My Story

Life in no way is linear. It’ full of ups and downs and multiple life phases that both challenge and shape what we are today. Some phases are more challenging than others, but life would be boring without them, right? My story is no different.

Growing up, I was always an active kid. I needed to be moving or involved in an activity or sport to get the energy out and not drive my parents insane. Up through high school, I tried everything: Soccer, karate, track and field, cross country, football, and hockey (roller and ice). Often, these activities overlapped, and I went from one right to the other. During this phase of my life, time felt like it was infinite. I didn’t have multiple responsibilities, kid(s) to care for, spouse to support, or a 40+ hour job.

Fast forward through college and my early twenties – honestly, that could be a whole book in itself – and I find myself in the next major phase of my life: A single dad of a beautiful daughter, working a 45+ hour a week job, and out-of-shape and left feeling unhealthy and stuck. I no longer felt like I had the energy to be active, my sleep was terrible, and the thought of finding even 15 minutes to workout seemed impossible.

One day, I decided all that needed to change. My first step was to go out and purchase a Wii and the EA Sports “Active 2” game. I focused on small wins in my weekly schedule. I worked out early in the mornings or before bed. Slowly, this continued to build into a consistent effort of small wins – my perspective and mindset began to change. I had more energy, I felt better about myself, and I was sleeping better.

This momentum continued to build: at-home workouts on the Wii turned into visits to my local gym, and I found myself eyeing my first challenge as the “new me.” Two challenges to be exact: GORUCK Challenge (Class #685) in Pittsburgh, PA, followed by a Tough Mudder in Buffalo, only a couple weeks later. I was hooked and back to feeling like myself again. There was no challenge that I couldn’t take on.

I completed several other challenges and participated in a variety of activities after that, fueling that same desire to be active, feel energized, and still be rock solid in the other areas of my life.

Challenges I’ve completed:

· 6 GORUCK Challenges

· 2 GORUCK Lights

· 2 Tough Mudders

· 1 GORUCK HCL (Heavy, Challenge, & Light)

· 1 GORUCK Nasty (Class 001)

· 1 Half Marathon

· 1 Run for 1RM (66.5 miles in 10 days)

· Numerous 10k’s, 5k’s, and activity/mileage challenges