BattleFrog Championship 2015

BattleFrog Championship 2015

Check out the 5 minute video recap that I made from the BattleFrog Championship 2015 event. The event was hosted at the Rock Springs Run State Preserve venue. I had an amazing day filming, running, coaching, motivating, and hanging out with my media and coach team. Huge thanks to Coach Amanda Nelson and Coach Gabby Campos for helping me with this video.

Take the Beachbody Meets OCR Challenge

BattleFrog Championship 2015 - Watch Video:

It was great seeing everyone at this event, and hope to see more of you at the next one. If you need some OCR motivation or would like some Free Online Coaching from me using Beachbody Fitness, feel free to connect with me. Ask me about my upcoming online challenges, you will love them!

Watch more videos here!

With Ryan Atkins and Lindsay Webster

With Corinna Coffin

Start a Fitness Journey - Free Coaching from me!

Miami Spartan Sprint | Vista View Park, Davie FL (2015)

Watch Video Below

Check out the Full Recap Video that I created along with my media partner and Mommy Coach Amanda Nelson. OCRTUBE.com is a not-for-profit and cause related media project that I started thanks to my Beachbody Coaching Business. Fully funded by my online fitness ventures, our purpose is to help the sport of obstacle course racing grow, and to raise awareness for our preferred charities. There is nothing better than having the ability to motivate and inspire someone to get off the couch, train for a race, do a race, all the while making a difference, is there really anything else?

Take the Beachbody Meets OCR Challenge

Enjoy the video, and feel free to connect with me here, or I'll see you at an upcoming race =)

Miami Spartan Sprint - Vista View Park, Davie FL - 2015

Watch More OCR Video here - Don't forget to share! =)

See you at the next race! 

Train for the next race, choose your own Challenge - Free Coaching by me!

BattleFrog Series Miami - November 2015

Full Race Video Below

I believe that this was the first time that I have ever filmed a BattleFrog Obstacle Race with near perfect weather! It was just beautiful during the event!

The fast Miami course was not as intense as the Atlanta event a few weeks before, and with only one Platinum Rig, it's probably a good thing since the BattleFrog Championships are just around the corner. Some of the athletes who placed at the Miami event were at last week's World's Toughest Mudder, which to me is pretty insane.

With 3rd Place Female - Corinna Coffin

With Team Dynasty OCR

Take the Beachbody Meets OCR Challenge - Click here!

With KK Paul - 1st Place Female

With Ken Corigliano - 1st Overall

The BattleFrog Series Miami was hosted at Amelia Earhart Park, and the again, you couldn't ask for more perfect weather! Enjoy the video that I created, and I hope to see you at the next race!

BattleFrog Series Miami - November 2015

More Obstacle Course Racing Videos - OCRTUBE.com

Take your OCR Training to the next level with the Beachbody Performance Line:

BattleFrog Series Atlanta - Fall 2015

Goofing off after a full extreme day of filming and running

Tallapoosa, Georgia? Do you mean Tallahassee, Florida? HA HA, that's exactly what I said when I found out that the BattleFrog Atlanta event was not actually in Atlanta, but over an hour away from the city. At any rate, the Foxwoods venue in Tallapoosa was the perfect setting for a butt-kicking good time! WATCH VIDEO BELOW

The guys who make BattleFrog Series one of the Top OCR Races in the World

Take the Beachbody Meets OCR Challenge

I was there filming for my Not-For-Profit media project OCRTUBE.com along with my fellow partner in crime, and Beachbody Coach Amanda Nelson. We had an absolute blast chasing some of the BEST athletes in the world. We took full advantage of our Beachbody Performance HYDRATE to ensure that we could last all day, and trust me, we KILLED some RECOVER soon after, well.....after we took a shower at a truck stop lol. That's how you get the MUD off when you travel from race to race. Ok, maybe you don't understand ha ha, so maybe just enjoy this beautiful bean footage from this amazing, but brutal OCR event.

OCRTUBE.com

"For the Growth of the Sport"

BattleFrog Series Atlanta - Fall 2015 - Foxwoods: Tallapoosa, Georgia

Beachbody Performance for Athletes

The Beachbody Meets OCR Online Challenge

The Beachbody Meets OCR Online Challenge is quite simple. The goal is to help anyone, with any fitness level train and prepare for an obstacle course race (OCR) using Beachbody Fitness and Nutrition.

"I have raced with, filmed, and interviewed the best in OCR"

OCR People Are Awesome

More OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) Videos - Click here!

