It's Fan Boy Friday, "Make It Happen" Edition!

It's time for another edition of "Fan Boy Friday," and this week is about more than any one person. It's about a whole group of people and what they are all doing that is so inspiring. 

First, the back story. We all know these are unusual times. We're still dealing with a global pandemic and now the nation has erupted with protests and demonstrations calling for an end to systemic racism. It's a big time right now and passions, emotions, and tempers are all running hot. I'm capturing much of it here at San Diego John, but there is literally a whole world of stories and experiences and it's a lot to process. 

With everything happening around me, I've been in a "take it all day by day" mode. I'm not really thinking much about the future, let alone doing much to shape it into any specific direction. And realizing that has me taking a deeper look at why that is. I mean, it's not like life has actually stopped, right?

Which brings me to Fan Boy Friday and the people I'm celebrating today.

• Brian Volkmuth, who is adding even more credentials to an already impressive resume by testing for his Quality Matters Online Teaching Certificate. 
• Elizabeth Anne Hamilton, who completed another college course on her way to getting her BA in Business by 2023.
• Jennifer Roe, who launched her Fab and Flawed podcast and is already sharing her story and her struggles with hundreds of engaged listeners.
• Teri Brantley Brown and Angela Lee, who are launching their Old Broads Run podcast that is absolutely going to help other older women get off their butts, into their sneakers, and out on the roads running.
• Lorrie Hellcat Bamford, who has created a Journaling Presentation, is working on a book, and is launching her WhatTheHellCat? website.
• Me'Kayla Renter, who has embraced investing in her future with a passion, learning everything she can about longterm investing and passive income and sharing it with everyone she knows.

Why am I a fan of all of these people? Because each of them has made a choice to actively engage with their lives right now. They all are taking specific steps to change their lives, right now and in the future. They are all showing me - showing all of us - that we don't have to let uncertain times and chaotic moments control our actions.

Yes, we need to pay attention to what is happening right now. These are important moments and we shouldn't look away. Get educated and get involved.

But, don't let what is going on around you out you in a frozen state, as if the best thing you can do is just stand still in time until everything sorts itself out. That isn't a solution.

Learn from all of these folks. If you want to take charge of your life, do it now. 

• Start something. 
• Learn something. 
• Build something.

It's your life. Take charge and make something happen. And know that I'll be in your corner supporting you every step of the way.

And now, it's time for me decide what I'm going to do. Because life is happening right now and I need to get myself off the sidelines and back in the game.

It's Fan Boy Friday! Meet "The Hellcat."

As if Fridays weren't already wonderful enough, they are now even better for me because they give me the opportunity to celebrate another wonderful person in my life.

Today, it's all about The Hellcat.

Yep. Seriously.

This lovely lady is The Hellcat.

She's also known as Lorrie Bamford. And today, she's the object of my Fan Boy Friday attention.

She first crashed into entered my life back in May 2012, when we crossed paths through the From Fat To Finish Line documentary and the group of friends and fans on Facebook. She was an early supporter of the film and all of the runners, and she and I bonded over our shared sense of (inappropriate) humor.

In late 2013, I learned that her young brother was going to be graduating from Marine Corps Boot Camp here in San Diego, and it was the perfect opportunity to meet her (and many of her crazy fun family members). They came out in January 2014 and we had an amazing time. She brought along her husband and a couple of wild sisters, and it was a non-stop party of laughs and fun!

Lorrie and her equally amazing husband, Reg.

"But, John," you're saying, "you know lots of people and lots of people come stay at your house. What is so special about this person that she deserves Fan Boy Friday status?!"

A fair question. And here's the answer. Lorrie is one of those ladies that wrangles every bit of fun, joy, and excitement out of life. She laughs... loudly and often. She says inappropriate things to strangers. She blunders and stumbles and somehow makes it all work out just fine. And she drags all of the rest of along with her and makes our lives a delightful cross between a reality show, a comedy act, and (occasionally) a police drama.

