- AUTHOR
- Speaker
- Coach
Gary West
Helping People Find Hope, Purpose, and Resilience Through Life's Greatest Storms
THUNDERBOLTS AND Lightning Strikes
A story of loss, faith, redemption, and finding victory through Jesus Christ.
A memoir of faith, loss, and the moments that quietly define a life
A true story of losing everything… and discovering what could never be taken away.
A memoir of uncommon honesty, Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes takes readers through eleven defining chapters of Gary West’s life —
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Meet Gary
Hi, I’m Gary. For more than thirty years I coached athletes, mentored students, and believed I understood what resilience looked like. Then in 2022 everything changed. I lost my career. My identity. My confidence. For 982 days I walked through the hardest season of my life. But what I thought would destroy me became the place where God completely rebuilt me. Today I spend my life helping people discover hope, purpose, resilience and faith not because I’ve studied them because I’ve lived them. Now I want to share that journey with you.
— GARY WEST, THUNDERBOLTS AND LIGHTNING STRIKES
THE BOOK
THUNDERBOLTS AND
Lightning Strikes
BY Gary West
A memoir of uncommon honesty, Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes takes readers through eleven defining chapters of Gary West’s life — an injury that ended a season, a 982-day crisis that nearly broke him, and the redemption (rescue from loss/ruin) that followed. This isn’t a self-help guide. It’s one man’s unflinching account of how God turns disappointment into preparation.
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Leadership
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Resilience
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Faith
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Team Building
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Mental Health
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Purpose
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Overcoming Adversity
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Reviews
endorsements
In Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes, Gary West shares the deeply personal story of losing so much of what he once believed defined his life his identity, the career he had spent years building, his success, and his reputation.
But this book is about much more than loss.
It’s about discovering that God never gives up on us, even when it feels like the whole world is caving in. It’s about realizing that God has been at work all along, even during the seasons when we couldn’t see what He was doing.
If you’ve hit a roadblock, wondered what God is doing, or questioned what comes next, I believe this book will encourage you. Gary’s story is a reminder that God is never finished writing our story. He still has a plan, and He is able to redeem even the hardest seasons of our lives for His glory and our good.
But this book is about much more than loss.
It’s about discovering that God never gives up on us, even when it feels like the whole world is caving in. It’s about realizing that God has been at work all along, even during the seasons when we couldn’t see what He was doing.
If you’ve hit a roadblock, wondered what God is doing, or questioned what comes next, I believe this book will encourage you. Gary’s story is a reminder that God is never finished writing our story. He still has a plan, and He is able to redeem even the hardest seasons of our lives for His glory and our good.
Loren Hicks
Lead Pastor
Pacific Christian Center
Pacific Christian Center
In a world that often tells us our identity is found in our careers or accomplishments, Gary reminds us that our true identity is found in Christ, and that our greatest legacy begins at home.
Whether you are facing one of life’s thunderbolts, enduring a devastating lightning strike, or simply seeking to deepen your faith, this book will encourage, challenge, and inspire you. Gary’s journey is living proof that God still restores, redeems, and brings purpose through our greatest trials.
This isn’t just a story you’ll read it is a testimony that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Whether you are facing one of life’s thunderbolts, enduring a devastating lightning strike, or simply seeking to deepen your faith, this book will encourage, challenge, and inspire you. Gary’s journey is living proof that God still restores, redeems, and brings purpose through our greatest trials.
This isn’t just a story you’ll read it is a testimony that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Danny Rios
Operations Division Commander
Santa Maria Police Department
Santa Maria Police Department
I have had the privilege of knowing Gary West through several seasons of life-first as my high school basketball coach, later as a fellow coach when I served as a freshman basketball coach, and more recently as a teammate in supporting military members through resilience services. Through every season, Gary has remained the same man of integrity, compassion, and faith.
As a player, I experienced firsthand Gary’s ability to see potential in people long before they saw it in themselves. He didn’t just teach us basketball. He taught us resilience, accountability, character, and the importance of serving others. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my military career and continue to influence the way I lead today.
Working alongside Gary as a coach, and later supporting service members together, gave me an even greater appreciation for his heart for people. He has a unique ability to meet people where they are, encourage them through difficult moments, and remind them that their circumstances do not have to define their future. His genuine care for others and his commitment to helping people find hope are evident in everything he does.
Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes is more than Gary’s personal story. It is a testimony to God’s faithfulness through adversity. Gary shares some of the most difficult moments of his life with honesty and humility, offering hope to anyone walking through hardship, uncertainty, or loss. His story reminds us that even when life seems to unravel, God is still at work-restoring purpose, strengthening faith, and preparing us for what lies ahead.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking hope, perspective, and a deeper understanding of God’s redeeming grace. Gary’s journey is authentic and inspiring, and it is a powerful reminder that some of our greatest trials can become the foundation of our greatest testimony.
As a player, I experienced firsthand Gary’s ability to see potential in people long before they saw it in themselves. He didn’t just teach us basketball. He taught us resilience, accountability, character, and the importance of serving others. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my military career and continue to influence the way I lead today.
