Fat Kid Podcast

#46 Jodi Carrigan- Curiator of Primates at Zoo Atlanta

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:00:00 -0400

Jodi has one of the coolest jobs out there! She works with Gorillas! Well, not just gorillas but all things primate at the Zoo Atlanta!

"Jodi has been working with primates for over 19 years, most of them at Zoo Atlanta, with a keen interest in western lowland gorillas. Before joining Zoo Atlanta, she worked with primates at Zoo Miami and the Pittsburgh Zoo. Jodi is a member of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) Management Group and the Gorilla Behavior Advisory Group. She has also worked to raise support for Zoo Atlanta’s longtime partner in gorilla conservation, The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, and has led trips to Africa to observe mountain gorillas."
- Zoo Atlanta

As the Curator of Primates, her job entails working with a team of folks every day to provide care for all of the primates in the Zoo! What's unique about Jodi is her passion for this career began when she was in 7th grade, and that was probably about the time I started hearing about it as well!

Listen in as we talk about:

all things primate including working with "The one and only Ivan"
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
A Brown Jetta & Dave Matthews concerts

Jodi, you were, and always will be one of the best! Thanks for spending some time with me to catch up and learn more about what you have been up to for roughly two decades!

#45- Toby Weaver, Antler Canyon Outfitters- "A bull bugled in her face at 20 yards...she could not have released that arrow if she wanted to!"

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Toby Weaver spends his life in the woods; we should all be jealous of him! As the owner of Antler Canyon Outfitters, he provides a very special experience to hunters worldwide. While his job is being in the field, spotting game, and putting his clients in the right position, he can only lead a horse to water. No matter your weapon type, seeing an elk on the landscape will elevate your heart rate to skyrocketing levels!

Listen in as we discuss:

Why and how he devoted his life to hunting
The best and worst moments of hunting elk and more
Best practices of calling in screaming bull elk
How hunting can and should be a family affair
A near-death experience in the woods
Archery hunting Coues Deer

Toby, thank you for providing Cole and my family a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Guiding him into a 630-yard shot on an absolute monster of an elk is a memory and experience we will all cherish forever!

#44- Eric Malzone- "Steve Rinella is like the Anthony Bourdain of hunting" How Youtube got him through his first whitetail harvest!

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0500

Eric Malzone is very easy to talk to, probably because he is a podcast host himself or maybe because he is just a genuine guy!

The "Future of Fitness Podcast" has been running for the last 4+ years, and is one of the top fitness and health podcasts today! Eric covers everything, and I mean everything in the very fast-moving industry of health and fitness! Via in-depth interviews with founders and more!

Our discussion on why the podcast medium is so enjoyable, marketable, and for sure is here to stay was brief, but his skill and in-depth knowledge of podcasting and the health and fitness space shine through!

But we aren't here to talk about podcasting, we are here to talk about why he started hunting in his 40s!

Listen in as we chop it up about:

his first experiences as a hunter, feeding that curiosity
what makes hunting valuable and special in his eyes
how hunting is ALWAYS a calamity, no matter your skill level
the bond that comes from hunting, and the community that supports it

Eric, you are the man! Your podcast inspires and informs me simultaneously regarding my ambitions in the world of podcasting, health, and fitness! What a fun, and unique conversation that hopefully drives more people into nature in search of learning a new skill. It is never too late to learn!

#43- Daria Lucchesi & Jack Bushey- Gritty and tenacious, yes! Doing things the right way, also yes!

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0500

Crazy Lucchesi is her Instagram handle. She's far from crazy, but she for sure is a beast on and off the field!

Daria Lucchesi is a former JMU Women's Lacrosse National Champion! You heard that right, National Champion! She and her team also won two CAA titles in her tenure, and she's got the rings to prove it! To say that JMU lacrosse is a top-performing program is an understatement. They are more like a juggernaut. Go, Dukes!

Listen in as Daria, Jack, and I chop it up about:

Desire and tenacity to play sports
What it takes to succeed at any level
NIL money, benefits, and drawbacks
Daria's hustle on and off the field
Giving thanks to God

Daria and Jack, it was an honor to chop it up with you! I loved seeing the Coach, Player discussion shine through. It was really fun and insightful to learn from a player what a coach needs as both you and Daria have that exact perspective having played and coached the game from all angles!

#JMU #lacrosse #sportsuccess #NIL #hustle

#42- Pat "Shoney" Schoennagel- "Not many people can come an go in this world without experiencing pain, Lia did"

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0500

Pat is a lifelong friend. He is also a husband, business leader, and father to three beautiful children. Two of which reside only in their family's hearts and memories.

Tragedy struck the Schoennagel's lives not once, but twice, and sadly claimed the lives of two of their beautiful children. While this story is hard to listen to, it also has a silver lining. Pat, his wife Melissa, and their son John refuse to "not live life "simply because that is what their daughter Lia would have wanted them to do!

