24 Heroes in 24 Hours: 2020
By: Mike Collette (Owner of Prototype Training Systems)
Last year was our first year participating in the 24 Heroes in 24 Hours TEAMWORK event. If you are not familiar with it, the Navy Seal Foundation partnered with Kill Cliff to honor 24 Navy Seals who lost their lives protecting our freedom. This year, due to the circumstances around COVID-19, this event didn’t happen. However, we wanted to keep this tradition alive by honoring these heroes and doing what we can to support our veterans. Even though the event wasn’t run through the Navy Seal Foundation, we were able to raise over $1,o00 for The Fisher House Foundation which supports Veterans’ families.
The 2020 24 Heroes in 24 Hours looked a little different than it did last year but as I mentioned at almost every workout, the intention is the same: honor those fallen heroes and reinforce teamwork and community. We had over 155 people participate in a workout over the course of the 24 hours, which is amazing!
We ran a LIVE virtual stream for all those folks completing these workouts from their own homes as well as running in-person workouts with a cap of 10 people per workout. Due to the newly instituted curfew, our last in-person workout at Prototype was at 8pm, but that didn’t stop people from getting it in virtually (shout out to Bill Arneth for his 1am virtual workout!)!
After completing all 24 workouts (partner style) last year, I wanted to write about the experience. To be honest, I started writing about it and never finished it. Part of it came down to motivation and time and the other part of me didn’t want to write about myself. Our goal at Prototype is to be the guides for others on their journey with fitness, to lead and inspire but the story isn’t about us, it should be about you.
The difference between last year and writing about 24 Heroes this year is that I was able to share this experience with one of our members who also completed all 24 Hero workouts in 24 hours, Lauren Palmateer.
Last year, Lauren completed 12 of the 24 heroes. After the event, we were messaging back and forth and she mentioned she wanted to do more next year. I said to her “you could do all 24” and this year, she did. It’s truly an amazing accomplishment of not only your physical fitness but your mental perseverance. Way to crush it, Lauren, we are all so proud of you!
In this blog post, I want to share with all of you not only Laurens’s story but also highlight the heroes that we honored over the 24 hours so you can read their background stories as well.
Here is my Q&A with Lauren as she shares her story:
MC: First question, why did you want to do all 24 workouts?
I wanted to take on the physical challenge and the mental challenge. I like knowing that I am capable of pushing myself through something like this. I also feel honored to be able to do these workouts that are for individuals who lost their lives fighting for us.
MC: What was the experience like?
At the end of the last workout, it was actually a little emotional. I had to hold back some tears! Overall, I’m so happy and proud that I did it. I feel like I’m in my element when I’m mentally and physically pushing myself like that so it was rewarding for sure. It was inspiring to read about each of the individuals we were doing the workouts for and to remember there is a bigger picture here. There is also something so peaceful and satisfying about working out in the middle of the night and the early morning when you know most of the population around you is sleeping.
MC: What was the best part of the 24 in 24 for you?
One of my favorite parts was doing all of the rope climbs. I remember doing 1 workout with the rope climbs in it last year and I only did 1 or 2. It was cool to see that I am so much stronger than I was last year.
Another one of my favorite parts is a little more general. I love events like this because it inspires me to push myself and be the best version of myself when I see a community come together for a common goal and for something that is bigger than any of us individually. It inspires me to see so many people voluntarily work their butts off in the CrossFit gym, and I feel like I’m at my home away from home when I’m in the middle of a workout with a gym full of people. Our community is the best part.
MC: What’s your current training, nutrition and recovery routine?
I workout 5x per week with programming from Coach Joe (he’s the best!)! My training includes running, Olympic weight lifting, Classic CrossFit metcon style workouts, and skill work.
My nutrition is always a work in progress and it’s definitely the hardest piece for me. I’ve recently started meal prepping and am just taking it day by day and trying to focus on making healthy choices every meal and not snacking.
I don’t have a specific recovery routine but I try to be open with my coach if I’m feeling overly sore one week or need a deload.
MC: What was the hardest thing about the 24 in 24?
The hardest thing was trying to keep up with eating and drinking enough throughout.
MC: Would you do anything differently?
I think I was a little conservative with my weight choices throughout the workouts because I wasn’t sure how I would hold up for 24 hours, but next time I want to push myself more and make heavier choices.
MC: What would you tell someone who wants to challenge themselves like you did?
Just do it. There’s a community of support around you and the accomplishment lasts forever. And bring your running shoes. (thanks for the advice, Mike).
