Apex Activated

She’s a mama, world traveler, influencer, soon-to-be nurse, and a former military police officer… what DOESN’T Riley Cyr do?   Our newest Apex Activated episode is LIVE and we’re sitting down with Riley to talk about balancing motherhood, marriage, big dreams, and lots of adventure.   From raising two little ones, to helping moms discover the best places to explore around Colorado, to stepping into the world of nursing, our friend, Riley proves you can chase your dreams while raising a family.   This conversation is real and one you don’t want to miss.   Listen now wherever you get your favorite podcasts!   Like. Follow. Share.

Apex Activated sat down with Allison Scheck-Deputy City Manager, City of Arvada and talked all things about her journey that spans continents, communities and countless cups of tea!   From growing up across the pond to helping shape the future of Arvada, Allison’s story is anything but ordinary. Somewhere between her British roots and Rocky Mountain horizons, she found her way to Colorado and has never looked back.   Now serving as Deputy City Manager for the City of Arvada, Allison is one of those behind-the-scenes powerhouses who keeps a city moving forward. Big-picture strategy? Check. Community connection? Absolutely. Navigating growth, change, and opportunity while keeping people at the center? That’s her sweet spot.   But here’s what makes this episode extra special: Allison isn’t just shaping a city with her rock star team, she’s raising kiddos, building community, and balancing public service with real life. We talk about leadership with heart, what it’s like to cross an ocean and build a new home, and how local government can truly impact families, businesses, and neighborhoods in meaningful ways.   There’s laughter. There’s insight. There might even be a British accent moment or two.   If you’re curious about leadership, community impact, or how someone goes from England to influencing one of Colorado’s most fun cities, this conversation will leave you inspired and maybe even a little more curious about how to get involved with your city!   Remember to comment, like and share!   Find us on Apple, iHeart, Spotify, Podbean or wherever you get your favorite podcasts!

Launch day was a huge success and to celebrate we grabbed out mini mics and hit the streets (and by streets we mean the hallway of Apex Center). We chatted all things launch, how people were feeling, what they thought about the time leading up to our new software launch and all things in between. Spoiler alert...one of our directors thought we said "Lunch Day" and came a runnin' for some grub.  Short and sweet and to the point, but so much fun wrapped up in just a few minutes! We love our staff and are so proud of the work they did and huge shout out to Rec Technologies for their product and support!

January is wrapping up and your resolutions, goals and all the things you vowed to do and change may be feeling heavy, but we have the cure!   We are throwing it back to one of our very favorite podcast guests who inspires us to go for our dreams. Ali from Mermaid Walking is the epitome of a girls girl, a person who will always cheer for you, lift you up and make you believe you can do it ALL! Because, well, you CAN!   Listen to this previously recorded and released pod with our girl, who reminds us to go for it all!   Follow, like, comment and go visit Ali at Mermaid Walking!

Apex Activated dives into what’s new in green space and land management. This episode features Eric Feldbaum of New Hampshire State Parks, aka the Man of Many Names, talking NRPA advocacy, the Land & Water Conservation Fund, and meeting the needs of our greenspaces. From policy work to orchid growing and new-parent life, he does it all.   Listen on Apple, Spotify, iHeart & more. Like • Follow • Share Let's do this!

We are officially back and kicking off 2026 the only way we know how...honest conversations, a lot of chaos and so many laughs. In this episode, we are looking back on 2025...remember cancer...some of the best friends and guest two girls could have and babies! We are talking about reflections, lessons learned and our words for 2026. And because it wouldn't be coffee talk without it... -more food convos. -more talk about our community. -and more us being us! Coffee talk is here, baby and we cannot wait to share this with you! Show us some love...please! (do we sound like we are begging?) Follow, like, comment, share.

Okay...real talk. Staying hopeful, as a teen, feels like trying to vibe on 3 hours of sleep during finals week...definitely not 67! (if you know, you know) But some awesome educators are showing up bringing big heart, big leadership and big "I've got your back" energy and today we sit and talk to one of those amazing peeps! Principal Micah Porter walks the halls of Arvada West High School and his take on how our teens are doing these days is all positive! From hyping his students, saddling up next to his teachers, and building real connections, Micah is the real deal! Tune in to hear what teens are thinking and doing, how to build trust and a community within schools and you to lift up the young people in your world. Make sure you follow, like, comment...basically all the things so you don't miss an episode!

Ever wondered what happens when two friends take a random idea, sprinkle in some chaos, caffeine, and fun, and somehow turn it into one of the fastest-rising stars in recreation technology? Or how two former Uber teammates managed to navigate the startup world without losing their minds or their friendship and build Rec Technologies from scratch?   Birju and Rachel dive into all this and more in our newest Apex Activated Podcast episode—out today, Thursday, November 21.   Listen to this episode if you:   -Want to hear how two friends went from Uber to founding Rec Technologies?   -Want a behind-the-scenes look at building one of the most up-and-coming recreation tech platforms?   -Want to learn how innovators balance ambition, creativity, and real life while scaling a startup? (And by real life, we mean one getting married and one having a baby and one of the SURFS...could they be any cooler?)   Tune in starting today, November 21, on Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.   And don’t forget to follow, like, comment, and download!

New Episode Out Now – Apex Activated Podcast We took the mic to the floor at this year’s NRPA Conference in Florida and captured the energy firsthand. From reconnecting with past guests like the incredible Kristine Stratton, President of NRPA, to meeting new voices in the parks and recreation world, this episode is full of spontaneous moments, laughter, and real talk about the power of community and public service. It’s a fast-paced, feel-good listen that highlights the passion driving today’s leaders in parks and rec. 🎧 Streaming now on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Podbean, and wherever you get your podcasts. 👍 Don’t forget to follow, like, comment, and download—your support keeps this mic rolling. Brought to you by the National Recreation and Park Association.