Listen in as Pat and I have a genuine discussion about how he and his continue to thrive, despite dealing with the worst-case scenario, the sudden death of a child. They are so committed to honoring their stillborn son Christopher and daughter Lia, that they have heavily involved in a charity Lia's Wings that provides air transport for children and families who are in medical need. Pat's goal is to "be able to say yes to everyone".

Pat, thank you for taking the time to reconnect with me after so many years! Your family's story may be one of the most tragic, yet inspiring stories I have ever heard, and I appreciate you sharing it and living it the way you do. The world is better off with people like you in it.

Love you friend.

#41- Jessica Sikora- Founder and CEO of Superbands

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0500

Check out this inspiring interview with Jessica Sikora, founder of the non-profit Superbands! Jessica's passion for music and mental health advocacy has led her to create a platform that connects teens and young people with their favorite artists while also providing mental health resources and support. Through her own struggles with mental health, Jessica turned her passion for music into positive momentum and created Superbands.

Interview, Jessica talks about the importance of resiliency and overcoming obstacles. She shares her journey of turning her struggles into a mission to help others. Through Superbands, she's saying "I see you" to those who may be struggling and providing them with resources, support, and even cool opportunities from their favorite bands.

Thank you, Jessica, for your drive and passion to help those in need. Your energy and determination are truly inspiring!

#Superbands #MentalHealthAwareness #MusicForTheSoul

#40- Jacqueline M. Baker- How she became the "Unexpected Leader", and maybe why you should too!

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Jacqueline M. Baker is the author of The Unexpected Leader. She is also the founder of a consultancy Scarlet, whose mission is to focus on and teach "Timeless modern leadership guidance for your career, home, and life".

Her career and life have taken many twists and turns over the years, but in her words, she is "always wide open to new opportunities"! Being open to new ideas, new things, and new people has been a key to her success!

Listen in as we talk:

Football, specifically the Detroit Lions, and how she has helped young rookie players learn about "Modern Etiquette"
Her path to becoming an unexpected leader and having the agency to lead in our corners of the world
Her passion for helping people to "Just Start"
Learning how to find your "Life Thesis", and running life through that wheel
Finding how to do your part, and showing up in your way with intent

Thanks, Jacqueline! I appreciate your energy to help people "Just Start"! People need that energy more than you may know!

#39 Matt Thomann- "I used to be a school administrator, and for a little while I had to have a kindergarten teacher come and tutor me. Talk about a humbling experience!" Recovering from a stroke, positive pshchology was his turning point!

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:00:00 -0500

Matt Thomann of Mental Mettle is a former Athletic Director turned into a sports/mental/life performance coach. Beyond that, he is a father, husband and friend.

Matt had a unique and challenging life experience. After getting diagnosed with testicular cancer and having surgery to treat it, he suffered an ischemic stroke. Leaving him to relearn how to cognate, talk, and regain every faculty that normal human beings take for granted!

After beating all the odds, Matt made some decisions to change his direction in life, mainly around his career and what he felt was his calling to do! After having such a great experience with positive psychology in his recovery, he started Mental Mettle coaching!

Listen in as we talk:

Adjusting to the pandemic as kids and adults
Staring cancer in the face, and the mental health component
Having a stroke, yikes!
Therapy, recovery, and more
Relearning how to read, speak, and regain normalcy
Positive psychology, therapy, coaching, empathy

Thanks, Matt! You are awesome!

#38 Damien Paumi- Fathering, Finances, Fitness, Friendship

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Damien is a friend I met through lacrosse. While not being a Dad, Damien and his company help people live better lives through financial planning! He is always his authentic self but continues to look for ways in his life to mentor and be mentored. Listen in as we discuss:

Parenting
His weight loss journey, losing over 50 lbs
Keeping up with fitness and diet as a busy adult
Finances, when and how to start using a financial planner
What we have learned as adults to help keep us grounded as parents, husbands, and friends

Thanks, Damien, it was a pleasure! Always great to learn from others, and share an experience!

#37 Lon Stroschein- Normal 40 and "The Trade"- Author, Mentor and just good dude!

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0500

Remember when you thought to yourself, "Is this what I am going to do for the rest of my life?" I do! No, it wasn't a "take this job and shove it" type of feeling, but more of a longing to do something different, a calling if you will. Something that held a higher personal connection to an internal sense of spirit...

There are a lot of reasons why people do or do not make changes:

Guilt
Fear
Contentment
Laziness
Golden handcuffs

Lon Stroschein and the Normal 40 are here for it all! In other words, you are not alone and neither am I! Listen in as we discuss all things Normal 40!

There is no shame in aspiring to do something different
How to tackle those feelings realistically
A step-by-step guide in his book "The Trade"

Thanks, Lon, for all of the insight! You are awesome to "Ramble" with for sure!

#36 Curt Dudley- "The Voice of JMU"

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Curt has been a staple of JMU athletics since 1988! He bleeds Purple and Gold! He has been around sports his entire life, and it shows through his work with the University as well as the Harrisonburg Turks, a summer collegiate baseball league.

