63: “The heart of a lion” - My interview with former Boston College Defensive End and Current American Heavyweight Boxer, Derric “El Léon” Rossy

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, I interview former Boston College defensive end, and current American heavyweight boxer, Derric “El Léon” Rossy.

“Tell yourself you’re great, and that’s when you start believing.” You lose a game, you come up short, no matter what you do, victory seems to constantly elude you; in the end, though, someone happens to be there to offer a piece of advice that you need to hear, yet have difficulty stomaching. You’re told that so long as you work your hardest and lay your heart on the floor, there is nothing for you to be ashamed of...but, somehow, you can’t help but harbor frustration. You are your own toughest critic and the most difficult challenge you might ever face is gaining the strength enough to tell yourself and genuinely believe that you are, in fact, capable of greatness.

No one knows this feeling better than up and coming heavyweight boxer, Derric Rossy. His humble upbringing and unmatched athletic prowess prepared him to leap into the ring and command his authority there. Rossy’s purity in the sport never falters, because he is known to have, in the truest of comparisons, the heart of a lion. Through his grace, compassion, and relentless drive to never give up, “El Leon” uses the struggles of his past and his present to push him ever forward to victory, both in and out of the ring.

Our conversation flowed seamlessly and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this champion during our discussion. I hope that you, too, are inspired beyond words by the incredible fighter, Derric Rossy.

For more on Derric, you can follow him on Facebook @DerricRossy.

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

62: “You’re never really stuck unless you choose to be.” - My Interview with Former Canadian Downhill Ski Racer, Philanthropist, and Entrepreneur, Steve Podborski

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward I interview former Canadian downhill ski racer, philanthropist, entrepreneur, CEO of Parachute, and co-founder of Personal Sport Record, Steve Podborski.

“You’re never really stuck unless you choose to be.”  Using the mental fortitude, team-oriented mindset, and driven personality he developed through his years as a professional downhill ski racer, Steve Podborski morphed himself into an entrepreneur, in the truest sense of the word. After founding a number of his own ski-related companies, Steve moved up in the corporate world and eventually found himself as a member of the company Parachute. Today, Steve is the President and CEO of Parachute, a charity with the mission of helping Canadians stop the clock on predictable and preventable injuries. Growing through the ranks in this organization, though, is just one of the many incredible feats Steve’s accomplished. Among other things, he is also the co-founder of Personal Sport Record, an organization in pursuit of the all around development of the youth athlete, and whose other co-founder I had the privilege of speaking with in episode 61of Keep Moving Forward.

Steve’s use of his athletic background to help propel him forward into the rest of his life is a testament to what the athlete inside us is capable of, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have heard his story. I hope that you all enjoy my interview with the man who knows how to get things done, Steve Podborski.

For more on Steve, you can follow him on Twitter @StevePod, visit http://www.parachutecanada.org/, and visit http://personalsportrecord.com/.

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

61: “Happiness is where you can combine what you’re passionate about and what you’re good at.” - My Interview with Founder of Personal Sport Record, Matt Young

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, I interview former collegiate athlete, entrepreneur, advocate, and founder of Personal Sport Record, Matt Young.

“Happiness is where you can combine what you’re passionate about and what you’re good at.” This crossroads that Matt Young expertly defines can be attained at a very young age and through a medium we all can relate to on some level: sports. Founder of Personal Sport Record, an organization in pursuit of the all around development of the youth athlete, Matt determined that there was a significant gap in the growth of young athletes and that they are not experiencing the full benefits that sports have to offer. In a world driven by sport specialization from a child’s early years onward, Matt saw the negative impact that the climate of creating such an intense and unhealthy environment for a young athlete could have, and he saw a need to remedy that. Thus, Personal Sport Record was born.

A former athlete himself, Matt knows firsthand that “you’re going to learn everything in sport that you need to be successful for the rest of your life,” if you go about educating that next generation on this essential journey in life in the right way. With Personal Sport Record offering resources for athletes, parents, and coaches alike, Matt is effectively pursuing new ways to best grow the next generation into a group of young people far better than the one before it, and he is doing it through the timeless vehicle of team sports.