Describing her in one sentence is actually pretty easy: 

"That lady lives life out loud!"

But she is so much more than just that. She is also a quitter and she's proud of it. So proud, in fact, that she is also an American Lung Association Lung Champion. Yep, she quit smoking. And then she decided that she would be a mentor and supporter of anyone else who made the decision to quit, too.

And there's more. She has a ridiculously big heart, which comes in handy when someone like me constantly finds people in need. No matter how many times I share a story and ask, "anyone think they can help so-and-so?", the answer is always the same. "What can I do and what do you need?"

I absolutely adore this woman. And I am so proud of the way she sets goals and works like a fiend until she reaches them that I have invited myself along to be there for one of her biggest challenges.

On April 24, 2016, I will have the honor of running the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and crossing the finish line with Lorrie. She is training now to run the full 26.2 miles, and I can think of no better way to celebrate her accomplishment than to get to run it right alongside her.

Lorrie "Hellcat" Bamford, hear me when I say this. I am a fan. I adore your heart, your spirit, your passion, and your full-on, take-no-prisoners, go-for-it attitude. Thank you for your friendship and for making my life better just for having you in my corner.

And hey, having a Hawt Hubby doesn't hurt, right?

It's Fan Boy Friday! Meet The Coys.

Another Friday, another chance to give a shout-out to people that make my life better just by being in it. Today, it's all about Dani and Matt Coy.

I met Matt first when we were both banking colleagues back in the late '90's. I worked for a San Diego bank, he worked for a Santa Barbara bank, and we met at a software conference. He's the kind of guy you like immediately, and we struck up a friendship that has lasted more than fifteen years now.

Later, when Matt relocated to Texas, I had a chance to get to know Dani, his wife and their children. They were (and are) a great family, devoted to each other and as close as any I know.

Over the years, I have watched as the family has dealt with more than I could ever have imagined. Throughout it all, they have remained the same kind, generous, and loving people. They are the first to step up whenever there is a need, donating time and money to strangers and friends alike. They truly are an example of what "good people" should be.

Recently, on a weekend trip through their town, I had the chance to spend the night and have some time to catch up with Dani, Matt, and their son, Bennett. There just aren't the words to express my gratitude to the family for offering me more than a place to sleep. What they gave me was true sanctuary, a chance to be surrounded by people who truly care about me and would do anything to help me be and feel better. And what may have just seemed like another conversation to them was actually a chance for me to open up about some things that have been weighing me down lately. And no surprise, saying them aloud to true friends made the load seem so much lighter and the problems less troubling.

If success is rated by the kindness you bring to the world, Dani and Matt are wealthy beyond measure. And folks like me (and my husband) are so grateful to be their friends.

If you have friends like these, be thankful. Be vocal. Tell the world all about them.

And if you don't have friends like these, get some. Because they make the rough spots smoother and the good times greater.

I love you, Coy Family!

It's Fan Boy Friday! Meet Janeth Paris.

It's Fan Boy Friday, and that means I'm taking a few minutes out of my day to highlight and celebrate someone who deserves all the shout-outs she ever gets!

Ladies and gentlemen, this is my friend, Janeth Paris.

Here's what you need to know about her:

1. She's funny. Like, snicker under your breath until you can't hold it in anymore then lose it in a full-on belly laugh kind of funny. And that makes her an HR Manager's nightmare but a co-workers best friend!
2. She's wise. She has learned what matters in this world, what really doesn't, and how to keep herself focused on the former.
3. She's a joy to be around. She is one of those honest-to-goodness decent people that are a pleasure to spend time with. She has an easy smile and a sincere heart, and she just makes you feel better when she is around.
4. She has recently turned off her "No" button and is now in full-on "Sure!" mode. If you have a crazy, fun, silly idea and ask her to join in, she'll do it. Be careful what you challenge her to do because she is unafraid!

Go run a 5K to honor Cedric? Done.

Get her DubSmash sing-along on? Done.

Jump out of a plane? River raft? Pub Crawl in a tutu and a tiara? Who knows? This lady is up to whatever life has in store for her, and the rest of us are lucky enough to be there when it happens.

Janeth, my friend, I am grateful that the fates conspired to bring you into my life. You are a bright light in my life and I love you like crazy, my friend!

Now, my friend, let's set this joint off with our man, Jamal!

It's Fan Boy Friday! Meet Nancy Howard.

A couple of years ago, I started a short-lived series of posts called "Fan Boy Friday," in which I took the time to celebrate some of the truly wonderful people in my life. I don't know why I stopped doing it, but I really need to bring that series back. Writing those posts reminded me just how fortunate I am to be surrounded by so much love and compassion and intelligence and humor and... well, the list could go on forever. And all of it is worth bragging about.

So first up, I am celebrating my friend Nancy Howard.

We first crossed paths through a health and fitness website where she was an online coach and I was a new member struggling to find the motivation to continue. She was such an inspiration, always making the time to engage with me (and others). She had found her joy in running and more than anything, she felt the drive to help the rest of us find that joy, too, whether through running, biking, swimming, walking, etc. We didn't have to make her choices, just make our own and be happy with them.

We first met in person in June 2011, when Nancy came out to San Diego to run the Rock and Roll Half Marathon. Turns out, she was even more of a joy in person.

In the four years we have been friends, we have run together from coast to coast (literally), in shared races and on shared teams. We've run relays and marathons and logged more miles together than I can even remember.

But it isn't the running that has made us friends. That's just an activity that we share in common. We are friends because, quite simply, she has a heart as big as Texas and my life is immeasurably better because she is in it.

Years ago, I stumbled across a post from a mother concerned that she had nothing... honestly, nothing... to give to her two boys on Christmas morning. For reasons unimportant here, her life had come unraveled and she was in dire straits. Knowing I had a support group of friends who would help me, I made it my mission to deliver the most amazing Christmas those boys had ever had. Immediately, and I mean not ten minutes later, Nancy had already PayPal'd me the money to buy one of the boys a bicycle.

She didn't ask, "who is this woman?" She didn't wonder, "why is she unable to do this herself?" And she didn't ask, "is she truly in need?" She just sent the money. And because of her (and my husband buying the second bike), those two boys really did have the greatest Christmas Day ever.

Fast forward to April 2014. I really wanted to join a relay team to run the American Odyssey Relay, but I just couldn't get it into the budget. When a runner dropped out last minute and the team asked me again, it was Nancy (and our friend, Bruce) who told me, "we want you and we're going to buy your plane ticket and cover expenses to make sure you get here."

I was used to being on the giving end of something like that, and being on the receiving end was unbelievable. And, of course, the entire weekend was an amazing experience and one of the best weekends I've had.

Despite all of that generosity, it isn't giving money that shows the person Nancy is. She has a huge heart and she wears it proudly on her shoulder for all the world to see. And when someone she cares about is hurting, there isn't anything she wouldn't do to try to make them feel better.

This was her Facebook status yesterday morning:

That friend in a funk? That was me. I was having a really bad day yesterday, and Nancy took the time to reach out to me to see if there was anything she could do and to let me know that I was important to her, that I was a light in her life, and that I was a good person who was loved.

That, people. THAT is what she does. That is who she is. Whether it's stepping into the CrossFit box, convincing someone that they can do something brand new, running a new longer distance, or shedding tears because someone she knows is hurting... if she does something, she does it with her whole heart and her entire passion.

Nancy and her husband, Shawn, are two of the most wonderful people that I have ever known. And today, like every other day since June 2011, I consider myself so fortunate to have the two of them in my life as friends.

Nancy, I've said this before and I'll say it again. We may not share the same beliefs about the hereafter, but you are absolute proof to me of angels here on earth.

And I'll close this with my very favorite photo of the two of us together. This was the finish line at the Marine Corps Marathon, October 2013. We both had a bad race and were disappointed with our overall results. But standing together, in the shadow of a monument honoring the single proudest moment in Marine Corps history, the two of us realized that the only thing we should be feeling at the end of 26.2 grueling miles was pride, happiness, and joy. And that is why our injured little bodies are way less important than the big ol' smiles on our faces.

