WALK A DAY IN OUR SHOES, OUR TEAM. ONE UNIT, ONE SOUND!

Team,

PeppNation MKE HS Rugby Jerseys/Kit will be here in Milwaukee, Tuesday March 31, 2015.  I'm counting the minutes and can't wait to share with the team.  FOX 6 followed up yesterday and just in time, our PeppNation MKE HS practice was awesome last night.  Stay tuned and like PeppNation on FB for more information, daily feeds of student athletes from all over this great state of Wisconsin, the USA and the WORLD!

PNSLC Garland:

30 flyers were requsted by students age 10 - 15 @EDWARD MACDOWEL MONTESSORI ACADEMY

Super Strong day at Garland school, south Milwaukee.  I mean, they played so well yesterday and as a team.  Communication was at an all time high and more then 60 points were score between the two teams present.  

PNSLA PeppNation MKE HS Rugby Team:

20 + student athletes signed up for PNSLA from Juneau HS ( while there for #PeppRally Recruitment visit.  30 flyers passed out during lunch period grades 10 - 12.  The effort was nothing shy of brilliant at PeppNation MKE HS Practice too.  I mean the guys were focused and most importantly Persistent with every instruction/action given until coaches we're satisfied.  I'm thankful for your efforts ladies and gentlemen.

Thursday, March 26th, 2015

Word of the week: Persist

To continue steadfastly or firmly in some estate, purpose, course of action, or the like especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance etc.

PNSLA PeppRally @Obama School of Career and Tech. 

5075 N Sherman Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53209

10:45a - 11:20a

Organizer: Brandon Culpepper

PNSLA PeppRally @Hawthorne School

6945 N 41st St, Milwaukee, WI 53209

3:00pm - 4:15 pm

Organizer: Brandon Culpepper

PNSLC Neeskara School

1601 N Hawley Rd, Milwaukee

3:00p - 5:00p

YDM: Aaron, Raquel, Samantha & Coach Sarah

PNSLA PeppNation MKE HS Rugby Practice (Mind & Body)

2906 N 18th st, Milwaukee

4:45p - 5:30p

YDM: Coach Sarah, Coach Pepper

PNSLC YDM Training

Hephatha Lutheran Church Gym

2906 N 18th st, Milwaukee

6:00p - 7:30p

ALL ARE WELCOME

PN Friday Fish Fry Fundraiser (March 27)

2913 N 18th Milwaukee

Across from Hephatha Lutheran Church Gym

10:00a - 6:00p

ALL ARE WELCOME TO SUPPORT

What's next for Brandon Culpepper and PeppNation

Hello everyone and thanks for visiting my blog.  I haven't logged on since I moved back from NYC and lots has changed in my life since then.  I've recently returned full time to my home town, Milwaukee WI; in an effort to support my family, loved ones and this community.  PeppNation is larger then ever and PeppNation Sports Leadership Camps has made a difference in the lives of more then 1200 student athletes nationally in less then 2 full years of existence.

Yes I've been promoting the brand and vision of PeppNation since January 1st 2010, but the impact that we've made over the past two years has turned many heads and changed many lives.  I'm thankful to all our supports nationally and all of you for believing in my dream which in return help me to have the access to support others.  

Currently we've helped 18 student athletes get into college and they've signed for nearly a million dollars worth of scholarships.  We've done so by teaching student athletes how to market themselves to obtain scholarships.  Leveraging there talents to offset the rising cost of higher education.  

Is this difficult? 

I wouldn't say so, however there courage, faith and a burning desire to succeed are required to make your dreams become reality.

In order to find a college athletic scholarship you need to be willing to actively promote yourself to college coaches and engage with them throughout the college recruiting process.  Make it known that you exist, because college coaches can't find everyone and you just might be what he or she is looking for.

PeppNation Sports Leadership Camp is on it's 3 year of programing and going strong.  We started in Atlanta GA at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center with about 25 kids under 13.  Today we have youth in NYC with our Partners Play Rugby USA and Milwaukee WI partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, MPS and Milwaukee Park and Recreation.  Over 1200 youth served and many more to come.  

