LA RUTA
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Each year, the La Ruta mountain bike stage race in Costa Rica unfurls its challenging course, tracing the very footsteps of Spanish Conquistadors from the 1500s. What took them years to conquer, modern-day racers now tackle in just three days. The journey takes us up imposing peaks, through lush jungles, and over treacherous mudslides and unbridged rivers.
As the sun rises and sets against this breathtaking yet unforgiving backdrop, we push our bodies and minds to their limits, driven by the "why" that brought us to Costa Rica. La Ruta has earned a well-deserved spot on Time Magazine's list of the toughest adventure races worldwide, and it's no wonder. This race is a crucible where both the outer challenges of the terrain and the inner battles within us merge.
It's a fusion of history, tenacity, and an indomitable spirit. It's a chance to etch our names among those who've conquered this monumental journey across Costa Rica's untamed terrain.
La Ruta is a physical manifestation of a vision quest I've been on for years. It's a test of my resolve, an opportunity to push my body and mind to their limits. Success is not as likely as failure, but through those odds, I will discover more about myself and the depths of my capabilities.
Honestly, I'm not sure if my body can endure this, but I believe my mind is strong enough to see me through. Retracing the conquistador's footsteps is a defiant act against the whispers of doubt that say, "You're broken, you can't do it."
Backing this vision quest are my why's, my pillars of strength. They're what will keep me going, propelling me through the mountains, valleys, and rivers. They're the reasons I will stand when I fall and ride when others walk. For two years, I've had a team by my side, supporting, pushing, and sharing their wisdom.
First and foremost, my greatest champion is my wife. She's witnessed my pain, seen me miserable, and urged me to take action. She’s been a constant source of love and grace while also being a much needed mentor and guide. Without her, I'd be lost.
Dr. Spence of Regenerative Medicine Associates is another key figure. He's not just supported my health but made this event possible as a sponsor. Over the past two years, he's fine-tuned my blood work, provided valuable information, and introduced cutting-edge practices to reduce inflammation and promote healing. After years of neglecting my body following a near fatal motorcycle accident, he's played a vital role in putting Humpty Dumpty back together again.
Finding purpose in life is a sure path to success, and my work with Keelson Strategic has rekindled the importance of service. It's what gets me out of bed each morning, driven by an external motivator that's not about selfish desires. It's a calling that allows me to provide for my family while serving others. From higher command to HR and my teammates, their support has been unwavering. They've given me the time off to train and execute this plan and even backed me as a sponsor.
At the helm of La Ruta this year is Mark Petersen from Spartan Race. We first worked together in 2018, leading the AGOGE challenge for Spartan Race. When he mentioned La Ruta, I didn't hesitate; I was in. Mark's response was simple, "Let me know what you need."
Throughout much of my life, I carried a negative outlook. A string of adversities, from my father's tragic suicide to my exit from the Marines and a motorcycle accident that nearly claimed my life, left my mindset damaged.
The Vision Quest began as healing began, somewhere between the mountains and the sea. Becoming a wilderness guide transformed me. Spending months and years in the wild opened my mind and heart, allowing me to reconnect with a pre-trauma mindset. It reshaped my brain chemistry and immersed me in a world of positivity, reigniting my curiosity and self confidence. I had believed my struggles were solely about transitioning from the Marines, but in reality, I was grappling with life itself.
This journey has taken on a life of its own and found a unique path for helping veterans, thanks to Mike Waldron, a Marine Veteran who created a program to support those struggling after their military service, I have had a chance to give back. It's a 14-week journey infused with positive psychology, physical fitness, and outdoor wellness. While I haven't personally gone through the program, I've had the privilege of leading the outdoor element in Alaska for two years. I feel a deep connection to this program, witnessing the incredible impact it has on veterans' lives.
23rd Veteran joins my list of why’s and La Ruta is the route forward, the culmination of years of emotional, physical, and spiritual work. Supported by my "why’s”, I will ride into this new chapter in my journey. Although I've only owned a mountain bike for two months, I've battled adversity my whole life.
As I embark on this journey into the unknown, prepared to conquer the very trails that once challenged the Conquistadors, it dawns on me that self-discovery is the ultimate expedition. It's in the most impossible of circumstances that we find the most fertile of ground for personal growth.
