Awesome AND Relatable- Episode 1
You’ve just turned on Gaming to Your Goals, where we talk about the cheat codes of life. From the beach to the rainforest, to my friend’s couch — I’m your host, ThisGuyEY — and welcome to the show.
You heard it in the intro, but in case you missed it:
I’ve lived in the rainforest.
I’ve lived on the beach.
I’ve lived on my best friend’s couch.
I’ve been a full-time waiter just to pay rent, and I’ve also worked for some of the largest corporations in the world. I’m a gamer, world traveler, corporate employee, dad, husband, former D1 athlete, start-up owner, and life coach. I met my Australian wife at a club in Mexico. And I’m just a guy.
🎤 From Life to the Mic
As of recently, I’m a paid speaker. I used to think I had to go be successful first in order to do that. And while being successful gave me some of the confidence, the rest came from learning how to talk about my life in a way that other people could connect to.
Every story can’t be “That one time I was riding a motorcycle in the rainforest…”
Being relatable usually means talking about the stuff that a lot of people have experienced — the stuff that makes you feel more human.
So let’s start there.
🏠Midwestern Roots and Growing Up
Most of my kid years were spent in the Midwest, except for some early time in West Virginia. The only sports I seemed to be good at were Track and Field and kickball — and I don’t think kickball really counts.
I like video games. I love reggae music (something I got into more in adulthood). And I’m slowly phasing out hot pockets and Oreos… but man, health journeys suck.
I married a woman who brought South Asian culture into my life. By the time I get this episode out, I imagine I’ll be a father of two.
Update: That’s true — I got two kids now.
I’ve got a cat. I drive a Subaru Outback. I’ve got a 9–5 corporate gig.
🧠Different Perspectives
I came up in a way that helped me understand a lot of different perspectives.
Most of my life I’ve had a horrible stutter and moderate asthma. I come from multiple single-parent households and I’ve witnessed a few divorces. I’ve got two half-siblings who I’m more than a decade older than, and my brother has autism.
I’ve seen people I know and love go to jail. I’ve watched chemotherapy wear people down to their bones. I’ve seen addiction take over — and sometimes end — people’s lives.
My mom works in the public school system, even though everyone knows she’s really an event planner. My dad is what I’d call the “set-off” guy — professionally, he’s a marketer. Sometimes of himself, sometimes of whatever or whoever he’s helping represent at the time.
I wasn’t born in time to meet my father’s father. But my mom’s dad is a retired plumber. Both of my grandmas have roots in the church — one was a nun, and the other… I might be messing this up, but she preaches sometimes into a mic and people clap. Haha. Yey God.
Quick Facts (So You Know Me)
My favorite movie is Kung Fu Panda
My favorite foods are pancakes, nachos, and a Sri Lankan-Tamil dish called Kothu Rotti
I think nature is cool — I just don’t like bugs
When I order fast food, I don’t get a drink. It’s a ripoff. I’ll just take a sip of my wife’s if I get curious
Boom — now I’m relatable.
🌍 Life, Work, and the Big Picture
I’ve spent time overseas. I’ve lived in some massive cities. I’ve done all types of jobs — some cool, some odd.
I’m kind of a hippie.
I graduated from Iowa State University. I’ve worked for Walt Disney. I’ve worked at Boston Scientific in the medical devices space. And now I manage multi-million-dollar biotechnology projects at one of the biggest agriculture companies in the world.
One day, I’d like to open a resort somewhere warm.
I’d like to consistently coach high-ticket clients — helping them find success by digging deep into their lives.
I’d like to present my frameworks and life cheat codes to thousands of people.
And I think I’d like to use this podcast to help make it all happen.
🎧 Episode One — That’s a Wrap
That’s the intro. That’s me.
I’ve lived through a lot, and I’ve picked up some tools along the way — and I want to share them with you.
Thanks for tuning in.
Let’s level up.
Let’s game.
