The best views
come after the hardest climbs
"When we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work
and when we no longer know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey."
- Wendell Berry
Hi, I’m Brian. I live near St. Louis, Missouri with my wife. Our kids are grown and mostly on their own now so we are turning the page to a new chapter.
I’ve had a successful career in the Information Technology (I.T.) industry. I started as a computer technician and wide area network controller in the U.S. Army. I then earned a Bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems and became a software developer. Since then I’ve been a development team lead, project manager, program manager, and portfolio manager. I’ve earned a Master of Business Administration degree and started a few businesses along the way.
After years of neglecting my health I found myself overweight, diagnosed with sleep apnea, on high blood pressure and cholesterol meds, depressed, and not sure what my purpose was.
Then something clicked. I decided I didn’t want that to be my story. I turned my focus towards my mental and physical health.
“Back in the day”, I was “athletic” and had accomplished some pretty cool adventures, like rucking 100 miles in four days in the Nijmegan International Road Marches. I wanted to feel that again. I had something to prove to myself (and others).
I decided to tackle an epic 8-day wilderness backpacking trip with my oldest son. We hiked over 90 miles through the Southeast corner of Yellowstone. The area is known as the Thorofare and is one of the most remote areas in the lower 48 states. I was hooked and had found my passion again (although I didn’t know it then).
I’ve been on a wilderness backpacking trip every year since. Every Fall I set my sights on the next epic trip and that has kept me progressing on my fitness journey. I’ve been on four trips in Yellowstone National Park (literally sleeping amongst Grizzly), three trips in the Wind River Range of Wyoming (including an attempt of the Wind River High Route), and one trip in the Sawtooth Range of Idaho.
I’ve lost count of the 5k, 10k, and half marathons I’ve run. I tried being vegan for two and a half years. While that didn’t work for me, it certainly changed my relationship with food. My fitness journey hasn’t been easy (on me or my family), but the results make it worth it.
Today I’m about 75 pounds lighter, average blood pressure of 115/65 (with no medication), 185 cholesterol (with no medication), VO2 Max of 50, and just completed a marathon in 5 hours 8 minutes (it hurt). I’ve come a long way, but I have a long way to go. I’m speeding up, not slowing down.
My next big adventure is to walk The Camino de Santiago with my wife. We plan to complete 550 miles on a six week pilgrimage across Northern Spain.
My new mission in life is to help others get healthy. I’m currently studying to be a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I plan to combine my fitness and backpacking experience to help others get healthy in the outdoors. Over the past eight years I’ve helped family and friends plan, train for, and complete the backpacking adventures of their dreams. Now I’m going to scale it out.
I hope you will join me on my next mission!
