Mar 20 2008

Caribbean XC Open

Spiritual Advisor to Extreme Sports Athletes

I must say it was good having Mike with me on the scene for the Caribbean XC Open. It is always good to be with known and trusted friends in foreign lands and especially so during a paragliding competition in which there is a bit more risk involved than in just your usual travels. If I were to have been going it alone down there I don’t think I would have been as competitive as I was, I just wouldn’t haven’t pushed it as hard. It is a very mental sport and every little advantage as far as confidence goes makes a huge difference in a pilot’s performance. You are constantly making decisions about whether to push on into unknown territory or to play it conservatively and just land or take a less advantageous line. Knowing somebody will be on the look out for you gives you the needed confidence to go on and make a big flight verses landing short of the distance you could have gone.  It is also somewhat of a solitary sport, being relatively alone up there in the sky, so it is just good to know there are concerned eyes looking out for you back on terra firma.

Whether it was hiking some of my gear up the hill or helping me layout my glider on launch Mike’s assistance was invaluable. I had incident in which I launched with a small tangle in my lines and had to land back at the take-off site to sort it out and Mike was right there to assist me with the situation. Thanks Mike!

Best Regards,
Peter Schaefer
www.sugarhousebookworks.com


Jun 3 2007

BAJA 500 (part2)

In June 2007 I undertook one of the most physically and mentally challenging events of my life – soloing the Baja 500 on a dirt bike. For this journey I needed spare parts, some money, lots of training and…guidance. Mike Green served as a spiritual advisor during the 10 day excursion. I chose Mike because he is well versed at travelling, smart, generous and funny. Mike was an equally important a part of that trip as the motorcycle itself. He volunteered to drive through the night while my fellow racers and I slept, then gave up a bed in a Mexican hotel so we could be better rested.

On race day, Mike chauffeured my girlfriend and the wife and friends of another racer to various stops along the way so that they could keep tabs on us. Without Mike at the helm, that crew would not have had the opportunity to view the race from the course and would have had to wait in town for our arrival.

About half way through the race I broke and dislocated my elbow. As I limped my way into what turned out to be the final pit of the day, Mike immediately sensed that something was wrong. He took my motorcycle for me, got me a chair and some water. After some discussion, he scored me a bag of ice for my injured elbow, the whole time filling me with words of encouragement. When I decided that I could not finish the race, Mike unselfishly decided to ride my bike, unassisted, back into the town of Ensenada, some 90-100 miles away. There aren’t enough words to tell you what a huge help Mike was – he was so unselfish and just made the day!

Mike Green, Spiritual Advisor – he’ll get you where you need to go, help you do what needs to be done, keep you focus on the task at hand, and make sure you get back safely. I can’t wait for my next adventure.

Thanks, again!
Marc Morelli
Baja 500 2007


Jun 2 2007

BAJA 500

Spiritual Advisor to Extreme Sports Athletes

Most people go their whole lives without ever needing a spiritual advisor and most days do not push a person in ways that would truly require the services of such a person. However, my 2007 Baja 500 solo motorcycle race was one instance where, like a parachute or life raft – when you need one, you really need one – Mike was there. Our journey was long, arduous, and full of unexpected misadventure. Mike kept me together. Whether counciling me on my race mindstate, organizing gear, taking his turn on an all-night drive, or just sharing a marg, Mike kept me together and focused on the goal. For me, the race was a sucess and the whole trip an even greater one. Without Mike’s support and guidance I would not have felt half as prepared mentally, physically, or mechanically. I recommend Mike to anyone planning an adventure that will test them to the limits of their abilities.

Brady Van Matre
Baja 500 2007


Mar 16 2007

A Kiwi Elk

Dear Friends,
Well for all you hunters out there here is a picture from a 394 point Elk. My pal Chris works for New Zealand Mountain Hunting Limited in Omarama, New Zealand. So with that said he and I have been out with clients and by ourselves and this is what we came up with. Not only the fishing but the hunting is world class. Crazy and amazing. I must admit that I am not a fisherman but the Brown trout are as big as your forearm (simalar to the Mongolian Artic Char). Well Chris works at a lodge that is top class all the way around. Heaven for most. Anyway, it’s been amazing. Went skydiving for my Birthday. Great experience. Went Tahr and Chamoi hunting. More pictures to send later. Wow, when Elk and Stag make there call it’s intense. I am now hooked.
So it’s all down hill from here.
Be well and bless.

Mar 6 2007

New Zealand Shark Fishing

Friends,

Finally made time to get a picture on the web. This picture was taken on the West Coast of New Zealand near Haarst (they are filming Witches and Warlocks here). My Pal Marcus the Kiwi (he and I work together in the Bush of Alaska) has shown me an awesome time. We went fishing for Blue Cod and Whatever else we caught. Well because I am alittle goofy, I didnt catch one Blue Cod until I caught 4 Sharks!! The first was a Dog Shark, then two very big “7 Gill Sharks” and one slant eyed yellow shark know as a “china men shark”. The picture is of the largest Shark it was about 9 ft in length. Great time.

I have been mainly Hunting with Marcus via Helicopter (no we dont shot them from the heli) and fishing from his Jet Boat on several different rivers. He lives in Wanaka. IT’s been great. Hung out yesterday with a Sheep Farmer and his dogs. It’s wild to see his Dog work over one thousand head of Sheep. I am off to Queenstown to work with some horses.

I hope you’re well.
Talk to you soon,

Mike