Why Not Me?

Episode 13: Cortez Adams - Developing and Growing Your Entrepreneurial Skillset and Mindset

After a serving in the US Army and then as a reservist in the National Guard as a Paratrooper, Cortez transitioned to the tech industry in 2014 and quickly gained experience in everything from Project Management to Solution Architecture and even Software Deployments. He leveraged his previous background in Banking and has found a niche within the Financial Technology space. In this short time he’s successfully managed multimillion dollar projects for Mizuho Bank in Tokyo and Banco Estado in Chile and many more here in the States. 
In 2022 Cortez was nominated for the Silicone Valley Business Journals 40 Under 40. He’s now looked to as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Digital Banking and Payments Trends by Regional Banks and Credit Unions alike. He now serves as Director of Partnerships and Procurement at Lumin Digital- a Cloud Based FinTech Firm based in San Ramon, California and helps spearhead the organizations Diversity and Inclusion efforts. 
But when he's not traveling for a conference providing thought leadership to Bankers or managing his 200+ vendor relationships (which include names like Zelle, AWS, Apple & Fiserv), Cortez & his wife are quietly building a vacation rental empire. With properties in 6 US Cities, Jamaica and now Mexico. He holds degrees in Business and Information Systems from Fairleigh Dickinson University along with multiple IT Certifications. Somehow, he continues to thrive in both Tech & Real Estate with no plans of stopping! 
Contact Cortez:
Instagram: executive_tez
Facebook: Cortez Adams
Web: https://flow.page/cortezadams
 
Interested in hiring an assistant to help develop your business:
www.fiverr.com
Interested in hiring a virtual assistant :
www.upwork.com
 

Episode 12: Lisa Herrington - Living Your Passion, Serving With Your Heart

Lisa is the Co-Founder and Owner of FIT House Davis. After almost a decade in marketing and public relations, Lisa followed her passion, took the leap and opened a full-service boutique fitness studio which employs 28+ people and offers a large variety of classes per week. Lisa spends her days managing the business alongside her partners,  training her clients and teaching group fitness classes. Lisa truly loves what she does and often calls it "movement therapy." Helping folks get their body and their mind right.
Lisa believes in making Self-Care and Exercise a Priority — Lisa says "Prioritizing self-care is not a selfish act. It means you are being mindful of your own needs ,enabling you to better care for others. I am the mom of four children and I know that my early morning runs help me focus on daily tasks and the needs of my family. Without the release that happens when I exercise, I would be overly stressed, less patient and I would have less energy to give to the people who need me most. As a trainer, I encourage clients to write down acts that fill their cups up and do 1–2 of these daily. Whether it’s a run, massage, meditation or a walk with a friend, self-care is essential for overall well-being."
Lisa is also an Amazon best selling author of Your Amazing Itty Bitty Grief Book: 15 Chapters on how to support family and friends on their journey. 
Lisa was truly an amazing guest and please reach out to her if you would like to know more about her or her fantastic fitness studio in Davis, California.
 
Contact Lisa:
 
Fithouse Davis - info@fithousedavis.com
Instagram: fithouse davis
Facebook: FIT House
 
Itty Bitty Grief Book:
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Amazing-Itty-Bitty%C2%AE-Grief/dp/1950326470
 

Episode 11: Angela Gallo Wilkinson - Weight Loss & Health Management it is a personal journey- not one size fits all!

Angela founded, Total Nutrition Technology (TNT) is 1993 due to her own struggles with weight and health. Angela understood that when it comes to weight loss & health management it is a personal journey- and one size does not fit all.
TNT's mission is to help others sift through all of the misinformation we have been bombarded with by our society and help each individual find what is best for them and their lifestyle. TNT specializes in weight loss, health management ( gut health, autoimmune, diabetes, food sensitivities, hormonal balance, micronutrient deficiencies and more) and sports performance. TNT is physician endorsed and has helped thousands achieve and sustain their goals.
TNT has a comprehensive approach that addresses the entire individuals needs. Starting with an extensive assessment & followed by a custom-built nutrition plan & exercise guidelines. TNT ensures it fits everyone's lifestyle & dietary objectives. TNT's goal is to not only help others attain their goal but more importantly how to sustain their results.
TNT has a passionate team of Dietitians and Health Educators who work with individuals 1:1, every step of the way. TNT works with clients in person as well as remote. Lastly, TNT also has a corporate wellness division and provides on-site wellness services for many of our local Charlotte businesses.
 
Contact Angela:
Total Nutrition Technology Charlotte -
https://www.totalnutritiontechnologycharlotte.com/
Facebook:
Total Nutrition Technology
Instagram:
Hormonementor
Email:
info@tntgetfit.com
 

Episode 10: Sarah Stack - Serving Our Youth, Leading By Example!

In the Game Fitness is committed to serving teenage girls through comprehensive, safe, skill specific athletic inspired training programs. The four pillars of In the Game FItness are: Mindset, Nutrition, Training, and Recovery. Founder Sarah Stack believes in providing a nurturing, supportive, and fun community for high school age girls who both play competitive sports, and those who just want to have a more active lifestyle. Sarah is a Certified Personal Trainer (ACE,) a Fitness Nutrition Specialist (ACE,) a Stretch and Flexibility Coach (NASM) and mom to a daughter (and son.)
In the Game Fitness was created to fill a void in the training options available to teenage girls, both those who play competitive sports and those who are simply interested in fitness. We've created a unique program that goes beyond physical training, and incorporates nutrition information and mindset work. We are what we eat, and the link between how we fuel our bodies, and how our bodies perform is undeniable. Talking about nutrition to teen girls does not have to be tricky or taboo. It doesn't have to be a discussion about calories or fad diets either. Giving girls solid nutritional information about how what they eat impacts how they perform in sports and daily life isn't complicated, and they truly want to know this information!Studies show that around the age of 14, many girls who have played sports their entire lives decide to quit their sport(s). There are many lifelong benefits for girls who continue to to play sports throughout adolescence, so the trend of quitting around 14 years old is disappointing. Many of the sited reasons why girls decide to abandon their athletic careers at such a young age are rooted in social concerns, body image issues, and a lack of professional role models. In the Game Fitness will address these concerns from the inside out with mindset work. This three pronged approach to training: the physical, nutritional, and mental; will train the whole athlete to better prepare her to compete in her sport(s), to give her the confidence to be able to walk into any weight room and know exactly what to do with the equipment and how to maintain proper form,  and will help prepare her for whatever her future holds.
 
Contact Sarah :
 
Instagram: Sarah Stack - sarahstack.fitness
Facebook: Sarah Markway Stack
In The Game Fitness : https://inthegamefitness.com/
 
Email: sstack@inthegamefitness.com

Episode 9: Tracy Markley - Continuing To Educate Your Mind To Be Your Very Best For Your Clients

Author of 11 Books "The Stroke of An Artist, The Journey of A Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor", & "Tipping Toward Balance, A Fitness Trainer's Guide to Stability and Walking." "Stroke Recovery, What Now? When Physical Therapy Ends, But Your Recovery Continues" & "The Power of Your Spine, How Back Strength and Posture Pilots The Entire Body" "Dear Stroke You Suck", "Stroke Recovery-Regaining Arm Movement" "Stroke Recovery-Leg Stability & Walking Gait", "Your Brain, The Engine to Your Body", Your Brain - Kid's Edition", "Biomechanics of Your Body", and “What’s Next?”
Tracy has been in the fitness industry full time for over 25 years. Tracy is the owner of Tracy's Personal Training, Pilates & Yoga Studio. 2021 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year and and a 2020 IDEA PERSONAL TRAINER OF THE YEAR Finalist.
AFAA Examiner, Biomechanics Specialist, ACE-Pain Free Movement Specialist, Stroke Recovery & Exercise Specialist, Diploma in Nutrition and more. I am a certified Reiki Master, 200 RYT Yoga & Pilates Teacher,
Please checkout "About Tracy" at my www.tracymarkley.com.com for a more detailed fitness diplomas, certifications and her books on Amazon. Click the link below for more details.
www.amazon.com/author/tracymarkley
 
Contact Tracy at:
Instagram: motivate_healthyfit
Facebook: Tracy L Markley
Linkedin: Tracy L Markley
 

Episode 8 - Derith Cass - Becoming A Stronger You!

Derith Cass is a lover of life, fitness, and the human connection. Derith is a 22- year veteran of coaching people from all walks of life as they begin, and endure, their individual exploration to healthfulness. As an athlete, she fell in love with the beauty and intricacy of movement and has shared that passion ever since. Derith was able to inspire others to move while she taught group fitness classes and taught teachers as a Group X Manager of four facilities, all ultimately leading to presenting as a BodyCombat Trainer for Les Mills, North America. But, she missed the human connection, the one-on-one, the deep bond that is formed when you see someone transform, physically and mentally, right before your eyes. Currently, Derith is personal training, coaching small group training classes, & coaching one-on-one on behaviors & habits.

Episode 7 - Phanuel Nueman - Technology Matters, Character Matters - What should you be doing?

Phan Nueman Sr. is the CEO/Senior Solution Engineer for ProTech Systems with over 28 years of professional experience in the management of information technology, Network Architecture engineering, Managed services, Voice over IP, Etc. Phan designed, implemented, and managed a large network infrastructure that supported over 360,000 employees. Phan has worked with Bank of America, Hewlett-Packard (HP) Cisco Systems. Phan utilized his knowledge as a data scientist to help design, model, and network infrastructure for major organizations for over 22 years. 
Protech Systems has been in business for over 21 years and is well known as the best IT support company in Charlotte and the surrounding area.  Phan is also certified as a forensic network engineer with specialties in network intrusion detection. He is an advocate for online safety. Phan, the owner, and CEO at ProTech Systems utilizes their 79 years of experience combined to help their clients manage their IT networks. They believe in partnering with their clients to help them grow their businesses. 
Contact Phan:
Web: https://protechllc.com/
Instagram: protech_systems
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbstechnology/
Email: Pnueman@protechllc.com
 
 

Episode 6: Vonzell Pittman - What’s Your Calling?

