About

The Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge (MMAC ) has taken on a life of its own. What started as a typical adventure race production (and arguably just a simple vacation for co-race directors Julia Pollock and Doug Crytzer) has developed into a testament of one of the last truly unspoiled corners of the world. We’d been told of the beauty and magic to be found in Belize, but what we found exceeded our every expectation – a people and their culture as warm as the sun that shines over the country and as beautiful as the landscape that exists within its borders.

On our first trip to Belize in February 2012, we were introduced to the beauty of the Maya Mountains and its people. At that time, we were lucky enough to have some impromtu encounters that evolved into the relationships that have made this endeavor possible. When we returned in November of 2012, Friends of Conservation and Development (FCD) director, Rafael Manzanero, unlocked for us the secrets of the Chiquibul and the Mountain Pine Ridge and, with them, the possibilities they contained for an epic adventure race. We knew we’d come to the right place – adventure lives here.

We are simple people. We ask only that our lives be filled with joy, love, laughter, good people and meaningful relationships to remind of us our humanity, because that is what we think it means to truly be alive. Adding a little bit of adventure keeps our blood pumping and reminds us how lucky we are to be alive on this beautiful planet. It is with this in mind and with open hearts that we approach every experience, and we hope that this is evident in the inaugural MMAC. Adventure racing is a perfect example of the community that exists in sport and its power to unite people and cultures around the world. It is a sport that illustrates the values that form the foundation of American Adventure Sports, and Belize provides the perfect stage on which to showcase both the sport and these values.

In life, our experiences define who we are, and Belize is ripe with endless possibilities. Through this blog, we hope to share the journey and our MMAC experience with you. Our goal is to inspire you to become a part of this amazing adventure and the family we’ve built. You’ve got to come experience the adventure of Belize!!

WHO WE ARE

Doug Crytzer – Race Producer; Founder & President of American Adventure Sports

Doug founded American Adventure Sports in 1997. A professional Adventure Racer and veteran of more than 100 races, his race experience has allowed him to become one of the leading Adventure Race Producers in the United States. Doug is a veteran Army paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne and competed on American Gladiators during its first incarnation. Doug is the father of three children—Scott, Ashley, and Calla, who all love the outdoors. Doug keeps the crew in check, providing valuable feedback and presenting the AAS staff their newest challenge.

Julia Pollock – Race Director; Member of TeamSOG

With an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, Julia is currently working as a Risk Analyst for a Pittsburgh, PA-based bank. After almost 20 years of competitive swimming, Julia turned to adventure sports to fill her appetite for exercise and adrenaline. In 2002, she was introduced into Adventure Racing after volunteering for an event, and knew immediately she had found her new passion. Only two months after riding a mountain bike for the first time, Julia competed in 8 races her first year, including Endorphin Fix, Mega Dose, Beast of the East, and finished the Odyssey One Day as a solo female. In only her second year, she went on to finish Primal Quest San Juan Islands as the only 3-person female team and 2nd place finish at USARA Nationals. Today, she is a proud member of TeamSOG (2011 National Champions) and is proud and hunbled to be just one part of a team of amazing individuals. Julia is an avid outdoor enthusiast and has continued to compete in a variety of races all over the world.

Ashley Reefer – Race Organizer; Director of Business Development at American Adventure Sports

Ashley obtained her B.A. from Wittenberg University and M.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Ashley works to build new partnerships who can benefit from our multimedia platforms while helping sponsors to meet their specific marketing goals. She works within our company and its clients, developing and delivering their vision to our in house film and editing studio, marketing team, graphic design department, and social media platform developers. Ashley enjoys stomping around the office, getting ideas,talking to herself, and starting projects for other people to finish. If shes not at work Ashley’s biking, running, or pretending to be a vegetarian but failing every time she smells chicken or a cheeseburger. Ashley was recently named one of Whirl Magazine’s “13 Under 30” celebrating western Pennsylvania’s rising stars under 30!