About Riley
"In January of 2018, Amber and I issued a challenge to Riley that we could score higher on a PFT than he could. If you knew Riley for 5 minutes, you knew him for a lifetime and knew he was going into the Army. His dream was to one day be an Army Ranger. In February as a way of spending one-on-one time and helping him kickstart his fitness journey, we started the Marine Corps PFT Prep program with him. The program is 15 weeks and consists of 3 workout days with high intensity interval training and endurance training.
On May 18th, 2018 he didn't get to finish his challenge. Riley was one of the 10 victims of the Santa Fe School Shooting. As we struggled with the reality of the situation, we remembered how much movement and exercise helped with coping with trauma and stress. The week following his passing, we picked up where he left off, week 15 day 2. We were determined to finish the workout we started with him, for his memory and for us. To say it was bittersweet was an understatement.
To honor Riley's memory, as we strive to do everyday, we are going to pick up where he left off by "doing something hard" and completing his challenge once again. Every May 18th since 2018, we do the workout he was able to complete. Through this process we recognized the benefits this had on us and wanted to share with the community. Our goal is to spread the message of healing through movement while also focusing on positive memories we have with him. Riley lost his life while helping others, and did “something hard”. We want to continue that spirit in helping others through this workout. We call on our family, friends, and communities far and wide. We challenge you to "Do Something Hard" and join us in our memorial Riley's Hero HIIT and to continue sharing his memory and the message of healing through movement."
-Amber and Ellen Claussen, Co-Founders of Riley's Hero HIIT
On May 18th, 2018 he didn't get to finish his challenge. Riley was one of the 10 victims of the Santa Fe School Shooting. As we struggled with the reality of the situation, we remembered how much movement and exercise helped with coping with trauma and stress. The week following his passing, we picked up where he left off, week 15 day 2. We were determined to finish the workout we started with him, for his memory and for us. To say it was bittersweet was an understatement.
To honor Riley's memory, as we strive to do everyday, we are going to pick up where he left off by "doing something hard" and completing his challenge once again. Every May 18th since 2018, we do the workout he was able to complete. Through this process we recognized the benefits this had on us and wanted to share with the community. Our goal is to spread the message of healing through movement while also focusing on positive memories we have with him. Riley lost his life while helping others, and did “something hard”. We want to continue that spirit in helping others through this workout. We call on our family, friends, and communities far and wide. We challenge you to "Do Something Hard" and join us in our memorial Riley's Hero HIIT and to continue sharing his memory and the message of healing through movement."
-Amber and Ellen Claussen, Co-Founders of Riley's Hero HIIT