Hailey Danz has been competing in Paratriathlon since 2012 and has seen the sport grow up. Being a two time Paralympic silver medalist and multiple time world champion doesn't even scratch the surface of who Hailey is. Sit back and enjoy as I chat with my friend and teammate about her life and career!

I’ve been following and studying the work of Phil M. Jones since 2018. Having studied Communication in college I’m always looking to improve my own communication and Phil is an expert in teaching practical ways of getting messages across, creating conversations, and all the while being genuine. Phil and I have never actually met in person but his books, audio programs and Youtube videos have helped me keep an eye on my vision. So sit back and let’s learn some effective communication strategies. Be sure to check out www.exactlywhattosay.com for more of Phil’s work.

Melissa Stockwell is one of the most patriotic people I’ve ever met. She joined the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps in college and received her commission upon graduating. Less than two years after receiving her commission she was deployed to Iraq where she became one of the first female US soldiers to lose a limb in combat during the Iraq War. However, Melissa has taken every challenge that presented itself to her as an opportunity. Sit back and listen as we chat about her journey to becoming a three time Paralympian and how she keeps thriving.

Today I chat with Kyle Johnson, President and CEO of Lighthouse Central Florida. Kyle was the man who brought me to the attention of Lighthouse Central Florida when I was struggling to find employment a year after graduating from college. Lighthouse Central Florida had launched a subsidiary social enterprise nonprofit organization, Lighthouse Works, and took a chance on me being one of their employees. Listen as we discuss Kyle’s journey, the formation of Lighthouse Works, and the important work that Lighthouse continues to do. Check out www.lighthousecentralflorida.org and www.lighthouseworks.org to learn more about Lighthouse Central Florida and the work they do.

If you know my story, you’ll know this man’s name immediately. Erik Weihenmayer is the man who helped show me that life as a blind person was possible. Not just surviving as a blind person, but living a life filled with adventure. Sit back and enjoy as Erik and I have a candid conversation about inspiration, adversity, and living a No Barriers life. Check out www.nobarriersusa.com to learn more about the work Erik is doing in the wider world. And check out www.erikweihenmayer.com to learn more about Erik.

In this week leading into Father’s Day there’s no better guest to have on the podcast than the man who helped mold and shape me more than any other. Let me introduce you to my Dad, Steve Coon. Listen as Dad describes growing up in the suburbs of Chicago and then his decision to join the Marine Corps right out of high school. The Marine Corps certainly shaped Dad’s value system and laid the foundation for the values I would be raised with. Dad and I discuss some aspects of the adversity we went through as a family and his journey to becoming an extremely successful businessman and how he keeps going. My dad certainly has lots of wisdom gained from over the years and he only shares a small sample of that here. So sit back and enjoy. Then make sure you go and tell your own Father or Father figure that you love them.

Lesley Paterson is a 5x off road Triathlon World Champion. You may remember her name being mentioned when I chatted with my friend and guide Alan Greening way back in the first few episodes. Lesley is the coach I credit with whipping me into shape and getting physically and mentally ready to tackle a crazy year of racing in 2018 and for helping me recognize the grit and determination it was going to take to succeed in triathlon. However, in this discussion Lesley and I talk more about Lesley’s pursuits off the race course as a film she helped produce just won four Oscars and seven BAFTAs! Enjoy my chat with the Scottish Rocket!

When I moved to the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, one of the first people to introduce themselves and welcome me to the Resident team was Howie Sanborn. Over the next several years Howie would become a close friend and mentor. Listen as we sit down and chat about Howie’s time as an Airborn Ranger, his time serving on the Army’s elite skydiving team, and how he got into Paratriathlon.

Bobby Koelble was my first ever guitar teacher. It was Bobby’s voice that guided me in initially learning the fret board and the initial chords and scales I learned. If you’ve listened to previous episodes that I’ve done with my friend and buisincesspartner, Jared Hara, you’ll remember us talking about TalkingTabs. Bobby was the voice of TalkingTabs and was an instructor at the guitar camp I attended as a teenager. Another instructor and founder of TalkingTabs was Abdias Garcia, a brilliant musician and dear friend who recently suffered a stroke. Bobby and I briefly chat about Abdias and about how he and his family can use our support. Here’s a link to a GoFundMe page where we can help support Abdias and the entire Garcia family as they navigate these tough times. https://www.gofundme.com/f/abdiass-family-stay-home?member=26618951&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer Additionally, if you’d like to check out a cover that I recorded of a song that both Bobby and Abdias played for us at the guitar camp I’ve referenced before, check out this Youtube video https://youtu.be/wN_XNyFBEls

In 2006, I took a trip to the jungles of Peru with some badass mountaineers. Among those who were our designated leaders was some crazy southern/Colorado/hippy dude named Jeff Evans. I’ve chatted with several people who are willing to just jump in and say yes when ever I want to go do an adventure. Jeff was that guy for my mentor Erik Weihenmayer. Over the years I’ve tried to keep up with people like Jeff because during our time in Peru I learned so much and felt there was still so much to learn. So sit back, maybe grab a pair of climbing shoes, or at the very least something to take some notes with because Jeff’s got some advice that you’ll want to remember. Be sure to check out Jeff’s books, MountainVision, and his latest one “Climbing Through Storms.”