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Guest: Rooster Rossiter @rooster_rossiter
Show Notes:
Rooster Rossiter is the President of Ainsley's Angels and also Ainsley's dad. I’ve had the honor and privilege of lending my legs to Ainsley’s Angels for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon for the last two years. And in 72 days I’ll be pushing with Ainsley’s Angels for the Marine Corps Marathon. When I met Rooster in May, I asked him if he’d come on my podcast and here we are. Donate to my MCM fundraiser here and sign up for their emails on their website, here.
During this episode, sponsored by Cure Hydration and Previnex, we talk about:
-
Rooster's background and how to get involved with Ainsley’s Angels
-
How and why he served in the United States Marine Corps for 25 years and what that part of his life was like
-
Ainsley’s first finish line and how they started running together
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Rooster’s relationship with his wife, Lori, through the diagnosis, care and passing of Ainsley
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The journey of starting Ainsley’s Angels as we know it today
-
How they do triathlons as part of Ainley’s Angels - swim, bike, run
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Ainsley’s Angels races that are organized by the organization
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The vision of Ainsley’s Angels and what Rooster hopes for
Links
-
Video from ASICS About Ainsleys Angels
Sponsor Details:
- Cure Hydration - Use code ALLYB for 20% off your first order
- Previnex - Use code ALLYB for 15% off your first order
This is a SandyBoy Productions podcast.
Episode Transcript:
[00:00:00] This is a Sandy Boy Productions podcast.
Ally Brettnacher: Welcome to Finish Lines and Milestones, a podcast that celebrates the everyday runner. I'm your host, Ali Brett Knocker, and if you run, you're a runner and every runner has a story.
Join me every Friday as we celebrate these stories and we cross finish lines and celebrate milestones together. This week's podcast is brought to you by Cure Hydration. Obviously, if you're listening to this when it comes out, we are in the midst of summer training. It is hot. HOT Hot. So if you're looking for another way to hydrate throughout your day, or if you're looking for a way to keep your family hydrated, cure Hydration has a great product for you.
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So Cure's been a great product for that. They recently came out with a kids' version, so we are waiting to test that ourselves. But she has tried the regular version and loves the taste. So that is a big win for us to be able to get more of that. And then of course, for me, as I'm training for a marathon during the summertime, just adding in additional electrolytes and hydration is important for me to be able to tackle those long hot runs or runs on the treadmill when I decide to stay inside.
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Let me know what you think. And thank you to Cure Hydration for supporting this podcast. Now for this week's episode, I am so honored, so honored to introduce you to Rooster Rossiter, the president of Ainsley's Angels, Ainsley's dad, a retired major in the Marine Corps. I mean, just. An incredible human being, and I had the pleasure of meeting him in person earlier this year.
When I met him, I immediately was like, will you please be on my podcast? So for anybody new here because of the Ainsley's Angels family, welcome. Thank you for taking a chance to listen to this episode with Rooster. I know you guys all love him and it's easy to see why this organization. In the short time that I've been aware of it and involved in it has given me personally so much, and at the beginning of this episode, you'll hear my 8-year-old daughter, Sydney talk to Rooster because she wanted to meet him after I read Bri's Children's [00:03:00] book.
Born An Angel, which is about. Ainsley when I read her that book, and then I told her I was interviewing Ainsley's dad and she asked if she could meet him, and so she did, and it was such a sweet conversation, but also just a really valuable one, not just for Sydney to hear, but for all of us to hear and just think about.
Perspective, frankly, as marathon training might be hard, as life might be hard. So I personally joined Ainsley's Angels a couple of years ago. I am from Indianapolis, Indiana. Maybe many of you listening have done the Indianapolis Mini Marathon with Ainsley's Angels. Maybe if you're local to Indianapolis, you've done it solo, and now you're gonna do it with Ainsley's Angels after you listen to this.
But two years ago, which would've been 2023, I did my first race with Ainsley's Angels. I had seen Tracy Hunter, who was on this podcast previously, and her friend and athlete who's been on this podcast, Angelica, they ran with Ainsley's Angels the year prior, and I just thought, oh, that's so cool.
Huh. [00:04:00] I wonder what that takes. Like what do you have to do to be able to do that? Well, the answer is sign up. So they're always looking for additional members of the family to loan their legs for their angel writers. And I signed up. I did it with my friend Ashley Schwab. It's the first year, 2023.
We'd had Team Hope. You can kind of see, well, if you're watching above this, I have Hope's Sign that was on our chariot that I hung up there. And this year, Emlyn, my writer did not wanna give me her sign, so that was okay. That's all right. I might have to print my own. But anyway, so first year was 2023. I decided that I was not going to do the Indie Mini.
Anywhere else this point forward. So I've done, this is a humble brag, I guess 17 Indie minis over the years, my first in 2007. And it's a great race and this is the way to do it people. So if you're local or if you're part of the Ainsley's Angels family and you've never. Come to Indianapolis for this race.
It's one of the biggest events [00:05:00] for Ainsley's Angels throughout the year. It's in early May, the first Saturday in May. It goes around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and to experience it this way is just so incredibly magical. So after doing it, you know, you start at the front. You get to start before everyone else, before the elites, and it's just incredible to be there with the rest of the wheels to see that big American flag and the start line that you're just standing under.
Whereas if you're like me, normal person, you're like way back in the corrals. So that's a cool experience. We line up before that at the NCAA Hall of Champions and walk over all together. It's just a sea of pink and. Then you go and while you might think, oh my gosh, I could never do that for a half marathon.
It's so hard. Well, I'll have Rooster tell you his take on what, he says to people who feel like they can't do it or it's too hard, and that'll get you motivated. But I tell you this, and I did this year too. And Lyn was a 13-year-old girl with Down [00:06:00] Syndrome and she ran across the finish line. I should say, she sprinted across the finish line.
Okay. I had to keep up with her and the pictures I have of her smile crossing the finish line. Yeah, there's nothing better. And you'll hear Rooster talk about Ainsley's smile and how they rediscovered that smile through running and wanting to keep her happy and, and out doing things with her family and friends.
And so you'll hear the whole story. But that's my plug for specifically joining us. Next year, 2026 will be the 50th running of the Indianapolis Mini Marathon. And so the goal is to have 50 teams, so 50 chariots , 50 angel writers. 50 volunteers to loan their legs, and it actually would be, there's room for like a hundred because typically you have a team of two, so you can trade off the effort.
So there you go. Just grab a friend. And the easiest way to get involved is to go to ainsley's angels.org and simply sign up. you can select which area of the country you're in, and you'll start to receive emails and [00:07:00] it'll tell you about upcoming events and how to get involved. So do that.
And then this year I just felt before the Innie Mini even. I had been thinking, and I decided that I wanted to do a full marathon. I wanted to do the Marine Corps Marathon in its 50th year as well. It's 50th year this year, and it's a really special race to Ainsley's Angels. It was Ainsley's first and last marathon on Earth, and so I thought, oh, well I did that race before.
Why don't I just challenge myself and give somebody else that experience? So I'm a little terrified, but highly motivated and. You're gonna be too after you hear this episode. So Rooster and I talk about his background, a little bit about him and his family, how he met his wife, Lori, and started their family, what it was like being deployed to Iraq.
When he found out, they found out that Ainsley had a diagnosis. And it's an inspiring story and I'll leave it at that 'cause I want Rooster to tell it so you can hear it from Ainsley's dad. How cool is that? I [00:08:00] just, the opportunity to be able to meet him and be a part of this family is one that I don't take for granted.
In fact, towards the end of the episode, we talk about how they have the sunset 5K down in Lake Charles, Louisiana. And I've done some research on that because I turned 40 the day before and I'm thinking, hmm. My first race as a master runner could be with Ainsley's Angels and Lake Charles. Louisiana is not somewhere I've ever been, but it looks really fun.
And so if you're listening to this and you're like, yeah, that's cool, I'll come celebrate your birthday alley in Louisiana. Put it on the calendar. 'cause I'm pretty sure, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna do that. And then maybe something else too, because obviously that weekend will not be about me. It's about the Inslee's Angels family.
So. I really hope that you enjoy this conversation with the incredible Rooster Rosser. Enjoy.
Rooster: Oh my goodness. You, you wanted to tell me a story. I'm all ears.
Ally Brettnacher: When we read the, about, I thought it was a really, book, [00:09:00] and I cried because I thought it was so sad.
Rooster: Oh my. Well, thank you for sharing that and I'm glad you got a chance to read it.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Rooster: um, what did you think was, what did you think was sad about it?
Ally Brettnacher: That she didn't get to live as long as other kids do.
Rooster: Well, I think it's normal to feel that way. That's, uh, that's good that you have, you know, the ability to feel that. But I will tell you something, she might've only lived for 12 years, but wow. She's, she's had such an impact on so many people, you know, and.
Ally Brettnacher: Yep.
Rooster: That's kind of special. And I wish that really for anyone to be able to live their life in a way where when it's all said and done, you know that you, you made your mark.
You, you did good while you were here, you know?
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Rooster: So I appreciate that it made you sad, but I also think it should really make you very happy too, to know that she's created something really special and now we get to celebrate what we saw, what we call her legacy. Do you know what legacy is?
Ally Brettnacher: No.
Rooster: [00:10:00] Legacy's really like that thing that everyone will kind of remember you for whenever you go to heaven
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Rooster: that thing that.
Kind of when someone says your name, they immediately think of that and, and you can, you can create something that can be your legacy. You can be something that can be your legacy. So many different ways. So like when you think about life and all the many years ahead of you, like right now, what do you want people to know about you?
Do you want them to think that you're kind?
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Rooster: Do you want them to think that you're fun to hang around and do things with? Mm-hmm. Do you want, do you want them to think that you care about them?
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Rooster: Do you want them to think that you're a meanie, a real mean person that makes fun of 'em all the time? So it sounds like if you had to like identify what you want your legacy to be.
You want [00:11:00] people to remember you as a kind person who always made everyone feel safe to be around them.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Rooster: So if you wanna live your legacy as you go on for the next 1, 3, 5, 50, 100 years, keep that at the front of your, of your thinking, that you always lead with kindness.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Rooster: Sounds like a plan to me.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Rooster: Okay,
Ally Brettnacher: Lemonade
Rooster: I'll be on the, I'll be on the watch.
I'll be over here watching you as you go do that.
Ally Brettnacher: And I also have another story.
Rooster: I like stories. What else do you have?
