Tough Mudder and our Official Men’s Grooming Partner Every Man Jack are going Back in the Mud in 2021

Remember early lockdown days when the news was talking about how pollution around the world was historically low? We (the team here at Every Man Jack) keep coming back to this shocking, yet somehow intuitive truth that the pandemic exposed – made more resounding during this time of year we call Earth Month: the effect we have on the earth is quantifiable, observable and yes…even reversible. 

That moment happened at the beginning of a crazy year, where the world seemed to flip upside down overnight. All of us had to stay nimble and embrace change. It’s what enabled our team to produce hand sanitizer as a new product in a record-breaking two weeks – which we were grateful to provide free in as many orders as possible. It’s how our partner Tough Mudder adjusted to virtual events and started planning for a safe and fun 2021 season. 

As companies pivoted, athletes adapted, and routines worldwide migrated indoors – the planet became healthier. That should inspire us, especially during Earth Month, to remember to care for our home.

It’s Important To Find A Silver Lining.

Things are looking up: 25% of the country is vaccinated (at the time of this writing), Tough Mudder events are officially set to start this month, gyms are being frequented and travel seems a lot more doable. Of that which has changed, perhaps irrevocably, is our relationship to the great outdoors. If you’re like us, you’ve spent way more time outside than ever before. And even if you were already an intensely outdoor kind of guy, your appreciation for nature likely got even stronger.

Our theory as to why? The outdoors gave us ways to work out when our usual options shut down: Mountains to climb, trails to run, waves to ride. These weren’t just outdoor activities but sanctuaries that allowed us to feel normal even when everything else wasn’t. The traits that nature embodied was reminiscent of a friend – always ready to roll, predictably awesome, challenging yet supportive. Not just Mother Nature, but at times, Brother? If so, have we been a good friend back?

Living a more eco-conscious life doesn’t have to be a Herculean pursuit – and we’re not going to get preachy about it (because who likes that?). Keep it simple. Consider shopping from companies that use naturally-derived ingredients and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable packaging – whether in apparel, food or (yup) even grooming. Be conscious of your surroundings when you hike and adventure by picking up trash along the way – and ride your bike instead of driving when you can. As we return to “normalcy,” let’s try living our future lives like the Earth depends on us.  

We’re excited to see all of you safely back out in the mud at your local Tough Mudder event outside, and we’re proud as hell to be the Official Men’s Grooming Partner of this year’s events. Rest assured, we’re providing designated hand sanitizing stations to ensure you feel fresh and clean (as one can feel at a Tough Mudder), on top of our post event rinse stations. Make sure you come and say a socially distanced ‘hello’ at the Rinse Stations and our booth in Mudder Village – we can’t wait to take some dirty pics.

See you out there!

Mudder Nation, are you itching to get back on course, waiting to tackle the best obstacles in the world? If that’s a “Hells yeah” we’re hearing, well, welcome to Tough Mudder 2021. We’ve made some big changes to the course this year, from going cashless to adding new obstacles, to expanding the festival. We want to make sure you’ve got the deets you need to be ready to crush your next Tough Mudder event.

Here’s what you can expect on-site at Tough Mudder 2021:

1. We’ve Gone Cashless

We’ve removed cash collection from parking and bag drop (now included when you purchase your ticket for a $10 flat fee).  We highly encourage attendees to bring credit or debit cards instead of cash for food truck, beer and merchandise purchases at the event. This is to reduce contact points and known areas that cause lines across the event. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the festival and at every obstacle on course. For more information on how we’re keeping you safe on course, please see our Covid Tough Plan.

2. You Choose Your Start Time

New this year, all participants will select a 1 hour start time window during registration. This is your start time window during which you’ll head out onto the course. Your exact start time within the 1 hour start time window will be selected by you when you arrive to the loading zone area, based on space available. There are a limited number of slots per start time window – so book early to ensure you and your team can all book into the start time window you prefer.

Registration must be completed online prior to the event. No on site registration will be permitted. Didn’t select a start time at registration? See here for more information.

3. New Merchandise is Here

If you haven’t already checked out the wide selection of Tough Mudder swag on the merch site, you’ll also be able to scope out the new gear in the festival area. There may even be a few pieces on site that are not available anywhere else.

