Goodlad Unscripted

Ana Tigre and I get into it in this episode of the Unscripted Podcast. She says I'm not perfect, and this coming from someone that...

We all can do better, so why focus on the things that annoy you about your wife or husband? Or your kids, or friends, or anyone else for that matter. The problem may be that we tend to focus on the negative in others rather than the positive, so we only see the negative and miss all the things we could appreciate.

Focussing on the negative and placing blame may be nothing more than a habit. We discuss our realizations and how changing our habits has paid off in a more happy and peaceful home. We also talk about habits and how they can be easily changed so that we don't fall into the negative rut we have learned from others along the way.

As always, we hope this podcast helps someone.

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After a five-year break to raise kids, Ana is getting the urge to model for me again, and I couldn't be more excited. It will be different now because she has evolved, and there are stories to tell with pictures that weren't there five years ago. In this episode of the podcast, we talk about her modeling career, what I disliked about photography, how life has changed for us and how she has evolved. We enjoyed making this podcast and are excited to start shooting again.

I've included a small sampling of images we have shot together over the years. Ana is my wife so of course I love her and am proud of her accomplishments, but she is my favorite to work with because she is the most versatile and skilled model I have had the honor of photographing.

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Early in 2020, the USA was locked down and quarantined. Two weeks to flatten the curve, they said, and I really wanted to believe that. Had I not been so naive, I could have made a fortune investing in services like zoom and other video conferencing software.

The business world pivoted, everything went online, and the term "working remotely" defined how things would get done in America and beyond for years to come. At first, it was a dream come true for many. But it didn't take long for people to realize what Ana and I have known for years; working from home and being productive is almost impossible.

There are too many distractions, too little motivation, and accountability, and it's too easy to develop unproductive habits unwittingly. We have learned the hard way to solve many of our problems related to working from home, so we share what we have learned in this episode.

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In the last episode of the podcast, we talked about how I recovered from what was supposed to be a medical death sentence due to heart issues. Part of that recovery story was about how I learned to manage stress, and since it was significant enough to warrant its own show, Ana and I talk about it in this episode. As always, I hope what we say here is helpful to someone else. 

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In 2001 I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and had an ejection fraction of 35. That means each time my heart pumped a beat, 35% of the blood in my heart would be squeezed into my circulatory system. Normal is between 55% and 70%. My heart was also severely enlarged. During hospitalization and extensive testing, I was told by the doctor that I would not survive beyond fifteen years, provided I stopped lifting weights. In his estimation, that was the source of my issues. He said if I did not stop, I would be dead within ten years. He said I would not be placed on a transplant list because, in his words, "you have done this to yourself."

In 2015 I walked out of the cardiologist's office on June 26. it was my birthday. He had just presented me with the results of a very in-depth two weeks of testing. He told me my ejection fraction was now 65. He said I had no detectible plaque in my circulatory system. He said my heart was a normal size and was functioning well with no abnormalities or concerns. He told me he didn't need to see me again unless any problems arose.

God gets all the credit for this one, but like all things God does in our lives, he requires faith and action on that faith from us first. He led Ana to take an approach that saved my life.

I am just telling my own story here. If you have health issues you should always consult a medical professional, and educate yourself so you understand the issues as best you can so you can make an informed decision.  I am not recommending anyone else do what I did or didn't do. 

This is a story about faith in God and proof that he still performs miracles today.

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Greg Hasberry's kidneys failed when he was in his forties. At the time, he was a healthy athlete, had no vices, and lived a responsible and productive life. He became dependent on dialysis to stay alive, but dialysis is not something a body is meant to do for the long term. After four and a half years of three to four treatments per week, it was wearing him down physically and mentally. His body was failing, he was on a list for a kidney transplant, but there had not been any suitable matches. He knew his life on earth was coming to an end, so he got his affairs in order, made provisions for his daughter to be cared for, and resigned himself to what he thought would be his fate.

