The Warrior Poet....

If you have been following the remarkable John Blais, then you are familiar with his war against ALS. This inspirational and magnificent man completed the Hawaii Ironman in 2005, and I had the privilege of seeing him on stage at the Clearwater 70.3 race. The 70.3 World Championships. John's fight and his legacy have brought many people log rolling across finish lines all over the world.

One of our athletes, Philip Clark (who sang the National Anthem at 70.3 world champs) is raising money for the Blazeman, as he is known as. Philip shared some sad news this morning. The Blazeman has slipped into the final stages of ALS and it is expected he will pass away within the month.

If you have ever stopped by his website, then you have been inspired by his words. This man could have crumbled up and died. But he did the opposite. He did the Ironman which was for many of us, living life to the fullest. He not only brought attention to the win less war on ALS but he has inspired the entire world.

So this morning when I am out on my 18 mile run I will pray. And I will pray for his safe passage to the world beyond. I will pray for his pain to end peacefully, I will pray that he will leave this world knowing how much he touched out hearts.

This was written by him and I think this says it all. We love you John. I am honored to have been touched by your life.

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams or for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your motion. I want to know if you have touched the center of your sorrow. If you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and close from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fit it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with the wildness and let the "Meatheadedness" fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling is true.

I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not there everyday, and if you can source your life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still shout stand on the edges of a lake, river or mountain and shout to the silver of the full moon.

Yes! I'm a Meathead...


It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for someone you love.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and truly like the company you keep in the empty moments of your life and still remember me...

Your friend, Blazeman