The Mechanic

Its one of my jobs to lead and inspire dynamic and natural movement and prepare people to meet their goals, whatever they may be. And in my years doing this, believe me I've heard excuses and whining and complaining. "My knee hurts", "I'm really stressed" or "the weather really gets me down" among a plethora of others. But the people I work with just bring it. This post is dedicated to someone who brings it and is is the first installment in a series highlighting the amazing people I'm blessed to work with.

He pulls in to our meeting spot blasting tunes in his big throaty diesel truck and he jumps out with his steel toed shit kickers on and usually covered in dirt and grease. Its his lunch break so time is of the essence. He kicks off his boots, throws on some shorts and starts his dynamic warmup. "You ready buddy"? I ask and he always responds with a big smile and a "hell yeah" or "bring it on", and we begin.

I put him through the paces. Sometimes we are deep in the woods, gathering boulders from a river to be used as resistance or hanging from rafters in an old pavillion cranking out pullups. Then on to the town sandpile for some brutal climbs and metabolic conditioning. The "mechanic" wants to improve his game. Hone his martial arts(2nd degree black belt). Keep his back strong and work through some past issues. And even though he practically has lived in steel toed boots his whole life, he has embraced going barefoot. Every challenge for the last few months with me, he has been barefoot. "getting better" he says, when I ask him how feet are faring.

You see, the mechanic has some things that don't work like the rest of us. Limited range of motion in his shoulder. Wracked his back pretty good back in the day. And he has one issue that I won't get into here that lets just say, would cause some people to just want to give up and give in. Throw in the proverbial f&^^$%ing towel. But that is not what the Mechanic does. He grits his teeth and he accepts each and every challenge and task I can dish out and handles it with aplomb. He focuses on his breathing and engagement and despite not having much of a cardio base when we started this summer, has made some incredible headway there too. An hour later he is drenched in sweat and has worked in every plane of movement and given 100% on everything.No excuses, no "poor me" and he is always ready for the next challenge even if he has to do it with a little of "his style".


Next time your thinking of giving up,or not giving it 100% think about the Mechanic. And think about others that might only have 1 arm, or 1 leg or no legs or are confined to a wheelchair for the rest of their lives but are still giving it their all. Realize how lucky we all are and never forget how precious and fleeting time is. The Mechanic sure won't.

Spartan Race, Burlington Vermont by Mocean365

Just got back from the inaugural Spartan Race in Burlington Vermont. Well actually in Williston Vermont at the Catamount Outdooor Center which served as an amazing venue for the sold out event. The course is a 5K course and is filled with challenges along the way including barb wire crawls, wall climbs, pond crossing's and much more. It was put on by the crew over at Peak Races who also put on the Death Race and many other insane events meant to test the limits of hardy women and men.
I got a few shots and some video in between having a go at the event. There are more pics on my galleries over on SmugMug here...http://mocean365.smugmug.com/Other/Spartan-Race-Burlington-Vt/12216329_XaL5i#870061030_8MXyc

I also cobbed together a little video of some of the action too here..

Peak Races "Spartan Race" 2010

Peak Races is quickly become very renowned in the world of adventure and endurance racing for their challenging and at times, diabolical courses and events. As some of you may know, this past season  I traveled to Pittsfield Vt to compete in the Death Race along with my support crew/filmer etc, Vange Morse. The course was insane in every way and truly tested my limits.

Peak Races has many other races, all geared towards pushing you to the limit. The new and exciting one is called, The Spartan Race. The race series will be held all over the world with a local race happening at Bolton Valley on May 16th that some of us will be competing in. Think of this race as a "mini-Death Race sprint" with challenging and yet to be named obstacles and challenges. We will also offer this for the Boston event in October.

Mocean365 will be offering a 3 month "Warrior Training by Mocean365" to prepare people for this event. Included in this will be comprehensive a custom training program divided into 3 specific blocks with initial assessment and testing, a nutrition plan and consultation by our Nutrition and Wellness partner "Rootwise", 3 1 hour training sessions(one per month within one hour of Waterbury VT) unlimited text, phone and email support, discount on some of our partners gear such as Indo Board Balance Trainer's, Rubberbanditz resistance bands, F-Stop Gear, and 1 jar of Vermont Peanut Butter of your choice. You will also qualify for discounted Mocean365 Training classes and individual sessions! 
Contact me for pricing and get on board because this will be limited to 10 people due to the amount of time and attention each person receives. mocean365@gmail.com

Keep in mind this will not only be limited to people in the race but would be a great way to fly into spring with new found conditioning and vigor! And for most this will serve as preparation for your Spartan Race either in Burlington(Bolton), Boston or BOTH! Get in the shape of your life while having fun!

peace