College is promoted daily in our camps and we introduce non-traditional sports like Flag Rugby, Lacrosse and Cricket to name a few.  Camps are co-ed and a fun and safe environment for all participants.  

Our Mission:

To provide the highest quality mentoring environment for youth with the goal of creating well-rounded citizens who increase their athletic level while promoting continuing education.

I'll be blogging a lot more now that I've returned home.   I think this is a great way to inform networks from around the world what we're working on and how the world can join our efforts.  Culpepper's dreams and goals are now reality, because the dreams and goal of others are also accomplished.  

At the end of the day, if we can create and promote healthy lifestyles and positive citizens for today and tomorrow, then we can honestly change the world and how it is viewed by others; one child at a time.

Experiencing Peace, Unity, Community, Love, Hope & Everlasting Life Through Giving

Recently I visited Hephatha Lutheran Church for a Wednesday, Lent service and dinner.  I was exhausted let me tell you and committed.  During the service, we were invited to the front for prayer and pastor asked me to read a long time prayer from my childhood.  She recently emailed me, thanking me for coming and reading what she had placed in my hands.

The following is my responds to her email and the prayer.

What's interest me the most about last night, is that I absolutely love that pray. " Where there is doubt faith, disparity hope, darkness light, sadness Joy".

My favorite part is," O father, grant that I may not so seek so much to be consoled as to console.  To be understood as to understand.  To be loved as to love".  

You know pastor, sometimes I feel as if I have it all, the world in my hands. " For it is in Giving that we Receive, Forgive and be Forgiven".  

As you so cleverly once said, lets practice for eternity, here, WITH EACH OTHER on earth.

Thanks for the opportunity to give.

LORD MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE.  

WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SO LOVE. 

WHERE THERE IS INJURY, PARDON,

WHERE THERE IS DOUBT, FAITH. 

WHERE THERE IS DISPARITY, HOPE.

WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LIGHT.

AND WHERE THERE IS SADNESS JOY.

OH DIVINE MASTER, 

GRANT THAT I MAY NO SO MUCH WANT TO BE CONSOLED AS TO CONSOLE.

TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS TO UNDERSTAND.

TO BE LOVED AS TO LOVE..

FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE, 

IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED.

AND IT IS TO DIE THAT WE ARE BORN INTO ETERNAL LIFE..

AMEN

DO IT WELL OR NOT AT ALL

I'm forever amazed and thankful for this opportunity to be a Professional.  One who follows an occupation as a means of livelihood or gain.  The opportunity to contribute towards the economy which I live, drive business and consumer traffic towards and through PeppNation.  These are truly the best days of our lives ladies and gentlemen and it's time we act like it.  It's time we take control of our future and lead the next generation towards greener pastures.  Physically and mentally prepared for the battle which lies ahead.

Each and everyday seems to be yet another adventure, and as Pinky and the Brain would say, "An opportunity to take over the world" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_mPrhwpZ-8 :).

Each and every day we get a little closer towards accomplishing our dreams and goals.  The catch is, we never stop dreaming, which means opportunities for success are abundant.

I'm sure many of you have thought of your goals and ponder your dreams daily.  Are you accomplishing them?  If not, why?  Or... Perhaps you are accomplishing them and your vision is so broad,  you fail to acknowledge them; acknowledge your success my friend.  STOP AND SMELL THE ROSSES PEOPLE!  Of course.  That's it.

Everyone has their fair share of accomplishments each and everyday, but very few of us actually stop and smell the roses.  This is understandable and don't worry you're not alone; remember I said we never stop dreaming and opportunities are abundant.  

Here we are late January and approaching February at a rapid speed.  Why not accomplish today what I planned for tomorrow.  Good things come to those who work hard.  Yes rest is important and I'm constantly reminded to get some rest.  The thing that I adore the most, those who typically tell me to rest are the hardest workers I know.  Which is why I'll take their advice and purposely schedule more rest in m schedule.  Yeah you have your long days, nights and we-hours in the morning, but successful people are suggesting it, it would be wise of me to take note and follow suite.

Time and Chance comes to us all, weather we decide to take that time and chance is ended our own decision.

PN COED FLAG RUGBY SOCIAL & HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Time: A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present, to the future.

