It was a hot, sun splashed day as one of Michigan’s premiere attractions for winter fun became the palate for fitness enthusiasts from near and far.  It was honestly, the size and scope of an event that I didn’t even imagine…on par with some of the largest events I have seen anywhere and the energy level was so high the excitement filled every corner of the vast property at Cannonsburg Ski Area.  The Spartan event was in town, and through a partnership with Michigan State, the Fitness Finders Mileage Club got their kids in to participate and see just how much they CAN do at any age! 

You’ll see in the videos today, that this course is set up for the warriors.  It’s accommodating enough for all fitness levels, but the true Spartan races, some even tour with the series are not hard to spot.  These are the people who’s dedication and commitment to strength and fitness are first daily.  The 4a wake up people who budget the time to make it happen.  We see ya out there…incredible.  For kids, the course is equally challenging, but having a much smaller frame and weight as a kid, plus probably some more recent time on outdoor equipment, brings down the amount of weight that it takes to compete, but not the determination.  It’s that determination that the Fitness Finders Mileage Club works to instill in children to help them carry on that into their daily lives, by participating in something this challenging at an early age.

To get kids into a mindset of self belief.  It’s hard today.  When we were younger, the pressures were there, they were just a little different.  I’ll give you a personal example.  In the 7th grade, I took one shot, one time, bricked it.  My friends mom stood up and SCREAMED that I finally took the shot, but it only piled on the embarrassment of the miss.  In no way did she mean it to, but that’s what it was.  I still fear failing today.  Today, take a minimal fear like that, and add in instant world connectivity.  Imagine that moment of me….missing the one shot I took, one time…going viral?  Kids live under an excruciating amount of pressure.  Break that cycle.  Let them achieve.

That’s the goal of Fitness Finders.  Give kids a way to achieve with an incentive program that they can easily track, see their personal progress and then take that nugget and apply it to life.  Have a hard time on the test?  Remember that giant wall you climbed?  You did it!  Think it’s going to be hard to get your drivers license?  You’ve run that Spartan race how many years?  Are you sneaking up on kids with empowerment?  Maybe.  If it works, gets them out of the house, up off the couch and staying physically fit…and sets a tone for their life…sneak up.

Fitness Finders and the Mileage Club is looking to expand their reach into other schools and markets across Michigan.  From their website – “Fitness Finders® was founded in Spring Arbor, MI over 40 years ago by Dr. Charles and Beth Kuntzleman as part of their lifelong mission to improve the health and fitness of young people. With a relentless passion for wellness and the importance of physical education in schools, Charlie and Beth created a company intent on empowering children to make positive choices.”  Who wouldn’t want that in their school?  Scott Sundberg is the contact to get ahold of to learn more about bringing this purpose into your school or organization.  He can also help if you’d like to make a donation to the cause.

As you’ll see and hear in our two videos covering the Saturday events, and something that echoes to the core of all we do…kids are the future.  Building them to be strong, healthy and filled with self confidence is a difficult endeavor.  It doesn’t have to be done alone and with programs like Fitness Finders partnering with Spartan Racing…kids can see that anything is possible.  Yes, that does add in not only the confidence….but keeps the “I CAN” brain active instead of “I CAN’T”.