Ally Brettnacher: when it was my, um, birthday, we did this lemonade stand and the money from it. We donated it to Angels.
Rooster: You did. Wow. How did it make you feel when you were able to make that donation to Ainsley's Angels?
Ally Brettnacher: it made me feel really, really, and nice
Rooster: It made you feel nice.
it sounds like you were doing some of [00:12:00] that kindness stuff we were talking about.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Rooster: Wow. Without even realizing it. You are living part of what might be your legacy through service. You know what service means, what is service.
Ally Brettnacher: Um,
Rooster: Let's break it down into smaller parts. Service. Is that two syllables? Service. Service.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah,
Rooster: the, What's the first part of the word service? Serve. Serve. Do you, do you know what it means to serve?
Ally Brettnacher: also kind of means help. Yeah. Like you kinda help and like give it to people. Mm-hmm. Kinda like do things for other, yeah. Mm-hmm.
Rooster: So whenever you go somewhere, and I don't know whether you go to your favorite place to eat or, or maybe you go to school or maybe you go to the doctor, people are serving you. Did you realize that? Yeah. So your teacher will serve you by providing you with an opportunity to learn more.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm.
Rooster: When you go eat somewhere, someone might [00:13:00] serve you food to nourish your body.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Rooster: Yeah, so, and when you go to the doctor, you might be a nurse or a doctor that's gonna serve you to help you stay well and give you advice. So all of that is service. And sometimes service can feel like it's just about you getting something. But actually the people who serve, they get a lot out of serving.
So I think about you at the lemonade stand. Was it a lot of work at the lemonade stand?
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, and we also, we didn't just have lemonade, we also had some bracelets and I had some other people. was some of my friends that also helped.
Rooster: Well, that is awesome. So not only were you able to serve by providing people a service of wristbands and lemonade, but you were able to bring other people, your friends with you, so you were leading. By doing service for other people and it made you feel happy and good, and kind and nice. When you were done.
When you were done helping other people, you [00:14:00] felt good. How about that?
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Rooster: That's kind of neat. That's cool. Well, thank you for serving other people and for donating the funds to Ainsley's Angels. It's very kind. Very kind.
Ally Brettnacher: I know.
Rooster: You know, it's kind. That's good. That's good to know. It's kind because, because being able to tell the difference between what's nice and what's not nice or what's kind and what's not kind is important.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Rooster: That's good. What else do you wanna talk about?
Ally Brettnacher: Say you say I'll see you in October. Yeah, see
Rooster: Why would you see me? Why? Why would you see me in October?
Ally Brettnacher: Why will I see him in October? Because my race, he'll be at the race. Oh. 'cause I'm gonna go, with my mom to the race. Yep.
Rooster: All right. The Marine Corps marathon. Have you ever been to Washington DC before?
Ally Brettnacher: Yes, because our
Rooster: No.
Ally Brettnacher: lived there, so I've been
Rooster: Okay.
Ally Brettnacher: before.
Rooster: Okay. Have you been there recently or has it been a long time?
Ally Brettnacher: It's been a long time. Okay. Yeah.
Rooster: Well, what's cool is every time you go back, you'll get to learn something new.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Rooster: [00:15:00] So I look forward to seeing what you're gonna learn this time, and I'll see you in October.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Rooster: Okay, well thanks for visiting. Bye.
Ally Brettnacher: Bye.
Rooster: Okay.
Ally Brettnacher: I think
Rooster: finally, I think we have
Ally Brettnacher: Rooster rooster need No
Rooster: last name necessary
Ally Brettnacher: rooster like Madonna
Rooster: yeah.
very I mean, by no means
would
or uh, bono. Madonna. Madonna. Uh, but yeah Works Uh, Kim Rooster, Ainsley's Angels President Ainsley's dad retired Marine major proud father three and a wife of gosh 30 years I live in Virginia don't know what else we wanna say
Ally Brettnacher: That
Rooster: was good That was perfect
Ally Brettnacher: Right man I felt
Rooster: so lucky that I
Ally Brettnacher: got a chance to
Rooster: meet you in person
Ally Brettnacher: at the Indie Mini year
Rooster: an
literally up the expo
floor. It's
like oh hey the way
are I guess I always love those opportunities too, because be able to welcome people
[00:16:00] to
the Angel's, angels of
America family
not say especially, it it even more when you those who to actually be our charity at the Marine Corps huge race
for and
it's cool to people ahead of the actual
yeah Yeah that
was cool
Well and I don't know if you know this
Ally Brettnacher: but I actually hadn't
Rooster: Wait had I committed to doing it No I had
Ally Brettnacher: okay nevermind I was say just like
Rooster: put me over the edge though with
Ally Brettnacher: excitement in
Rooster: terms of Being able to
Ally Brettnacher: actually meet you talk
Rooster: to you you shared some about the story when we
Ally Brettnacher: were chatting I'm like I need to
Rooster: get you on my so I can share your story and the Ainsley's Angel story
Ally Brettnacher: with more people next year at the Indie
Rooster: Mini is gonna be
Ally Brettnacher: the
Rooster: 50th year for the Indie Mini
Ally Brettnacher: And so we want 50
Rooster: teams
Ally Brettnacher: have how many there are right now?
Rooster: Yeah, no, I don't know right now only 'cause indie Mini's May. Um, Christie
Ally Brettnacher: right
Rooster: Yeah. mean, of course Christie would have Christie High, ambassador in North central [00:17:00] would have all details But But I do know I think 50 is attainable and it's attainable because we've grown it over the years.
If you were just Hey, we did race last year, next year we 50. And by way, when we say we're talking about athletes disabilities who are paired at least 50 folks who loan legs then pulled around course by disabilities.
So, um, that's a And so Marine Corps Marathon, there was time I remember getting the starting 2011, and it it was
Me and Ainsley
and they said, go whenever you sir. I'm what? This is, wild. Right. Um, and now, uh, we're, think we have 75, 71 75 athletes with you know, call angel teams running, which the 50th Marine So I if we can milestones, see what I did hit these milestones at Corps Marathon, there's no
doubt
[00:18:00] hit them Indie Mini and the director's not anything to curtail us. Like they're here because we've demonstrated through years a safe way to execute this So go do
that Well
Ally Brettnacher: most of my listeners, actually, not most, I would say half of the listeners of this podcast are local to Indie because that's where I live. And so a lot of people I interview for this are local, and so I'm really, I've already know people who've told me, ally, I signed up to do it next year because of you, because I saw it and it looks amazing, and we want that experience.
We wanna give somebody that experience. So I'm really excited to keep recruiting we can have at least 50 teams.
Rooster: Yeah. that's for all those folks that are that thinking about doing I also 'em to take time to go ainsleys and, and register
to become part of family it's free
upper right, join the But if you click that button, can select Indiana and then you can select North Indiana
Ally Brettnacher: [00:19:00] Mm-hmm
Rooster: you're not from that area, can look and see state what locale we are in. We're in hundreds of communities But I mentioned because until do you're not gonna get board with all the local emails invitations, because we do 600 900 races a year across There's more just Marine Corps Marathon
or Mini
And so we'd love your listeners get involved in, doing
this
I don't know, monthly Where do you live
Ally Brettnacher: I'm gonna tell you I'm, I'm hooked. I'm in, So
Rooster: I mean, as runners, we get to in our journey
where
we really want to this ourselves. And I I take away from the runner who has these goals for
themselves it We've had individual
and educational and spiritual goals in life but a point where you want to serve others And you know we talking with your daughter I don't know
they've heard that
hear it later, when talk about
service
man like[00:20:00]
serve others
so for those that serve. it's really, really important for
you as individual
to We all
have a to give
So to
is
special But anyway I could for
Ally Brettnacher: I mean, too. I mean really. I couldn't feel more strongly about that now too I mean I've been running for quite a while and I really was like, I'm like, I can't PR every race. I need something different. I need do something different. And I've, I'm on the board for the CNO Indianapolis Monumental Marathon that's here
Rooster: November
Ally Brettnacher: And so I was giving back through like volunteering at races. that's really how I started thinking about, I need volunteer more. I give back to this community more And somebody a friend of mine, it
Rooster: been maybe three years
Ally Brettnacher: ago now, ran with Ainsley's Angels the Mini.
And I it and like if I that. I just get So I'm glad bat
Rooster: people to do
Ally Brettnacher: because it's not hard
Rooster: and you know, good not That's easy [00:21:00] come
to life
this need for others And once can realize that, and maybe you just now revelation, whoever's hearing our voices it. Congratulations, you made but, but you've been there whole life.
You just really categorized If you think it, you've had to serve others since were you know, Stan
a 7 8
maybe doing something in
your community
sports and school
clubs
and it's beautiful feeling about makes you feel but all while, that's we say we shall, because together shall, as the motto of Angels, so much more as, as
a team than
can as individuals so examples of that in everyone's life and in the history of the world frankly
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm you are
Rooster: in Virginia Beach Virginia is where you live Yeah
Ally Brettnacher: from where in south somewhere
Rooster: I, I born New Jersey, [00:22:00] lived for eight years. the moved Louisiana, which is my mom's is from. So
from eight to 18 lived in Louisiana
the formative years
to the Marine
right outta high
school that put me
I 40 countries, states, all place 25 years.
And then we landed in Virginia Beach which is where I retired from Corps and turned all my energy and attention towards being my daughter's legacy
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm
Rooster: I
Ally Brettnacher: mean thank you Doesn't do it justice to say thank you for your service I mean you talk about service it's like holy shit
Rooster: Well, well you're welcome. But I also say frankly. more almost, it's a privilege have
been able serve
Do you know how how difficult Entering armed forces is, and I'm it up and make
Ally Brettnacher: it sound
Rooster: thing God I'm you know
can that
It's hard mean you have so elements processing process
to get the services
ability a [00:23:00] test, background
track know how
you smoked marijuana you did during school.
or things didn't do school And then the the medical piece if you use drugs to, to, help you with A DHD a DD there's a whole waiting period that to off of the drugs in order service And to think how family we have with with, diagnosis Diagnoses Diagnoses
Ally Brettnacher: I don't know Diagnose I
Rooster: yeah diagnose
Ally Brettnacher: I
Rooster: friends
and families with who it
would
from so to that It was privilege be to be accepted into service.
