Thoughts That Rock

In this episode, we talk with, JOHN REGISTER, a Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, Persian Gulf War veteran, author, podcaster and TEDx Motivational Speaker.

THOUGHT #1

We Don't Overcome Adversity; We Create New Normals

THOUGHT #2

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. - St.Francis of Assisi

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JOHN REGISTER'S BIO:

John Register of Colorado Springs is a two-time Paralympian, Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, Persian Gulf War veteran, podcaster and TEDx Motivational Speaker.  He embraced a “new normal” in becoming an amputee following a misstep over a hurdle while training for the 1996 Olympic Games, after participation in two consecutive Olympic trials.

An Oak Park, Ill. native, Register discovered how to “amputate his fear of disability” and founded the U.S. Olympic Committee Military Sport Program in the early 2000s.  

He has launched a book titled: 10 Stories to Impact Any Leader: Journal Your Way to Leadership Success, as business leaders return to work with their staff amid stressful circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic and the recent unrest in our urban cities.  

Register teaches others through his “Hurdling Adversity” speeches and podcasts to “amputate their fear and embrace their new normal” as they discover “stories within themselves.”  He finds that “it is the personal stories that inspire teams more profoundly with greater impact.”

Register is a four-time All-American graduate of University of Arkansas.  He served six years in the U.S. Army—including in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and in active-duty with the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program—winning nine gold medals in the Armed Services Competition and two World Military Championships.  

Register had his left leg amputated after a misstep over a hurdle changed his life.  Register hyperextended his knee and severed the popliteal artery.  He started swimming in his recovery, made the U.S. Paralympic Team in 1996, and later won a silver medal in the long jump—as he set an American record—and sprinted to fifth in the 100 meters and 200 meters at the U.S. Paralympic Games in Sydney. 

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In this episode, we talk with ANNA ESKAMANI, the Representative for Florida State House District 47 (D) on the big political issues we are all facing.

THOUGHT #1

Those Who Think They Know Everything, Know Nothing

THOUGHT #2

It's Not at All Hard to Understand a Person; It's Only Hard to Listen without Bias - Criss Jami

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ANNA ESKAMANI'S BIO:

Anna V. Eskamani is an Orlando native and daughter of working-class immigrants who has a proven track record in building consensus while fighting unapologetically for progressive values. 

Anna previously served as the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida and is a PhD student studying Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida. 

On November 6, 2018 Anna was elected to serve the great people of House District 47 with a vote margin of 57% to 43%, flipping a legislative seat, and becoming the first Iranian-American elected to any public office in Florida. During her first two legislative sessions, Anna fought hard to increase funding for arts and culture, pushed back against anti-LGBTQ legislation, voted to preserve the environment 100% of the time, and to increase access to healthcare. 

Tough, authentic and unafraid, Anna has been recognized across the state and nation for her tireless work during the COVID-19 outbreak. She continues to call on the state demanding more testing, immediate benefits for the hundreds of thousands struggling to receive unemployment, and for equitable small business relief. 

Heading into her November re-election bid, she continues to build collective power and advocate in support of Florida’s hardworking families. 

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In this episode, we talk with TY BENNETT, a keynote speaker, podcaster, bestselling author of 4 books and founder of Leadership Inc.

THOUGHT #1

Write for the Reader, Not the Writer

THOUGHT #2

I write songs for myself, but I never keep them; they're my therapy once they're out of my body. I want to give them to somebody else so it can be their therapy, too -  Julia Michaels

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TY BENNETT'S BIO:

Ty Bennett is the founder of Leadership Inc., a speaking and training company with a mission to empower individuals and organizations to challenge their status quo, cultivate exceptional relationships, and compete in extraordinary ways.  

He’s changing lives – one leader at a time.

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In this episode, we talk with KRISTIN CHASE, who is the Sr. Director of the Organizational Development (OD) department for Universal Parks & Resorts.

THOUGHT #1

Focus On the Audience's Needs More Than Your Presentation's Content.

THOUGHT #2

Give Me Six Hours to Chop Down a Tree and I Will Spend the First Four Sharpening the Axe. 

- Abraham Lincoln

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KRISTIN CHASE'S BIO:

Kristin Chase is the Sr. Director of the Organizational Development (OD) department for Universal Parks & Resorts. She has contributed to Universal since 2003 through consulting and leading employee feedback surveys, performance and talent management, leadership development, mentoring, selection and assessment tool and competency model development, employee research, facilitation, and team effectiveness. She is a 2003 graduate of the UCF Masters' program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and became PHR certified in December 2011 and SHRM certified in February 2015.

Kristin regularly participates in many UCF alumni “give back” opportunities such as speaking to the student chapter of SHRM (Society for HR Management) and participating in alumni panels with the I/O Psychology program. Kristin is also active in developing herself professionally as a member of the Advisory Board for the Greater Orlando Organization Development (GOOD) Network (for which she led the inaugural conference planning team in 2020). She serves her community through her volunteer work as 2014/15 PTO President and current Board of Directors Secretary for Innovation Montessori Ocoee. Kristin is loving life in Winter Garden, Florida with her husband Nathan, a freelance web designer, and two children, Cameron (11) and Jillian (9).

