The Endurance Athlete I Never Knew I Was

As I've reflected on my childhood and athletic journey, I've realized something about myself. I think I've always been an endurance athlete without truly knowing it.

Growing up, I was constantly playing sports. If someone invited me to join a game or try something new, I was in. In high school, I lettered in football, wrestling, and track and field. I played strong safety on the football team, placed fourth in the West Virginia state wrestling tournament at 152 pounds, and became a utility athlete in track, competing in hurdles, middle-distance events, and pole vault.

Looking back, one thing stands out more than any statistic or accomplishment. My greatest strength was never being the biggest, the fastest, or the strongest athlete. It was my endurance.

I learned early on that if I showed up to two-a-day football practices in better shape than everyone else, I immediately gave myself a chance to compete with athletes who might have been more naturally gifted. Fitness became my competitive advantage. While others relied on size, speed, or strength, I relied on preparation and the ability to keep going when others began to fade.

I can still vividly remember those summer afternoons before football practice. I'd run from my parents' house to my best friend Aaron Dille's house, rest for a few minutes, drink some water, and then turn around and run back home. Looking back, I was probably the oddball kid in the neighborhood choosing uphill endurance runs in the middle of summer. At the time, I wasn't training for an ultramarathon or following a structured plan. I was simply learning to embrace discomfort and discovering that endurance could be developed.

That mindset has stayed with me my entire life.

Now, at 40 years old, I realize my goal has never really changed. I've never wanted to specialize in just one thing. I've always wanted to be the kind of person who is ready for whatever adventure comes next. Whether it's running an ultramarathon, mountain biking, backpacking, skiing, climbing, paddling, or simply saying "yes" to an opportunity, I want to know that my body is capable of meeting the challenge.

To me, being fit has never been about looking a certain way or chasing a number. It's about having the freedom to experience life without hesitation. I want to be an all-around athlete, someone who can confidently step into almost any activity and give it my best.

If there's one lesson I hope others take away, it's this: don't limit yourself to one pursuit. Try new sports. Learn new skills. Be curious. Variety really is the spice of life. Every activity teaches you something new about yourself and makes you a more complete athlete and person.

We get a remarkably short time on this miraculous rock floating through space. My hope is to spend as much of that time as possible moving through it, exploring it, and saying "yes" to whatever adventure comes next. If sharing my journey encourages even one person to lace up their shoes, hop on a bike, paddle a river, climb a mountain, or simply try something new, then it's been worth telling.