Ryan’s Millando Monk Hawks

“The silence holds with its gloved hand, the wild hawk of the mind”

The team represents the town of Millando, formed in 2017/8 by saintly Millie and Lando.

Our Mascot is the Monk Hawk. A fictional blend of a hawk and monk.

According to Ovid, an ancient roman poet, “We hate the hawk because he ever lives in battle.” I hope to mix this nature with the calm of a monk because as the late great, Thai monk, Thich Nhat Hanh put it: “When the crowded refugee boats met with storms or pirates, if everyone panicked, all would be lost. But if even one person remained calm and centered, it was enough. They showed the way for everyone to survive.”

July, 2023

Starting point

As we start this project/challenge/whatever, I am a 33 year old man of 240 pounds, a hefty load for someone just under 6 feet. I’ve carried this weight for sometime now. Not only am I tired of this status quo but also desperate to get more ready to be a capable, healthy parent, partner, brother, son, friend, etc.

Soon my wife, and rival :), Cryssi and I will move to Davis and establish a healthier bike based lifestyle which is fabulous but I also must independently establish safer, more sustainable habits. Calories and malaise are the enemy. Inertia is everything. If I get my big ass up to speed and avoid obstacles, the momentum should continue.

In line with my mascot, I need to establish a yin yang balance between the battle ready hawk and the monk.

Merced River, Yosemite Valley 2016

Where I hope to Go aka goals

  1. Below 200 (aka lose 40 more pounds)

  2. Below 190

  3. Find peak weight for body

  4. Back in nature

  5. Establish sustainable habits within myself

For February 2026:

1. Close every ring

2. Self love: Limit beer to 1 day a week