What makes this different from any other program?
Let's face it, there are plenty of workouts and OCR training programs out there, it's all about finding a program that works best for you, and is catered to your level of fitness and goals. I can help you with that. When you take on the challenge, you will also have the opportunity to GIVE BACK to charities such as Hope for the Warriors, Operation Enduring Warrior, and other charities (you choose who you would like to give back to). When you purchase a Beachbody Challenge Pack from me, partial proceeds will benefit the charity of your choice.

"Our Focus is to help people train for a race, stay active, and give back to the community"

Hope for the Warriors 

What are some of the Beachbody Challenge Programs?
Beachbody offers plenty of workout programs complete with exercises, fitness and nutrition guides, and the most important piece of the puzzle, Shakeology Nutrition. Some of the most popular Beachbody Challenges that are used for OCR are: P90X (there are plenty of P90X varieties), Insanity, Insanity Asylum, Body Beast, Max 30, and PIYO just to name a few. We encourage all challengers to incorporate some running with all of these programs.

"I have learned from the best in OCR and combined it with my passion as a Beachbody Coach"

How does it work?
It's a very simple process! Just message me here directly, and I will send you a Free Online Fitness Assessment. Based on your level of fitness and goals, I will provide you with options to help you train for a race, or get in the best shape of your life. I will also provide you with information on how your challenge pack purchase will benefit the charity of your choice. You will receive a copy of your offering to ensure that your donation is used for the sole-purpose of giving back.

Obstacle Course Race Training with P90X

After you have purchased a Beachbody Challenge Pack, you will then be added to my exclusive "invitation only" Private Online Accountability Group to get the BEST results. You will receive FREE Online Coaching from me, and get weekly access to my LIVE video chats. This group of like-minded challengers will help you with motivation, accountability, and top-notch camaraderie.

Let's get started!
Message me here now for a Free Fitness Assessment

World's Toughest Mudder and BattleFrog Pro Team Ryan Atkins and I

 Obstacle Course Racing Legend Hobie Call and I

More on Obstacle Course Racing

Are you an Entrepreneur? Are you a go-getter, do you love helping people? I am always looking for like-minded, strong (inner-strength) people to join my Coach Team. If you have a passion for helping people and are very SUCCESS-ORIENTED, I'd like to chat with you about the possibilities. Message me here for consideration. 

Beachbody Performance for Athletes:

Monster Challenges Obstacle Race - Halloween 2015

Monster Challenges - Halloween 2015

What do you get when you have 2,000 people and 30+ solid obstacles in the swamp lands of Clermont, Florida on Halloween Night? Well folks, it's called the Monster Challenges Halloween Edition =) I had the opportunity to film this small homegrown obstacle course race, and it was an absolute blast, check out the video here:

Monster Challenges - Halloween 2015

If you are ever in the Florida area, check out the Monster Challenges and give it a shot, you won't be disappointed, tell them Arnel sent you! =) Visit Monster Challenges here.

Coach Amanda and I at the finish - OCRTUBE.com Media Team

Brian - X Racewear.com

Would you like to train for the next obstacle course race or mud run? I've been to almost every type of obstacle race out there. I've filmed and participated in races all over the USA and Canada. I have coached people online through their health and fitness, and I would be happy to help you too! Feel free to message me for some FREE advice on how you can train for your next race using Beachbody Fitness and Nutrition, I'll coach you for FREE! Looking forward to chatting with you!

The Beachbody Meets OCR Challenge - Click Here!

Beachbody Performance for Athletes:

Savage Race Florida - Fall 2015

Just another day at the office #FitLife

All I can say is what an EPIC event that Savage Race put together this past weekend in Dade City, Florida. Savage Race is like OCR's (obstacle course racing) "Best Kept Secret". The event was on point from the staff, the obstacles, and the festival area. Staying innovative is something that I notice from this company. They may not be as big as Spartan Race and some of the other veteran companies out there, but I'm telling you, they have a lot of what most OCR companies don't have (from my experience), and that's "class". I would have to say that they fit the bill as being the "White Glove Service" of the obstacle course racing industry. But don't let that fool you, their obstacles are down right challenging.

My Mud Run Fun friends, they love to have a good time! 

I 've been attending, participating, and filming the Savage Race for about 3 years now, and they are definitely on my TOP 3 OCR list when it comes to "must do" events. If you haven't been to a Savage Race, I highly encourage it. Take a gander at my latest Savage Race video, and feel free to connect with me, I'd love to meet up with you at a race event. If you love health, fitness, OCR's and just being active, I'd love to add you to my #FitFam network. Enjoy the video =)

How I Manage My Beachbody Business with Obstacle Course Racing

Savage Race Dade City, FL - Fall 2015

More OCR Videos - Click Here!