Matt and I had a great conversation about the importance of athletics and how to best help kids find passion and love for the sport of their choice. I hope that you enjoy my interview with the inspiring Matt Young.

To learn more about Personal Sport Record, visit http://personalsportrecord.com/ and to see more of Matt, you can follow him on Twitter @MattYoung101 and on LinkedIn.

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

60: “You can’t let your shortcomings keep you from going after your gift.” - My Interview with 4x Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward I interview 4x heavyweight boxing champion of the world, author, public speaker, and founder of The HolyField Foundation, Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield.

Grace under pressure. Those are the three words most commonly associated with the only 4x heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. With the unrelenting support of his coaches and a mother who would never let him quit, Evander took any adversity he faced in his life and channeled it into a winning attitude. He was told on numerous occasions that he was simply too nice to be a boxer; too nice to compete in the sport he chose, the sport he loved, and the sport he excelled at. But Evander never saw it that way. He was a fighter, a contender, and a warrior, and because of the grace he received from God, Evander chose to exude that same grace in every match he ever fought in.

From getting his ears bitten off by Mike Tyson, to having his chances at an Olympic gold medal stripped away, to every scenario where it appeared he got the short end of the stick, Evander never used an excuse and continued forward with the utmost respect for his opponents and his sport.

He discovered early on what it was going to take to turn his boxing fantasies into real goals, and once he set his pursuits in motion, he never looked back. Using his passion and drive developed in the sport of boxing, paired with his desire to help those children who came from the same difficult circumstances he came from, Evander founded The Holyfield Foundation, which champions the advice that his mother instilled within him: “Love is when you want someone to be better than you.”

Today, Evander is dedicated to helping the next generation see all that they are capable of, and be the guide to those children that he had in his mother and his coaches.

In celebration of the 60th episode of Keep Moving Forward, and in honor of Evander Holyfield’s June 2017 induction into the Boxing Hall of Fame, I hope that all who listen are inspired to get up, get going, and never quit. Because, according to Evander Holyfield, the only time you ever lose is when you quit.

If you would like to learn more about Evander, you can visit http://www.evanderholyfield.com/, follow him on Facebook @TheRealDealHolyfield, on Twitter @Holyfield, and pick up a copy of his books Holyfield: The Humble Warrior, and Becoming Holyfield, today.

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

59: “Three degrees of inspiration.” - My Interview with Founder and Host of the Top Ranked Entrepreneur on Fire podcast, John Lee Dumas

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward, I interview founder and host of the top-ranked podcast Entrepreneurs On FIRE, John Lee Dumas.

How does a person find enough energy and drive to interview the world’s most inspiring entrepreneurs every single day of the week? For the answer to that, we can turn to none other than the founder and host of the Entrepreneurs on FIRE podcast, John Lee Dumas. By allowing his vision and passion to pull him ever forward, JLD rises above and is able to go beyond what was ever thought possible: creating fresh and uplifting audio content 7 days a week.

Utilizing the discipline and mental fortitude instilled within him as an officer in the US Army, JLD knows how to relentlessly pursue his aspirations, no matter the obstacles that lie ahead, which, inadvertently prepared him for his future entrepreneurial journey. He completed a 13-month tour in Iraq as an Armor Platoon Leader and a total of 8 years in the Army and then set off to find a job in the corporate world.

He briefly attended law school, worked at John Hancock in Boston, then at a tech startup in New York City, and eventually found himself in San Diego in the Real Estate market. Spending the majority of the day in his car travelling, JLD searched for something to fill his time, and he stumbled upon podcasts. Enamored with the content he heard day in and day out, JLD realized that the shows he listened to only occurred once a week, leaving him content-less once he exhausted all the episodes he downloaded for the day. He wanted more, and he determined to fill that very void he found in the podcasting world.

Rather than a weekly show, JLD decided to create a daily show, interviewing today’s top entrepreneurs in pursuit of his ultimate goal: to inspire millions, which he successfully does every day.

Having the opportunity to speak with one of the world’s top podcasters and a US veteran was an honor. I hope that you enjoy my discussion with the one and only, John Lee Dumas.

If you would like to see more of him, visit https://www.eofire.com/, subscribe to EO Fire on iTunes, and follow JLD on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @JohnLeeDumas, and like the EOFire Facebook page. If you are looking for even more content to fire up the entrepreneur in you, you can purchase The Freedom Journal and The Mastery Journal to help you take the first step towards your goals today.

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

58: “Do what you love.” - My interview with Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of RingoFire, and Creator of the Bucket List Mister, Brian Stearns

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward I interview entrepreneur, co-founder of RingoFire Digital, and creator of the Bucket Top Mister, Brian Stearns.

“You just have to do what you love.” Recently leaving the corporate world and plunging full-time into the realm of entrepreneurship, Brain Stearns truly understands the pull you feel to pursue what you love and then what it actually takes to move forward and take on your passion full force. Brian is the co-founder of RingoFire Digital, which has grown immensely in the past few months and specializes in supporting developing businesses in all industries with marketing, advertising, product innovation, content creation, and public relations efforts.

In addition, Brian is the creator of and patent holder for the Bucket Top Mister, which today is sold nationwide at all Home Depot stores.

Brian understands firsthand the importance of community when pursuing these goals, and how essential it is to surround yourself with those who love and believe in you, because you simply can’t do it alone. So I hope that you gain as much insight as I did from digital marketing leader, social media strategist, and entrepreneur, Brian Stearns.

If you would like to learn more about Brian, RingoFire, and all of his pursuits, visit http://ringofiredigital.com/, and follow on Facebook and Instagram @RingoFireDigital and on Twitter @RingoFireMedia. To follow Brian directly, you can do so on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @BrianJStearns.

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

57: “Give yourself a chance.” - My Interview with Former Boston Celtic and Founder of The Herren Project, Chris Herren

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward I interview former professional basketball player, recovering addict, and founder of The Herren Project, Chris Herren.

“Oftentimes we want to focus on the worst day when we need to focus on the first day.” Chris Herren, a man who almost died because of his substance abuse issues knows full well the importance of just focusing on that very first day. From the outside looking in, it seemed that he had it all. A professional basketball career playing for the illustrious Boston Celtics, a loving family...nothing could stop him. But to even function on a daily basis, Chris needed a combination of various drugs and alcohol. He justified that so long as he could play basketball, he was okay and that he had everything under control. But his lifestyle caught up with him in an earth shattering moment in 2008 where he almost lost his life, and he knew that he had to change for the sake of himself and the sake of his family.

Today, Chris is the founder of The Herren Project, aimed at providing assistance in taking the first steps toward recovery and a life of sobriety. The Herren Project offers resources including effective treatment, educational programs, and programs to increase awareness on the signs of addiction for the recovering addict as well as for their families. Through The Herren Project and his own experiences, Chris wants those trapped in their own battles to know it is okay to share their stories, and that there is always a way to make it right, so long as you give yourself a chance.

Speaking with Chris about his journey was an honor and I hope that you, too, are inspired by the incredible story of Chris Herren.

To learn more about him, you can visit http://www.theherrenproject.org/ and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ChrisHerren, @HerrenProject, @THPPurple, and @THPRuns. Furthermore, pick up a copy of his autobiography, Basketball Junkie, today, and watch the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, Unguarded.

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

56: “The goal of sports is to inspire the next generation.” - My interview with 4x US National Cross Country Champion, Aliphine Tuliamuk

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward I interview 4x US National Cross Country Champion, Aliphine Tuliamuk.

“The goal of sports is to inspire the next generation.” Leaving behind a legacy that matters for those who need it. That is the philosophy of the Kenyan-born, US cross country champion, Aliphine Tuliamuk. She determined early in life that she would use her running gift not to simply get her to a college in the United States, but to help give back to the Kenyan community from which she came. Not only are more championships on her goal’s list, but so is Tokyo 2020, as is a deep desire to become a person upon whom her home country as well as the United States can rely on. Aliphine plans to use the education she is given for the benefit of those back home, intending to become a nurse, a doctor, or start her own non-profit, so that she may help her hometown community find reprieve from their daily struggles.

