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 Troy Diggs!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself to get us started.
A: My name is Troy Diggs. I am 36 years old. I am just a regular dude who is trying to get better every day. I’m from Mattapan, MA (City of Boston). I moved to Tallahassee, FL for college (Florida A&M) in 2002 and have lived here ever since. I have a wife, Stephanie, and two children, Abigail and Gabriel. We also have a Jack Russell mixed dog, Baxter. I’m a member of the Tallahassee Ruck Crew.
Q: Where did your GORUCK journey start? What was your first event? What stands out from that event?
A: My first event was in 2014. It was the GORUCK Light Class #187. A buddy’s sister signed him up for the Light as a gift, and he asked me to do it with him. At the time, I had never heard of GORUCK, so I thought I would give it a shot. It was a really cool event. I remember using bricks for weight. Good times.
Q: What was your most recent event or events. What would you like to tell us about it / them?
A: A few weeks ago, I completed my first 9/11 Tough/Light/15K Star. It was my first Tough since getting Rhabdo in 2018. I was a much better teammate this time around. It was a 9/11 event so there were a lot of stairs, but we got through it. We also didn’t have to make any trips to the ER and my pee was yellow! It was a win!
The next events for me are the Operation Just Cause TL, Santa Light, and 10-Year Anniversary Tough. Also preparing for the Trailblazers HTL in Houston in February 2021.
Q: Favorite Ruck?
A: I like the 25L Rucker 2.0.
Q: Proudest accomplishment as a GRT?
A: I think I would say completing my first Tough in 2018 was my proudest accomplishment as a GRT. I learned so many lessons through the entire experience. I put myself in a bad spot by not adequately training for the event. Actually, it was a pretty stupid move. However, if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change anything. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Some lessons are better received through experience.
A buddy of mine invited me to sign-up for the Operation Red Wings Tough. Since I had previously completed a Light in 2014 I figured I could do it. Without proper planning, time got away from me and I failed to train for the event. I thought I could wing it and it nearly caused serious harm to my body.
We were only two miles into the event and I was struggling. My teammates were already carrying my ruck. It was pretty pitiful. When Cadre Dustin looked back and saw me without my ruck, he called me up to the front to have a conversation. He glanced at his watch and told me, “We’re only two miles into this thing and you’re already sucking wind. You better dig deep within yourself and pull through it or else I am going to medically drop you.” I received the message loud and clear. I wasn’t going to quit this day. There had been too many events that I registered for and backed out of due to fear or lack of training. I needed to prove to myself that I could overcome adversity and actually accomplish something that was hard. With the help of my teammates, I managed to get through it. I earned the patch. I overcame the mental hurdle and pushed through. It was that moment that I realized how powerful the mind really is. After the event, I was in so much pain. I assumed the soreness was due to the fact that I wasn’t in the proper shape. I didn’t really think anything of it. I used the rest room and after going number 1, I noticed it was dark brown. This didn’t raise any flags since I had just completed a 12 hour event for the first time and I assumed I was really dehydrated. I went home, drank plenty of fluids and took an Epsom salt bath. It didn’t help. I was still in significant pain and I used the bathroom again and it was still dark brown. I decided it would probably be best to see a doctor. I drove myself to the ER since I did not want my wife waking up our young kids in the middle of the night just to sit around the ER waiting room. It turns out I had severe Rhabdomyolysis. My CK (Creatine Kinase) Total was 189,000 U/L. A normal range is around 40-200 U/L. I was admitted to the hospital and spent the next 2.5 days in a hospital bed questioning my life decisions. Fortunately, my body recovered over the next several months, and I did not suffer any long term damage.
I take complete ownership for my lack of preparation. Thankfully, I had amazing teammates who helped get through the event. Had it not been for their encouragement and support, there’s no way I would have been able to finish. From that moment forward, I never want to put myself in that position, again. I never want to be a bad teammate. So now I train as hard as I can, and as often as I can.
