He's now part of a massively successful movie Franchise with the Success of Deadpool, but Arizona native Rhett Reese shares just how close they were to never getting the movie off the launch pad. He's an example of resilience and believing in your dreams and the things you love. From that moment he thought it might be time to look into another form of employment, to his creative talents finally being recognized along with his friend and writing partner Paul Wernick, Reese recounts a Hollywood journey that delivered a great ending! But he's nowhere close to putting a wrap on his dream job anytime soon. He's also a huge Phoenix Suns fan that shares his memories of the late Al McCoy and his thoughts on the current roster.
You've seen their uniquely designed TShirts along with other apparel and merchandise around the State and in some instances the globe for a decade now. But do you know who is behind the launch and growth of one of Arizona's many local business success stories? Michael Spangenberg was like so many other Entrepreneurs who had a dream and vision. Along with the help and inspiration of 2 friends State-Forty-Eight has become more than just a T-shirt company. Their story is like so many other's who have jumped into the entrepreneurial waters. It's not for the faint of heart or those who are risk averse, but if your vision and passion remain constant and true good things usually follow. I encourage you to listen and watch as Michael chronicles the wild and crazy ride that he and his partners and employees have been on and how he's intent on inspiring and growing young entrepreneurs like himself here in Arizona. He's hyper focused on the companies continued growth, but more importantly keeping their core values all about Community and the amazing diverse cultures of this wonderful place he calls home.
In the latest installment of Breakthrough Chronicles I caught up with one of the busiest women in Sports! What does it take to pull off successful Super Bowl's and a Men's Final 4? Jay Parry has had a front row seat as the CEO and Executive who has been tasked with making them spectacular not only for Arizona but for the world to see! From WNBA Championships and now in her current role, once you come in contact with her you understand why people love working with her. The authentic, effervescent energy you immediately feel is a reflection of her drive, in addition to her Team and has positioned Arizona as a mecca for Big Events! And oh, by the way up next is the Women's Final 4. No rest for the successful!
She dominated the game long before Social Media and live broadcasts of women's basketball. Can you imagine the attention and social media explosion that would occur if a player scored 105 points in a game today?! She did that! She's long been considered the better Miller of the hooping Millers. You might know her brother Reggie? Knee injuries cut her career short , but that didn't prevent her from achieving 2 National Championships, Olympic Gold and inductions in multiple Hall of Fames. A coaching career and then an incredibly successful TV career that allowed her larger than life personality to shine on the national stage. But it was the lessons learned in a family of 5 siblings and the tough love of her parents that really laid the foundation for all of those amazing accomplishments in her life. Listen in and soak up the energy and positivity that only Cheryl Miller can deliver.
JakePlummer stopped by on our latest Episode of Breakthrough Chronicles. He hasalways marched to his own beat. From his days at ASU to the NFL, Plummers pathin life has and will always be on his terms. He never wanted to be defined byjust football and now his purpose is built around trying to provide a betterquality of life by educating the masses about the Queendom of fungi. Medicinaland functional mushrooms are at the core of his new venture Umbo. We talk aboutyoung Jake, Leadership, loyalty & always wanting to learn more.
On the newest episode of Breakthrough Chronicles with Kevin Ray, he sits down with long-time, award-winning journalist Mike Watkiss to discuss his career, acting, family and covering some of the most infamous trials in American history.
He was seemingly born to have a basketball in his hand. As the only son born in Bowling Green, Kentucky to Laura and Wayne Chapman, young Rex would feel the pull of that orange sphere at an early age to no ones surprise considering his father Wayne played professionally. It wasn't quite that simple however. Few knew of his love for the Pool and his strong abilities as a swimmer. Ultimately, the desire to follow his father's footsteps was too strong and his Basketball odyssey began. He takes us thru those early struggles as an awkward young player to a growth spurt that suddenly vaulted him onto a whole new level. A high school career that eventually landed him at the hotbed of college hoops at the University of Kentucky where he would earn great acclaim for his high flying skills and ability to score in waves. Those feats helped him become a first round NBA selection. While he achieved success during his 13 year NBA career, injuries would rob him of being able to fully realize a number of his goals. Those same injuries and the pain meds prescribed to alleviate the pain sent his life into a tailspin post NBA career that would take him down a path that he and his friends and family couldn't fathom. Rex shares those painful, powerful moments that took him to rock bottom. But the same man who fought so hard to succeed at every level of basketball took that same approach in defeating the demons that had nearly destroyed him and those around him. That 10,000 watt smile is back and the joy for life and all it has to offer is visible in every step he takes and the words and wisdom he shares with us and those he comes in contact with everyday. He's truly another amazing example of what Breakthrough Chronicles is all about.
Anthony Robles was born with one leg to a mother who was only 16 years old. You wanna talk about the odds being stacked against you?! But the fierce, loving, nurturing spirit and attitude of his mother Judy would be instilled in him seemingly the moment he took his first breath. What others saw as a disability, Anthony's mother saw and chose to teach and ingrain a unique ability. An ability to adapt, to look past and thru all the obstacles that lay in wait for both of them and their family. The drive and desire to live not only a full life, but compete at the highest level and everything he did consumed him and ultimately pushed to incredible heights. He became a 3X Wrestling All-American at Arizona State University and he's since been inducted in multiple Halls of Fame for wrestling and additionally won ESPY Awards for his courageous accomplishments and message to others. His poem should be read and remembered by all of us. "I don't care what's probable, thru blood, sweat and tears I am Unstoppable".
She's coached world class athletes, CEO's, world leaders, and artists. A 3rd Stroke took her skills, attributes and talents and required her to relearn every day tasks. In the process she realized she needed to heed some of her own coaching to start her journey back. The end result is a Best selling book that chronicles her path back and lays out simple, yet critical principles we can all use daily, weekly, monthly to move thru and past our own setbacks. Coach Dar, a licensed and board certified occupational therapist as well as motivational speaker takes us through her path back from an unimaginable health setback. In her new Book, The Art of Bouncing: Find your Flow to Thrive at work and in Life-Anytime your off your game, she provides simple effective tools that can help in guiding you through those moments we all experience at one time or another in our lives.
She grew up the 6th of 11 children where competition started early in her life. As a quiet, shy girl little did she know that 5 decades later she'd be in multiple Halls of Fame, a multi time Champion as an Executive as well as an Emmy Winning Broadcaster. Yet, none of those feats came without numerous obstacles being thrown at her. Her greatest accomplishment though is being a mother to 3 young children when she was widowed as a young wife. Her spirit, enthusiasm, competitiveness and the support of an extended family has helped lift her thru the hard times as she continues to add more chapters to her inspiring and captivating life.
The successful man you see and hear today was built thru early challenges in life in the Chicago projects of Cabrini Green. He survivied multiple brushes with death by the love and strong hand of his single mother as well as his siblings. He also learned the importance of Dreaming of something better and how those dreams put him on a path where he''d be mentored by multiple Father figures who helped shape a young boy into a man. That man would go on to have an incredibly successful NBA career and now that on court success has turned into Emmy Award winning broadcaster and influential entrepreneur and philanthropist. All the things you didn't know about the man I call the Smooth Shooter can be found in our conversation.