4. Festival Areas Are Bigger and Better Than Ever

We’ve expanded the size of the festival are and reduced capacity by 25% – 75%. This means smaller start waves, less crowding in the festival and on-course, and more time tackling obstacles and sharing a Finisher beer. This also means tickets will sell out faster than ever. Don’t get locked out. Book your ticket early and secure your spot.

5. New Mudder Nation Finisher T’s

Look as good as you feel when you finish. (We recommend hosing off first.)

6. Did we mention insane new obstacles?

If you the 2019 obstacles were insane, wait until you see what’s in store for 2021. We’ve gone back to the drawing board with some old favorites and brought back a well-known obstacle that hasn’t been on course since 2018. No spoilers.

We’re PSYCHED to get back in the mud and we know you are too. We can’t wait to make 2021 the best year yet. Don’t forget to train for your event. We even have customized programs with a trainer that will hold you accountable until event day. Check out all our events and we’ll see you at the Finish Line.

The Tough Mudder Endurance Series gives you a platform to prove that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Extreme experiences where athletes, from aspiring to elite can find support, motivation and accountability in achieving unparalleled feats of endurance. Whether you’re looking to take the step up from the Tough Mudder Classic or ready to push through 24-hours of boundaries you didn’t know existed – we got your back. 

Tough Mudder Training is proud to partner with Allison Tai, World’s Toughest Mudder alum, to bring you personalized online group training, designed to give you the foundation of endurance, strength and obstacle skills you need to succeed at Toughest or World’s Toughest Mudder. Each program will be personally led by Allison, with daily accountability and motivation for participants in a private online community.

Trust her, she’s a pro

Allison Tai is a long time Tough Mudder and Obstacle Sports and Fitness Coach. She completed her first Tough Mudder in Whistler in 2011 and was totally hooked. It wasn’t long after this life changing experience that she began sharing her love of obstacles by coaching groups and individuals to their own Tough Mudder finishes. 

As a long time endurance athlete, and now huge Tough Mudder fan, Allison decided to give the World’s Toughest Mudder a go in 2014. She has since finished on the podium three times. There is something incredibly magical about the World’s Toughest Mudder that WTM finishers live for. So she was absolutely thrilled when they announced the CBS televised Toughest Mudder series in 2017… and to her incredible surprise she ended up winning it.  

Allison continues to share her love of Tough Mudder… and her experience gained through years of coaching hundreds of obstacle sports athletes to successful finishes… and is forever grateful to be a part of the most unique event and culture in the world.  

Let’s grill her with some questions, shall we?

Q: What got you into Tough Mudder?

Allison: Peer Pressure! The owner of Rackets and Runners, a local running shop in Vancouver, BC where I was coaching running roped me in. And I was hooked. I have never had so much fun in my life. It was that first year Tough Mudder was held in Whistler and it was like playing in a winter wonderland.

Q: What do you remember most about your first Tough Mudder?

Allison: Being scared. And then realizing that everything I was the most afraid of was actually the most fun. 

Q: What’s your favorite Tough Mudder obstacle and why?

Allison: The Cliff. I couldn’t even throw myself off it that first year and did the penalty every loop. So the next year I spent countless hours at the local dive tank working my way off until I was able to do that big platform. It still terrifies me… it’s not that I’m no longer afraid. It’s just that I’ve now gained the confidence knowing that I can will myself through the most terrifying situations in life and come out stronger.

Q: What does teamwork on course mean to you?
Allison: Teamwork means supporting each other both physically and emotionally. Some people are more physically capable, some people are great at raising morale, everyone has something of extreme value to share with the community. We all do our best to make the experience. Everyone having a great event makes everyone have a great event.

Q: How did you stay fit during the pandemic? 

Allison: It comes down to the love of doing hard things and feeling solid in your abilities. If you can continue to challenge yourself in life, you’ll continue to work hard to overcome those challenges if you’ve ever felt the joy of it. It’s addictive.

Q: What’s the best (or worst) excuse you hear from other on why they can’t do a Tough Mudder?

