First of all let me put "The Don" aside for this. I am truly overwhelmed, proud and inspired on what I have read so far. This challenge has far exceeded my expectations and to say how proud I am of all of you is an understatement. You have all been great friends of mine.

I have been blessed with a fantastic marriage of over 25 years. Lisa & I have 4 beautiful kids ranging from 20 to 27. Our son Sean Jr. has Downs Syndrome. He will also be with us the rest of our lives and that itself is awesome. We are inspired by Sean Jr. of the accomplishments he has earned despite his "handicap" over the years so far. Sean walked sooner than he "should have", talked sooner, mainstreamed all the way through high school and graduated with his class. Sean & I tested together for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and later this year for 4th degree black belt in Bushido Kai. He has to break the boards just like everyone else.

I am the General Manager of a large recreational outdoor products retail store. (swimming pools, spas, patio furniture etc.) abd work about hours a week. l love to workout and exercise. I always seem to need to lose 50 lbs. Portion control always an issue with me.

Now here is what is gratifying to me. Today a Captain messaged me saying a soldier was thinking of dropping out of this challenge. This person has participated the whole way though promptly and quite effectively. She is concerned that the challenges are too time consuming. I very much understood where she is coming from. I messaged the soldier with:

Hello XXXXX

My captain is telling me you are having reservations about continuing on with this challenge. You have been a fixture in the XXXXXX Crewe.You have also been a fantastic role model. I really hope you will reconsider dropping out of the challenge. I understand there are so many hours in a day and time to do challenges like this can be difficult. Keep in mind the meat and potatoes of this challenge to earn is the weight loss portion . I think you are great and hope you will stay. If you need to back off the challenges to a degree I understand. Please let me know your thoughts.

The Don

I don't want anyone to leave this. Not because of competition or numbers... Because of what we have developed here together.
You all have literally grown into being true family members to me, and I know we all have hurtles, baggage, and our own unique ways. This isn't easy sometimes for any of us, but I think together we can just maybe get a little bit better and feel a little bit better about ourselves. That is what I am trying to do. I have received many compliments on this challenge. Thank you for that, but thank you for doing this with me.

I Love You All!!!!!!!!

Sincerely Your Friend,

Sean



BTW. 25 oblique crunches done both sides. Bam!!! lol

I must admit I haven't been sure what to do for this. My husband says that I should put down all the people I help at work, but I consider part of my job description and not sure that should count. I work in a grocery store and I help people find what they need

But I have reached out to some friends that had been logging and doing super well, but for whatever reasons have stopped. So I reached out just to check in and see what's going on and to remind them that they are doing such a wonderful job

If neither of these count then I guess I didn't complete today I have struggled with today's challenge

edit: I have also (hopefully) made myself available to anyone via phone or otherwise on here that is in any way struggling and needs help

It absolutely counts and great job Emily my friend!