And then the honor
gosh just an honor to serve uh During all those years
Ally Brettnacher: So Rooster what made you do that at 18 or like right outta high school Is your family a military family What made you join the service
Rooster: Yeah. per per se a military I mean, [00:24:00] everyone has elements. I mean, my dad served shortly You know, wife's little in the army, when you talk careerists, there was no to In fact I've gotten into genealogy
Ally Brettnacher: and
Rooster: a whole nother podcast but no, think it was this um only a couple so think You're in the 12th I what are options? Option go to college maybe Assuming qualify and afford Mm-hmm Option two you can get a
job stay
job maybe from your parents home maybe your own home Number three you can like leave the completely and go do
a thing or
a drive the country or backpack Europe or maybe go Hollywood and an actor then number four really of military service of course interwoven in there be law and firefighters those
jobs but who qualify
local and serve So I [00:25:00] through the of uh,
my dad said me at one point
said you know it's a young person's decision and as I've reflected on that
decades
it's accurate. Like you decide 45 to go the Navy You don't decide you you
18 fighter
jet
Ally Brettnacher: you can you can
Rooster: but completely kind of limited. So ultimately a situation where to answer question, as I I examined the options and as I the lens of it's
a young person's decision
it
was one that made the most sense
for And, and once I recruiter that
I
completely changed everything it was Like, like, I'm wanna do That's a long answer
is incredible
Ally Brettnacher: Well yeah, I mean I just have I have no experience with military at all my family like only maybe grandparents like a little bit but not even really to speak of And so you know whenever I learn about people who have [00:26:00] served I mean it just it really is really inspiring and that's why I'm just so grateful Even though from your perspective was an honor I just am like I just feel so lucky that people like you gave their lives For this country so when you first joined How do you decide between like Marine Corps Navy Army Is it decided for you or
Rooster: Great question so short
answer is get to decide
based on kind of the services offer but then of course
have
one accept so way this works, you're
you're 17 there listening your
or you're you're it for in the to there's Corps, Army, there's Air there's Space Coast there's all entities.
So really
with
research look at what each mission the types they and then go
to an recruiter
for that service and basically let 'em know you're
interested from journey, I [00:27:00] Air because I two uncles who Force members did 15 years and were my mom's brothers And uh thought maybe that was the answer Gotta go Air cause it makes the most But when in interestingly
enough
that they need right now. And like wait what do what do you mean So they they then they're working towards those like I they to get X pilots and X of to on airplanes X number of
clerical people
they have
all those for that month or
at 92, they have any So, So I I went the the Navy and Navy recruiter was
in there
and, and, I love brothers and sisters walked
Ally Brettnacher: in
Rooster: on You know, the recruiter there with feet up his shirt was He had tie. didn't have tie. He was was all un untucked and unbuttoned and he was actually a the
recruiting [00:28:00] office
to ah, this is the and I need do
anything
When I was immediately like, So I and as door, there marine in full
dress blues
probably
about 3 25
And just looked at me like can I I help you Like do
What are you doing here
and in that moment this
is what I want
Ally Brettnacher: this yeah
Rooster: Um and fun it. 'cause you takes to do this I'm like, what? Baloney
you know,
let's go that test
kept me going a long story but just the short of
it Well it's
Ally Brettnacher: so interesting Yeah I want I never like guy with his feet on a
Rooster: desk with a cigarette Yeah You're like this
Ally Brettnacher: isn't like I
Rooster: want the military
Yeah
I wanna really
Ally Brettnacher: serve and
Rooster: Again no no
Ally Brettnacher: shade for the Navy
Rooster: Thank you Everybody who has served it's something
Ally Brettnacher: that you know do in my
Rooster: [00:29:00] lifetime but I respect
Ally Brettnacher: the hell who is So that
Rooster: time
Ally Brettnacher: in 40 countries 40 like could you
Rooster: give us some
Ally Brettnacher: I don't maybe stories
Rooster: I mean that's 25 years
Ally Brettnacher: of service Yeah I mean we have
Rooster: no time for that
Ally Brettnacher: All of it Yeah But I
Rooster: would love to hear just a little
Ally Brettnacher: bit about What
Rooster: that part of your life was
Ally Brettnacher: like
Rooster: I mean
well so so
if you're in and you go straight the, into the Corps, you, gonna go to bootcamp in Carolina, at Paris back then was
went San Diego
and so all new there. California. never
been California
the idea about climate. Anybody to San Diego tell you
it's beautiful awesome
it's not necessarily awesome you
in July
for 13 weeks of Marine Corps you know boot bootcamp Mm But I could you know, the it.
and, and
and that that whole
training. Kicks off day you [00:30:00] to And then of you you, you finish bootcamp and go back for some more training. I went the intelligence and as an intelligence my was Virginia.
So I, I remember when really maybe to
Williamsburg
Bush family I was super young But I was never um I don't know that I would say I've to Virginia. you it's 4-year-old but, so now
there's
to, and it's totally than
California go
that training And my first duty I done was, was in Japan So here Yeah, 19 was
a I just
went to Japan and you to get you get chance a a few countries while in had a chance do a
few countries and
it, it
was basically
for, for 25 years.
there comes in journey where might have
some stability
where you be a duty station prolonged period
and you may there [00:31:00] with family
Mm-hmm and family stays and you go Numerous all country, it in
in Arizona
and courses courses in Florida focused insurgent, understanding insurgency, you know, Sears survival evasion, escape training was in California as a
a young wild
chance see just how go
without food
and just how can know, if I told how long you the know, and at do you break you know, Oh yeah about at 20 21 was really because knowing your breaking.
It's pretty
empowering you how far you go in
the And later, was
was where we were
we were Carolina go the eastern coast on a and, and make from the, to the, the to the, to the coast and do different training there for a deployment and I remember that [00:32:00] test was, how
how long you stay awake
And I remember getting
Ally Brettnacher: to it was
Rooster: my was
50 54 hours my actually hours that's
Ally Brettnacher: like a
Rooster: number
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: but you get a point where you're for 55 hours and the boss you a like the boss like, Hey what do do you about blah And my to just 'em like yeah you you, you I just looked just when I should well sir, you know, given the current threat reporting, I would assess the adversary considering A, B, C. And I'm yeah. So he was like, you, you
go to bed This
Ally Brettnacher: it Yeah You're you can no longer be awake
Rooster: Yeah anyway, I, I could go tell you many a stories that, but there, there the, the whole experience, sitting off of, East getting a to go into Africa I planes, and and
I
[00:33:00] I don't
know I even have enough time this but
from a Navy to a little smaller to a, to beach to a,
a Jeep
to a a, place
to regroup
then get van, and then get a and then get a John You the guy doing around right now, accomplish in the John boat, basically an outboard motor you're controlling with your to place to go. they bring to place in this little city, and go get an airline ticket, get the ticket go down beaten path to a, runway that's actually grass you then hop on this prop into a major where you now taxi. Anyway, and eventually a and jet takes to wholly country. And in United then you're only before you way into Bahrain, Qatar, uh, Doha,
you
vehicle and drive all you various in order
various things
and then fly on [00:34:00] a
back
ship Anyway, it's planes, automobiles. that
was
what just to and this be a segue was a 30 day after Ainsley's diagnosis of infantile neuro axonal dystrophy
Ally Brettnacher: Oh gosh Like
Rooster: wild we were a position I just go home because it didn't sense mission
wise
And the command as long as we are not able necessarily send
you home gonna you very
busy And gonna
leverage the training
and all experiences up this
point
to give an opportunity focus on missions And eventually get point where that distraction wasn't enough and the could see he is like, Hey, you I'm like I'm effing done sir
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm
Rooster: is yeah, I see a There. Get helicopter [00:35:00] tomorrow. You're fly
to ship
here you're gonna do that
Ally Brettnacher: Well I was, as you were telling the story and just thinking about all that time that you're in the service I was curious about when and how you met your wife and started a family and kind of
Rooster: where that came in So that
Ally Brettnacher: is a good segue What's your
Rooster: wife's name and I
high
school and I went school
and the, the, there's a long story kind that whole But suffice say, we were going
main road
car friends and she friends, and a road that
that cars just drive down That's
you just did a freshman. was a sophomore Yeah, was older and had this thing but maybe it a crush, but Our crush sophomore for I was in And they drove, they oh, well well go here pull and, 'cause that's do.
You meet
up parking lot everybody out until cops come
rush you off but
was was was first time
that had odd [00:36:00] because I, time extremely
the story better than I but ex very point um people who knew that person be surprised
it was
just, I don't know know it
was shy lack confidence
or I I, don't know but she found herself attracted to that by that and led her to eventually
me
I'll was Hey, she
called
a couple would you you to go to wherever And I remember oh, I, I don't know.
ask my
And I hung phone, like, wanna, you know what I mean Like so,
crazy 13 or
yeah. uh, yeah, we dated about year so and then, uh, she'll tell the I up her some other girl, you know, maybe maybe You who
Ally Brettnacher: knows
Rooster: but it, it not until back that sea So we, we dated 90, 91. I went that Sears [00:37:00] 96.
Okay
So, we had
had broken basically like
let's just for math, four doing all high school
experiences
You know, some people say sewing oats, whatever it were during those But after I came and,
uh I ended
we up connecting and the rest So, got back 96, engaged in 97, got married
in 98
she to I
was in North Carolina
time 2001 We had our 2003. had In 2005 we we had Camden youngest and final child and it around time Camden being that everything Ainsley's
diagnosis
Not, not time being but shortly
thereafter Geez So that's
were
were to
To take necessary steps no longer at least Um uh, yeah, so the Marine Corps when we got the di, [00:38:00] that diagnosis
2007
us to Virginia Beach where it provide continuity care.
The expectation was that
Ainsley would only live
to like 10 years Yeah
Given which
for listeners that curious, the short is She
had build up all along nervous system
and that
those they built
up, would take over system and essentially.
this we know until 12, 15, 20 because the
the toxins
to show on the nervous in first to to But once she those milestones, Right I did there Yeah
wife was
you know something's not right And, mother's in.
And that's when started
which
up about a 24 process to eventually get to
diagnosis
So like, think about
your eyes and have optic nerves All of our optic
think red with good
flow
see [00:39:00] ainsley's nerves
slowly
changing from what might to maybe to roses, pink to white, you know?
