“Working out and being physically active has always been an important pillar in my life. Whether it was sports, preparing for the military, military schools, or climbing mountains. I wanted to train hard so I could finish on top. After getting out of the military and trying to find my niche in civilian life many of my priorities changed. I had to adapt to a new line of work and balance a life with new goals and obligations different than what I had before.

Being married and having two little children changed a lot of things for me in a good way. But it also made me look at myself in the present. I had completely let myself go physically. Making poor diet choices and not making time to take care of myself. I made an unspoken commitment to myself to be healthy and lead by example for my kids. I wanted them to see that taking care of yourself is a lifelong commitment. I didn’t want to live in the past of what I use to do or, what I use to be able to do. I wanted to do it and conquer new goals to show my wife and kids at the same time.

I began working out again. Things didn’t tend to stick at first because I wanted to train like I was still in the Marines but I lacked motivation and milestones. Nothing pushed me or inspired me to keep it going as a routine. Then I was told about Wodstar. Seeing Josh Bridges compete in the CrossFit Games and knowing his background, I had to try his MLF Program. Knowing what his military background entailed and having the utmost respect for the caliber of warrior it takes to achieve his military status and knowing the physical and mental fortitude he must possess. I thought to myself, this is my motivation. Since, I have been using the Bridges MLF Program to get my life back. I was asked once in the gym, ‘What are you training for?’ At the time I didn’t have anything and I just said ‘Life.’ I have since completed two endurance challenges back to back and will be doing another 24-hour event later in the year.

This is the toughness I needed back in my life. A program that takes mental determination and grit. It pushes you hard every time. I believe that I am now prepared for anything life can throw at me once again.”

Jordon Latva, Former Sgt. Marine Corps.

“I first heard of this program right before I went to school to become a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Officer. I was in pretty good shape but I did not really focus on long, mentally grinding workouts. This school consisted of brutal early morning PT sessions every day for 4-5 months. They ranged from an outrageous amount of pushups to a 12 mile ruck with ~100lbs of gear. As well as 2 field exercises where we were constantly moving with gear on our back and walking through the woods which was harder that I expected it to be. So I started doing some of this program here and there on the weekends and I realized I became a little stronger mentally with every workout. Damn those manmakers…

I used these workouts to maintain that mental and physical strength on the weekends while I was in tech school. They helped me de-stress from the long, grinding weeks we had. I also found myself gaining a little conditioning doing this program on the weekends. It eventually led to me being awarded the “Bradley Smith PT Excellence Award” upon graduation which I was the only one in my class to get.

Since finishing tech school, I have continued to mix in the MLF program to what I do. It has been preparing me for the military schools I want to go to and also it helps me reach my goals of being the fittest I can be. Because of this program, I have learned to swim which was a huge hurdle for me.

Overall, the Josh Bridges MLF Program has made me mentally stronger than anything else I’ve done. When I am walking with 70-100lbs of equipment in a ruck through the woods or on a patrol, I always reflect on a harder workout that I’ve done with this program and my mind eases. I would recommend this program to anyone getting ready for a long, mentally enduring life event. Not just for those getting ready to go to BUD/S, PJ indoc, TACP schoolhouse, or any other military selection/training.

Be ready for those manmakers though…”

1st LT Reace Hudgeons