"Time flies when you're having fun" is often quoted by yours truly.  I can honestly say I'm having fun doing what I do; creating opportunity for myself and others.

This past Saturday, December 20th, 2014 PeppNation SLC hosted it's second annual Coed Flag Rugby Social, @Hephatha Lutheran Church Gym, Milwaukee WI.  Student Athletes, ages 7-14, throughout Wisconsin gathered to participate in this fun filled day event.  Rugby, Arts and Crafts (Holiday Cards), Rugby Film Review and PeppTalk {Civil Conversations around respect].  Community were among the many topics our guest engaged conversation.  I'm thankful to all our participants, parents, volunteers and spectators for their attendance.


24 games, 450 + points scored and lots of community was what this day was all about.  Teams of  mixed race and genders, playing with students other then their norm.  Seems so basic and the impact is breath taking to say the least.  I witness, leadership unlike I've ever seen before.  There was much skill level volatility on each team and celebrated their victories and evaluating, and improved upon their shortcomings as one unit, each and every game   There are two definition of Community displayed Saturday; 'A group of people having common interest, which I believe we demonstrated wonderfully, and A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society'.  For example

The Community of Educated People
The Community of Civil People
The Community of Athletic People
The Community of Positive People
ALL OF THE ABOVE, WE ARE!

We've wrapped up 2014 PNSLC programming in stellar fashion and looking to have an even STRONGER 2015!  Happy Holidays PeppNation! I thank you all for your support and time.  We're in it to win it..  This is our journey, I didn't get here alone and together we will prosper.

One Unit, One Team, PeppNation

TIME TO GET BACK TO IT: FACE THE WORLD

Blogging has always been apart of my world, but for the moment my work and conversations have been face to face, rather than the FACE THE WORLD approach/opportunity I began some 3-4 years ago.  Blogging allows for people from all over the world, friends, family and novice (Future Leaders) alike to experience my life, my world, through my own words/lens.

CULPEPPER'S DREAMS AND GOALS ARE REALITY, has taken a slight turn in it's direction and purpose, and the focus is now more then ever, others.  My current Dreams and Goals are around the success of others, witness young people achieve their own DREAMS AND GOALS through the work and efforts of many, under the guidance of PeppNation, PN Sports Leadership Camps, Academy and PeppNation.org (The Village).  I plan to be partially responsible for 10s of 1,000s of students and student athletes alike who aspire college, go to college and graduate from college; learn trades, do trades and inspire and create trade jobs.  Those 10s of 1,000s once will then be responsible for leading others in the same manner which they were once led, while following the direction of former graduates and current business professionals.  You see, mentoring never ends...  There is always someone whose experience something, you haven't and eventually will; and those following who will experience things you already have.  Imagine if we all helped each other, teach each other and lead one another what this world will look like.

I want to create a global organization, with brand recognition that of McDonnell's and NIKE.  PEPPNATION WILL ONE DAY BE A HOUSE HOLD NAME, mark my words.  Currently we're serving roughly 500 participants here in Milwaukee, WI and the brand has been equally successful in NYC, ATL GA and soon Detroit, MI, Duluth, MN and Santa Rosa, CA.  Who doesn't want leadership and prosperity for their community?  Developing Youth Through Athletics & Extra Curricular Activities.  We must stat and believe that all things are possible, "I am human and nothing human is foreign to me" Maya Angelo.  Hard work pays off and those who work hard get PAID!

We've rapped up our first 13 weeks of Fall/Winter programing this week, and now it's time to begin selling in programing to other interested schools & community based organizations for 1st Quarter 2015.  This quarter concluded with our Flagship Coed Indoor Flag Rugby Cup, Saturday, November 22; learn more @peppnation.org.  Saturday, December 20th, PeppNation will host a Coed Indoor Flag Rugby Social @Hephatha Lutheran Church, 1720 W Locust, Milwaukee, WI; All ARE WELCOME.

My personal goal is serving 20 - 50 schools and CBOs, 2014 - 2015 school year calendar + summer camps; this fall we were @9.  I would like to Gross $100k + in fee for service, $250k + in grants and donations and $100k in sponsorship dollars in 2015.  Contributing to education, athletics, housing and the economic growth in communities we serve, both in person and online.  Long way to go and I'm confident we'll get there.