Allison: I’ll sign up when I’m fit enough. It’s like… ugh no… sign up now and give yourself something to work hard for.

Q: What would you tell someone who’s on the fence about signing up?

Allison: Sign up. Figure the rest out later.

Q: Do you have any funny or memorable stories from Tough Mudder?
Allison: I’m pretty sure I have a story from every event I’ve done! Possibly from every lap. I think you eventually come to a place where when something bad happens (like the fifth time my headlamp went in the Whistler Toughest) where you are like, “Well this sucks… but what a great story this will be” and you’re able to laugh off nearly anything. 

Sign up for our Endurance Training Program here. Want to hear more from Allison? Listen to her episode on the ‘No Excuses’ Podcast.

The 2021 season is on and we’re ready to have you back in the mud. In an effort to keep our community healthy, we have a few rules we’d like you to be aware of before you challenge yourself on a Tough Mudder course.

Before you arrive, please make sure you have a mask with you and are aware of the following requirements:

1. Masks are required from the moment when you exit your car in parking all the way through to 150′ after the start line. 

2. Participants will be required to re-mask after crossing the finish line.

3. Participants should bring their own mask, but we’ll be providing a neck gaiter for use on-course or post-event (as masks will certainly get muddy).

4. Neck Gaiters must be doubled up (folder over) to be used as an effective face cover.

5. Volunteers will be provided with masks, but should bring their own for the check-in process.

6. Participants may temporarily lower their mask to eat or drink while not near others.

7. Participants must wear their mask on course if they come to an obstacle where others are present.

Have you made the commitment? Commit to 2021 and start training today. Don’t forget to download your free training guide to help you get there.

Dr. Brooke Nichols, PhD, MSc is an infectious disease epidemiologist currently serving as an assistant professor at the Boston University School of Public Health, where she specializes in the mathematical modeling of infectious disease. Nichols’ recent work includes modeling of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa and Zambia, analyzing and optimizing virus testing strategies with minimal resources.

Also an ultra runner, Nichols is currently consulting with and advising Tough Mudder, Spartan Race and Boston Marathon with the goal of building effective protocols so people can enter and safely enjoy participating in an outdoor athletic event.

As you can imagine, epidemiologists like Nichols have been busy. Keeping up with the flood of studies alone is challenging. In December, Nature reported that scientists have published more than 200,000 papers focused on the pandemic.

Related: The 2021 Tough Mudder Season is On.  

We spoke to Nichols in great detail about the policies that she has helped Tough Mudder establish to ensure that events are safe and responsible in 2021.

Q&A With Epidemiologist Brooke Nichols

How Safe Are Outdoor Events?

T.J. Murphy: Can an outdoor event like a Tough Mudder be safe?

Brooke Nichols: A truly outdoor event like Tough Mudder can definitely be safe. I think it’s important to know that a recent meta analysis of the research suggests that— at a minimum — you’re at least 18.7 times safer at an outside event compared to being indoors.

I say “at least” because as the review indicates, the data is often being collected from settings where the event isn’t purely outside. The subjects might be inside part of the time. Transmission of the virus is so low in purely outdoor settings that there is little in the way of research on it.

Is It Safe to Race Without a Mask?

TM: In the protocols you’ve recommended to Tough Mudder, masks are generally required — except for on the course itself. Can you explain why it’s safe to participate without a mask?

BN: Think of the basic transmission-mitigating strategies as a triangle. On one side you have the outdoors factor — an event that is truly outside in a totally ventilated space. Another side is the use of masks, and the final side of the triangle is social distancing.

Each of these measures is important, and all can play a part in preventing transmission at a Tough Mudder. But the evidence shows that outdoor ventilation is the most important because of how thoroughly it disperses the virus. So, for example, if you’re in a totally ventilated space — you’re outside and the wind is blowing — the possibility of transmission is greatly reduced. You are then in a situation where, as long as you’re social distancing, you don’t need to wear a mask.

So when you’re running in an event that has a low density of participants and social distancing is being practiced, it’s safe enough that you don’t need to wear a mask.

With the triangle still in mind, if you’re in a place where there is low ventilation, then you need to wear a mask as well as practice social distancing to be safe.

