In this week’s podcast, we have the privilege of getting to know Jason McCarthy, who enlisted in the U.S. Army because of 9/11 and had the drive to become a member of America’s best – The Special Forces (Green Berets). His involvement in the initial invasion into Afghanistan taught him that to lead is to serve, no matter the personal sacrifice required.
Jason’s experiences in the military prompted his idea of developing “Go-Ruck”. His wife, Emily, was a Case Officer in the CIA working in West Africa. Jason applied what he had learned in war and built Emily a “Go-Ruck” for her to keep in her vehicle and at home, ready to go at all times.
Since then, rucking has become a social fitness trend of carrying a weighted pack on your back, implying action, energy, and purpose. There are over 150,000 people throughout the world who have taken up “Rucking”, and several hundred Go-Rucking clubs have developed out of Jason’s idea and mission at GoRuck!
In this episode you will hear:
- “I wanted to learn Michael Jordan’s killer instinct. I wanted to feel that. He inspired me to be better.”
- “Physical fitness is just a foundational thing that will make all of us feel better.”
- “I need a mission, a purpose; not re-examining the failures of my past.”
- “That which costs us the most provides the most meaning for the rest of our lives.”
- “Be inspired to serve something greater than yourself.”
- “In Rucking with others, you basically have nothing in common on paper, but you have great experiences together as people.”
- “Out of tragedy good stuff emerges. When you lose people, find your neighbor and build those bonds, go forward in your life, learn from those things, and give back more.”
- “When you start to take steps forward, your life follows.”
- “If you just follow your dreams, and do the things that make you happy, you’ll be in a position to live your best life.”
- “The grass isn’t always greener.”
- “If something goes wrong, I’m sorry is a really good thing to say.”
- “I’m not proud of having been divorced, but we’re stronger now because of what we went through.”
- “Work really hard. Keep acquiring new skills.”
- “There’s no shame in asking for help.”
- “Nothing great is gonna happen overnight, it’s about the process of getting out and doing what you love.”
