Finish Lines & Milestones: Episode 121: Rooster Rossiter - Together We Shall 💕

Finish Lines & Milestones: Episode 121: Rooster Rossiter - Together We Shall 💕

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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:

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.

It is great tasting, no added sugar. There are flavors like berry pomegranate, strawberry, kiwi lemonade, tropical punch, watermelon, and more. My personal favorite [00:01:00] is the strawberry kiwi probably. And then my kids like the lemonade. Of course, my oldest is prone to fainting, and so her pediatrician actually recommended adding additional electrolytes and hydration into her daily routine.

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.

If you'd like to try cure, you For finish lines and milestones, listeners Cure is offering 20% off your first order. So if you wanna stay hydrated and feel your best, you can visit cure hydration.com/alle B, and you can use code alle, B-A-L-L-Y-B at checkout. That's cure [00:02:00] hydration.com. B, use code LEB for 20% off at checkout and report back.

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.

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