My Backstory:
How A Former Couch Potato Became An Ultra Endurance Athlete, Life Coach And Entrepreneur
Photo Courtesy of Todd Straka
I am passionate about inspiring people to build their own best bodies and lives through endurance sports and outdoor adventure because that’s exactly how I have been able to realize my own dreams. At age 30, after over a decade of high stress and poor lifestyle choices, my body and mind broke. On my path towards healing, I discovered the natural methods of exercise, nutrition, and stress reduction. Additionally, I began running to lose my excess 50lbs and soon realized I was feeling better physically and emotionally than I ever had. With this newfound energy, I started testing my limits in endurance events, running from local 5ks up to marathons and finally to ULTRA endurance events. Along the way, I helped build a community of people who were also looking to play hard and dream big; that is when I knew I was finally home… within my own life.
Proud Momma moment here with my son Forrester at the finish of IM 70.3 California.
This complete life remodel also empowered me to switch gears professionally. I became a Certified Race Director, Personal Trainer and Endurance Coach to help others find the same life-changing satisfaction from endurance sports and outdoor adventure that I had! I took my career full of experience in business and marketing and then translated that into new entrepreneurial ventures, including founding Race SLO, a nationally recognized endurance sports event production company, and launching EnduranceTown USA, a podcast and blog devoted to human storytelling around the endurance lifestyle.
Now, with over 20+ years of hard-earned experience in the sports and outdoor industry, I am doubling down on investing in humans. I believe that all humans have value and untapped potential. By using endurance sports and outdoor adventure as tools for change, we can move past our limiting beliefs and create our best possible bodies and lives. There is no better time than now to start towards that life, that business, that body. Better humans build better communities, and better communities create a better world.
Let’s do this… - Coach Sam
Awards & Honors
Such an incredible honor to be presented with this award. Photo courtesy of the California Military Department.
California Commendation Medal 2017
Presented by the California Military Department, the California Commendation Medal is the highest award that a civilian can receive. It is presented for meritorious service to one’s community and I was the proud recipient of this distinguished honor in 2017.
I was humbly awarded this medal for my work in creating, managing and sponsoring the Grizzly Youth Academy's Run Club at Camp San Luis Obispo for challenged teens. Over the course of the last seven years I have trained, mentored and sponsored over 600 teen runners from zero to their first half marathon. Teaching emotional fitness, physical health and personal life empowerment to our next generation of young leaders is my passion.
Running USA 'Youth Program and Coach of the Year’ 2017
Presented by the National Organization RUNNING USA, I was honored by my industry peers with a $10,000 award towards my run program for challenged youth at The Grizzly Youth Academy within The California Military Department- National Gaurd. Myself and my peers care deeply about the next generation of not just runners, but humans. By investing in these young people and people who are struggling with drugs, alcohol, depression and anxiety we can use running as a tool for transformation.