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5 Things I Love This Week - Episode #3

The World Series, a Disclosure song, a running belt, a website builder and an old commercial

1. The Fall Classic
I've always loved watching the playoffs and championship games in just about every sport, but nothing compares to the World Series. Maybe its the fact I've been so privileged as a St. Louis Cardinals fan to have had a buffet of playoff baseball and even more so, October baseball, to consume during my lifetime. I have so many great Cardinal baseball memories, like Darrell Porter jumping into the open arms of Bruce Sutter, the David Freese triple, Ozzie's home run in 1985 against the Dodgers, and yes, even game 6 of the 1985 World Series (he was safe).

After a 100 win season, my Redbirds went a bit cold in the Division Series, but I'll still enjoy watching this year's sans St. Louis Fall Classic. 

2. Magnets by Disclosure ft. Lorde
Lorde’s voice over the production work of Disclosure. I’m in!

The Fitletic hydration belt is, for me, the perfect companion to runs of up to 10 miles. 

The Fitletic hydration belt is, for me, the perfect companion to runs of up to 10 miles. 

3. Fitletic Hydration Belt
It’s no secret that hydration is important when exercising and one of my key pieces of running equipment is my hydration belt. If I plan on running for 30 minutes or more, I always wear my 16 oz. Fitletic belt. It holds two eight ounce bottles, and includes a water resistant neoprene zipped pocket that holds most cell phones.

The belt also has integrated race bib toggles to secure a bib number and loops to hold gels and other similar nutrition. I prefer belts so I can keep my hands free as I’d rather not have anything weighing my arms down or wasting strength gripping onto a bottle.

4. Squarespace
Overhauling my website was a pretty big effort, especially since I was doing it on my own. After researching different template based platforms, I settled in with Squarespace, which admittedly I was initially turned onto because of their Superbowl commercial.

The templates are beautifully designed and after an initial learning curve, are easy and intuitive to customize. Above all, however, it’s their customer service that is amazing. Whenever I have a question, I email their support team and have a response within 15 minutes. I feel like I have my own in-house information technology department.

Not only do they answer my question, but they also help with work arounds and alternatives when what I’m trying to accomplish doesn't exactly work with their platform. I highly recommend Squarespace if you are looking to revamp your web presence.

5.  K Tel Record Selector
I’ve always been a fan of organizing gadgets. I have a feeling if I was a DJ in the 60s I probably would have had  a few of these to organize my records. Check out this fun vintage commercial:

Happiness Is Now Here

Reflecting on my week in Lululemon’s Om Base

Spending a quick moment with Amie Zimon and Rob Tubajon before we get the party started. These two made it possible for me to spend a week DJing for Lululemon employees in Vancouver. 

Spending a quick moment with Amie Zimon and Rob Tubajon before we get the party started. These two made it possible for me to spend a week DJing for Lululemon employees in Vancouver. 

As I arrived in Vancouver for the second time in less than 50 days last week, I had this overwhelming sense of familiarity. I had that feeling we sometimes get seeing a friend whom we may not see that often, but within a few moments, it’s as though no time has passed.

I was there to DJ various events over the course of three days, for Lululemon Athletica, one of the world’s most recognized brands, and for an audience of nearly 1,000 people from all over the world. Here I was outside, of my hometown, anticipating having to DJ in front of a large crowd, using a borrowed DJ set-up that wasn’t my “normal” gear and for a high-profile client. During my journey, I kept thinking about all the things that could go wrong.

  • Will my hard drives of music crash; or erase while going through TSA?
  • Will my computer suddenly decide to not work?
  • Will the equipment I’m using fail?
  • Will I play the right music?
  • Will I be successful, and how will I even measure this?

In the past, all of these things would give me a mild case of anxiety. But the moment I arrived in that city, met with my contacts and the audio visual team (and confirmed my computer and hard dives safely made the trip), I had an overwhelming sense of calm.

Maybe it’s a Canadian thing (they really are nice people). Maybe the task at hand wasn't so hard after all (more on this later). But then, maybe it’s a Lululemon thing.

In the article I wrote back in August, I had attributed this company for being a catalyst in aiding me to make some bold life decisions. This was after interactions with store employees -- educators and key leaders they call themselves -- I met at different San Diego community workout and running groups. But last week I had the opportunity to be around the company’s top leaders. On a small scale, DJing events in local San Diego Lululemon stores, I got a glimpse into this culture. But that glimpse was magnified at this annual leadership conference.

Like a sponge, I absorbed and experienced the culture I have heard so much about. And the experience was calming and introspective.

I worked with 12inchskinz to have custom Serato control vinyl made exclusively for the Lululemon Leadership Conference. 

I worked with 12inchskinz to have custom Serato control vinyl made exclusively for the Lululemon Leadership Conference. 

Empowering Employees
Lululemon is notorious for empowering their employees, allowing them to succeed on their own and not being overly critical of failure. Even as an event “vendor” I never thought I was following orders. In fact, because I was playing so many sets within the three days, to essentially the same crowd each time, I suggested theming each set by music genre. There was no hesitation to accept my recommendation. They trusted my expertise and went with it.