Curt has taken traditional media outlets and grown with them over time! As a true innovator in the world of broadcasting, Curt has the ability to see all sides of not only the game, but the way the game is delivered to the audience!

Listen in as we discuss:

his broadcasting journey and how he became the voice of JMU
how broadcasting and media in general has changed over time
the development of MadiZone and the growth of JMU
College Game Day at JMU
the sheer amount of "things" that can happen in a broadcast and game
old school vs. new school broadcasting, and not being a homer!
Spotter Charts and Curts other adventures

Curt it was a pleasure listening and learning from your experience! Thanks for always being on the cutting edge of broadcasting! JMU would not be the same type of place without you!

#35 Lucine Sihelnik- "Fiercely Friendly" mother, entrepreneur, business and community leader!

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Meet my friend Lucine. She is awesome! As a self-described "Fiercely Friendly" person, she has paved her path on her terms. Initially following the conventional path, she saw success in many different avenues of her life, but it wasn't what she wanted to do. So, she changed her plans!

Listen in as we talk about:

Being a Mom and having the confidence to find your path
Entrepreneurial endeavors in both Gayatri Wellness and Great American Creamery and finding her sense of purpose
Her three pillars of trying to find stability and growth in the community, economy, and environment
Her role as Berks County commissioner
Being a change agent in your community and the many team members it takes to get the job done
Trying to do the right thing and also how to do that in the context of your local community, both politically and socially

I loved this conversation; thanks, Lucine! I learned a TON from it. Mainly, how to be "fiercely friendly" to help ensure that you can help your community become the best place possible to live!

#34 Jason Khalipa- Crossfit Games Champion, NC Fit owner, announcer. "How to AMRAP your life, so that you can be present in every part of it!

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0400

Jason Khalipa is a whirl wind of a guy! If he's not moving there's a problem, or at least that’s the way it seems! He is either working on or has figured out ways to show up in almost every facet of his life. A father, husband, businessman, athlete and more!

By approaching every day with the AMRAP mentality (As Many Reps As Possible) it forces him to focus on the moment, whatever that moment may be!

Listen in as we talk:

Brazilian Ju Jitsu and why he has "self-defense Sunday" in his home
Becoming a CrossFit Champion
Teaching your kids how to do hard things
Overcoming adversity, including Pediatric Leukemia
Hunting, archery, scuba diving and more
How to approach sports and life by being present
Giving the gift of exploration to your family

Jason, thanks for the great conversation! It was truly an honor to sit and learn from you today!

# 33 Casey Kroll- Former JMU lineman and coach, inspired to help other coaches maintain their health through the BIG MAN FOUNDATION.

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0400

Casey Kroll has a unique story, probably one that has never been told before. Heading into JMU, Casey was a tall "skinny" tight end. Once on campus, they turned his large frame into a Big Man upfront. In other words, offensive lineman! That’s not the unique part. In fact that happens alot!

During his tenure at JMU, Casey played a big role in the 2016 JMU National Championship under Coach Mike Huston. While earning his master’s degree and playing, he also fell in love with the job of coaching! After graduation, he got taken under the wing of Coach Jamal Powell, his offensive line coach at JMU.

While coaching together at SMU, Coach Powell succumbed to a rare cancer, claiming his life at just 39 years old. Casey was devastated for Coach Powells family, and vowed to his wife and children that he would do everything in his power to help coaches live better healthier lives! In 2021 the Big Man Foundation was formed with Casey at the helm! Listen in as we discuss everything about the Big Man Foundation and what it represents!

Thank you, Casey, for taking this important step in helping Coaches, who give their all, lead healthier lives through action!

#32- Michael O'Brien "I had a moment that I said, whomever is listening, if you save my life, I promise I will stop chasing happiness."

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0400

Michael's last bad day was in 2001, when he was hit head-on by a Ford Explorer going 40 miles an hour while biking toward the vehicle. While time slowed down in his mind, it did not slow down enough for him to avoid the collision. After many rounds of surgery and months of recovery, he was told that he would never live the same life he had before. Walking, talking, and returning to normalcy would be stacked against him. He chose to regain his life and ultimately take a different path to lead him where he is now.

Michael hasn't had a bad day since, or at least he knows how to approach his life differently, so he doesn’t. Michael has become an author, speaker, executive coach, and more! You can find him here: Michael O'Brien

Listen in as we talk:

Helping people become better leaders. Leading with empathy and clarity
How to decide when to change, and chase opportunities instead of happiness
Preventing a bad moment from turning into a bad day
Pausing, breathing and reflecting- meditation

#31- John Defilippo- Head Coach of the New Orleans Breakers- " Locker room leadership and trust is what builds teams"

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:00:00 -0400

The infamous Johnny Cash song states, "I've been everywhere, man..." Well, so has John Defilippo. Finishing up his 17th season of coaching professional football, it doesn't look like he is ready to stop any time soon! As current Head Coach for the New Orleans Breakers in the USFL, he led the team to a 7-3 season this past spring! "Flip" is no stranger to success! He was part of the Philadelphia Eagles staff coaching the QBs to a Superbowl win!