Take your OCR Training to the next level with Beachbody Performance:

The Mud Titan 4 - (Full Race Video)

Mud Titan 4 - Plant City, FL (September 19, 2015)

I had the opportunity to film the Mud Titan obstacle course race this past weekend on September 19th, 2015. This was the 2nd time that I filmed this particular event for my non-profit OCR project "OCRTUBE.com" which specifically focuses on helping the sport of obstacle racing grow through GoPro videos. Located just outside of Tampa, the Mud Titan 4 (fourth year) was hosted in Plant City, FL. The property was huge. There was only one thing, it unfortunately was raining for days leading up to the race which lead to a lot of the obstacles being under water towards the beginning and the end of the race.

Watch Full Race Video on Facebook - Click Here!

The first thing that I normally do once I arrive at the event is check out the course, especially the start and finish line area, as well as the spectator area. I arrived at the Mud Titan race and almost immediately started walking into shin to knee deep swamp water. I said to myself, this is going to be very interesting. But with anything, I always look at the positive side of things. Heck, this is Florida, and this was a Mud Run right? One of the most challenging things about an obstacle course race is the ever-changing terrain, you just never know what you're in for. Yes, the property was under a lot more water than usual, but who cares, that's just another obstacle to deal with, and I think the athletes including the fun runners were ok with it.

Top Male - Jay Flores, Top Female - Shelly Hawk

At any rate, the event was super fun and challenging. Something that I would recommend to the Mud Titan event organizers would be to implement some sort of penalty or mandatory obstacle completion for the Elite Wave. I actually witnessed "more than usual" athletes skipping or purposely failing obstacles to get ahead of other athletes, and this could have been prevented if there was a set protocol for this, as well as having better trained volunteers during the competition waves. Other than that, it was a great event which I highly recommend to anyone who is in the Florida area.

Good times at Mud Titan 4 - Plant City, FL

So without further ado, check out the video that I created, and hope to see you at the next race. Also, being that I am an avid OCR enthusiast and athlete, as well as an Online Fitness Coach via Beachbody, I would love to help any of you train for the next race, or simply just train for LIFE in general. Life is filled with a ton of obstacles, but if we learn to keep ourselves happy through health and fitness, we can conquer anything! Message me here to learn more about my upcoming online fitness challenges.

Watch Video - Mud Titan 4 - Plant City, FL (September 19th, 2015)

Watch on Facebook - Click Here!

Take your OCR fitness to the next level with Beachbody Performance:

Gator Mud Run 2015 - GoPro Hero4 Session Review

I bought the new GoPro Hero4 Session a few days ago and tested it at the Gator Mud Run in Waldo, FL. The event was hosted by the Trojan Race Series and was held at the Waldo Motorcross Park.

Gator Mud Run - 2015

First and foremost, I am a GoPro Enthusiast! If I am not recording my P90X workouts on my iPhone, I am religiously using my GoPros! I was a little hesitant at first to buy the new GoPro Hero4 Session because it is a little less quality than the Hero4 Black, but I decided to give it a shot.

Just a few differences between the Hero4 Session and the Hero4 Black:

-  The Session has a 8mp camera versus a 12mp that comes with the Hero4 Black
-  The Session is waterproof to 33' while the Hero4 Black can go to depths of 131'
-  The Session shoots high quality 1080 max, while the Hero4 Black goes up to 4K
-  The Session comes to you fully waterproof, while the Hero4 Black requires a waterproof casing
-  The big difference is the SIZE!

What I like most about the GoPro Hero4 Session:

-  Easy one button control. Turn it on, and it starts recording. When you stop recording, the camera automatically shuts off. This saves me so much battery life!
-  It's already waterproof and rugged, no casing required!
-  Can be used with existing accessories.
-  Dual mic system front and back. If the wind is blowing in the front, the camera automatically will begin using the rear mic....BRILLIANT!

Yes, you lose some quality, but it works well with what I'm using it for. I really have no need to shoot 4K, but I would definitely love the camera to shoot 12mp like the Hero4 Black, I think it eventually will. I'm happy with it, and I would definitely recommend it!

So do you want to check out the obstacle course racing video that I created with my new GoPro Hero4 Session? Check it out here:

Gator Mud Run 2015 - Waldo, FL

Watch more OCR Videos - Click here!