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In this episode, we talk with, TOMMY SPAULDING, world-renowned speaker, NY Times bestselling author and Founder & President of Spaulding Companies.

THOUGHT #1

It's not about  you

THOUGHT #2

Those who achieve great things that the world will never forget, start out by accomplishing small things that the world will never see - Bob Burg

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TOMMY SPAULDING'S BIO:

Founder & President of Spaulding Companies, a leadership development, speaking, training, and executive coaching firm based in Denver, Colorado. 

A world-renowned speaker on leadership, Spaulding has spoken to hundreds of organizations, associations, educational institutions, and corporations around the globe. His genuine love of people has led him to a lifetime of teaching others the value of building deep and lasting authentic relationships that will change their organizations and their lives. His transformational message of heart-led leadership will inspire you to live, lead and love differently. 

His first book, It’s Not Just Who You Know: Transform Your Life and Your Organization by Turning Colleagues and Contacts into Lasting, Genuine Relationships, published by Penguin Random House in 2010, quickly climbed to the top of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today national bestseller lists. 

His second book, The Heart-Led Leader, published by Penguin Random House in October, 2015 is a New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal national bestseller and was also listed on Inc.com’s Top 100 Business Books of 2015.

His third book, 80,000: the Power of Positive Influence, comes out February, 2021. 

Spaulding rose to become the youngest President & CEO of the world-renowned leadership organization, Up with People. In 2000, Tommy founded Leader’s Challenge, which grew to become the largest high school civic and leadership program in the state of Colorado. He is the Founder & President of the Global Youth Leadership Academy as well as the National Leadership Academy, a leading national non-profit high school leadership development organization. 

Previously, Spaulding was the Business Partner Sales Manager at IBM/Lotus Development and a member of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program. He received a BA in Political Science from East Carolina University (1992); an MBA from Bond University in Australia (1998), where he was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar; and an MA in Non-Profit Management from Regis University (2005). 

In 2006, Spaulding was awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award by East Carolina University (ECU) and in 2007, Spaulding received an Honorary PhD in Humanities from the Art Institute of Colorado. In September, 2012 Spaulding was named by Meetings & Conventions Magazine as one of the 100 MOST FAVORITE SPEAKERS in the nation. 

Tommy now resides in the Denver Metro Area with his wife and children.

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In this episode, we talk with Dr. RANDY ROSS, a keynote speaker, a bestselling author, a former Chief People Officer and currently the CEO of Remarkable!  

THOUGHT #1

Aggressively seek continuous feedback

THOUGHT #2

The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything. - Warren Buffett

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RANDY ROSS' BIO:

Dr. Randy Ross is a compelling communicator, craftsman of culture and bestselling author of multiple books, including his latest book entitled, Relationomics: Business Powered by Relationships.

Working with brands like GE Appliances, Cox Communications, Compass Group, Chick-fil-A, Keller Williams and the Intercontinental Hotel Group, he has inspired and enabled countless people to find new passion and purpose in their work, work better together in teams and have greater influence and impact.

When people like what they do, they do it better. When people like those they do it with, they work better together. When they like the impact they are having, they find meaning and fulfillment in what they do. Dr. Ross helps them find what they really like, while building healthier relationships and pursuing a passion beyond self.

As the CEO of Remarkable and a former Chief People Officer, Dr. Randy Ross utilizes his experience to engage audiences worldwide with his keen insight and contagious humor. He is a messenger of practical wisdom and needed hope, untangling the biggest challenges facing today’s business leader, tomorrow’s workforce and the future marketplace. He lives with his wife, LuAnne, and four children in Atlanta, Georgia.

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In this "Season 2 Finale" episode, recorded months ago (and before the COVID-19 crisis), we talk with JOE SHEETZ, the CEO of Sheetz, one of the greatest convenience store brands in the country and an awesome culture. Even now, during the global pandemic, the brand continues to support their communities, protect their people, and provide world class service that Sheetz Freakz have come to expect.

THOUGHT:

If You Feel Like You Are Always the Smartest Person in the Room, You Are Hanging Out in the Wrong Rooms

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JOE SHEETZ'S BIO:

Sheetz was born in Altoona, Pa., where he grew up working with his father, Joseph M. Sheetz, at the family-owned Harshbarger Dairy. Once the dairy was sold, Joe M. began working for the other family business, which his brother founded in 1952, Sheetz Inc.

Sheetz Inc. is still a family-owned business today and has grown to employ approximately 18,500 team members and operate more than 565 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. Known for its award-winning, proprietary foodservice program, the company has annual revenues of nearly $6 billion. Sheetz Inc. is currently ranked by Forbes Magazine as the 56th largest private company in the United States. In 2018, for the fourth time in five years, Sheetz Inc. was named one of Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, ranking 66th.

Joe S. originally joined the Sheetz team during high school and college. For seven consecutive years, he worked in various accounting and operations functions of the company.

