Selecting just one person from this list was tough. We asked you to share with us why you wanted to attend a GORUCK Challenge for free and we were blown away with the responses.
Photo Credit: Jason McCarthy
Congratulations Andrew Scibetta, you won an entry to a GORUCK Challenge of your choice! Send us an email and we’ll give you the details on claiming your prize.
Here’s what Andrew wrote:
I started becoming interested in adventure races when I discovered Tough Mudder a few years ago. When I saw that GORUCK started their own “team based,” Cadre ran challenge I knew I had to try it. I’ve wanted to join the community since I was 9 so it had my name all over it. Unfortunately, my health was slowly becoming an issue. I was eventually diagnosed with stage III Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a common cancer for young men like myself. At 22, I had deteriorated into a shell of what I was. One major symptom of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is drastic weight loss, and by the time treatment began I had lost nearly 80 pounds. I finished chemo in December of 2011, and have spent the last 8 months rebuilding my mind and body. I don’t know if I’m physically capable of finishing this challenge, but I’d rather pass out on the pavement than sit in this chair and wonder. Thanks guys.
We received so many great entries and truly appreciate all of you that took the time to share your story. Here are a few other responses that inspired us and we hope you find inspiration in them as well.
Andrea Piscopo:
Why should I attend a GRC? I am a 33 year old, Mother of 2, trying to work my way through my own demons — I have been in abusive relationships and use each challenge as a way to gain more self confidence emotionally. I hope one day that I can inspire other women (and men) to push through their struggles and not let their experiences define them but rather use those experiences as learning tools to where they WANT to be. I want my children to one day be proud of me for who I am and who I will become. I may not be the fastest, or strongest…but I can assure you, I have a giant heart and a lot of grit. THAT is why I should attend (and complete) a GRC and become GRT.
Kyle Stimpson:
compelling |kəmˈpeliNG|
adjective
evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way: Seeing since I don’t have any military background or a truckload of stories to share that can relate me to this type of challenge, this was the most creative way I could think of to be as compelling as needed. At the wonderful age of 27 I have just recently quit my job to pursue the career of my dreams and to provide the life my family deserves, but throughout all this I neglected to devote any time to myself and thats when I found myself 70lbs overweight and struggling with a variety of health issues. Over the last 60 days I have dedicated myself to living a Paleo Lifestyle and have started a regular workout regimen in a attempt to right the last 27 years of wrongs with regard to my health. So far I have dropped 30lbs and have never felt healthier. I have been eyeing the GORUCK Challenge for over a year and just gave up on the idea of me ever doing it, but now I know I have the drive, determination and motivation to make this happen for me finally and would honor the opportunity to prove to my family and most importantly myself that I am physically and mentally tough enough to reach my goals. Thanks to everyone at ITS Tactical for the inspiration and service you provide as it is greatly appreciated.
Eva Bigongiari:
Many times people let themselves be defined by the jobs that they do every day. I’m a self-employed personal trainer, but for the last 5 years my life has mainly been consumed by being a stay-at-home mom to my 5 year old and one year old daughters. These are relationships and responsibilities that I take very seriously. The daily tasks of motherhood are not rocket science or a special physical challenge, but getting them done day in and day out takes a certain degree of mental toughness. Unfortunately, that mental toughness is overlooked or completely devalued to the world at large. After 5 years of motherhood, I’ve lost my Bad Ass card in the eyes of many. I need to complete a GoRuck Challenge to show the world that I am one Tough Mother. No one sucks it up and drives on like a Mom. I need to complete a GoRuck Challenge to show my daughters that “lady” and “tough” can go together without diminishing the other. I need to complete a GoRuck Challenge to remind myself that, though my average day may not be physically demanding, I am capable of so much more. This is not just something I want to do, it’s something I NEED to do.I adapted a portion of the SEAL creed which I keep in my training journal: “…I will persevere and thrive on adversity. My FAMILY expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than the average woman. If knocked down, I will get back up every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my FAMILY…I am never out of the fight. I am a MOM.”
Thanks again to all those that entered. Even though we could only select one person to participate, we highly recommend everyone interested sign up for the GORUCK Challenge. Many of you will be tested like never before and will emerge transformed.
**UPDATE**
After reading the responses, GORUCK decided that more than one person deserved to attend a GORUCK Challenge. They changed the rules a bit and gave out free entries to the honorable mentions listed above.