He Survived 12,000 Volts

When Adam and I sat down to record our latest All Things Possible podcast episode with our dear friend Matt Manzari, I knew his story would rock hearts and stir souls. What I didn’t expect was how deeply his words would remind me of God’s power in suffering—and the incredible purpose He can bring from even the most unimaginable pain.

Matt is not just an epic waterman who’s been pushing boundaries in wake sports since he was 14. He’s a walking miracle. Twice over, actually. And more than that, he’s a husband, a dad to three joyful boys, and someone who’s choosing to live every single day full of intentionality and faith.

In his early years, Matt chased the dream hard—he became the first wake athlete signed by Nike, traveled the world, and nailed tricks no one had landed before. But even with all that success, something in his soul stirred. As he put it, he felt like “a donkey chasing the carrot,” and eventually he left the pro spotlight to pursue ministry and a deeper walk with God.

That’s when life threw him curveball after curveball.

First, a high-speed crash during a wake contest shattered Matt’s body. He broke his skull in 13 places and had to relearn how to walk. Eight months of recovery tested every ounce of his strength—but it also deepened his faith like never before. He told us how, in that lowest point, God whispered, I’m right here. And He was.

Two years later, Matt faced something even more intense—a catastrophic electrocution while helping trim trees at a church. 12,000 to 21,000 volts surged through his body. He suffered fifth-degree burns (yes, you read that right—fifth), lost major muscle mass, and was told he wouldn’t survive. But God had other plans.

Doctors said he wouldn’t live to see his first child’s gender reveal. But Matt did. He lived to hold his son Justice—and went on to father two more boys.

He didn’t just survive. He began to thrive.

And through it all, Matt never let the suffering steal his joy. He didn’t sugarcoat the pain, but he did keep his eyes on the bigger picture: eternity. As he reminded us, this life is a blink compared to the forever we’re promised in Jesus.

One verse Matt shared that spoke deeply to me was John 16:33 (ESV):
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Matt’s life is proof of this promise. He’s been through the fire—literally—and still walks in peace. Why? Because he knows where his identity lies. Not in being a wake skater. Not in being a burn survivor. But in being a child of God.

That’s what struck me most during our conversation. We live in a world obsessed with self-image and chasing happiness, yet statistically, we’re more anxious and depressed than ever. Matt pointed out that the U.S.—a place where we pursue happiness as a right—is ranked 24th in global happiness. Why? Because we’re constantly looking within instead of up.

Matt said something I’ll never forget: “It’s hard to see the picture when you’re in the frame.” So true. When we fixate on ourselves, our pain feels like the whole story. But when we lift our gaze to Jesus, we see that He’s still writing a story that’s so much bigger, richer, and more beautiful than anything we could imagine.

Matt now uses his story to speak hope to thousands. His book, Beyond the Scars, and his ministry, Beyond the Burn, shine a spotlight on how God can redeem even the darkest circumstances. He also dropped an amazing parenting tip that I’m stealing immediately—monthly dates with his kids, where he asks intentional questions about their Faith, Friends, Fears, Family, Finances, and Future. How awesome is that?

Whether you’re facing your own version of the fire, or just needing a fresh reminder of what matters most, Matt’s story is a beautiful picture of faith over fear and purpose through pain.

Two Major Takeaways:

1. Your identity is not in your circumstances—it’s in Christ.
   Whether you’re riding the highs of success or walking through the valley of suffering, your value doesn’t change. You are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10), created with purpose, redeemed by grace.

2. Joy doesn’t come from avoiding pain—it comes from trusting God in it.
   Life will bring trials. But when we shift our focus off of ourselves and onto what God is doing through us and around us, we find the peace Jesus promised.

Listen to the whole story here!

Let me leave you with this verse that sums up Matt’s story and our call as believers:

Romans 8:18 (ESV):
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Keep trusting, keep pressing in, and keep believing: All things are possible with God.

With love and hope,
Bethany 💛