Mile 74.
It was 3AM, below freezing temperature, muscles torn, & bones broken.
I busted open the port-a-john, vomiting blood & my body went into a seizure like spasm.
The real race began.
Me vs My Mind
While attending The Ohio State University, I participated in a 24-hour race, One Day for the KIA, to raise money for the families of military servicemen and women who were killed in action.
They paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Thank you to all of our servicemen, women and 1st responders.
The race course was around the campuses infamous Oval.
I learned more about myself in these 24 hours than any other day in my lifetime. These lessons have helped me better understand other people too.
The race rules were simple — run around the Oval for 24 hours.
You can take breaks for fueling, medical attention, but too long of breaks or at the discretion of the race organizer, you could be removed & disqualified from the race.
As I entered the port-a-john, my body and mind were broken.
The friends & family of supporters had gone home the day before to rest & return to witness me finish the race the following morning.
As I lost control of my body, I miraculously sat down on the port-a-john toilet seat. The chatter in my mind began…
My goals were simple:
1. Don’t ever give up — finish the race
2. Run 100 miles
The mind it is designed to protect us from what we think is danger.
It is designed to keep us comfortable.
The mind controls the body.
This was mile 74.
The temperature had dropped over 40 degrees overnight (IYKYK the weather in Ohio during March), no spectators to cheer you on & more than half of those who started the race, quit.
“How the fuck am I going to run 6 more hours?”
“How am I going to run another marathon”
“Everyone will understand. I just ran 74 miles in 18 hours. I should be proud”
Running has taught me more about life and myself than anything else.
You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when you’re done.
The problem nowadays is society says it is OK to stop what you started & to move on to the next thing. We have become so distracted, addicted to dopamine, soft from abundance and complacent amongst our peers, that oftentimes people never finish what they started.
I stumbled out of the port-a-john, bloody piss running down my leg, and made my way into the medical tent like a wounded soldier. As I lie facedown in nagging pain from the medical team applying pressure onto torn & strained muscles, tendons & bones…
The Doctor was seconds away from disqualifying me from the race. Then, I overheard a smirky comment from someone in the medical tent, “Well, looks like we’ve got another quitter here.”
I glance over & see an older gentlemen look at me in disgust. He was one of the Veteran attendees to support the race event.
To this day, when I am tired & want to give up, I hear that comment.
In my best David Goggins impression — I responded,
“You got the wrong mother fucker”
I laced my shoes back up and went to finish what I started.
The real war is in the mind.
Although I did not obtain my goal of running 100 miles, I finished the fucking race.
Battling through the mental & physical suffering, I gained a new level of respect & confidence in myself.
It is easy to type & share this story now, but I believe it to be true in anything you do in life — you will not understand yourself or others until you suffer.
A part of me died during that 24 hour race, but a new version of me was born.
Every 24 hours in America, it is estimated 18 Veterans die by suicide.
In 2021, research found that 30,177 active duty personnel and veterans who served in the military after 9/11 have died by suicide - compared to the 7,057 service members killed in combat in those same 20 years. That is, military suicide rates are four times higher than deaths that occurred during military operations.
This is unacceptable.
The American Sniper
Episode #100 of my All For Nothing podcast show, I had the honor of hosting special guest — Colton Kyle, the son of American Sniper, Chris Kyle.
It was only right to celebrate & dedicate the 100th episode to those whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Chris Kyle was a United States Navy SEAL & the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history with 160 confirmed kills. Serving 4 tours in the Iraq War, he earned numerous awards, including two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars with Valor.
After retiring in 2009, he authored the bestselling autobiography American Sniper, which was later adapted into a successful film. Kyle co-founded the FITCO Cares Foundation to support veterans & first responders. He was tragically killed on February 2, 2013, by a former Marine suffering from PTSD.
His son, Colton Kyle, is eagerly growing the legendary American Sniper brand & spreading his Faith to positively impact others.
In the movie, viewers observe the effectiveness, courage, and skills of Chris Kyle.
He would sit in one spot for hours or even days, regardless of the circumstances, fully focused in the tasks at hand.
After watching the movie multiple times, I noticed a connection between my One Day for the KIA race and the experiences of snipers. To be clear, I am not comparing myself to those whom have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom, but the correlation in the ability to endure the suffering.
Similar to a sniper's precision, I have learned when to take my shot.
My intention & mission is to positively impact people in my lifetime — personally, professionally, spiritually & financially.
I rarely ask for favors in accomplishing my goals, but I have learned lessons in my life we all need help along the journey.
If you have enjoyed these free Substack posts, I ask for a favor to help those whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice in serving & protecting our lives by listening to the full episode & Donating to The Kyle Family Foundation.
I want to support servicemen, women and 1st responders. And I have no affiliation with their foundation.
Want to connect?
Text Me: +1 (614)-660-5921