We had a great chat with Davy Crockett from the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. Hear about his amazing journey from being a 44-year old 230 pound couch potato to being the 15th person in the world to complete 100-mile races. He is also a historian, documenting the fascinating history of ultra running.

Episode Highlights

• Davy Crockett talks about when and why he moved to Saratoga Springs
• His experience summiting the eight highest peaks in Utah County in one push
• The use of electrolyte supplements and maintaining balance during runs to enhance performance
• Self-support during races and the use of drop bags to carry essentials
• Different elements beneficial for runners, including beet juice and pickled juice
• Starting the Ultrarunning History Podcast and how he started writing books based on the articles he wrote for his podcast
• Encouragement for everyone to exercise and find what works for them
• Davy's blog for his running exploits and the history of ultrarunning

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• https://www.saratogasprings-ut.gov/284/Recreation
• Connect with Davy Crockett
• http://www.crockettclan.org/blog/
• https://ultrarunninghistory.com/

We talked with Rob Young, a resident of Saratoga Springs. During a wildfire a few years ago, Rob stepped up and helped save his neighborhood and several houses from being burned down.

Episode Highlights

• Robert's love for hunting and fishing and his growing up in Michigan
• How Rob ended up living in Saratoga Springs, Utah
• How he decided to save a bunch of heavy equipment that was in the path of the fire
• His experience learning to drive a bulldozer on the fly and how he used it to make fire lines
• Why he avoided the spotlight, preferring to stay anonymous despite his acts of bravery
• How being prepared and organized can make a big difference in emergency situations
• Robert's love for Saratoga Springs and how the sight of the lake enticed him to move there

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• https://www.saratogasprings-ut.gov/284/Recreation

We had a great talk with Marci Herrell, owner of Nautical Bowls in Saratoga Springs. Their bowls are plant-based, gluten, soy and dairy free. Made with organic or all natural ingredients! Packed with essential vitamins and nutrients to fuel your life!

Episode Highlights

• What the Nautical Bowls in Saratoga Springs is
• Collaborations with various fitness centers
• The diversity and flexibility of Nautical Bowl's menu
• The unique marketing approaches of Nautical Bowls
• Different health benefits of getting an acai bowl
• How businesses and corporate events have adopted
• Nautical Bowls' catering services

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• https://www.saratogasprings-ut.gov/284/Recreation
• Connect with the Guest
• https://nauticalbowls.com/store/saratoga-springs-ut-2/

We chatted with Hannah Robbins, the Director of Business Development at the Point of Mountain Chamber of Commerce. We talked about what Point of the Mountain Chamber is and what they do for our community.

Episode Highlights

• Hannah's entry into the Point Chamber
• The benefits of networking and education for businesses Advantages of joining the Point of the Mountain Chamber of Commerce
• Businesses getting involved with Point of the Mountain and how to reach out
• Importance of supporting local businesses through Chamber events
• Different concerns of businesses regarding the economy and inflation

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• https://www.saratogasprings-ut.gov/284/Recreation
• Connect with the Guest
• https://www.thepointchamber.com/

We interviewed Shon Reed, with the Eagle Mountain Kestrel Project and heard about efforts to help and preserve these beautiful birds.

Episode Highlights

• How the hosts met Sean
• The inception of the Eagle Mountain Kestrel Project and their initiatives
• The migration behavior of kestrels
• The owl species in Eagle Mountain
• Project's funding and contributors, including the significant contribution of Eagle Scouts
• Why bird boxes should be placed in areas with minimal threats

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• https://www.saratogasprings-ut.gov/284/Recreation
• Connect with the Guest
• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071065964782

We talked with Heston Williams, the Recreation Director for the City of Saratoga Springs. He shared some great information about what the city has to offer for recreation and the issues we are facing.

Episode Highlights

• Heston's background and his tenure as the director of Saratoga Springs Recreation
• Suggestions on how to reach more potential volunteers for the fishing program
• The importance and challenges of offering recreational opportunities for kids not on elite teams
• Current funding methods for Saratoga Springs recreational programming
• Process of creating a North Marina near Patriot Park that could serve as a destination for recreational activities
• The new city hall project, which will commence in spring and will feature a planned library
• How community members can get involved with the recreation department, either through volunteering or job opportunities
• Sportsmanship issues in local recreation sports and tips for parents to maintain a positive atmosphere
• The impact of recreation sports on child development and life skills

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• https://www.saratogasprings-ut.gov/284/Recreation
• Connect with the Guest
• https://www.saratogasprings-ut.gov/directory.aspx?EID=87
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/heston-williams-cprp-6173507

We interview Norm Wilkenson, AKA The Happy Health Insurance Guy. You've seen him all over Facebook, and now he's in our studio, fresh from his almost cross country trip to pick up his new Corvette.

Episode Highlights

• Discussion on Norm's experience in Utah, his previous places of residence like Pleasant Grove and his initial impressions of Saratoga Springs.
• Norm shares his expertise in providing bespoke insurance plans for people who hate Obamacare and offers alternative health insurance plans which are health underwritten.
• A quick reminder about the potential impact of participating in hazardous sports or avocations on insurance coverage.
• Friendly banter regarding the brand identity of being the "happy health insurance guy" compared to the potential idea of a "happy pizza guy".
• Mention of Norm's active social media presence and how to reach him via these platforms.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• https://thehappyhealthinsuranceguy.com/

We talked with Kyle and ShyAnn Killam, owners of Killam's Koatings. Killam's Koatings is an Eagle Mountain based Cerakote company. Cerakote is a unique ceramic-polymer technology that imparts both flexibility and excellent physical performance providing unmatched corrosion, chemical and durability performance.

Episode Highlights

• Discussing favorite projects done by guests, mentioning work on prosthetic limbs.
• Discussion about stencil designs on firearms or prosthetics.
• Talking about handling and coating large items like a Barret 50 cal.
• Discussing health and safety precautions during the coating process, specifically in regards to using ovens.
• Discussion about the thinness of Cerakote and its compatibility with different objects.
• Mentioned capabilities of the Moppa laser they use in their work, including its ability to cut through various materials.
• Description of the other items they have recently worked on.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• https://www.facebook.com/killamkoatings
• https://www.instagram.com/killams_koatings/

We talked with Matt Johnson, owner of MJ Pianos in American Fork. A fascinating story from piano tuning as a teenager to owning a piano store.

Episode Highlights

• The nature of their friendships and how they network within their community
• Matt's early struggle with piano tuning and how it led him to start his own piano tuning business at
• The complexity and skill needed for piano tuning, sharing his early experiences and advancement in the craft
• The positive customer feedback he received for his piano tuning services
• His strategy to expand the business by hiring more technicians
• The initial economic fears he encountered during the first few weeks of the pandemic lockdown
• The inclusive offerings of his store, which also has a recital hall that holds frequent music events
• The importance of persistence and vision in achieving one's goals
• Where his piano showroom is located and the days and times they are open
• Hybrid pianos, which are traditionally built pianos adjusted with modern technology to record and silent-play using headphones

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast:
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• Connect with Matt Johnson
• https://www.matthewbraidleypianos.com/home
• [email protected]

We talked with Britt Shipley, owner of SunDree Med Spa. A great story of how she built her spa from nothing and her work with her charity that donates services to women in need.

Episode Highlights

• The location of Britt's spa in relation to other establishments in Saratoga Springs
• How and why she moved to Saratoga Springs
• Her story of how she got into the spa industry, her initial struggles, and persistence
• How Britt made the decision to start her own business
• Her journey, her struggles, and how she turned it into an opportunity to give back through her spa
• How to reach out to and book an appointment with Britt
• Personal story about Britt's growing daughter's desire to join "master's tuition school" and the bond between mother-daughter
• The importance of focusing on Britt's story and acknowledging her as a favored guest

Episode Resources

• Connect with Neil Bryce, Jeff Beck and Greg Spencer
• Left of the Lake Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288869046622439/?ref=share
• https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/leftofthelake/
• Connect with Britt Shipley
• https://sundreemedspa.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-shipley-81b36475
• https://www.facebook.com/SunDreeMedicalSpa/