During his entire illness, Greg never stopped caring for his daughter, his parents, or his family, and he ran his personal training business as usual. The extra-special service and care he is known for never wavered. His friends always saw his smile, heard his cheery, upbeat voice on the phone, and his kindness, patience, and genuine concern for the needs of others never waned.

One day Greg got a call from a guy he knew wanting to meet for coffee. Of course, Greg agreed despite his extreme fatigue and everything else that comes with the reality of his body shutting down and his life coming to an end. This guy needed him so he would be there.

The two men sat down, and the man offered to donate his kidney to save Greg's life.

In 2015 he had his transplant surgery and since then has taken on a life and a relationship with God that is inspiring. 

His father, now 83 years old, is about to start dialysis this week. Greg will continue to be at his side while Mr. Hasberry fights his battle. I can only imagine how this must feel for both men. 

In this episode of the podcast, Greg and I talk about his experience, his life post-transplant, and what his father being sick brings back for Greg. I am honored to present my friend Greg Hasberry, and I trust you will find him every bit as inspirational as I do.

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Her unlikely journey to stardom on stage and notoriety as a globally recognized fitness model began after a discussion in the gym between us about her following in the footsteps of then Ms. Olympia Cory Everson. I assured her we could get her there, and she, equally as naive and gullible, believed me. 

Over thirty years and an incredible career as a top IFBB Figure Pro and world-renowned fitness model later, we sit down to reminisce about that crazy dream and how we made it come true.

Follow Elaine on Instagram @elainegoodlad

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The seasoned warrior never hopes for someone untested at his side as he rides into battle. The new guy may look like a physical specimen, his freshly painted walls littered with certificates and diplomas, and his latest-greatest gear shiny and new. Yet, despite the promise of greatness, the full depth of a man's character is never known until tested by the prospect of losing it all.

Brian Tangi is one of those men that shares his thoughts with kind and well-measured words, but his eyes and presence hint of a thing far less gentle. He has faced the prospect of losing it all, more than once. Rather than shrink into darkness and let evil determine his path, Brian found the courage to stand up to his demons, forgive others for theirs, and do what it took to overcome. 

He is my friend, the guy I want at my side when crap hits the fan because I know he will be there no matter what. He has taught me a great deal about being a Christian, a father, a husband, and a man, and he has done it in the most impactful way; by his example.

Brian Tangi and I kick off the 2022 Podcast season with a very real conversation about being a man, flawed just like everyone else, but courageously taking responsibility for change.

You can contact Brian by email at [email protected] 

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Six months ago, we took foster placement of a little boy named Cole.  Yesterday we adopted him.  

We adopted Cady and Emma earlier this year. 

For the past four years, Ana and I have been foster parents.  It's been life-changing.  We have aged tremendously, and we have lived exceptionally.  We have hurt like never before.  And we have discovered a capability in ourselves and others of loving and being loved so completely and unconditionally that we never imagined possible.

Most of all, we have served God faithfully, made countless mistakes, but each day we evaluated, forgave, and asked forgiveness, then got up the next day determined to do better.

And today, we woke up, no longer raising someone else's children for them, but raising our own.  It's a lot to take in.  It's what we prayed for, and God answered those prayers.

Ana and I sit down to talk about the experience, some of the highs and lows, and moving forward.

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I met Tanji Johnson in 2001 when she had just graduated from being an amateur athlete to the Professional Division of competitive fitness in the IFBB.  She became an icon in the fitness industry, competing for 15 years as one of the very best, and at times, the very best in the world.  As a photographer and journalist, I had the privilege of covering her career for fitness industry magazines and websites and witnessing some of the incredible highs and devastating lows she experienced along the way.  Despite two typically career-ending injuries, she recovered and came back stronger and better than ever.  

The approach she takes with life is the same she took with her athletic career, and because of that, she is immensely successful at everything she chooses to do.  

I hope you find Tanji and her approach to facing difficulty inspiring.  We all can most certainly use some inspiration right now.

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