Home » Giving » The Art and Pursuit of Service

The Art and Pursuit of Service

This year a group of 28 Life West students decided to challenge themselves in service. In August the team completed the NorCal Tough Mudder event inLake Tahoe, CA. Their participation was not about fitness or competition. The students participated in the event with the sole purpose to honor and support veterans in chiropractic.

Service is a fundamental value of the chiropractic profession. Service is also the cornerstone of military values. A veteran is anchored in service
because they have experienced first-hand the joy of releasing self to the higher calling of caring for others. The experience of service has changed them irrevocably.

Many veterans experience a void when they leave the military. Their purpose in their new life lacks an obvious path to serve. Veterans often seek work that will allow them to continue to engage in selfless service. Chiropractic gives many veterans a brilliant transition from service to country to service to humanity in an independent career.

The Tough Mudder Service Project was born in February 2014 through the vision of Life West student Darren Murphy. Darren was looking for an opportunity to build a community project on love. Murphy relates “I signed up for the Tough Mudder on February 14th with the intention of wrapping all the upcoming effort, enthusiasm, work and planning in a container of love. Love for others, love for Life West, and most importantly, love for the past, present and future veterans of Life West.”

Tough Mudder is a 10-12 mile obstacle course event designed to test all-around strength, stamina, teamwork, and mental grit. Since its inception in 2010, the Tough Mudder project has hosted over 100 events all over the world. The event was created by members of British Special Forces and has a natural connection to military community and values. The organization has now donated over $6.5 million to the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Mudder Pledge


I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge. I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time. I do not whine – kids whine. I help my fellow Mudders complete the course. I overcome all fears.

This eclectic event is unlike any other. It draws participants of all types (and all fitness levels). The event focuses on the value of teamwork and boasts a 78% completion rate with 80% team participation. The 10-12 mile course features approximately 25 obstacles with names such as Electric Eel, Kiss of Mud, Everest, Arctic Enema and Funky Monkey. This event is not for the faint of heart. It requires perseverance and teamwork. This was a perfect fit for the Life West team.

Although the students were from different quarters and different backgrounds, they quickly became a tight-knit team. As they began to train and plan, they formed a bond based on intention. They travelled together to the event location and spent the entire weekend together in a rented cabin in Truckee, CA.

Preparations started early in the morning on the event day as the entire team assembled for group meditation and foundation training before heading out to the starting area. The course came with ample challenges for everyone. Some of the participants were not as physically ready as others for what the course had in store for them. This is when teamwork transitioned from a concept to a conscious act. Around mile three the team agreed to split up into two groups in order to serve the team’s success. They split, but serendipitously reunited around mile ten and finished the last mile of the event together.

While the entire course took nearly seven hours to complete, every team member cited the experience of finishing the event together as the most valuable part of the experience. They found that serving a greater cause, serving the act of community allowed them to access their highest selves.

The chiropractic community is built upon principles of service. As we focus our energy on connecting, giving and serving from the abundance of our hearts we grow. Service is the beating heart of vitalism.

The connection between chiropractic and veterans is evident. We share the values of commitment, integrity and service. How can we lose ourselves in service every day? How can we continue to serve the military community which has served us so selflessly?

Share This Post
Have your say!
00