Rebirth-day
When Craig McCord asked me to document his 65th birthday for a "combat physical assessment test," I wasn't sure what to expect. What unfolded this day was the witnessing of a man who has devoted his life to discipline and discovery.
This story pays tribute to Craig's life and his mastery of body, spirit, and mind through a custom five-event pentathlon.
Craig commenced the event with Ryu Batto Tameshigiri, an ancient Japanese sword-cutting test, as a tribute to his extensive martial arts background. With an unwavering focus on the target and full devotion to the present moment, his eyes reveal a rich history marked by epic adventures, reflecting the journey that has led him to this pivotal moment.
the cut
the lift
The next event emphasized physical strength, consisting of 5 sets of bench presses to failure, followed by 5 sets of pull-ups to failure. Craig started his journey in 1969 with Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, subsequently delving into various martial arts disciplines from Shotokan to Muay Thai. Now, at age 65, the results of his decades-long training speak for themselves.
The rarity of Craig's caliber should not be underestimated, as he belongs to an extremely small percentage of males in his age group who maintain such a high level of physique and strength.
the run
Craig’s next test, a 5-mile run, began at a nearby park under a cloudy sky. Maintaining a disciplined focus on breathing, in through his nose and out through his mouth, Craig seemed to fall into a zen-like flow state. Those legs have run miles across the globe from California to Thailand.
the swim
Diving right into the next event for a 25-meter underwater swim followed by a 300-meter surface swim. It should also be noted that the temperature outside was pushing 45 degrees Fahrenheit and this was not a heated pool.
The shock of the cold hitting my overheated body after the run, released a surge of adrenaline and subsequent endorphins that created a feeling of invincibility. I saw a glimpse into the power of the mind and resilience of the body. Craig made this look easy, but lap after lap I watched in awe.
the heat
The assessment concluded with a 20-minute sauna bike ride, marking the final round. Despite having pushed his mind and body to the limit over the preceding four hours, it became apparent that Craig could have continued further. His meditative silence was occasionally punctuated by humorous comments, followed by a joyful belly-laugh.
the man
Upon attaining a 3rd degree black belt, Craig established a school in California dedicated to training and instruction. After 25 years of operation, he decided to close the school and embarked on a journey to study Kung Fu at the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. There, he underwent grueling training sessions lasting 8 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Craig reflected, stating, "I had completed the circle and once again found that I knew nothing of Martial Arts." I believe this statement reflects his wisdom, as it is often said that those who recognize their lack of knowledge truly understand, while those who believe they know, do not understand.
The man standing proudly in this photograph embodies the spirit of adventure. After a life of seeking knowledge, exploring many paths, suffering through hardship, gaining friends, and creating a family, Craig has found what most people never get a chance to… the realization that the purpose of embarking on our journey is to find what is there all along. And that is the true beauty of life.
