Life. On Purpose

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This end-of-year wrap-up episode of Life. On Purpose. is a deeply personal reflection on living with intention inside the unpredictable world of college athletics.

What began as a podcast centered on intentional living evolved into something more honest this year — a space to acknowledge the realities of life as part of a college coaching family. In this solo episode, I reflect on why the most-listened-to conversations of the year came from a series with coaches’ wives, and why embracing that part of my own story became unavoidable.

Through lived experience — job loss, uncertainty, answered prayers, constant transition, and quiet resilience — this episode explores the lessons college athletics has taught me both as a participant and an observer. From redefining control, choosing discomfort, and learning when not to react, to reshaping the meaning of home, forgiveness through hindsight, and practicing gratitude in a profession that gives as much as it takes.

This episode also dives deeply into faith — how prayer became an anchor during seasons of loss and confusion, and how clarity and peace often arrive in ways we never expect.

This conversation is for:

• Coaches’ spouses and families
• Anyone navigating change, instability, or identity shifts
• Those learning to live intentionally through hard seasons
• Anyone searching for perspective beyond headlines and outcomes

At its core, this episode is about choosing the hard things — on purpose — and recognizing that the lessons learned off the court often matter most.

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Dr. Matt Fontaine is a lifelong athlete with over 24 years of experience as a sports chiropractor. His private practice in integrative physical medicine focuses on an accurate diagnosis, rapid recovery, and peak performance. He has served as a sports chiropractor in Major League Baseball and with the ART Ironman Triathlon Medical team. He completed his residency at the Texas Back Institute and has spent the last decade-plus serving a patient community that includes men and women of the U.S. armed forces, veterans, and other governmental agencies. 

In this episode, Dr. Fontaine discusses the common missteps patients make regarding musculoskeletal issues, often leading them to primary care providers lacking the necessary expertise. He emphasized the need for better communication and collaboration among healthcare providers. The conversation also touches on systemic issues within traditional insurance models, highlighting the importance of integrative practices that prioritize patient needs and improve outcomes.

The discussion further explores the significance of preventative care in athletics and the advancements in regenerative medicine, such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapies. 

For more on Dr. Fontaine: 

Book: "ONLY ONE BODY: Your Owner’s Manual for Optimal Health and Peak Performance for Life" 

Website: https://drmattfontaine.com/

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Samuel Shepherd is a prominent physicist, inventor, and engineer, who has garnered international recognition for his expertise and contributions in several fields in science to include, Bio-Chemical / Medical engineering, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. He is an inventor with 42 patents and over 50 years of breakthroughs across these fields.

 His career has taken him from developing technologies for NASA and the Beijing Olympics to pioneering solutions in alternative energy and environmental remediation. But it was a deeply personal health challenge that led him to his most life-changing discovery. 

In 2003, Samuel was diagnosed with a rare, untreatable bone marrow cancer. Conventional medicine offered no viable path forward, so he turned to his lifelong expertise in science and innovation. After years of research, he developed ValAsta, the only patented glycosidic form of astaxanthin designed specifically to target inflammation, the root cause of most chronic disease. His unique delivery system makes astaxanthin far more bioavailable than typical supplements, producing remarkable results for energy, mobility, sleep, and overall vitality in both people and pets.

Today, Samuel is on a mission to educate others about how inflammation accelerates disease and diminishes quality of life, and how targeted natural solutions can restore health. Beyond his formidable credentials, his personal story of overcoming terminal illness fuels his passion for helping others age with strength, energy, and resilience.

Of note, Mr. Shepherd's dedication to his work and commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed. He has been awarded Lifetime Fellow Status at the American College of Forensic Examiners and has been certified as a Class III Homeland Security professional.

Website: https://valasta.net/ 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ValAsta 

Patents:

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/11065269

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/11497758

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This discussion centers on William Person's experiences as a former Team USA bobsledder and the significant impact of brain injuries, particularly chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), on athletes. William shares his personal journey, including his transition from sprinting to bobsledding and the physical and mental challenges he faced in the sport. He highlighted the prevalence of micro concussions and the cumulative damage they can cause, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and communication about these risks among athletes.

William recounts the emotional toll of losing a teammate to suicide linked to CTE, which prompted him to advocate for better mental health support within the athletic community. He expressed frustration over the silence surrounding mental health issues and the lack of proactive measures to address them. The conversation also touched on the alarming connection between untreated CTE symptoms and incidents of violence, including mass shootings, underscoring the urgency of raising awareness and implementing preventive strategies.

In addition to discussing his advocacy efforts, William details his ongoing class action lawsuit against U.S.A Bobsled aimed at ensuring athletes are informed about the risks associated with bobsledding. He clarified that the lawsuit is not about personal financial gain but rather about protecting athletes and promoting transparency regarding potential dangers. 

William also shares his struggles with accessing effective treatment for CTE. He emphasizs the importance of providing affordable treatment options for those affected by CTE and the need for continued advocacy and support for athletes and veterans. 

Links:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/29/sports/bobsled-brain-injuries-lawsuit.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/sports/olympics/olympics-bobsled-suicide-brain-injuries.html

https://gofund.me/e68951d2

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/us/navy-pilot-brain-injury-topgun.html


https://youtu.be/JKY2vpJYcug?feature=shared

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMPnEyRF/

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Joe Alexander is a professional basketball player and lifelong student of resilience.

Born in Taiwan and raised across Asia and the United States, Joe’s journey to the NBA was anything but typical. After years overseas, he returned to the U.S. to play high school basketball in Maryland and went on to star at West Virginia University, where his work ethic and explosive talent made him one of the top prospects in the country. In 2008, he was selected 8th overall in the NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.