Working alongside Gary as a coach, and later supporting service members together, gave me an even greater appreciation for his heart for people. He has a unique ability to meet people where they are, encourage them through difficult moments, and remind them that their circumstances do not have to define their future. His genuine care for others and his commitment to helping people find hope are evident in everything he does.
Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes is more than Gary’s personal story. It is a testimony to God’s faithfulness through adversity. Gary shares some of the most difficult moments of his life with honesty and humility, offering hope to anyone walking through hardship, uncertainty, or loss. His story reminds us that even when life seems to unravel, God is still at work-restoring purpose, strengthening faith, and preparing us for what lies ahead.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking hope, perspective, and a deeper understanding of God’s redeeming grace. Gary’s journey is authentic and inspiring, and it is a powerful reminder that some of our greatest trials can become the foundation of our greatest testimony.
Jerel Dy
Former High School Basketball Player
Life has a way of bringing both thunderbolts and lightning strikes. Thunderbolts disrupt our plans, but lightning strikes are the defining moments that forever change who we are. Gary West knows that reality firsthand.
When an unexpected and deeply painful season changed the course of his career, Gary faced the greatest challenge of his life. Instead of allowing hardship to define him, he ultimately surrendered everything to Jesus Christ. What followed was a life transformed by God’s grace, redemption, and renewed purpose.
Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes is more than a story of overcoming adversity. It is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to realign your priorities and pursue the life God has called you to live. Gary challenges us to be intentional about where we invest our time, talents, and treasures to put God first, family second, and everything else in its proper place.
As an educator who had the privilege of working closely with Gary, I knew him long before the lightning strike. He was an outstanding educator someone who had a remarkable gift for connecting with students, helping them through difficult times, and mentoring teachers and counselors alike.
After nearly four decades of faithfully serving others, no one could have imagined that a lightning strike would suddenly change his life.
When an unexpected and deeply painful season changed the course of his career, Gary faced the greatest challenge of his life. Instead of allowing hardship to define him, he ultimately surrendered everything to Jesus Christ. What followed was a life transformed by God’s grace, redemption, and renewed purpose.
Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes is more than a story of overcoming adversity. It is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to realign your priorities and pursue the life God has called you to live. Gary challenges us to be intentional about where we invest our time, talents, and treasures to put God first, family second, and everything else in its proper place.
As an educator who had the privilege of working closely with Gary, I knew him long before the lightning strike. He was an outstanding educator someone who had a remarkable gift for connecting with students, helping them through difficult times, and mentoring teachers and counselors alike.
After nearly four decades of faithfully serving others, no one could have imagined that a lightning strike would suddenly change his life.
CRACK! BOOM!
Then, without warning, a deeply painful situation changed the course of his career. None of us could understand where the journey would lead, but looking back, God used one of life’s darkest seasons to lead Gary toward renewed purpose.
I had a firsthand view of the pain Gary endured. Watching someone I respect walk through that season was incredibly difficult. It wasn’t until I read Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes that I began to understand how God used even those painful circumstances to transform Gary into the man he is today-a man who lives wholeheartedly for Christ and is passionate about helping others discover the peace, hope, and purpose that can only come through a relationship with Him.
Throughout this book, Gary shares personal stories with honesty and humility, drawing practical lessons that challenge readers to look at life’s struggles differently and to deepen their conversations with God.
What stands out most is Gary’s heart. He isn’t writing to impress anyone. He’s writing because he sincerely hopes his story will help just one person find hope.
I can honestly say it has already helped one. Will you be next?
I had a firsthand view of the pain Gary endured. Watching someone I respect walk through that season was incredibly difficult. It wasn’t until I read Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes that I began to understand how God used even those painful circumstances to transform Gary into the man he is today-a man who lives wholeheartedly for Christ and is passionate about helping others discover the peace, hope, and purpose that can only come through a relationship with Him.
Throughout this book, Gary shares personal stories with honesty and humility, drawing practical lessons that challenge readers to look at life’s struggles differently and to deepen their conversations with God.
What stands out most is Gary’s heart. He isn’t writing to impress anyone. He’s writing because he sincerely hopes his story will help just one person find hope.
I can honestly say it has already helped one. Will you be next?
David Riley
High School Teacher
Having known Gary as a compassionate high school counselor and coach who guided my own family through both joyful and challenging times, I have seen firsthand the depth of his heart for helping others. He has a rare and genuine gift for motivating people to reach their full potential, even when facing their toughest moments. His inspirational journey in Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes is a beautiful reminder that our trials can make us stronger, making it a must-read for anyone seeking hope in the midst of life’s storms.
Pauline Chui
Parent
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Every story matters, and yours is no different. If Gary’s journey through thunderbolts and lightning strikes has stirred something in you, don’t keep it to yourself — reach out. Write a note. Send a message. Share how these words met you in your own storm. Sometimes the smallest reach can change someone’s next chapter.
info@speakergarywest.net