Listen in as we talk:

How to build team culture
Impressions on NIL ( Name, Image, Likeness) and opportunity in college
What it takes to be a head coach or any type of coach
Player-coach relationships and how to overcome adversity in big moments
Building trust among teams, even at the highest levels
Longevity of coaching
Managing your health and showing your player's vulnerability

Flip, thank you for your time and commitment to the great game of football! It was an honor and privilege to interview an old friend who just happens to coach at the highest levels in the game!

#30- Catherine Wille- "We don't just play basketball, we play life"

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Coach Catherine Wille is retiring. She will be sorely missed, but she has left her mark on the Sparta Women's basketball program, and in better shape than she found it!

Coach Wille cares about her players' well-being and the team's mentality takes priority over anything else. As a lifetime educator and coach, she has guided hundreds of kids on their athletic and academic pursuits, ultimately helping them become their best versions!

Listen in as we talk about:

Multi-sport athletes and player burnout
Falling in love with the game
How to be a great fan, and training people to be fans
Respecting the game, the other athletes and officials
Taking the pressure off your athletes and how to handle social media
Handling hard situations as a coach, and how to guide players through your conduct

Thank Coach! Your approach to life through sports is inspiring to say the least!

#29- Grant Parr- "Sports are a tribe. Three tennants of a tribe. Do I belong, can we communicate and do we understand the common goal."

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Grant Parr is a Mental Sports Performace coach. Grant's company, Game Face Performance, helps mainly athletes and top-level performers cope with the rigors of success! His podcast, 90% Mental, and his book, Next One Up Mindset, have been part of his secret sauce!

As the other part of his secret sauce, Grant's lived experience of having his hip replaced twice before age 40 left him crippled and broken. This alone qualifies him well beyond holding a master's degree in Sports Psychology! Grant gets it, and it shows!

Listen in as we discuss:

Learning how to fail again and being vulnerable
How to approach the mindset of young athletes
Coaches' and parents' roles in a young athletes life
Trying, failing, and coming back for more
Coming to terms with ourselves and being ok with our effort

I could have talked to Grant and picked his brain for hours; I'm sure we will do another episode soon! Thanks, Grant!

#28- David Braley- Fireman, Husband and all around positive guy!

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Dave was born with Cerebral Palsy. Dave has had to overcome obstacles pretty much every day of his life! I describe him as the guy who always wanted to play sports but couldn't, at least not to a high degree.

At a young age, Dave decided to try to gravitate towards a positive attitude towards his CP diagnosis. He was the equipment manager and number one cheerleader for Wyomissing Highschool when we were there! Like many, he has slipped up but continues to do his best to move towards positive people and a positive lifestyle!

Listen in as we discuss:

Dave's faith in God and how it has shown up throughout his life
Struggle with identity and a significant turning point with a terrible car accident
23-year career as a fireman
Palmer Chocolate disaster and how Dave played a role on the team!
Fostering and adopting children

#27 Leslie North- Mom, Nurse turned CEO, Breast Cancer Survivor- "I felt like I had something to prove..."

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0400

Leslie is a leader of people and companies. She has learned to lead through humility and grace, but it wasn't always that way. Early in her career, she subscribed to the notion that she had something to prove and felt compelled to act that way. Sometimes even being perceived as a complete hardass.

As a female leader in a male-dominated industry, she certainly had to climb many mountains to get to where she is today.

Listen in as we discuss:

Learning how to become aware of how others perceive you
How to lead with grace, honesty, and humility
How to build a team by allowing people to make their own mistakes
What it Takes to Become a VP and CEO
How to overcome obstacles at work, in life, and even with your health

#26- Leka Fineman- 5X Crossfit Games competitior, heading back to the games ranked #1! Oh BTW... she's only 56

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Meet Leka Fineman a 56-year-old Masters athlete, despite her still struggling to identify as an athlete!

Picking up a barbell for the first time at 40, she has set her sights on winning the Crossfit Games! In her upcoming 5th appearance as a Crossfit Games athlete, she finished as high as 5th in previous showings, but is determined to win it all this year!

In between EMOMS and AMRAPS which probably contain 100 million burpees, she finds the time to be a mother to two awesome daughters! Beyond all of her family and fitness, Leka has authored the book "Super Fit at 50" and is also a health, wellness, and mindset coach!

Listen in as we discuss all the fun stuff:

Why everyone should have a nutrition coach
The misconception of "getting too bulky" as a regular exerciser
How different it is being an amateur exerciser vs. a top-level competitor and the cost of chasing that goal
Being aware enough to invest in yourself
Putting in the reps in the spiritual gym
Gaining years and how to just do you

lekafineman.com

#25- Frank Vitolo- Lawyer, father, comedian, and former rapper! Losing 50 lbs the right way!

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Meet Frank Vitolo. Father, Lawyer, comedic MC, former rapper and board member of Morris Arts!

