Marc Pro Athletes: What Are You Thankful For This Year?
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, it is fitting to take a moment to reflect on what we are thankful for in each of our lives. And, as research shows, feeling gratitude can actually be beneficial for your health and overall well-being. The Marc Pro team asked our athletes one simple question—what are you thankful for in 2016?
As you will read, each Marc Pro athlete expresses different thoughts of gratitude, even with the highs and lows in athletics. The overall takeaway from these tremendous athletes’ experiences is that no matter what, there is always a silver lining to draw from and use as fuel moving forward.
What Are You Thankful For in 2016?
Heather Jackson
Heather Jackson“I am extremely grateful for my family and friends who love and support me and each other through anything and everything.”
Scott Panchik
“I am thankful for my family and having the opportunity to wake up everyday and do what I love!”
Brian MacKenzie
“I’m thankful for change being a constant.”
Ben Greenfield
“This Thanksgiving, I am particularly grateful for the chance to ride my bicycle through the crisp, clean fall air and visit all the local organic farms that surround my little home here in Spokane, WA. There’s nothing like foregoing the Gatorade and instead stopping to pick an organic apple on a bike ride!”
Philip Mooney
“This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for beautiful places in the world and the ability to explore them by bike.”
Emily Bridgers
“I am thankful for my health, my family, my 15-year old dog (Dottie), and my business (CrossFit Terminus)!”
Matt McKinzie
Matt McKinzie“This year I am thankful to be able to ride my bike injury free. I am also thankful for the great people I worked with and the help I received at physical therapy.”
Sam Boardman
“I’m grateful for the support and love of my amazing parents. They are the ones who continually motivate and encourage me to push myself both on and off the bike. They humble me every time I am with them with their kindness and enthusiasm, and remind me every day how I lucky and privileged I am to be able to ride my bike and enjoy the life that I have with the amazing people around me.”
Matthew Tracey-Cook
“I am incredibly thankful to have a supportive, loving family,one that understands my need to spend a bunch of time training on my bike. I am also hugely thankful that I live in a country that is stable and peaceful!”
Sam Bassetti
“I am thankful for the ability to travel to new places and experience new things.”
Ben Ragains
“I’m thankful for family and friends who are always pushing me to seek the next adventure.”
Amanda Burrill
“I am thankful I had the patience to endure all my surgeries this year with a smile still intact, thankful for the forecast of being physically 100% for 2017, and thankful that Marc makes my neck and upper back feel cozy every night before bedtime!”
Christopher Harland-Dunaway
Christopher Harland-Dunaway“I’m thankful that cycling has taken me to places I would have not otherwise venture to – whether it’s the wilderness of New Mexico, the hills of the Belgian Ardennes, or the hustle and bustle of downtown Vancouver, I really appreciate mind-opening encounters with new places and people.”
Ryan Moore
“I’m thankful for, well, this is a multi-part deal; I’m thankful for cycling. But it’s deeper than that. Before I started riding or even racing, I was honestly pretty lost. I was unhealthy, a pack a day smoker, and didn’t have really much going on at all. I started riding an old Bianchi ten-speed to get to and from work after moving to the Bay Area. Then I started racing cross. I met my best friend Justin around this time and at my second race ever, I met my now longtime partner Sofi (also now a cat 1 bike racer). Fast forward a few years and I’m on a team where I’m fully supported and race with great dudes, and I have a career as a cycling coach that is incredibly rewarding and also allows me to train and race. I’m grateful everyday of how much cycling has giving me and how transformative it’s been in my life.”
Jonathan Penaloza
“I am thankful for the privilege to ride bikes with wonderful people in beautiful places, even when the road ahead may be unknown and challenging for us all.”
The entire Marc Pro team would like to wish you and your family and friends a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday.