With Gratitude, Matt

Failing Forward is a podcast started by native Cincinnatian, Sarah Brown, that focuses on stories of people who have overcome failure and have found life lessons as a result of the experience. Her guests have inspired many people with their stories and it has been a great landing spot for Sarah and her career. She is an amazing guide but what really drives her is the connection in the experience on the show and with her clients. She recently designed a program to help people overcome limiting beliefs and fears called, Moving Forward. It is in this role that she takes all of her expertise and experiences, provides direction and coaching, and helps others find and make that next step. Listen in to this special episode as Sarah shares her story and how Matt’s interview on her show in 2020 ultimately was the seed to launch the With Gratitude Matt podcast. You can learn more about Sarah, her podcast, and The Moving Forward program at her website

 https://www.failforwardpod.com

Professional speaker, researcher, and author Andy Core has figured out the key to changing lives and that is to start by changing your day. Andy sees people getting too focused on the end result of a goal and getting stuck versus just focusing on executing in the moment and then creating a path. He has spent twenty years studying human behavior and peak performers and now coaches individuals and organizations on how to develop great attitudes, achieve huge accomplishments, and improve wellness and energy. Enjoy this talk with Andy about his work and if you want to learn more, check out his latest book, Change Your Day, Not Your Life, available on Amazon. 

Love one another, be the best you can be, and lean on one another when times get tough are 3 things Coach Steve Specht reminds his players to focus on before every game. Teaching these life lessons through football is one of the reasons Coach Specht has had so much success coaching football since 2003 for St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He cares deeply about his players, their well being, and their futures. His teams have captured four Ohio state championships (2005, 2007, 2016, 2020), with Specht earning Ohio Division I Coach of the Year honors in 2005 and 2007. In addition, Specht received the NFL Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award in 2013, a nomination from a former player. Listen to this inspiring and uplifting conversation about life, coaching, faith, big decisions and the impact we all can have on each other. Steve also shares many stories from his experiences coaching at St. X in his recently published book, 4th and Redemption – Faith, Football, and the Journey Down the “Long Blue Line”.

Matt and Coach Specht also discuss a favorite book, A Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx, during their conversation if interested in checking out. 

In early March 2020, Dr. Cleary, a board-certified general, colon and rectal surgeon in Ann Arbor Michigan, had just received a warning from a colleague in Seattle about the rampant COVID-19 cases. He and his team quickly put a plan together to manage their cancer patients and cancel elective surgeries. But within days, Dr. Cleary had come down with COVID-19 that began to infect his lungs and landed him in the ICU for 12 days. During those 12 days, he knew he was close to death and prepared goodbye letters for his wife and 6 kids. A difficult and challenging time for sure, but Robert was surrounded by the talented staff at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and by his faith. Listen into the heartwarming story about Dr. Cleary’s experience recovering from COVID-19 and how his life changed. It is informative, inspiring, and emotional. If interested in the book, Case for Christ, mentioned by Dr. Clearly, here is a link to purchase.

Deb and Terry Norton are the loving parents of 3 children whose lives changed when their son, Chris, suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury while playing football for Luther College his freshman year. Paralyzed from the neck down, he was given just a three percent chance of any kind of recovery. Not one to back down from a challenge, Chris chose to fight and slowly regained feeling in his limbs and made walking his goal. Just 5 years later, he walked across the stage to accept his college diploma with the help of his fiancé Emily. His story has inspired many and was made into a film titled, 7 Yards, the distance he would also walk down the aisle to wed Emily in 2018. Listen in as Matt talks with his parents about how they supported Chris, started a foundation in his name, and have inspired so many others with how they have cared for their family. If you’d like to learn more about Chris and the foundation, please visit their website - https://chrisnorton.org 

March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month, spotlighting a disease which is among the 10 most common cancers for men and women in the United States. Dr. Bradley McGregor, one of the doctors on the forefront of finding ways to fight and manage kidney cancer, sees March as a great opportunity to bring more attention to the research needed to find more effective treatment options. Dr. McGregor is a Medical Oncologist specializing in genitourinary malignancies at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and serves as part of Matt’s team of doctors fighting his cancer. His education at Tufts University and unique training while serving in the military have prepared well for the work he does with Matt’s clinical trial and with so many other patients. This is a great show for anyone who has been affected by any cancer and would like to learn more from one of the doctors on the front lines. Dr. McGregor talks about many of the advancements, how a trial works, future hopes for treating patients, and also his thoughts on connecting and caring for a patient. Sometimes this approach invites sparking the human spirit by wearing fun socks, laughing and just keeping perspective on the journey. If you'd like to be more involved or feel inspired to make a donation to directly support kidney cancer research, please click below to go to Matt’s fund raising page . 

Matt's Kidney Cancer Fundraising Page 

Author and professional speaker, Andy Hill, grew up in Westwood CA and his basketball talents got the attention of the great UCLA coach John Wooden. He was recruited and was part of three National Championship teams from 1970-72. Perhaps a starter on many college teams, Andy rode the bench at UCLA and this coaching decision left a mark. Andy graduated and found success elsewhere as President of CBS Productions and Channel One News. But something in his heart triggered him to reach back out to Coach Wooden 25 years after playing his last game. Andy realized the impact Coach had on his life and this gratefulness sparked a special and enduring friendship. Listen in as Andy recounts his re-connection with Coach Wooden. You can also learn more by checking out Andy’s book co-written with Coach Wooden, Be Quick—But Don't Hurry: Finding Success in the Teachings of a Lifetime.

Professional speaker and author Woody Sherwood took his experiences from over 20 years as a NCAA D1 Coach and has created corporate, school/parent and individual programs to develop stronger leadership skills and better work cultures for people to thrive. Listen in as Woody shares many stories from his extensive background of working through challenges with athletes and students and the universal lessons he pulled from this time. The conversation is one you won’t forget. This podcast may also serve as a teaser for Woody’s book, Cope, Rise and THRIVE! Prevail in the fog of anxiety, despair and incapacitating life-stressors. 

For Coleman Ruiz, taking advantage of opportunities and walking through open doors seems second nature to him. But the doors have opened because Coleman prepared himself for the path he chose, created the openings, and committed himself to do what he needed to succeed. Coleman’s military path began in the Naval Academy which led to 13 years of service as a U.S. Navy SEAL where he participated in hundreds of operations across the globe including deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq until becoming a training officer for the Navy Seals Training School. Coleman then began working in the private sector in various roles running companies or advising and coaching others on how to grow their businesses. He also works with many athletes, schools, and non-profits to help them shape their missions and achieve their goals. Listen in as Coleman shares many great insights with Matt that he has learned on his journey. You can also check out his website https://colemanruiz.com/  for more videos, blogs and strategies for walking through that next open door.