Q: How many events have you done? What’s your favorite event or type of event? Why?
A: I’ve done 11 events so far. I really enjoy the Santa Light events. I like how it’s a family event and my kids are able to participate. My kids are ages 3 and 5. It’s fun seeing them out there earning their patches.
Q: Why do you continue to do events? What keeps you coming back?
A: I love the team aspect. GORUCK events bring folks from different walks of life together to achieve a common goal. Each event is a different experience based on the assigned Cadre. Some Cadre prefer a lot of PT, others prefer a lot of rucking. The unknown keeps you honest with your training and helps identify your weaknesses. Regardless of how much you train, no one is perfect at everything. That’s when the team comes into play. Your buddy is there to lift you up when you stumble and vice versa.
Q: How do you train for events?
A: The programs that have helped me the most are Heavy Drop Training (HDT), Ruck Strong, and PATHFINDER. These three programs are well run and legit.
Q: Best Rucking and / or GORUCK event advice you have gotten?
A: Never drop the flag during an event!
Q: Other than packing list items, what is a must have in your ruck for events?
A: I try to limit my sweets, but during the last Tough we stopped at a gas station on a break. I bought some Laffy Taffy Laff Bites. Oh my goodness! Those things hit the spot. LOL. I will have a bag of those candies in my ruck during events going forward!
Q: A book or a few that have impacted your life? Why?
A: Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. Goggins is a beast. Here’s a guy who had plenty of opportunities to feel bad about himself. Instead, he decided to overcome the obstacles and became really successful. His “never-quit” attitude is inspiring. I try to apply that philosophy to my life. I’m still a work in progress in many areas, but I think we are heading in the right direction.
Q: What other hobbies do you have?
A: I enjoy watching football, weightlifting, and spending time with my wife and kids.
Q: What’s the best purchase under $100 you’ve made in the past 12 months.
A: I bought my nephew a Miles Morales Spider Man costume from Amazon. I think it was around $20. He’s six. He told me it was the best gift ever. So that makes it my best purchase of the year
Q: How has rucking changed or improved your life?
A: I weighed 326lbs in 2019. Rucking was pretty much the only exercise I could do at the time. I set a goal to ruck at least five miles everyday day for an entire month. It was hard work, but I managed to complete the goal. I picked up the habit and never stopped rucking. I eventually cleaned up my diet and lost a little over 60lbs. It’s a good feeling when the weight starts dropping and the body changes. I’m able to ruck longer distances at a faster pace. It’s still a long road ahead until I reach my ultimate goal, but I am enjoying the process. Rucking has definitely improved my life for the better.
Q: How do you recruit new people to ruck, or do events with you?
A: Most of my friends outside of the rucking community think I’m crazy for walking around and carrying a bunch of weight. They don’t want any parts of rucking.
Q: Best beer to drink after a ruck?
A: I don’t drink alcohol that often. However, when I do, I prefer Yuengling.
Q: Advice you would give to someone before their 1st Light?
A: Don’t let the name fool you. Light doesn’t mean easy. Train hard.
Q: Advice you’d give to someone before their 1st Tough?
A: Don’t get Rhabdo. It sucks! Train hard. Be a good teammate.
Q: If you get overwhelmed during an event how do you refocus on the task at hand?
A: Head games are real. When I get overwhelmed during an event, I take a deep breath and speak words of encouragement to myself. Sometimes they’re comforting words like, “You’ve got this!” or “You can do it!” Other times I tell myself to “stop being a little b###H and get back to work!” Motivation comes in different forms.
Q: What’s the next event or events on your calendar?
A: I have my first Heavy down in Tampa. The Cadre Reunion Tough/Light in Jacksonville Beach and the Veteran’s Day Tough/Light here in Tallahassee. Looking forward to a good time.
Q: Any parting shots? Things the community needs to know?
A: Life is short. Enjoy every minute of it while you still have the ability to do so.
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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