If you’ve listened to music, let’s say in the last 30 years, then you’re likely familiar with my guest today, but not in the way you may think. Gary Burr is a legendary songwriter and vocalist who is behind hit songs for artists like Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, Lady A, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Juice Newton, Christine Aguilera, Garth Brooks, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Carole King, and Ringo Starr…and seriously…that’s the tip of the iceberg here.

He's had 14 #1 hits in total (so far), 24 top 10s, and 32 top 40 hits to his name - a master of the 4-minute story arc known as a song. 

But, while I could talk to him for years about his songwriting career, I reached out to him about something else — his foray into fiction. On July 5th, 2024, Gary is releasing his first novel called, Reunion - A Rock-n-Roll Fairy Tale and it is his take on the question…"What if?" What if John Lennon wasn’t assassinated? Could they ever come together again and play as a band? And, as a reader, can you let your imagination even go there? 

I talk to Gary about the process of writing a fairy tale novel. How is it different (or similar) to writing songs? How did he take four of the most famous people in history and script an alternative story? Why tackle someone like the Beatles? Did he know from the outset how it would end? And, most importantly — what does Ringo (who Gary has worked with for the past 20 years) think of this fairy tale?

We often think about “what ifs” in our own lives and it is a fascinating idea to explore.

Order Reunion - A Rock-n-Roll Fairy Tale

GaryBurr.com

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Women’s sports are certainly having a moment and with more eyes on women’s sports, comes more scrutiny and pressure. The new book, "The Price She Pays: Confronting the Hidden Mental Health Crisis in Women's Sports—from the Schoolyard to the Stadium" explores this crisis in women’s athletics from early childhood exploration to elite-level competition, up to retirement. Authors Katie Steele and Dr. Tiffany Brown of @Athletesmentalhealthfoundation are both Licensed Family and Marriage Therapists who work with athletes in their practice and have noticed the unique pressures that female athletes have faced to be thin, but not too thin, to be aggressive, but not too aggressive, to be strong and muscular, but heaven forbid you’re too muscular. It’s not surprising that female athletes are apt to suffer greatly from disordered eating and substance abuse, sexual abuse, racism, depression and anxiety, self -harm and suicidal ideation. This new book seeks to answer the question of WHY? Why has this been woven into women’s sports and is the system too broken to fix? Katie and Tiffany don’t think so and this book serves as a wonderful resource for athletes, coaches, parents, and other therapists to provide answers and help before it’s too late. The profiles of athletes they share are powerful and that’s where the “I could never do that” theme resonates. Despite their fears of retribution, punishment, or damage to their reputation, these women featured in the book all chose to share their experiences for future generations of female athletes who we all want to see thrive. Listen at the link in the bio or wherever you follow your podcasts. The book comes out June 18th!

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Robert Cheeke has been a pillar in the plant-based community for over 30 years as an award-winning bodybuilder, outspoken vegan advocate, and New York Times Best-Selling author of The Plant-Based Athlete. 

It’s his new book, however, that inspired me to reach out and have him on the “I Could Never Do That” podcast. So many want to become more impactful in everything we do (especially for causes that are important to us), but often don’t know where to begin. We get stuck in the, “I could nevers” because we see the big donors, the celebrity endorsements, or the big social media campaigns and think, "That's just not me."

Well, The Impactful Vegan: How You Can Save More Lives and Make the Biggest Difference for Animals and the Planet is a blueprint for how you (and me and all of us) can use your time, energy, skills, talents, and resources to make the greatest impact on the lives of animals and the planet.

Yes, this book is about becoming a more impactful vegan, but the pages and the examples translate into ANYTHING that holds our hearts. 

Reading this book made me think differently about how I can contribute to the world and I hope this conversation does the same for you.

Pre-order The Impactful Vegan

Follow Robert on Instagram

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TV journalist, Emmy Award Winner, and multiple @ironmantri triathlete, Michelle Bandur (@michellebandurtv), shares her story of how she took an anonymous bully’s mean-spirited letter and turned it into a positive movement that has inspired and empowered thousands of young girls to achieve more than they ever imagined. Her mission? Inspire you to stand up for yourself, love yourself, and turn around a negative experience.

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TV journalist and multiple IRONMAN triathlete, Michelle Bandur, shares her story of how she took an anonymous bully's mean-spirited letter and turned it into a positive movement that has inspired and empowered thousands of young girls to achieve more than they ever imagined. 

Her mission? Inspire you to stand up for yourself, love yourself, and turn around a negative experience.

