Thank you brother. Think he was trying to discretely prep me for our ruck so I can do my best to keep up with you while keeping a good attitude and then tell you I’m thankful you’re my friend at the end. Haha
So proud of Sam and the example you have set for him and all your children, Kyle. Sam is the quiet warrior. So strong, athletic and talented in so many ways. He challenges me to multiple competitions whenever we are together (legitimately beating me every time) He taught me the thriller dance when he was 3 or 4 years old. When I was in the hospital a couple of years ago he drew two pictures of us one of us dancing together and the other finding this rare pink moth when we were on vacation. He has so many interests and excels at them all. He is determined and succeeds at whatever he does yet is the most loving, thoughtful, funny, sweet young boy. He may look like his mom but watching Sam is like looking back in time and seeing you Kyle. I could not love either of you more❤️
Thank you. Yes he has always been an inspiration, someone to look up to and learn from. I am blessed to be his mom and Sam's grandmom as I am to have his entire family and our daughter and her family in my life❤️
I have tears streaming down my face reading - what a mentor you have been for your son and what a mentor Sam displayed as a part of his first race. Here I could talk about emotion or physicality or personality and all of them would apply to what you are offering for the next generation. But also to be included is strength and empathy. Well done, dad.
It got rescheduled because of snow—Mt Washington in May, a bird event I was registered for on the mountain got cancelled too. Gives me a year to train for ‘27.
What a transformative moment. The Spartan Kids races are breathtaking for all the reasons you describe in this post. Of the 70 I've run myself, I think the one I loved most was one where I didn't race at all — but was with the son of my best friend watching him tackle it. Your sage note about him helping the other competitor is what I love most in this story. If in the midst of our own pain and ambition, we pause to help someone else, that is leadership. Great job Kyle.
Thank you my friend. This memory most likely wouldn’t have happened without your inspiration. I’m forever grateful to have found your work and to have gotten to know you more. Here’s to hopefully getting together in person for a spartan in Oct!
Your admiration for Sam’s fine qualities, combined with your diligent efforts to assist him with his struggles and to grow stronger, is as close to the definition of best parenting practice as I am able to get, Kyle. I am happy that you and Sam have each other in your lives. Your future together is bright! 🌱
Kyle, it goes to show that our children are a sum of their environment. Sammie is lucky to have you as one part of that equation. To have the example you set, watching how you conduct yourself at home and elsewhere demonstrates to them how to interact with the world, deal with adversity and the frustrations that come with being human. I tell mine there’s a standard that we don’t deviate from, no exceptions. They are sponges, I watch how I speak, how I demonstrate, how I teach, how to give grace… these things are not intuitive, you must be present and intentional. I do my best and that has to be good enough, but I try to do better the next day.
Thanks for sharing! This was one that hits home and I’m glad you had the experience and could share it here. I’ve done some obstacle courses locally when the kids were smaller and they observed the race from afar. Coming in second at both was an accomplishment for not making the time to put in the reps to be first. With 4 kids and a demanding job managing construction (early start/late days) you can only do so much without sacrificing other priorities. Nevertheless, it’s important for your kids to see you do hard things and get through them. Oh and I forgot to say that the guys who beat me were in their young 20s and I was 47 and 48 at the time🙃Keep up the great work!
Sounds like you lived and are living the exact thing I’m striving for. I also have 4 kids, full time job, and plenty of hobbies I enjoy. Balancing everything and doing the best we can in each moment to demonstrate the virtues to live by both for ourselves and our children is the goal. Beautifully put brother and impressive ocr results! I turn 40 next week so you’ve given me motivation to keep coming after these young guns!
Hell, yeah! I technically had 5 kids but my oldest is 31 now and a father of 2 boys so I don’t count him with my new batch. Definitely living a life with intention to push the limits while being smart about it is key as you age. Love it despite ailments keeping me from going farther and faster so as you know slow is smooth, smooth is fast, crawl/walk/RUN. Damn night jump landings have come to roost in my knees these days. Get after it, keep the standard, share your family core values like mantras, and pass these lessons along to those you love! They may roll their eyes every time you tell them you love them and to make good choices, do the right thing and be hard to kill🤣
Loved this piece Kyle - especially how you helped your son reframe his anxiety before and during the race. I think the motto 'I'm good' is one we could all do well to keep in mind when we're facing adversity!
This is so frickin awesome, Kyle! Hell ya! Got choked up reading it… what an amazing experience for you and Sam!
Thank you brother. Think he was trying to discretely prep me for our ruck so I can do my best to keep up with you while keeping a good attitude and then tell you I’m thankful you’re my friend at the end. Haha
This is absolutely epic! I’m so stoked for both of you!!
Thank you brother. Special day with a special kid.
For sure! An experience like this can set the tone for a lifetime!
So proud of Sam and the example you have set for him and all your children, Kyle. Sam is the quiet warrior. So strong, athletic and talented in so many ways. He challenges me to multiple competitions whenever we are together (legitimately beating me every time) He taught me the thriller dance when he was 3 or 4 years old. When I was in the hospital a couple of years ago he drew two pictures of us one of us dancing together and the other finding this rare pink moth when we were on vacation. He has so many interests and excels at them all. He is determined and succeeds at whatever he does yet is the most loving, thoughtful, funny, sweet young boy. He may look like his mom but watching Sam is like looking back in time and seeing you Kyle. I could not love either of you more❤️
Love you too mom 😘
“He may look like his mom but watching Sam is like looking back in time and seeing you Kyle.”
