Ruck BEAST Squad features interviews with members of the community to highlight their lives, training, gear, and insight. Hopefully as you read through this you’ll be able to take away advice that will help you train better and perform better that upcoming events. In this issue of Ruck BEAST Squad we get to know Brian King.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself to get us started.
A: I am a married father of two boys, 21 and 14. I do PR and grant management for the local prosecutor’s office as well as several different side hustles. Most folks in the rucking community know me through PATHFINDER Ruck Training or my morale patch business, Pro Patch Shop. I also do digital marketing consultation and occasionally still do some electrical work.
Q: Where did your GORUCK journey start? What was your first event? What stands out from that event?
A: My GORUCK journey started almost by accident. I was looking for a challenge after completing a Spartan Sprint and found GORUCK purely by accident. That was in 2013. Signed up for the 9/11 event that fall and haven’t looked back. What stands out the most from back then was the pure terror I felt because there was literally no information about GORUCK back then. We had no idea what we were in for and what the night would hold. I get the same butterflies before every event.
Q: What was your most recent event or events. What would you like to tell us about it / them?
A: My most recent event was the Operation Anaconda Tough in Athens with Cadre Pog. It was a small team of great folks — my favorite type of event!
Q: Favorite Ruck?
A: Ranger Green Rucker 2.0 – It is my event ruck. I also love my java rucker!
Q: Proudest accomplishment as a GRT?
A: Jax Beach 50 miler
Q: How many events have you done? What’s your favorite event or type of event? Why?
A: I am not one of those who has kept a count of every event. I have even lost many of my patches. But, I think the number is probably around 20. I usually associate them with where we were and who else was there.
Q: Why do you continue to do events? What keeps you coming back?
A: I keep learning about myself. The more that gets revealed, the more addicted I become.
Q: How do you train for events?
A: I add events in to focus my training. I like to always be ready to do a Tough event and I pretty much stay that way year-round. During times leading up to Star Course type events, I add in more miles and leading up to standard events, I add in more PT. I am a Course Adviser for PATHFINDER Ruck Training and I train with every class so it makes it easy to stay trained up all the time!
Q: Best Rucking and / or GORUCK event advice you have gotten?
A: Keep your eyes up, head down, and keep doing the next right thing. Turns out, that is pretty good life advice.
Q: Other than packing list items, what is a must have in your ruck for events?
A: Water key. Never, ever go on a ruck without a water key. And some wet wipes. No one wants to ruin those expensive Darn Tough socks if nature calls.
Q: A book or a few that have impacted your life? Why?
A: There really have been so many books that have impacted me. “Ahead of the Game” by Pat Williams taught me to have a passion for distinction. “The Heart and the Fist” by Eric Greitens taught me what it really meant to be courageous. “Freed to Lead” taught me to break molds and seek to be a disruptive leader. “Getting Things Done” taught me to be efficient and intentional with my time. “Unbeatable Mind” helped me let go of some old demons and learn to refocus my life. There are many more books that I could add to this list. Reading is quickly becoming a lost art.
Q: What other hobbies do you have?
A: I enjoy just about anything outdoors and I love to read. I also enjoy basketball and still played recreational until last summer. I mostly just get railroaded in the driveway by the boys when they get bored enough to take on the old man. I can no longer routinely beat either one of them.
Q: What’s the best purchase under $100 you’ve made in the past 12 months.
A: This is a tie between every Echo Dot I have purchased and my GORUCK MACV-1s.
Q: How has rucking changed or improved your life?
A: Rucking has allowed me to learn more about myself than I ever thought possible. It has also helped me get rid of a lot of social awkwardness and become more outgoing and confident in myself as I operate in the world. Without rucking and the fellowship that it fosters I doubt I would be where I am today.
Q: How do you recruit new people to ruck, or do events with you?
A: I just badger them until they cave in. “It’s just walking with a backpack…”
Q: Best beer to drink after a ruck?
A: Hopsecutioner from Terrapin down in Athens. We actually had to ruck past the Terrapin brewery during the Tough in Athens. That was torture.
Q: Advice you would give to someone before their 1st Light?
A: This is fun. Let it be fun.
Q: Advice you’d give to someone before their 1st Tough?
A: This is fun. Let it be fun. Pay attention to your thoughts at all times. This will not only help you during the event, but it will also help you apply what you learn at the event to your everyday life.
Q: If you get overwhelmed during an event how do you refocus on the task at hand?
A: Do something for someone else. Immediately.
Q: Any parting shots? Things the community needs to know?
A: The only thing firm on the calendar is a return to Jax Beach for another 50-miler. Still have a Tough credit out there, but I am not thrilled about the requirement to have 30 people minimum at an event. My favorite events are all small events.(Authors Note: Brian does a lot of patches for ruck clubs, reach out to him for awesome patch help).
If you know someone (or are someone) who would be a good fit for an upcoming episode of Ruck BEAST Squad please reach out to Derek Hill (derekhill1 AT gmail DOT com).
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