I love you, friend. Thank you for being exactly the person you are.


P.S. I thought you might need these, too. You always were a big softy.

It's Fan Boy Friday! Meet Tammy Rones.

I've been rather quiet this week on the blogging front, but I can't let the day go by without another edition of Fan Boy Friday.

This week, it's my friend, Tammy Rones. Here we are just before we ran the Peace, Love, Run 10K here in San Diego.

It's tough to describe Tammy and capture all that she is. On one hand, she's a tough-as-nails runner chick who will step up to do any distance, any elevation, any time of the day on a Ragnar Relay race. She's a multi-marathoner who isn't afraid of the long run, and she is an absolute joy to run beside on the long miles. On the other hand, she's a girly-girl who loves bright colors and all things shiny and sparkly.

We met through SparkPeople.com, a health and fitness website. We clicked immediately, both of us feeling a passion for running that went way beyond weight loss goals. Over the years, we have crossed paths at countless events, both of us involved with other teams but always happy to see a friend on the course. And one of these days, we will share a team and a van on a Ragnar Relay.

But she's more than a running buddy for me. She is also a sympathetic ear and a strong shoulder. She thought nothing of driving an hour out of her way to be there for me during my Grandfather's Memorial Service at Riverside National Cemetery. As she herself best explained it, "being a friend means more than just being there for the laughs, you know?" I will never be able to explain to her just how much that meant to me, how tough that day was for me.

Tammy is a powerful woman, a beautiful lady, and a true force to be reckoned with. I'm always thankful that she is on my side, and today, I wanted her (and everyone else) to know that I am a fan.

It's Fan Boy Friday! Meet Susan Patriquin.

As if I needed another reason to love Fridays, right? But blogging about some of the amazing people in my life puts me in such a great mood. While I'm running during the week, I let my mind wander and I think about my different friends. For days, my thoughts return to the people who make my life truly worth living, and I'm happy every single time. To be honest, I never thought about that aspect of it, about how writing Fan Boy Fridays might make ME feel better. But it does. It puts the good in my life front and center and I'm reminded - again - just how fortunate I am. With that in mind, let's get to this week's Fan Boy Friday!

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Susan Patriquin.

She has been a part of my life since I was a young boy, when she married my Uncle Tim and became part of the are-you-kidding-me?! huge Patriquin family. For more than thirty years, she has been a part of my life, and I am thankful every single day.

She is my Aunt, yes, but we're close in age and she feels much more like a peer. And although she lives halfway across the country in Austin, Texas, she is my go-to person when I need to vent about whatever day-to-day nonsense is bothering me.

More than that, though, she is the person who really taught me what it means to open your home and be a giving, welcoming host. Over the years, I have shown up on her doorstep alone, with Marine friends, with an entire relay race team of strangers... she never knew just who would be on the other side of the opening door. But it has never mattered. Each and every time, she has invited me and whomever was with me into her home, made us feel comfortable and at ease, and shown by example what hospitality looks like.

"Texas Toast," our Capital to Coast Relay Team
invading Casa Patriquin in October 2012. 

She is a talented decorator with an amazing eye for detail, she is a loving wife and a mother to my cousins, Tom and Stacey, and she is an "adopted Mom" to who knows how many people over the years who needed a stable and caring person in their lives. And she enjoys Jack on the rocks or a good glass of wine. What's not to love?

Susan, you are a truly fantastic person. Without exception, every single one of my friends that meet you think, "dude, she's awesome! I wish she was my Aunt!" And it's true. I am lucky. I'm glad that my Uncle had the sense to hang on to you all these years and not let you get away. You have made such a positive difference in my life and you are, truly, family.

I am a fan.

It's FanBoy Friday! - Meet The Murphy's.