But Joe’s path wasn’t linear. Injuries, setbacks, and the unpredictable reality of professional sports forced him to confront what happens when the dream doesn’t unfold the way you planned. What followed was a decade of reinvention — playing professionally across Israel, Italy, Turkey, Korea, and beyond, discovering new cultures, and learning what true success really means.

Today, Joe speaks openly about growth, identity, and purpose beyond performance. His story is one of transformation — from chasing achievement to finding meaning — and of learning that the game doesn’t define you; the person you become through it does.

Find Joe at here

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Dr. Randall Turner and I engage in a discussion centered on the principles of integrative medicine and the importance of addressing root causes of health issues. Randall shared his journey from traditional emergency medicine to a focus on integrative wellness, motivated by personal experiences, including the positive health changes he observed in his grandson. 

This conversation highlights the significance of a collaborative relationship between patients and healthcare providers, emphasizing the need for personalized health strategies, utilizing advanced testing methods like DNA and fatty acid testing to tailor treatments to individual needs, an approach that contrasts sharply with traditional practices that often overlook the complexities of chronic conditions.

We also discuss the transformative impact of alternative treatments, including stem cell therapy and peptides, on chronic health issues, concern over the slow acceptance of these treatments within the medical community, and the necessity for patients to seek knowledgeable practitioners who can provide effective care. This dialogue underscored the growing demand for integrative approaches that consider both physical and emotional aspects of health.

We conclude our conversation with a reflection on the spiritual dimensions of health and Dr. Turner's belief that a holistic approach must encompass spiritual well-being, arguing that neglecting this aspect can hinder overall health. He emphasized the importance of understanding one's spiritual nature as part of a fulfilling life and highlighted the role of spirituality in his practice. This perspective reinforces the idea that true healing involves a comprehensive understanding of the individual, integrating physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

For more on Dr. Turner and his practice, Integrative Wellness, visit: https://integrativewellnesswv.com/

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Dr. John Douillard, D.C., C.A.P., is a globally recognized Ayurvedic expert. He is the author of 7 books and the founder of LifeSpa.com, a leading authority on evidence-based Ayurvedic healthcare (the original longevity science). With over 40 years of experience as a practitioner, Dr. John provides a clear pathway to achieve lasting self-sufficient health, vitality, gut health, detoxification, and longevity.

His journey began in 1986 when he studied Ayurveda in India. He then collaborated with Deepak Chopra to co-direct his US center and train medical doctors in Ayurvedic medicine. As a triathlete, sports medicine chiropractor, and former Director of Player Development for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, Dr. John was the first in the West to apply Ayurvedic principles, nose breathing, and diaphragm training to optimize athletic performance. 

Dr. John’s books, such as Body, Mind, and Sport (foreword by Billie Jean King), Perfect Health for Kids, The 3-Season Diet, andEat Wheat, have reshaped how we utilize ancient wellness practices in the modern era. He has written over 1,500 free educational articles and garnered over 11 million YouTube views, empowering a global audience to heal themselves naturally.

He has collaborated with many wellness experts, including Seane Corn, James Nestor, Dr. David Perlmutter, Dan Buettner, and Ben Greenfield.

With decades of experience as a practitioner, teacher, keynote speaker, and board member of multiple Ayurvedic organizations, Dr. John continues to heal and inspire with his approach to reverse unnecessary aging factors through digestive health, circadian medicine, the lymphatic system, the microbiome, and more.

Dr. John shines the light of current scientific evidence on time-tested ancient medical wisdom. 

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Jevon Brown-Simpson, founder of Raise the Vibes, embarked on a life-changing journey after a challenging transition post-college. With a background as a community leader and a football team captain, the shift to corporate life tested his sense of worth and identity. This pivotal period of self-doubt and adaptation ignited his passion for mastering the power of mindset, leading to both personal and professional rejuvenation.

Today, Jevon is dedicated to guiding people through their own life transitions. His coaching focuses on transforming mindsets to overcome obstacles and embrace positive change. By leveraging his own experiences and continuous learning, Jevon offers a personalized development program designed to empower clients to achieve their goals and elevate their overall well-being.

www.raisethevibesllc.com

https://raisethevibescoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisethevibes_/

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Pamela Peterson, Family Search Library VIP Hosting and Research Services Team member meets with me to discuss my experience with researching my family and uncovering so many unanswered questions about who i am and where I come from. Using the Family Search Library website to create my family tree, i discovered my Cherokee ancestors, the name of my grandmother's father (one of those juicy family secrets) as well as my noble scottish roots.

To discover your own roots or build your family tree visit: https://www.familysearch.org/en/united-states/

Discover more about Nancy Ward, my Cherokee Ancestor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Ward

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 Author and award-winning journalist Nick Peck discusses his debut novel "Only Way Out." 

Nick’s journey—from growing up in a home filled with challenges like substance abuse and poverty to finding hope and purpose through football—is one that’s incredibly inspiring. His debut novel, "Only Way Out," draws from his own experiences and tells the powerful story of Jaylen Pierre, a high-school senior navigating similar struggles. It’s a book that not only sheds light on real-life issues but also encourages resilience and determination.

What makes Nick’s perspective so unique is his ability to connect with young athletes and others who might be facing tough situations. He’s passionate about topics like mentorship, overcoming adversity, and the role sports can play in transforming lives.

For more on Nick and his novel "Only Way Out" visit: https://www.nickpeckauthor.com/

https://a.co/d/8ZQwlYy

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