Destination Different

You ever thought to yourself, "I think I might have an idea for a book..." and then did absolutely nothing about it? Yeah, same...

Well today's guest on the show had that same thought, but he actually did something about it. And now he is helping others do the same. His name is Matt Rudnitsky and he is the author of Smart Sports Betting and You're An Author: Write Your F*ckin Book, as well as the founder of Platypus Publishing. After writing two books of his own, Matt has stepped into the world of self-publishing where he helps others realize their potential of writing a book through ghostwriting or coaching.

If you've ever had even the tiniest of inklings about writing a book, give this episode a listen and then send Matt an email at [email protected]. He responds to EVERY email. How do you think I got him on this show...?

We finally got social handles, y'alllll!

Instagram - @destinationdifferent

Twitter - @destinationdiff

Website - yoproco.com (we've been providing updates each day as part of our Quarantine Chronicles series)

On today's episode of Destination Different we've got Derek MacDonald of The Expedition Journal. It's hard to pin down exactly what Derek does because he has soooo much going on, but that's what makes him different.  

During the winters he spends most of his timing guiding ski and snowboard adventures out in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. And then in the off-season, he switches his focus to writing and public speaking. Derek travels around the country presenting keynotes to middle and high school students sharing personal stories about the positive impact of outdoor recreation on mental health and leadership. And when he does happen to find some free time...? He covers the latest in the outdoor adventure and sports world on his site, The Expedition Journal. 

Be sure to keep up with Derek over on Instagram @theexpeditionjournal.

Keep up with yopro and Destination Different here:

Instagram - @yopro__

Twitter - @yopro_

Website - yoproco.com (we've been providing updates each day as part of our Quarantine Chronicles series)

How many people can say they've left everything behind, gone halfway around the world, and collaborated with new connections to launch a network of schools that inspire future leaders...? Not many. But we've got one of the few on today's show! Will Smith co-founded LEAD Monrovia Football Academy in 2015 with former Liberian international footballer, Sekou Dgeorges Manubah. The academy set out to empower Liberia's future leaders through quality education and sport.

Since launching the academy in Liberia, Will and his team have continued to add students-athletes to the program and launched a new organization, LEAD Africa, to replicate this leadership academy model across the African continent. LEAD opened its second academy, LEAD Morocco, back in September, and soon will launch two more academies in Rwanda and South Africa. The stories from this interview are incredibly moving and I urgeeee you to give it a listen.

You can keep up with Will at LEAD Africa and follow the latest at LEAD on Instagram @leadafricaofficial

Keep up with yopro and Destination Different here:

Instagram - @yopro__

Twitter - @yopro_

Website - yoproco.com (we've been providing updates each day as part of our Quarantine Chronicles series)

Anyone who grew up playing sports probably had 1000s of moments in their backyard as a kid imagining a scenario where they were a professional athlete. Well, Zeiko Lewis is one of those kids now living that dream.

After a standout collegiate career, Zeiko was drafted by the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. Since then, he has had the opportunity to test his abilities playing professionally in Europe and on the international level playing for his home nation of Bermuda in the Gold Cup. In this episode we talked about the physical and mental toll of being a professional athlete, and some of the key differences between being an amateur and getting to call soccer your "job."

Keep up with yopro and Destination Different here:

Instagram - @yopro__

Twitter - @yopro_

Website - yoproco.com (we've been providing updates each day as part of our Quarantine Chronicles series)

I think every single person at one point or another has said the words, "hey, we should start a brewery" after a couple of drinks, but Maggie Foley actually did it. In 2011 she launched Backlash Beer as a side hustle and nearly a decade later she is still whipping up delicious brews.

The last ten years haven't been without their ups and downs. From being Boston's Best Brewery of the Year, to opening a brand new taproom space, to closing down a taproom space. Backlash has built an incredibly loyal local following and the most amazing part of it all is that Maggie has grown this company while still thriving in a different full-time profession.

In crazy times like these it's more important than ever to support your local products. So if you're in the New England area I urge you to seek out Backlash Beer and try something new. If you're elsewhere, help out your local favorites. They could really use it right now. 

Keep up with yopro and Destination Different here:

Instagram - @yopro__

Twitter - @yopro_

Website - yoproco.com (we've been providing updates each day as part of our Quarantine Chronicles series)

A little bit of a departure from our regularly scheduled programming here on Destination Different to bring you a very special interview with my good friend, Le Zeng. Le and I traveled together and were roommates in both Croatia and Serbia. He is a native of Wuhan, China (the epicenter of the coronavirus) and has currently been quarantined in his apartment there for over 60 days. 

In this episode, Le talks about the extreme precautions that have been taken in China to help contain the spread, what he has been doing during his time in isolation, and he asks an extremely important question... WHY are Americans hoarding so much toilet paper?! 

There has been a lot of discrepancy in the news about what has been happening in Wuhan, so it was great to hear advice directly from the source. And the good news is that things are improving in the area and there is hope for containing this crazy virus. 