In this inspiring and candid episode, we sit down with U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen to talk about her journey that led her from her upbringing in Colorado to walking and serving in the halls of Congress. With honesty and a huge heart, she opens up about how her family shaped her work, the pivotal moments that led her into public service, with the help of our own Katie Groke, and the passion behind what fuels her work in Washington today. We dive into her legislative priorities, her hopes for the future, what being a mom on Capitol Hill looks like and why she is more energized that ever to serve the people she represents. This is one powerful conversation that you do not want to miss, filled with resilience, purpose, and the kind of hope we are all looking for. Whether you are all about policy, looking for an uplifting story, or are a mama raising babies like Rep. Pettersen, this episode will leave you feeling ready to hit the ground running. Listen NOW on Apple, iHeart, Podbean, Spotify or anywhere you get your favorite podcasts. And don’t forget to follow, like, comment and download!

Last year our team met with Annie Frisoli about becoming intentional leaders and wow did it speak to us and change our mindset! Listen in as you hear Annie talk about her journey to where she is now, how parks and recreation helped lead her here and what becoming an intentional leader means and how to become just that. There is not a one size fits all model for being a great leader and Annie will help you find your perfect approach all while inspiring you, making you laugh and being the girl you want in your corner! You do not want to miss this one!

Apex Activated is coming in hot with one of our fave people, Lakita Frazier.   Lakita is a Senior Consultant at Barry Dunn where she leads strategic planning and facility construction. She is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and was inducted into the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration in 2020.   But there's more...she is a mama, a grandma and she started Women in Parks and Recreation (WiPAR) and is bringing amazing women from across the globe together for yearly retreats and talks and inspiring us to get in the board rooms, get on the trails, and be movers and shakers.   Our conversation with her was inspiring, but also so gentle and you feel her kindness and love for people come through as you get to know her!   Grab your phone and find your favorite place outside and listen to this awesome chat with Lakita!

We are bringing back one of our faves for a little coffee tawk! We love anytime we get to hang with this girl who is not only wicked smart about parks and recreation, people, leading and all the things, but she is down to earth, kind, and a true girls girl! Karen joins us at Katie's kitchen table as we chat about food, dating, meditation and more.  Grab a chair, a great cuppa whatever wets your whistle and get to know the latest in meditation gadgets and a little behind the scenes action with Karen O'Donnell!  

Welp, this one ended differently than any of our others!    We love chatting with our good friend, City of Boulder Director of Parks and Recreation Ali Rhodes! She inspires us with her go get 'em attitude, her amazing team she leads and how much she puts into her community! We could have talked for hours with this one, until she threw in some challenges (which we accepted...what were we thinking?) and now we are doing the Bolder Boulder! WHAT???   We cannot wait for you to hear from our awesome friend and be ready to hit the trails!  

Join us as we talk to Marisa Kouba, the Active Adult Recreation Coordinator at the City of Thornton, about her journey to her amazing position. Between love and loss, this girl is one tough cookie! She teaches us how to handle grief and loss and how to keep going and celebrate each day.   We are so thankful that Marisa came into our lives, what she has taught us and how big her heart is!

Break Stuff!   Yep, you got it right! We are breaking bottles and breaking through our barriers of what is holding us back in the latest episode of Apex Activated.   On location at Emotion with Owner Erica Valenzuela, who is teaching us to show ourselves and others grace as we navigate emotions and life. (Speaking of showing grace...the sound was a bit off due to breaking things, moving around room to room and all the things, so throw some grace our way as you listen.)   Listen to this excellent episode, then book a session at Emotion! You will feel lighter and be ready to head into next week with grace and some goodness.

Meet Kelly Schmidt, Director of Durango Parks and Recreation Director.    Family, being outside and leading her community is where her heart is and we are here for it!   Kelly landed in Durango after living in Bentonville, Arkansas and she loves being part of the community and seeing the bigger picture as she brings her 25 years of open space fun to this amazing city! This Texas State alumni believes in accessible parks and recreation for everyone and bringing about places of play for families. We loved talking with her about her hubby, two teenage girls and her new job! Sit down and listen as we catch up with our friend from Durango!

"You aren't a fish out of water, you are a mermaid walking." Join us as we chat with Mermaid Walking Boutique owner Ali Larsen.   This girl boss will inspire you to chase your dreams and build your people up. She is the ultimate hype girl, and we love visiting her boutique!   Sit with a cup of coffee and listen to this out-of-this-world woman and her incredible journey. @mermaidwalkingboutique Visit Arvada   Catch us anywhere you get your podcasts! Apple, iHeart, Spotify and Podbean.

Third time is a charm with our coffee talk guest this week! We love our coffee talk chats. We get to catch up, share our fave shows we are watching, and just be together. We invited our bestie in this week and had the best chitty chat! We have tried three times to get this one on, and we always get sidetracked, so buckle up and get a sneak peek into what a day in our back office is like!

Did someone say pilates?   For the first time ever, we are on location with our guest! Join us for our chat this week with Cardinal Pilates and Nutrition Owner, Kat Boome.   Kat will inspire you to follow your dreams and forge your own path. Kat has the most gentle spirit and a beautiful and calming studio, and it will make you want to stop, breathe, and take care of YOU!   Listen on Podbean, Apple, iHeart, or anywhere you get your podcasts.