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39. Purpose + Service= Win

“Every day is a choice.”

-Kevin Ogar AND Amy Van Dyken 

If you are on the right path, the right people show up or circle right back into your life… thus I am PUMPED to sit down with Kevin Ogar and Amy Van Dyken to discuss all things tragedy, triumph, attitude, outlook, faith, family, resilience, and repetition… oh and, yeah, and we talk a little smack to one another as well, Turmeric & Tequila baby:)

Kevin and Amy are two of the greatest athletes of our time, not because of their medals, games appearances, winnings, or athletic accolades, but because of their recognized higher purpose – to live in continued service. They both have incredible charities, The Reveille Project and The Amy Van Dyken Foundation (Amy’s Army). Both charities are giving back by questioning a better way, building and supporting communities they saw needed it most. All bios below, check them out and dig in- it will inspire you to do more (no pressure:). 

I joined forces with Kevin, Amy, and both of their charities to support Red Bull’s nonprofit, Wings For Life, funding research for spinal cord injuries. The annual Wings For Life World Run has come to DENVER and we are excited to put it on the map out here. The in-person event is of course canceled, but you can login digitally on the app May 3rd and run with everyone else in the world at the same time- it’s pretty cool. Every dollar that comes in, goes to the cause… every dollar. All details below as well. Register and join us May 3rd, run for someone who can’t and join a community that is making a difference (while at home!!). 

Highlights

Purpose, service, attitude, questioning a better way. Charity and giving back. Overcoming and looking forward. Mind over matter, faith, family, and community. Animals > Humans. Personal grooming and/or lack thereof.

Kevin Ogar

Kevin is the Owner and Head Coach of CrossFit WatchTower. He is a Level 3 Certified CrossFit Trainer, has been coaching since early 2008, and is a member of the CrossFit Level 1 Seminar Staff. He is a 4-time Regional Competitor finishing as high as 6th in 2012. When he’s not at his gym, Kevin spends time with his dogs Boondock and Diamond.

The Reveille Project

The Reveille Project [TRP] is designed for veterans, by veterans. We believe in a holistic lifestyle to help restore veterans lives post active duty. [TRP] provides access to tools that aid in veteran’s ability to integrate socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually back into civilian life. Creating a foundation through fitness, nutrition, community and spiritual faith, [TRP] encourages a healthy prospective for a purpose driven life.

Amy Van Dyken

Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is a 6-time Olympic champion. She won 4 medals in 1996 in Atlanta and two more in Sydney, Australia in 2000. Van Dyken-Rouen has the distinction of being one of the few Olympians whose medals are all gold. In 2007 she was the only American swimmer to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Class of 2007. She was also inducted to the Olympic Hall of Fame in July 2008. Amy is a public speaker and CrossFit enthusiasts!

The Amy Van Dyken Foundation

Amy’s Army is a network of people including donors, employees, and friends of The Amy Van Dyken Foundation. Together, we are a powerful ally to those with spinal cord injuries 

Mission statement: We strive to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.

Wings For Life World Race

The Wings for Life World Run is a global race where people from all over the planet begin running at the same time, on the same day. Where they stop is up to them. This year we are bringing this race to Denver and with nothing more than your smart phone and a desire to move you can help Wings for Life find a cure for spinal cord paralysis. On May 3rd we will gather digitally (via the WLF App) and the race will start at 5am MST, eventually a virtual “Catcher Car” will leave the start line from where you started! When the Catcher Car passes you, your race is over, and the distance you achieved appears on the Global Results List. Everything you’re doing is for a good cause because 100% of your entry fees and donations goes directly to research toward a cure for spinal cord injury.

Who: Anyone!
What: Race benefitting Wings For Life  

Cost: $23/per racer ($23 goes to charity)
Where: Digitally (Register in WLF App- Run outside, on treadmill, wherever!)
When: 5.3.2020, 5am
Why: It is our mission to bring the Colorado fitness community together on behalf of a great cause!

HOW TO REGISTER

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19. Core Values

CORE VALUES… your subconscious core beliefs, your very own unique filter for your world and experience. Why you think the way you do, why certain things matter to you and why certain things don’t. Listen in to this cast to unpack that even more as it’s the base point to finding our true happiness. Happiness, also subjective:). 

I spoke about my core values on “The Why” cast, aka the last cast, so this is great timing to bring out the OG of Core Values, at least in my world, The Jenn Kaye. Jenn is a communication master, amongst so many other things (full bio below), and here she shares her journey of a breakdown at 15 and break through not long after (remarkable so young!). A pivotal point for her long-term life game and incredibly important career (positive human impact worldwide). Her vulnerability in this conversation reaches all ages, genders, and races, as we all face deep challenges in life and recognize (at some point) that the only thing we DO have is CHOICE. 

Choice to question a better way, to heal, to dream, to do. When filling the void destructively no longer works, when you realize the external behavior is from the internal self-dialogue. When you understand everyone wants to belong and feel accepted AND the importance of community. You choose a better way, realizing that the things you thought made you different, actually make you very human, like everyone else. Your purpose is to be happy AND each of us have a different path in that pursuit. The key piece in the journey’s map is communication: with other humans, with digital media, with animals, AND most importantly with ourselves.

This is a bit of our journey in further understanding ourselves. 

Highlights

Core Values. External validation and internal conversation. Acceptance and belonging. Happiness and what that means? Purpose. How scary and hard it is to look at yourself and unpack beliefs and experiences. Making a change. Getting to know yourself. 

