Aspiring Elite lives in Van in Flagstaff

Hey everyone!

My name is Allie Weintraub. I'm a journalism student at NAU and I made this video mainly for a final project for my journalism class. It couldn't be more than 2 minutes long, which is why it doesn't explain a lot of things. (For example, Xavier has a full time job to support himself financially. He cuts his hair and shaves before races. Shaving is hard when you live out of your van, etc.) There were a lot of things in his interview that I didn't include that are more explanatory.

This is so crazy, I didn't realize this had been posted here until a new friend on Facebook told me about it who I just happen to share the same last name with. Anyway, I haven't had time to read through most of the comments, I've seen some good, some bad (as per usual with any type of forum-- example to whoever called him a "trust fund baby" which is just hilarious and the furthest thing from the truth.)

If anyone has questions I'd be happy to answer to the best of my ability. Xavier is at a race this weekend but I just let him know about it, so he might be on here later to answer questions.

Thanks! :)

Boring Old Man wrote:

"I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

As an English teacher I feel I should let you know this quote doesn't mean what you think it does.

Frost stammers at the end, with the double I, thus hinting that he's lying. He also tells it with a "sigh", not something you usually do before saying something motivational.

He states both paths were the same, and he'll never be sure if the other path could have been better/led to a better life, metaphorically. But he'll say his path was better, to try and assure himself it was, and it makes for good poetry pretending it was, hence him "telling" people.

Anyways, I knew X in high school, interesting guy, hope it works out for him

TOMMOTlife wrote:

Where is the money in this stratagey? That's the thing you don't know him so quit assuming that he's bumming off of people. Maybe the money came from the 5 jobs he was working all at once after he graduated? Or most likely the job he has now? He never said he wasn't working anywhere, he just simply lives in a van. And when was his last shower? Really that's the question you want to ask? I think you should go to letshower.com and talk about loufas with your other friends.

OK, so I was actually kidding with the shower remark.

But, not kidding about the strategy. Doing this in 2015 is not too smart.

Let's say he gets some killer times. 'Hey sponsors! Sponsor me!! I go fast!'. Except sponsors have other athletes a

..other athletes that will move product.

He's got a good story, "dirt bag runner" , "impossible odds." Good elements to attract an audience. But, it might be hard to attract an audience in a van....

There is even theme music.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XbTYvDSB25s

Allie: thank you for the video and for your comments. To me, Xavier is an inspiration. I am over 40 and have many responsibilities. I could never do what Xavier is doing, but I respect his choice. It would be great to be young and to "go for it." I love to run, and I love to see a long-shot succeed. I wish him all the best. Peace and good running, X-man.

Bump

What is he up to these days?

Jagaloon Slayer wrote:

Bump

What is he up to these days?

Out of work as a Bernie Sanders campaign liaison. Back to showering at the Y.

He's too ugly to get any sponsor.

He should save some money for a plastic surgery before going on.

White girl wrote:

He's too ugly to get any sponsor.

He should save some money for a plastic surgery before going on.

Still living in his van down by the river, loser.

lol!

BenDover wrote:

White girl wrote:

He's too ugly to get any sponsor.

He should save some money for a plastic surgery before going on.

Still living in his van down by the river, loser.

I am still really slow and fat.

Oh well.

Thanks for making me feel better about myself.

Please donate your worn-out running shoes & socks to this guy.

English Teach wrote:

[quote]Boring Old Man wrote:

"I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I�

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

As an English teacher I feel I should let you know this quote doesn't mean what you think it does.

Frost stammers at the end, with the double I, thus hinting that he's lying. He also tells it with a "sigh", not something you usually do before saying something motivational.

He states both paths were the same, and he'll never be sure if the other path could have been better/led to a better life, metaphorically. But he'll say his path was better, to try and assure himself it was, and it makes for good poetry pretending it was, hence him "telling" people.

Thanks for bursting my bubble. All this time I thought Frost was trying to convey his "vision" of the future where he could brew craft beer and use 2 key words as the name...

Allie, that's all very well but did Xavier car-camp in Flagstaff in winter? Now that would make for an interesting running documentary.

Where do you go for Shabbat in Flagstaff?