6 Extinct Obstacle Course Races I've Filmed and Miss!

So I've been making obstacle course racing (OCR) videos with my GoPro since 2011, and I've not only seen the FAST-GROWTH of this sport, but I've also witnessed the decline and extinction of many race companies, as well as athletes who have come and gone. I've filmed many athletes from their very first race to when they hit OCR Celebrity Status on national television. I was there when OCR wasn't even cool, we didn't know what to call it back then. I was pointing cameras at everyday people in mud way before NBC Sports and ESPN got involved. I've seen this sport grow from the VERY beginning, and it's been an amazing journey.

I'm not the type of person who get's involved with the politics of what goes wrong, and why decisions are made, that's not my cup of tea. If you've seen any of my videos, you will notice that I just focus on the positive side of things, and try to just share the sheer beauty of the sport. OCR has changed my life in many ways. I have met some wonderful people, and have experienced the most beautiful and toughest places on the planet, and it just saddens me when I see companies fold.

I create videos to help the sport grow, and when race companies fall from the face of the earth, I feel sadness for the athletes, as well as the companies. I look back at some of my "terribly-edited" videos from the past, and all I can see is joy. What other industry can get average people off the couch to pay hundreds of dollars to get tortured on a Saturday, and for some races...a whole weekend? OCR! =)

I know first-hand as an entrepreneur how difficult it is to run a company, so I understand that it's all about the bottom line. Companies do care about their fans, but they have lives and families too, and I think people sometimes forget about that. The only thing that we can do is respect each other's decision, and stop being judgmental about things that do not benefit us in a positive way.

I appreciate everything that these companies have strived for. They do what I love doing which is ripping people off the couch and making them feel more than just someone who has a 9-5 job. It's about regaining happiness, being humans again, sharing it with others, and that's how OCR has grown as one of the fastest growing sports in history.

I also do not believe in just one company. I do not call myself just a "Spartan" or a "Tough Mudder", I am an OCR fan. I believe that in order for this sport to grow much bigger than it is today, we need to stop criticizing other races and embrace what each of them are doing. People hate burpees, like they hate their jobs, but guess what, that's what is putting a roof over their head right now. When you do a burpee, it's a challenge, and whether you like doing it or not, the bottom line is that it is changing you, and isn't that what you wanted to do in the first place when you signed up for an obstacle race?

Obstacle Course Race Training with P90X

I see so much negativity with the industry, and I just block it all out because I only choose to see the bright side of things. I know that asking everyone to be positive is impossible, but if I can just help one person see the light of day, then I feel that it's a start.

I mean, if we had more people who would just be more positive, open-minded and choose OCR, instead of just ONE company, then we would probably have more amazing OCR options to choose from versus watching the companies that we love become extinct.

Love the sport, love OCR, it's time to help it grow. #OCRForLife

Here are the 6 Extinct OCR's that I've filmed and miss:
*OH, and don't laugh at my old videos, I had to start somewhere =)

EXTREME NATION

SUPERHERO SCRAMBLE

HOG WILD MUD RUN

Take the Beachbody Meets OCR Challenge

MONSTER CHALLENGES

BATTLEFROG SERIES

ATLAS RACE

Which race series do you miss? Feel free to comment below. Watch more videos on OCRTUBE, click here! 

See you at the next race! 

Day 1 & 2, Week Seven - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Cardio 1 + Core 2

Videos Below

YES!!! Week 7 has arrived =)

So I was thinking that I only had 2 more weeks to go, but then one of my other Coaches reminded me that there is another week after the 8th week called HELL WEEK! That doesn't sound fun does it =) Now the last week is totally optional, but I'm thinking about doing it, I mean, what the heck right, what's one more added week going to do? I know, get me looking HOT lol, JK =)

Week 7 has started off great other than the fact that I had to take it easy on Day 1, Week 7 because of my gout flare up.

Today's workout that I did which was Cardio 1 and Core 2 wasn't too bad, I didn't have to modify at all, versus yesterday when I modified about 60% of the time.