And
You know And as that
yeah um, it's happening
globally
And she her journey 12 years where her little body just couldn't take it anymore And, and And
uh and she passed away
16, Um which was
beyond
would've thought we
were gonna get her life
we attribute I that many,
attribute that
to really
the love my
care that my wife
Ally Brettnacher: gave
Rooster: my Lori
her
7 caregiver around the
which
amazing Uh you talk about gratitude
to somebody course
is like well it know
special
And, and that's I caregivers just such huge place
Ally Brettnacher: yes
Rooster: Oh my gosh
Yeah Caregivers[00:40:00]
Ally Brettnacher: Incredible people I I I didn't realize Well and then
Rooster: you were gone when this when the diagnosis happened
Ally Brettnacher: I I am just
Rooster: thinking about Lori and putting
Ally Brettnacher: myself to put myself in just you get this you have a young you know you got One is
Rooster: pretty young and then you have this diagnosis
Ally Brettnacher: Your husband is
Rooster: overseas
Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Man
Rooster: Yeah It's, it's, a and it's sometimes it's it's can't lose You can, we lose sight just
how powerful
the human
mind and human desire persevere
you're your offspring your kids
and
what you'll and the you'll go
And never would I want to compare to it like the mom carried child within for, from to nine this is,
there to be cared for loved on mm-hmm
in all the paternal maternal ways so it's I understand. I was so blessed be [00:41:00] pay witness caring for her the that
she did way that yeah
way poured into all the while having other two children who demand of her interviewing her
Ally Brettnacher: Right Yeah. So at what point
you found out when she
Rooster: was like
Ally Brettnacher: just over a things weren't happening So you're like okay now and then you get the
Rooster: diagnosis
Ally Brettnacher: a couple years later because it took that long to figure out like to pinpoint what it was
Rooster: yeah. And yes. So 12 15 where milestones being and then that kicked process months the reason it so because at
diagnosis
at four years she one
only seven
in United So I didn't one
outta 70,000
this.
she was one of And, we globally within few years after that, there a suspect suspected
like 40 to 50
the world Now since
[00:42:00] then
the numbers go because learned much about they've been
able help people
get
diagnosis it's still just
you know, there's probably less a hundred
world right now
with this diagnosis
it's extremely
rare yeah, really
Ally Brettnacher: Wow
Rooster: So we're
grateful
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: we're grateful have
gotten the diagnosis
just because there's, a lot you wouldn't get that
Yeah
Ally Brettnacher: sure
Rooster: And then you'd never
Ally Brettnacher: may Never know
Rooster: You wouldn't. And, and the diagnosis that she had until point was palsy which really damage to the brain Uh, one MRIs
showed something
know, smaller
than normal
cortex, empty frats. a doctor here but enough them to yeah, there,
is damage to brain
in this spot So, CPE, that's, and so lot our, Angels family
members
palsy
diagnosis
And that's sometimes only [00:43:00] they'll but possible there's so
many other
more specific Cerebral palsy, very big blanket
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah Yeah of the women I had on this podcast previously Amy Shiman she'll
Rooster: be at Marine Corps
Ally Brettnacher: her husband pushes her She wasn't I think she was 45 when she was finally diagnosed with this rare type of muscular dystrophy mean it's one of those things where you're like yeah I could see people go there almost God gosh more than half their life without knowing
Rooster: So I'm grateful
Ally Brettnacher: that that You were able to have an answer Now what did was there any sort of therapies or like treatment
of that Ainsley or was it more about just like let's make her as comfortable as we can give her the best possible life that we can
Rooster: it was of things. So yes, were therapies, speech therapy occupational physical therapy um, the, all the the teas And, then there was you types things that
that as
[00:44:00] people in family to and and that's
what we
wanna s stay in home and
just nonstop things and myself
And I'm
not knocking those that this because
there are that do it and therapeutic. But I
I
in trying understand the disease then to the the disease And
it was well maybe there'll be time for that
later,
but now
do things world
And that not only
an opportunity
of the mind
and the body
a big thing that profess today the importance
of of mind and body movement how critical that is
But also this she to educate
people
out there educate people while out there you know was, really really awesome When we Beach, was therapist, Peggy, who who actually gave us this [00:45:00] challenge or
invitation
to down to ocean front and run this
newly forming
Hoyt Virginia Beach go That's
Ally Brettnacher: okay
Rooster: So without physical therapist our we would've never exposed
to thing called
you know endurance running and such life thing. August of 2008 the Beach Ocean front so one smile, by your runners and listener runners are appreciate When we got down I did push in in So it
was structured same
type of way
Ally Brettnacher: Mm As
Rooster: Angela's angels
Ally Brettnacher: is Mm-hmm
Rooster: your
loved one
the you we provide the
able-bodied
'em and they go
run the race
Well That's how this was that I didn't know anything about
the running all
And they
took off did they off
but like,
wait where are they going
And, and then physical therapist says, thought you were
running all these people
have this thing [00:46:00] on It's a I don't those. is that number and she never forget
it she goes
well, they This is an open boardwalk though. Go. And in that moment I was dude, I did And in hindsight like, I was a a Oh my
gosh
Ally Brettnacher: bandit You didn't know
Rooster: I know I didn't.
Ally Brettnacher: you no idea.
Rooster: But like, funny think about now, is Angels. has race and we, know, we the timing all the things, and we running like bandits bandits.
bad
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah You that
Rooster: And so so as I got to the one mile, an out and back one and a half miles one a back. And as I got one mile they were turned at their two you tracking. So I them coming, they're head of pack I see face and she's lit she's
smiling Wow
and been behind that chair in moment, number one, she wouldn't have been winning moving fast.
number two, I have been face. when
I saw I
[00:47:00] gosh, this amazing. She's blast. then I kind run next Dude doing sub six miles, just crushing And I'm, I'm huffing and to to to up and, he's this is fun.
This great. like, A gonna She's blast. I stayed probably eighth of
of a mile was like
well we're to the I'm like, I got man. Go win. And They won, Ainsley won first race, I for her thereafter
Ally Brettnacher: God that's cool so you push her from that point forward then Like every race after that
Rooster: Yeah,
yeah,
So after I saw joy she was I was like, needs do more this. And
And I became runner her
thereafter. For her, for Okay I wasn't I, I, became to tune eventually running, A hundred races and her final which, we had no in October 2015 Um, but final race Marine Corps [00:48:00] It was fourth time And she, she ran to that finish which the Marine Corps War
memorial
that Iwo Jima statue,
which
Marine, I know that place February during, during World War
ii
February
Ally Brettnacher: 23rd
Rooster: Mm-hmm
And then she away on February 2016, couldn't help be like, really You toot.
I see what You wild. So final line Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial, then she away the anniversary of the Iwo Jima flag raising So there's, there's there's stuff going on Um,
Ally Brettnacher: Absolutely
Rooster: is just that's nuts coincidental.
Sure.
Okay
Ally Brettnacher: No nope was
Rooster: doing
So, really cool. And, and so that's why Corps marathon is such a special [00:49:00] for us back to and as charity partner of, of this massive thing know, 40,000 runners. It's, it's very relationship that we formed the, and the opportunities that many have received across country go and see
capital
and to feel the energy very crowd
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm Mm-hmm I did Marine Corps with my dad in I think it
Rooster: was 2013 maybe
Mm-hmm.
Ally Brettnacher: yeah So it's been a very long But I remember I wheels at the beginning like
Rooster: when I was
Ally Brettnacher: we were tackling the hills and
Rooster: watching them making their way up these
Ally Brettnacher: hill I'm just like holy
Rooster: crap how are they doing
Ally Brettnacher: this so insane
and so I'm excited to
Rooster: go back and
Ally Brettnacher: give
Rooster: somebody that experience
Ally Brettnacher: and you know experience myself at a race
Rooster: that's so special for
Ally Brettnacher: Ansley's Angels the 50th
Rooster: anniversary I mean
Ally Brettnacher: I cannot
Rooster: wait Yeah it's [00:50:00] really
In fact uh
are watching video
podcast, the Over Shoulder actually me kissing Ainsley at the start of the 2013 Corps Marathon
Ally Brettnacher: Oh well
Rooster: go US a
in my and, you can see there, but it's a GoPro And then pro produced five six you know, documentary or short film about
journey which really
the
we ever had any of solid storytelling
Ally Brettnacher: mm-hmm
Rooster: storytelling format
that captures, know, the that Ainsley there And course,
you know forward
to 2022 when Asics, captured really special kind of you know, about Ainsley's journey in another short film I mentioned I'm because have those
things forever
we
talk about This idea
like [00:51:00] about the journey and these content are captured. Just podcasts
that do You're you're capturing
forever
And I like to
hat say, know, thanks for elevating and amplifying the mini stories Mm-hmm Keep going you for doing
Ally Brettnacher: that podcast Well yeah like you
Rooster: said it's my honor I
Ally Brettnacher: love able to It's
Rooster: just so
Ally Brettnacher: incredible Yeah to
Rooster: at what point did
Ally Brettnacher: her older sister start
Rooster: running too
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah Is how do you uh Bri
Rooster: Yeah Bri Okay
Ally Brettnacher: Briley When did
Rooster: Briley start running
just a quick break to tell you that this podcast is also brought to you by Preen X, clinically effective supplements that promote longevity, performance, and everyday health. If you are like me, you are always looking for additional ways to improve your health and boost your energy levels, anti-aging benefits.[00:52:00]
Quick break to let you know that this podcast is also brought to you by Pren X. Pren X creates clinically effective. Just a quick break to let you know that this episode, just a quick break to let you know this episode is also brought to you by pren X, clinically effective supplements that promote longevity, performance, and everyday health.
If you are new to this podcast, perhaps this is the first you've ever heard of proven X, and if so, awesome. It is a game changer. For me, I started taking their products back in February of this year, and particularly, I really love the Gut and Greens Superfood. I was taking a green previously that I spent a ton of money on that turns out had a lot of added fillers and wasn't the quality that really I should be using, especially for the money.
