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 hear from Hank Stamm!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself to get us started.
A: Hank (F3 Bloomer) Stamm, 41, Kalamazoo, MI. Wife, Tamra, kids Henry, 10, Lily, 8. Youth Pastor. I like long walks on cool dark nights, hydro-PT, lifting heavy things and putting them back down.
Q: Where did your GORUCK journey start? What was your first event? What stands out from that event?
A: Grand Rapids, MI 7 June 2015, Light. I remember being the only one to do a buddy carry to get us out of a “danger zone” Cadre Bruce had declared we were in. There were 8 of us in the class. Lots of litter carries and some fun rope work & “stick & rags” medicine.
Q: What was your most recent event or events. What would you like to tell us about it / them?
A: 2019 9/11 Light in Grand Rapids. Before that the Extortion Heavy in Detroit, August 2019.
Q: Favorite Ruck?
A: 2019 Wolf Grey Rucker 20L for training/events. 2016 Black GR1 26L for EDC.
Q: Proudest accomplishment as a GRT?
A: Sleepy Hollow Heavy; Semi Custom Heavy in 2017 with Roony & Cadre Dan
Q: How many events have you done? What’s your favorite event or type of event? Why?
A: 13, or 14? Favorite event was JEDBURGH 012, favorite type is Heavy events.
Q: Why do you continue to do events? What keeps you coming back?
A: The People
Q: How do you train for events?
A: SOFLETE Stamina Team & PATHFINDER Ruck Training
Q: Best Rucking and / or GORUCK event advice you have gotten?
A: Hydrate or die-drake.
Q: Other than packing list items, what is a must have in your ruck for events?
A: Sillcock Key
Q: A book or a few that have impacted your life? Why?
A: Natural Born Heroes great story and training philosophy! Man’s Search for Meaning, find your WHY!
Q: What other hobbies do you have?
A: Lifting, reading and gardening.
Q: What’s the best purchase under $100 you’ve made in the past 12 months.
A: SOFLETE training subscription, or Hawaiian Tropic Sport SPF 15 Sunscreen Lotion?
Q: How has rucking changed or improved your life?
A: I’ve gotten healthier & discovered F3
Q: How do you recruit new people to ruck, or do events with you?
A: Convince them to drive me since I’m blind and can’t drive myself.
Q: Best beer to drink after a ruck?
A: Distant Whistle yeti tracker Stout
Q: Advice you would give to someone before their 1st Light?
A: Smile and have fun
Q: Advice you’d give to someone before their 1st Tough?
A: Smile and have fun
Q: If you get overwhelmed during an event how do you refocus on the task at hand?
A: Don’t stop to think just do what the cadre tells you.
Q: What’s the next event or events on your calendar?
A: No idea we’ll see what’s happening with Covid throughout the area.
Q: Any parting shots? Things the community needs to know?
A: Smile have fun, you paid for an experience you’re getting an experience.
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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