Gritty @ Sixty

Was it Mom that said first told me don’t judge a book by its cover or was it “Don’t judge a person until you walked a mile in their shoes? Something to think about - "Gritty at Sixty (Small Victories)" is another life hack - this time for the soul (At first I consider naming this article, "The Soul Hack" but later settled on the current title).

PROLOGUE

Consider these three quotes separately and as a group. Powerful by themselves. But together – we can tie a multitude of meaning and draw relationships that perhaps only each of us can see!?

“Discipline equals freedom” - Leif Babin (former U.S. Navy SEAL)

“You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. ...” - Wayne Gretzky (Professional Hockey Player)

“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been. ...” - Wayne Gretzky (Professional Hockey Player)?

For me these quotes together remind me that if I do not make myself present and share my opinions – then my opinions have no chance to help, make a difference, and provide what I seek – which it to share and inspire others (Veterans) to seek solutions and help for their challenges.?My opinions may not be worth much. However – they are worthless if I do not share and pointless. ?I actually hesitated on releasing this article. I was not sure how folks would take it. Finally, I decided leave my ego and personal vulnerabilities aside - If it reaches one Vet and helps them endure, it was worth it. Gritty at Sixty is about the strength of building on small victories. Essentially, it is another life hack.

Business note to start us out: Whether in business or in small groups, it is wise to empower natural leaders. In a foxhole or any other stressful situation it is important for those with positional authority to recognize and work with the natural leaders. This is not always the case. Every Senior Military Enlisted Leader has experienced a higher ranking officer that only relied on positional authority. However, the best outcomes are the result of good leaders engaging everyone on the team based on their skills including leadership. Today we use the term Diversity as if it is a new concept. In actuality it is a old concept that recognizes the entire team has a contribution - as a leader, even if you can’t see it, bring the entire team along. It will be worth it. The outcome when we don't leverage Diversity can significantly impact the team. The best leaders understand people seeking better outcomes do not leave jobs - they leave poorly led organization that do not recognize their contributions - typically at the direct supervisor level. If you lose a key person in a project to transfer, departure or retirement - look inward before outward. It is a small victory to give someone your positional authority for the sake of a better outcome and project. First small victory hack - when someone is doing your job (leading), focus on the mission's benefit and let them lead.

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." – Robert Louis Stevenson

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So please pardon the intrusion but I wanted to share some thoughts today. On my 60th birthday, I started and won a step challenge. For six weeks I set a goal of running a 1/2 marathon a day - 90-100 miles a week. Why? Goals are necessary to maintain physical and mental health. This achievement may not be obvious - but as a disable veteran with orthopedic issues that make walking and jogging difficult - this achievement is more about not giving into weakness and collecting another small victory to endure.

Background: From 2006-2014 my service-connected sciatica ruled my life. Pain therapy was the only solution that I thought could help me make it through the day. Over time I recognized there were a lot of negative aspects to this treatment.

Personally, I don’t know what it is like to struggle your entire life. For most of my life I was ordinarily. Growing up I was not particularly athletic and at times waited to be picked on the playground. Becoming a special operator changed that for me - in our small units each person had similar training and we needed each of us and the skills we brought to the table. It was not until I got hurt and no longer able to deploy that I started to realize internal negative impacts this would render in my life. I was no longer special and I could not get over that. I would learn I was not alone among Veterans who had similar experiences.

Stress followed. It impacted my external and internal relationships. I experienced new challenges with authority that would impacted my career. At one point during my Navy career I had to attend a military development/retention board to determine if I should be medically released from service.?With the help of leadership I made it through, but at this point I was professionally damaged goods. I retired shortly afterwards. In 2014 I finally acknowledged that part of my life was over and started working on where to go next.? This choice miraculously slowed what I considered "the downward spiral." It still gets me sometimes when I reflect that part of my life is gone forever; however, focusing on the next small victory gets me through.

Solution: I launched a personal campaign to get fit. A decade later - I am still in pain but I manage without pain killers.

Time has taken a toll on my body. I recall when I entered Navy EOD Dive School I averaged between 6-7 min miles and now 15-16 min miles. When I was in the military as a Special Operator - I use to think I was “Bulletproof.” Today I think I am just “Gritty” but that is good enough.

The Why: Frankly, I think there are military stressors that the rest of the population don’t experience or understand.?I believe that the high rate of suicide among Veterans, especially Special Operators, is linked to a similar journey to my own when they return from a deployment, retire, endure an injury the prevents them from working in their military occupation (e.g. medically discharge), or simply try to transition from military to civilian world. Pain and aliments of the mind (PTSD, Depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury (TBI)) can take a person to some dark and destructive places. But it does not have to be like that. I used to tell folks pain killers were like a holiday from my injuries. But in reality it was a crutch and trap. My darkest days involved prescription pills or too much alcohol. But finding the discipline to get fit is like the quote says, “Give’s you freedom.“ ?The discipline to get up every day with a plan to exercise, eat well, connect with another human or pet helps. I am not a doctor or a therapist but I can tell you it works. And if you commit - you will find the pills and alcohol can become a smaller part of your life. Let me explain the science behind an exercise plan and why it can help.

In Emily Boynton's article of September 20, 2021, she explains the relationships and benefits of running as a small victory that can produce therapeutic results. (https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/body/exercise/runners-high) Let's explore her article How Can I Get a Runner’s High? | Right as Rain. According to Emily Boynton’ s source Dr. Mark Harrast, a sports medicine doctor and medical director of the Sports Medicine Center at Husky Stadium, “A runner’s high is a sense of well-being during and after endurance or aerobic exercise,” and “You can characterize it by feelings of euphoria, relaxation, reduced anxiety and feeling less pain.”