Is It Possible to Social Distance on the Course?

TM: How easy will it be to social distance during a Tough Mudder?

BN: The key is reducing the number of participants on the course, so social distancing isn’t a problem. To do this, Tough Mudder has lowered the overall number of racers participating and is spreading them out. Tough Mudder is doing this by decreasing the number of participants in each wave by between 25 – 75%, based on Government and local authority guidelines. We are limiting when participants can enter the festival area — no earlier than 60 minutes prior to their start wave time — to reduce the congestion.

This is why masks will not be required on course. You’re truly outside, you’re social distancing, and you’re moving around. In this setting, as I’ve mentioned, the risk of getting or transmitting the virus is so low that it’s rarely even mentioned in the medical literature.

When Am I Required to Wear a Mask?

TM: What about when you’re not running?

BN: Off-course, at the various contact points masks will be required.

These contact points are outside, but they tend to be spots where people might be closer together. Participants will be required to wear masks in the festival area, at restrooms, the check-in area, merchandise and the like. You’ll also be expected to social distance. Appropriate markers will be placed to help encourage the practice — like 6-foot interval markers in the line for the bathroom — and masks will be required as an additional protection.

It boils down to this: Everyone will be wearing a mask, except when they’re running.

TM: What about masks at the start and finish?

BN: The start and finish areas tend to be places where density can go up. You’ll be expected to bring your own mask to the starting line, but you won’t have to wear it on course. You carry it with you. Since the mask is probably going to get disgusting — expect it to get dirty and muddy during the race — you’ll be provided a new one at the finish.

This is all to ensure that the contact points are safe, and the risk of transmission is low.

Do I Need to Worry About the Obstacles?

TM: What about obstacles? People making contact with surfaces? How do you mitigate the risk?

BN: Hand sanitizer will be available before each obstacle. Theoretically, if a participant were infected by the virus, you’d want that participant to use hand sanitizer before they start climbing up the obstacle so they aren’t spreading viral particles around.

In addition to providing hand sanitizer before obstacles, we worked a lot on developing a pre-event screening process that you fill out online. Once you pass the screening, you’ll have a code on your phone that you’ll use to get in.

TM: Will there be temperature checks?

BN: No. The science on this is clear: They don’t work.

The problem with temperature screening is you have a lot of false positives and false negatives. Ironically, temperature screening also puts people close together, possibly putting them at risk of transmission.

So in the absence of any widely-available antigen testing, the online screening process is the best method available to prevent an infected participant from participating in a Tough Mudder.

TM: What happens if you fail the screening?

BN: If you were to say “yes” to one of the questions asked in the online screening process, indicating the possibility of infection, you can move your entry to a different event or receive a free transfer to another Tough Mudder event.

Will Staff Members Be Tested Beforehand?

TJ: Tell me about the testing protocols. Will Tough Mudder staff members have to test negative prior to the race? 

BN: Every member of our staff is required to follow a multi-test COVID-19 protocol.. Before traveling to the event location, all staff must provide a negative PCR test result. Additionally, once they arrive at the venue, they must take a rapid antigen test.

TJ: I wonder if you can comment on how important it is, whether you’re racing or not racing, to get outside and get some exercise. It feels like a lot of people have decided not to worry about exercising until the pandemic is over. Their gym might be closed, so they stop. Yet the CDC has mentioned that one of the preexisting medical conditions that can lead to a severe case of COVID-19 is obesity. What are your thoughts?

BN: It’s crucial. I have a good friend who works in an ICU. During the first wave of the virus, he texted me: “Everyone in my ICU is obese. Brooke, whatever you do, don’t stop running!” It’s hugely important to stay active and continue exercising, regardless of the circumstances. And especially now.

TJ: And there’s the mental health aspect, too. We’ve been isolating now for so long that we’ve lost connection with our communities. The idea of being in a Tough Mudder, Spartan race or the Boston Marathon sounds more appealing than ever.

BN: Absolutely. I lived in South Africa for three years. In South Africa, the Comrades Marathon is like the Boston Marathon. Training for Comrades was just fun. We’d get together and train as a team, go to the race as a team. It was all so great. That’s why I became an ultra runner.

