Charity Water

At AG, we’re always looking for ways for people to give back through sport. Charity water just launched this inspiring campaign and one of the calls to action is raising money through an athletic event.

Check it

4 Love of the Game

Sports are a great way to help people back to their feet, build self confidence or give them a goal to focus on. They are more than games, they are life lessons.

4 Love of the Game is a great organization helping Native American youth by getting them into sports.

“4 Love of the Game is a non profit organization (501c3 pending) established in 2005 by four Native American men with a desire to create opportunities and avenues for Native American youth that combat the rash of suicides, depression, juvenile diabetes, school dropouts and drug/alcohol abuse that has become an epidemic among Native American communities throughout the United States.”

Check out their website http://www.4loveofthegame.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=3

NAU FD

I never intended this blog to be about me or promote my efforts but this seemed pretty fitting. We have posted about the NAU grant for change before and recently someone nominated First Descents for the grant so I am shamelessly asking for your vote to help raise money for First Descents.

Here’s the link. Thanks for your support! http://www.nau.com/collective/grant-for-change/brad-ludden-721.html

Brian Boyle Part 2

After posting the story about Brian Boyle recently, a good friend sent me a story she had written about him. Reading it reiterated how truly inspiring he is. Please read:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=clemmons/0811107

Performance

Ever since Andy Samberg came out with his hit video, “I’m on a Boat” it seems like everyone is making a mock rap video these days and athletes are no different. If this doesn’t get you out of your seat and onto your bike, I don’t know what will!

another one from the ski industry

The edge of never.

I just got a chance to see this one.

It is amazing!

There is a better trailer and a link to buy the book, click here
It is a great inspiring story!

Iron Heart

We have said it before but it’s always worth mentioning again, “Sometimes the best thing an athlete can give us is a little inspiration.” I would argue that Brian Boyle has given a bit more than “a little” inspiration. His story is recapped below and can be read in detail in his book, Iron Heart.

After a near fatal car accident in July 2004, doctors weren’t sure Brian Boyle would ever walk and talk again, much less regain consciousness. Thirty-nine months later, he was crossing the finish line at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. The Welcome, Md.-native had just graduated from high school when a dump truck collided into him after he was driving home from a swim practice. The then-18-year-old Boyle suffered massive internal injuries and lost 60 percent of his blood. He died and was revived eight times on the operating table before doctors put him into a drug-induced coma. Over the following months and years, Boyle rebuilt his body, his mind and his life. He got into St. Mary’s College, competed on the swim team and ultimately fulfilled a childhood dream of completing an Ironman in 2007. Boyle recounts his incredible journey in an upcoming memoir, Iron Heart, which is scheduled for release this fall, and on his blog at Brianboyle.wordpress.com.

Got Heart?

I read a story on CNN today and it’s one of the more inspiring athletic stories I have read in a long time. After surviving cancer a few times, Kyle Garlett was faced with the realization that he had to face secondary leukemia as a result of his treatment for previous cancer. After 3 more years of chemo, he then faced the reality that he needed a new heart because his had been weakened from his treatment and after several years on a waiting list, he received one. Most people would have considered themselves lucky and taken a break but not Kyle, he decided to push himself and complete an Ironman with his new heart to raise awareness for organ donation.

Check out his story HERE

Ode’s Intelligent Optimists

If people/athletes are doing the right thing for the right reasons then they aren’t doing it to be famous. Thus, they often go unnoticed. At AG we have always tried to promote the not so famous athlete who is doing amazing things. Ode Magazine is making a similar push with its Intelligent Optimists issue. Here’s the scoop-

Ode Magazine is launching “its first annual Intelligent Optimists Issue where we will feature people who are not famous yet but should be because of the work they are doing to bring positive change to their communities, their countries, and the world. As part of this special issue, we would like to hear your nominations, too: tales of ordinary people who do extraordinary things.”

Just write in to nominate someone by writing a few lines to explain who they are and why their work is special.

Click HERE

Mental Karate

I think most people would agree that being an athlete is largely mental. Sure, it helps to have the right body for the job but without the right head on the body, you’re not going to get anywhere.

Mawi Asgedom knows all about overcoming mental obstacles. He made it from a Sudanese refugee camp to Harvard. Because of his experiences, he wanted to give back and started “Mental Karate where character has just one metric: Action. Mental Karate take students on a challenging journey, where students progress by applying five proven principles: Initiative, Discipline, Contribution, Courage, and Awareness.”

To learn more about his inspiring story or his foundation, click HERE