This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

This week my guest is Eric Rosenberg.  Eric is a fulltime blogger and written in the finance space online.  Eric has written for many of the top finance websites online that many people have heard of and he has always had an interest in finance but he never thought his path would go the way that it has.

When Eric was in high school he knew that he wanted to go into business.  He always had a knack for numbers and math, so he knew this would be a good fit for him.  Eric went into college and obtained his undergrad and masters in finance.  Eric landed his first job as a bank manager soon after graduation. Eric realized at the bank though that the hours just weren't for him, he found himself working a lot of 12 hour days and this didn't fit for him.  

Eric found himself moving more towards the corporate world and he really enjoyed this along with the more flexible hours.  Eric began writing articles on his blog because he couldn't find the information he was looking for and he thought that he couldn't be the only one looking for this information.  Eric really began to see some growth on his site and he began getting paid by people to place on his blog.

Eric thought that his ideal plan was to continue writing on his blog and have advertisers pay him and he would sail off into the sunset, but it didn't go that way.  Eric soon realized that he was making more revenue doing freelance writing for other sites, rather than writing on his own site.  In 2015 Eric realized that he made $40,000 working about 10-20 hours a week on his blog.  Eric thought to himself that if he put more work into this, he could make a good salary and so in 2016 with a 6-month-old baby and stay at home wife he decided to quit his job and move to the most expensive area in the country.  

Once Eric really started to focus, he found out that spending the time he was on his website and he wasn't getting as much of a return as he was in other places.  Once he refocused, Eric saw his income triple over the next few months.  Eric is now written on a full-time basis and producing his own podcast.  

 

I hope that you enjoy this interview and I look forward to sharing another story with you next week.

This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

My guest this week is Blake Cohen.  Blake is living in recovery and also working at a recovery facility called Recovery Unplugged.  Blake's story began when he was in high school with friends when he was first exposed to alcohol at a party.  After his first experience, he felt as though he "fit in" which was something that he was longing for.  Blake found that through all his experiences with substances and alcohol he was finding something that he was longing for, attention and being liked.  Blake just wanted to fit in and be liked and he felt like the substances were the only way to do that.

Later on down the road, Blake began to chase the "high".  He was still using marijuana but he wanted to find that feeling from when he first started smoking and he wasn't getting that from marijuana anymore.  Blake began to experiment with painkillers.  It just so happened that the person he was getting these painkillers from lived right next door to him.  This made it even easier for him to get his hands on the substances he was seeking.  This lead to the point where Blake was using every day and he began to feel sick when he stopped using.  He didn't realize that he could become addicted this quick, but he felt it.  Low and behold his drug dealer neighbor moved away and he actually stopped using at this point.  

Blake moved back home so that he could finish school and he woke up one morning really craving the pills and so he called around to find the pills where he was now.  This was the point where Blake's addiction really took off and he had all of the "typical" behaviors of an addict.  He learned how to crack safes, he was stealing, anything he could to keep the sickness away when he wasn't using.  Blake had it in his head that he couldn't be an addict because when his drug dealer moved away he stopped so he could stop whenever he wanted.  Blake was stealing from anyone and everyone he could just to get high.

Blake was arrested and in treatment once and while he was on drug court and being tested he was "clean" from the pills but he was still using alcohol.  He made it through drug court and went right back to the pills.  Blake knew at this point he could not stop unless someone stepped in to help him.  This happened when his dad, brother, and girlfriend had an intervention.  They came to his house with a drug test and he lit the test up with so many different drugs in his system.  

After this intervention, Blake's family sent him away to treatment.  He was in treatment for two weeks and that is when his family really figured out what he was doing and what was going on.  Blake thought that they were acting just for his good, but he received a phone call from his dad that was his real wake up call.  This was Blake's rock bottom and it devastated him but it was what he needed to hear to take this treatment seriously.  

Blake ended up staying in treatment for a total of 90 days in Minnesota.  He then returned home and stayed in some form of treatment for the rest of that year.  Blake's now working for a facility in the substance abuse field and he has been doing this for 5 years now.  Blake's degree in is mental health but he found his love through watching people go through their recovery process and watching the changes that people have made.  

Blake's goal now is to bring this disease to light.  He wants people to learn about this disease and help people understand that this is not their loved one who is doing these things.  Blake feels as though that sharing his story and bringing this to light will help normalize this disease.  He wants to show people that there can be change and this isn't a death sentence.  

 

I really enjoyed this conversation with Blake and I hope you do as well.  

 

Blake's Instagram

Recovery Unplugged

Do It For Yourself Instagram

 

Support the show here

This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

 

This week my guest is Kevin Caliber.  Kevin is an actor and a model living in Los Angeles and he has a lot of gigs where his shirt is off.  Just take a look at his Instagram and you will see how fit Kevin is.  Kevin was not always in this shape though, in fact, it was actually the exact opposite at one point.  Kevin was in an accident and it left him unable to workout or train for an extended period of time.  This pair with a poor diet and you can imagine what happened.  The weight began to pile on when he wasn't able to keep up with his training.  