Doing an event is such a good thing for you, and it’s so nice to have something to look forward to.

We’ve officially passed the one year marker of working from home and we’re starting to feel like we’d rather run through Electroshock Therapy than open our laptop one more time. The commute spent in someone’s armpit, gossiping in the kitchen over your 3rd coffee of the morning and wearing something other than pajamas seems like a distant memory. Yes there are benefits to working from home from flexibility, to freedom to create your own schedule, to childcare, home workouts, or sleeping in. However, it can be stressful, isolating, and impact your mental and physical wellbeing.

We chatted to our friends at Recovapro, recovery specialists, about what stresses employees face and how to minimize them.

Here are just some of the stress factors employees face while working from home:

No set routine

A major drawback of working from home life is the lack of structure, which ends up causing delays in work as nobody is there asking for things to be finished at a specific time. Likewise, it is more tempting to get something done quickly in order to go out to see friends (location dependent – looking at you, Florida). But leaning into these types of practices can swiftly get out of control and ultimately become a stress.

Hard to set boundaries

Working remotely is about flexibility and comes with the perk of working from wherever, whenever you want. For many this has meant an opportunity to have a better work life balance, and the ability to spend more time with partners, housemates, or kids. But without the firm finish of leaving your desk to head home, working from home can mean ambiguity and commonly you can find yourself answering emails and responding to work requests at 10pm.

Social Isolation

It is easier to focus on your job when you’re in your own home with no co-workers stopping by your desk to ask a quick question or to chat about a project. But according to a report by “Igloo,” four out of every five remote workers feel left out of their workplace due to communication, information sharing, and decision-making. This often leads to a feeling of social isolation.

Multiple Distractions

The continuous arrival of post and packages (we’re nearly on first name terms with the delivery driver), the numerous sales phone calls and the loud screaming of home-schooled children is certainly annoying and stressful. Working in a house full of people is inevitability distracting.

TOP TIPS TO REDUCE WORKING FROM HOME STRESSES

1. Planning is your ally

Although you may find this awkward since you’re working from your own home and have the liberty to choose when to work, but it’s important to set a schedule and not just work when you find the time. Try to choose the time when you know you’re at your best and most productive, with as few distractions, and work on the most challenging and complicated tasks during this time.

2. Keep your social life thriving

Even when at home, the support of your workmates, housemates and family can ease the boredom of working alone. This can boost your energy and help you be more productive. Mini breaks from your desk and quick catch ups with your fellow working from home friends can shake off some of the stresses from work. Why not try a virtual 5km with them over your lunch?

3. Rest, Sleep, Repeat

Adequate rest and healthy sleep are vital for productivity. Working too much can exhaust all your energy and mental focus. It helps to keep the same working hours that you would at the office, so starting and ending the workday at the same time. Imagine that you’re still going to the office for work and then coming home to rest.

4. Find your spot

Look for a space in your home where you can focus on work with relatively few or no distractions at all. Keep the set up minimal with just your desk, a chair, and your laptop or screens. Be sure to pick a spot that you’re comfortable to work at for 8 hours, but not too cozy that you end up falling to sleep.

5. Take a break

You’ll find that it helps to take short breaks; do an activity with your kids, return that Amazon parcel or get your blood pumping with some cardio exercise. Keep yourself motivated by giving yourself your own rewards. For each task accomplished, you can have some time off for a little self-pampering, maybe using a Recovapro massage gun.

Long periods of sitting can cause stiffness to your joints and muscles. Recovapro massage guns can help as they reduce muscle spasms, prevent joint and muscle stiffness and improves blood circulation. Recovapro can shake off that extra stress to keep you going physically and mentally while working in the comfort of your own home.

Need something to train for? Grab your 5K or Classic ticket today and get ready for the 2021 season. We’ll see you in the mud.

The Tough Mudder Training Philosophy

Being “tough” is about more than strength and power. Toughness is a mindset. 

At Tough Mudder, we believe that practical fitness is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle along with realistic nutrition and a strong mind. But it has to be balanced– we celebrate our wins, and train hard so we can party harder. 

