72 Hours in Las Vegas

"It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves." -André Gide

For the past three years I've attended the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) conference in Las Vegas. I use the NAB trade show to stay current with the latest film/camera technology, in addition to networking with other film makers. My good friend Paul Schneider (director of the vimeo acclaimed short film "Breathe," featuring Windy City athletes) is the other reason why I make a big effort to travel to NAB each year. Just a quick snapshot of my history with Paul... he's the friend who brought me to Windy City CrossFit back in March 2010 for my first WOD, he helped mentor me into film/photography (co-directed the original Windy City AOM videos) and Paul introduced me to my fiance, Natalie!  

A few weeks before NAB this year, Paul called me to let me know that he needed to shorten his trip to Vegas because his 13 year old Weimaraner, Victor, was very sick and weak and would be too fragile to leave in someone else's care for more than a day. There was even a chance Paul would have to cancel entirely. At that point it was a too late for me to change my travel itinerary, so my choices were to either spend three days in Vegas mostly on my own or cancel the trip all together. I decided to keep my intinerary, but make an adventure of it (and a video)!

Somehow I was able to rent a car last minute "all-in" for $37 (from the look of the associate at the rental counter I'm pretty sure that was an error). I then did a little research on what outside adventure possibilities existed near Las Vegas. When I found out there were over 125 miles of single track mountain biking, as well as a premium bike rental shop less than 30 minutes from my hotel, my stoke level went from three to a 10+ (Justin can vouch for how stoked I was at work in the days leading up to my trip). Next step was to locate a good box to visit for a WOD or two... Max Effort CrossFit was definitely the gym to visit! This was not going to be a typical Vegas vacation. In 72 hours I was able to:

• Mountain Bike (over 5 hours) in the desert
• Rock Climb and hike (twice) in the Red Rocks (napping at the top of mountain you've just climbed is awesome!)
• Get two CrossFit WOD's in at Max Effort CrossFit
• Visit the NAB tradeshow with Paul
• Spend an afternoon at the pool/spa for some much needed R&R
• Get caught outside in a masive wind/dust storm
• Eat the best French Toast known to mankind (at Wicked Spoon)
• Visit "Secret Pizza" at 1 am
• Meet a bunch of interesting people (including an African director named Simba who was flying his drone over me while I climbed at Red Rocks)

As fun as Las Vegas itself can be, I felt my best and most excited when I was far away in the desert #livingBig and #usingmyfitness! Finding local adventures is something new I've tried to do in every city I've traveled to in the last year. Whether it's renting a bike in Scottsdale and riding a ridgeline to experience the desert sunrise, or driving to the far side of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington to be one of the last people to see the sun set from the western most part of the lower 48, the payoff has always far exceeded the effort! I encourage anyone who travels (be it for work, family or leisure) to be creative and seek out your own mini adventures.  For me, these experiences are helping me find myself and define a clear path toward who and where I want to be!