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Ally Brettnacher: When did
Rooster: Briley start running they did
their very first 5K
at age nine six. Briley
Ally Brettnacher: was nine Oh my gosh
Rooster: was six and it was actually next to
and with
Rick Hoyt
Ally Brettnacher: Oh my gosh
Rooster: So I picture hanging in my, [00:54:00] garage
of and Ainsley
Dick and Rick crossing a finish Central and Dick's hometown the reason that the year before Bradley seen all that
and I were happening having
and that she to do a race that with And we
had a to Rick to and do
some things with them years she said I I'd that very special 5K And then her it. So it really it happened because There wasn't things Ainsley was do fun and for social socializing age six But Brightly an an do their sister. They went 30
races together
Wow was cool
to to as as
a, father Um course, the Born
an Angel Is something that was able write
in her summer before sixth
grade [00:55:00] year
She was, has always really and if any anybody's come
across Briley
met her communicated with her her ability to communicate verbally ability to communicate through written word is quite remarkable when I mean
it's
a step above
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm
Rooster: the
in middle I'm in elementary
school
was the newspaper staff had written thing her sister that led to There's pieces this story, that led essentially being able children's book and get that published and that's another I mentioned content earlier, this
forever
read
the book
Ally Brettnacher: Oh my
Rooster: You know what
Ally Brettnacher: I mean
Rooster: that that's powerful, that the power of and, and to have things documented Special
Ally Brettnacher: Right It's so mean I mean I can
Rooster: make myself cry just thinking
Ally Brettnacher: about reading book with them for the time Mm-hmm You know
Rooster: I bought it at the mini expo You signed it
Ally Brettnacher: [00:56:00] for the girls which sweet
Rooster: and I
Ally Brettnacher: and I
Rooster: didn't expect
Ally Brettnacher: Sydnee oldest to like understand and and the emotions I mean she just sobbing Yeah Like
Rooster: she just and but it was such
Ally Brettnacher: an important her to understand hearing you
Rooster: talk about the power of legacy
Ally Brettnacher: to my you know 8-year-old I'm
Rooster: just like is what
Ally Brettnacher: it's about
Rooster: Yeah Yeah
so important so and
these are
not that
I'm speaking myself. I was conversations about and legacy and when I was, 7, 9 12
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah Shit
Rooster: 17
Ally Brettnacher: right I mean 27 I mean like
Rooster: But, I use those three I use Like more to poured educating people through
experience
in power service, in the power legacy, and frankly,
of understanding grief and how
it is to
experience
[00:57:00] all
the phases
Because second try to stop or push or a
box the second where
get really
sick
and you can only you know compartmentalize for so long
Ally Brettnacher: Right
Rooster: And There's acronym My instills Courage magic it is magical you actively grieve Yeah I think that your
a
read the and then feel comfortable in your presence crying In reaction a a story speaks volumes the safeness you're providing her as her
mom
there's a lot of folks who don't have that safety and that place where to all is encouraged
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm
Rooster: to in your life where you can no longer feel and if can't feel
can't either Right
talking about getting high What I'm not talking about token on your favorite you know tobacco
talking [00:58:00] feeling the
thrill accomplishing a milestone
Yes
line of feeling Is the same thing that you have to the spectrums if, if you're to this in you a chance feel
I think line or
even better Mm-hmm Because had a chance to feel it It's not
awesome
Like
Yeah
it's
not During
like the past I have been going through very amount of feeling the point of actually using the word this is this is bit of that depression And that that
I
and a prescription but does that way needing to do that Mm-hmm If I don't feel If
Right
of it I think that you go through the process of
active
and can that
whole movement mm-hmm[00:59:00]
I feel helps a lot much I, I didn't you for the past
three days
myself just kind of just being which is is cool But having this podcast today
meant had to
I had to move my mind and I had to get prepared through through the how can I actively grieve in this podcast in a way that gets my mind
moving So
My wife and I take the
dog for walks a day
and we the So some movement there
then know, my ice
barrel's outside I some
'cause I said, when podcast is go into that I and and I think I might go for maybe a little jog later I'm saying
all this to to
back this finish
and milestones when
what's next race? your next
finish What mm-hmm
What's your next life I know asked your guests these questions Sometimes the answer
is
I have no idea
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah[01:00:00]
Rooster: I mean you're not gonna know unless you can get
into a place where
can move your mind help you get creative with identifying the next milestone 'cause the day no longer excited about a milestone the lines you'll gonna find your final finish line
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: Yeah
And I mean to us I'm sorry
that I not sorry but
Ally Brettnacher: no Yeah no I know
Rooster: what you are saying
Ally Brettnacher: Well just so important to feel all the feelings that rollercoaster
Rooster: of And
Ally Brettnacher: I have so for you Rooster and
Rooster: coming out and saying like
Ally Brettnacher: shoot the last few days I feel depressed I I mean it goes in waves
Rooster: some days you
Ally Brettnacher: have the highs you're crossing
Rooster: lines Other days you're like
Ally Brettnacher: this sucks I mean it's just the reality of life sadly And I'm curious about relationship throughout this
Rooster: journey
Ally Brettnacher: and
Rooster: does Lori run at
Ally Brettnacher: all
Rooster: No [01:01:00] love I love
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah She probably gets sure with you and
Rooster: having Yeah she, does that question she's fit and she presents
like she could a
that fit present a it could, definitely say, oh yeah, sure a runner the answer no, no furthest ever her run life is about 50 feet front of our house yeah. So no, not To answer your question
you
Ally Brettnacher: specific Yeah. I, was curious about your relationship because know people
Rooster: they say anyway
Ally Brettnacher: I they is necessarily but obviously losing a child going through the experience that you guys went through And being married for almost 30 years now I mean that speaks volumes because even imagine how hard that So what
Rooster: got you guys
Ally Brettnacher: through it
Rooster: Yeah.
The, so the I on marriage
in is what
50
Ally Brettnacher: Right Something Right[01:02:00]
Rooster: And number
have
someone who you're raising with special needs
then a it skyrockets
99 point point something if you have child die And so I
don't
don't have like a here for this
Sure I
offer that you have to find a way for think communication to be remarkable
Hmm even there are times where you don't know how to communicate it being able to know that okay you're not communicating with words something is going on here then figuring out a way in good times how we're to show up each other That's the key so is that easy
No. it get
easier after you've been
a for
so many years No because constantly evolving Humans
constantly evolving So
I
to communication it.
But idea [01:03:00] that if you're not feeling the feels I'm tying it back to feeling you're numb mm-hmm Then then you're not really your full authentic self And so then how can you're not being the person that you really are So that there's that element is trying to maintain some level of be who you are and not worry about necessarily how might make me feel this
Ally Brettnacher: moment Right
Rooster: So don't hide
Ally Brettnacher: it Yeah That's important Mm-hmm
Rooster: but that did, that that because
we other know
on main road 13 in 1990 And then got married from like
I went a significant amount
of self-reflection in 2021 that gave me the my emotions and to be able to acknowledge them feel them And year 25 23 of marriage
Ally Brettnacher: Right
Rooster: Yeah. So [01:04:00] I don't
be
by this
idea that like
oh wow He they have all figured out Like constantly evolving
as you enter
an and as you your fifties like it's new different world to navigate
Um
and And that navigation comes some level of trusting and communication To answer question I
Ally Brettnacher: think Yeah Well and how old are Camden and Briley now
Rooster: 20 in 2001 so
she's coming on both birthdays
so 2020 Uh as I paused
Ally Brettnacher: I was like you do the I'm like trying do the math What's what is today It's 2025 so
Rooster: she's 20 So
Ally Brettnacher: 24
Rooster: a three up in DC conflict resolution the Carter School Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter School Dang George Mason which dual So the other it, she'll she's going [01:05:00] so licensed clinical social work on the of gonna be really special experiences and her ability to communicate which means also listen And then uh Camden is in the Coast Guard in Mississippi thriving down marine that's really special to him in the defense of our of our borders
Ally Brettnacher: That's so great Yeah especially
Rooster: obviously he is doing that you do it He, wanted for because
that's dad
Mm-hmm then he came his junior year to my wife about just you know life And she said, Hey, I wanted to you thought about Coast Guard And he pushed like, oh, I'm I'm that.
then he got
him he did a little and suddenly to my gosh,
this service
more
my passions for to see him go
through he came on my podcast together [01:06:00] Shall podcast the day after he raised his hand and and did the oath But, mentioned that because him podcast, I like, as an intelligence professional in the Marine Corps I was trained to find people that we kill
You're Boson mate
in the United States Coast Guard Who's being to conduct and to go save people
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: as father
couldn't be more that found
this aligns with you to serve other people
Mm-hmm yeah special
Ally Brettnacher: stuff
Rooster: glad he
Ally Brettnacher: found
Rooster: it
Ally Brettnacher: So you right now are empty nesters Yeah
Rooster: okay I wanna talk more
Ally Brettnacher: about
Rooster: and running too because
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah I believe
Rooster: you and Ainsley did a hundred races
Ally Brettnacher: I mean I can like that's lot
Rooster: of races I think probably most people listening haven't
Ally Brettnacher: come close to doing a hundred races themselves you know let alone lending their legs and you know rolling rolling with somebody I mean [01:07:00] it's hard But talk about perhaps I'm trying to think about how to lay this out for people but maybe the evolution of okay we did some five Ks with the Hoyts and then we decided we were gonna do our first full marathon And then now know at what point did Ainsley's Angels truly become Ainsley's angels and then morph into having all these of your own races too So maybe just take us through more of that
Rooster: journey if
Yeah.