 

This changed for the first time when Kevin decided he was going to join the military.  Kevin knew he needed to get in shape for this and so he began training again to get in shape.  During his time in the military though, the injury to his knee came back to haunt him and he was not able to serve anymore.  This sent him even further down a path of drinking with friends and poor eating habits.  It wasn't until his ex-fiance suggested they both get back on track together.  Kevin and his ex-fiance began to change their eating habits and hit the gym.  Kevin was great with designing the workouts and his partner was great in the kitchen.  Even though things didn't work out for the two, in the end, they both came away with a lot of life lessons and Kevin now maintains a healthy lifestyle and a healthy relationship with his food.  

 

I really enjoyed my conversation with Kevin and I hope you do too!

 

Kevin's Instagram

 

Do It For Yourself Instagram

This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

 

No fancy long notes for this episode, this is it, this is my story.  I sat down with one of my best friends Jimmy Dollinger and we went through my entire story.  I hope you enjoy this episode and I look forward to getting back to the normal show next week.

This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

 

No fancy long notes for this episode, this is it, this is my story.  I sat down with one of my best friends Jimmy Dollinger and we went through my entire story.  I hope you enjoy this episode and I look forward to getting back to the normal show next week.

This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

This week I have the opportunity to sit down with a VERY interesting guest that I never imagined would be on The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  I am joined by Jonathan Pritchard who is a mentalist helping companies relate to their customers and sell their products.  

Jonathan's journey actually started in magic and not as a mentalist.  He began doing magic as a kid and he absolutely loved it.  Jonathan was constantly practicing tricks on his family and then his friends as he got older.  As Jonathan got older, he was taught how to juggle.  He began juggling with tennis balls and then worked his way up to pins through a summer camp that his parents had placed him in.  Jonathan began to realize that the more he implemented from this mentor, the more success he began to have.  

Once in college, Jonathan wiggled his way into an amazing relationship with a local restaurant when he went to dinner one night.  He realized that this local restaurant had a very long wait on the weekends and so he went to the manager and offered to entertain the guests as they waited for their tables.  Jonathan worked out to trade off some of his work for dinner credits.  He began meeting very high-level executives while they were waiting for their tables.  Jonathan began booking gigs outside of the restaurant and it was a win-win situation for everyone involved.  The restaurant was keeping customers entertained while they waited for their tables so they didn't leave, he was earning money and he was booking new gigs.  

Jonathan was in a very serious relationship after college and he was traveling around a lot during this time working for all of these companies.  Even though on the outside it seemed like Jonathan had everything going on for him.  It was, however, the exact opposite.  He was in a relationship that was not good for him, but instead of confronting the issue, he took the easy way out and cheated on his wife thinking this would make it go away.  In a way it did, but Jonathan realized he needed to gain some discipline in his life.  He began doing kung-fu every day to gain this discipline.  

From building this structure, Jonathan began to get back on track and building his business back up.  It gave him the ability to put things together and realize that he had something to share with the world.  

Jonathan has since built up an amazing resume of companies that he has worked with and helped connect with their customers on a higher level.  

 

I really hope that you enjoy this interview with Jonathan as much as I did!

 

Jonathan's twitter

Jonathan's Website

Do It for Yourself Instagram

Support the show here!

This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

This week my guest is no different.  Robby started his business literally from the ground up and has now grown it to more than 40 locations.  Robby started as an overweight guy, working a job that he didn't love.  He found fitness because he did not want to be put on blood pressure medications and everything else his doctor was proposing to him.  Robby began his fitness journey and through this journey, he found his love for health and fitness.  What he found was that he loved the endorphin rush and the benefits so much, he wanted to share that with anyone he possibly could.  

Robby began coaching boot camp style classes in a park near his office before and after work.  Similar to our early guest Devin, he bribed his family to come to the first park class so that it didn't look like he had no one there.  Robby was surprised when a few people showed up and he continued to bootstrap this business. Robby would post flyers and talk about his business anywhere he could to grow it.  

Eventually, Robby knew he couldn't do this on his own so he brought on a partner and also a mentor to help him from this business.  Through his mentor and some motivational fitness entrepreneurs, Robby realized he needed to get very specific about who he was trying to serve.  He narrowed it down to women, who are busy, and often have families they need to take care of.  He knew that their time was limited and they would have about 30-45 minutes for a fitness class.  Robby took this and ran with it.  

Robby took everything that his mentor taught him to grow this business from just a small boot camp style class in the park to 40 locations of Delta Life Fitness as of this writing.  I am really excited to share this journey of both health and entrepreneurship with you on the podcast!

 

Robby's Instagram

Delta Life Fitness

Do It For Yourself Instagram

 

Support the show here!

This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

My guest this week is Bobby Maximus.  Bobby is the owner of the Maximus Family of companies, he competes in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, and he loves his In and Out burgers. 

