Reason #23 we should go to Thailand: We are athletic

It should come as no surprise that I love athletics. I've coached wrestling at the scholastic level in three different states, and I study sports now as a graduate student at Northern Illinois University. After serving as a head coach in Louisville, I took an assistant position last fall with a small private Catholic school in Illinois. As the assistant coach in charge of, let's call it motivation, it was my responsibility to make sure the wrestlers practiced the way we want them to. I'm leading the guys in something called a Hindu push up, a nasty little exercise I picked up from my friends in combat sports and professional wrestling. (long story) It's a yoga move used in ancient Indian wrestling and has found practice in combat sports like the UFC and Gracie jiujitsu.

It's because of that flexibility and balance that powerlifting has come so easily for me. Don't get me wrong, there's some differences from strong man, which I used to compete in, that are now old habits I have to break. That's been the hardest part of the transition.

Amber has been doing yoga and pilates for a number of years. She also rides her bike to school on a near daily basis, and has gone roller blading with me on my Trikke for miles at a time on the Cardinal Greenway in Indiana and in various parks in Illinois. Amber's Wii Fit let's her run around a virtual island, do step aerobics, or even tackle a fierce, (and I do mean fierce!), boxing workout.

But why is this blog about why Amber and I are athletic? Well beyond speaking about our physical prowess (c'mon, we're not that vain...), I wanted to talk about how Ambi and I are ready for any physical challenge that may come our way in Thailand. Climb 309 steps to reach the pagodas at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep? No problem. Hiking to take the eco-friendly zipline tour, Flight of the Gibbon? Cannot wait! Carrying 80 lb. for days filled with smelly clothes and gifts for the peeps back home? Bring it on!

Chiang Mai has lots to do and we're a couple who'll be ready to rise early, backpack all day while visiting the sites, and be ready to do it all over again the next day. We look forward to showing you all that Chiang Mai has to offer and we're physically fit to do it!