Nothing Out of Reach - by Matt Stutzman (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Known worldwide as the Armless Archer, Paralympic gold medalist and Guinness World Record holder Matt Stutzman recounts his incredible career as a record-setting athlete and reveals uplifting life lessons in redefining the odds.

When Matt Stutzman was born without arms, his birth parents' obstetrician told them their son would never be independent, find a job, or blend into society. By the time he was three months old, Matt had been put up for adoption.

His adoptive parents, however, were undaunted by the realities of raising a child with physical disabilities. With seven siblings, Matt grew up in rural Iowa, learning to adapt to any situation. From facing down bullies to learning to write, hunt, and drive with his feet, his parents' attention and support laid the groundwork for Matt's resilience and self-sufficiency.

But in adulthood as a married father with two kids, Matt faced doubts from potential employers and struggled to find work. In desperation to literally put food on the table, he hunted with a bow, honing his unique shooting style to bring home deer for meals--and launched a career in archery.

Determined to make the most of a new opportunity, Matt's competitive archery circuit took him to Para competitions in Toronto, London, and Dubai, ultimately earning a name for himself as a record-setting archer and gold medalist in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Now considered one of the world's greatest archers, Matt continues to break limits as a licensed driver for the National Hot Rod Association.

Built on the bedrock of Matt's can-do confidence, Nothing Out of Reach is a buoyant reminder that with patience, practice, and the right mindset, any limit can become an opportunity.

About the Author

Matt Stutzman is an American Paralympic archer, motivational speaker, and pioneer in adaptive sport. Born without arms, Stutzman learned from a young age to adapt creatively, using his feet, legs, and shoulders for daily tasks and athletic pursuits. He developed a unique archery technique--holding the bow with his foot and releasing arrows using a device activated by his jaw--that would propel him onto the world stage in Para archery.

Stutzman began competing internationally in 2011 and made a remarkable Paralympic debut at the 2012 London Games, where he won a silver medal in the men's individual compound open event, establishing himself as one of the world's top archers despite his unconventional style.

After competing in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 without medaling, Stutzman achieved a career-defining breakthrough at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. At his fourth Paralympics, he captured the gold medal in the men's individual compound open, becoming the first archer without arms to win Paralympic gold in archery history. Competing at the historic Esplanade des Invalides, Stutzman set a new Paralympic record with a score of 149 out of 150 in the final and defeated China's Ai Xinliang 149-147 for the title.

In addition to his Paralympic success, Stutzman has held the world record for the longest accurate shot in archery and garnered numerous awards, including being named World Archery's Archer of the Year and winning the Best Male Summer Athlete at the 2025 Para Sport Awards--honors that reflect both his sporting excellence and his broader impact on the sport.

Off the field, Stutzman is a sought-after motivational speaker and advocate, sharing his story of resilience, innovation, and the power of mindset with audiences around the world. Through his achievements and outreach, he has inspired a growing generation of adaptive athletes and helped expand opportunities and visibility for Para sport globally.