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Michael O’Brien had one of those life-changing, near catastrophic events in 2001. He was struck by a car while riding his bike, resulting in multiple, possibly lethal, serious injuries. The doctors’ prognoses for how his future life would look were grim. Obviously, he had the option of accepting these and leading a life just scraping by. One of the revelations that someone provided him was that he could choose his own labels, in other words, what attitude do you want to have toward hardships? Michael decided that the day of his accident would be his last bad day. Challenges are simply moments, not chronic conditions if you believe you can overcome them and opportunities to move forward. His rehab was tedious, but his mantra was that working hard today would create a better tomorrow. Boy does this surgery rehab veteran relate to that! Michael also gained a lot of insight into meditation and mindfulness and began leading sessions. The pandemic spurred him to leave his corporate life and devote himself to introducing more people to these hugely beneficial practices. Many people don’t have the time for long meditation sessions, so he created Pause Breathe Reflect, which includes an app that offers easy-to-access meditations, some as brief as one minute. Nice and convenient. Pausebreathereflect.com has a Web site on which I’ve enjoyed many of his blog articles. Last year, Michael pedaled across the country on a recent knee replacement, and this episode also includes some of his interesting data collection on milkshakes in every state!

Michael O'Brien
pausebreathreflect.com
[email protected]
Facebook Pause Breathe and Reflect
Instagram and LinkedIn @pausebreathereflect

Bill Stahl
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Climb all 122 peaks in the Rocky Mountains, and do it in less than 40 days. That’s 58 Colorado 14ers, 37 Wyoming 13ers, and 27 Montana 12ers, many with backcountry treks just to get to their trailheads. That’s averaging more than three peaks a day, every day, for almost six weeks. The equivalent of more than 26 marathons in length and 318,000 feet of elevation gain, or sea level to the top of Mt. Everest 11 times. Add in storms, deep snow, some wrecked feet, and unforeseen hurdles like crew abandoning at the most inopportune time. Those were some of the challenges faced by Jason Hardrath, who completed the Rockies Grand Slam just a week before we recorded. He and I are accompanied on this episode by ultrarunner and coach Miki McConaha. Don’t believe for a minute that Jason is some one-hit wonder. This is now one of something like 116 FKTs that Jason owns! Yes, 116. Jason has documented part of this journey in a film called “Journey to 100.” A few of these is his record Norman’s 13 traversing the 14ers in the Sierras, the Pico De Orizaba infinity loop around the tallest volcano in North America, summitting Washington’s 100 tallest peaks in less than 51 days, and the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim-alt, which means rather than take the bridge at the bottom across the Colorado River, because that run isn’t hard enough, he swam across it. Travel along here with Jason’s latest great adventure and him overcoming the multitude of obstacles. Have you ever wondered why someone takes on such challenges? Well Jason will let you get deep between his ears to find out what drives him. Part of it might be connected to his childhood ADHD, and the car accident in 2015 that seriously injured him. Jason is very generous with his time and also wanting to help others achieve their own audacious goals. Look for his upcoming film “Journey to Infinity” and for him out there speaking or flying by you on some trail sometime attempting another FKT.

Jason Hardrath
jasonhardrath.com
Facebook Jason Hardrath
Instagram @jasonhardrath
Film: Journey to 100

Bill Stahl
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We have talked a few times to organ transplant recipients, but today we’ve got a great conversation with a kidney donor. I met Mike Kennedy while I was volunteering in June at the Leadville Heavy Half and Marathon. He had come out from Bethlehem PA, and as we got to talking, I found out about his organ donation. As you heard me describe earlier, it was a sloppy, snowy, muddy epic sort of weather day. But I was surprised when I saw Mike cross the Heavy Half finish line in 11th-place overall in 2:30:20! He was also third in the men’s 30-39 age group. This was less than two years after he donated one of his kidneys to an anonymous recipient to indirectly help his mother-in-law, who had been on dialysis for many years while waiting for a kidney transplant herself. A sort of give-a-penny, take-a-penny dish arrangement that is common in these cases where the waitlist for a new kidney usually stretches for years. Mike had even completed a Half-Ironman triathlon only a year after his donation. Subsequent to Leadville, on July 23, Mike completed the full Ironman Triathlon in Lake Placid, NY, in a very impressive 13:18:49. Mike can obviously describe from first-hand knowledge, as he does with me, how easy it is to donate a kidney and lead a normal life – and beyond – with one kidney. He was back to his usual training in just a month after his donation, and helped out another human being in the process. Mike also got to see first-hand that dialysis is tough, and needed kidneys are scarce, and he altruistically jumped in to do something to make a huge difference in someone’s life. I think you’ll be as wowed by this guy as I am. After listening to Mike, if you would like to consider a kidney donation yourself, go to kidneyregistry.org