Happy Holidays to you all and stay tuned; much more exciting work to be done and children/young adults to serve.  If PeppNation can be successful in Milwaukee, WI, we can be successful anywhere in the world.

STANDING ON FAITH

AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, I HAVE MOVED TO NYC. BUILDING PEPPNATION AND PLAYING FOR THE NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB RUGBY TEAM. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT 2012 WILL BRING AND EXTREMELY PUMPED FOR THE GROWTH OF PEPPNATION.

THE END OF 2011 WAS ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS.  OVER 3 MONTHS, I TRAVELED TO OVER 5 STATES, 10 CITIES AND WAS ON THE AIRPLANE A TOTAL OF 18 TIMES. MY MOTHER SAYS THAT I NEED TO GET LIFE INSURANCE SINCE I TRAVEL SO MUCH, SHE IS A CHARACTER, BUT NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT SHE RIGHT. WE HAVE BEEN RECRUITING YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG LADIES IN HIGH SCHOOL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING SPORTS AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL.

WATCH OUT, PEPPNATION IS COMING TO A CITY AND HIGH SCHOOL NEAR YOU

BRANDON CULPEPPER
FOUNDER/CEO
PEPPNATION

Babies have to crawl before they walk.

Many positive things have happened in my life and I honestly have little to nothing to complain about.  Yes I have bills and such just like everyone else, but the opportunity to wake up in the morning, start a  new day and thank the lord all mighty for life is priceless.  This gift we have on earth, to develop and grow both physically, mentally and spiritually, is one that I will cherish forever until my time comes to join the lord.

My birthday just recently passed, January 13th,  2013.  Although this is alway considered a joyful day for me, unfortunately I loss one of my dear friends, if not my best friend, just min before my birthday.  My Dad alway liked to be early and in the case of his passing and my birthday, that stayed consistent :).  

Jack Polk Jr. was born August 13th 1918 and passed January 12th, 2013 @11:50pm eastern.  He was one of 13 children, born in the south and believed in working.  Dad raised 8 children and has more grandchildren and great grandchildren then I can honestly count.  My dad is a great man and will forever be missed.  He taught me so much and was alway there when I needed to chat, and I did my very best to be there for him when he needed.  Dady encouraged me to work hard, be kind to others and alway stay prayed up.  

This was a man with very limited education, but that never stopped him from accomplishing all that he sought out to do.  Born in Tenn, my dad grew up on the farm and worked the land until moving to Milwaukee in 1947, to work for A.O. Smith automotive.  That's a drastic change if you ask me and one that I'm sure took some adjusting to get use to, but he did it and did it well.  

In 1947 my dad earned $1.18/hour at A.O. Smith, and when he retired 36 years later, he was earning over $40.00 +/hour.  He always took care of his family and put others before himself.  Could you imagine leaving your home and venturing to a place with limited education and experience in the city.  Landing a good job and starting over brand new at the age of 29?  As I write this I guess I can!  

Traveling and placing myself in new/foreign environments, has been something that I have become accustom to over my 29 years of life.  I guess the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree, because my dady did the same thing at my age.  Perhaps this is why he always encouraged me to do my very best and never say never.  One of Jack's most famous lines for me is, "a baby has to crawl before he walk", I can hear those words from his mouth even as I write.  I have been known to start running in most situations, skipping right over the scooting, crawling and walking stages of development.  Sometimes it works, hell who am I fooling, majority of the time it works; but many times I have to go back and correct some things that wouldn't have happened if I had crawled (one step at a time).  This I'm learning slows down progression; every time you have to go back, you're not moving forward.

My dady always progressed and learned to evolve with the changing times.  Think about it, he experienced all the major wars, witnessed the evolution of vehicles, television, fashion and how we communicate.  I mention all those things in that particular order, because my dad enjoyed all those things.  It wasn't odd to see my dad with a new cell phone, or a CD player; dady was as up to date as you can get.

He's a well kept man, who drives a Chrysler and always is fashionably correct.  Creased jeans & pants and a Polo sign on his chest.  Hat on his head and scarf around his neck, shoes shined and always on time.  Jack Polk is his name and he is a friend of mine.

