Sumo Steaks

This past weekend, our Sumo Steaks Crew headed to Englishtown, NJ to participate in another Tough Mudder event. We had such a good time back in May when we competed, that we had to head out and do it again.

The Tough Mudder is an extremely challenging race filled with dangerous obstacles that really test your endurance and strength. After putting your body through an insanely intense experience and you’re feeling the pain, it helps to remember the purpose of the event – to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

After the race, we donated our shoes  to the pile just as we did last time.

It was a great experience had with great people in order to raise money for a great cause.

We’ll see you at the next race!

This past weekend, a few members of our Sumo Steaks team and some of their friends headed to do the Tough Mudder race in the Poconos.

Running races seems to be the new trend these days, but the Tough Mudder is unlike any other race out there – the sign up rate is through the roof. It’s not a brisk run around a scenic route or a 10 mile light jog down Broad Street. It’s an obstacle course that some might describe as crazy, difficult, or downright dangerous.

And it might be.

But it’s not impossible to complete.

As its name implies, the Tough Mudder Course challenges you physically. But the real focus is on true strength, stamina, and camaraderie. It’s not unlikely that during your journey through the course, you’ll see someone having trouble on one of the obstacles. It’s then when your true dedication to your team is tested. You may even find yourself trying to climb a 10 foot wall, only to keep falling. This is when your team jumps in and helps you.

Tough Mudder raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project.  The  course itself was designed by British Special Forces and has obstacles like the “Fire Walker” where you run through literal fire, Electroshock Therapy that has live wires carrying as much as 10,000 volts of energy, and Berlin Walls which are 12 foot walls that you need to scale with the help of your team.

Pictured: Paul "Taul Paul" Meyler & Gary Creagh

After the course, we came across a pile of used and muddy sneakers. Did you know that you can recycle your sneakers?

Before tossing your old sneakers into the trashcan, consider recycling them or donating them to charity – we threw ours into the heap!

You don’t have to compete in a Mudder to donate your sneakers either. Check out these groups that will gladly open their arms to your retired kicks!

Soles for Souls

Recycled Runners

Nike Reuse a Shoe

For more events like the Tough Mudder and tons of Philly sports talk, be sure to follow us on Twitter @SumoSteaks.

As we wake up today, we’re reminded that it is New Year’s Eve: The last day of 2011. It’s time to get the food ready, the beer chilled, the fireworks loaded. It’s time to party it up, get down and have a blast with those closest to us.

The end of the year is always the same; we’re left thinking “Where did the year go?” Life moves pretty quickly. Before you know it, it’ll be New Year 2012, and we’ll be doing the same thing over again. Or at least we hope so.

On December 18th, 2011, Ben Breedlove posted two videos on his “secret” YouTube channel – he didn’t mention them to his family or traditional fan-following. Ben was a popular teenage YouTuber who, on his regular channel, would share advice on everything from dating and presents to buy for your girlfriend, to little facts about himself.

In these most recent two videos, however, Ben doesn’t utter one word. He holds up a series of index cards telling about a health condition that he has and three times in which he “cheated death”, once as recent as a few weeks back.

Here’s Part I of Ben’s Story:

And Part II:

On December 25th, just one week after he posted the above videos, Ben had a wonderful Christmas morning with his family. He got a new camera that he would surely be using to make new You Tube videos for his faithful followers.

Ben didn’t cheat death on December 25th. He surrendered to it and was given the gift that he so longed for several times. He passed away on Christmas Night with his family. Ben died of a heart attack as a result of his heart condition.

While there is much to be learned from Ben, one of the big things we took from this is simple, and one we hope you take into your 2012: Cherish Every Moment. Take no moment for granted. Live life. It’s not the length of life, it’s the depth of it. Ben touched millions of viewers with his videos, even after his death.

The Team at Sumo Steaks thanks you, Ben. Thank you for inspiring us to make our official theme for 2012 to “Cherish Every Moment”.

Happy New Year from the Sumo Steaks Team!

Last month, you might recall that Sumo Steaks donated all procedes from our eBay store sales to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

This month, thanks to one of our good friends, we were introduced to Cabbie Richards, a Canadian man who is growing a moustache – zero shaving, in honor of Prostate Health Awareness.

We’ve all known someone with some sort of cancer. It’s sad, but true that we all share this bond. Cancers of the prostate for men aren’t often discussed because of the stigma as well as the “private nature” of it all.

Regardless of whether we talk about it or not, Prostate Health is just as important as skin, digestive, heart, and kidney health. In fact, the more we talk about it, the more men may be willing to come forward with signs of Prostate Cancer, rather than be embarrassed about it. Early detection is key.

Cabbie has raised $555 (as of 11:30 AM today) and he’s even documenting his progress via pictures.

Check out this silky smooth mug, which will surely be growing some stubble by next week.

We encourage you to make a donation, if you are able, to Cabbie and his team in support of his brave and inspiring November mission to raise awareness for Prostate Health.

Go Cabbie! You can follow Cabbie on Twitter as well.

And while you’re at it, follow Sumo Steaks on Twitter as we continue to create a fast food chain and a brand.