Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks with Mr. Micah “G2” Dettmer. Former D-I student-athlete (runner) at Texas A&M, husband, father of three, and collegiate discipler.

Micah resides in Fort Worth, TX with his wife Stephanie and three children. Through his current financial analyst position at CRU, Micah helps students experience local and overseas missions.

So, join Micah, a self-identifying “Goober”, as he reflects on his:

·         troublesome adolescent ideation phase,

·         loss of family,

·         early competitive sport years, 

·         infamous “Brick of Pasta” moment,
 
·         hypocritical college freshman year,

·         dating woes,

·         faith journey downs and life changing ups, 

·         redline running at Texas A&M, 

·         desire to equip and send college students on mission, 

·         mid-30s love of running, and finally, 

·         first encounter with his future wife that involved a “Scream” mask and French maid outfit (Goober 2.0 stuff).

Sticking the landing. In the end, Micah gives two pieces of sound advice for the current collegiate student-athlete. Here’s a hint: Zzzzzzz.

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Fresh Off the Collegiate Vine

Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks with Mr. Troy “Kenny-G” Davidson, former D-II soccer, track and field student-athlete, forever WPD Beta group member, and 2024 graduate of Southwest Baptist in Missouri.

Troy reflects on his early sport and faith years, his decision to go one sport (track and field), his love of general biology (not), and the value he places in community.

Known for his…

•           “smooth and relaxed Kenny-G” demeanor on and off the track,

•           his outdoor 800-meter school record,

•           his proclivity to puke post-race,

•           AND his love for all things candy, which includes but not limited to: Dum Dums, Air Heads, Sour Patch Kids, Dots, Nerds, Skittles, Fat Boys (ice cream sandwich), Apple-spice Airwick Stickups, and possibly his favorite, Mike & Ike,

Troy takes his freshly minted college degree and toes the line for the start of his post-college life race.

*Kenny-G. American smooth jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer. 

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Olympian Spotlight!

Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks Mr. Matt “Skymaster” Hemingway: Man of faith, business executive, husband, father, outdoorsman, coach, and Olympian.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas with 4 x All-American honors in the high jump, Mark takes his strong work ethic on a multi-year, bumpy journey towards a still standing US Indoor high jump record height and an Olympic silver medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Matt resides in Evergreen, CO with his wife Kate and daughter, Asha. When Matt is not helping his sales team WIN in the office, he strategically guides puckering patrons through some of CO’s best river waters at Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting in Buena Vista, Colo. Want to play some hoop? Pick Matt. He’s that 6’7 dude standing just off to the side. Word on the street is that Matt and his “older” teammates (the Roaches) still have skills!

Join Matt as he reflects on his early sport years, his time at powerhouse Arkansas, his irregular path to Olympic silver, and on a God who helps frame it all and leads him to the finish line.

Quips: 

“Looking back. You don’t have to get there overnight.”

“If it’s not motor, then it’s luggage.”

“It’s time to go to war.”

“Can’t live on the mountaintop. Growth is in the valley.”

‘Power of painter’s tape.” (visualization)

“Have gratitude.”

“When you can no longer do the sport, your response to that moment reveals your true identity.”

Guest Contact:

Website 
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Matt Hemingway
 X: @matthemingway
LinkedIn: Matt Hemingway OLY
World Athletics
Team USA
2004 Athens High Jump (6:35 into video)
Wikipedia
Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting

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Special Geezer Spotlight!

Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks with Mr. Todd “The Poet Runner” Sukany: Man of faith, runner, educator, author, musician, husband, father to three, grandfather to six, and my long-time friend.

Todd resides in the metropolis of Pleasant Hope, MO where he and his wife run an unofficial sanctuary for wayward dogs and uncooperative cats.

Known for his “poetic” prowess, sharp guitar licks, vintage and often stinky running apparel, and that stellar set of geezer man boobs, the Poet Runner ponders his faith and his next long trail run in Southwest MO. Finally, "PR" shares meaningful poems and reflects on how he hopes to finish his life race.