National Kidney Registry
https://www.kidneyregistry.org/

Mike Kennedy
Facebook Mike Kennedy (the one in Bethlehem PA)
Instagram @xcmikek

Bill Stahl
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We’re making another trip Down Under, this time to Wellington, New Zealand and talking with an expert in your physical, psychological, and digestive well-being with the goal of giving his clients better energy, mobility, purpose, gut health, mental sharpness, confidence, workout effectiveness, and life balance. His name is Olly Wood, and his understanding of the big picture led him to start the Body Reset, which enables people, especially those who are busy, to get back to functioning at a high level. So much begins with our fuel intake whether we are an athlete, office worker, or stay-at-home, so Olly and I discuss rather extensively the history and issues with today’s diets in regard to feeling and performing at one’s best. I like his ability to make his insights very relatable. Olly and his team’s coaching staff and the many articles and other information on his web site are invaluable resources to get people to understand what is holding them back from achieving the results they are hoping for. We could have talked for hours about the many areas in which Olly is expert on, but I would suggest reading what he’s put out there, it’s quite impressive. He covers such vital topics as battling depression, what’s holding you back from accomplishing your goals, possible causes and remedies for allergy sufferers, examining sugar vs. fat, focusing your training goals, and much more. Do check it out at his web site bodyreset.online. The site also shows testimonials from their coaching clients who have taken on their personal goals of tackling weight loss, improving energy, dealing with menopause, and optimizing their training plans for better effectiveness, so perhaps a free consultation might lead to you knocking out some goals that have frustrated you until now.

Olly Wood
www.bodyreset.online
YouTube @ollywoodbr
Podcast Body Reset w/ Olly Wood

Bill Stahl
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When I heard about Dr. John Lewis, I was mesmerized by how committed he is to healthy living and helping others enjoy their best lives, too. But what cinched it for me is that he has done the research himself through dozens of studies as a professor at the University of Miami School of Medicine that demonstrate the links between proper nutrition, exercise, and dietary supplementation to optimum health and that have been published in almost 200 peer-reviewed medical journals. His studies on brain health in particular have led him to branch out into the private world to further study Alzheimer’s. It’s been conclusively shown that there is a close connection between our lifestyles, what we put into our bodies, and our brain health. Even just in recent days I heard about a study in the mainstream media that found that runners have a lower incidence than others to contract Parkinson’s Disease. Dr. Lewis’ study of polysaccharides has led to pioneering approaches to the treatment of Alzheimer’s and the development of his own brain care supplement formula. Dr. Lewis himself walks the talk, having been a WFPB eater for almost three decades, has been a competitive drug-free bodybuilder, and as you will tell, even overpowers me with his off-the-charts energy. I hope you’ll enjoy this very informative and worthwhile chat that will hopefully motivate you to make incremental, positive changes to help you get more out of your daily life.

Dr. John Lewis
drlewisnutrition.com
[email protected]
Instagram @drlewisnutrition
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5xvuUBaSGsAuSo4ZxhNR0A

Bill Stahl
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This is part 2 of my chat with one of the legends of high school basketball coaching not just in Colorado, but in the country, Dick Katte. I hope you had a chance to listen to part 1; if not, please catch that first. Coach Katte began coaching basketball and teaching math at Denver Christian High School in 1960, becoming the head coach in 1964. He finished with a record of 876-233, which until surpassed this season, represented the most wins ever for a coach in Colorado. His final team in 2012 went 26-0 and culminated with his eighth state championship. During this long journey, he hit some daunting obstacles, to say the least. In 1984, he suffered a brain aneurysm that almost killed him. Nine years later, he contracted cancer which necessitated the removal of 4½ feet of his small intestine. Through each of these challenges, as we talked about in part one, Coach Katte felt like he was being tested by God to re-evaluate the way he was conducting his life on and off the court, and he came out on the other side a much better man. In this episode, we talk more about basketball, faith, how to approach life and sports with dignity and humility, his very long marriage, and his life’s mission to positively impact young people. For further depth on this great coach and mentor, he wrote his memoir, Over Time: Coach Katte on Basketball and Life, which you can find on Amazon.

Coach Dick Katte
303-587-7674
[email protected]
His book: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dick+katte&i=stripbooks&crid=1GZ1YS0LXMUV4&sprefix=dick+katte%2Cstripbooks%2C184&ref=nb_sb_noss

Bill Stahl
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We are bringing you a special treat in this episode, a sit-down chat with one of the legends of high school basketball coaching not just in Colorado, but in the country. Dick Katte began coaching basketball and teaching math at Denver Christian High School in 1960, becoming the head coach in 1964. He finished with a record of 876-233, which until this past season represented the most wins ever for a coach in Colorado. A lot of you know me as a running coach, but I actually broke into the coaching biz in basketball, way back in 1983. A dozen or more of Coach Katte’s wins were against teams that I helped coach, and it was always particularly gratifying when you could steal a rare win from the master, as we did in the 1998 state title game. Sorry Coach, I had to throw that in. His final team in 2012 went 26-0 and culminated with his eighth state championship. Coach Katte has been inducted into an alphabet soup of halls of fame, including those of CHSAA, the Colorado Sports HOF, the National High School, and National High School Coaches’ HOFs. Along the way, he was a football official for the WAC, supervisor of football officials for the RMAC, and has served admirably for CHSAA and the CHSCA, focusing particularly in the area of sportsmanship. But there were some major road bumps along the way, to put it mildly. In 1984, he suffered a brain aneurysm that almost killed him. Nine years later, he contracted cancer which necessitated the removal of 4½ feet of his small intestine. Through each of these challenges, Coach Katte felt like he was being tested by God to re-evaluate the way he was conducting his life on and off the court, and he came out on the other side a much better man. I’ve made many friends in the coaching world over my four decades in it, and anytime you listen to a great coach, you come away with many gold nuggets of insights and wisdom. Follow along with this conversation with Coach Katte, which I have split into two parts, and you will come away with a trove of those nuggets. Among the topics we discuss in this first part is about that at age 87, he is still teaching math at a school that helps its students go into the trades. Despite the age gap, he is still challenging and developing trusting relationships with his pupils. For further depth on this life very well-lived, he wrote his memoir, Over Time: Coach Katte on Basketball and Life, which you can find on Amazon.

Coach Dick Katte
303-587-7674
[email protected]
His book: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dick+katte&i=stripbooks&crid=1GZ1YS0LXMUV4&sprefix=dick+katte%2Cstripbooks%2C184&ref=nb_sb_noss

Bill Stahl
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Baseball hero and color barrier-breaker Jackie Robinson once said, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." As coaches, we make impacts on others' lives every day, sometimes in large ways and at other times in very low-key ways. This year I have had one standout opportunity to do so. When Nate, a young man I coached, was in need of a place to live when he would turn 18 years old in March, I didn't hesitate to jump in to help. The original plan was to find a temporary home until he would enter the Army in July. But an unexpected turn of events led to me offering Nate a room in my basement, which would be a safe and more positive place for him to spend the next 3½ months. From there we got him back on his school's track team so he could finish his senior year on a positive note. He overcame being born with fetal alcohol syndrome by graduating from high school, which is achieved by only a small percentage of those who start life with it. Nate impacted me profoundly as well as I have never been a "father" before, and he taught me a lot about patience, dedication, and how to better understand how the brain of someone of his generation works. It was a challenge to be his chauffeur, stay on my toes with his changing plans, and do my best to ensure that he would have the greatest possible chance to succeed in his future military life and beyond. But despite the setback I incurred from helping him, it was all well worth it, and I don't regret for a second helping out this young man. Best of luck to Nate, who is now entering Army basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

This experience also made me realize something. I have coached for more than three decades and have had so many interesting, unpredictable, and entertaining episodes occur that I would like to share with others. So I have begun writing these stories that I'll add to a blog that will someday become a book I've wanted to write. I'll share the blog address once I have figured out how to set one up!