He graduated from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1989. His business concentration at Wharton was entrepreneurial management, preparing him for a career with the family business.

After graduation, Joe S. went to work as an employee benefits consultant for CGI Consulting in the suburban Philadelphia area, specializing in designing benefit and retirement plans for major corporations. In 1995, he returned to Sheetz Inc. as director of personnel. He became executive vice president of finance in June 1996. In this position, he led all finance, accounting, technology, real estate and risk management functions and was an active member of the executive committee. He moved into his current role of president/CEO in October 2013.

Joe S. currently serves as chairman of NACS, the Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing, and is on the executive committee of the Altoona Blair County Development Corp., where he was chairman from 2009-2011. He is also a former chairman and current trustee of Mount Aloysius College.

Joe S. is the nephew of Steve Sheetz and the cousin of Stan Sheetz. Both Steve and Stan were previously inducted into the CSNews Hall of Fame in 1995 and 2013, respectively.

Joe S. resides in Altoona with his wife Wendy, daughter Delaney, and son Casey.

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In this episode, we talk with, NICHOLAS GREGORIADES, an entrepreneur, martial artist and transformation coach from Cape Town, South Africa.

THOUGHT:

You Deserve the Very Best the World Has to Offer

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NICHOLAS GREGORIADE'S BIO:

Nic Gregoriades is an entrepreneur, martial artist and transformation coach from Cape Town, South Africa.

In 2003 he moved to London, England to earn his black belt in Jiu Jitsu, where he founded the popular martial arts community, The Jiu Jitsu Brotherhood. 

During that time he became the first person to be awarded the black belt by the legendary Roger Gracie and co-created the popular online show, London Real.

In 2012 he took a trip to the amazon to drink the plant medicine, Ayahuasca, which profoundly affected his world view and caused him to drastically change his life path. 

He spent the next 5 years traveling the the world teaching jiu jitsu, studying yoga and learning about the human experience.

Nic is also an accomplished entrepreneur, having built two successful online businesses.

He now helps men make profound life-changes and reach their full potential in all aspects of their lives.

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In this episode, we talk with Believe Initiative Founder, SARAH WELLS.  Who is also an Olympic semi-finalist and Pan Am Games silver medalist in the 400m hurdles.

THOUGHT:

It's the 1/2-Second that Makes the Difference

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SARAH WELL'S BIO:

Obstacles don’t scare Sarah Wells. As a 400m hurdler, this Olympian’s reputation was forged through overcoming challenges and achieving the incredible. Take her debut at the London Olympics in 2012, which came despite an injury that had her sidelined for months just the year before. Outside of competitive sports, this athlete is coaching people to pursue their goals through the Believe Initiative, an organization founded on—fittingly—a message of resilience. Most recently you would have seen Sarah pushing her limits on the latest season of The Amazing Race Canada. Evidently someone who understands the importance of self-belief and the power of purpose, you'll want to listen-up when this Olympic semi-finalist and Pan Am Games silver medallist takes the mic.

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In this episode, we talk with ANGELA CHEE, an award-winning former TV news anchor and reporter, who is now a media/communication coach, keynote speaker on women’s leadership & diversity, creator of "YOU, Amplified!" training and the podcast host of "The Power of the Only".

THOUGHT:

Remember Who You Are

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ANGELA CHEE'S BIO:

Angela Chee is a media/communication coach, keynote speaker on women’s leadership and diversity, creator of YOU, Amplified!®, and host of the upcoming “Power Of The Only” podcast.

An award-winning former TV news anchor and reporter with more than 20 years of media experience, she now works with visionary leaders who are ready to be YOU, Amplified!® - to own their voice and power and amplify their message and mission through speaking, video and media. Her mission is to help people break through their barriers, step into the spotlight and live their legacy.

Angela has worked in top TV markets from KCBS/KCAL-TV and KNBC-TV in Los Angeles to Fox 6 and KNSD-TV in San Diego. She has hosted shows for E! Entertainment, HGTV (Home and Garden Television) and helped launch Entertainment Tonight China. She was the featured media mentor/expert on Lifetime’s “The Pop Game” and has appeared as an expert on a variety of local and national shows including The Today Show. Angela has also made appearances in film and TV from Blades Of Glory to No Ordinary Family, Heroes and more.

Her speaking career started at 15, when she was the first Asian American woman to win the title of “Miss California National Teen-Ager.” Now Angela presents inspirational and transformative keynotes and corporate trainings for Fortune 500 companies, universities, and professional associations. She has been a guest lecturer at the USC Annenberg School for Communication, serves on the Media Advisory Board of the Asian Culture and Media Alliance, and was the founder of The Zen Mom®, an inspirational and informative website for moms.

Born on the East Coast and raised in Southern California, she is a second-generation Chinese American and speaks Mandarin Chinese. She is a mother of two and a healthy foodie, who loves yoga, quotes and all things inspirational.

You can find her @AngelaCheeTV on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube and at www.AngelaChee.com.

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