Setting Goals
I used to joke that Lululemon employees were always happy because they get to wear comfortable clothes all the time. And while there probably is some truth to that, I know these people are genuinely happy because they are goal-oriented. They are constantly moving forward.

When I am around Lululemon employees I never have the sense that I am around people who are unsure what their next steps in life are. Literally, every employee is forced urged to write down their goals, as far out as 10 years. Those goals are posted on bulletin boards for the world to see and are inadvertently part of the conversations I have with them. It makes me realize I need to write my own goals and make them part of every conversation going forward.

There’s No “I” in Team and That’s Okay
There is a strong sense of encouragement and honesty. I quickly picked up on the fact that Lululemon is culture of “I” and not “we.” I noticed this when a brave soul stood up in a room full of conference attendees and was asked to share her thoughts. She had some incredible insight, but used the “we” word. She was asked to rephrase, using “I”.

This goes against conventional thinking, we’ve all heard that “there is no ‘I’ in team.” But when you think about it, when we set personal goals and have a strong determination to meet them we attack those goals with ferocity. Therefore that type of work ethic makes us a better team member.

When it’s “we,” there is the assumption that others are doing their part and that isn’t always the true. A strong set of “I” people, will make up an incredible group of “we.”

I Am A Pro
Going into the Vancouver week I didn’t know what I was going to take away from the experience, I just knew it was going to be something good. But by the end of the week I came to this amazing realization.

I was capable. I am a pro. And I am damn good at what I do.

The trip to Vancouver was sandwiched between several other gigs, including a kick off event for the San Diego Asian Film Festival, a 30th birthday party at a private estate in Rancho Santa Fe, and on the day after I returned, a wedding at the Hotel Del Coronado.

Playing such a diverse line-up of events and taking it all in stride made me realized I’m doing exactly what I should be doing right now. It doesn’t matter if the gig is a 30th party for 50 attendees, or Lululemon’s closing night party for 1,000 … the task is the same. Read the crowd, play music and make memories.

And I did have equipment issues, but I kept my cool, notified the right people and managed the problem until a replacement was brought to me. This experience made me realize I really can DJ anywhere and for anyone. A 13-year old birthday party, I’m there; Kim Kardashian’s next wedding, mark me down; pre-concert dance tunes at Seawheeze 2016 (hint, hint), let’s do it!

And I come to this realization solely because Lululemon, like they do for so many people, helped me realize what I am capable of. They took a chance on me, some random DJ from San Diego. But they knew I had goals and only because I vocalized them.  

And they realize that goals, not matter how big or audacious they are, are meant to come true.

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#NPSummit 2015

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Traveling to Utah for miles, smiles and hugs

Sheila and I on the podium. We didn't win, but that doesn't mean we can't pose on the podium.

In August 2014 I attended my first November Project - San Diego workout, which is a free fitness group, started by two guys in Boston in 2011. NP is now comprised of tribes in 25 cities across four time zones in the United States and Canada.

I’ve written about it before, so no need to rehash on why it was one of the catalysts for change in my life in this past year, but yes it’s been wonderful meeting new people and gaining new experiences.

One such experience is the feeling of being a part of a team when training and competing in various races. Before joining NP, I used to run races, not necessarily alone, but feeling like just another face in the crowd, another pair of legs running miles. Joining a run club/fitness group is one way to gain an immediate support system, both on and off the course.

Now when I race I have this comforting feeling seeing people I know running alongside me. Or hearing a spectator yell my name as I pass them. And then there is the person that does not even know me, but knows my tagged, “grassroots gear” shirt that reads “November Project,” and I hear  a hearty “Go NP!”

Before NP I also had never run a race outside of San Diego. Now, in the past year, I’ve participated in the Ragnar SoCal Relay Race (Huntington Beach), Mammoth Half Marathon, Lululemon Seawheeze Half Marathon (Vancouver) and most recently the Park City, Utah stop for the North Face Endurance Challenge Series.

One would think that these destination races would mean an absence of all the great things I mentioned. But it’s actually quite the opposite, because each of those trips/races has been taken with November Project - San Diego friends and meeting new NP friends at those destinations. However, none have been more bigger than the Park City Trip.

This race was the designated location for November Project’s annual leadership summit. A gathering of the leaders of all the NP tribes. This alone generates more than 50 motivating and selfless individuals. Additionally, those leaders brought with them representatives from their 25 respective tribes. In total there were well over 400 … maybe 500 grassroots gear wearing people.

November Project Boston poses for a group photo.

November Project Boston poses for a group photo.

Every Monday and Wednesday morning in San Diego, It’s always amazing for me to see an average estimate of 75 people showing up on early mornings to have their heart rate stretched to capacity. But to see this gathering of hundreds from all over North America was moving.

At one point, after I finished my run, I was sitting in the middle of all the chaos (which in this case was smiling faces, arms hugging, legs dancing and overall euphoria).

I observed all of these happy and supportive human beings and was hit with this crazy realization: This is all because two people, Brogan Graham and Bojan Mandaric, wanted to stay in shape and workout during the month of November a few years ago. Just two guys, issuing a challenge to one another and growing it into continent wide community.