Need to kick your Obstacle Race Training up a notch? Check out the Beachbody Performance Line! NSF Certified for Pro and Collegiate Athletes:

How I Manage My Beachbody Business with OCR (Obstacle Course Racing)

2 Big Passions - 1 Wonderful Life!

I think everyone at some point struggles with juggling different things in their lives whether it be a job, children, sports, hobby, or a business. This happens to me almost all the time. Being a full time Beachbody Coach is something that I absolutely love doing. I mean, check this out, I am responsible for helping people make big changes in their lives everyday from health and fitness transformations, to eliminating debt and gaining financial freedom. Before becoming a full time Beachbody Coach, I had 3 jobs, ran a nightlife marketing company, and worked 100 hours a week, it was insane!  I worked my Beachbody business in between my breaks, in the bathroom (TMI I know) =), and wherever I could get it in, I sacrificed a lot of sleep. If I only had 5 minutes to work my business, trust me, I took full advantage of it, and 2 and a half years later, I was able to quit my 3 jobs, and retire from a nightlife business that was not very healthy for me and my daughter.

Fast forward to mid 2011, I was introduced to obstacle course racing by my brother Fermin. By this time, I was in the best shape of my life (in my 40's), and I was ready to take on something that would really test my overall fitness, and I was so excited that I found it in OCR (obstacle course racing). It became an addiction, which is very common in this sport, especially if you are a newbie. Today, there are OCR groupies like there were Dead Heads back in the 1970's!

As I began more and more involved with OCR, there was a time where I began to distance myself from my Beachbody Coaching business, just because I was having so much fun traveling and meeting other people who were just as passionate as I was about this extreme sport. Yes, I still worked my coaching business during the week via my laptop, but I would then travel and do races on the weekend. I remember what the CEO of Beachbody Carl Daikeler once said, "Beachbody should not be your life, Beachbody should give you a life", and I really took that to heart and ran with it. I had already built my business to a comfortable level that allowed me to do what I wanted to do, travel simple, and live freely. But it wasn't until I attended Coach Summit 2014 in Las Vegas that I realized that I was not balancing my life and my business, or should I say, "my 1st passion". Beachbody Coach Summit is like the Super Bowl of Beachbody Events, it's where anyone who wants to be successful as a Beachbody Coach GOES. If success and FREEDOM is what you want out of life, then Coach Summit was a must to attend. I have never missed a Coach Summit event since becoming a Beachbody Coach in 2010, and I never will.

So here I am at Coach Summit at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, sitting with my coach team, having a little POW WOW, and some of my coaches were literally telling me that they felt that I was not focused on them, and they felt that I was more focused on my race travel, and they felt like I didn't care about them. This really truly broke my heart because everything that I was doing: races, traveling, spending time with family etc. was all given to me by my commitment to my Beachbody Business, and to my team who I proudly call my second family. I was devastated, I felt like I let them down. I was being nothing but selfish, and I knew at that point that I needed to create more balance in my life.

I am committed to my team, always and forever!

After that event, I promised my team that they were going to be my priority from this point forward. I mean come on, I was able to live my life because of my team. I didn't build my business on my own, it was all about team, and that is how I was able to be where I was, FREE from a boss. I had freedom because of my business, so why was I neglecting that part of my life? It was a wake-up call for me, and I will never again make that mistake. Sometimes it is easy to get influenced by outside sources, and yes I was having a blast with my races, and I still am, but it's all about balance, and making the people who mean most to you a "priority" in your life.

So how do I manage my Beachbody Business today while still keeping my passion for obstacle course racing? It's very simple:

-  I don't let the sport of obstacle course racing influence me to think that OCR is the only thing in my life that I am passionate about.

-  I share my passion for Beachbody with my OCR friends, and let them know who I am, and what I do. If people don't like what I do, it's doesn't matter to me, because it's not for them, it's for my family.

My life is all about my daughter, and my family

- I continue to work my Beachbody business during the week, but dedicate my time with my races specifically on Saturday and Sunday granted that I do not have a Beachbody event such as Coach Summit or Beachbody Super Saturday.

- I focus on working out with my Beachbody fitness programs and drinking my Shakeology everyday while incorporating other OCR specific workouts to help me excel in the sport.

- I will stay focused on what I love the most about my two passions: ending the trend of obesity, building leaders (not followers), and helping the sport of OCR grow on a global scale.

- Sharing Beachbody with OCR, and sharing OCR with Beachbody =) It really is the right combination!

- I will use my passion for my Beachbody business and obstacle course racing to help my family live a better life. That's what it's all about for me! 

I think it's always good to know what your priorities are, what puts food on your table, and if what you are doing is helping and/or empowering people. I think both of my passions do this, but I will never forget that without my Beachbody business, I would not have found interest in obstacle course racing, and have the opportunity to travel and race whenever I please. Not everyone can be a Spartan Pro Team Athlete or a PAID Sponsored Athlete in the OCR industry, and even if you are, just like anything, how long will that last? I'm sure that most people would agree that having multiple sources of income is a smart thing to do, and I'm just glad that in the future when I decide to retire from OCR and just want to travel and pursue other passions, that I will be able to do so, thanks to my Beachbody business.

