Do It For Yourself Podcast

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.

 

I have been very excited for this interview and to share it with all of you.  My guest this week, Susanne, is the Autism Ninja, the amazing mom, and the twice qualifying for Kona mom of two amazing boys.  She has completed some amazing accomplishments throughout her career in this sport and it has all been done while training inside and raising her boys.  Susanne has a son who was diagnosed with Autism.  This has been a challenge for her because she has been doing most of her training at home.  

 

Before becoming the amazing triathlete and runner that she is, Susanne was an art student who was smoking and decided to take a friend up on a dare to go run.  She immediately fell in love with this sport and never looked back.  Susanne weaved her way through the various distances of triathlon and began to have some success.  It was when, as most athletes, she saw the NBC coverage of Kona, she knew she wanted to race there.  Susanne found a course that would play to her strengths and she went to Texas to compete in the Ironman distance.  Although she did not go into this race expecting to qualify for Kona, it was certainly in the back of her mind.  In Suzanne's words, she had the race of a lifetime and ended up qualifying to the big island.  

 

When Suzanne went to race for the first time, it did not go according to plan.  She fell apart on the run and the runner in her could not come to terms with walking the remaining 16 miles in the marathon and so she dropped out.  After her experience in Kona, she knew she wanted another shot at that race.  Around this time a friend had suggested she apply for the new program through Ironman called Quest for Kona, where athletes would be selected and followed through their entire journey from their Ironman race where they would attempt to qualify, training and then hopefully their day in Kona.  

 

During all of this, Suzanne's son was asked to leave the school he was in.  He was now home and Suzanne how to balance training along with taking care of him.  At one point she was actually running loops around her .25 mile block so that she could keep an eye on her son.  Suzanne raced in Santa Rosa and qualified AGAIN for the Ironman World Championships.  This time Suzanne knew she was not going to take this opportunity for granted and she completely changed not only her training but her mindset.  In 2017 Suzanne accomplished one of her biggest goals by crossing the finish line in Kona for the first time.  

 

I really enjoyed this conversation with Suzanne and I am thrilled to share it with you.

 

Suzanne's Instagram

 

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Support the show on Patreon 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 I had a chance to catch up with Dan Mckelvey of Raw Essential who is using a super fruit to create what can only be described as liquid gold.  Dan is the owner over at Raw Essential where they focus on creating wellness to assist individuals who are on a journey to taste wellness.  

 

Dan started his early life on a small farm with his family in upstate New York.  Oddly enough Dan left NY when he discovered how much money he could be making in the casino industry as a dealer.  This journey eventually took him out to Las Vegas where he was making some great money dealing blackjack to some pretty high rollers.  While out in Vegas Dan realized that the late nights partying and bad eating habits that come along with this lifestyle started to take a toll on his health.  Around this time, Dan found himself stumbling into a local juice bar and falling in love with the idea of juicing.  He quickly realized this new love came with a cost though.  Dan being the guy he is, he figured, why not just start making these juices instead of buying them every day and so he did.  

 

Dan's coworkers started to notice he was bringing these juices to work and they wanted to try them as well.  Before he knew it, Dan wasn't only bringing juice to work for himself but for his coworkers as well!  This is where it all began.  Dan took a leap of faith and bought a juice machine and before he knew it, he was renovating a property in Baltimore to open his first juice bar.  Dan ended up building this business to two locations in Baltimore before he was bought out by his partners.  

 

Dan then found himself back in Delaware and wondering what he was going to do next.  He knew he loved the juice bar and helping people get and stay healthy so he decided to launch his second business here, called Raw Essential.  

 

Dan is a big advocate for wellness being a journey, not a destination and he reiterates that in our interview here.  I really enjoyed sitting down with Dan to open up this book of his journey and I hope you enjoy the story as well.  

 

Raw Essential Instagram

 

Do It For Yourself Instagram

 

Support the Do It For Yourself Podcast 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 on the Do It For Yourself Podcast I have someone who is truly living out that motto but in an entirely different way than anyone I have ever had on the show before.  Ryan decided after losing his job that he did not want to be in a position of worry about his expenses ever again.  It was around this time that Ryan took a look at his finances and he figured that if he could cut down on his living expenses he could save a boatload of money.  

 

Ryan discovered that there were people living in something called tiny houses.  He was intrigued by this idea and he knew this was the path that he wanted to go down as well.  After some research though, he found there wasn't much on the internet about building your own tiny house.  Ryan began to utilize YouTube and some other platforms to gain knowledge of building out his own tiny house and all along the way he began to document his journey.  

 

This has lead Ryan to building a business and stop working in a 9-5 setting each day.  He can live off the grid, in his tiny house and chase the dreams that come his way.  

 

I hope that you enjoy this interview with Ryan Mitchell.

 

 

Ryan's Blog

 

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.

 

I am so pumped to bring you this week's podcast with Ryan Dotson.  Ryan is an amazing individual with such an inspiring story of dedication and triumph to his new life.  Ryan started his journey at 540lbs.  He had tried just about every diet in the book and thought that he could never lose the weight.  He even went as far as going to pick out his plot where he would be buried because he didn't think he was going to make it much longer.  In 2016 that all changed though.  Ryan had a visit with a cardiologist that gave him some encouragement that he could make the change. 

 

Ryan decided that gastric bypass was the route that he was going to go and so he had the surgery.  Since having the surgery he has lost 300lbs and has now found his love for running.  Ryan runs every single weekend and he wouldn't have it any other way.  He is so thankful for his support system and the people he has met along this journey and I am so glad that I am one of those people.  If you see Ryan out at a race, there is a good chance he will be pushing you and cheering you on all the way through the finish.  Ryan is a great guy with an amazing spirit and energy and I am honored to have him as this week's podcast guest.    