At any rate, so glad that my foot is feeling much better, looks like I'll be able to finish strong this week. That's also good because I'm actually filming a local obstacle course race called Mud Titan 6 in Plant City FL this weekend, so let's hope my gout is 100% gone by then! =)

So here's my workout accountability videos from Day 1-2 of week 7.

Day 1, Week Seven - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Resistance 3

Day 2, Week Seven - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Cardio 1

Hotel Room Workout

Oh, and check this out, my Dad killed his Day 2, Week 7 as well =)

Dad - Day 2, Week 7 - Cardio 1 + Core 2

Day 2, Week 7 - Cardio 1 + Core 2

Are you ready to start a fitness journey? I can help, all fitness levels and goals welcome! Message me here, and I will send you a Free Fitness Assessment to help you reach your goals! Chat soon =) 

Day 7, Week Six - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Cardio 2 + Core 2

Watch Video Below

My Dad and I are finally finished with WEEK 6!

For this workout, we decided to do it on Sunday since I was filming a Spartan Race around the Nashville area. So even though it was a rest day, I didn't technically take a rest day since I clocked in at running almost 9 miles chasing athletes with my Gopros =)

Today's workout was Cardio 2 and Core 2. This was considered my POST SPARTAN RACE WORKOUT. I try to stay active the day after filming races so that my body stays familiar with movement instead of staying stagnant. It keeps me sharper and stronger.

Check out my Nashville Spartan Sprint 2016 video

I do not try to workout hard or anything, instead I mostly modify and sometimes just do stretch and mobility. After doing the 9 miles, my gout started flaring up again on top of a little soreness, so I decided to really take it easy, and just modify about 50-60% of the time. Here are the modifications that I did:

For the most part, I took away anything that was considered high-impact, and just did the alternative.

- Since my right foot is where my gout is flaring, I did single leg burpees on my left leg.

- I didn't squat as low on some reps since my quads were still burning from yesterday.

- For the switch kicks, I just did leg lifts to ensure that I didn't put anymore pressure on my right foot.

- I didn't really modify the mountain climbers, I just didn't do all the reps. With mountain climbers, there isn't too much pressure on your feet since you are in a plank push up position.

- I didn't go as high on the "high-knees" I went a bit slower and took pressure off my right foot.

These were just some of the modifications that I did to keep it safe. I still managed to get in a great workout as always. We did the Core 2 Workout right after, which is not shown in the video.

Here's our workout accountability video!

Day 7, Week Six - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Cardio 1

Take the 22 Minute Hard Corps Challenge - Start today! 

If you would like to watch the video that I created from the Nashville Spartan Race Sprint, you can view it below =)

Nashville Spartan Race Sprint - Fort Campbell, TN 2016

Watch more Obstacle Racing Videos here

Are you ready to start a fitness journey? I can help, all fitness levels and goals welcome, feel free to message me here =)

With 1st Place Female Finisher - Laura Messner

OCRTUBE Media Project

Day 3, 4, 5 - Week Six | 22 Minute Hard Corps =)

I have SNAPCHAT!! =) 

Ok, yes...I've been SLACKIN on my posts, but hey, I'm getting my workouts in =)

Have you guys ever had one of those weeks where your TO DO LIST just doesn't feel like it's getting any smaller? Yup, it's been one of those weeks for me! But I'll have you know, I've been working my BUTT off!

Although it's been a crazy one, it's also been one of the most productive weeks for me because my AMAZING Coach Team has been killing it, and what I mean by that is, they have been CHANGING LIVES! I've been hosting these little online group POW WOW's and it's been getting everyone fired up! My team has been literally ripping hundreds of people off the couch this week by helping them start an exciting path to health and fitness, it's been friggin AMAZING!!

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be responsible for making a huge impact in ending the trend of obesity with these sheer numbers! I seriously cannot wait until we are able to share this opportunity globally and literally help millions of people create happiness in their lives, soon enough folks.....soon enough!! =)

Ha ha, can you feel the EXCITEMENT? And did I mention, I finally created my SNAPCHAT (@arnelbanawa) account, so follow me and I'll follow back =)

Ok back to blogging (shiny objects ha ha), here are past 3 daily workout accountability videos from my 22 Minute Hard Corps Challenge. Oh and week 7 is just around the corner, can wait to share my results with all of you =)

Day 3, Week Six - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Resistance 3

Day 4, Week Six - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Cardio 1 + Core 2

Learn more about Becoming a Beachbody Coach

Day 5, Week Six - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Resistance 2

Are you ready to start a fitness journey? How about starting an online fitness business from the comfort of your own home, whatever the case may be, if you are ready to make some HUGE CHANGES in your life, feel free to message me here, I'd like to help you with that! =)

T25 Total Body Circuit + Max 30 Abs Attack Workout

Watch Video Below

So my Dad and I decided to replace our 22 Minute Hard Corps Workout today with T25 Total Body Circuit and Max 30 Abs Attack.

Today's workout was supposed to be Cardio 2 + Core 2, but since the workout at Pensacola Fit Club was very similar, and about 3 minutes longer, it would be like doing our 22 Minute Hard Corps workout  =). I don't normally replace workouts during a challenge, and I don't really recommend it, but if the workouts are fairly the same, especially if they are Beachbody workouts (my preference), then I would say that it's ok. You do what you feel is right for you. As for me, as long as the intensity factor is the same, and it is not a recurring thing, then doing it once or twice during a challenge won't hurt anything.

Pensacola Fit Club

Here's our accountability video!

Day 2, Week Six - 22 Minute Hard Corps | T25 Total Body Circuit + Abs Attack

{workout swap}

Choose Your Challenge - Click Here!

Need some fitness motivation? All fitness levels and goals welcome, message me here, and I'll help you get started on your journey!

How I Workout When I Travel

Reduce Stress - Feel Great - Enjoy the Experience

You hear the excuses all the time, "oh, I'm on vacation, I'm just going to live life right now!". I am even GUILTY AS CHARGED because I've said the same thing many times.

We live in a world where so many people have become followers of what everyone else is doing, what they see on TV, and what the high-budget media companies are promoting etc. I have fallen into that trap countless times because heck, my friends were doing it, then it must be the thing to do..WTF! What happened to individualism? What happened to doing what's right for you?

When I committed to a health and fitness journey in 2010, it was the best decision that I ever made in my life. Through the years, I've learned a lot, and one thing that I continue to learn is how to stay active and healthy when I am doing one of my ultimate passions......TRAVEL.

TRAVEL means different things to different people, but when I think of travel, I categorize it apart from taking a vacation. For me, travel is either long-term (longer than a weekend getaway), or traveling for business. Taking a vacation for me is like a weekend getaway, just a quick jaunt before heading back to work or home life.

Travel is a lot more than just a weekend jaunt. For me, it's about taking your time, and fully immersing yourself in the culture and living the lands like the locals. Business travel is a little different in the fact that there is a project to work on aside from trying to have a travel experience, and some business travelers don't even have time to explore, and that really sucks =) So if you're a business traveler, you should definitely keep reading =)

Long-term and business travel can really be STRESS- FULL at times, which is why I have found many ways to help me stay active to reduce the amount of stress that can happen. 

However you travel or vacation, I just wanted to share with you how I have managed to stay active and workout while on the go. When people say, I don't have time to workout, I'm on vacation, so I'm just going to live my life......I say the same thing, I am living my life as well, but I don't need alcohol and junk food to have a good life.

Oh, and don't get me wrong, I love a cheat meal here and there, but I also know that I only have one body, one chance, and it is my responsibility to take care of what has been given to me.

I've heard of many people on their death beds fighting for their lives because they took their bodies for granted and smoked themselves to death, and filled their temples up with modified and processed foods for years! Are they living their life now? Was it worth it to feel like that? Most people would agree that, THAT ISN'T THE LIFE THEY WANTED TO LIVE.

I'm definitely not here to tell anyone what to do with their bodies, but if no one is here to tell the truth about how to really live a good, healthy and active lifestyle, then people might not ever experience what true happiness may be. I'm SOOOO glad that I had people in my life that spoke the truth to me, and released me from my life of alcohol and junk foods. GET THIS, I didn't like everything they had to say, but guess what, they honestly saved my life! Do you have people in your life that really tell you the truth? Or are they just telling you what you want to hear?

