LIVE!

I was blessed this week to be asked to spend it with the Loughridge family in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. When they asked me several months ago, I thought of a million different excuses not to go. The heat being the biggest issue. Those of us with MS cannot handle the heat, right? Travel was another issue. It's just not easy to travel when you have MS, right? Walking to and around the things you want to do is really hard, right? Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! You have to live gloriously, and you can. Life is too short not to. Just be smart about your trips. Take advantage of carts in airports, wheelchairs, motorized scooters, cool clothing - whatever you need, but for goodness sake live. The heat in Houston this summer has been absolutely ridiculous. I have sat in my apartment during the day and watched my friends do things that looked fun. No more. I will just be smart. And I will continue to DREAM OUT LOUD! -Trace

IT’S A WRAP! STAY TUNED FOR THE SEQUEL COMING MAY 2016!

TYLER BLANTON! YOU ARE AN IRONMAN! BRANDON LOUGHRIDGE! YOU ARE AN IRONMAN! What an absolutely mind blowing weekend. Brandon and Tyler both crushed Ironman Texas and there are so many other beautiful stories associated with their race. When they finished, they made me and 13 other people Ironmen as well. They have raised a lot of money (almost $1000 on race day alone) and will be giving a huge check to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They touched the hearts of so many with their story, dedication, commitment and determination. They are truly amazing men. Correction. They are truly amazing IRONMEN. THEY are what Team Inspiration Texas is all about. Positivity. Encouragement. Support. Dedication. Purpose. I could go on and on but you get the point. Ready for the exciting sequel news??? Brandon and Tyler INSPIRED so many that several folks have already pledged to race IRONMAN 2016 for Team Inspiration Texas!!! How cool is that? In fact, some have already registered. So what Brandon and Tyler started this year will multiply and grow. Hopefully every year. Simply. Amazing. I am so very proud of the selflessness of these young men and the legacy for Team Inspiration Texas that they have created. If you would still like to contribute to the boys you can do so at www.gofundme.com/fupsvg. They will keep the account open until they cut the check to the MS Society! With IRONMEN Brandon, Tyler and me, KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -TRACE

THE EYES OF COMPASSION

Ironman Texas is just two days away. It is so hard to believe that Brandon and Tyler's journey of the past year culminates this Saturday. As Tyler stated in his Facebook post yesterday, this week has really been a roller coaster of emotions. Anxiety. Excitement. Maybe fear. But when I read the boys’ posts from the past year, there is absolutely nothing suggesting that they are doing ANY of this for personal recognition or glory. I see nothing but unwavering support, compassion and love for those that they are competing for. They are doing this so that when they cross the finish line, every single one of us they race for symbolically becomes an Ironman. They do this so that we continue to face and fight our challenges with positivity and gusto like Ironmen and Women. Besides me, they are racing for Carla Maxwell, Laureen Pedrotti, Terri Shires, Karen Carrothers, Audrey Blank, LaChelle Lowe, Tyler Bourque, Roberto Aguilar, Stuart Sablatura, Phil Zetnick, Brian Brown, Jordan Cox and Mark Ragusa. Please join me in sending these boys off in the manner that they so richly deserve. Whether it's through prayer, sending good thoughts or vibes or Moe Joe or however you do it, please lift them up so that they remain safe and strong during the entire race. It still absolutely amazes me that these boys are 21 and 22-years-old. Through them, we see great hope for the future. Also, if you are able to give anything to the boys in support of their amazing efforts please do. You can do so at www.gofundme.com/fupsvg. All proceeds of their fundraising efforts will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Please join us in this journey. Join us in positivity and happiness. With Brandon, Tyler and me, KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -TRACE

25 DAYS. $7000.

Well the 2015 MS 150 is now in the books. Brandon, Tyler and Tyler's brother, Garrett, destroyed it. What an absolute thrill it was to watch them turn that final corner and head towards the state capital and finish line. That sight will never get old for me. Next stop is Ironman Texas with Brandon making a small detour for the CB&I sprint triathlon at the beginning of May, the very triathlon that I competed in in 2011 when Team Inspiration took flight. If you have not read the boys’ story, when they started this great adventure, they not only had the goal to compete in 2015 Ironman Texas in my name but they also wanted to raise $20,000. They wanted to raise the costs for the races and equipment (which has now been far exceeded) and they wanted also to raise money for the National MS Society to help conquer this horrible disease. Let’s help them make that check a huge one. If you are able to give anything to the boys in support of their amazing efforts please do. You can do so at www.gofundme.com/fupsvg. Please join us in this journey. Join us in positivity and happiness. And with Brandon, Tyler and me, KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -TRACE

47 DAYS!!!

In preparation for IronMan Texas, IronMan Jim, task master extraordinaire, put our boys, Brandon Loughridge and Tyler Blanton, through the paces this weekend. That is 114.6 miles this weekend! Yesterday they had a little 94 mile bike ride followed by a 4 mile jog. Today they had a 15 mile run followed by a 1.85 mile swim. 47 days. Oh yeah. They'll be ready. So proud of these boys! I encourage and invite each of you to read this amazing story from the boys’ mouths at www.gofundme.com/fupsvg. If you are able to financially support them in any way, please do, regardless of the amount. Join us in this journey. Join us in positivity and happiness. And with Brandon, Tyler and me, KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -TRACE

NEXT!

I want you to know that Brandon Loughridge and Tyler Blanton did not participate in this weekend’s Woodland’s Marathon. THEY CRUSHED IT!!! For their FIRST marathon, Tyler came in at 3:53 and Brandon at 4:28. Amazing. Simply amazing. And, not surprisingly, they did not claim personal success but rather told people that “Today was a good day for Team Inspiration.” Indeed it was. Team Inspiration’s own Jim Harrington finished with a time that allows him to compete in the Boston Marathon. Good day indeed! I continue to be surrounded by people that make me want to fight harder, be stronger. I am truly a Blessed man! As the IronMan draws near, cheer Brandon and Tyler on as they train. Next stop - the MS 150. I encourage and invite each of you to read this amazing story from the boys’ mouths at www.gofundme.com/fupsvg. If you are able to financially support them in any way, please do, regardless of the amount. Join us in this journey. Join us in positivity and happiness. And with Brandon, Tyler and me, KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -TRACE

THE GIFT(S) THAT KEEP ON GIVING

Positivity. Compassion. Kindness. These are some of the very, very many gifts that Brandon and Tyler have given me by taking on IronMan Texas 2015 in my honor. I told you that they were getting a great deal of attention for their work. In fact today, the Texas A&M University paper, the Battalion, ran a story on these amazing young men and what they’re doing. Please take a moment to read this story. It is truly inspiring. Check it out at: http://www.thebatt.com/news/view.php/861601/A-plan-a-purpose-a-cause-Two-students-ba As the IronMan draws near, cheer these guys on as they participate in this weekend’s Woodlands Marathon, followed by the Tall Texan Half IronMan and the MS 150. I encourage and invite each of you to read this amazing story from the boys’ mouths at http://www.gofundme.com/fupsvg . If you are able to financially support them in any way, please do, regardless of the amount. Join us in this journey. Join us in positivity and happiness. And with Brandon, Tyler and me, KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD! -TRACE