Aliphine’s story of relentlessly pursuing her passions for the benefit of those around her is inspiring, to say the least, and will cause you to self-reflect in a way that can only bring positive changes to your life. She champions her advice “life is not meant to be easy, it is meant to be hard” as she is someone who uses those difficulties to fuel her to move forward every day. I hope that you enjoy my discussion with Aliphine Tuliamuk.

To keep up with this inspiring woman and her training, you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @AliphineTuliamuk and watch as she continues to win more running titles throughout the next year.

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

55: He is inimitable, he is the original - My Interview with Tony Award Winning Broadway Sensation, James Monroe Iglehart

In the 55th episode of Keep Moving Forward I interview Tony Award winning Broadway sensation, James Monroe Iglehart.

From originating the role of Bobby in the Broadway hit Memphis, to winning a Tony for his rendition of the Genie in Aladdin, to today playing Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the Tony-sweeping musical, Hamilton, it would seem there is nothing James Monroe Iglehart can’t do. With his flair, incredible personality, and unrivaled stage presence and talent, it is no wonder this phenomenal performer is taking the theatrical world by storm. You might have even recognized his unique voice in his portrayal of Lance Strongbow in the new Disney Channel animated show, Tangled: The Series, which just debuted.

I had a lot of fun speaking with James and I know that you, too, will be enamored by his charm and wit, not to mention inspired by the lessons and advice he has to offer. So sit back and listen in to my interview with the inimitable and the original, James Monroe Iglehart.

If you would like to see more of James, visit http://www.jamesmonroeiglehart.webs.com/, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter, @JamesMonroeIglehart. Be sure to check him out on the Disney Channel in Tangled: The Series as well as in Hamilton on Broadway.

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.

54: “Become the overcomer.” - My Interview with Christian Authors and Motivational Speakers, Jay and Katherine Wolf

In this episode of Keep Moving Forward I interview husband and wife Christian authors and motivational speakers, Jay and Katherine Wolf.

“Become the overcomer.” On April 21st 2008, at the age of 26, with a 6-month old son, Katherine Wolf suffered a massive brainstem stroke, and miraculously lived. Both she and her husband Jay’s lives changed forever that day, but they will be the first to tell you that despite this trauma, they knew they could and would overcome their past and use their situation for good, because they know God doesn’t make mistakes. Since her stroke Katherine has had to relearn to eat, speak, and walk, all while Jay fell into the role of full-time caregiver just before finishing his final semester at Pepperdine Law School back in 2008.

Suffering from this upheaval of their lives at such a young age yet remaining steadfast in their faith, Jay and Katherine’s story is imbued with something they never lost and continue to maintain throughout their journey: hope. This key component in their lives inspired the writing of their book Hope Heals and has since brought about their ministry and, most recently, Hope Heals Camp, aimed at bettering the lives of the physically and mentally disabled.

I promise that you will leave this episode more empowered and motivated than ever before, so please enjoy my discussion with the ever-hopeful, Katherine and Jay Wolf.

For more on Jay and Katherine, visit http://www.hopeheals.com/ and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @HopeHeals. You can also tune into their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/hopehealsusall and read their entire story with a purchase of their book, Hope Heals. In addition, the Hope Heals Camp is already sold out for this summer, but Katherine and Jay are in search of volunteers to assist during this two-week, hope-filled journey. If you are interested in serving, visit http://www.hopehealscamp.org/ and apply today! Also, be on the lookout for the Hope Heals movie coming soon!

If you guys enjoy Keep Moving Forward and want to tell me so, I would love for you to leave me a review on iTunes. And if you really like my show and would like for me to give you a shout out at the beginning of my next episode, you can donate as little as $1 to my podcast and become a loyal patron at https://www.patreon.com/keepmovingforward.

Always remember, you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward.