NEWS & STORIES
A blog about what we love: people, rucking and training, the military, manufacturing, local pride, dogs, and the finer things in life. Like beer.
In Awe of a Night at the Opera
Jason and I recently found ourselves back in Chicago, land of deep-dish pizza and White Sox-loving Popes. The city takes me straight back to the Ferris Bueller and Cubs-watching days...
The Adventure of Launching Spy Ruck
Every time I’ve ever set foot in New York City, it’s felt like an adventure. My first trip was as a twenty-something on a blind date with a group of...
Selection 026 in Photos
Selection 026 is in the books, and as always we appreciate the enthusiasm the community has following the event. We were active on our socials throughout and you can read...
Evolve
In 2010, to launch GORUCK, I drove to 48 states with Java, whose loyalty knew no bounds and that was what got me through. I blogged about the trip daily...
Women Have Been Rucking Since the Beginning
Since the dawn of humankind, women have carried the weight. They carried the future of their tribes and families on their backs. Quiet strength that was essential for survival. 26...
A Dimmer Birthday, A Brighter Dream
Glenn Ligon, Double America, 2012. Neon, paint, and aluminum. Photo courtesy of the National Gallery of Art This Fourth of July felt different, dimmed somehow. Maybe it was the jet...
"There Was Fire in His Eyes": A Father and Son's Ironman Journey of Resilience
A Mission Born From Love Emily McCarthy: Roger, tell us a little about Oz—his personality, his passions, and what inspired this Ironman goal. Roger Sparks: Oz is my son. He’s 21,...
Belief When Reason Falls Short
If I really stop to think about it, I can pinpoint three moments that collectively cemented my belief in a higher power and an afterlife. The first occurred after my...
Need a Reset? Ruck Your Way to Healing
“I’m a guy who loves to think outside the box.” That’s how Doug Essig introduces himself, and it doesn’t take long to realize he means it. Doug isn’t your traditional...
Breaking Through Isolation: Rachel's Path to Connection
At 28, Rachel's life looked perfect on paper - a successful career in digital marketing, a cozy apartment in the city, and the independence she'd always dreamed of. But evenings...
Lauren's Rucking Story
"It was my first workout without a stroller" As part of our ongoing series highlighting the remarkable women of the GORUCK community, meet Lauren, a 40-year-old mother of three who...
Angel's Rucking Story
"Nothing Is Too Hard" As part of our ongoing series highlighting the remarkable women of the GORUCK community, meet Angel, a 54-year-old mother of four who rucks in the evenings...
Finding Strength: Sarah's Journey
Sarah never imagined herself as part of a fitness community, especially not after giving birth to her daughter Emma. The sleepless nights and physical recovery from childbirth had left her...
The Weight We Carry: Finding Strength in Community
From the moment we wake until our heads hit the pillow at night, women often shoulder invisible burdens. We carry the emotional labor of families, the pressure of careers, the...
Creating Safe Spaces: Jessica's Mission
Jessica's freshman year at Ohio University opened her eyes to a campus culture where many students, particularly women, felt uncomfortable exercising alone or at night. As an avid runner who...
An Epic Austin City Ruck Weekend
What an incredible weekend it was at the Austin City Ruck 2025! GORUCK Nation brought the heat to Austin, TX for the City Ruck Series hosted at Squatch Frontier Fitness....