26. Chris Walsh - Air Force Special Operations, Team USA Bobsled, Endurance Road Racer

Captain Chris Walsh is a Special Tactics officer with the 24th Air Force Special Operations Wing. A member of the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program, Chris is also a member of Team USA Bobsled and is an Olympic Hopeful for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Self-diagnosed with a need for speed Chris also competes in Endurance Road Racing Events in his downtime. Chris talks a bit about his background and his role within the Air Force’s Special Operations. An avid athlete, he shares the multiple athletic pursuits he’s had along the way while in the military and how he ultimately found the sport of bobsled. He explains the role and benefit of the World Class Athlete Program. What training for the “niche” Olympic sport actually requires. How he balances the demands of his career, sport and family. How a lack of fear of failure has helped him to dream and achieve big. We learn about his entrance into the world of Endurance Road Racing and what it’s like to compete in a 14+ hour event. He recounts the recent injury that sidelined him and the unlikely silver lining that bought him more time as he continues his Olympic pursuit. Mentioned in the show: Books: The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander. By: Peter Blaber Chris’s Racing Videos: https://youtu.be/hOnwTR28Qug https://youtu.be/jm6NaNhrDnM Follow Chris: Instagram: @walsh.usa Follow The Professional Athlete Podcast with Ken Gunter: Instagram: @the_professionalathlete Website: https://www.kengunter.com/ YouTube: Ken Gunter https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhgjkoSiJXAbS_MIasvvzQ/ Produced By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter Music By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter