USS Anchorage Taps Out with TapouT XT 03-11-2013

My son Oliver pictured in the front row (blue shirt)...

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TapouT XT had the incredible honor to go aboard the USS Anchorage and do a special workout with all of the brave Sailors. It was such an honor for us to be invited onto the ship and to show our appreciation to all of the men and women that protect our country. While on board, Mike Karpenko and Pro MMA fighter Mike Chiesa showed the Sailors how to punch and kick while on the helicopter landing pad of the massive USS Anchorage based in Ventura County California. Mike Karpenko and Mike Chiesa also held a question and answer session with Sailors to teach fundamentals on physical training, diet and nutrition.

“I saw an opportunity to give back and say ’thank you’ to the men and women who serve our country,” said Karpenko prior to kicking off the work out session. “It really is my honor to be out here and share a little sweat with you all.”

The work out session was coordinated by the ship’s operations officer, Lt. Cmdr. Clinton Blankenship, who has used the TapouT XT program and made the request. “It was great seeing the crew have a lot of fun with what is normally a challenging work out. We often emphasize the importance of physical readiness, but we sometimes forget to inform our shipmates that you can have fun doing it. I think that message came across with Mike’s help,” Blankenship said.