His Book: Frisco Trail and Tales. Self-published. Want a copy? Simply email him for details. Mention you heard him on the Press On Podcast.

Contact: [email protected] 

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Smokin' Special Guest!

Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) continues conversation with Mr. Mark “The Captain” Curp, pride of Polo, MO; seven time NCAA D-II and 2 time D-I All-American in cross-country and track and field at Central Missouri State University (CMSU); professional New Balance sponsored runner for 15 years (1983-1997); former US 20K record holder (1986); former US half marathon record holder (1985-2007); US Olympic Trials participant (1984-1996), and former half-marathon world record holder (1985-1990).

Oh yeah, he is a husband, father, grandfather, and coach.

In part two, Mark reflects on his fifteen-year New Balance professional running career, dropping a Who’s Who list of 80’ and ‘90s runners. Marks recounts his various high profile road races, his Olympic Trials appearances, and the run up to his world record half-marathon. Oddly, he just wasn’t feeling it days before the event.

Finally, The Captain reflects on life after professional running, and life as a cancer survivor, giving us words of wisdom when the “race” gets seriously hard.

Mark currently resides in the Kansas City, Missouri, area.  He and his wife, Teri, have five grown children (combined) and three grandsons. After professional running and after 21 years in the corporate world, Mark changes directions, hoping to make a positive impact in the world through coaching.

In his semi-retirement, Mark works as a paraprofessional and coach at a local high school. He also collaborates with individual athletes on a one-to-one basis. Currently, Mark presses forward in and through his second cancer occurrence.

More information at MarkCurp.com

Contact: [email protected]

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Special Veteran Spotlight!

Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks with Mr. Mark “The Metronome” Misch, current Head Men’s Cross Country/Assistant Track & Field Coach at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. The 2023-2024 academic calendar signifies Mark’s 17th season with the university.

While leading his team to multiple D-II national championship finishes AND mentoring and coaching several post-collegiate runners both nationally and internationally, Mark runs. And runs. And runs. Could say that Coach has the runs! No big deal, some will say.

But this year the “Metronome” completes a running milestone. What is it? Ready? Mark surpasses over 100,000 career running miles. Yep, 100,000!

That is… rough calculation… a bit over 4 times around the world. And he has the old-school documentation to prove it.

Starting with his early moments in Coffeyville, Kansas, to his collegiate sport days, to an almost career-ending traffic accident, and not to mention that “scolding” at France's Arc de Triomphe, the “Metronome” reflects on his faith, coaching, personal trials, professional relationships, world travel, and that long, long, long run-up to the 100K mark.

So, let’s get into the head and heart space of my guest and friend, Coach Mark Misch.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs - Mark Misch.

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Smokin' Special Guest!

Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks with Mr. Mark “The Captain” Curp, pride of Polo, MO; seven time NCAA D-II and 2 time D-I All-American in cross-country and track and field at Central Missouri State University (CMSU); professional New Balance sponsored runner for 15 years (1983-1997); former US 20K record holder (1986); former US half marathon record holder (1985-2007); US Olympic Trials participant (1984-1996), and former half-marathon world record holder (1985-1990).

In part one, Mark reflects on his early days learning the value of hard work on his family’s Missouri farm and discovering in high school that he can…well…run.

Mark secures a $100 athletic scholarship at CMSU, stuffs his 5”3 105-pound body into his 1966 Ford Mustang, and heads to college. Mark reflects on his student-athlete collegiate years (athletic, academic, social, spiritual). He finds his stride after a slow start, embraces academics, keeps his nose clean, and becomes a multi-year All-American, positioning himself, somewhat unknowingly, for an interim 15-year career as a New Balance sponsored professional runner. Shhh...he throws down a world record in the half-marathon that lasts five years (1985-1990). Polo, MO proud!

