Our Team!
Eddie Kovel, Founder and CEO
Eddie@PlayoutTheGame.com
Eddie founded PlayOut LLC in 2012 with the mission to make fitness fun for everyone and eliminate motivational barriers to exercise. “Why workout… when you can PLAYOUT!” Upon graduating, Eddie created PlayOut: The Game of Fitness - a card game that turns bodyweight exercise into fun competition for all ages and fitness levels. Shortly after college, Eddie began racing in obstacle course races, and training only with PlayOut, he became one of the top racers in the Southeast, placing top 5 in 12 of 14 races. He launched The Obstacle Course Training Card Game as an expansion to PlayOut: The Game of Fitness to share obstacle course training with the world. In 2014, Eddie was hired as the course manager to the 2014 Firebreather Challenge (local GA obstacle course race), and the 2014 GA Spartan Race. Eddie worked directly with the Spartan Race director to ensure all obstacles were safe and fair to participants, and to mark the course properly to give the best racing experience.
In Spring of 2015, PlayOut LLC, under Eddie’s leadership, designed and installed a permanent obstacle course for all ages at a YMCA summer camp in North Carolina. Thus began PlayOut’s foray into obstacle course installations.
Michael Havkins, Marketing Director
Michael@PlayoutTheGame.com
Michael joined Playout after meeting Eddie in England and learning about Playout in the best way-by playing it! 5 minutes in and 20 Ninja Squats down, he knew this game was revolutionary. Having been a 2X NCAA All-Academic American, National Championships Qualifier and school-record holder in Track & Field at Muhlenberg College, Michael understands the value of fitness and wellness. Upon graduation, his search for staying fit has come down to 3 requirements: convenience, consistency, and enjoyment. When he discovered Playout, he knew his search was complete and had to join the team. Since then, Michael’s mission has been to make everyone aware that staying fit doesn’t have to be a chore. After all, why workout when you can Playout!
Brett Stewart, Installations Expert
Brett is our expert in all things obstacle course installations. He wrote the first book on the sport of obstacle course racing back in 2012, Ultimate Obstacle Race Training. Since then, he's been completely immersed in OCR from co-founding Mud Run Guide (mudrunguide.com), the highest-trafficked independent site in the world for these events, is one of the founders of the OCR World Championships as well as the Event Director, overseeing the design & build of courses in Vermont, USA and Essex, U.K. for thousands of world-class athletes.