TR-What one thing were you the happiest that you had done in training?
ML-Run, run and run with BDU pants and wet boots.
TR-What one thing would you add to the training?
ML-More rucking while carrying heavy objects
TR-My experience was filled with many high points and lots of low points, but I can clearly remember several that stand out as the highest of the high or the lowest of the low. Did you have a noticeable high point in the camp? How about a low point?
ML-I felt unstoppable early Sunday morning after about 35 plus hours on the beach carrying my 50lb rock up and down countless stairs. It was amazing and a testament to what we are all truly capable of accomplishing once we conquer our minds and remove the limitations that we place on ourselves. Of course when Coach Divine said we were secured after 52 hours of work that was very special too. This was the culmination of 2 years of intense training, focus and sacrifice.
TR-Tell us about your lowest moment
ML-It was Friday night after a 27 mile ruck up and down Palomar Mountain under significant load. We were all cold, wet and sandy bear crawling 200 yards up and down hills along with other drills that pushed us beyond our perceived limits. The intensity and pace were relentless. Then came the countless rocking chairs in the lake coupled with the cold winds. It was tough but that is when we started to come together as a team. Our communication improved greatly and we started focusing on the person beside us. That was an awesome feeling. We still had a long way to go but that was a big first step.
TR-What was your diet like in preparation?
ML-Fat boy special with extra protein and creatine.
TR-Between the lack of sleep, cold water or endless running and rucking, which was the most challenging?
ML-All of those represented their own unique challenges. The rucking under load plus carrying additional objects at a fast pace over a long distance was challenging.
TR-What one lesson will you take back to your personal life?
ML-I learned countless lessons through the pain and suffering.
We are all capable of 20, 30 times more than we think is possible. We have to remove the self-imposed limitation on ourselves. Teamwork is the key and lifting each other up with positive reinforcement is everything. We are so much stronger together than as individuals.
100% effort, 100% of the times. We will all need assistance at one point or another and we should be quick to reach and lift up each other. A positive gesture or comment goes a very long way in helping your teammate and yourself. Always be positive and encourage others. Kokoro is very special and I can draw upon the lessons learned for the rest of my life.
TR- 50 hours of non stop exercise makes a person hungry. I can remember eating a TON of food, ordering 3 milkshakes at once, eating 3 hamburgers and then going out for dinner. What did the next 24 hours look like for you and your diet?
ML-My first meal after being secured was the buffet spread SEALFIT provided just off the grinder. It was chicken, beef and barbeque tacos and rice. Plenty of extra sides, fruitand desserts. They had beer and just about any other beverage you can think of.
It was really cool because all the coaches and interns stayed and ate with us. It was fun. That lasted for a couple of hours. I went back to my room and slept for about 5 hours then ate a large pizza and went back to bed. The next morning I killed some waffles and eggs. I drank tons of water. I really could not eat enough for about a week after the event, my body was so depleted and broken down.
TR-What one thing would you take to Kokoro?
ML-Since I had consulted you before leaving for Kokoro, I was very prepared on what to take. The towel came in very handy. The funny thing is we traveled and packed like Spartans, meaning coach Cummings had us place a couple of pairs of shorts, BDU’s and tee shirts along with our running shoes in a plastic garbage bag. We were wearing boots, BDU pants and tee shirt. We left SEALFIT HQ Friday morning with only our garbage bagsand traveled to some remote mountainfor the first 24 plus hours of evolutions.