Episode 6 Is a special one! In this episode, I get to interview a new friend of mine I met at one of my Anytime Fitness location in Wesley Chapel, NC. Vonezell Pittman is a very smart individual. He was not only was a Division 1 Football and Track and Field Athlete, but he also got a chance to play both Arena football for the famous Iowa Barnstormers, and he also received an invite to a NFL football training camp for the New England Patriots. Vonezell has since left sports but is now serving underserved communities with his wealth of knowledge and experience in the real estate and small business industry. Vonezell posses many talents, but what stuck out to me most was his ability to connect with people on all levels. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much I did recording it.
Vonezell Pittman has experience in the commercial real estate and small business industry. He has served as a Capital Markets Consultant for over 12 years serving several financial institutions, private funds that focus on serving rural and underserved communities. Vonezell holds a Bachelor of Business from Gardner Webb University and is based in Charlotte, NC.
As a Capital Markets Advisor, he has spent a great amount of time raising capital, implementing capital deployment strategies, sourcing new opportunities, structuring, and building strategic partnerships. His natural gifting allows him to build and cultivate strong business & personal relationships. His heart points him towards projects in rural and underserved communities. The importance of rebuilding and transforming these communities are key factors that sustains his drive. 
Vonezell is called to advance the Kingdom of God through the marketplace. He serves ministries and faith-based organizations providing leadership for development projects, spirit filled entrepreneurs and serving the vision of local ministries through his network of strategic partners. He has been a key part of assisting CDFI’s with growing their assets while increasing their NOI. He has also been a part of developing mass home building projects for communities, multifamily developments, health care facilities, hotels, special use facilities and more.
Contact Vonezell at:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonezell-pittman-135162182?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BevAhA%2BVsRJqUq3bFcry46g%3D%3D
Pittman Financial: http://www.pittmanfinancial.net/
Instagram: vpittman88
Email: info@pittmanfinancial.net

Episode 5 - Jon Byrne - Chasing Your Dream

In this episode, we get to hear from an individual who not only chased their dream, but got a chance to live it. Even though it was brief, Jon got to experience something many are afraid to chase because they are afraid to fail. The best part of this story is Jon was his country's first Major League Baseball umpire.  Now, that is a milestone!!
He made his debut on 16 May 2014, becoming the first MLB professional umpire to have been born in Australia.  Jon was an umpire primarily in Minor League Baseball (MiLB), working in the Midwest League (2006), Northwest League (2006), California League (2007), Eastern League (2008–2010), and International League (2011–2015).During the 2014 season, he umpired nine MLB games. In 2015, Jon worked MLB spring training games, but did not umpire any regular season games; unfortunately he was released by MiLB after the season.
Jon continues to live out his dream today, but now at the NCAA Division 1 level, with aspirations to umpire at the NCAA Championship game in Omaha, Nebraska. Jon also stays busy with working with the https://www.woundedwarriorua.org/ What a phenomenal way to help others by using your skills to help others learn a new skill and help someone else reach their dream. If you are interested in helping, donating or just interested in learning more, please contact Jon at jon.byrne@woundedwarriorua.org
Jon's story is inspirational and motivational, so sit back and enjoy Jon tell is story about achieving his dream and the work it took to get there.
 
Follow Jon 
Instagram:
the_aussie_ump
Facebook:
Jono Byrne
Email:
jon.byrne@woundedwarriorua.org
 

Episode 4: Jenna Mango - Rising Above

We were so glad to have had Jenna Mango, a best selling author of Choose to R1se and fitness professional on our show. In this episode, you will here from an individual who literally picked up her entire life from a small town in Connecticut, and moved all the way across the country to San Diego, California.  I am not sure about what you think about this, but in my mind, that takes courage and confidence in yourself and your abilities to be successful.  Below is a little more about Jenna and her background.
Jenna Mango currently works at Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego, CA, as a Certified Personal Trainer and Performance Coach. She has a master’s degree from Western Connecticut State University in Applied Behavior Analysis and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University in Psychology. She was a former collegiate field hockey player. Upon graduation she accepted the position of Assistant Field Hockey Coach at Western Connecticut University and spent four seasons with the team.
Contact Jenna at:
Instagram:
@jmanggg13
@fitnessquest10
 
Facebook:
Jenna Mango
 
Web:
www.fitnessquest10.com
Purchase Choose To R1se:
https://www.amazon.com/Choose-R1SE-Jenna-Mango/dp/B09KN7XW3V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A792C7SSLN7E&keywords=choose+to+r1se&qid=1660604070&sprefix=Choose+to+R1se%2Caps%2C250&sr=8-1