I am always expanding and looking for new leaders! 

Are you interested in Beachbody Coaching? Click here!

Take the Beachbody Challenge!
Choose your Challenge based on your level of fitness and lifestyle!

BattleFrog ATLANTA - 2015 | Full Race VIDEO RECAP

BattleFrog Series Atlanta - 2015

I am really enjoying the BattleFrog Series events because they are very well-organized, the people and the staff are courteous and seem very passionate about what they do. On top of that, the obstacles are high quality, meaning that they have spent some considerable time on them, unlike other events where the obstacles seem unsafe, and just put up to make some quick money. The one thing that I really look for is how a company treats and manages their employees and volunteers. I don't think that there was one obstacle that I went through without a volunteer trying to push and motivate my team and myself. This is what people will remember, a lot more than the obstacles, people will remember how they were treated, and how much you care. I overheard one of the BF staff members talking to a couple volunteers, and this is what he said to them:

"You have to remember that these racers are being challenged, they are tired, and maybe on the verge of quitting. We cannot let that happen, we have to motivate them, push them past their comfort zones, and help them find out what they are about"

I really liked that, and I will always remember the BattleFrog Series in that way.

The Elite and Masters Wave Start Line

The BattleFrog Atlanta event was hosted at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA. I was very familiar with this location as this is where I did one of my coldest races in my career, the Georgia Spartan Sprint. The layout for the BattleFrog was totally different which I really liked, but there seemed to be a lack of hills this time, but the back to back obstacles definitely made up for it. I really enjoy fast courses, and this event had some good trail runs.

If you haven't signed up for a BattleFrog Event, I encourage you to make a point to do so. They have courses for every fitness level including children and even a place for the extreme endurance athlete. I think there were a couple people who did 6 laps around the main course which totaled to about 32 to 34 miles, and that's with some extreme obstacles, pretty impressive if you ask me. My team "Team Dynasty OCR" did 3 laps and earned their BattleFrog Extreme Medal, it was amazing to be there and witness their struggles and their triumphs. That is what our team is all about anyways, it's not about just one person, it's about TEAM.

Team Dynasty OCR

TDOCR on Facebook - Click Here!

So anyways, I made a quick 5 minute video of the event, so feel free to watch and share so hopefully we can get more people off the couch and start getting active, because that's what we were all meant to do with our lives. We're all naturally primal, so get out there and be yourself, push your limits, see what you're made of, and most importantly, have fun!!!

BattleFrog Series Atlanta - 2015

Check out OCRTUBE.com for more Obstacle Racing Videos!

Arnel Banawa is a Star Diamond Beachbody Coach focused on ending the trend of obesity and helping the sport of obstacle course racing grow worldwide. Connect with me - click here!

Colorado Spartan Military Sprint | Ft. Carson | 2015

Colorado Spartan Sprint - Ft Carson, Colorado - 2015

This was my 4th year attending this event and every year it gets better and surprisingly TOUGHER! The event location slightly changed and was moved near Gate 7 off of highway 115, it was a little further, but in my opinion, the terrain and festival area just felt better, I guess because it was in a very remote location in the mountains. The elevation changes were ridiculous!

WATCH FULL VIDEO BELOW!

I arrived in Colorado Springs a few days before after participating and filming the Atlas Race in Kansas City (watch video here). Prior to the Colorado Spartan Sprint, I was able to get my breathing acclimated by running around some of the CO trails, as well as attending an OCR training session at PCR Fitness before the race. Training with my Training Mask at home with my P90X workouts and running helped a lot as it was not as difficult to adjust to the elevation. I was training with a 6,000 ft elevation setting on my mask.

Running the Barr Trail at Manitou Springs after the Manitou Incline

OCR Training at PCR Fitness:

The event at Ft. Carson overall was fantastic other than the weather. Spartan Race had to close down the event twice on Saturday, and once on Sunday because of poor weather conditions such as sporadic thunderstorms and even some hail.

Filming the Elite Females on Sunday

At any rate, the Colorado Spartan Sprint is one of my favorite races of the year, and I plan to continue the tradition every year. Feel free to watch my video from Saturday and Sunday, and if you participated in this event, comment below what you thought was the toughest obstacle, and your overall experience. Hope to see you at the next one! =)

Colorado Spartan Sprint - Ft. Carson, Colorado - 2015

WATCH MORE OCR VIDEOS - CLICK HERE!

Take the P90X2 Challenge - Get ready for the next race!