Easy Body Health Guy

Little Island Big Heart

Puerto Rico is one of the best places in America. Going there after Hurricane Maria it was hard to understand how a commonwealth of the United States could get very little assistance from the U.S. Government. The president went there and was throwing paper towels to the crowd (Google it). Paper towel for a roof that was ripped off a home? Pretty much sums up the National support.

People didn’t receive any assistance for weeks and months after the hurricane. How can that be when we have such a large military?

When you look at what happened in Puerto Rico in 2018, then you look at the Maui Fires in 2023…you start to wonder how our own government is not there when you need them the most.

Anyway, this isn’t a political page/post. I’ve just seen with my own eyes how these beautiful places have been destroyed by very odd “natural disasters”, and for some reason the “natural disasters” in both instances only hit the the local and native people.

And what’s ironic in both Maui, and Puerto Rico, the local and native people take care of each other. People are overly nice and supportive after catastrophe. Overly hopeful for their land and their people.

Get out in the world and see some things outside of the small town. It’s a big beautiful world with lots of beautiful people in it.

I just hope that you can see that we are all on the same team. There is no us and them. It’s just us.

I’ve been lucky to know, and work with, Laura and David since November of last year. They both had massive breakout years this cross country season.

David took 64th place at Regionals in 2023 at 19:16. This year he took 5th place and ran a 16:49. 2:27 improvement, and qualified for State. Yesterday, he took 52nd at the State Final Meet, and ran his best time of 16:39. He’s already close to breaking the school record, and he’s only a sophomore.

Laura ran a 22:27 and took 34th at 2023 Regionals. This year she ran a 19:58 at Regionals, and took 6th place. 2:29 improvement in a single year is huge. Then yesterday, Laura pulled off some insane magic and ran a 19:13 at the State Finals (PRing by 45 seconds) and taking 29th place to earn her self All State Honors. She left it all on that track, and it was one of the most impressive physical/athletic feats I had ever seen.

Shout out to Ella, who has been training ATG for only 3 months, but to be a Freshman and make it to the State Meet is a huge deal. She has such a smooth running form, and always looks composed.

I didn’t know that ATG would lead me to these athletes, or to Newaygo Public Schools, but I am so freaking grateful to have had this opportunity. Thank you Artemisia Missy Clark Ben Gilpin Alexis Mercer Michael Neil, and the host of other people who have helped make this happen, and to the parents of all the athletes that I am lucky enough to train. It does take a village, and I’m grateful to have a role inside of this community. Proud coach moments!

Happy 5 year anniversary to the woman I fell in love with the day I met her! I love all the challenges we have grown through, and appreciate you for being my partner!