HOW I WORKOUT WHEN I TRAVEL:

1.  I always take a walking or bike tour at every city that I visit. You sit at the office all day at work, why would you sit on your ass on a bus tour? LET'S DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT SHALL WE =) Don't like taking tours? Go rent a bike an explore on your own!

Biking through Temples of Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)

2.  I look for a gym or outdoor park. Sometimes you will find free day passes on a gym's website, and all you have to do is print them out and go. When I do pay for a day pass, I treat that as a day tour because it's somewhere that I've never been, and I have the opportunity to explore another gym. If you are staying at a hotel, ask if there is a gym facility, if they have one, it's most likely free to use.

I prefer outdoor parks because I love doing my workouts with nature. I tend to look for outdoor parks that have outdoor fitness equipment, and most of the time, it's free.

P90X2 at a local gym in the Philippines

Bangkok, Thailand

3.  I look for Free Boot Camps. I've participated in Free Beachbody Fit Clubs, Beach Yoga Classes, outdoor boot camps, local running groups, and OCR trainings all over the world. If you want to find a free workout somewhere and meet other people, it's simple.....GOOGLE IT.

Donation-Based Yoga Class in Leon, Nicaragua

4.  I use my Beachbody on Demand all the time! Don't have a gym? No worries! Take your gym and your workouts with you anywhere (hotel, gym, outdoors, beach etc). With over $4,000 worth of online workouts, there is no excuse not to workout. You will have access to everything from strength, cardio, yoga, and more! Get your Free Trial Beachbody on Demand here: USA and Canadian Residents Click Here - All Other Countries Click Here

5.  I look for running trails. You will mostly find running trails at some of the outdoor parks. I love trail running because it's peaceful to me. Just make sure that if you are running through some remote places, I recommend that you bring some sort of protection like a small pocket knife or a stick. I've ran through mountains before and have come across everything from mountain lions to alligators, so having something is better than nothing. And always bring water just in case you get lost in a jungle =)

Local college or high school tracks are great places to get a free workout/run in too!

I also look into local running events such as 5K's and Marathons. You will find some free to donation based events, and nothing beats traveling and giving back to the community.

6.  Always take the stairs. From the moment I arrive at my destination, I take the stairs. Every movement counts, and let's just say that you were trekking or exploring on foot all day (even at the mall) and you weren't able to get a workout in, at least you did STAIRS.

So that's about it. I hope this helps you stay active during your travels, and I hope to see you somewhere around the world. If you need some extra health and fitness motivation, feel free to contact me here =)

Day 1, Week Six - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Resistance 1

Watch Video Below

WAHOO!!! Week 6 is finally here =)

Today's workout was Resistance 1 and my niece even decided to join us, and she did amazing! I think the toughest part of the workout was the pull ups and of course the BURNOUT round at the end with the Sprint, Burpee, Push Ups.

Join My Next Online Challenge - All Fitness Levels and Goals Welcome =)

Here's the thing, this 22 Minute Hard Corps Challenge is a 60 day program, and it is pretty impossible to maintain 100% of your energy and strength for that amount of time. So today was one of those days where I had to tone it down a bit and listen to my body. Don't get me wrong, I still pushed myself to the limits, but I also know that if I do not pace myself, I could either get injured, become overtrained, or even discouraged, and I do not want that to happen. NO WAY!

What will it be? You got this!!

So if you are doing a challenge, or any type of workout, it doesn't have to be a set program or anything like that, I would recommend that you always make a point to listen to your body and put your ego aside, and keep it safe. In my experience, you will get better results, and will also have a more enjoyable time working out =)

If you have any questions about 22 Minute Hard Corps, or any other Beachbody Workouts, please feel free to contact me here, I'd love to assist you!

So here's my daily accountability video =)

Day 1, Week Six - 22 Minute Hard Corps | Resistance 1

Choosing a Beachbody Coach for Success

Interested in turning your passion for fitness into an online business? Click here to get more details!

I'm finally on SNAPCHAT, add me =)