My Big Fat Nose Website - https://www.mybigfatnose.com/ 

IronHawk Juniors Website - https://ironhawkjuniors.org/ 

Michelle's Ted Talk 

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Let me give a couple of headlines from the past two years of today's I Could Never Do That guest, Emily Ballenger. @emilybatx Shock pains in her face, the Berlin Marathon, pregnancy, miscarriage, another pregnancy, the selling of a business, a brain tumor, a birth, massive brain surgery, the London marathon, and the completion of the Six World Marathon Majors. These events would throw anyone off balance (literally and figuratively), but Emily has used them to create a foundation of stability of what’s important in her life. Marathon training truly is a metaphor for her last two years. Sometimes you don’t get the run or the race you want, but you always walk away stronger and more accomplished. The growth comes from the lessons learned and not the time on a clock. Emily has no idea what the future holds for her health, but she lives boldly for her baby Beau and her family, proving that in those "I could never do that" moments of despair, a little forward motion is sometimes all you need.

Episode Webpage

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It’s no secret that girls – and women – haven’t traditionally had role models for adventure- seeking and exploration as we age. Even as young girls, we’re taught to "be careful" while boys are taught to "be strong and brave." It's maddening. 

Author Caroline Paul, a longtime adventurer, started to notice the massive decline in the number of women she would see when she would go out paddle boarding, skateboarding, or surfing. In her late 50’s she was asking the questions like,  “Why is this happening?” and, "Shouldn’t we be experiencing adventure at ANY age?”

That’s what her new book, Tough Broad seeks to answer with the women Caroline interviews in her book. I’m talking hikers, wing walkers, birdwatchers, BMX racers, boogie boarders, swimmers, and more. These women aren't experts. But their experiences and the scientific studies that back them up offer important insight into our own physical and emotional health as we age, showing that growing older is no reason for women to sell themselves short.

One thing that is clear: Adventure doesn’t have to be some adrenaline filled, death-defying act, although there is some of that in this book. No, true adventure and self fulfillment can start with a walk outside. The more time you spend outdoors and the more positive your view on aging, the happier you will be. 

That can indeed make you a tough broad.

Buy Tough Broad - From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking - How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age

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My guest today encountered a personal (and all-too-common) dilemma after she had her son eight years ago. As someone who worked full-time in corporate or tech jobs for most of her career, Jill Jacobs was anxious to get back to work after giving birth.

Not only did she love working, but as she says today, she needed to get back to work to support her home, lifestyle, and new baby’s needs.

Quickly, she realized how daunting and unsustainable this was. Here she was working full time, paying somebody else to be home with her child and, when she did get home from work, she was clearly not bringing her best self. 

Ahhh…the American dream, right?

Here’s the deal, though. 

Educated women with children are leaving the work forces in droves. What Jill wanted was to work smarter, spend smarter, and love what she was doing. So, since she wasn’t finding it in the workforce, she started it herself. Enter the Better Balance vision.

At Better Balance, Jill and her team connect professionals who want to work less than 40 hours a week with the Employers looking to hire them. They help people find fulfilling part-time professional work, leveraging their education, experience, talents and skills while maintaining a balance that fits their priorities in life. 

Jill offers valuable and real insights about starting a business from the ground up, taking risks, and the value of finding mentors and supporters in your endeavor. And, as difficult it is, she also stresses the importance of taking small steps and imperfect action.

I love this “I Could Never Do That” theme of taking a problem and creating a solution. Not just so you can flourish, but to help others do the same.

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 Better Balance Website

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Kim Murphy was born and raised on a farm in Texarkana, Texas- about as ordinary an upbringing as you can have.

After losing her father to Alzheimer's in 2018, she underwent a massive health and lifestyle change, which led to a complete career change, a booming online coaching business, and a brand new book called, Plant Powered: How to Prevent or Reverse Chronic Diseases, Lose Weight, and Feel Great with the Power of Whole Plants.

Kim shares her family's journey to a whole food plant-based diet, highlighting its benefits on weight management, brain function, and energy levels. She offers practical tips for those considering a plant-based lifestyle and emphasizes the importance of community support.

Kim provides coaching programs through her website, simplyplantbasedkitchen.com.

This is a shared journey of someone who has conquered so many roadblocks that would otherwise stop most of us from achieving WHATEVER we want to do in life. 

Support the Podcast through Venmo https://www.venmo.com/u/CarrieSappBarrett or  BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett 

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"I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat

Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Kim Murphy was born and raised on a farm in Texarkana, Texas- about as ordinary an upbringing as you can have.

After losing her father to Alzheimer's in 2018, she underwent a massive health and lifestyle change, which led to a complete career change, a booming online coaching business, and a brand new book called, Plant Powered: How to Prevent or Reverse Chronic Diseases, Lose Weight, and Feel Great with the Power of Whole Plants.

Kim shares her family's journey to a whole food plant-based diet, highlighting its benefits on weight management, brain function, and energy levels. She offers practical tips for those considering a plant-based lifestyle and emphasizes the importance of community support.

Kim provides coaching programs through her website, simplyplantbasedkitchen.com.

This is a shared journey of someone who has conquered so many roadblocks that would otherwise stop most of us from achieving WHATEVER we want to do in life. 

"I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/ 

"I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat

Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett