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 Adam Navin!
Adam designed the second iteration of the BEAST Squad logo. I invited him to be on the blog and then shortly after that the blog stalled out for a while. Adam, I’m sorry it took so long to share your story.
Tell us a little about yourself to get us started. (Name, Age, Location, Family, work, things you enjoy, whatever you want to tell the community)
I’m Adam “Reaper” Navin, age 38, stationed at The USF Academy. I am married with four kids and an active duty military officer and graphic designer hobbyist. When I can wrangle up some free time past my kids sports, I actively participate in rucking events either locally or organized and am a Highland Games Heavy Athlete.
Where did your rucking journey start? How did you get involved?
I have been actively rucking since 2002 when I first joined the military but as a hobby since 2010/2011 when I got my first GORUCK after hearing about a small group of SF soldiers who were running OCRs carrying a bag of bricks. As I was training to get into the SOF world, I put my name in the ring and ran a Spartan in Glen Rose Texas carrying the ruck with rifle and vest for the whole event. Then off and on doing my own personal workouts until finally deeply connecting with the rucking community in 2018 after returning from training and finding the Dayton Area Rucking Crew when it was featured on the GORUCK page.
How has rucking changed or improved your life?
Every time I get out to an event I physically get better because I try to push my limits just a bit more. I also get to become a better servant leader by helping out other individuals just starting or having a tough go at events.
Best Rucking advice you have received?
This isn’t for you (You are doing this for those that can no longer do it)
How do you recruit new people to ruck, or do events with you?
I really just try to answer as many questions as they have and pass along my passion about it. It really can be difficult to see the excitement when hearing about a 24hr event filled with miles and miles of coupons, but at the end of the day my love for it comes across. I always try to start them with a 5K star or a local event just to start the itch…
Advice you would give to someone just starting their rucking journey?
Question your abilities, what are you truly capable of? Test that, and I guarantee you can go farther.
Favorite beverage to drink after a ruck?
Typical answer beer, but really I get in the car and drink a chocolate milk.
How do you train? Why do you train the way you do?
Running, rucking, weightlifting, rugby, and any non-standard physical challenge. I like to be ready for the unexpected in life. Rarely does life ask what you are ready for before challenging you.
What was your first event? What stands out from that event?
First official event was the Cloverleaf Beta Assessment that Cadre DS ran. His paraphrased words were since you all are at this assessment let’s see if we can mimic that through a Cloverleaf….or something to the effect of we are just rucking three loops with a couple WODs attached….I had brought my son to this as his first event as well. Needless to say it was not a typical Cloverleaf.
How many events have you done? What’s your favorite event or type of event? Why?
Ooof do not even know off the top of my head. I really do enjoy all events, but I really like the ones where the person has a vested history in it such as Igor and the Day of the Ranger.
What was your most recent event or events. What would you like to tell us about it / them?
Most recent was the Pearl Harbor Tough. This was a cold and rainy night filled with a crap ton of coupons. The amount that signed up, of course did not show up, but the amount of coupons did not lessen. By the end of the event every person was carrying something if not more than one item. But the mantra of this is for us should have kicked in for everyone and you realize, there are people that died for us and will never get the opportunity to do something like this.
Why do you continue to do events? What keeps you coming back?
The community
If you get overwhelmed during an event how do you refocus on the task at hand?
Take stock of what you got, and what you need. Recalibrate your teammates and focus on pairing the veterans/hard chargers (not always the same person) with somebody who is hurting/struggling. Let them work together to complete this, small wins are huge for my ability to continue.
Advice you’d give to someone before their 1st Event? Or their next event, if it’s pushing them out of their comfort zone? It is exciting there are so many event types now, so you can tailor your advice here however you’d like.
Sign up. The first obstacle is making a rigid start point. Then start training on anything you can….if all you have is a flat track and no weights, the event may be difficult, but give it 100%, take a turn on the weight and support everyone and you will finish.
What’s the next event or events on your calendar that you are excited about?
I have a multitude of events coming up this summer in Colorado. Have had to pause events gearing up for this move and am excited about getting back out there where there seems to be less air.
Favorite Rucksack? Why?
Mine is truly the Original GR. I have had it over ten years multiple OCRs, deployments, life, and I let my son use it to get started. It almost confirms to my body now and has become such an integral part of me.
What are your must have items in your ruck? Events or otherwise.
Fresh socks, hydration packets, and my Goodwerks Fanny Pack (not technically in the ruck). I have always been a sucker for NutRucks but this one is pretty stellar.
Proudest fitness accomplishment? Rucking or Other? Why?
Hmmmm toughest fitness accomplishment was actually completing that first GR Spartan because in short it was supposed to be a simple 5K but about 12 miles later I realized nothing in this new world would be as stated.
A book or a few that have impacted your life? Why?
Not a Good Day to Die, Ranger School….really any factual military history book because you really start to understand how far a person can go for another. That is and always has been my fuel.
What’s the best purchase under $100 you’ve made in the past 12 months.
Ooooo that’s a tough one, but I would have to say the Darn Tough socks I got. They hold up extremely well and do help prevent your feet from becoming wet shredded wheat.
What other hobbies do you have?
I love working out in general, but rugby has been a passion since high school and I have played all over the world in different capacities. Before GORUCK a was a staple for connection, it was and always has been Rugby helping connect me to the community. Then in the past four years I picked up a pencil again to get better at my tattooing and somehow become a semi amateur graphic design hobbyist helping to turn peoples dream ideas into a tangible thing. I love almost every design I do, it always the customer on the back end…..
Any parting shots? Things the community needs to know?
Do not stop or get stagnant. Even if you can’t do an event, or GORUCK has pushed all your buttons and you want to turn away, fitness is a lifelong journey. Put foot to pavement at least 20min a day……..and connect with yourself. The rest will come and go, but you always need to be doing it for yourself to begin with, when times get difficult and you want to quit that is when you realize you aren’t doing it for you…..it is for those that cannot do anymore.
