Host of the "Extraordinary Thoughts For the Ordinary Mind" Podcast, 10+ years involved in the Marine Corps, and now recent Author, "MEECH" is someone you need to hear speak.

“If you don’t make a path for yourself, your environment will do that job for you”.

This was an early lesson Demetrius “Meech” Thigpen would learn, if he didn’t invocate change within himself.

His story is no different than many youth, born in a metropolitan area riddle with drugs, crime, and plagued with addiction. Demetrius, the middle child of three siblings was raised by a single mother due to the absence of his father. Demetrius had to experience at an early age just how detrimental addiction was and the damage it can do to a family. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, drugs, crime, addiction, and violence were the norm; and it was a life expected for most. With the lack of jobs and the poverty this city had to offer; Demetrius’s mother did the best she could in raising her two young children all on her own. With the loss of her job combined with the recession, the trajectory of their lives would shift from barely getting by to barely being able to keep the lights on. By the time Demetrius was graduating high school majority of the kids he grew up with had already begun to employ the lessons our environment had taught them; and many had already received the outcome. Demetrius was faced with the cruel realization about his future and what he could get out of this city. Eventually, this led him to make a tough decision at the tender age of 18; join the United States Marine Corps upon graduating high school.

The time came and he enlisted in 2009. Demetrius has served 10 faithful years. Throughout his service he has faced obstacles and overcame adversity; deploying to different to countries in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force. These tours along with many other challenges would go on to transform him into the man he is today. A Sergeant and Martial Arts Instructor Trainer within the United States Marine Corps, Demetrius has had the privilege to train, lead, guide, and mentor fellow Marines.

Utilizing the training he received from the Marines Corps and the experiences from his life, Demetrius specializes in character development. His passion is helping people address the very obstacles that are holding them back from becoming the version of themselves that they were destined to be.

Throughout his life Demetrius was able to overcome the biggest obstacle of his life: become a great father figure for his children even though he had no idea as to what that meant since his father battled with addiction for as long as he could remember. A loving husband and a great father to three beautiful children; he not only strives to fully be there for his family but he hopes he is able to inspire others that are currently struggling.

Make Today Count.
- Cooper

Athlete, coach, trainer, and most importantly a mentor...  DJ Dominguez started his sports career as early as he can remember. Sports has led him to success on and off the fields, courts, and boxing ring. At the age of 7, he started competing at the amateur level of boxing. He would focus on training every day in addition to practicing football, basketball, and baseball. He competed at the highest level obtaining two golden glove championships, finalist in two silver glove championships, and finishing with a record of 30-2, while only losing in the nationals. DJ ended his amateur career at the age of 12 and began to focus on football and basketball. One thing he took away from boxing was that he was able to translate boxing tools into amplifying his career in other sports. As a pitcher, quarterback, and point guard, he had to not only utilize the physical aspects he learned, but the phycological part of competing.

DJ had the talent to achieve success at the college level for any of his sports, but he had obstacles to deal with while becoming a young man. DJ ended up moving out of town for
college where he was pretty much throwing away his opportunity to become a collegiate/professional athlete. 

Through certain circumstances he was able to move back home and focus on getting back in shape and competing again. He decided to get really serious about basketball, which lead him to many rewards in life and believes basketball to have helped him get to where he is today.

In 2019, DJ was referred by a friend to Lake Oswego’s head basketball coach for a job
coaching youth basketball. This would be his first-year coaching for this program and a youth team. He took this team who did not have success the prior year and molded them into champions. It was a complete turn around and they ended as the best team in their league.

DJ is currently the General Manager for “TITLE BOXING CLUB” but also continues to
train athletes in strength and conditioning and building skills in their desired sports. His athletes vary from different age groups and sports from basketball, baseball, and football. Some former and current professional basketball players and one current Oregon Duck defensive back.

Make Today Count.
Cooper

Two reasons I start my morning with a workout

1. Average person usually gets up around 7am. By 7, my hardest part of my day is already  over, I get it done before 7:00am. Guess how that makes me feel? Like a bad ass, and NOW, I am ready to tackle my day, I’m in my peak mindset and ready to put out any fires I have to deal with during the day. 

1. It’s really important to start your day with a body/mind connection, I know that sounds like a load of garbage or sounds super cliche (it actually makes me want to throw up a little bit to say it haha) but it’s super fucking true. Had I not worked out, I don’t feel like I’m on my A-Game and feel like I’m reacting to things, reacting to notifications on my phone, not allowing myself to get into my peak state or ideal mindset for the day. After my workout I think faster, think quicker, more productive for my day.
2. The workout gets me “in the zone”
   1. “Controlled chaos” 
   2. Working out in the morning is the hardest part of  my day. And after finishing the hardest part of my day, everything I have to do from now on throughout the day will not be a 45 minute 5 superset circuit… I dont have to do that again today, all day… which is good, great feeling.

