Seymour Rifkind: A celebration of passion and possibilities

On Sunday October 25, North Shore resident, best selling author and peak performance expert, Seymour Rifkind, provides a celebration of passion and possibilities in the premiere showing of 135 Days to Badwater.  A documentary of the ultra marathon in Death Valley called “the most difficult foot race in the world”.   In addition to the movie, Seymour will speak and be available for questions.

Wilmette Theatre 1122 Central Ave. Wilmette

6:30 Free Wine Tasting (sponsored by C.J. Arthur’s Bar & Grill also 25% off food and drink at CJs the night of the premiere).

7:00 PM: Premiere of “135 Days to Badwater.” $10 in advance(click here to order online), $15.00 at the door.

At the 40th Niles East Class reunion, I met up with Seymour Rifkind. Seymour, a state and World champion gymnast, looked in great shape which was no surprise. But he sent me an e-mail that was surprising. Seymour completed a film about his experience training for and competing in Badwater,  I had some questions. Wouldn’t you?

Seymour Rifkind

How did you hear about Badwater? How did you train? And why did you do it?

SR:In September of 2007 I had just finished the ironman triathlon in my first season of competing.  During a weekend run I met Juli Aisters, an ultra-marathoner, who told me about  Badwater. I thought it was insane, in fact I still do.

I didn’t realize anybody ran distances past the marathon.  Most people who attempt this run have been doing ultra marathons for many years.

Beyond the incredible distance, what makes Badwater the most difficult footrace in the world is the heat and the altitude changes.  The race starts at the lowest point in the United States 282 feet below sea level (Badwater) and goes to the highest point in the lower 48 (Mt. Whitney.)  A runner climbs 15,000 feet of total vertical ascent during that time.  The record temperature in the United States was set in Death Valley at 134 degrees and the temperature off the pavement is over 200 degrees melting the soles off your shoes.

In addition to run training, I had to do a great deal of heat training. I spent an hour to an hour and a half in the sauna 6 days a week, 2 days a week I did hot yoga, and many of my long weekend runs I wore a plastic jacket in the summer to increase my body temperature.  Learning to eat and drink while demanding so much from your body also takes a great deal of training and the only way to do it is through trial & error.

During a 40-year span I had read most of the literature from psychiatrists, physicians, physiologists and others on human potential.  I developed my own theories on human potential and to a large extent running Badwater when all the experts told me it was impossible with no ultra-marathon experience was an opportunity to put my theories to the test.

In the trailer for the documentary “135 days to Badwater” and on your web site, you make reference to the “chi” or life force. How do you incorporate these insights into your business and personal life?

SR: I first heard about chi from an Olympic Champion Gymnast whom I met and greatly admired in the late 60’s. Bob Beamon’s Olympic and world record-breaking long jump (29 ft. 2½ in) in 1968 really opened my eyes

Bob Beamon, Mexico 1968 (espn.com)

to the possibilities of human potential. Beamon broke the existing record by almost two feet.

Tapping into your chi means your tapping into your higher self. It’s not just athletes that “enter the zone.” I believe great artists, musicians, writers and others tap into this potential By tapping into your higher self you are being the best that you can be in every aspect of your life.

For me this means living your life in balance or living within the pyramid where your mental, physical, and spiritual aspects are all working in unison.  This only happens through daily practice and discipline.  It is a commitment to your values system. Doing what I know is right that has helped me most in my business and personal life.

You grew up in Skokie as the child of a survivor. Did you father share those memories?

SR:My dad told me every story he could remember.  I remember hearing stories from my dad and my grandmother when I was five. In 1976 prior to my grandmother passing away, I audio-taped (reel to reel remember that) several hours of stories.  Then when video came out I videotaped all the stories my father could remember.

Being a first generation American and a son of a holocaust survivor, I was very aware of other survivors in Skokie and all of this had a huge impact on my life.  It still does!  Many of the values and the drive I have is a direct result of being the son of a survivor.

There is also an underlining theme in the film, 135 days to Badwater .Would I have been able to survive the Nazi Death Marches like my father had? (Badwater is often referred to as a “death march.”)

What’s next? Any more mountains (literally and figuratively) to climb?

SR:Over the past 4-5 months I’ve interviewed about 50 Olympic Champions and professional athletes.  Those interviews have given me a  unique insight into peak performance, moving beyond excellence and entering the zone or “tapping into your chi.”

I plan on sharing those results through public speaking engagements and seminars along with my website www.srifkind.com.

Additionally, I’d like to make more time for my wife who has been extremely supportive of me over the past few years especially considering all the training I’ve had to go through and the sacrifices to family time. And then perhaps in 2 years when I’m 60, I’ll celebrate by climbing an 8000 meter peak in the Himalayas.  Maybe Cho Oyu the 6th highest mountain in the world.

Cho Oyu

Now that’s what we call at Ageless a real party.

And join us on October 25. I still can’t believe he ran 135 miles.