2013 & PEPPNATION IS ON THE RISE

Can you believe 2013 is here? Well it is and from me to you (PeppNation), I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2013. Where has the time gone, it seems like ages since I've been on this blog, my blog; telling my story all the time. I guess I can't really say it's my story, because all the things that I've experienced and accomplished has not been done by my hands alone. They're because of the prays, hands and support of others that I have come so far and never looked back.

 Since leaving Atlanta GA, summer 2011 on full pursuit of developing my new rugby career, I honestly had no idea what was in store for me. I was however open for whatever and where ever the wind blew me and believe me when I say, 2012 was a windy year.

I started the year with a dream, to dominate in Rugby and develop my company PeppNation, which helps kids get into college through athletics.  I'm happy to say that I was successful in both those DREAMS; my team NYAC, won the national Championship for Super League rugby and we helped 11 kids get into college and they signed for nearly a half a million dollars worth of scholarships.  Was I successful? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!!  But how did this happen, how was I able to accomplish all the things we did over the past 12 months?  Well read on and I'll tell ya...

When I tweeted in 2011 that I was done with football and now I'm playing rugby, I had no idea how much influence my twitter actually had.  No I don't have 1 million follows, heck I don't even have 100,000, even a 1000 followers would be a stretch.  I have 205 follows on twitter and at the time I don't think I had that many, but my reach is long.  What I soon come to realized is that my influence is much larger then I had ever imagined.  My 205 followers have a combined following of well over 500,000 people.  Which means when something I tweet is retweeted, I'm actually making an impression on a very large network and that's exactly what happened June 2011.

My tweet, "I'm done with football and I'm playing Rugby now, was retweeted and picked up by a lady who was a former ESPN executive.  She immediately sent me an email and said that she would like to introduce me to some well respected gentlemen in NYC.  Now at the time I'm traveling the nation playing rugby in multiple states and had no intention on moving to NY, but was open to all possibilities.  Around the same time PeppNation was beginning to develop it's own identity and I liked the direction it was headed.  Young people from all over the country were reaching out to me, asking specific question like: How I got to college?  What college did you go to?  What was college like?... It became clear to me even in the beginning stages of PeppNation that there was a need for information and I was the one to provide it.  Obviously right? :)

Long story short this lady makes an introduction and the gentlemen she introduced were the founder and member of the executive team for Play Rugby USA (PRUSA).  They told me they were interested in my ability to communicate and motivate young people.  If I would like to come to NYC and sit down with them regarding this opportunities with their org, they would be open to that.  My question then was, will you pay for me to come, because if not I don't think it's going to happen.  I'll never forget his response, "We're a not-for profit org and don't have money for that", then I thought to myself, well I guess I wont be coming lol.  Two weeks letter I received a phone call from the Connecticut Wildcats about playing in a Rugby League Championship game, and guess where? You got it, NYC; I guess it was meant to be.

So we meet, they make me an offer to work for them and develop PeppNation and I decide to make the move.  Now the plan was and still is to create a web page where PeppNation could flourish. I later found out that this cost a substantial amount of money, but the concept could still be developed and implemented.  So here I was, in NYC, playing rugby for NYAC, working for PRUSA and developing PeppNation what more could a young man like myself ask for; how about more?  My vision is to run sports camps nationally and develop an unmatched website for future, current and former student athletes.  They both in my eyes were possible, but looking at the numbers alone, the camps were more feasible at the time.  So that's what I did going forward in December of 2011 and through August 2012.

I focused all my attention on developing the best youth sports camp money could buy and what better place to host my first annual camp then my hometown, Milwaukee WI.  Instead of going out and recruiting kids for our camp, I decided to reach out to a place that helped develop me as a young man; The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee and they approved.  Now don't get me wrong, this task was not easy by any means. I was told YES to PeppNation Sport Leadership Camps (PNSLC) plus $20k, then NO to both PNSLC + NO to $20k, then yes one month prior and no to the $20K.  Now I had already done demonstration for over 1000 Boys and Girls Club members and it was to late to back out.   I remember the last demonstration we did one of the kids said to me, are you going to come back or will this be the last time we see you like the other guy; I wasn't going to be that other guy.  So we pressed on and ran one of the most successful camps and end of season tournaments the Boys and Girls Clubs have ever had.  Now my goal at the time was to run the camp and all funds raised beyond our break even number, to go towards developing that web page I mentioned earlier.  That never happened but this did.

