You see this crazy guy pictured here is and will always be my trainer, even if not officially any more after next week.
Due to very exciting developments in Jason's life, he will no longer be able to host his boot camp at Mt. Harmony Baptist where I have been one of the dirty dozen (well not quite a dozen most nights) most of its 4 year run. I took a year to join the fun for some reason. I thought I could get a better workout in the gym. Lies.
I have to, even though I know it will bring tears to both of us sit down and say a formal thanks to my brother in Christ.
Jason came into my life when I was going through a lot of junk. I had lost my job at Bank of America after 17 years and I was working a job I hated, yes I said I hated it! Anyone that can work a job in a call center and enjoy it, my hats are off to you. It wasn't for me.
Doing sit-down jobs for 20 years had taken its tole and the last few years of my time at Bank of America I had really let myself go. By 2005 I was topping out well over 300 lbs. I don't know if I've ever actually made that public, but I might as well. It's the truth.
After much encouragement from Mitch Duncan, I finally came one night to boot camp at Mt. Harmony. Now you have to understand I thought I was still pretty strong from the years I used to work out at home. I wasn't. The first night I sucked wind like I'd never sucked wind in all my life. I barely made it home and crawled into the recliner and almost immediately passed out. I am in no way exaggerating, I was that worn out from just one workout! I used to joke that boot camp was like P90X on crack, cause some nights it seemed that way. But I kept coming, and I started to notice small changes in stamina, strength and just feeling better in my every day life.
Flash forward a bit and 2014 rolls around and after much ribbing I finally give in to Jason and a few other friends who had invited me to join F3.
F3 would certainly be the next step in my transformation in more ways than one. Without a lot of details of F3, it is a participant led, free workout for men that will kick your rear end! You do your best, that's all they ask. It's not a competition, but being competitive even a little as I am, I certainly push myself even more now especially during F3.
And finally I sit here and tell you that I'm signing up for my first ruck! This is getting a bit scary now.
I'm taking on challenges I never in a million years would've even considered 3 years ago when I met Jason and started down this road and now to be doing a new event WITH Jason is just even crazier. This will also be Jason's first ruck, and I'm honored I get to be there for his first one.
As you can tell from the photo, Jason is in great shape as you would hope a trainer would be, but I've even seen him have to dig in for some workouts at F3. It's fun realizing your mentors are human sometimes and have to kick their own butts from time to time.
So as I try to bring this around to a close, thank you is so lame to tell a person that has made such a deep impact on your life in just 3 short years, and I know will influence me for years to come.
Jason you never judged me, always encouraged me to dig deeper, watch the nutrition and keep on challenging myself. Much like the classical hero story line, the hero always has to let go of their mentor at some point and learn to stand on their own. I guess my time has come.
I know you'll always be around, and just a text away brother but I'm so excited to see what God does in your life and mine in the coming years. Massive props and love to you, and love and respect to your family and church family. Keep living with strength brother! Aye!