According to this article and other like it - there is a debate scientifically on the origins chemically that causes this high which can range from endorphins, endocannabinoids and other reactions that occur during stress (including exercise). This article and others explain that there are second order effects from aerobic exercise that reduce emotional trauma, anxiety and depression, improve the immune system response and reduce the likelihood of stroke, heart disease and diabetes. If that is not enough, completing a workout, a trail run or hike gives one a sense of accomplishment that carries into other parts of our lives later in the days ahead. According to the author, as little as “150 minutes” is enough to achieve these benefits. As a long time runner, I can affirm the connection between running and confidence to complete other challenges in one’s life. I personally think empirical evidence with personal experience makes a compelling argument to the audience that there is a path to see similar results in one’s life by adopting an aerobic exercise plan. However, consult a physician if there are personal health considerations that need to be evaluated first.

I further can affirm that for those that struggle with sleep (nightmares, insomnia etc.), I have also found that after a long outing - 13 miles or more - I am so tired that I sleep through the night. And for that other group that suffers from a "Heavy Heart" (described like someone is standing on your chest or perhaps tearing at your heart), I have found that long runs(now jogs) when my feet hurt, my back is killing me, my IT bands are burning, my neck is stiff and shoulders are screaming - there is a special relief (runner's high) when it feels as if a cork is being pull in a tub all that bad and dark stuff in the heart melts away and goes down the drain. The feeling (runner's high) is temporary - but temporary is often good enough to endure another day. I can testify there are benefits beyond the obvious for those that struggle to continue to find ways to demonstrate you are worth it and to endure another day - small victories are necessary to maintain good mental health.

"If you want your body to change, you have to stress it. If you want your mind to change, you have de-stress it." Fitness helps with both.

#FNG or Forgotten Not Gone is a proactive in Veteran Suicide Prevention organization that believes cycling can assist in addressing the triggers of suicide and WHY it continues to happen. It is an honor to recognize them and to encourage veterans to seek out organizations that can help with triggers. For those looking for assistance to get off the couch check out Forgotten Not Gone https://www.forgottennotgone.org/ Suicide prevention through veteran peer support for outdoor recreation.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” - Robin Williams

"It costs nothing to be kind."

In summary: Nearly a decade later after that decision to get fit, my labs are unremarkable (that’s good!), and my body and mind are in a better and more fit place. A place where coming in 1st is not a place to boast; instead, I hopefully inspire others (especially veterans) to never give up and bet on yourself. Cheers - Jim Ryan retired EODC and Disabled Veteran.

#veteranshelpingveterans #nevergiveup #resilience #giveback #eodmemorial #stopVeteranSuicide #Blue #Red #sheepdogs

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Tunes I listen to on my morning jogs:

Better Than I Used to Be and Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw. The first appeals to my struggles; the second how I think I should act for my many blessings.

Don’t Let the Old Man In – Toby Keith. Absolutely speaks to the daily struggle to persevere.

Born Free – Kid Rock.?Gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.?So many sunrise morning jogs (runs) to embrace the first light and simply appreciate this great county (USA) and the wonderment to be alive. ?

Don't let the sun go down on me - Elton John. Reading about #FNG's mission I could not exclude this song from the list. Elton John's lyrics, “Don't discard me just because you think I mean you harm; But these cuts I have, oh, they need love to help them heal."

Favorite quotes:

“Discipline equals freedom”- Leif Babin(former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, co-author

Extreme Ownership). - Reminds me of a quote from a friend who once said, “You have to be your own Salvation Army.”

“It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer” - Albert Einstein. ? - The President of the University Arkansas told incoming students, “In my experience, the most successful students are not necessary the ones with the highest SAT/ACT scores. The most successful students are persistent and endure until they solve, resolve or succeed.” (Paraphrased based on my memory of the engagement)

Favorite book: “Just Listen” - Mark Goulston. Not because I am a good listener - because I need all the advice I can get in this area.

Favorite Athlete: Rich Role (Speaker and Author of “Finding Ultra”). He inspired me to get off the couch and run my first 50k ultramarathon in 2015 and these lessons helped me complete 100 mile Blackbeard’s Revenge in 2022 (Coming in 2024 FLFeMan4EODWF - giddy up)

Favorite Foot Race: The Mohican Trail 100 Mile Run, often referred to as the MO100, Loudonville, OH (Completed the 50M in 2017, attempted 100M in 2019 and 2021 - Still after the 100M "Last of the Mohican" title).

Favorite nutrition: Brazilian acai bowl with coconut, granola and peanut butter. It takes good stuff inside to make good stuff outside.

Favorite Charities:

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warrior Foundation (EODWF) who serve the EOD Warriors and their families EOD Warrior Foundation – EOD Warrior Foundation

RIP shipmates:

GMC (EOD) Joey Hendricks (1961 - 1995)

EODC Patrick L. Wade (1969 - 2007) KIA

HTCS "Bo" Treadway, Jr., (1961 - 1997)

SK1 Glenn "Tripp" Darrow (1962 - 1995)

EN1 Freddy Flinchbaugh (1969 - 2001)

EODC Joey O’Toole (1965 - 2010)

EODCM John P. Siegel (1965 - 2012)

EOD AO1 Spencer Nelson (1960 - 2014)

CDR Kevin P. Childre (1961 -2015)

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of injured and disabled military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities DONATE - Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing

K9s For Warriors provides highly-trained Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma K9s For Warriors - Service Dogs for Disabled Veterans

Special Thanks to Brooks Running who are terrific supporters of thier products and I love running in my Ghost 15 shoes - Thank you my soul is impacted by your sole. Shop Brooks at brooksrunning.com/en_us

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