Summary
Long story short:

-We have nearly raised the funds to cover 2012 camps ran in both MKE and NYC.
-I flew between NYC and MKE every Thursday and Sunday night for the entire summer (10 weeks) to ensure our programs ran to the highest standards possible.
-We had over 300+ members participate in our camp in Milwaukee Wisconsin and 70+ in NYC.
-15 Youth Development Mentors (YDMs) working for PNSLC this summer, 21 employees total.
-5 future collegiate student athletes, 5 current and 4 former which included 3 school teachers.  I called our staff The Dream Team
-We took 40 student athletes on a college tour to Rutgers University.
-Helped 11 kids get into college, 6 from an alternative school.
-Sign for nearly 1/2 million dollars worth of scholarships, all of which I might add are doing excellent in college.
-I've visited all of them and they are all doing well in college
-I was asked to be a guess speaker at the University of Minnesota Duluth Labovitz School of Business and Economics Sports Marketing Class

Check out our Pics from the summer 

PeppNation Sports Leadership Camps

Yeah, I put myself in financial turmoil and no I didn't start my web page as I had anticipated in 2012, but look as all that we did accomplish in year on e of business. I couldn't be more proud of what's in store for 2013. Welcome to my world and Happy New Year PeppNation

What's Knew

Where do I start. Since arriving to NYC I have accomplished a bunch and learning lots. Tmrw I have my First official game with NYAC and I'm excited to show what I've learned. I have had the privilege of competing with the club in three preseason games and averaging a TRY and a bunch of tackles + consistent Rucking in each game. Old Blue is the team we will be playing and I must say I'm a bit curious to how well I will play?

"I'm not denying that I will play well, :) just curious as to How Well. LOL"

To be honest I'm having a BLAST! As I mentioned in Tweets and in earlier Blog post, the thing I love the most about rugby is that I feel like a little kid when i play. I'm learning something new and my growth potential is enormous.

Growth Potential?
-Rugby Knowledge
-Fitness
-Competitive edge
-National Rugby Team Nomination
-Travel and Play Rugby over seas

The Truth

"The leader is one who, out of the clutter, brings simplicity.. out of discord, harmony... and out of difficulty, opportunity"
Albert Einstein

Recap of my Rugby Journey this year

The picture show my journey Rugby.
-California, with Santa Monica Dolphins. 

-Chicago for USA 7's Combine

-Signed with Chicago Lions

-Played in Beach 5's tournament with Milwaukee

-Back to Chicago Lions

-Opportunity presented to play with Atlanta for nationals.  Denied by USA rugby committee.

- Cleared from Lions

-Signed with Milwaukee Rugby 15's

-Played in Rugby league Championship game with NY Wild Cats

-Met with Play Rugby USA

-Back to Milwaukee with 15's club

-Signed with NYAC Rugby Club in NYC

NYC & Pepp Nation

Most of you know that I'm in New York now and for those who don't, I'm in NYC now lol. Life is grand and honestly I can't complain. Everyday I'm learning something new about myself and about being a business man and PeppNation is growing right along side of me. I couldn't be more excited to share with you, as of today we now are helping 12 student athletes in 5 different states, get into college. That alone for me is a big deal. When I work with these kids and see them light up when they make their first cold call to a University of his or her choice; or when he or she puts together their bio that represents, the sense of accomplishment we share together is unmeasurable Kids that didn't see college as an option, currently excited about the whole idea, thats a beautiful thing and the rewarding part of my job, helping others. Were developing the base of the company now, so that were fundamentally sound when our webpage is operating at full capacity and for our summer camps in Milwaukee WI and Atlanta GA this summer are full steam ahead. Yes I said it PeppNation Summer camps. So much to do, so little time lol.

