Until 2010, Mike Burcin served as principal and David "Davy" Meister was a language arts teacher at Martin Meylin Middle School (MMMS). They had worked together for about 25 years, and within those years, a friendship was born. After retiring, Davy moved to Virginia, so initially, the pair did not stay in close contact. However, as time progressed, they began to correspond and play fantasy football together. According to Mike, he and Davy talk every week.
In August of 2020, Davy had a massive heart attack, during which 90% of his heart was blocked. His doctors said it was a miracle he survived. For half a month, Davy was in and out of the hospital, but when he started the road to recovery, Mike was quick to reach out. According to Davy, Mike became his personal trainer. With the help of his friend, Davy was able to turn a corner by improving his diet and exercise regimen.
"After Davy's heart attack, exercise became an important piece of our friendship," said Mike. "My wife, Debbie, even sent him some recipes."
One of the outcomes from Davy's heart attack was Davy's discovery of the Conqueror Virtual Challenges, which allow people to complete different trails or distances to earn medals. Among the virtual challenges are the English Channel, Mount Everest, the Giza Pyramids, the Ring of Kerry, and the Pacific Crest Trail. Between fall of 2020 and mid-November of 2021, Davy had completed seven Conqueror Challenges and had walked a total of 1,600 miles. Currently, Davy and Mike are working as a team to complete the Appalachian Trail, and they hope to finish it before Christmas.
"I think it's only fitting that he and I are walking this trail together," stated Davy. "He has been my trainer, my motivator, and my best friend. He means the world to me. He saved my life."
The first Conqueror Challenge Davy finished was the English Channel. After receiving the medal, he gave it to his heart doctor who had cleaned his arteries. His wife, Pat, ordered him another medal to keep for himself.
"I almost died of a heart attack because I was sitting and doing nothing and I was eating the wrong things," said Davy. "The first walk I did for the English Channel ... that was hard. That was really hard. But I have lived a blessed life, and God put into my life a man that allowed me to do the things I wanted to do."
"This time of year is a time of great stress for a lot of reasons, so hopefully people will read this (story) and feel motivated to get out and relieve some stress," stated Mike. "Exercise is a great remedy."
To learn more about the Conqueror Challenges, visit http://www.theconqueror.events.
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