Unlikely, Jason T smith - Book Review
Unlikely by Jason T. Smith – A Must-Read for Faith-Driven Business Leaders
Jason T. Smith is a remarkable leader and entrepreneur whose journey offers powerful lessons for anyone navigating the intersection of business and faith. In his book Unlikely, Jason shares how he built Back in Motion, a physiotherapy business that grew into a $100M enterprise, while staying anchored to his purpose of serving God. His story is one of perseverance, values-based leadership, and the intentional pursuit of a higher calling.
As someone who deeply respects Jason and his work, I can confidently say this book is an essential read for business owners, leaders, and professionals who want to integrate their faith into their marketplace journey. Jason’s transparency in sharing his successes, failures, and faith-led decisions makes Unlikely both inspiring and practical.
The book is split up into a few sections including Jason’s childhood, when the business first started, middle years & the final crescendo of growth. It provides an in depth insight into the highs and lows at each of these crucial seasons to learn from.
highlighted Themes
Faith as a Compass: Jason emphasises the importance of seeking peace and clarity from God before making decisions. His story is a testament to the power of prayer and divine guidance in business.
Shared Leadership: Jason and wife, Paulina, partnered in every major financial and strategic decision, ensuring unity and mutual trust.
Purpose-Driven Profits: From committing profits of their Seaford practice in the early days to funding scaled mission projects, Jason shows how businesses can make a lasting difference. Further, that business is not a means to fund mission, however business IS MISSION.
Success Through Vision: Visions along the journey, including the 7/50/100 strategy—seven states, $50M in revenue, 100 locations—helped guide the growth of Back in Motion whilst not loosing focus on the long-term impacts.
Challenges
Jason doesn’t shy away from sharing the difficult parts of his journey:
Betrayal and financial losses, including many people Jason worked close with taking advantage of him.
Lessons learned from failed ventures, like a misstep in the UK expansion.
Personal and professional pressure, including the challenge of balancing growth with family and faith.
The regret of hiring the wrong leadership, showing the importance of understanding the roles and responsibilities of key players.
Key Takeaways for Business Leaders
Faith First: Anchoring decisions in prayer and divine guidance ensures clarity and long-term success. Never compromise those values.
Clarity and Unity: Ensure alignment with your business partners or key stakeholders—especially your spouse—on major decisions.
Mistakes Are Learning Opportunities: Jason encourages leaders to embrace mistakes, learn quickly, and adapt.
People Over Profits: Success is about more than numbers; it’s about who you’re becoming and how you’re serving others.
Stay Humble and Teachable: Sharing failures and seeking wisdom from others creates trust and builds stronger relationships.
Purpose Is Profound: Business isn’t just a vehicle for wealth—it’s a platform for impact.
Why YOU Should Read This Book
If you’re a leader who wants to run a profitable business while staying true to your faith, Unlikely is an invaluable guide. It doesn’t just focus on what it takes to succeed in business but also challenges you to think deeply about your purpose, values, and the legacy you’re building.
Jason’s story is proof that you can achieve extraordinary outcomes while maintaining integrity, serving others, and honouring God. For business owners and corporate professionals seeking inspiration and actionable wisdom, Unlikely is a must-read.