Thanks for the love and support

Pepp

Rugby Wow

These last couple of weeks have been all Rugby all the time.  After my long hard fight with the USA Rugby committee to play in 7's national championship, I was denied.  :( sad face right, wasn't happy about the judgement, but life goes on so what's next? I continued training that week as if i were playing the following weekend.  Then something unbelievable happened, I was offered the opportunity to train and play in Rugby League Championship in NYC this past weekend.

What better way to grow as a player then to play in Championship game.  Now this style of rugby is much different then what I have been becoming accustomed to.  Much more similar to football, 6 downs b4 turnover and little to no one on one tackling.  Don't get me wrong all my tackles were just me and the ball carrier; I wish I could say the same when I carried the ball tho lol.  Every time our team had possession and it was passed to me, three big boys squared up; I might break on tackle maybe two, but 3 was nearly impossible.  I think with another week of training underneath me, I could make what at the time seemed impossible, possible.

Unfortunately the addition of my skills weren't enough to help my team win the Championship, but the Wildcats played hard and I appreciate the opportunity to play.  While in NYC I also met with Play Rugby USA and I'm looking forward to working with them in the near future ( I = PeppNation).  Much more to come, video post soon.

Video post next week

Next week I will be post a video with my most recent updates and the adventures I've experienced over the past 3months.  I thank God for the many blessings bestowed upon me.  I also figured it would be faster and less stressful on the fingers this way, rather then typing out 3months worth of my journey lol. 

Sunday Oct. 2nd I will be leaving Milwaukee and moving to NYC; learning, teaching and playing Rugby.  I'm beyond excited for the opportunity and looking to grow PeppNation beyond the beliefs of a normal person (if you haven't noticed already, I'm not normal lol).  When did I get to Milwaukee you say?  Lots of great things to share, so tune in next week.

Culpepper's dreams and goals are reality and your's are too. 

DON'T BE NORMAL!

PEPPNATION

Opportunity

Just recently I was given the opportunity to plead my case to the USA Rugby Committee.

What case?

Why I should be granted clearance to play for the ATL Old White Rugby club, next weekend in San Fransico; while under contract with the Chicago Lions. This is the letter that I drafted for the committee to plead my case.


Hi,

My name is Brandon Culpepper and I would like the opportunity to continue playing Rugby onward into the national playoffs. May 18th 2011, I was notified about the combine hosted by the Chicago Lion's RFC. At that time I still was uncertain of how serious this sport is. June 19th, after the combine, I wanted to play.

The Atlanta Old White Rugby team has always supported me in my decisions and growth as an athlete; so I knew to get better I needed to train. I started training with Kevin Ward in Atlanta GA (member of ATLOWRFC) to help increase my skills and knowledge of the game. He also introduced me to Richie Mischa of the All Blacks (he is a beast). Soon after I started training with Atlanta OWRFC, I desired even more growth, to compete and to Win.

I contacted Aaron Manheimer, head 7's coach and head conditioning Zen for the Lions and asked if I could join there team to enhance my growth. He agreed and I joined their team team Tuesday, July 12th. July 14th, I requested transfer with USA Rugby from ATLOWRFC to the Chicago Lion's RFC and July 15 I was approved.

After much training under Lion's leadership, I joined the team in the Grand Rapids 7's tournament for some B-side competition (Saturday July 16th). I loved it, obviously didn't get the amount of playing time that I wanted (come on ladies and gent, when your an athlete you want to be in the game, new game or not :)), but we took first place and I felt even more confident that I could excel at this sport.

The following week I practiced with the Lions and Coach Aaron chose the A-side team for Midwest Championships. I figured I wasn't going to play, but the thought of playing Rugby only yearned more. So I did even more research lol and I came across the Milwaukee 5's beach social tournament. Now this made me excited, the thought of more competition and to LEARN MORE, I was pumped. I feel like a kid every time I play and my mother could watch (I'm MKE Native); what more could you ask for. Aaron gave the team the week off after winning yet another Midwest championship, so I have been playing touch in Milwaukee for the week.

