Core Athlete Profile: Johnny Knapp

Written By Dawgpatch Team

  1. Age - 40 

  2. Occupation - Head of Brand Marketing at ‘Noah’.

  3. Why DPB - I first came across DPB through mutual friends who were already engaged in workouts with the group, and through a few clicks on the internet I was able to gain an understanding of the principles of DPB which align with sentiments that have always resonated within me. From there I knew these are my people and I wanted to find ways to support and engage with DPB. For me it begins and ends with their promotion of outdoor recreation and fitness to support mental health. This world is a crazy place and it seems to only be spinning out even crazier. If you can out crazy the crazy, go on some epic paddle, smash a bunch of push ups, and just get after it, everything else becomes easy and manageable. It is a commitment to always working on yourself and giving yourself a halfway chance of being able to show up in life as your best version. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.

  4. Favorite challenge - Getting out of bed every morning soundly rested, feet on the ground, with a positive attitude and ready to make the most of the day. 

  5. Most difficult challenge - This past fall I completed a 22.7 mile point to point challenge going from Robert Moses State Park to Smith Point County Park, essentially paddling the length of Fire Island minus a few miles. It was the furthest I have ever paddled and making the trip solo was pretty epic. The conditions were pleasant but it became physically grueling and a simple mind over matter exercise after a while. Oddly enough my forearms became the most sore. By the end I was ready for it to be over and happy to be on land, but in hindsight it was pretty simple. Just one arm and then the next, over and over, until you get to where you want to be.

  6. Next objective - Becoming a first time father. My wife and I are expecting our first child in October, so between now and then it is its own workout of sorts to get ready for it. A personal inventory of who you are, who you want to be to the child, and so forth. My personal workouts have changed as well. It is still a daily pursuit, but what I am looking to get out of them is different. It is all about a sound mind, body, and soul. Less fiery on my end and more focused on stretching, staying flexible, keeping the core strong, and building and maintaining athletic muscle. By no means an omission or throwing in the towel, it is just where I am at these days. Take the wins when they come, accept the defeats, and learn from them. I would love to join DPB on one of their epic point to point paddles this season. That has always been a carrot dangling in front of me. Down the road, a paddle and camp adventure has always been in the back of my mind. For now, I am going to go for a surf.

Completed Challenges

Complete List: (3 stars = EPIC // 2 stars = Pretty Gnarly // 1 star = Solid Day(s) Out)

Dawgpatch Team
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Core Athlete Profile: John Troha