About Thunder Challenge
Rusty – Zeus
As CEO and founder of Thunder Challenge, Rusty leads the company’s strategic planning and corporate vision, drives the company’s direction and positioning, identifies and secures funding/revenue sources, and generates awareness of Thunder Challenge among potential partners and industry analysts. Rusty, a former Blackhawk combat helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army, is well regarded and networked in the business and Veteran communities. Prior to founding Thunder Challenge, Rusty worked in the private business sector in business development and founded the Colorado Vet- Net and the Winged Warriors, two organizations devoted to promoting and advancing U.S. Military Veterans. He lives near Boulder, Colorado with his twin nine-year old girls and is active in many sports and outdoor activities such as snowboarding, hockey, mountain biking, and various Crossfit events and competitions.
David – Poseidon
Being a U.S. Navy SEAL has a few advantages. All-inclusive ocean cruises to faraway lands are a fabulous and inexpensive way to see the world. Traveling expenses to a tropical paradise or remote desert oasis are also included. Gym memberships, exercise classes, dive trips, parachute jumps, and all the bullets you can shoot – they are all free. What a deal! As a SEAL combat veteran with two full years on the ground in Iraq, over 20 years of honorable service and 41 countries around the world, Poseidon discovered that getting his “arse” handed to him in Basic Underwater Demolitions / SEAL (BUD/S) Training with eight straight months of pain and misery was way more than worth it! WAY MORE!!
As the Ops Boss at THUNDER CHALLENGE, Poseidon’s mission is to bring you along for your own personal “out-of-your-mind, get-out-of-your-body” challenge and racing experience. Training has been his way of life for me for over 35 years, including high school and college sports, martial arts, several ½ Ironmans, 14,000’ peaks, and a smattering of road and adventure races between tours of duty as a Navy SEAL including several trips to the land of BOOM (Iraq). “Train Like You Fight” and “Run To The Battle” – you will learn those directives are more than just words. Poseidon truly believes that we all need to train and be ready. Ready to make a difference whenever we are called to action. You cannot do that being in the background, watching from the sidelines or waiting in the wings. You have to get ready and stay ready so you can be ready to step up and answer the call. Personal fortitude is everything. Poseidon has seen firsthand how hard our bodies can work and how far we can push ourselves. When you put it all on the line, pushing your body farther than you thought possible, your mind becomes the only obstacle you really need to overcome. Our THUNDER CHALLENGE racing events, our sense of community and our purpose for training are the best ways to help you find out what you are really made of so you can succeed in all you do.
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Glory! Anybody can do anything!!
Tough is really only the beginning!!!
Patrick – Hercules
Patrick joined the Marine Corps in March of 2000 as a Electronics Technician, but was quickly able to put his physical skills to use as an instructor of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). As a 2nd degree black belt Instructor Trainer – Staff Sergeant Burke trained and certified hundreds of marines in forward deployed areas and in the United States. After leaving active duty, Patrick has continued training Marines in MCMAP on reserve bases in Colorado and Kansas.
Patrick has always been interested in testing his own capability both physically and mentall. He has used his body as a testing ground for some of the most grueling, spirit-breaking workouts imaginable. His love for fitness and pushing the boundaries eventually led him to CrossFit. He was introduced to CrossFit in the Marine Corps and was immediately able to apply it to his training. As a Marine Martial Arts Instructor Trainer, Patrick knows the importance of real-world fitness and being able to operate at a high-level of physical performance while dealing with the stresses of life.
Patrick’s skills as a coach come from years spent as a student – continually studying and training in mixed martial arts, Olympic lifting, and competitive running. He instructs athletes of all ages and fitness levels in nutrition, fitness, and athletic conditioning. It is his sincere desire to pass on his love for fitness to everyone he meets.
Patricks accomplishments include:
- 2008 CrossFit Games 21st place
- 2009 CrossFit Games 8th place
- 2010 CrossFit Games 7th place
- 2011 CrossFit Games 13th place
Patrick, or “Hercules” as he is known around the office; is the man behind our obstacle course designs. We are very excited to have him on Team Thunder!
Christopher – Cronus
Deciding to not be a “Repo-Man” the rest of his life, Chris went in the recruiter’s office and said, “I wanna jump outta planes for a living”. The rest is history. Chris joined the ranks of an elite few that call S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) a brotherhood for life. Graduating as a S.E.R.E. Specialist from class 98-02, Chris fervently trained the Department of Defense’s (DoD) best and brightest in the critical and unforgiving methods of S.E.R.E. and Combat Rescue. He was part of cutting edge changes to the “Survivor’s” battlefield as the Air Force introduced the Hook-112 and later the Combat Survivor Evader Locator( CSEL) radio. As the battlespace of our enemy changes, Chris is at the front, instructing the latest in escape techniques and combative/self-defense strategies though MACP (Modern Army Combative Program). Chris is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and certified in CrossFit Kids. Chris has served six years active duty; two years in the Reserves and four years of military contracting in a multitude of S.E.R.E. related hostage/escape/tactical functions. Chris is a U. S. Air Force Test Parachutist, Airborne and Military Free Fall Jump Master. Chris was recently asked to help design and implement the U.S. Navy SEAL’s own High Risk of Isolation / S.E.R.E. course. Chris instructed the SEALs for a year before opening his new SolSurvivor training company. Chris’s 12 + years of S.E.R.E. expertise, coupled with the equal and even greater experienced Instructor Cadre make SolSurvivor an unstoppable force of professional grade training and education.
Christopher or “Cronus” has we like to call him is a valued member of our team; his experience with S.E.R.E training brings a unique set of skills and provides Thunder Challenge with some wild inspiration with every event! Look for him in our festival area.
“MAC”
MAC served 20 years in the US Army (AD/USAR/ARNG) as an Infantryman (NCO) and Infantry Officer. For the past 10 years MAC has been serving as a federal law enforcement officer assigned to several national security task forces in the Virginia area. MAC has also served as the Operations Agent for a Special Response Team (SRT) and a Tactical & Firearms Instructor. MAC presently a member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Tactical Strength & Conditioning (TSAC) team and believes strongly in the Tactical Athlete.
MAC is an avid mountain biker and loves riding the trails of the James River Park System. He welcomes you to Thunder Challenge and hopes to see you in Richmond, VA!