Sunday, July 24th the captain of the ATLOWRC called me with an opportunity of a lifetime. He told me if interested they would like me to join them for nationals. Out of respect for both clubs and myself I contacted Lucy Zugschwert to see what steps I needed to take to make this a reality. She responded with a detailed email and I proceeded. Contacted Coach Aaron for permission to release me from Lion's care, he agreed in email also sent to Lucy Zugschwert.
Today I had conversation with C. Mckenna and she encouraged me to write a detailed letter stating my case of why I should be granted this opportunity. This game is fun, "I'm LOVIN It" and would like to share in this grand experience with the Atlanta Old White Football Club.

Cheers,
Brandon Culpepper AKA "PEPP"

First Rugby Tournament

Interestingly enough, this experience has been like a Scrum. You get down, put your weight behind you and push forward. "Life is Grand"

Chicago has been lots of fun. Played in my first tournament with Lion's at the Grand Rapids 7's; scored my first Tri and made lots of tackles, lol. Not going to lie, I was a little nervous when I got in the first game. You know that feeling when your on a roller coaster for the first time, yeah that feeling. I just remember going up, grabbing the ball out of the air and saying to myself, "Run Pepp".
I have been running ever since and I'm loving it.

To Be Continued...

First Rugby Tournament

What can I say besides I had a blast. This was my first official Rugby 7's tournament, The Grand Rapids Rock Hard. My 1st match I must say I was a lil nervous, didn't start but when I got in I made the best out of the opportunity. My first time carrying the ball was as I imagined it would be, run over as many guys as I could and get to the Tri Zone. Didn't score on first carry but on second I made it happen. Chasing my teammate after he picked up loose ball and being there for support, he dumped ball off to me and I scored (being in the right place at the right time). I got hit pretty hard once I put ball down, but that hit just jump started me for the remainder of the tournament. I went on to score 2 more Tries before the day was over and helped my team take home the first place trophy.

The Chicago Lions B side team led by Dom Mauer and Dan Wright faught for everything they got out there and I am thankful to be apart of the show. The A side although they lost their first match, took second place in the tournament. They will be attending the Midwest qualifiers this weekend to determine who will be representing the Midwest for National playoffs. I learn so much this weekend about Rugby and now I know why this sport is loved by many across the world.

Can't wait to play again: PeppNation

Chicago Lions Rugby Week One

The first week with the Chicago Lions Rugby Club has been as I imagined it would be. Lots of running, sweat, little blood and one tear lol. The team has welcomed me into the club house and into their Rugby community. This weekend will be my first game and I'm excited to put my training to the test. If you didn't know, this is Rugby Sevens, same size field as a Regular 15 vs 15 game (120m long & 75+m wide), but it's 7vs7. Lot more open space, lots of speed, lots of skills and I'm loving it. I'm also close to home, which means visit mother often, as well as do some volunteer work here in Chicago and Boy's and Girl's club in Milwaukee where I grew up. Found out this morning that I will be playing in my first game this weekend with the Lions, I'm pumped. Wish me luck this weekend and I'll be sure to have fun.

PeppNation

Rugby VS Football

Ok, I'm back and it feels like I have been gone for too long. Life is Grand, training and as of a two months ago playing lots of Rugby. I went to LA and trained with the Santa Monica Rugby club and soon after received the opportunity to workout for the US Rugby 7's coach in Chicago, Al Caravelli. He told us that this coming 2012 Olympics in London, will be the inductor year for Rugby 7's. The opportunity to represent my family and Nation in the Olypics is something that I wasn't going to let slip through my fingers. I returned to Atlanta and begin training with the Atlnata Old White Rugby club to sharpen my skills. OMG, the conditioning of Rugby is nothing like I have ever experience before; don't get me wrong I have had some tough football workouts, but nothing like this. The good thing is, I work hard and will be in great shape. I'm new to the sport, so I'll be taking it all in and having a bunch of fun doing it.

Tuesday July 12th after my brothers wedding (25 year wedding anniversery); I'll be traveling back to Chicago to train with the Chicago Lions, under the leadership of Coach Aaron Manheimer. From my research I feel like I'll have the best opportunity to hone on the skills that I have and transfer them over to Rugby.

STAY TUNED BECAUSE I'LL BE POSTING FREQUENTLY ON HOW MY TRAINING IS PROGRESSING IN CHICAGO

PEPPNATION