Marshall is an Army platoon sergeant whose journey from a sea-level childhood in North Carolina to accomplishing inspiring feats of endurance is nothing short of extraordinary.
Thank you Marshall, for your service and for sharing your story to help inspire everyone.
A Worldview Shaped by Deployment
We all face challenges in our daily lives. Marshall's five deployments provided him with a perspective that reshaped his approach to these everyday problems, often seeing them as relatively minuscule in comparison to so many others around the world.
Marshall’s early military career took him across the globe, with two tours in Afghanistan, two in Africa, and one in Korea. All five deployments taught him something unique about the bigger picture of life and deepened his appreciation for the relative comfort and convenience of life in the U.S.
The two tours in Africa, in particular, showed him how hard some people across the world have to work to merely survive. In Senegal, he experienced a relatively comfortable living situation. But, Niger exposed him rather harsh conditions and a scarcity of resources.
Ultimately, Marshall learned the value of overcoming challenges and how it can make you stronger on the other end.
A Day in the Life
These days, Marshall is an Army platoon sergeant in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he lives with his family. Marshall’s daily routine is similar to the majority of us.
He is busy juggling his work, his family, and his training while constantly working towards becoming the best version of himself.
The day begins at 04:30 with an hour of physical training alongside his platoon. Despite the demanding nature of his role, Marshall makes it a priority to squeeze in an additional workout before heading home to be with his kids by 17:00.
Marshall's day-to-day life shows that it is possible to achieve a healthy balance of work, life, and play.
Finding Motivation and Staying Disciplined
As both a military leader and a father, Marshall feels a deep responsibility to demonstrate the positive impact of physical exercise.
He’s seen firsthand how some people can turn to alcohol as an escape, particularly during his early years in the barracks. Marshall wants to show others that running and achieving seemingly impossible goals can be a healthier and more effective outlet.
Marshall lives by the principle, “If I can do it, you can do it” to lead by example.
He believes that testing his physical and mental limits through exercise fosters perseverance in the face of adversity. For Marshall, running is more than just a way to stay in shape—it’s a grounding force and an escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Conquering Trails and Testing Limits
“When I’m running, my brain shuts off and I can focus on just running. My mind isn’t racing at 1,000 miles per minute. It truly helps keep me level and grounded.”
Living in Colorado Springs provides endless opportunities for Marshall to pursue his passion for running. Whether it is climbing Mount Muscoco or exploring the scenic trails around the Air Force Academy, he welcomes every chance to push his limits.
Recently, he took on Ram Party, tackling the 24k on Saturday, before going back for more and completing the 16k on Sunday, where he secured a spot on the podium with a 3rd place finish.
Looking Ahead
Now, Marshall is preparing for his biggest challenge yet: The 24 Hours of Palmer Lake on September 30th.
His goal is to complete 100 miles during the 24-hour race, equivalent to 122 laps around the 0.82-mile course!!
As Marshall gears up for this monumental challenge, his focus remains on pushing his limits and inspiring others along the way. It will be the ultimate test of his physical and mental endurance. He plans to combat these challenges by utilizing the support of his friends who are participating, getting out to a quick start, and remembering the reason why he loves to run.
AND… CUT
We know Marshall will continue to crush races, push his limits, and inspire others. His story shows how impactful you can be as a co-worker, parent, sibling, and friend.