I had the opportunity to meet Frank at Morris Arts 50th Anniversary Gala titled "Great Conversations".

Morris Arts is a nonprofit organization that serves the Morris County NJ areas in many ways, but mainly involving the advancement of "Arts" in many forms. Painting, dance, music and many more!

After the first 30 seconds of Frank MCing the event, I fell in love with his dry, witty sense of humor that did such a great job of bringing the energy to the event! Among many funny punch lines, one the stood out to me was his 50lb weight loss journey, and the pride associated with it!

Listen in as we talk about:

French Bulldogs
Morris Arts and what they do for the community
Growing up in a North Jersey Italian family of "feeders"
Losing weight and maintaining health in your 40's
Rap Music including Ice T and a highly underrated group "Italian Ice"

Morris Arts, "Building community through the arts":
https://www.morrisarts.org/

#24- Joanna Bloor- "I future-proof the workplace by transforming how we buy each other’s time."

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Meet the fabulous Joanna Bloor. With a list of accomplishments 1.5 miles long, Joanna Bloor is no stranger to hard work! Her approach is quite different, but nothing short of awesome! Former TED speaker, corporate executive and most recently career transformation guru. Joanna essentially helps people figure out and implement how to tell the story of "YOU".

Her new book "Tales of Potential" uses the time honored "Cinderella story" and adds a few twists!

Listen in as we discuss all things "YOU" centric including:

her weight loss journey and 3D printed modeling
TED talks, and how she came across this notion of buying and selling time
leading the charge at Pandora and growing to roughly 400 employees
how to think about buying a persons time
future proofing the workplace by allowing people to be their authentic selves

Joanna Bloor:
https://www.joannabloor.com/

Tales of Potential the Cinderella story you have't heard:
https://www.talesofpotential.com/

#23- Champ Up. Lessons learned in life by way of knockout with Chris Romulo

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Chris Romulo was born in Queens, not exactly the easiest of areas to grow up.

He found his way into Muay Thai kickboxing simply because he got into a street fight, and ended up with a shattered eye socket, a broken nose and a bruised spirit. He didn't want to be afraid anymore. Romulo began his amateur career 1996 at age 21 .

In 2003, Romulo began training under Jason Strout. That same year, they worked together to develop Church Street Boxing Gym's first Muay Thai program. Romulo's amateur career included five titles.

As a professional fighter, Romulo's record was 13–3 [10 KOs] his accolades include:

WKA super middleweight North American title in 2010.
US National Championship
North American Championship
Bronze medal in Bangkok in the World Cup.

After retiring from a 16 year fighting career, he now "fights" with his words through the "Champ Up" program as a youth empowerment speaker! Speaking at over 55 schools in the last year!

Champ Up:
https://www.chrisromulo.com

#22- Jim Minton- "Just Call me Dad"- lessons learned through sports,life, faith and fatherhood.

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Jim Minton is the author of a book titled "Just Call me Dad". He wrote the book using quotes, snippets and blog articles that he had written in order to help him self become a better father to his kids!
Listen in as Jim and I disscuss parenting, faith, and a whole lot more! Two of my favorite things that came out of this conversation were:

"Your kids are already going to find bad things on the internet, your job as a parent is to fill up their texts and social with positivity!"
Calling people in, instead of calling them out.

Meeting people where they are in our modern world is the best approach! Especially regarding faith, positivity, coaching and more!

Learning more everyday! Thanks Jim!

Just Call Me Dad!
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Call-Me-Dad-Principles/dp/1973650827

#21- Patrick and Mary Munduga "Parenting, no matter where you come from is the same... no one gives you the script"

Wed, 24 May 2023 15:00:00 -0400

It's the same with life, there is no script. Sometimes you just need to buckle up and take the ride! Patrick and Mary Munduga are an exceptional couple.

Traveling all the way from Uganda to the United States for Patrick to attend MIT! Patrick is currently the Executive Director of Anchor Africa a nonprofit that helps end armed conflicts and guerilla warfare all over Africa.

https://www.anchor-africa.org/

https://invisiblechildren.com/

Patrick and his wife Mary, a former banking HR executive, along with their 3 children are literally "Coming to America" to pursue a unique opportunity as a lifelong learner through an advanced engineering program at MIT.

Listen in as we talk about:

Family, parenting, and our relationships with one another and God
Patrick's role in helping build schools to assist, in ending human trafficking armed conflict, all over Africa. He and his team are doing it by providing education and resources to the communities!
Their decision to uproot their entire lives to help Patrick advance his education at MIT
Following their hearts to make a change and praying for that change!

#20- Green 973, Pat McKernan and Jon Trotta two great friends who now just happen to be business partners!

Tue, 23 May 2023 16:00:00 -0400

Pat and Jon were both high school golfers, Jon played in college and both grew up doing martial arts and just happen to be some of my best friends! This was a fun conversation that starts out with a discussion on the world's strongest man, super weird, but fun! It weaves its way through Jon and Pat's athletic and business ventures that ultimately landed on their opening of the Green 973 together! Listen in as we talk about all things golf and more!

