Category Archives: Fitness

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Leadership Reflections From The Amway River Bank Run 2023

I participated in the Amway River Bank 25K run this past Sunday. It’s an annual event that was started in 1978. The race, a 15.5-mile stroll through downtown Grand Rapids and more, is one of scenic beauty. You run past the John Ball Park Zoo, along the river bank, and back into the city. Every part of the run can take your breath away.

Over the years, the sponsors have changed. It started as the Old Kent River Bank Run, transitioned into the Fifth Third River Bank Run, and is now the Amway River Bank Run. There’s a lot of history in the race and people are proud.

Something unique about the race is the distance. You hear about 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon but the 25k is an elusive distance. It’s one that brings in runners from all across the country. Over 10,000 people ran in this race. It’s quite the experience to run with that many people!  Read more...

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Leadership Lessons From A 200-Mile Ragnar Relay Race

A few months ago, I was approached by a local pastor to do something crazy. He had put together a team of runners to run the Ragnar Michigan relay. This run takes runners from Muskegon, Mi to Traverse City, Mi for a 200-ish mile run.

The Dogman Bounty Runners Ragnar Road Michigan 2022 running team

The Dogman Bounty Runners At The Finish Of Ragnar 2022 Michigan

The team consisted of 12 runners, a driver, and two volunteers for the event. That’s a lot of people, with most of them being inside a 15-passenger van. The thought of it reminded me of the Five Iron Frenzy song Superpowers. One line of the song went like this:

Eight people in a stinky van, a couple more couldn’t hurt.

I guess the guys and gal in Five Iron Frenzy were right. A few more people in a stinky van wouldn’t hurt as we all rode peacefully to each leg of the race to cheer each other on.  Read more...

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Leadership Lessons From My First Official Half Marathon

Two years ago I did something crazy. I partnered with my pastor and a couple of friends to run a half marathon at 3 AM in the morning.

Little did I know what that experience would bring. It was a time of bonding, growth, and helping the less fortunate.

This half marathon was unofficial and untimed.

Half marathon runner high-fiving children

Photo by Ryan Hanson

Last year, I did something I believed I never could. I ran my first official full marathon. The marathon run was challenging, frustrating, and heart-wrenching.

That’s why, this year, when the opportunity presented itself to run for Team World Vision and clean water again, I begrudgingly said yes. I chose to run the Metro Health Grand Rapids Half Marathon because of clean water.

I ran the Metro Health Grand Rapids Half Marathon this past Sunday, October 20th. It was a much better experience than the previous year. It has me excited for the next half marathon in June.  Read more...

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Belaying Leadership

Whenever I think of winters in Michigan, I think of the great times I’ve had ice climbing. From the guys to the weather to the climbing, everything falls into place perfectly.

We leave early in the morning and drive for hours. We arrive at our cabin and unpack. Then we decide whether or not to hit a climb the first day.

Leadership is a lot like belaying an ice climber

Image by Freddy Bahena

Most days we choose to get in at least a couple of hours of climbing. One person is climbing, another person is belaying the climber.

What Is Belaying?

Belaying is a term often used in ice climbing or rock climbing. When someone is belaying another climber, they’re the one holding another person’s life in their hands.

The climber has a rope attached to their harness. This is usually done through a figure 8 knot. The person belaying the climber has a belay device attached to their harness and the climbing rope runs through the belay device.  Read more...

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The Long-Term Effects Of Paying Attention To Your Health

Becoming A Healthy Leader

After a months worth of content, you have a great idea of what it takes to BECOME a healthy leader. You need to make sure you’re exercising regularly, taking care of your mind, and tending to your soul.

These three areas are vital to the health of you and your ability to lead. But what are the long-term effects of paying attention to your health? There are plenty. And you need to know them to motivate you to maintain your healthy lifestyle. Paying attention to your health can be done in a number of ways, whether that’s by exercising regularly or taking supplements daily, or even if it’s something you think is a little more urgent and would require Chicago urgent care. Every little helps!

Take care of your health so you can lead better long-term

Photo by Bruno Nascimento

Let’s take a look at the long-term effects of paying attention to your health today. It matters more than you can believe and impacts your leadership greater than you thought.  Read more...