no I
question an to kind that because to hundred something it wasn't goal. you know, it wasn't a milestone we were were shooting towards we just fun through the year. So I take you the way I mentioned August oh She
does her
Mm-hmm And that a 5K And then course
I said
want be comma
daughter a runner for my so we went on do
five Ks locally or six of them over the of the next year
[01:08:00] then the time
you the big, big race was was the rock and roll
marathon in Virginia
Beach
Ally Brettnacher: Ugh And that right
Rooster: it it did years ago
longer it's no longer here in Virginia Beach
Ally Brettnacher: Oh okay
Rooster: All But it a staple here
for years. It was a every Labor
Day weekend was a fact many people around Ainsley's Angels in their run that race
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: and that, so was first half marathon is I'm gonna 2010 Okay It's possible was I'm pretty was 10 The I'm was least of five Ks before half
Yes Yeah
and then full Marine
Corps marathon together
2011
Ally Brettnacher: ran
Rooster: a half or two
the
the way up until three years So there's[01:09:00]
there that
I can get overwhelmed this they go the marathon
distance
The pinnacle Or even marathoners who are like I need go tomorrow You because Yeah The marathon You know like I feel
like our bodies are gonna give so
many
miles
And ultimately pick I think are meaningful
or set the that you set to
yourself moving But understand when comes this idea it's remarkable Ainsley did races and that
had the opportunity be her legs and
to push Like I I didn't know anything else I, I didn't five Ks by
myself I went
and saw
my smile and
doing
races with her
And the idea running without or without a a makes me who a race individually because an individual sport to
Ally Brettnacher: them Mm-hmm
Rooster: But me, I I get attracted to racing because I
wanted go into [01:10:00] an sport
So it's just a
different mindset
and while you
and others may
that it's remarkable that
legs for races
things I understand that mindset and that process I also you to
understand that was
just doing had something to do with my daughter
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
yeah
Rooster: 2011 first marathon together also what impetus for the the formal establishment of of So we became 1 C3 charity in October of 2011 is also when we ran the Marine Corps And there's whole about
how all that
go Together, we podcast one four hear story from four know, perspective But that the [01:11:00] in that go spread this
thing far as
wide as we can And now it's hundreds communities across the country special if over 40,000 people who have uh have their angel wings volunteers
Ally Brettnacher: 4,000
Rooster: yeah. Whether a rider, a guardian angel out race day Or frankly being an ally
been pretty special
to
watch
the
expansion of this it's
it's the mission's pure the You're serving others
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah Yeah
Rooster: So I still can't
Ally Brettnacher: believe I remember
Rooster: when you told me the story in person at the mini where you
Ally Brettnacher: when
Rooster: it was her
Ally Brettnacher: last know
Rooster: race here physically
Ally Brettnacher: Marine
Rooster: Corps
Ally Brettnacher: then that
Rooster: significance of that February date
Ally Brettnacher: Like I that just thinking about you know
Rooster: after
Ally Brettnacher: losing her and having this mission like
Rooster: can you maybe
Ally Brettnacher: tell people a
Rooster: [01:12:00] little bit about what it
Ally Brettnacher: was like you know
Rooster: pushing somebody new for the
Ally Brettnacher: first time
Rooster: or
Ally Brettnacher: know
Rooster: how she comes to you in
Ally Brettnacher: whatever that might be you see Ainsley today feel her
Rooster: most
Ally Brettnacher: I cool
Rooster: Yeah It's a great question The, the short the shortest is I to name every day because it's Ainsley's Angels Yeah And there's a lot of people who have done studies on this idea saying their name when they die
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm
Rooster: So people say Ainsley or Ainsley's Angels all across country multiple most multiple countries We've granted chariots these pushing chairs We've granted them to dozen to 20 different countries across the across globe But I get But if I take it back to like you when she died it was a it was a couple of it was Christmas [01:13:00] died.
this was this was Christmas day in 2015 and I it was raining uh it ugly it was cold too cold for her to go for a run felt like I needed to go for a run So I went and I told her I'm gonna go run for you today I'm gonna go out here and do this And that
into
a long, story to 1,492 day streak
So if
if you want to do the math that's a a run years And I'm it was one outside midnight.
to midnight
know that was a mile. Most of them obviously were faster buffer for marathon recovery days But you know, and it would've
kept going Probably
had body allowed it to keep going But
I'd bring up look
me I ran every day for she died February 23rd was [01:14:00] some you know I think Road Street day 55 or something I uh I went and ran that day didn't know that I was going to but did And wow It was so so powerful just remembering she came to me and how I felt her, and how I was able to feel at peace Mm Not just with
her
And then also with this idea that I still run with And that's what kept me doing that every single day Um within a week of her well she passed on a Tuesday and we had a race that Saturday in Virginia Beach And I, um I went and ran that race and didn't realize I didn't know if I was gonna even go to was gonna be and how didn't know You asked me how did it feel push others
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
I
Rooster: I,
just I that
needed to run [01:15:00] that day because I could be closest Ainsley and we had a race so I went to the race and this young person and we and did the race And was so um of a of a light bulb moment say that Ainsley may passed away but Ainsley's Angels will will endure and it will endure with me as president of our legacy
Hmm
There was a lot of Folks
that unsure about
future of Ainsley's Angels when Ainsley died or thought about it in the the months or years leading up to it it was in that moment solidified
yes
is what I'm gonna do and not only this what I'm gonna do but gonna probably retire from the Marine Corps soon hereafter and go and continue to do this that's exactly how it played out I I don't know if that answers your question letting me thanks remember that
Ally Brettnacher: yeah
Rooster: It's a really powerful moment in life
yeah
Ally Brettnacher: It is just I it is just hard to it's hard to imagine
Rooster: Yeah. It
Ally Brettnacher: [01:16:00] hard what you guys have gone through
Rooster: I
Ally Brettnacher: lived
Rooster: it I lived lived hard to
reflect back on it And
and I and
I lived but like I don't know It's everybody has some form trauma in their lives Mm-hmm Everybody does That's true And losing is trauma I guess I'm somewhat fortunate at least this choose to look through is that trauma that that was led to something so bright beautiful And I guess when when you can turn traumatic experiences into life altering impact for not just the victims or the survivors but those around choose to to be magnetized to it or choose to allow that light to shine on it's just
Ally Brettnacher: special
Rooster: Mm-hmm
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah And you've mentioned your podcast a couple times Together we Shall podcast And that started in 22 that right 2022 you started that[01:17:00]
Rooster: a month
we've
we've, put 56 episodes,
so it's not quite hit
goal We went through a whole I only mentioned that because I'm I'm nodding my cap to those who have podcasts and stay
Ally Brettnacher: it so hard Yeah
Rooster: a Yeah Um through a year So my, co-host and I, Joe Joe is co-host of the Together Shell podcast. He's also the executive vice president of As Angels the the person who's since
the beginning
growth expansion
and scaling
Ally Brettnacher: Angels's you Joe initially Yeah
Rooster: Together Podcast tells whole
story about the Broman
bromance, was Orth and was
Captain Rossiter
under my leadership um at Training School in Virginia Beach for Marina Navy professionals That's where we um, But then a superior
subordinate is evolved into into
brother [01:18:00] relationship special to part of you know for past we met 2008 the, the first
episode that story well
and every has to kind journey But,
yeah
podcast. available in all We also put a video format on the Ins Los like to see it those close
captioning
read
it
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah Yeah And many 50 you
Rooster: yeah
Yeah. 56
Ally Brettnacher: 56 yeah
Rooster: Yeah. You know, and the reason for the break a about year I got with the process. I, I know you do all the
I do
Ally Brettnacher: I do
Rooster: for So you you this, when you do a a podcast
90 minutes
have you have now to minutes of editing to
do
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: And it's it's Well, you to every [01:19:00] minute of it and then gotta move around put intro and your outro and
Ally Brettnacher: all the things mm-hmm
Rooster: all the things and by the the like
is a whole
investment It's way more conversation
And
point it was time and I wasn't having fun editing To be honest
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: I'm taking a break And came back in The way that was to get back
am
doing minimal edits So time I hit the stop recording I picking that I'm plugging it in And I'm
saying what Yeah a
to to this, listen.
if they don't they very well
Ally Brettnacher: then they're then they don't I mean that's totally fine Yeah It's You're totally you're absolutely right
Rooster: I mean, it blows my mind. Joe has like a seven, eight, you know, four
5 6 hour podcast and is one of most not successful
podcaster the world
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: How the [01:20:00] world Has that when his podcasts are that long Well people
the storytelling so anyway
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah they do
Rooster: so not
have a on docket
for episode Um, we thought people who were gonna be our Corps marathon charity team but don't, we decided just force Like when have a guest Yeah we'll bring em on We'll we'll but um
Ally Brettnacher: yeah for asking Yeah I mean you have you have no shortage of stories to tell That's sure I mean even just meeting oh gosh Evelyn's mom who I Evelyn's the young woman I pushed at the mini this year her mom Renee and I were chatting and I was just blown away by the fact that she had adopted these twins with Down syndrome that are now 13 She has other children She just was like I felt called I I worked at the hospital where they were born and I just I was just like
Rooster: stories
Ally Brettnacher: I mean you've got a million of
Rooster: [01:21:00] Yeah,
Ally Brettnacher: there are I mean
Rooster: million no shortage are there there
and, and they've forever. she, she like used to live in in Eastern Carolina
so
Ally Brettnacher: crazy
Rooster: they moved. yeah, it's wilder
And so there's a there's
a,
mom adopting
Staus.
It's an episode
did. now kids gosh, twenties
and fifties
that she adopted from from pretty dire in some scenarios hearing
those stories hearing it
out the why
and people what
they do
Again those that's It's important because else is capturing
it
Ally Brettnacher: and it Yeah
Rooster: Yeah And
Ally Brettnacher: speaking of I'm just thinking about Triathlons because obviously we've you know this is a running podcast but a lot of people I've had on are into triathlons as well And I know that guys do triathlons which could you explain that to people how that's even to do that
Rooster: for [01:22:00] swim bike run, and
we take
rafts and we the equipment to the swimmer's
back them to accomplish swim
And then get out go to the transition and have
our
chariots can to the back of bikes And
so we chariot to the of
the and off goes the team on the bike portion And when they get back we can take
chair and wheel
and facilitate execution of the run So all of that is done you uh, everybody transitions.