Kirstens thoughts:

1. Your morning routine is in my opinion what makes or breaks the rest of your day. When you have consistency and stability in your life it leads to a more relaxed productive day.
2. We only have 24 hours in the day and most people work 8 to 12 hour days. Those hours are for someone else unless you work for yourself but even then you're still working for your wallet. You should take 30 minutes to an hour in your morning routine to do something for yourself before everyone else is asking for your time. I personally like to make my coffee and get my food together for the day while listening to music. Here soon I'll be waking up around 3 hours before work to add in a little workout.
3. I have never had more clear of focused days at work than when I was waking up at 430 am to go to the gym and do 30 to 45 minutes of cardio. While I did that I even read a book to max out the efficiency of my time. I left the gym happy, in a positive mindset and ready to attack the day.
4. Many of us drink coffee first thing in the morning. Try switching to drinking a glass of water while your coffee brews. Give your body something that will hydrate it after sleeping not something full of caffeine. Not saying don't drink our coffee, I'm not a psychopath, I'm just saying drink some water while your making it.
5. Statistics show that most successful people wake up at least 2 hours before work and most of very successful do something active to help focus their mind.

So guys im not saying you have to do what I do but try getting up just a little earlier to do something that is important for you before you go make money for the man and if you have time try doing something active. Even if its just a walk around the block. I promise your days will become so much better and you will enjoy getting out of bed and wanting to start your morning routine 

Friends, thank you for tuning in! 

Make Today Count.

What’s a great idea that you’ve had that you never implemented? What did you “create” only to see someone else beat you to it?

Winklevoss Twins, sound familiar? Remember when they claimed that “Facebook” was their idea, not Zucks’? Well, in 2004 the Winklevoss twins sued Mark Zuckerberg… The reality is, Mark EXECUTED the idea of starting an online community! They might have first “came up with the idea to make a social platform, but who cares? I’m sure you probably know TONS of “IDEA MAKERS” or have a friend that comes up with these amazing ideas, but doesn’t do anything with it or just talks a BIG GAME. I’ve been around plenty of them and it pisses me off.

And these idea makers have a lot to say, and these ideas are probably really good ideas, but going back to my initial statement of “great ideas are worthless” it simply doesn’t mean DICK unless you actually take  ACTION on your ideas.

I’ll give you another example.

• My Podcast

Kirsten’s thoughts:

-Is today day 1 or are you saying 1 day

-How do you go about an execution plan

-Do you need a partner to make things happen (i.e. are you the dreamer and you need someone who can execute)

-Who is in your circle? (are they helping you in your execution of your goals or tearing you down)

-Are you reaching out and seeking mentorship or are you trying to recreate the wheel?

-Find something you love and JUST START

Find things that motivate you to start what you are doing and then something to keep you going. Starting is the hardest part. Building healthy habits and make those part of your routine. Don’t let yourself fall out of the routine. If you do get back on the bike as soon as you can. 

Share the plan with those who support you and stay quite with those who will tear you down.

Last thing I want to say and then I’m done talkin’ but I AM FIRED UP ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE.

I wish for everybody that you could find something that interests you enough that you’d be willing to  go down the path of gaining mastery and developing a passion so that you can engage so fully with the thing 

that as you get into this virtuous cycle

BUILDING A PASSION IS LIKE FALLING IN LOVE 

It is reciprocal. it is two way. If it’s just one way, it’s not real love. If it’s just YOU going down the path of gaining mastery and there’s no reciprocal, feeling positive about yourself and being able to help other people... if you’re not getting feedback, you’re never going to be able to develop a REAL passion. And what it looks like is this, as you find that thing that interests you, you go down the path of gaining mastery, during this time you’re getting better at something that actually helps other people, so you start feeling good about yourself, and then you take that energy and you get even better at it.

This allows you to serve other people more, which makes you feel even better about yourself, which makes you wanna go out and get more skills (adding fuel to your motherfucking fire!) and you get in this feedback loop, and the more skills you get, 

the more powerful you are.

The more you’re able to help other people and the better it makes you feel about yourself. Which makes you hungry to get MORE SKILLS. And NOW you get in this loop… The power of Compounding is a beautiful thing...

Mic Drop, Make Today Count.

Jared Sandberg is a former MLB player for the Tampa Bay Rays and Minor League Manager.

He became the major league field coordinator for the Seattle Mariners of the American  prior to the 2019 season. 

Born in Washington, Sandberg had a 12-year pro playing career (1996–2007), and prior to joining the Mariners he had spent 20 years in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. His entire MLB career — 196 games played — was spent with the team (then called the Devil Rays) from 2001 through 2003. He spent ten years as a manager in the Rays' farm system, including 2015 through 2018 as the pilot of the Triple-A Durham Bulls, their top affiliate, where he won consecutive International League Governors' Cup championships in 2017–18. 

Jared speaks to our host, Cooper Brunner, and shares his insight into what it takes to be successful, how to have a growth mindset, and what it means to play for your team. 

