Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1488820
30 PalletCentral • November-December 2022 palletcentral.com biking and climb Pico de Orizaba to kick off the race, and to represent Mexico. It pushed me harder to give my best," Podlipsky said. His joy and passion for mountain climbing are evident in his summit photos and the grin on his face. In 2023, Samuel joins an international expedition to Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the western hemisphere and outside the Himalayas. "And if everything is fine, I'll share a picture of the summit," he said. We wish him the best, and congratulations too. Podlipsky finished first in the virtual race with 179.11 miles. Living the Benefits of Exercise at Conner Industries "When I saw the announcement for the virtual race, I thought it would be a good way for our small team to each take on one of the challenges (ride, run, and walk) and enjoy some fun in the sun," said Mike Huggins, vice president of corporate strategy at Conner Industries. Huggins recruited two other Conner's Strategic Accounts Team members, JR Cohen and Mike Watson, to take a leg. Professionally, the Strategic Accounts Team challenges customers with new designs, ideas, and solutions. ey used this time away from the desk to push themselves to new heights and get out of their comfort zones. e efforts of JR Cohen during the virtual race were of particular pride to the Conner's team as a testament to the benefits of physical activity. Cohen's brother's tragic passing six years ago seriously impacted his mental and physical health. "My world became numb. I was getting heavy and didn't focus on my health," Cohen said. ree years ago, while on vacation, he became ill. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. At 430 pounds, he knew he had to change his lifestyle and get his A1C, the amount of sugar in the blood, down. During COVID, he bought a mountain bike to exercise. Starting with a couple of miles at a time, Cohen was falling in love with cycling again. "I felt like a kid, and I remember riding bikes with my brother when we were young. It was freeing and motivated me to do more," he said. His miles started racking up, and he was hooked. Podlipsky experiences a summit moment, inspired to advance the industry while pushing the boundaries of his own limits. iStockphoto.com/flavijus