I was introduced to Bobby through the Order of Man Podcast and I loved his episode so much on there I thought "man, would it be awesome to have him on my podcast to learn a little bit more about his story and how he got to where he is today.  I sent Bobby an email but wasn't sure if I would hear back as I am sure he is a very busy guy.  It turns out Bobby emailed me back quickly and after a few exchanges, he agreed to come on the show and I couldn't be more thankful.   

We get a chance to jump into Bobby's story with both feet and we weave our way through his wrestling days and how he decided his major in university to fit with what he wanted to do.  Oddly enough Bobby did not major in anything to do with fitness or training.  Bobby knew that he would have a demanding work schedule for wrestling so he chose his major accordingly.  Bobby at one point believe it or now, was a guy who always wanted to have a "plan B".  So he always had a plan B.  Even when he was a fighter, a police officer, and working in a gym.  He always wanted to have a safety net so to speak.  

That was until he decided one day to go for it.  Take everything he learned, everything he knew and built and go out on his own to start his own family of companies.  Bobby now has a beautiful family and thriving companies, but it did not come overnight and it took him a long time to build up the courage to go for it.  

 

I hope you enjoy this deep and wide-ranging conversation with Bobby!

 

Bobby's Instagram

Maximus Method

Bobby's Website

 

Do It For Yourself Instagram

This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

This month I am launching a new segment as part of The Do It For Yourself Podcast called Coach's Corner.  Each month I will sit down with a coach from either, triathlon, weight loss or the likes and pick their brain about a specific topic that you the listener will be able to able to your day to day.  

For the first edition here I am sitting down with Galen Lundin who is a very knowledgeable coach in the weight loss space.  Galen has a ton of follower on Facebook and his primary focus is on helping people get started on their weight loss transformation in such a way that it becomes a lifestyle for them and less of a diet with a means to an end.  

On this episode, we focus primarily on the first steps you should take when beginning your weight loss journey.  What should you be doing in the first days, weeks and even months when beginning your weight loss journey to make this a lifestyle change.  This interview is packed with tons of information to get you started off on the right foot so be sure to grab your notebook because we are going to get you going in the right direction.  

 

I hope you enjoy this conversation with Galen!

 

Galen's Facebook

Do It For Yourself Instagram

Support the show here!

This is The Do It For Yourself Podcast.  Each week I sit down with someone who is doing it for themselves and chasing a dream they just couldn’t suppress.  This is often speakers, entrepreneurs, or athletes.  They all share one thing in common, they are overcoming challenges and never giving up.  Someone who is Doing It For Themselves is not selfish in their pursuit, they are simply chasing a dream or working towards a goal because it is something THEY want to do.  They are not forging down a path because society or someone is telling them it’s what they should be doing.

This week and I had the pleasure to sit down with Justin Mendoza for an update on his quest to become a professional triathlete.  Just had his sights set on 3 races this year that he thought would give him the best chances of qualifying for his elite license and he put his head down and began training.  

In the midst of his training, Justin got the opportunity to take a promotion at a new job.  Unfortunately, this did not cut down on his commute though and he was still commuting about 90 mins each way to get to work.  Along with his long commute, Justin and his wife took guardianship of his wife's 13-year-old niece.  Justin knew this would bring its own set of challenges but he also knew it was something that would be very beneficial for everything.  

Just before one of his "A" races, Ironman 70.3 Boulder, Justin and his wife decided that they were going to take guardianship of his wife's niece and nephew.  This took them from no children to 3 children in just a few months.  At Boulder 70.3 Justin felt like he put out one of his worst performances, going 20 minutes slower than the previous year.  This was on the heels of some major life changes and Justin knew that he needed to be better about managing his time and his stress.  

Leading up to Ironman Waco 70.3 Justin was waking up very early to get a workout in before work and then would come home and have a second training session on most if not all evenings.  With this plan though, Justin was leaving no stone unturned and he knew that if he did this he would have the race he was looking for.  

On race day Justin learned that the swim was canceled because of the amount of rain they received in Waco leading up to the race.  Although this wasn't ideal, Justin got to start close to the front due to his low bib number.  He posted one of the best results he has had yet but unfortunately, it turned in to a waiting game.  Because of the time trial start, Justin wasn't racing the other males in his age group on the course, some of them had started behind him because they had higher bib numbers.

When it was all said an done, Justin did not finish where he wanted to for this race and did not qualify for his elite license but, he had many takeaways from this race.  He posted one of the best run splits he has ever had and his bike power was significantly lower than many others in this race but he still kept a great average speed.  Justin knows that his bike fit is dialed and he is on the right path.  

One of the things that I respect so much about Justin and his journey is that it is just that, it's a journey and he knows that this isn't going to happen overnight.  He is putting in the work and knows that if he continues to do that, he will, in fact, qualify for that elite card and I know he will to.

 

I hope you enjoy this interview with Justin.

 

Justin's First Episode

Justin's Instagram

Do It For Yourself Instagram

 

Other mentions from this episode:

Brandon Krout Episode.