MC: What’s your next big goal?
I’d like to crush the CrossFit open, compete in a weightlifting meet eventually, and get a damn muscle-up. I’d also like to finish grad school and my thesis on time 😂
You can see, Lauren has put in some hard work and at the end of the day, she made the decision to do something challenging.
The reality is, there is nothing more challenging tough than the sacrifice these heroes made protecting our freedom. Below is the list of the Hero WODs that we completed along with some background information on each one. I hope you take a few minutes to read about these true heroes and I truly hope that this inspires you to participate in 24 Heroes in 24 hours in 2021!
*All pictures and bio’s taken from WODWell.com*
Three Wise Men: 10AM
Background: After the September 11th attacks on the US, Jeremy joined the Navy and became a SEAL. Ben, already in the Army, became a member of the legendary Green Berets. Beau followed his brothers and joined the Marine Corps Infantry. Together they served over 1,600 days in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tragically Jeremy was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on December 30, 2009. Just over two years later, Ben was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan on January 10, 2012. Beau remained on active duty in the United States Marine Corps.
This workout was originally posted on threewisementribute.org, which later joined Headstrong @getheadstrong, “a national organization that provides post-9/11 [US] veterans with cost-free, stigma-free and bureaucracy-free mental health care.”
Tumilson: 11AM
Background: Dedicated to U.S. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon “JT” Thomas TuMileson, 35, of Rockford, IA, assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, who died on August 6, 2011, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his helicopter crashed.
He is survived by his parents George and Kathy TuMileson, Joy and Scott McMeekan, sisters Kristie and Joy, and his dog Hawkeye.
The “Tumilson” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Wednesday, July 4, 2012 (120704).
The name of this workout, which has since been adopted by gyms and athletes around the world, is usually spelled slightly differently than JT’s last name, TuMileson – because that’s how it was first posted by CrossFit.
Mr. Joshua: 12pm
Background: “Mr. Joshua” is a CrossFit Hero WOD named after SO1 Joshua Thomas Harris, 36, who drowned during combat operations, August 30th 2008 in Afghanistan.
He is survived by his parents Dr. Sam and Evelyn Harris, his brother Ranchor and twin sister Kiki.
This Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Friday, October 10, 2008 (081010).
Gallant: 1pm
Background: U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Taylor Gallant, 22, of Winchester, KY, assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12, based in Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, VA, died on January 26, 2012, while conducting diving operations off the North Carolina coast in the Atlantic Ocean.
He is survived by his son Ethan, brother Kyle, mother Elizabeth, and father Joseph.
The “Gallant” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Thursday, June 13, 2013 (130613).
Chuck Heavy: 2pm
Background: Chief Petty Officer Charles “Chuck” Humphrey Keating IV – known to friends and family as “C4” – was a US Navy SEAL who was killed in action
on May 3, 2016, while attempting to rescue US Military advisers that were pinned down by ISIS fighters in the Iraqi town of Telskof.
We first found this workout posted by CrossFit 317 @317fit (Indianapolis, IN) who programmed the Hero WOD as their workout of the day for July 4, 2016. According to their site, “Coach Jake was a friend and Hoosier along side Charles during their time at IU! We are honored to be able to pay tribute to him…”
As for the name, it can be traced back to Keating’s Memorial service where friend Ian Urtnowski distributed t-shirts with Keating’s initials, photo and “Chuck Heavy” on them. As Urtnowski explained it “We call it Chuck heavy, cause Charlie’s beer of choice was Budweiser. He didn’t drink Bud Light, he drank Bud Heavy and heavy just sums up the whole emotional feeling for all of us.”
JT: 3pm
Background: In honor of Petty Officer 1st Class Jeff Taylor, 30, of Little Creek, VA, who was killed in Afghanistan June 28, 2005.
“JT” was CrossFit’s very first hero WOD. The workout was originally posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Wednesday, July 6, 2005 (050706).
Tommy V: 4pm
Background: In honor of Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas J. Valentine, 37, of Ham Lake, MN, died in an training accident in Arizona, on February 13 2008.
The “Tommy V” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Wednesday, March 12, 2008 (080312).
Feeks: 5pm
Background: Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks, 28, of Edgewater, Maryland, assigned to a Naval Special Warfare unit based on the West Coast, died Aug. 16, 2012, in a helicopter crash northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Feeks is survived by his mother and father, Thomas and Ginny Feeks; sister, Regina Feeks; and wife, Emily Feeks. The “Feeks” Hero WOD was first posted on crossfit.com as the workout of the day for Friday, October 3, 2014 (141003).
Glen: 6pm
Background: Former U.S. Navy SEAL Glen Doherty, 42, of Winchester, MA, assigned to a State Department security detail in Benghazi, Libya, died in an attack on a U.S. consulate on September 11, 2012. He is survived by his parents, Ben and Barbara, sister Katie, and brother Greg.
The “Glen” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Friday, October 12, 2012.
This whole workout, as well as the run substitutions, can be tailored to individual athletes. Looking to complete this in under 40 minutes. Each run substitution should take athletes anywhere between 7-10 minutes. Former U.S. Navy SEAL Glen Doherty, 42, of Winchester, Massachusetts, assigned to a State Department security detail in Benghazi, Libya, died in an attack on a U.S. consulate on September 11, 2012. He is survived by his parents, Ben and Barbara, sister Katie, and brother Greg.
Strange: 7pm
Background: U.S. Navy Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, PA, assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, died on August 6, 2011, of wounds suffered when his unit’s helicopter crashed in Wardak province, Afghanistan.
He is survived by his fiancee Breanna Hostetler, parents Elizabeth and Charles, and siblings Katelyn, Carly, and Charles.
The “Strange” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Sunday, June 24, 2012 (120624).
Job’s Challenge: 8pm
Background: On the morning of August 2, 2006, on a rooftop in Ramadi, Ryan Job was shot in the face by a sniper. While his SEALs worked to save his life, Ryan regained consciousness, told them that he was OK, “then as if raising from the dead he stood up and evacuated himself while his team covered him as they shot their way to an awaiting Bradley.” Ryan said that if it were not for his training and his fellow SEALs who cared for him, he would have died that day. The wound rendered Ryan blind, forcing him to medically retire from the Navy.
We first found “Job’s Challenge” posted by CrossFit New England @cfne (Boston, MA) for their 2015 24-Hour Team Seal Challenge. FallOut CrossFit @fallout_crossfit (Richland, WA) posted the workout before that, in 2013, by the name “Ryan Job’s Hero WOD.”
Jason: 9pm
Background: S01 (SEAL) Jason Dale Lewis was killed by an IED while conducting combat operations in Southern Baghdad July 6, 2007.
The “Jason” Hero WOD was first posted on crossfit.com – in honor of his life, family, and courage – as the workout of the day for Thursday, August 2, 2007 (070802).
Blake: 10pm
Background: Dedicated to U.S. Navy Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician David Blake McLendon, 30, of Thomasville, GA, assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Support Activity in Norfolk, VA, who was killed September 21, 2010, in a helicopter crash during combat operations in the Zabul province of Afghanistan.
McLendon is survived by his wife Kate McLendon, his parents David and Mary-Ann McLendon, his brother Chris McLendon, and his sister Kelly Lockman.
The “Blake” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Saturday, November 13, 2010 (101113).
Badger: 11pm
Background: In honor of Navy Chief Petty Officer Mark Carter, 27, of Virginia Beach, VA who was killed in Iraq on 11 December 2007.
The “Badger” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Wednesday, December 19, 2007 (071219).
Adam Brown: 12am
Background: Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Adam Lee Brown, 36, of Hot Springs, AR, was killed on March 17th, 2010 in Komar Province, Afghanistan, in a battle against heavily armed Militants.
He is survived by his wife, Kelley, two children, Nathan and Savannah, and by his parents.
The “AdamBrown” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Tuesday, August 10, 2010 (100810).
FASS Fit: 1am
Background: The “Fass Fit” Hero WOD is dedicated to John Weston Faas, a US Navy Seal who died during a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Saturday, August 6, 2011. John graduated from Minnehaha Academy in 1998 where he was co-valedictorian of his class. He was also captain and quarterback of the football team. John spent many years practicing the martial arts and had a Black Belt in Tae Kwan Do at 12 years of age.
We first found the “Fass Fit” Hero WOD posted by CrossFit New England as part of their “24 Heroes in 24 Hours” fundraiser (aka: “24-Hour SEAL Team Challenge”) in October 2017, honoring fallen US Navy Seals. They modified it (and most of the other WODs for that event as team or partner workouts).
Brian: 2am
Background: U.S. Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, CT, assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, died on August 6, 2011, of wounds suffered when his unit’s helicopter crashed in Wardak province, Afghanistan.
He is survived by his mother Patricia Parry and her husband Dr. Michael Parry, his father Scott, and siblings Christian, Amy, Andrea, Kerry, Tessa, and Morgan.
