Extreme Mike

     Well another round of hellos for everyone out there. Finally, as of yesterday, it is officially winter! I'm not too sure if that's something to be really excited about though. However, we are going to press on... and ramble on.

     Alright everyone, say hello to Mike ("Hi Mike). Mike Mckeller, or "Extreme Mike" as he is also known. Is quite the inspiring individual. Mike had a bit of a different childhood, and life for that matter, than most people out there. At a very young age Mike's parents noticed his lack of growth. With that said, they took him to some of the top physicians who ruled out Muscular Dystrophy and MS and finally came to the conclusion that Mike had Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a disease that had no treatment and no cure.

     The doctors words never stopped Mike, even at a young age. He would always push to keep up with his friends whether it was climbing around in the woods or ridding ATVs. His parent's supported him through everything, and Mike mentions their support, " They taught me, ingrained in me, that if you really want to do something, figure out how to do it and do it."

     By the time he entered his teens the ability to walk on his own, due to the curvature of his spine, become too much and was bound for an electric wheelchair to get around. This only slowed Mike down, but never made him stop. Mike become a fan of swimming, weight training, playing the drums and even playing dodgeball. But now the doctors offered him a choice of living with a brace in pain or a risky surgery that involved inserting a metal rod to straighten his spine.

     The surgical option was chosen, and after a few weeks drastically set Mike back. He would wake up in pain or not able to move his arms or legs. With physical therapy and an unmatched personal drive, 4 years later he gained back 40% of the mobility he lost.

     Mike drove through every challenged he faced, and lived his life. He received his BA in finance, and started a TV show that earned his nickname "Extreme Mike." Mike would participate in "dangerous" activities such as sky-diving, mountain climbing and scuba diving. He showed people what a personal with disabilities can accomplish, and the lifestyle a person can live no matter what.

     So, take a page from Mike. What the human body and spirit can endure is amazing. We put ourselves through the ringer on a constant basis. So get that last rep in, push yourself to that scary place filled with pain, enjoy what life has to offer. See you around folks!




3,2,1 GO!
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Yesterday's WOD

"Nate"
20 minute AMRAP
2 Muscle Ups
4 Handstand Pushups
8 Kettlebell Swings 2 pood (70 lbs)
12 rounds completed
Tied my old PR on this one. I was having trouble on the muscle ups in the last 2 rounds, which usually doesn't happen.