Vote Now - Mike Gainer
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Age: 37 Occupation: Fire-fighter What is your greatest 'adventure' (or extreme sports) achievement? Why? I have not had my greatest adventure yet even though I have had many! The greatest achievement so far must be that despite playing many different contact sports (including Aussie Rules, boxing, gridiron, wrestling, and ice hockey) and having dangerous professions (Elite Reconnaissance Marine, Adventure Therapist/Youth Worker, and Fire-fighter) I am still feeling and looking great for 30+ male. I have had 160 stiches in my head and face, but you can't tell due to good surgeons. What do you believe will be your strongest leg & why; trail run, mountain bike, 4WD, poker? I believe the trail run will be my strongest leg due to the fact that I am in training for the World Police and Fireman Games in late July / early August this year and will be close to my prime fitness and am doing a lot of running. The events that I will be competing in are boxing, the stair race with fire-fighter gear, orienteering, dragon boating, and the half marathon. I need to be fit to just finish these events let alone not get my butt kicked in the ring. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your current level of fitness? About a 9 but should be improving over the next month. I have gotten a new lease on life since I have become a fire-fighter and have regained my youth. It makes a big difference to your life when you Love Your Work. Why did you enter the Men's Challenge? To challenge myself yet again and to prove I am a "Jack of All Trades" and win the event because I think I can perform strongly in all the events. If you were forced to give up all your gadgets bar one, what would it be and why? I would not give up my internet access/Facebook as it helps me keep in touch with hundreds of friends especially since I have emigrated here from Alaska 12 years ago. What would you cook a woman to impress her on a first date? I make a mean Chicken Cacciatore or Great Alaskan Salmon Steak but I love to experiment in the kitchen especially with the good healthy recipes in the Men's Health Magazine. What's the most fun you've had on four wheels? I have had some real fun driving a Nissan Patrol in the Flinders a few years ago with work, but I still remember racing my first car, a 66 T-bird, up the side of a large quarry against a Bronco in which I got airborne on leaving the lip of the quarry. What are you thinking about when you've got your poker face on? I just look at how the other person is reacting. From having over 10 years of experience working with at risk youth I am good at reading people while controlling my outward emotions especially under stress. Who is your favourite superhero and why? My dad he was born impoverished and his dad left the family when he was only 8 years old. He was pulled out of high school for the Korean War and made it into the Rangers. He was noticed for his excellent leadership skills and sent off to Officers Candidate School in which he finished second in his class, which allowed him to go to flight school and become a helicopter pilot. These are not the reasons why I think he is a hero though. He is a hero because he has always tirelessly tried to improve himself as a man and a father and still does to this day at 76 years old. What does confidence mean to you? Confidence is knowing that if you get knocked down that you are going to get right back up and try smarter and harder than before. If I look at all my failures in life I would see an absolute failure, but if I look at all my successes I would see a champion. The idea is to remember both so that you have the ambition to achieve more while knowing that you can get there. Do you have any career aspirations? My biggest aspirations are to make a positive difference to my family, community, my state, and my country. I know this sounds a bit wild eyed but you do this through a lot of little decisions and deeds. I have enjoyed making a positive difference in all these areas. I have done this by serving in the Marine Corps, being a coach, looking after at risk youth, raising two beautiful girls, and now being a fire-fighter. I believe the easiest way to find happiness is to take joy in others happiness. I have a lot of smaller aspirations in my career and personal life that will help me continue to make the world a better place. |
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