Mark currently resides in the Kansas City, Missouri, area.  He and his wife, Teri, have five grown children (combined) and three grandsons. After professional running and after 21 years in the corporate world, Mark changes directions, hoping to make a positive impact in the world through coaching.  More information at MarkCurp.com.

In his semi-retirement, Mark works as a paraprofessional and coach at a local high school.  He also works with individual athletes on a one-to-one basis. Currently, Mark faithfully presses onward and through his second cancer occurrence.

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Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks with Mr. Sam “Nord” Nofziger, former D-II cross-country and track and field athlete and 2020 graduate of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Sam yearns for the day when he can leverage his Minnesotan-honed snow skiing skills somewhere in Texas. While he waits for that notable day, Sam redeems his space as a mechanical engineer at a Fort Worth, TX government contractor.

“Nord” reflects on his early running days in cold Minnesota and how he falls in love with Colorado while a student-athlete. Sam introduces “Harambe” and what it means for a team in need of a spirit and purpose injection. Sam encourages athletes to be solutions to problems. Step up.

Post college life is dicey. Sam reflects on life after college when the schedules are free and one’s identity gets put on a clothesline for inspection. So much change.

Most importantly, Sam offers his best advice whether in or out of college. Surrender. Don’t fight the Spirit. Trust God for your yesterday, today,  and tomorrow. Game changer for Nord! How about you?

Finally, Sam and Dr. M. talk shoes and answer the question: Which is the worst (and best) sandwich shop pre or post event?

* Nord = Nickname for the man from Minnesota . Noun. North [noun] the direction to the left of a person facing the rising sun, or any part of the earth lying in that direction. North [noun] (also N) one of the four main points of the compass. Borrowed from French nord, from Old French norht, north, nort (“north”), from Old English norþ (“north”), from Proto-Germanic *nurþrą (“north”)…WHEW!

** Harambe. The word means “all pull together” in Kiswahili, Kenya's national language. It is the nation's official motto; it appears on the country's coat of arms; and it encompasses a concept of placing the group before the individual.

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Special Veteran Spotlight!

Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks with Mr. Brett “The Hammer” Bundy former D-II cross-country and track and field athlete, former 15-year Christian missionary to Haiti, husband, father, and skilled tradesman.

Brett reflects on his early athletic days in Illinois and on a high school bus ride that changes his life. He shares how he builds great friendships and sees some running success amid a lean collegiate coaching system.

The “Hammer” reflects on a 15-year borderline workaholic service run in Haiti – a place known for its beautiful beaches, friendly people, cold bottles of Coke, abject poverty, darkness, and dinner plate size spiders. Over time, Brett learns to toggle between love and leadership, making the hard calls  but always putting people, including his family, first and tasks second. 

"If it makes you happy...."

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Special Veteran Spotlight!

Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks with Jeffery “Aloysius”* Jump“ former D-II cross-country and track and field athlete, ultra-distance runner, Ironman finisher, cattleman, father, and a long-time friend.

From small town Missouri, Jeff walks-on as a student-athlete at Southwest Baptist University – a D-II school in MO.  Upon graduation excitement begins. Jeff embraces the more endurance side of running.

Known for his “warrior” mindset, many tattoos, and multiple cattle-kicks to the head, Jeff completes a full Ironman triathlon, a 100-mile race, and more impressive, raises his daughter, Julia.

Jeff reflects on his collegiate days, including meeting legendary Arkansas Coach John McDonald. He promotes the value of pizza, oranges, pickles, and “flat Coke” in any 100-miler.

Finally, Aloysius shares meaningful scripture from Mark – the Transfiguration – and focuses our attention on who is most important.

 *Aloysius is a traditional yet underused name meaning “famous warrior.” German and Latin origins.

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mc:  Studio Kolomna. Aggressive Sports Trailer. (Free) Music by Denis Maksimov from Pixabay.

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