Thank you Jared for sharing you story and knowledge with us and we hope you are able to get back on the field soon! We will definitely be rooting for you!

If you enjoyed the show, please share it with a friend! 

MAKE TODAY COUNT.

Kirsten and Cooper get interviewed on the Wise Eat's Podcast. "Today’s guests are Cooper Brunner & Kirsten McCallum, co-hosts of the Cooper Brunner Podcast. Cooper is a former college baseball player and fitness coach. Kirsten is a former college volleyball player and overcame two back surgeries to become a women’s physique competitor. We’re talking training, diet, and ways to MAKE TODAY COUNT with episode 22!"

Brief Episode Summary:
- Talking COVID-19 life in Oregon and Michigan
- How Cooper and Kirsten started podcasting and became co-hosts
- How Cooper differentiates himself from other coaches and relates to clients
- Kirsten’s fitness journey – Volleyball, weight lifting and physique competing
- Lowest and highest moments of their athletic careers
- How Cooper’s baseball career came to an end
- Kirsten’s weight lifting routine since having back surgery
- Transitioning from competition to normal, healthy life for Kirsten
- Intermittent fasting, warrior diet, Dr. Rhonda Patrick, Macros, My Fitness Pal
- What was the biggest single factor holding you back from starting your healthy lifestyle
- One thing you’ve been successful in because of your dedication to fitness

You can find the youtube here https://youtu.be/E1e97noscWY and  be sure to check out the Wise Eats Podcast  hosted by Wes Wise, thanks for having us on the show!!

Make Today Count.

Kirsten and Cooper discuss tips for staying productive during times of stress and uncertainty.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy! 

Cooper and Kirsten sit down with Instagram/Facebook Ad managers Steven and Roark and discuss the powerful advertising tools these platforms have to offer.

Brief Summary:

- Why should a company invest in Facebook and Instagram ads?

- Is one platform more effective than the other? Why is Facebook ads effective? Why is Instagram ads effective?

- Explain the "boost post" ads option and the misconceptions 

They give 8 different objectives you can utilize. Can you briefly explain what these do, and which are realistic/ideal to use for ads. 

Brand awareness 

Reach 

Traffic 

App installs 

Engagement 

Video views 

Lead generation 

Conversions

Placements for Instagram Ads

-  Instagram stories? News Feed? Where should you be putting your ads to make these  effective?

Measuring Success on you IG ads

- What are the most important metrics you need to be looking at when analyzing you ad campaign?

- Any tips/advice on setting up an ad? A/B split testing explained, how it works, etc.


Facebook Questions

- What does Facebook Pixel do for your ads campaign? 

- Business Goals Vary - what are the most effective "Objectives" you can use when making a Facebook ad? (Briefly explain each) Similar to my question about Instagram objectives.

- Start to finish, how do you normally setup a campaign for clients? (start broad audience, then find lookalike audience, A/B split test, etc.) Walk us through how you guys think, maybe give client examples

- When is a good time to change up your ads? 

- Daily Budget, Lifetime Budget, which option should you use?

- Explain the "lookalike audience" strategy 

- Do you recommend setting a daily budget or a lifetime budget?   

Misc. Questions

- What is trending in Facebook/Instagram ads? 

- What advice would you give to people trying to learn about Facebook and Instagram ads? Any helpful courses, classes you can take online?

- What are some of the downfalls with Facebook/IG ads? (compared to Google and Amazon ads)

- Are there any "Hacks" or methods you guys use with your ad campaigns that not a lot of people know about or try that are effective?

- What is the biggest issue you see with businesses trying to make ads? What are companies doing wrong?

Cooper and Kirsten chat with Bodybuilder Brandon Yee.

Summary:

Bodybuilding Prep / Nutrition

- How do you deal with cravings?  (sugar, carbs, etc)

- Supplement Regimen 

- What are the staples of your diet plan?

       - Give examples of foods, and how you go about your prep with food.

- How does your Off-Season diet differ from your Season Diet?

- Favorite Cheat Meal

- What are some popular exercises that you find to be overrated? MAybe give some examples of must-do exercises for adding size (sets,reps)

- What are some lessons you've learned while competing?

Types of Diets (pros/cons)

-  VEGAN (is it a good strategy to take?)

- FASTING (intermittent fasting)

- KETO

PEDS

Cooper and Kirsten sit down with loan officer Megan Smith.

Summary of the Podcast:

- What was the biggest life lesson you learned while playing soccer and going to school
- Give your take on being a student athlete
- How did you become a mortgage professional
-  What did it take to get licensed
-  Do you have a mentor and what was this biggest thing they have taught you?
- Process of Being Approved
- Lets go over what the pre-approvals process looks like for first time home buyers?
- Once you find a home what is the next steps for getting formally approved for a loan?
- What are some simple things young adults can do to make the approval process easier?
- What kind of documentation is necessary to get a loan?
- On average if you make XXX amount you can be approved for XXX loan.

Megan Smith Contact info:
[email protected]
IG - mortgage.with.megan

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