As part of his participation in Travis Manion Foundation’s Spartan Leadership Program, retired Marine Corps Veteran and federal agent Carroll Harris created and executed the first Manion WOD to take place in Arlington, VA at the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial). Participants included Ryan Manion, CEO of Travis Manion Foundation, and SgtMaj Carlos Ruiz, 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, honoring the life and legacy of Marine Corps 1stLt Travis Manion.

In Carroll Harris’s Own Words

As a member of the TMF National Capital Region Chapter, Carroll Harris shared the following reflection:

"Manion WOD isn’t just a workout—it’s a transformation. People arrive as participants, and they leave as leaders committed to living a life of purpose and service. They come for the workout, but they leave inspired and more deeply      committed to carrying forward the legacy of those they honored and stepping into their role to serve and lead in their own lives.

The Arlington Manion WOD was an incredible experience. More than anything, it was a shared moment of purpose, reflection, and connection. One of the most impactful moments for me came as participants transitioned from the workout into the Path of Valor.

The Path of Valor is a reflective walking experience I developed as part of my Spartan Leadership Program. It’s inspired by the ancient labyrinth—a single, continuous path used for reflection and clarity. Participants write the name of someone they are honoring on a card, carry that name with them as they walk the path in silence, and ring a bell at the center in remembrance. It represents a shift from physical effort to intentional reflection.

Up to that point, participants were carrying physical weight—sandbags marked with TMF character values—but on the Path, they began carrying something far more personal. You could feel the transition from movement to mindfulness. The energy changed. People slowed down, reflected, and honored the names they carried. As they came off the Path, many embraced, shared stories, and took photos holding their cards with the bell behind them. It was powerful, emotional, and deeply connecting.

Hosting this at the Marine Corps War Memorial added a profound dimension. Being in the shadow of that statue while honoring the fallen grounded the entire experience in something timeless and sacred. After the workout, a group of us went into Arlington National Cemetery to visit the gravesites of Travis Manion and Brendan Looney. Later, many gathered at a local pub to share food, stories, and connection. It reinforced that this wasn’t just an event—it was a full, multi-layered experience from physical challenge, to reflection, to remembrance, to community.

We even had participants travel from across the country, including several who flew in from Los Angeles, which speaks to the level of meaning this event already holds—and the potential it has moving forward."

Feeling Inspired?

There’s still time to participate in a virtual Manion WOD on your own time and anywhere. Learn more and register here by May 15th.