IsraelCast Episode 111

“Be proud of who you are and be strong.” These simple words from a Holocaust survivor encouraged Michael Neuman to become a professional obstacle course racer and lead a non-profit that helps children with physical challenges through a Spartan race. Tune into IsraelCast this week as Michael sits down with host, Steven Shalowitz, to discuss the reasoning behind wearing a yarmulke during an obstacle course and the “Why?” of anti-Semitism.

Michael wore his yarmulke proudly and won $25,000 when he competed against a pro athlete on CBS’ Million Dollar Mile, produced by Lebron James. The video of him winning on the show, as well as his interview about being an Orthodox Jew, went viral and appeared on over 200 media outlets within the week of the show airing. Michael is a professional Spartan racer and an Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) athlete, competing in competitions world-wide while wearing his yarmulke. He also runs a non-profit called Climb For Life, where they take kids with physical challenges through a Spartan race. Michael is a psychotherapist with his practice in Miami Beach, he uses sports and exercise to better apply psychological interventions. Michael also has a popular podcast show called “Jews in Sports”, where he interviews famous Jewish athletes and gets their opinion on life’s biggest questions. Michael is set to compete on Israel Ninja Warrior in Season 4 and currently sits on Jewish National Fund-USA’s JNFuture’s Miami Board.