Our program focuses on taking steps forward, every day. No matter where you are starting from, set a goal, make it personal. Put a date on the calendar and work toward it. Overcome obstacles. Conquer fears. Transformation comes through time and effort, and is possible with the support of a community that meets you where you are to help you get a little bit better every day. 

We begin by working on mobility and practical movement. Then, build on that base and learn to listen to our bodies & prevent injury. We master skills & techniques to conquer obstacles on and off the course.  

Endurance does not have to be about just running miles and miles.  Endurance can be about overcoming any challenge, and we believe it’s done best as a team. Embrace new challenges, new experiences, and new obstacles. 

Join us:  sign up for an event, take on a Challenge, download a free training guide, or subscribe to our newsletter (at the bottom of this page).  Keep your eyes on new training opportunities and programs hitting your inbox all year. 

WE DO…

Train to create habits that lead to incremental progress

Focus on training that is practical and makes life better

Set goals that are realistic & attainable

Use bodyweight, kettlebells, medballs and practical tools

Start your training where you are in your journey

Design training to meet you where you are

Believe that becoming tougher starts mentally

Celebrate and support achievement as a team

WE DON’T…

Believe in fad training programs and diets

Train skills that will never be useful in the real world

Just do stuff that is pointlessly hard

Require barbells or other intimidating training objects

Assign a “one size fits all” program designed for pros

Believe fitness should take over everything you do

Build toughness by giving you more than you can handle

Forget that training should be fun

You might have thought the 2020 event season was a wash… but you’d be wrong. 

As the world is coming out of quarantine, and we’re safely rushing back to the course, we’re returning to live events and to the mud.  Yes, you read that right: Tough Mudder just kicked off the first event in 2020 in the United Arab Emirates, an early kickoff to our full 2021 season. 

Ras al Khaimah launched the Tough Mudder Middle East season on November 25 and we’re gearing up for Tough Mudder Egypt this weekend. 

On December 18 and 19, the second Tough Mudder of 2020 will be happening in Uptown Cairo. In order to take necessary Covid precautions, registration is now closed for the event, but you can follow all the muddy action on Instagram @ToughMudderEgypt.  

As the world turns back on, vaccinations begin to roll out, and the world prepares for live events once more, it is our top priority to keep Mudders safe on and off the course. 

We are psyched to get back to the mud, and we’ve been consulting with experts to ensure we can keep you safe. As we implement new protocols and roll out the new season, our early 2021 plan includes  reduced capacity, pre-registered start times, contactless touch points, and thorough cleaning and sanitization.

As we prep for our return to the mud, we are focused on returning to the safest course with the best preparation. The hurdles of 2020 have given us an opportunity to launch a virtual event series to help you keep training and stay pumped for 2021. Check out the new challenges we have available and start your new year right.

For all the challenges 2020 has thrown our way, it will only make it that much sweeter when you get back to the start line. Tough Mudder RAK and Tough Mudder Egypt are just the first of many events to come. 

As we conquer this obstacle, we grow stronger and tougher together. We can’t wait to crush goals and toast finisher beers with you once more, Mudder Nation. Until we meet again soon, stay motivated and muddy. 

We’ve spent a lot of years coaching prospective Mudders through hitting the mud and tackling obstacles. There is certainly something to be said for upping your cardio and building strength before you face the course but more often than not the biggest barrier for people is in their mind. Luckily, this year we’ve had partner Mike’s Hard Seltzer to remind us to kick back, relax and not overthink it – that’s their mantra.

To help us spread their message we looked at how applying ‘Don’t Overthink It’ can help you crush a whole range of obstacles from the icy depths of Arctic Enema to the slick mud of Mud Mile. So if you one of the thousands of people planning a return to the mud next year, then these are for you. See you out there.

Don’t Overthink Arctic Enema

Don’t Overthink Electroshock Therapy

Don’t Overthink Shawshanked

Don’t Overthink Everest

Don’t Overthink Mud Mile

Don’t Overthink Leap of Faith

If these obstacles have whet your appetite for 2021, then commit to your very own adventure. Just don’t overthink it.