The Beast Report: June 2020

Issue 31
June 2020

By Kim Collings

1. Beast Profiles

2. Nutrition

3. Looking Ahead

Articles and interviews dedicated to reporting on the amazing people and stories of Your Beast Team!

Meet Tasha Miller! Tasha Overmiller is a Christian athlete from Savannah, Missouri currently living in Tigard, Oregon as an Account Manager for Recon. She ran collegiately in Track & Field and Cross Country at Northwest Missouri State University, with a personal best of 18:38 in the 5,000 meters. A multiple time Obstacle Course Racing World Championships qualifier

What was your first OCR race and what made you decide to try it?

Terrain Race Portland; my husband had been doing OCR races and I finally had a schedule that allowed me to join.

How has OCR helped you overcome challenges?

It definitely helps motivate me to stay in shape. Also, if I’m complaining about something being hard, it’s nice to look back and realize that I’ve put myself through something much harder and made it out just fine.

What do you love most about the OCR Community?

Everyone is super supportive, even if they don’t know you personally! Really cool to always have people cheering you on.

Who inspires you?

My mom is my biggest inspiration. She’s always supported me and encouraged me to push myself to excel in everything I do. She’s the strongest person I know and has always been there for anything I need. As a single mom, she always worked her butt off to provide for us, no matter how exhausted she was! I hope I can be half the mom (in the future) she has been to me.

What is your favorite OCR memory?

Probably a tie between my first time nailing the spear throw and one of the many times my husband misses my finish because he’s too busy talking.

What is your favorite and least favorite obstacles?

My favorite is really most grip obstacles (Tarzan in Terrain Race, Twister in Spartan, etc.) and my least favorite is definitely the dunk wall (drowning is my biggest fear).

What length of race do you like best?

The sprint distances where it’s the most compact with obstacles
Tell us something about yourself that few people know, whether OCR related or not. My husband says that I have more of a family vine, rather than a tree because I have 5 siblings and all of them are half siblings (and I have a legal father and a biological father that aren’t the same person). Super confusing to explain and makes the holidays visits really interesting haha!

What are your goals for 2020?

To be in the top 10 for the Spartan races I complete and to be on the podium at all of the local races I complete. And to nail my spear every time!

Photo credit: Tasha Overmiller, Spartan Race, Urban Warrior, Rugged Maniac

2. Beast Nutrition

Flax

Flax Fun Facts:

Whole flaxseeds add crunch and interest to your foods like salads, baked goods and oatmeal, but to gain the nutritional benefits, ground flaxseeds are best.

Use both: whole for texture and beauty, and ground for nutritional bang.

You can grind flax in a designated coffee grinder or buy it ground already.

Store flaxseeds in the refrigerator.

The healthy oils, high fiber content and other plant nutrients in flax have been linked with helping promote healthy cholesterol, vibrant and healthy skin, and good digestion and a healthy colon. And the fiber rich seeds help with satiety and weight management.

Ground flaxseeds are easy to sprinkle morning to night from oatmeal and smoothies to soups and salads to entrees, sides, baked items and many more.

How much? Up to 2 Tablespoons per day.

Photo Credit: https://www.florahealth.com/us/blog/flax-seed-fun-facts/
Article Credit: https://healinglifestyles.com/the-facts-on-flax/

Recipe:

No Bake Energy Balls

Ingredients

Peanut butter

Honey

Vanilla extract

Old fashioned oats

Toasted shredded coconut

Ground golden flaxseed meal

Chocolate chips

How to Make Energy Balls

In a mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract.

Add the oats, coconut, flaxseed meal and chocolate chips and stir.

Chill the mixture for 30 minutes, or until it’s firmer.

Roll into bite-sized balls, then store in the fridge.

Photo and Article Credit: https://www.cookingclassy.com/no-bake-energy-bites/