Ours are a bit phases
Ally Brettnacher: That's wild
Rooster: Yeah we we have this happening probably 20 of our, of our, And the reason is is wild and it's
Ally Brettnacher: a lot Yeah I mean the logistics already of a triathlon just with [01:23:00] people like normal people not say you know what I'm saying Yeah Um is hard And then you add the complexity of Yeah Another human another device you know something that
Rooster: you're Yeah
So have we have it's mandatory practice time. at a local you know watering hole and they'll
Ally Brettnacher: yeah Yeah
Rooster: But
you you can't,
just just
a and you've done iron
Iron Man Kona mean that you
can raft behind you
know
then we need make sure rider raft and panic start to throw the
arms go overboard Like there's
a of our riders who
Um, frankly, even with
a lifesaving
couldn't write themselves their head up Um and so triathlon And that's Wait It was, it was grave danger
Ally Brettnacher: Right
Rooster: right That's
Ally Brettnacher: [01:24:00] yeah
Rooster: Yeah it's cool
Ally Brettnacher: Have done one triathlon
No
Rooster: I have not again I me and and do races
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: Yeah know
Um, yeah. So, no I mean as a Marine had fallen of a naval naval vessel I off of a naval vessel So
Ally Brettnacher: that's
Rooster: good
I'm fine I'm fine not having to go Uh, There's enough would loan their arms and legs athletes so there's no need do that
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah Yeah I I am not a great swimmer so I'll leave that to the to the triathletes I was gonna ask Okay About what the first race that you organized and
Rooster: put on and kind of how that led
Ally Brettnacher: to a whole
Rooster: series that Ainsley's Angels like you actually have a
Ally Brettnacher: race Series I didn't I mean I still lot I don't
Rooster: know about the organization I have limited
Ally Brettnacher: experience And so [01:25:00] how
Rooster: did that start How did you decide okay we're gonna do a race Yeah
so and I
referring to the We Shall
podcast whole episode four, my sister
came along
four,
it three
So sister's
the co-founder of He's
is Chris and Lake Louisiana. And we to
go to Louisiana summer
uh, bring kids to see cousins
and everyone when I would my leave we would do that
Well, this you know, Ainsley and are running We
We start Ainsley's Time's on and
all
of our would to do races like well
if we're gonna Charles, Louisiana, Ainsley's Angels southwest exists a location, it'd be great
if we're
and
I I a race Mm-hmm so told
my sister like that well, there aren't you're gonna be here
was
ah well be cool you find
one
a [01:26:00] older
brother of like mm-hmm Yeah bet
can't find one she created it Ainsley's Angels 5K
was born
and, and now that has We just executed the 12th Annual Ainsley's Angels Sunset 5K which, you go any our media as you
see the video that
was
together remarkable have a have like to
a hundred duo
teams or riders
um, that out this. And, and we in the afternoon So when when you day, know the sun's over the and it's course And and party afterwards with dancing singing um great Louisiana cuisine Mm we've date for 2026 down, always a
a Saturday July 11th 11
13th annual sunset 5K in Lake Charles Louisiana So
Ally Brettnacher: well
Rooster: shoot I turned 40
Ally Brettnacher: July 10th
Rooster: 2026
go
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah [01:27:00] Maybe my 40th birthday needs to be in Louisiana
Rooster: I mean, have daughter
and you and
someone together
Ally Brettnacher: It'd be so fun I
Rooster: really Is she now
Ally Brettnacher: She's turning eight next week
Rooster: Perfect Mm-hmm So
she'll on just like
Bri was was did
her first 5K
Yeah so love have
on down
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah Yeah I I've been looking literally I've been googling like races July 10th 2026 like trying to figure out where I could go incorporate running into my 40th birthday And that sounds like a good option
Rooster: Yeah, know how pick better because there's usually dinner the the night before July 10th which in all out of you know, and riders and, uh, and the
next day mm-hmm You wake up your
time, eventually come to the race. the
the I like
I I don't know. I don't know how you're gonna beat that
Ally Brettnacher: July
Rooster: Yeah
Ally Brettnacher: yeah yeah There we go I
Rooster: you just solved my
Ally Brettnacher: My problems
Rooster: of trying to decide what to
So you Marine Corps [01:28:00] Marathon October, Indie May, have in July. You becoming a
up Ainsley's
Ainsley's
Ally Brettnacher: right Here I am. these
Rooster: are our biggest Those are our biggest three events
more
um, that are but those probably three
Yeah,
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah good Well up
Rooster: yeah. That ra, that race series, um, has a total 10 races the the Okay all over the country Yeah. So they range from Uh, the happens in It's of cooler in January Then have a a
race in
in Eastern Carolina, which
is Ainsley's birthplace
And then sunset,
5K July Mm-hmm
a in Texas
in October
And then a whole bunch mixed in, various uh, the country
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah That's just so cr I mean crazy You've built I mean that you've [01:29:00] is is really incredible Really incredible You know that
Rooster: I would say take time to think
about it I it is
remarkable
special
at core,
so many believe the
of the mission And are give em their time The volunteers, we
have we
and nine
part-time
of 40,000 people So like, about all volunteers are and who
are served
through this That's keeps it growing and expanding and
Ally Brettnacher: scaling
Yeah
Rooster: It's really special
What do you say to people who
Ally Brettnacher: are like oh I.
Rooster: could never push I couldn't do
Ally Brettnacher: that I
Rooster: know I
I try my to provide any
judgment to to tell em can it
because I feel like that's too
aggressive so the
the, approach I I take is I we're inviting you [01:30:00] try and and when that invitation I really feel it's going to move you to a where you realize that this is a wonderful way That you can not serve but
your
healing and therapy along the way while making connections with other people that give a sense of belonging that is is
much more than
up until this point in the running community So just know you're invited
Ally Brettnacher: so so powerful, rooster. I don't know how people can like whoever's listening
Rooster: like
Ally Brettnacher: on mini 2026 think can have
Rooster: more than 50 teams but 50 is nice for
Ally Brettnacher: marketing purposes the you know
Rooster: in many 50
Ally Brettnacher: teams. But think that can continue to
Rooster: grow that participation here
Ally Brettnacher: I I love to be a small small part of it
Rooster: Yeah. we're grateful that's grows. That
and the of the of mission and
the people up saying, [01:31:00] accept the invitation And I, and I out that we have races the year Indie Mini. Anyone who's listening on the website
Ally Brettnacher: click
Rooster: you invitations
month races
We just at a location in eastern Indiana that's actually into Western Ohio We have a race in September Force Marathon We're debut there but happening every month across the country and in your communities And if isn't your well, there's a way for
you to us change that well Just us
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah that's good That's a good If it's not
Rooster: how do
Ally Brettnacher: how does they reach and say nothing here
Rooster: I would be willing to
Ally Brettnacher: help
Rooster: it here Cool
Ally Brettnacher: Same for like
Rooster: races like different
Ally Brettnacher: races
Rooster: Yeah if you wanna Angels's Angels,
your
not you just
email info
nfo at ainsley's angels.org name is [01:32:00] My is Susie. live Extown ex you and, and we don't have Ainsley's Angels here And the process of helping figure the closest Um, see want bring we whole
training program
that educates people the processes to bring Ansley's Angels to their community
that's And as an entity
that's how we're
structured There's Ansley's Angels America
everything that lives quote, should I say underneath it or is tied one one Mm-hmm Mm-hmm Mm-hmm EIN or or or
0 1 C3
There's
other charities that'll have know
chapters or maybe
they'll a group have
like franchises or affiliates Um, ours
is all done under same roof every one of are
same family
the same process
Ally Brettnacher: so Mm-hmm
Rooster: Mm-hmm a answer, it starts
with see if in your
community, if so, and we're not there mm-hmm Email info at process
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah I [01:33:00] mean didn't I really how many events are to me
Rooster: like close enough
Ally Brettnacher: There's in There's I mean I when Christie is the
Rooster: best Christie and Misty here in
Ally Brettnacher: Indiana
Rooster: Christie drove
Ally Brettnacher: down from
Rooster: Kokomo and brought me a freedom
Ally Brettnacher: chair to train with
Rooster: Yeah
Ally Brettnacher: she's like we've other events this is to train I mean being so incredibly helpful so I like I
Rooster: could never do that I don't know
Ally Brettnacher: do it it
Rooster: be too hard It's like well you've also built the
Ally Brettnacher: these
Rooster: people that will help you through it
Ally Brettnacher: and the
Rooster: purpose isn't to go win the
Ally Brettnacher: race You know
Rooster: the purpose
Ally Brettnacher: so much bigger than that And You know I encourage everybody to at try
Rooster: Yeah.
Christie and your reps. Christie not only what we're in Kokomo in greater central Indiana but to execute the Indie Mini. but person who through years. She's vice education.
Um, so she [01:34:00] education for new people who community. She puts you through those paces all
the while being
public educator
and the of of four
Ally Brettnacher: Right
Rooster: Um.
grandmother well can't
It's really
special she's she's
quite the blessing and her sister she's always up the next actually
on
um, to help
us with
assurance So given her all keys and said, here, go
and
what we're
wrong and we better
from efficiency she she
that a job a major
car manufacturer
there Kokomo and she's like, cool, No problem it's really see them to develop their of the relationship through
Ally Brettnacher: AIDS Mm-hmm
Rooster: Um you know Misty's husband Ramsey a runner um, he pushes Kendall's, is is Christie's daughter Who uses a wheelchair to navigate [01:35:00] and to see family that much more tighter Through this goal and is
so than anything
I I ever thought that would happen we said Hey yeah let's become this across the United States
Ally Brettnacher: Okay I
Rooster: before I go to the end of the podcast
Ally Brettnacher: questions rooster you see future of Ainsley's Angels Like
Rooster: what do you or do
Ally Brettnacher: do you
Rooster: have like this vision of
Ally Brettnacher: here's
Rooster: what I dream about
Yeah. So dream we need anymore
That's the vision
Like we inclusion without limits, which our no stated vision but like, cool it be we to be here because everyone was welcomed everywhere and that accommodations were made do things
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: That's what a vision It's it's a don't wanna pipe dream cause that sounds like I'm downplaying or like being negative about but it's that
that
I don't can ever but that's what I dream day [01:36:00] where we don't need to exist
Ally Brettnacher: Right This is a perfect answer rooster
Rooster: It would
would be
Ally Brettnacher: really it is like that's true And I as somebody you know who's able-bodied and has two you know able-bodied children nobody in my family knock on wood you know who uses a wheelchair or who is nonverbal or know it's you don't really think about or really understand what people go through every single day just to just to be in this world
Rooster: it's and you're absolutely right and you know
Not
to to be Debbie
this but this whole idea of like
has a disability
The
answer to that is
and fortunate, let's flip the script have anybody yet my family with disability
it's a not our
statistics mean statistics say at one point eight persons a I've even seen that number [01:37:00] one
in four in world has
it's not a matter of like if but
Ally Brettnacher: when
Rooster: and disabilities come in visible non-visible
know to But I, as we continue the spaces
where can find
level of belonging and not be judged and be accommodated to our ability that's what we be
doing we don't
disabilities.
think about
it as for you in
the future
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: yeah
Ally Brettnacher: Well said Okay I'm gonna
Rooster: ask you the end of the podcast questions
you you sent but now I remember were
Ally Brettnacher: That's fine That's good well, done
Rooster: such a good job of tying
Ally Brettnacher: the finish
Rooster: lines and milestones
Ally Brettnacher: into I that
Rooster: they're pretty I'd like
Ally Brettnacher: to think they're pretty easy
one
Rooster: is easy for you because
Ally Brettnacher: it's literally but mantra song
Rooster: Yeah. Yeah. So, mean,
obviously shot hotly all
the [01:38:00] That is the name of the
podcast But it was well before
the
podcast Shot was motto
we shall accomplish so much more than we we accomplish you know together within than by Ourselves the song you know, funny because
during my run
I alarm clock that every night like 7 55 it would go to Hey, did you
run yet this
this play. my kids will you run Even like we're family vacation or something today, you know,
Um But it's Oh
and it
just whole
you know, the whole, the he it the lyrics it's so a, a lyrical genius but like,
there's there's so many pieces
are beautiful when comes to Persevering and
challenging overcoming Mm-hmm
and the beat you and a long
song
know, there a time like, I to this song done before my one mile's over and I feel [01:39:00] that there there a of I could do a mile in enough time before it was over But that in a different
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: yeah
Ally Brettnacher: I so what's funny is I have a story related to Ainsley's Angels about the song Lose Yourself we were it was my first year and I was pushing Hope team Hope and we had a speaker So we music for
Rooster: her
Ally Brettnacher: and mean we didn't didn't do a of like I mean I didn't know what Hope was gonna you know what she
Rooster: was like And so at one point we had Eminem playing
Ally Brettnacher: I know how this
Rooster: happened but then it was Lose Yourself And
Ally Brettnacher: there's some parts that
Rooster: aren't like super great to play
Ally Brettnacher: out loud, loud people, but it was like, I just, well, like I have a visual.
it right mile
Rooster: nine We're like going
Ally Brettnacher: through a curves before again
Rooster: uh
Ally Brettnacher: and I just remember playing but just like loving
Rooster: that it was playing cause it is
Ally Brettnacher: such a good
Rooster: song Hope's favorite song is
Ally Brettnacher: uh Bottom Girls by Queen Which just in and [01:40:00] of itself makes me laugh.
And her mom was like, you know, I don't know why, but like, when that song
Rooster: comes on she loves it You can tell And
Ally Brettnacher: so we played it when we were walking to the start,
we played it probably at least two or three times during the run itself she ended up falling asleep which means we did our job according to her mom for then I tell you what rooster we crossed that finish line And comes on Fat Bottom Girls by Swear to God
have done I mean you're just like
Rooster: yes So
powerful No you of uh, products is really the whole piece. once create
a kind
in your profile forever
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm And
Rooster: the, I'm
at my right
there,
there's back when used run
Ainsley that like playlists from our races So would
also add there's a few
that era they pop up Mm You know not only am I connected Ainsley cause I'm actually moving and running and it's awesome but then oh gosh like [01:41:00] or
that we were so cool music really Really
Ally Brettnacher: And then the other question you've already mentioned and it's what's your next finish line and or milestone
Rooster: Yeah Well so when did I mention did I answer that
Ally Brettnacher: I you didn't answer it but you talked about it You were like sometimes you don't
Rooster: don't
Ally Brettnacher: next like you might not know and okay too
Rooster: So,
and I
to when I saw
the question come
your in your, pre email communication with me I looked at it and and in that moment I realized I don't have
I
milestone that I can speak to
And then I thought
know what need to get one because
without a finish line or
a milestone to towards, what are you excited about Mm-hmm living your day for And and maybe it's because of where this place of you know reflection we'll call
Ally Brettnacher: it mm-hmm
Rooster: I haven't lost sight it's like [01:42:00] what am am I excited about right
now and
and this week is to reflection and taking a knee with you today and talking through this journey and remembering the why and remembering some as some momentum to help me maybe identify what a good milestone finish line A new goal And it something more than I wanna lose three pounds or seconds off my 5K or no man it needs meaningful have meaning cause without meaning you can't have relationships you can't engage people and ultimately that's gonna lead to a spiral
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm So
Rooster: don't I don't have one to share with you today but I think that I'm gonna some reflection to it and something that can make excited about the week the month the year ahead
Ally Brettnacher: Right Yeah Well you mentioned at the beginning been married a
Rooster: while almost 30
Ally Brettnacher: years you So when's
Rooster: your 30th wedding [01:43:00] anniversary Because that
Ally Brettnacher: is a
Rooster: humongous milestone
that's fair
would it be
of July of 2028
Ally Brettnacher: You get got married on
Rooster: the 4th of July
Yeah, course did. engaged the
4th July I I July a
States Marine and
That's
Ally Brettnacher: amazing
Rooster: That's
I
a whole
bunch of stories about
Ally Brettnacher: that I bet
Rooster: I from, and you I was raised so had a
Catholic
there celebration
in the town we got married they had aircraft fly over as of the celebration we were
the altar and an aircraft flies over I could barely hear
the priest said said
did you that happen
your your wedding
You and I hear question and so yes,
sir
F
18
16
whatever And later it was my he asked, [01:44:00] he asked if I happen, means I to on the altar of my wedding day like no no
Ally Brettnacher: didn't Yeah
Rooster: feel like if you didn't know it's not
Ally Brettnacher: really you know
Rooster: truly you everything's in church the moment
didn't I didn't understand question
proceed a blink of eye lie Monsignor
be like
Ally Brettnacher: yeah
Rooster: I put this together
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah That for sure
Rooster: it's you know, through years, every year our anniversary fireworks so city's celebrating
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah That's cool
Rooster: I got married
in 1998 then then you know
experienced 20
more years of
Marine
Corps
many combat and many that ultimately to a level of uh of And post-trauma experiences have I have PTSD as a
and
and [01:45:00] these fireworks if I can see you light it and watch go
Ally Brettnacher: off Mm
Rooster: it's not good go off And it's turned into this thing where wish we wouldn't have gotten married on the of July cause every damn 4th of July I am I'm fighting to ahead of my
ahead of
So
I say that
anybody that's planning to get married on the
Right service member
Ally Brettnacher: Yep Might wanna reconsider
Rooster: There may come
a
you and also
like and I have she mentioned it
She you know, I I get, we did
that
to have another date where
we go places celebrate
anniversary
not have to compete with all the things that are nation's birthday
yeah I can appreciate
but neither
one of us are
to change our anniversary
Sure
Ally Brettnacher: But it seems like a good idea then you can make the excuse to get outta the country
Rooster: an idea
Ally Brettnacher: There you go You gotta get away from the fireworks
Rooster: [01:46:00] This is true Although I don't I don't, it a but would, they let
me in
know
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
Rooster: Yeah you
a little
funny as you can be
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah right Oh man It's all you gotta kind of laugh through some of it
Rooster: cry Yeah yeah So what was the question
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, well. Yeah, right. I don't even remember. What did I ask you about? Oh, I asked you. Well, we were talking about finish lines and And I was like rooster there is a milestone out there 2028
so
Rooster: yeah Other milestones would be like
Ally Brettnacher: you know celebrated years of Ainsley's Angels C3 organization in
Rooster: 21
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah that's one
Rooster: is 15 year guess you
do math in public with that coming you know, there neat
things in that
that, that a chance to celebrate Uh, but so yeah, I there's, a lot of things you can identify
as milestones if
you give it enough enough enough thought things to look forward to sometimes [01:47:00] you know that you can't yourself you can't take a deep breath and jump in your ice barrel and calm down
you're ready for that ice barrel
Rooster: be
grateful
Ally Brettnacher: Are you
Rooster: I'm amped up
Ally Brettnacher: How many minutes
Rooster: am I'm minutes
am
it been
been at it 24, so over a year has been amazing amazing I used to every and then I curtailed it down to about three times a week and you know ironically I I haven't in four four days so you know, might be
why reflecting way
that I so mm-hmm
anyway,
but just for your recovery, Like it, there's whole
science on it And
do podcasts In fact there are podcasts on this Mm-hmm but the body's full of of inflammation And and
you suppress
you can reduce inflammation inflammation in the way through gonna have positive impacts So I have found this and I love it and I'm grateful for Looking forward to getting in ice bath [01:48:00] That is my next finish line Survive three minutes at 48 degrees and exhale and reflect there you
go
Ally Brettnacher: I need to try that I've never done it
Rooster: Well
for those
of have never done it
and are thinking trying the one I you is
is just your bathtub up
water And then, and then get into that then times a week And feel the benefits of it then, then to add that to your because don't
don't want to invest in
in bunch
of ice
not use
But start with cold cold bath
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah
All right Well
Ally Brettnacher: I I just my daughter trying here so I feel like it's
Rooster: time to say goodbye
Ally Brettnacher: I you in Rooster I'm this just me re-energizes my
Rooster: training
Ally Brettnacher: you know think about
Rooster: you and this organization it just makes the training [01:49:00]
Ally Brettnacher: it And when I hard think about other things not that
Rooster: hard
Ally Brettnacher: in comparison So that's
Rooster: right Yeah And so thank you
the while
you can do and together we we shall do
Ally Brettnacher: together Yes Yes
Rooster: I
I, just, my wife just told me uh, that coming
Corps this
Ally Brettnacher: year I gonna ask that That's excellent Yeah I would love
Rooster: to meet her
There's been where has maybe she gone, or maybe she's gone a couple of of the events But wants travel the whole thing me and go to all the things I do during period So And um yeah So you'll be able to meet her in October as Perfect But joining our Charity team. Appreciate thank you for
having a
podcast that
stories and you know let's others moved by whatever moves them And I said earlier to to feel
Ally Brettnacher: And special Mm-hmm Mm-hmm
Rooster: one last request [01:50:00] Okay
Ally Brettnacher: so this sweatshirt is like my favorite thing ever Yeah That you sold to me at the Indie Mini I want sweatpants to go with it
Rooster: please I
Ally Brettnacher: already messaged whoever runs your Instagram and I said please I will wear the whole outfit like post race like nothing better to put on like a giant pink outfit be warm after the mini was just cold after the mini this year Somehow
Rooster: Can the do to be pink or they a tie-dye pink or
Ally Brettnacher: just well tie-dye pink would be fun too I wouldn't hate that
Rooster: Yeah
Okay
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah yeah Anyway Okay
ask It's a good I was like I would buy them would get my friends to buy them
Rooster: Yes. Very good Well this been fun Thank you
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah Thank you to everybody who's listened and and happy running we did it.
If you enjoyed this episode of Finish Lines and Milestones from Sandy Boy Productions, please share rate review. It helps others find the show and go sign up for Ainsley's Angels. Head to ainsley's angels.org. Sign up for your region, [01:51:00] and of Of course you can follow them all over social media as well.
So go do that. And if you don't follow me on Instagram yet, I'm Ally, A-L-L-Y-T, Brett, B-R-E-T-T. That's Ally T. Brett runs and I will see you next week Together, we shall.