaller paintings or do a pet portrait for this shirt, that would make my year!