Hartford Business Journal

12 Hartford Business Journal | February 8, 2021 | HartfordBusiness.com Off Hours By Keith Griffin Special to the Hartford Business Journal R ohan Freeman embodies an entrepreneurial spirit — both in his career as well as his life after hours. In just a decade, the Jamaica native has built one of Greater Hartford's largest minority- owned firms — Hartford-based Freeman Cos. — specializing in land development, engineering design and construction services. His biggest project right now is redeveloping blighted Hartford lots at the corner of Park and Main streets into a $26 million mixed-use development that will include 126 apartments and retail space. When he's not building things, he's building his endurance. There's nothing sedentary about the 55-year-old Freeman. Even in phone conversations, one gets a sense of quiet intensity from this soft-spoken man. He has reached the summit of Mount Everest and was the first African-American to climb the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. He also completed expeditions to the North and South poles. Yet as impressive as his mountain- topping accomplishments have been, recently he's focused on ultra- marathons and an ambitious post- COVID plan to race for 26.2 miles on each of the seven continents in a year's time. That includes the North and South poles. He's been on climbing expeditions to both extreme-weather locales, why not run around them? The most startling thing? Halfway through his 50s, Freeman may not need any special training because his workout routine is already pretty intense. "Part of my DNA is I love to workout. My day starts and ends with a workout. It's who I am," he said, explaining his daily schedule includes a couple hours for fitness. It's a routine that includes lifting weights four to five days a week. He also runs on an almost daily basis for 6 to 7 miles. On other days he pedals for exercise. "I try to mix it up," he said, adding that yoga and stretching are part of his regimen. His ambitious multi-continent marathon dream seems within grasp because he's already accomplished a mega-marathon under some of the most trying circumstances on earth. In 2018 he participated in the Marathon Des Sables — a 250 kilometers multi-stage foot race (which equates to slightly over 155 miles, or just shy of six marathons) in the Sahara Desert open to runners and walkers. Participants must carry their own backpack containing food, sleeping gear and other materials. He finished in the top 40% out of almost 1,000 participants from across the globe. Why does he run marathons through crippling deserts? Climb the world's highest peaks? It's all about the inner accomplishment. "I love the adventure, pushing myself," he said. "I love getting away. I love testing my strength against the mountain and have that experience." Freeman added, "I love the physical. The cerebral. The constant internal and mental battle to push yourself beyond the limit to achieve and do this. It's kind of sadistic in a way." Mind games Freeman is not a man possessed solely by the physical. Engaging his mind is important, too. For that, he plays chess. One or two times a day he'll log on to face an opponent. "I'm addicted to chess," he said. "I love the strategy behind the game. You can go back and analyze games. There are so many options and permutations." Freeman says he's currently rated around 1,500. For those who haven't watched "The Queen's Gambit" miniseries on Netflix, that makes him an advanced beginner. Not surprisingly, this isn't enough. "I promise myself I want to get up to 2,200," he said. That would put him among the masters of chess. He likes to follow the world chess championships where it can take five hours to see a game to completion. "You need to have a special kind of patience. Like mountain climbing, it's a lot of waiting," he said. Work-life balance Probably his most important after- hour activity is caring for his 5-year- old daughter, Emilia. As a dad, he's learned her schedule can dictate his. He doesn't seem to mind, though. During an interview, she interrupts and a sweet conversation ensues — she wanted a pre-dinner snack. She's the one thing that makes him slightly wistful about his global challenges. He sees the toll it takes on her when he travels to climb mountains and run demanding races. He's a successful business owner, yet Freeman doesn't push himself for more money or material things. "In terms of time, you always have to be cognizant of what's important," he said. "You can work yourself to death. What do you have to show for that? Life is about memories. Money is important but it's not the most important thing." His daughter, physical fitness and cerebral acuity are what's most important after hours for Freeman. Adventurer Freeman eyes multi-continent marathons as next physical challenge PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED Rohan Freeman President Freeman Cos. LLC, Hartford Education: Bachelor's degree, UConn School of Engineering Age: 55 Rohan Freeman shown participating in the 2018 Marathon Des Sables — a 250 kilometers multi-stage foot race in the Sahara Desert open to runners and walkers.

• Cover