Bill Stahl
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One more in our series of standout performers at the Colorado High School State Championship meet, we are heading out to the farm, literally. I happened to be hanging around the finish line there talking to Matt Kleve, whose son Max was competing in sprint events for Holyoke High School, a school of about 250 students way out on the Eastern Plains of Colorado not far from the Nebraska line. Generations of Kleves have lived in Holyoke, a town of around 2500 residents, and Max’s family grows wheat and raises cattle, so like I did, you will learn a little about farm life and FFA, formerly Future Farmers of America. Matt told me some of his son’s story of suffering a disastrous ACL tear in a high school football game his junior year, enduring a long, arduous rehab process, and coming back to compete at the state track meet. Max is a very bright and perceptive young man, and what is cool, too, is that Max candidly discusses his battle with anxiety, going to therapy, and how through discovering there is something bigger than himself, and finding his faith in God, he could overcome his struggles and realize success, even in the rough-and-tumble, testosterone-filled world out in the country. This helped fuel his determination through nine months of difficult rehab to get back on the track. All of this work on himself physically and mentally led to him setting personal records at the state meet in the 100 in 11.22 seconds, good for 4th, the 200 in 22.53, also netting him 4th, and a huge PR of 49.03 in the 400, which earned him the gold medal. Max poignantly describes here his feelings upon ascending to the top of the awards stand. And how’s this for a cool story? Max anchored Holyoke’s 4x400 relay to the Class 2A title by almost two seconds after a couple of their runners flew in just in time on a small plane from Holyoke, where they had been playing in a state baseball playoff game. This impressive young man will continue his track and academic career at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.

Max Kleve
Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok @klevemax
Facebook Max Kleve

Bill Stahl
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Continuing with our series of standout performers at the Colorado High School State Championship meet, our state has been known for many years as a mecca for distance running, and it seems like the pace of records falling the past few years has accelerated. In fact, despite our elevation, some of the fastest times in the country this year have been run right here at mile-high.  One of those is the Colorado all-time girls’ 1600-meter record that was reset by Emma Stutzman from Pomona High School in Arvada, who ran 4:39.94 to become the first girl in state history to break the 4:40 mark in a breathtaking romp to the state Class 5A crown. The Northern Arizona University commit also won the 3200-meter title in 10:12.68, and on the heels of that max effort placed second in the 800 meters in 2:11.32, which was still a two-second personal record.  Her 3200 time was an 18-second PR at elevation after she ran 9:56.34 at the Arcadia Invitational in Calif. in April.

I got to enjoy, as a track coach and meet official, watching Emma dominate numerous meets the past few years and what has always stood out is her persistent smile, joy, and sportsmanship. After every win, Emma could be seen waiting for every other finisher, no matter how far back, to congratulate them on their efforts. I could always tell that Emma was having a blast at track meets, sometimes gleefully running the maximum four events in league meets. I got a kick seeing in some of her online race photos that she was wearing one of the Be Positive bracelets that I frequently give at meets to kids and others who have a great attitude, like Emma does – or maybe experienced disappointment and could use a pick-me-up. In this episode, we chat about what has driven her rise from a youth runner to a fourth-place finisher at last year’s state meet, to a record-setting champion. She is a terrific role model for high school cross country and track athletes, and someone I look forward to following in her college career.

Please consider supporting Warriors' Ascent for which 27 men and women ran the Leadville Heavy Half and Marathon on June 17.  Warriors' Ascent provides a holistic program to help veterans and first responders who are enduring PTS, post-traumatic stress.  We have all heard the staggering number of veterans we tragically lose every single day to suicide.  Warriors' Ascent is saving lives!  Through the deadline on June 23, all donations will be matched by an anonymous donor up to $2000.  Donate at (tax-deductible):
https://give.classy.org/WeAreSuperman
Thank you!

Emma Stutzman
Instagram @emmamarie051 and @bigcatdistance
Twitter @EmmaStutzman7

Bill Stahl
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