Brian Nichol (left)

Brian Nichol has been named the 2018 OCR Humanitarian of the Year an award presented by For Those Who Would, North American Obstacle Course Racing Championships and Mud Run Guide. Nichol exemplifies selfless giving in his work with at-risk youth. His story not only inspired the award committee but also the obstacle course racing community.

Brian Nichol and Jesse Weeks (nominator)

Brian was initially nominated by his friend Jesse Weeks who said of Nichol:

Brian's selfless commitment to bettering the lives of these at-risk youth has seen many positive outcomes such as: Youth who have obtained employment, quit drugs/drinking, lost weight, or generally increased self confidence.

Brian has been training homeless youth to prepare for OCR races for 6 years. He runs multiple training sessions weekly (on his own time) where he rewards attendance and effort by taking the youth to OCR races. He pays for the races by funds that he also raises through his group called “ONE Strength OCR“. His selfless commitment to bettering the lives of these at-risk youth has seen many positive outcomes such as: Youth who have obtained employment, quit drugs/drinking, lost weight, or generally increased self confidence.

 

Brian truly deals with the most challenging youth you could imagine. Currently, he is training with a female who is transitioning to a male, a male with a major learning disability, a female with schizophrenia, a male struggling with substance abuse, a recovered alcoholic who has just celebrated 6 months clean, and a severely overweight female.

Brian himself is a recovered drug user. After he got clean, he went back to school to obtain a degree and began working as a social worker downtown Toronto. He recently completed his Masters of Social Work. He has truly dedicated his life to helping to most at-risk youth avoid some of the same mistake he has made.

There is not a day that goes by that Brian is not in direct contact with at least one youth who is working out some sort of life issue. Brian always answers his phone, always has time to chat, and always can be counted upon to follow through on what he says.

I have had the pleasure to train with Brian for 6 years and have seen that he is consistently altruistic, responsible and compassionate. He always gives of himself selflessly expecting nothing in return. There is no doubt his work improves the lives of others through selfless, courageous, and compassionate acts making him a true humanitarian in every sense of the definition. 

 

Jeff Cain, Founder, and President of For Those Who Would said:

“Brian Nichol, like all the finalists, embodies the spirit of this award through his selfless devotion to others who are dealing with life's struggles. I am looking forward to recognizing Brian at the North American Obstacle Course Racing Championships and promoting all the positive things that he and the others are doing on behalf of our community. “

Brian Nichol with past OCR Humanitarian Award winner Jesse Bruce (2015)

Join us in congratulating Brian Nichol and celebrating the unselfish attitudes and humanitarian acts of all the finalists.  We hope that every member of the OCR community will be inspired by these individuals and find ways to make a positive impact on the people around them. Brian will be formally presented the award at the North American Obstacle Course Racing Championships on Friday, August 10, in Stratton Mountain, Vermont.

 


For Those Who Would is a certified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity based out of Richmond, KY with a mission to support individuals prevented from participating in athletic and physical recreational activities due to debilitating injuries or chronic diseases.

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