 

 

Ryan'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.

 

My interview this week is with Dan Kennison who is the founder of Premier Tactical Bikes.  Dan started his entrepreneurial career first in the medical industry when he took a bonus check from his job and he launched his own company.  Dan spent the next 10 or so years building this company and putting everything into it.  When it was time to step away Dan knew that the years spent on little sleep and lots of travel had taken a toll on his body so he began to focus on his health.  

 

Dan discovered triathlon during this point in his life and he fell in love with the sport and more importantly the bikes.  After some life circumstance kept Dan from ultimately moving to Texas, he came up with the idea to make his own triathlon bike.  Dan's goal was to make a top of the line bike and deliver it to customers at a fraction of the cost of what the larger bike brands are selling.  Dan has done just that with the Premier Tactical.  His bike has been tested with some of the biggest names in the industry and it has beaten some of the "super" bikes that are out there.  

 

Dan's biggest focus is on the customer service.  He does not want to just make a sale and move on.  He wants the customer to be a customer for life and this is evident based on the fact that his customers have his personal phone number and can call him at any time if they have an issue.  

 

I really enjoyed this interview with Dan and I hope you do as well.

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 an amazing man who goes by the name Tuong.  Tuong was sent to the United States at a very young age to escape Communist Vietnam.  His journey lasted almost a year and he endured some of the craziest stories to get here.  But his journey was just beginning.  Tuong has gone on to build a successful career here in the US thanks to his amazing brother and his incredible work ethic to pursue his dream and the opportunity his parents gave him.

 

His story is nothing short of amazing and I think you are going to really enjoy this interview.

 

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.

 

Amy Farrell is doing just that,  a woman who is chasing a passion for triathlon one day at a time.  Amy started her journey in the sport of triathlon you.  She raced professionally while she was (in her words) still young and before kids!  After having Ruby though her training was put on hold for awhile.  Imagine walking away from something that took up such a huge portion of your life, Amy did just that.  She knew that Ruby was her new priority thought and training needed to take a back seat.  

 

Once Ruby became a bit older, Amy found her passion in running, she began to run marathons and she was doing well.  It was at this point Amy had a new goal, to hit the qualifying time for the US Olympic team in the marathon and she came SO close to it.  Unfortunately, she did not make the qualifying time and her personal life was taking a hit as well.  Amy and her husband had purchased what they thought would be a perfect business opportunity together, but it ended up not being quite as picture perfect and it was around this time they separated.  

 

After an injury had sidelined her, Amy began to rediscover her love for triathlon due to an injury.  Amy came back to the sport with a vengeance and has since been to Kona 6 times, won her Age Group once and was within 14 seconds of winning it again.  

 

Amy has an amazing story of perseverance and dedication to not only this sport but to her relationship with her husband as they are now back together.  I hope that we can all take away something from Amy's story.

 

Enjoy!

 

Amy'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.

 

My guest this week is Andy Ayers and he is one of the owners of Restore Cryotherapy in Lancaster PA.  Andy has gone all in on everything recovery and wellness but his journey did not start that way.  He suffered from pulmonary embolisms in both of his lungs and his doctors told him that he was lucky to be alive.  From then on Andy knew he needed to make his health a priority and he did just that.  On his health journey, he learned of cryotherapy and the owners of Restore.  

 

Andy always knew he wanted to branch out and do something on his own but he could never find something that made him tick.  He had formerly started a business in college with his buddy but couldn't seem to stick with anything since then.  That was until the owners of Restore had mentioned to him that they were considering franchising their business.  Andy talked with some friends and one by one they agreed that this was a smart move.  Although he was a little hesitant at first, Andy knew that this was his opportunity and he needed to take it.  They launched their first location in Virginia and it became very successful and it was then they began to look for a spot for their second location.  They landed on Lancaster PA and this is now where Andy hustles on the side, while still holding a full time job.

 

I really enjoyed listening to Andy tell his story and I hope you enjoy it as well.

 

Restore Cryotherapy

Restore Cryo Lancaster Facebook

Restore Cryo Lancaster 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.

 

This week my guest is Ethan Still.  Ethan has had an incredible journey over the past few years with weight loss.  He had begun a few times before but unfortunately was unsuccessful.  That is until he stepped on a scale and saw 476 pounds.  It was at this moment that he knew he needed to make a change and make it fast.  Ethan completely threw himself into this with both feet and he never looked back.  

 

He could have and still could have every excuse as to why he couldn't do this.  He was weighing 476 pounds, he is now in a pre-med program, he was struggling with motivation and the dedication.  Instead of giving in to these excuses, he found a way.  I am confident that Ethan has made a massive change and is never going to go back again.  

 

I really look forward to sharing this interview with you and I hope you enjoy it.

 

Ethan'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.

 

This week my guest on the show is Tim Ford.  Time is an elite level half Ironman triathlete as well as a coach and CEO of Team Macca X, a podcaster and still finds time to work a full-time job.  Tim is chasing a goal of a 4:05 70.3 time, which is blazing fast.  When Tim first entered this sport though, he completed his first olympic distance race in 4:05.  From that experience, Tim discusses how he fell in love with both the cycling and the feeling of coming across that finish line.  

 

Tim continued to train and began monitoring the food he was consuming.  After coming up with some creative ways to adapt his favorite dishes to be on the healthier side, Tim realized he could still enjoy food and lose weight at the same time!  He has gone on to complete over 100 races and is still on his quest to do a 70.3 in the same amount of time it took him to do his first race.  

 

I really enjoyed this chance to sit down and hear this story from Tim and I hope you enjoy it as well!

 

Tim Instagram

 

Do It For Yourself Instagram