This Hero WOD was first posted as the workout of the day on the CrossFit Main Site on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (120515).
Kevin: 3am
Background: Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Kevin Ebbert, 32, of Arcata, California, assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit in Virginia Beach, Virginia, died Nov. 24, 2012 in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat stability operations. Ebbert is survived by his wife, Ursula Ebbert; mother, Charlie Jordan; sister, Samantha Ebbert Martinez; stepsisters, Amy Funk and Kate Renner; stepfather, Mark Ritz; and grandfathers, Richard Ebbert and James Jordan. He was preceded in death by his father, Jeffrey Ebbert, a retired Navy SEAL.
The “Kevin” Hero WOD was first posted on crossfit.com as the workout of the day for Sunday, August 24, 2014 (140824).
Michael: 4am
Background: In honor of Navy Lieutenant Michael McGreevy, 30, of Portville, NY, who was killed in Afghanistan on June 28 2005.
“Michael” was CrossFit’s second hero WOD (after “J.T.”), posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for July 15, 2005 (050715). The post said: “With heavy hearts we offer our prayers and condolences to his wife, Laura, and 14-month-old daughter, Molly. The price of freedom, and its worth, is found in Michael’s passing. The debt owed to Michael and his family can never be repaid but only honored by remembering Michael and remaining free.”
Spehar: 5am
Background: Dedicated to U.S. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas Spehar who died Aug. 6, 2011, in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his helicopter was shot down. The 24-year-old, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit and served during Operation Enduring Freedom. Spehar is survived by his parents, Patrick and Annette; and siblings, Luke, Jacob and Lisa, and Marie Mielke.
The “Spehar” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Saturday, December 13, 2014 (141213).
Collin: 6am
Background: Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Collin Trent Thomas, 33, of Morehead, KY, assigned to a Navy SEAL team based out of Little Creek, VA, was fatally shot on August 18, 2010, during combat operations in Eastern Afghanistan.
He is survived by his fiancee Sarah Saunders, his parents Clay and Jean Thomas, and his sister Meghan Edwards.
The “Collin” Hero WOD was first posted on crossfit.com as the workout of the day for Sunday, November 21, 2010 (101121).
Dietz: 7am
Background: On a mountain high in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan, in a deadly firefight with the Taliban, Navy SEAL Danny Dietz refused to quit, even though he had been hit four times.
Shot in the neck, he fell to the ground, but recovered to jam a new magazine onto his rifle. When ordered to fall back, he leaped off a precipice with the rest of his team, hit the ground, crawled to cover from incoming fire. Half-conscious and covered in blood, he was still providing covering fire for his team when he was struck by a fatal bullet. Ge died on June 28, 2005.
The steadfast determination that Dietz displayed in that long and brutal battle earned him the Navy Cross for valor and was evident more than a decade before, when the Littleton teen turned his life around after being kicked out of two high schools and landing in court three times.
Nate: 8am
Background: In honor of Chief Petty Officer Nate Hardy, who was killed Sunday February 4, 2008 during combat operations in Iraq. Nate is survived by his wife, Mindi, and his infant son Parker.
It was Hardy’s fourth deployment in Iraq, according to his father, Stephen Hardy, a professor of kinesiology. His mother, Donna Hardy, is an administrative assistant in University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) psychology department.
Nate joined the Navy after graduating from highschool. “Our hearts go out to Steve and Donna Hardy, and their son, Ben, at this incredibly difficult time,” UNH President Mark Huddleston said in a statement. “We know it was Nate’s dream to become a U.S. Navy SEAL when he graduated from high school, and he pursued that dream and excelled at it. His death has stunned all who knew him, and all who know his parents, who both are so much a part of the UNH community.”
The “Nate” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Tuesday, February 12, 2008 (080212).
Marston: 9am
Background: Special Warfare Operator 1st Class William Blake Marston, 31, of Concord, died during Navy SEAL parachute training in DeLand, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at the age of 31. Marston was assigned to an East-coast based SEAL Team and served in the Navy for six years. Marston completed SEAL Training in 2009. He was a member of CrossFit Rife.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was created in William’s name with proceeds going to The 31Heroes Project @31heroes to help families of fallen soldiers (see also: “31 Heroes” WOD).
The “Marston” Hero WOD was first posted on the CrossFit Main Site as the workout of the day for Tuesday, September 27, 2016 (160927). Blake was a member at CrossFit Rife @crossfitrife (Virginia Beach, VA, USA).