#19-Jerry Cahill- Coach, human, oldest living Cystic Fibrosis patient. No big deal, at least according to him!

Thu, 11 May 2023 11:00:00 -0400

Jerry is a spectacular guy! I met him almost a decade ago on a 6-hour plane ride to California. I awkwardly initiated the conversation with "I've got to ask you, what's up with the mask?" He obliged in the conversation and the rest is history!

Jerry is a coach, a mentor, and a Cystic Fibrosis advocate for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. He also happens to be the oldest living CF patient and a survivor of multiple organ transplants, including a double lung transplant! Everything Jerry does is done with a smile and a thumbs up!

Listen in as we talk to Jerry and learn about his:

enduring passion for health and fitness
coaching
CF, organ transplants and always coming back

Thanks for the interview, Jerry! You can find him and his work at:
https://www.esiason.org/
https://jerrycahill.com

#18-How much is too much? Parenting, sports, hunting and imparting values as fathers!- Jason Hartpence

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Parenting is hard. One thing we constantly struggling with is "how much is too much, and what is not enough?" Forever treading a fine line is what adults have to do. Overdoing it is something many parents struggle with daily. Underdoing it can be dangerous as well.

Our most recent guest is Jason Hartpence. I didn't know Jason from a bar of soap until one day we sat down randomly at a box lacrosse practice and connected like old friends. Jason and his two boys are heavily involved in the lacrosse scene. Both excellent players, Jason travels all over helping his kids grow in a sport where their desires lie.

Listen in as we share stories about growing up in different worlds yet sharing similar values. Much of our shared experience comes through hunting and fishing and just how important the outdoors is in our modern and convenient lives!

#17-"I would rather lose every single game in a season, but do it the right way!"- Coach Jack Bushey

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Teams are made up of players, coaches, and families! Culture fosters the right attitude and approach to the game. As the title states, Jack would rather have the teams he coaches lose every game in a season but do it the right way vs. winning it all but acting above the game! Respect for the game, your own team, the other players, the refs, and the school or club is imperative in our modern world. It is something that has to be taught, demonstrated, and lived every single day!

This logic has been lost on many over the years, but stays very well and alive in a young Coach! Listen in as "Bushey" and I chop it up about coaching lacrosse, football, women's basketball, and more!

Coach "Bushey" has earned his way into the coaching scene in Sparta, and hopefully will be around for a long time to come!

#16-Coaching- Chris Keelin and Vinny Pompeo

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0500

Friends sit down to discuss their outlooks on coaching, parenting, being a spouse, and more! We all grew up through sports. It has carried so many values and attributes into our personal lives, relationships, and even work ethics! Thanks, sports!

Vinny Pompeo and Chris Keelin discuss:

where we've been
where we are now
outlook on where we are headed

We all love team sports, we all love coaching and we all love being parents! A very cool discussion told through a couple of different lenses.

Our feelings as former players, what we liked and didn't like about our experiences.
Our thoughts and ideas as coaches and how we are trying to change the game based on our own virtues.
Perspectives as fathers on our own kids playing team sports

A good regular guy discussion, thanks for listening!

#15- Football, to Fentanyl, to Faith- Dean Vandersall, 15 years clean and sober! Finding God on 4th and forever.

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Meet Dean Vandersall. Dean is a family friend, in fact, his brother Drew is one of my brother's closest friends, and always has been! The Vandersalls were staples in the lives of many, especially in sports! Being 8 years younger, Dean and his teammates his age were heroes to us as young men. We followed along their football journeys trying to live up to the expectations laid out in front of us! Many of them either babysat us, coached us, or even taught us in school!

Dean shares a very personal narrative regarding the trajectory of his life. Listen in as Dean describes how he ended up in the depths of a Fentanyl addiction only to be saved by God. More importantly how God is using him to help others find their way out of similar addictions and afflictions.

My connection to Dean during this time could only be that God put me into his life at the "right place at the right time". There is no other explanation.

Take a listen!

#14- Finding Confidence in Sharing Your Faith- Chris Hardenburg

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:00:00 -0500

Chris is a very bright guy. He is also a devoted father and husband! He is not only devoted to his family, but he is also devoted to his Faith, Christianity. Being a Christian is a rock of foundation for him.

In this episode, Chris helps me find confidence in sharing my recent journey into exploring more of my faith. We discuss all things sports, but we also discuss how Chris found himself on a mission in the Dominican Republic, where he finally felt the true power of God.

Chris is a former collegiate wrestler and a former Roman Catholic. Before he and his wife got married, they sat down and really discussed what religion meant to them, and how could they join forces together so that religion didn't get in the way of faith as it sometimes can!

I also share an experience I had roughly one year ago in January of 2021 where it was either the first time God spoke to me in my life or the first time I listened! I am still trying to figure this one out!

This is about as fun and honest as it can get! Listen in, we hope you can learn a little something about a few questions you might be asking yourself! I know I learned a ton about my own connection to God, but still have a very very long way to go!

