Mountain Slayer Moving to Thailand
Lucas Rivera lives for his family, lifelong learning and never misses a chance to live life to the fullest. All who know him can testify to the rigorous conditioning he’s endured over the last eleven years and how it has ignited his passion for health & wellness. A native to Peyton, Colorado, Lucas studied sport management in a far and mystical place where flat jokes are most definitely not appreciated, Kansas.
Upon graduating from Bethany College, Lucas set his eyes on the first of many mountains ahead. He moved to Eagle County with his then girlfriend and high school sweetheart, Brittany. His journey with Mountain Recreation started in 2008 as an intern. He continued to grow professionally with new roles until he landed his current role, our Health & Wellness Supervisor. Lucas and his family will start the next chapter of their life, moving to Thailand this July. His wife Brittany was offered a highly coveted teaching job at the International School of Bangkok and Lucas has accepted a position as the Community Sports Manager there as well.
“While I am excited for his family, I am sad to see him go. Lucas and I have worked together for the last 10 years. We have been through a great deal together and I have appreciated all of his advice and willingness to help out whenever and wherever,” said Anna Englehart, Superintendent of Recreational Programs at Mountain Rec.
Lucas has molded countless lives through a shared understanding of health and wellness, resulting in better informed and active lifestyles for our community. However, he has not always been the goat we see him as today. This transformation occurred with his initial involvement with GoRuck challenges, a demanding endurance and strength focused movement based on U.S. special forces training. He quickly realized he could lead our health & wellness effort by example, taking lessons learned from the races and using them to evoke a ‘I can do anything’ attitude in our community.
This understanding coupled with his passion for endurance races, turned into the creation of a mountain slayer. Lucas continued signing up for races like the Tough Mudder, the World’s Toughest Mudder in New Jersey, the Leadville 100 mile, Washington 200 mile, and a 240 mile race in Moab. On rest days you can find Lucas further exploring the outdoors with his children or conquering 14’ers with his father.
Through his training, collaboration with recreation experts and racing, Lucas has refined his knowledge of nutrition and exercise science which he has brought into Mountain Rec’s health and wellness programs.
One of the most popular programs he created was the FURY (HIIT) workout class that we offer in Gypsum and Edwards. This class was designed to be modified for all levels, creating a welcoming environment where everybody is pushed to and beyond their own limits through a community approach. Most recently Lucas has provided free fitness classes at the Dotsero Mobile Home Park and laid the groundwork for fitness classes at the Edwards Field House.
Along the way, Lucas became involved with organizations like Speak Up Reach Out by dedicating his race in Moab to fundraise for a cause near and dear to his heart – mental health. This is just another example of how Lucas has embodied the Mountain Rec values of community and courage along with the belief that there is strength in bringing people together that cannot be matched individually.
“His incredible charisma and genuine care for others will be missed. I’ve worked shoulder to shoulder with him for so long, then to hear he is leaving – I’m losing more than just a co-worker, he’s family,” said Scott Ruff, Superintendent of Recreational Facilities, Mountain Recreation.
We want to wish Lucas and his family the best as he sets his eyes on the next mountain to overcome. Run your race mountain slayer, we will all be here cheering you on.
Eddie Campos is the Content Marketing Coordinator at Mountain Recreation. Contact Eddie at ECampos@MountainRec.org