“Bryan Fugal is a consummate filmmaker, fearless and diligent. From the start, writing this script was an act of courage. The film will be the first of his many triumphs.”

Long Haul is a coming-of-age road drama set in the world of American long-haul trucking. Bo, an ultra-conservative teen – based on filmmaker Bryan Fugal’s own life – goes on a cross-country delivery job with his estranged father. During the journey, the son struggles with his parents’ divorce and discovering that his father is gay.

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Show Notes:

In the first block we meet Bryan (son) and Lawrence (father) Fugal. Bryan has written and is making the film The Long Haul. The film is about a young boy from a small, conservative LDS town who’s parents have recently gone through a divorce and his father has come out as gay. The film is semi-autobiographical, and they discuss their family events that led to the film. Lawrence grew up LDS, served a mission in the Phillipines, married and had children. After Bryan’s parents divorced, Lawrence came out as gay. Lawrence discusses his struggles growing up as LDS and gay. Bryan’s reactions and understanding of the divorce and his father coming out are also discussed.

The second block begins with more discussion of how Bryan and his siblings handled their father coming out. Bryan discusses the film and how the character of Bo in the film represents a combination of his sibling’s reactions to their father. They discuss the origins of the story and Bryan approaching his father about writing the story and making it into a film. Bryan discusses his time living with his father in California during Proposition 8. They begin a discussion about how the LDS policy on children of gay parents would have affected their family.

The third block continues the discussion about the Church policy on children of gay parents. Lawrence tells about leaving the LDS church and still supporting his children in the Church, leading to him becoming Episcopalian. The episode ends with the 3 questions.

Editors Note:

During the episode, the LDS policy on children of gay parents is discussed. For clarity, here is a link to the letter that was sent to Church leaders about the policy. If you have any questions about the specifics of this policy, please ask your local leader.

Links:

Official web site: LongHaulFilm.com

The Long Haul on Facebook

Interview with Elder D. Todd Christofferson on November 2015 policy on children of same-sex couples

 

“Bryan Fugal is a consummate filmmaker, fearless and diligent. From the start, writing this script was an act of courage. The film will be the first of his many triumphs.” Long Haul is a coming-of-age road drama set in the...

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What sets him apart from everyone else??

Ryan had lived in a state of near constant pain since his life altering bike accident at 8 years of age. He spent most of his young adult life searching for methods to help him overcome his pain, while vigilantly pursuing all of his dreams and goals. He has overcome so much physical and mental adversity that medical practitioners have been quoted saying; “We don’t understand how he is even moving, let alone doing all the incredible things he now does!”

Ryan has overcome debilitating injuries, life-threatening and infectious disease, broken limbs, multiple concussions, double knee surgery, and even paresis (partial loss / impairment of voluntary movement). He was told by doctors on 3 separate occasions that he would; “never walk, run, or play sports again.” Professionals have even referred to him as a “Scientific Anomaly!”

In his pursuit of breaking multiple world records Ryan developed a multitude of health and fitness programs on diverse platforms for all types of people. He travels the world speaking about “Strength Through Adversity”, “Prolonging Lifespan & Increasing Quality of Life”, and conducts training seminars that teach his health and fitness methodologies. Ryan has spoken at over 400 locations in 30 countries and on 6 continents since 2010.  Ryan’s programs touch a broad and inclusive audience, as everyone can benefit from improved Health, Fitness, and Quality of Life.

Ryan is a graduate of Boise State University and The University of Utah, with degrees in Exercise Sport Science.  In addition to speaking and teaching health & fitness seminars, Ryan has written multiple articles for nationally publicized magazines, and is currently in the works on his book; “Rise Above”.  Ryan is also the creator of THEXWOD.com, a program dedicated to furthering an individuals’ ability to build explosive power and speed.

 

Show Notes:

In the first block of The Cultural Hall we get introduced to the guest, Ryan Moody, and learn exactly what box jumping is, that it involves plyometric movements, and what those are (exercises that involve a jumping movement). Ryan tells about setting a world record for jumping onto a box. He then tells the story of the snowboarding accident that got him into fitness and his plan to go to Africa and do a box jump on top of Mount Kilimanjaro. The expedition will benefit Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), an organization that rescues children from sex trafficking.

The second block begins with Ryan telling about his parent’s conversion to the LDS church. Next, he tells us about his life growing up in Texas and then coming to the Mormon corridor in Utah and Idaho. Richie and Ryan discuss the pros and cons of living in predominantly LDS areas vs outside of those areas. They also discuss the merits of whether or not to get a college degree and family pressure to get one. Ryan tells the story about his first major injury: a bike accident when he was 8 years old. Parts of the story may make you cringe a little at how bad the injuries were.

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