Meet John

MVP Athletic Clubs is proud to announce our partnership with John Huffman as a Sponsored Competitive Athlete!

John is an accomplished athlete in the world of obstacle course and trail racing, most notably with Spartan Events. This passion started twelve years ago as a simple way to stay in shape through road running, and his dedication has grown into nationwide success. With his ambition and discipline, John proves that anything is possible—at any age. He truly embodies the MVP spirit, and we’re thrilled to welcome him as part of our Sponsored Athlete team.

Through determination and consistency, John's fitness journey at MVP has taken him to places he never imagined. 

As John approached his 50s, he became determined to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. He began training for 5Ks and 10Ks, focusing on consistency as his primary goal. His membership at MVP Rockford, which he has maintained for the past six years, has been essential in supporting his fitness endeavors. The gym provided the tools necessary for his success, from the pool and weight room to personal training programs and, most notably, the track. “I would be lost without the MVP track in the winter,” he chuckled, highlighting how crucial it is to his routine, especially when the weather turns cold or wet. 

After completing several races, including marathons and obstacle courses, John received an extraordinary offer: an invitation to represent the USA at the OCR World Championships in Mammoth Lakes, California. Eager for the challenge, he committed to rigorous training at MVP to prepare for the competition. 

The OCR World Championships presented a nearly 10-mile mountain trail, filled with over 40 obstacles. John faced intense physical challenges, including sandbag carries, swinging monkey bars, rope climbs, wall climbs, and more. “The race was unbelievably tough, but I pushed myself as hard as I could,” he recalled. When the race concluded, John had far exceeded his expectations. He finished 15th in his age group, surpassing his goal of completing the course in under four hours by more than 40 minutes. He credits MVP’s “winning culture with no excuses” for his success. 

However, John’s fitness journey has never been solely about personal achievement; it’s also about setting an example for his family. He often includes his children in his training, teaching them the importance of living a fit and healthy lifestyle. “What I love most about MVP is the inclusive environment for all ages, with no judgment,” he said. 

Today, John continues to push himself. In December 2024, he participated in the Central Florida Spartan Trifecta's three Main events and tackled over 20 miles of bumpy swamp trails. "I was able to successfully complete 73 of the 75 obstacles, with only two failures that demanded penalty loops," He said.  Jon exceeded his expectations again and finished in third place out of 59 contestants in his age group in the sprint event. 

Through consistency, determination, and the support of others, John Huffman has transformed obstacles into opportunities for growth, proving that the right mindset makes anything possible. “The mentality at MVP is contagious,” he said. “MVP is the place for me.” 

John’s Recent Race Highlights:

John’s dedication has led to impressive success as an age-group competitor, including multiple podium finishes nationwide. Highlights include:

• 15th place finish at the OCR World Championships in fall 2024
• 7th place finish in the Spartan U.S. Sprint Series Championship in spring 2025
• 21st place in the world at the Spartan Trifecta World Championships in West Virginia in September 2025
• Two 3rd place podium finishes at Spartan Michigan in summer 2025
• Two 3rd place podium finishes at the Midwest Spartan event in Indiana in September 2025

Looking ahead, John has an ambitious 2026 nationwide schedule, which includes competing at the OCR World Championships in Australia and the Spartan Trifecta World Championships in Sparta, Greece.

Please join us in cheering John on! He shows the MVP community how powerful and fulfilling a life built on health and fitness can be. Be sure to follow his journey on social media, and don’t hesitate to say hello when you see him training at the club.