#13- "Coming back with a vengance! But be careful, you don't want to hurt yourself!"- Part 3

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 15:00:00 -0500

Ready and revved up to take back what was rightly ours, fitness! Power couple ready to once again feel strong and unstoppable! However, one new routine has set in before we exercise. In our best crotchety Old Man Voice, we utter on the way out the door "be careful... go slow and don't hurt yourself for God's sake!"

Mourning the loss of competition!
Why didn't we pay attention to our bodies? The competition... for sure!
How are we finally back? Yep, but a little bit differently!
Prehab vs. Rehab. Know before you go.
What's next in our world of fitness?

Our mindset has shifted quite a bit. Not away from fitness, but from a go now/go hard perspective to one of longevity! There is always a trade-off. We discuss what some of those trade-offs are, and why we are ready to accept them now, in order to be healthy in the future!

Shoutouts to:
Dr. Natty Bandesak and the Myokinetix Team - https://www.myokinetix.com/
Dr. Peter Attia and the "The Drive Podcast"- https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/

Both of these people, places, and podcasts have been instrumental in shaping our future fitness goals! Please check them out!

#12- "Hurry up and fix that disc before it gets better on it's own"... Surgery or PT and time!- Part 2

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0500

"Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years!" That's the only song I can think of as I talk about my history/journey related to everything back pain! For those listening not of my generation, it was a fire opening lyric to "Momma said Knock you out" by the great LL Cool J. He was/is dope by the way. Both parts of the lyrics speak exactly to what I have been through and continue to go through.

Don't call it a comeback- speaks to where I am now.
I've been here for years- speaks to the spine issues I put to bed 10 years ago.

In this episode I take you through ages 22-42, 20 years to be exact! It has been a long journey of:

Lumbar spine issues, ages 22-30
Feeling like a king from Crossfit and exercise, ages 30-42
Knocked back down to earth, but not for long!!! NOW!

By learning more about my body through PT and accupuncture, finally at 42 I am learning that I have never known how to "completely" recruit the right muscles for the right job! How could that even happen?

Hope you enjoy, and maybe learn a few things about the spine, lifting and how to use the right muscles to get the job done!

#11- "Dr. said I need a backiotomy"- Part 1

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0500

"Dr. said I need a backiotomy"- "Sir Smoke A-lot" from the movie Half Baked played by the great Dave Chappelle.

I have always said this every time my back or someone else mentions they have something going on with their back! Me, I've spent just about half my life dealing with back issues. A combination of improper lifting techniques at a young age, years of playing football with old-school techniques, and a few other dumb choices over the years have gotten me here! For Amanda, this is something fairly new, but nipping it in the bud early is crucial!

Right now, I am at a low point, for sure. Combined with the help of some awesome PTs, pain management specialists, and the support of my awesome family... join us as we discuss climbing out of the hole and getting off "Injured Reserve".

If there is one thing we can promise, we will never ever stop moving! LFG!!!

#10- Habits on habits - Who's a maniac who gets into freezing cold water before coffee? This guy!

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 13:00:00 -0500

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit. –Aristotle

Human beings are creatures of habit, in fact, 40-45 % of what we do every day, even though it feels like a conscious decision is out of habit. Listen in as I discuss:

How to create a new habit, or break an old one
Being intentional when creating a habit
Encouragement to put one foot in front of the other
Celebrating the small wins

#9- "School lunch isn't the problem, but inactivity is"- Interview with Steve Patton

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0500

Steve Patton is a former center from JMU in the late 70s early 80s. Steve is local to VA but also NJ! Steve has lived a life as someone who prioritizes his health and well-being. He also happens to be in charge of all things school meal related as the Director of Food Services at Gloucester County Public Schools in Virginia. In his 30-year tenure, he has been feeding meals to at one point in time over 22,000 kids a day! Steve is here to tell you that at least under his watch, they have been cooking scratch meals every day that are all carefully portioned and guided towards proper nutrition.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

NJ and VA football
Food Service and why school lunch "ISN'T" the problem, but less gym class "IS"
Getting back to the basics

#8- I am IRONMAN!!!! Oh, and BTW she is “Wonder woman!” Rick and Elaine Burgess

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Rick, 73-year-old Iron Man, and his lovely wife Elaine 65-year-old marathon runner who by the way also beat a little setback called breast cancer! Wow, are these two inspirational! Just this past weekend Rick finished another Iron Man! This time took him just under 16 hours! In his age group, he is one of the top competitors in the world! Despite saying that there are 19 others like him. Only 19 Rick? 16 hours of constant fitness at 73! No way!!! That’s what I said the first time I met Rick, and that was almost 15 years ago.

Elaine is training for another Boston Marathon at 65. No way! There is no possible way in their “Advanced Age” could they possibly do that! Or can they? They certainly can, and like a bunch of “Geriatric Monsters” to boot! We use these words in jest of course! Forever the picture of aging is this constant slow decline that ultimately lands you in an early grave. Rick and Elaine, simply say “Nope, not me” and keep rolling!