Jenn Kaye

Jenn Kaye is a transformational thought leader specializing in strategic communication and a never-ending seeker of what moves people to action.  As a Master Communicator, Language Expert, and Executive Coach, Jenn helps leaders, creatives and difference-makers get the results they want by identifying their authentic voice and customizing their message for optimum impact. A fierce advocate for the authentic expression of the human experience, she works diligently to support humans in making choices that are in alignment with who they truly are and developing the courage to disrupt their own status quo. She is the founder of The Choice Point Method, a systemized approach to leadership development, starting from the inside-out. 

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18. THE WHY

Well, we are 17 casts in, so now seems like a good time to dive into THE WHY!?! 🙂 Why am I doing a podcast?… I keep this one pretty quick. Just me sharing my main goal, “To inspire positive, radical social evolution”, with you. How do I do that? Create a platform (this cast) for all varsity humans to share their journey, speak their truth, and enlighten the rest of the world with how they questioned a better way – ideally inspiring us to do the same… if we so choose. 

Growing up the way I did (my background), surrounded by the people I was surrounded by (my humans- family, friends, teammates), and my eclectic personal and professional experience (competing in sports and biz) has brought me to this point. Not all things in life are super transparent, personal or business, we are often led by the sale vs the truth. This cast is about highlighting all the humans and businesses that are doing things the right way, lead with their heart AND their head. Questioning a better way, shaking up status quo and in turn, providing space for positive, radical, social evolution. Great humans, doing great things… I am coming for you and aiming to get as many of you as possible to share your story. GRACEFUL DISRUPTION. Stay tuned. Cheers. XO

Highlights

KO Background, the journey thus far, the goal, the why, and the why not!? The how, we are not sure yet, but we believe in the larger order- so WE OUT HERE. Graceful Disruption.

Kristen M. Olson, Founder (HOST)

Human, Athlete, Creative (Biz)

Life long athlete, 18+ years in marketing and branding in the fitness/lifestyle industry…specializing in aligning key voices and creative strategy. Knowing there is always better way, we just have to look for it:)

Philosophies: T&T 

*Team is everything AND independence is a top core value.  

*Botox the wrinkles AND highlight the scares. 

*Living on the trending setting tip AND on the couch with my dog. 

*Constant adaptation AND being still.

*Thankful for the past AND present for the future.

*Leadership is the greatest responsibility AND so if following your heart.  

*Opportunity cost is real AND so is saying yes to the moment. 

*Spend time as you feel AND invoice for it as needed. 

PRO TIP:

Dream, Believe, Achieve.

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17. Women in Trades

Building an empire… to give it all away?! Precisely, with a job outside of your gender role please. We don’t want if it’s too easy #tupac :). The larger order circled one of my fave varsity (literally), Grandview Highschool laxers that I coached about 10 years ago (I know- soul botox!!), back into my world on this one, Maddy Fauth. Maddy is an entrepreneur/ business owner and she brought her good friend and fellow entrepreneur/business owner, Linzy Cassell, with her. We’ll dive into each of their businesses and their journeys into the trades/ service world, but first let’s be clear on what the trades (and services) jobs are:

Trades/Services Jobs include (but are not limited to):

  • Roofing, coating
  • Heating, cooling, home services
  • Elevator Installer/Repairer
  • Geological and Petroleum Technician
  • Web Developer
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
  • Electrician

You know, what you see the boys do… for the most part. Until now. Maddy and Linzy are two incredible women breaking barriers, not only as entrepreneurs/business owners in general, but in a male dominated space. So that packs a whole other line of experiences with it- not to worry both of these women carry a load of confidence in their work abilities and businesses AND more importantly, in themselves. We chat about why college wasn’t the right choice for them and how they took time early on to learn about what they really want (or listened when they felt out of alignment/universe laid the smack down)… taking that break year after high school just might be a good idea after all, and might save you a few $100k. Outside of money, which empires are in the making, so that’ not the prob, we talk about the value of time and energy… and giving back. We all want to be productive human beings, but what is real impact? Why is it important? Why giving is absolutely receiving in the best, most priceless way. Giving funds, furnaces, and a little something of girls to shoot for as they pick their “dream career”.  My journey into questioning a better way was later in the game than these two, but it’s funny how the world works… Maddy’s Mom was actually one of the first people to bring up “The Law of Attraction” (when the movie came out back in the day:), vibration, and intentional thoughts. Pretty sure she actually gave me all the cd’s to listen to haha, ahh the 2000’s…/I likely still have them. So It is no surprise to me her kiddo is right in line with that thought process and out there on trades front lines with her Dad being a true influencer IRL. AND she is pulling people into her post HS lax, but still varsity world, like Linzy! No doubt all of their parents are proud, as they should be. 

This is a great cast if you are a kid about to graduate high school, mid college and not sure if it’s for you, college grad and need cash/inspiration, a parent with a kiddo, or anyone questioning a better way in general. Lean in. 

Highlights

women in trades/services. BNI, Business Networking International. Gender roles, and not having college debt. Following you heart or having the awareness of what your parents did (cuz you’ll likely have similar interest, surprise). Life skills through sports. Alignment and being out of alignment, vibration. Mom and dad. Pro women’s sports. Self-awareness. Reciprocity, give back, and paying it forward. The strong women before us. Entrepreneurs. Being the brand aka yourself. 

My genuine endorsement is given here, if you need service that their businesses provide- call them. They are the real, honest deal. 

Maddy Fauth 

Maddy is co-owner of Great Guys heating and cooling. From health care to cannabis to HVAC, making an impact is the goal. Daughter of two entrepreneurs, building an empire to call hers was destined to happen. Using skills gained from her lacrosse and semi-professional football experience she has built a team that is breaking barriers in the HVAC industry and for women in trades.  Great Guys is family owned and operated and prides itself on giving back to the community and those in need.