Finding Ultra (39 page)

Ultraman is a beautiful and curious world to which I was most graciously and quite miraculously permitted entry. I'm forever indebted to Jane Bockus for taking a chance on me back in 2008 and permanently altering the trajectory of my life. And I'd be remiss if I didn't thank the entire Ultraman
ohana—
most notably Sheryl and Dave Cobb, Cory Foulk, Gary Wang, John Callos, Jamie Patrick, Suzy Degazon, Marty Raymond, Nino Cokan, Miro Kregar, Erik Seedhouse, Mike Rouse, Jochen Dembeck, Vito Biala, Peter McIntosh, Kathy Winkler, Timothy Carlson, Rick Kent, Warren Hollinger, Rebecca Morgan, Verne Sekafetz, and Grant Miller, among many others. To every athlete and crew member who has taken the leap into this lunatic fringe, you're all heroes.

To Mike Field and Todd Clark—my Big Island brothers from another mother—thank you for your boundless generosity and friendship and for always going the extra mile to ensure that my family and I feel at home in Hawaii. I can only aspire to your selfless example of
aloha, kokua
, and
ohana
.

Thanks to photographer extraordinaire John Segesta, for never failing to take remarkable images of me and for always making me appear far better in print than I actually do in person. And thanks to James Gilbert and Reis Paluso at Sandbox Studios for your graphic genius and for giving me a web presence that is the envy of my peers.

To my Ultraman comrade Jason Lester—you're a rare warrior and your spirit transcends athleticism. Thank you for ushering me into the realm of the unknown, for your incredible fortitude, and for being a beacon of inspiration to so many. But most of all, thank you for being my friend.

To Larry and Vylna Mathis, I'm grateful for your steadfast and loving support of my family and me, particularly during the more challenging periods we've faced this past year.

To my beloved parents, Dave and Nancy Roll, thank you for never giving up on me, always believing in me, and selflessly having my back in countless times of need. Thank you for your sacrifice and for instilling in me a tireless work ethic, keen sense of responsibility, and drive to succeed. Dad, you're my writing compatriot, my unceasing ally, my model of what it means to be a gentleman, and my hero. Mom, thank you for giving me a love of the water and a passion for learning, and for always ensuring the best for me. And to my beloved sister, Molly, thank you for being my number one fan. I love you.

To my namesake and the grandfather I never knew, thank you Richard Spindle for being a shining beacon from the beyond—my anchor. My life—and this book—is a living homage to your powerful and persistent legacy.

And of course, I must not leave out my beautiful children: Mathis Indigo, Jaya Blue, Tyler, and Trapper—the absolute joys of my life. Thank you for fortifying my days with meaning and keeping me firmly grounded in what is truly important. In your own unique way, each of you teaches, inspires, and amazes me daily, and I cherish every moment of watching you grow into the rare and amazing people you're quickly becoming. I can never repay you enough for tolerating me and for meeting the herculean challenges that come with having a father who does the things I do. I honor and love you all dearly.

Most of all, I'm forever indebted to my greatest love. Thank you, Julie, for always seeing the better man lying dormant within me and for always pushing me out of my comfort zone, ever expanding my awareness and urging me to deepen my faith in the pursuit of our collective dreams. You've never wavered in your loyalty, love, and constant support, despite the myriad arduous and stressful challenges that have come your way as a result of my endurance dreams and my attempts to bring this book to life. A true spiritual warrior, you are my constant. Thank you for giving me the courage to show you who I really am. Without you, I am nowhere.

In closing, I wish to thank each and every one of the countless unnamed who've found a spark of hope in my story and have taken the time to reach out and confide in me your private struggles and pain. You can't know how much you've touched me. To all those out there who feel stuck, lost, in a rut, or just unable to reach escape velocity, know that I'm with you. And I honor your journey. This book is for you.