AWESOME episode. Be sure to give it a listen.

Keep up with yopro and Destination Different here:

Instagram - @yopro__

Twitter - @yopro_

Website - yoproco.com (we've been providing updates each day as part of our Quarantine Chronicles series)

You never think you're going to reach out to a former colleague and hear back, "Oh, by the way, do you think we can catch up about the Bravo TV show I starred in last summer...?"

But that's what happened when I reached out to Sophia D'Angelo about an interview for Destination Different. I reached out because Sophia started and now runs an insanely successful experiential marketing and event planning business here in the Boston area. The company is called BEG Event and she has thrown everything from brand launch parties to an underground New Orleans voodoo Halloween party. The girl does it all. 

And after about a year and a half in business she was asked to join an upcoming Bravo show called Camp Getaway. As part of her role on the show, Sophia was basically a camp counselor at a summer camp for adults. Like any good Bravo show, there were also some fireworks. In this episode, Sophia was gracious enough to give a peak behind the curtain into her life as a party planner, while also slipping in some details about the launch of the show.

You can keep up with Sophia and her company at @begevents on Instagram and be sure to keep an eye out for Camp Getaway. The new show debuts April 20th at 10PM only on Bravo!

Keep up with yopro and Destination Different here:

Instagram - @yopro__

Twitter - @yopro_

Website - yoproco.com

Nick Checovich picked up a guitar when he was about 15 years old. He taught himself to play, started writing songs, and has never looked back. Since then he has had the opportunity to tour the country with the likes of Chance the Rapper and Logic, released songs with hundreds of thousands of plays on Spotify, and even crossed paths with the legendary Paul McCartney on his way out of the recording studio.

Checo, as he goes by as an artist, has scratched and clawed for every opportunity that has come his way in the music industry and he is about to embark on his biggest project yet. Starting on March 23, 2020 he will be dropping a new song every Monday for the remainder of the year. For those whose math sucks, that's more than 40 songs he is planning to release. 

Of course, as if he's not busy enough, Nick also started his own clothing brand on the side and was even approached by Outdoor Voices for some of his early designs. His line is called Women Are Undefeated and he partners with talented female designers to constantly come out with new looks. Not bad for a little side hustle...

You can check out all of Checo's work on Spotify where he'll be dropping his new songs each week in 2020. Oh, did I also mention his song "Superpowers" is the intro music for Destination Different? Fire.

Keep up with what we're doing as well... 

Instagram - @yopro__

Twitter - @yopro_

Website - yoproco.com

This episode originally appeared in late 2019, but it felt like a good time to bring it back. 1.) Because it's a fantastic interview that deserves more love and 2.) Because Jarrett and Nix Media just released a 40 minute special documentary of his experience traveling 1,500 miles down the coast of India in a 7-horsepower rickshaw. It's incredible and you should all watch it. Full link below.

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Talk about a guy who has been living the dream. Jarrett Nixon spent the last 5+ years living and working around the globe. He was moving to a different country every other month, but recently gave it all up to move back to Denver to start his own media and video production company called Nix Media. As the Creative Director, Jarrett is doing it all from shooting, to editing, to pitching clients to managing the checkbook. Unlike most video companies, he really focuses on helping the businesses he works with share their story through video. We had some good laughs during this one and even locked in a lucrative deal where I will be taking a 20% cut of all future Nix Media ventures simply for having Jarrett on the show (I'm absolutely robbing him blind. He has no idea...). GREAT episode. 

If you want to follow along with Jarrett or work with him on an upcoming video project for your business, check him out on Instagram (@nixmedia_llc) or get in touch on his website at nix.media. MOST importantly, you can check out Jarrett's new full-length Rickshaw Run documentary right here on YouTube. I don't throw out the "Must Watch" claim much, but this one gets it. Must watch.

To keep up with yopro...

Twitter - @yopro_

Instagram - @yopro__

Website - yoproco.com

Stay weird.

A little throwback episode this week on Destination Different. This is an interview I did in February of 2019, almost exactly a year ago, with the lovely Carolina Carrion. Carolina is the founder of the lingerie brand, Perfezione. A brand that specifically focuses its products and its audience on women with small boobs. The branding is absolutely brilliant, I might add.

Since this interview a year ago, Perfezione has just continued to grow and Carolina now makes her full-time living selling lingerie online. We talked about everything from what it's like being a Peruvian in Bangkok, to some of her growth hacks, to how she negotiates collaborations with other brands.

It is WILD listening back to what a terrible interviewer I was only a year ago, but it is reassuring to know that the show is actually growing and improving week after week.

If you want to keep up with what Carolina is doing you can check out Perfezione on Instagram or on their website at perfezione-lingerie.com. Make sure to also throw Carolina a follow @carolinacarryon (and find the bubble photo we reference on the show...)

Stay weird.

To keep up with yopro...

Twitter - @yopro_

Instagram - @yopro__

Website - yoproco.com