Funky's Return: Askren's decision is his to make
Plus, business is booming for Jake Ryan. After starting small, the former Ohio State wrestler's company is reaping rewards in the cabin-getaway world.
In his home state of Wisconsin, Ben Askren will wrestle Belal Muhammad tonight in Real American Freestyle’s RAF 11.
If you can imagine yourself wrestling in a (real) match that’ll be televised and streamed worldwide the same day you turn 42—after being on death’s doorstep 13 months ago—salute.
I can’t.
For those unaware, Askren received a double-lung transplant 13 months ago. Prior to the life-saving procedure, he’d been in a coma for 45 days. He’d experienced multiple cardiac arrests, and lost nearly a third of his body weight.
Wrestling and combat sport devotees are thinking about all this today, wondering if the lungs that were inside another human last year will amply provide Askren all he needs throughout tonight’s bout. We wonder if he’s healed enough from the staph infection and pneumonia that ravaged his body as we recall the skeleton-like pics of Askren in his hospital bed. We recall the appeal for prayers on numerous social media sites chronicling his plight, and the joy that came with the news that a donor’s lungs had become available and that they were a match.
And though we don’t want to say it aloud, we privately wonder if there’s a certain selfishness in Askren wrestling tonight.
Hey Funky, we love you, but come on, Man. Roulette with your health should be an obvious pass. That ‘9 lives’ thing doesn’t apply to our species.
Maybe we should check ourselves. Maybe we remind ourselves that we weren’t Olympians, or two-time NCAA Champions, or Bellator and One welterweight title holders. Maybe we remind ourselves that meeting challenges might be as fundamental to Askren’s type as blood in veins. Perhaps we entertain the thought that for Askren’s kind, there might be no other choice.
In short, perhaps Askren needs to wrestle tonight—our ability to understand notwithstanding.
It’s easy to cast dispersion from life’s sidelines, wondering why others make the decisions they do. In wrestling, MMA and combat-sport circles, Askren’s participation tonight is a trifecta of intrigue, craziness and concern.
All three will converge when he takes center stage tonight. For more than just a few fans and followers, it’s a little scary. We’re allowed to admit that.
It’s also inspiring. We can admit that, too.
In other news…
During his collegiate years, Jake Ryan wrestled for his dad, Ohio State coach, Tom Ryan. After graduating and spending years in video production and marketing, he sold one of his businesses, Turned Yellow.
“It was a kind of a stupid idea,” Ryan laughed. “It was a company where you uploaded family pics, and then we’d turn them into Simpson’s characters.”
Turns out, Turned Yellow wasn’t a stupid idea after all.
“We did well on that sell—really well,” Ryan said. “I was 25, and was able to take the funds from that and invest in real estate in Hocking Hills (Ohio). In my first deal, I bought two cabins. They did well, and I was able to buy more and flipped some.
“All this time, I was still running my video production company.”
With so many hours in a day, Ryan dropped his production company to focus on his real estate ventures in the rustic, natural environs of Hocking Hills.
“We ended up buying four Hocking Hills tree-house rentals, an over 4-million dollar deal,” he said.
Ryan’s background in video production, drones, and marketing enabled his properties to garner widespread visibility. He wasn’t struggling with keeping them occupied with renters. Property management folks and other rental-property owners took notice. Many started reaching out to him, asking Ryan how he did it.
“That turned into property management,” he said. “It was just a testament to being the only one doing what I was doing.”
Ryan started Book Hocking. In three years, his group now manages 270 properties—30 of which belong to Ryan.
“It’s kind of surreal,” he said.
His dad is happy and grateful for his son’s entrepreneurial success. He isn’t shocked. The 2015 NCAA national championship coach and Ohio State Hall of Fame inductee believes Jake’s life-choices are responsible for his fruitful endeavors.
“He’s much smarter than me,” Tom said. “And unbelievably self-disciplined. And how he’s lived his life—never had a sip of alcohol, not afraid to take risks, competent—Jake’s made good choices. He surrounds himself with good people, and he has the ability to simplify complicated things.
“And, he’s always smiling. He’s grateful.”
Up next for Jake is his biggest project yet—construction of a roller coaster through the scenic greenery (or autumn’s orange and yellow foliage) of Hocking Hills.
“We’d get feedback,” Jake said. “There needed to be something else. Aside from hiking and enjoying the beauty, we’d hear people wanted more to do. I’d been on these coasters in Flathead (Montana), Gatlinburg (Tennessee) and Switzerland. We decided to build one for Hocking Hills visitors.
“The amount of appreciation sent our way since we started advertising this, it’s come in ways you’d never expect. Maybe a family member is elderly or in a wheelchair and can’t hike. This coaster is gravity-fed, there’s a hand brake to go at much slower speeds just to enjoy the views, or it can go fast for younger riders seeking the adrenaline rush.”
Jake and his wife, Abbie, live in Columbus with son Rhett (4) and daughters Emmie (3) and Mia (1).
Interested in renting a cabin or just checking out Jake’s site? Visit Book Hocking.
Sponsors:
Industrial Solutions Authority
E. John Rewwer, DDS, 513-923-3839