I've said it many times, but it's always worth repeating. Running has given me so many gifts beyond the weight loss and improved health. It's also given me experiences (Bay to Breakers, anyone?) and opportunities (From Fat to Finish!).

Most importantly, though, running has brought the most amazing people into my life. And two of those people are the object of my attention in today's FanBoy Friday.

Friends, meet The Murphy's.

Yep. In kilts. Because they're cool like that.

Kat and John Murphy. They look like two normal people, but they're not. They are quite extraordinary.

I first met them in April 2011. They were in the second van of my very first Ragnar team, and I had very little time to spend with them. Fast forward to February 2012, and I joined their team to run Ragnar Del Sol in Arizona.

Post 200 miles of running in the Arizona desert.

I knew they were good people, but until my weekend with them, I really had no idea just how generous and giving they were. They not only took on the responsibility of captaining the Del Sol team, they also opened their home to all of the runners after the relay. We had a fantastic dinner and a long night of drinks, laughter and mayhem.

In the year and a half since then, I have had the chance to really get to know them both. And I can't say enough good things about them. Their home in Arizona serves as a hub for their large group of friends, and there is always something happening. Whether it's a barbecue by the pool or an early morning run, the Murphy's make sure that everyone stays connected. And through them, I have also been fortunate enough to meet and become friends with many people in their extended circle. More win!

Thank you, Kat and John, for opening your home to me. Thank you for opening your hearts to me. And thank you for making me feel not like a guest in town, but like a family member who returns and is welcomed each time with open arms.

You two are both such giving, caring people. Being your friend is an honor. And yes, I am definitely a fan.

It's FanBoy Friday! - Meet Eric Strand.

Welcome to another edition of FanBoy Friday.

This week, the shout-out from my little corner of the web goes to Eric Strand.

Which Eric Strand? Not the Swedish Olympic Fencer. Not the Editor of Donnie Darko and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. And no, not the Ultra-Marathoner. Believe it or not, this Eric Strand is cooler than all three of those guys combined. True story.

My Eric Strand is a Marine Corps Brother, Dedicated Husband, Tattooed Grandfather, Healing Practitioner and all-around bad ass kind of guy.

Exhibit A:

Note the shirt. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

And Exhibit B:

See?  A cool mantra and even cooler tattoos.

So why is he my FanBoy Friday pick? Because he's the man I want to grow up and become. He is the epitome of the Marine Corps expression, "No better friend; No worse enemy." He would do anything in the world for the people in his life, and he would stop at nothing to destroy you if you hurt those same people.

For so many reasons, I am in awe of this man. (And not just because his wife is smokin' hot and a justifiable pick for FanBoy Friday all on her own.) He inspires me with his dedication, his commitment, and his single-minded focus.

Eric, I am a fan.  Having you in my corner makes me that much more confident and I thank you for that.

It's FanBoy Friday!

We all know about Sunday Fun Day and Throwback Thursday, but I think we need a new weekly celebration. I'm kicking off FanBoy Friday (FBF).

What is it? It's a chance each week for me (and you, if you want to play along) to choose a friend and give them a WorldWideWeb shout-out for their awesomeness.

Here, I'll start and show you how easy it is.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is my friend, Minna.

We met when we were both members of SparkPeople.com, and she was one of the very first Buddies I had there. From the very beginning, she was a big motivator for me. She took the time to comment on my blogs, cheering me on when I was doing well and encouraging me when I was down.

After a while, our SparkPeople buddy'ing became a Facebook friendship, and we now stalk each other and "ooh" and "aah" over each other's lives. She lives in Uppsala, Sweden, so her European life is very different from my SoCal coastal living.

Why Minna for the shoutout? Because she's awesome. She's a beautiful person with a wonderful spirit, and I thank the Internet and the fates that she and I crossed paths. And one day, she and I are determined to cross a Finish Line together, too.

FanBoy Friday, I give you my friend, Minna. You may now say nice things about her.

(And feel free to steal FBF and give your own random friend a shoutout. Good people deserve it!)