What a beautiful tribute to your son and grandson, Wendy. I can imagine that Kyle was a special person all along.
Thank you. Yes he has always been an inspiration, someone to look up to and learn from. I am blessed to be his mom and Sam's grandmom as I am to have his entire family and our daughter and her family in my life❤️
Damned if you didn’t have me tearing up. Great story! Thanks for passing it on.
Thank you brother 👊🏻
I have tears streaming down my face reading - what a mentor you have been for your son and what a mentor Sam displayed as a part of his first race. Here I could talk about emotion or physicality or personality and all of them would apply to what you are offering for the next generation. But also to be included is strength and empathy. Well done, dad.
Thank you my friend. I’m a lucky man.
This made me smile, Kyle. Congratulations to you both on making a hell of a memory.
Thanks brother. One I’ll never forget. You end up doing that run we talked about?
It got rescheduled because of snow—Mt Washington in May, a bird event I was registered for on the mountain got cancelled too. Gives me a year to train for ‘27.
Keep me posted
Absolutely, Kyle!
And more time for me to potentially join you!
What a transformative moment. The Spartan Kids races are breathtaking for all the reasons you describe in this post. Of the 70 I've run myself, I think the one I loved most was one where I didn't race at all — but was with the son of my best friend watching him tackle it. Your sage note about him helping the other competitor is what I love most in this story. If in the midst of our own pain and ambition, we pause to help someone else, that is leadership. Great job Kyle.
Thank you my friend. This memory most likely wouldn’t have happened without your inspiration. I’m forever grateful to have found your work and to have gotten to know you more. Here’s to hopefully getting together in person for a spartan in Oct!
Powerful story. I'm having difficulty deciding who's most rewarded... Kyle or Sammy. Great dad or Spartan son?
Appreciate you Jack! I’m definitely a lucky guy
This is awesome. Give Sam a Bravo Zulu from me!
Will do. Thank you brother
Your admiration for Sam’s fine qualities, combined with your diligent efforts to assist him with his struggles and to grow stronger, is as close to the definition of best parenting practice as I am able to get, Kyle. I am happy that you and Sam have each other in your lives. Your future together is bright! 🌱
Thank you brother. My kids find ways to produce more awe than any other experiences I’ve had. I’m blessed.
What an excellent piece Kyle! I’m not crying, you’re crying. 👊🏻❤️
I was definitely crying… haha
Thank you brother
Kyle, it goes to show that our children are a sum of their environment. Sammie is lucky to have you as one part of that equation. To have the example you set, watching how you conduct yourself at home and elsewhere demonstrates to them how to interact with the world, deal with adversity and the frustrations that come with being human. I tell mine there’s a standard that we don’t deviate from, no exceptions. They are sponges, I watch how I speak, how I demonstrate, how I teach, how to give grace… these things are not intuitive, you must be present and intentional. I do my best and that has to be good enough, but I try to do better the next day.
Thanks for sharing! This was one that hits home and I’m glad you had the experience and could share it here. I’ve done some obstacle courses locally when the kids were smaller and they observed the race from afar. Coming in second at both was an accomplishment for not making the time to put in the reps to be first. With 4 kids and a demanding job managing construction (early start/late days) you can only do so much without sacrificing other priorities. Nevertheless, it’s important for your kids to see you do hard things and get through them. Oh and I forgot to say that the guys who beat me were in their young 20s and I was 47 and 48 at the time🙃Keep up the great work!
Sounds like you lived and are living the exact thing I’m striving for. I also have 4 kids, full time job, and plenty of hobbies I enjoy. Balancing everything and doing the best we can in each moment to demonstrate the virtues to live by both for ourselves and our children is the goal. Beautifully put brother and impressive ocr results! I turn 40 next week so you’ve given me motivation to keep coming after these young guns!
Hell, yeah! I technically had 5 kids but my oldest is 31 now and a father of 2 boys so I don’t count him with my new batch. Definitely living a life with intention to push the limits while being smart about it is key as you age. Love it despite ailments keeping me from going farther and faster so as you know slow is smooth, smooth is fast, crawl/walk/RUN. Damn night jump landings have come to roost in my knees these days. Get after it, keep the standard, share your family core values like mantras, and pass these lessons along to those you love! They may roll their eyes every time you tell them you love them and to make good choices, do the right thing and be hard to kill🤣
They hear that from me daily and live it too
Haha love it 👊🏻
Loved this piece Kyle - especially how you helped your son reframe his anxiety before and during the race. I think the motto 'I'm good' is one we could all do well to keep in mind when we're facing adversity!
Thank you brother. Loved Jocko’s video “Good” back in the day for reframing external adversity. “I’m good” excellent for reframing internal 👊🏻
This is why we got our kids into Mountain Bike racing. It's been incredible to see how they've grown in skill and confidence over the past year.
❤️❤️❤️. I’ve got a buddy locally whose family does the same thing. Already thinking about giving it a go with my older ones.