Listen in, be inspired, and get off the couch to crush it! We know we will!

#7- "I feel like the Grim Reaper is riding shotgun..." stress, genetics, diet and exercise with Tom Paquette

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0400

When Tom said "I feel like the Grim Reaper is riding shotgun" I felt his reality hit me like a slap in the face!

Listen in as my good friend and former teammate at JMU discuss his recent health scare. Tom is one of the easiest-going guys I have ever met. A stellar athlete in his prime and even to this day. Tom, like many of us, had unknowingly let life catch up to him. With the stress of raising kids, two working parents, family health issues, and covid restrictions, Tom allowed his weight to creep up on him unchecked.

Before he even had the chance to realize it, Tom was faced with a dire situation at 42 years old. Tom was staring down the barrel of a "widow maker" heart attack, and didn't even know it! His message is clear, "don't tough guy yourself into a bad situation" so this doesn't happen to you or anyone else you know!

#6- 86 and living her best life with Mary Atilli

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Mind, body, and soul. These are the tenants of life for my 85 soon to be 86 year old friend and mentor Mary Attili. Listen in as we discuss health, coaching, parenting, and her positive outlook on life! Mary is a far cry from your stereotypical 86-year-old grandmother. She travels, works out, meditates, does podcasts, and more! If you are lacking motivation, energy, or desire to stay fit and healthy, Mary can be your inspiration! She has enough energy to go around the world and back, and often does... by herself!

#5- Overcoming Addiction with Corey Hennings!

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Corey Hennings is a former alcoholic. He doesn't let that define him at all! While he is on a constant pursuit to raise awareness of sobriety, it is not his only mission in life! He is a husband, and father of two awesome kids whom he coaches and stays very active within the community and their lives!

Listen in as we talk about how to overcome challenges in life, particularly addiction. Corey is on a journey to maintain and elevate what he has worked so hard to remedy, alcoholism. He shares insights into his past, his now, and what he will continue to strive for in the future!

#4- How to feel like you're 20, when you are in your 70's with Dr. Jeff & Denise Zerby

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 14:00:00 -0400

In his youth, my father was a 320+ lb farm boy. He struggled for many years until he ultimately lost a tremendous amount of weight shortly after starting college, but almost lost his life in return. My mother Denise on the other hand was setting records on the track and pretty much any other sport you could imagine.

How did they build confidence? In very different ways. One was academic, the other was athletic!

In this episode, I get to talk with my awesome parents! We explore their past, present, and future regarding exercise and diet. Through the conversation we learn:

my father's struggle with weight, and how he used academics to build his confidence
my mother's outlook on her own health and how she influenced my father's long term outlook
the impact of exercise on pregnancy and postpartum care through the lens of a former OBGYN, setting an example to follow
how as an adult, you can choose to live a healthy lifestyle at any age
what got them started in exercise, and what keeps them going to this day

#3- Victor Russinko, a Skinny Kids side of the story!

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 11:00:00 -0400

Victor is awesome! Since meeting him about 8 years ago, I have been trying to compete with his lifting numbers in the gym! Victor is a wealth of knowledge regarding health, fitness, and diet. Victor grew up as a skinny kid that was always trying to keep up with his larger, stronger more athletic brothers. Hard to believe by looking at him now!

He is self-taught but has taken the time to experiment, research, and try many different "Ways of Eating", exercise, and recovery modalities. Join us in this fun interview with a local business owner and part owner of a functional fitness gym with his wife Michelle!

In this episode we discuss:

Early years as a skinny, unathletic kid who was trying to keep up
Finding confidence through exercise and weightlifting
Exercise and recovery modalities, ways of eating, and sleep performance
Tips and tricks to help you perform better every day

A couple of links for the products and services mentioned in this podcast:
Gorilla Sleep:
https://gorillamind.com/

Cold Plunge:
https://thecoldplunge.com/

Station Athletics for Her, Denville:
https://joinstationathletics.com/denvilleforher

Sunshine Carpet Cleaning:
https://sunshinecarpetsussex.com/

Frey Heating and Plumbing:
https://www.freyheatingandplumbing.com/

#2- Getting a spouse or loved one into exercise! Helping others begin their health journey.

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:00:00 -0400

We weren't always like this! Take us along with you and learn a little bit about our health journeys! How we got started, where we are today and why we continue to take care of ourselves every day! Learn some tips and tricks on:

How to find something you love to do regarding fitness!
Being a supportive partner, and what that takes.
Finding something you can do together or apart, as long as you are consistent!

#1- Interview with Cole and Charlotte

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the "Fat Kid Podcast"! Join us for our first epsiode as we do a family interview with Cole and Charlotte! In this episode we discuss health related topics as seen through the eyes of young kids!

In this episode we cover:

what is exercise in the mind of youth
how young kids can build confidence in themselves and their friends
impressions on "kids menus"
how kids can encourage their parents to exercise with them

This was a blast to do and we look forward to more!