My name is Bryce Boepple and I first began taking an interest in working out and improving my physique back in highschool. While I had always been into sports, other priorities took precedent in my high school years, and as a result I lived a more sedentary lifestyle. I was never super out of shape, but I was definitely squandering my athletic ability by never exercising. I decided to change this when a job of mine (working as a chemical applicator for the McKenzie County Grazing Association) contained work that demanded me to be physically strong, and able to endure long, hard labor days on a 4-wheeler. I was very dedicated right off the bat, fine tuning my diet and exercise routine, and being very strict. I progressed very quickly. I started the summer weighing only 135 lbs and started my senior year of high school weighing roughly 160. My quick progress drove me onto becoming even more dedicated.

Over time, as with all things, my interest waned. This waning of interest occurred around the same time I left my hometown to pursue a degree in finance at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. While I maintained a decent diet and still exercised somewhat routinely, that dedication I had simply was not there.

However, this all changed when I found my passion for obstacle course racing. The hybrid approach to training required by obstacle course races such as Spartan races is extremely fun and inspiring. In the future, I hope to continue my obstacle course racing and training.

I love working out because that simple process of setting goals, and then achieving them, wires one's brain to strive for achievement. Rewiring the brain in this way yields benefits across all facets of life as one learns that he or she is capable of achieving anything that one puts their mind to. More specifically, I love training for the obstacle course races that I participate in. I have detailed the benefits I think are to be gained by running obstacle course races in an article published on my personal linkedin page that can be found here - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-first-spartan-race-why-i-think-obstacle-course-races-bryce-boepple/

The social aspect is another reason why I love fitness and working out. The overall fitness community is full of extremely driven individuals, who know that the key to success is setting goals, and striving tirelessly to achieve them. I try to surround myself with these individuals because by doing so, I am pushed to also be better.

Overall, fitness and working out is immensely important to me for many reasons, and the benefits I think a fitness lifestyle yields apply to all facets of my life.