It’s a testament that we are never alone. That there are always people within the race and along the sidelines cheering us on. That there are hundreds of people waiting to join whatever movement you want to bring forward.

And that our hopes and dreams are worth exploring, because one day they might actually amount to something.

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5 Things I Love This Week - Episode #1

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A singer, a turntable, a comedian, a store and a pan

Gin Wigmore is a singer-songwriter from New Zealand. Her latest album is titled, Blood to Bone.

Gin Wigmore is a singer-songwriter from New Zealand. Her latest album is titled, Blood to Bone.

1. Gin Wigmore
While no one is going to duplicate Amy Winehouse. Gin Wigmore comes pretty close.

Admittedly her sound is new to me, despite having a third album recently released. Hailing from New Zealand, perhaps a fellow single-named Kiwi, that Lorde girl, with huge pop success has overshadowed Wigmore a bit. But her high pitched, yet “throaty” voice is what perked my ears when I heard it the other day. The sound is a little rock with some pop beats. Spotify lists related artists such as ZZ Ward, Ingrid Michaelson, Kimbra and Anya Marina … all faves of mine.

And "Gin" is about the greatest nickname I've ever heard for someone named Virginia. 

2. Reloop RP-8000 Turntable
Everything old is new again. When I started DJing in the early 90s I used turntables and lugged around crates of records -- yes, I too have that badge of honor. After using an assortment of controllers, CD-Js and other DJ gear, I’m incredibly excited to add a turntable set-up to my gear line-up.

I opted for the Reloops because of their MIDI functionality and other features such as digital display and torque adjustment. It’s a nice hybrid of an analog turntable and digital DJ controller.

All of my past set-ups were built on streamlining and convenience. A turntable set-up is neither, in fact, in some ways it’s more work to set-up and even more work to operate. But it’s 100x more fun. I’m also looking forward to honing my craft as a DJ, something that really can only be done with a couple of pieces of vinyl and ‘tables.

The Reloop RP-8000 turntable, with it's MIDI functionality, adjustable torque and a host of other features is part of a new breed of DJ turntables. 

The Reloop RP-8000 turntable, with it's MIDI functionality, adjustable torque and a host of other features is part of a new breed of DJ turntables. 

3. Comedian, Michael Jr. -The What vs. The Why
I was introduced to Michael Jr. via a video that was posted on Facebook. He is a comedian and during each of his shows, takes time to chat with members of the audience. He does this, because in his own words “comedy just happens.”

The particular video I saw had him explaining the concept of “what vs. why.”

  • What = The things we do. For example, I am a DJ. I play music at parties, that’s what I do.
  • Why = The reason we do things and when you know why you are doing it, and you believe in that why, you put more into the what.

Now, the video below is not the same one I saw which has him explaining the concept (for some reason I could not find an actual way to embed that one). But it is of a man singing "Amazing Grace," which Michael used to illustrate his concept. See the difference when he is asked “what to sing” vs. “why he is singing.”

Pitbull Audio is the perfect place for a DJ to come into and try out various controllers and turntables. Nearly every piece of gear is connected to it's own computer. 

Pitbull Audio is the perfect place for a DJ to come into and try out various controllers and turntables. Nearly every piece of gear is connected to it's own computer. 

4. Pitbull Audio
San Diego DJ’s and audio professionals are pretty lucky when it comes to shopping around for new gear. Between DJ specific stores, Guitar Centers and other places there are plenty of choices. When I was shopping for my new turntable set-up, I checked with a handful of online sources as well as one local place … and I went local.

Pitbull Audio has been a great online retailer for the past few years and just over a year ago opened up a location in National City, CA, just south of downtown San Diego. I was impressed with their selection and even more impressed with their set-up. The DJ section of the store not only has nearly every popular controller on display, but they are also hooked up to their own Macbook so customers can try them out.

Customer service is great and because of my rather large order, they did a great job working with me on the pricing and helping me stay within my spending budget.

If you are local to San Diego check them out. And if you’re not, be sure to visit their website.

5. Lodge cast iron
I’ve been loving cast iron pots and pans for many years. But lately, I’m using my various Lodge skillets exclusively. I also use Lodge Dutch ovens on our family camping trips. No other pan can go from the cooktop, to the oven to the open campfire flame like a solid piece of cast iron.

My go to recipe utilizing my Lodge 12-inch skillet is pan-cooked chicken thighs. After seasoning chicken with kosher salt and pepper:

  • Heat oven to 400°; put pan in oven
  • Once heated, place pan on stovetop and sear thighs skin side down
  • Flip thighs and sear opposite side
  • Place entire pan inside stove and finish cooking chicken (internal temperature should be 180°)

You’ll have a juicy piece of chicken with a delicious and crispy exterior skin.

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I’m Going, Going, Back, Back to Canada, Canada

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My passport and headphones are ready to go to the Lululemon Managers Conference. 

My passport and headphones are ready to go to the Lululemon Managers Conference. 

Years ago I read one of those lists that was bullet pointed with life tips. One of those tips said to make sure to always have a valid passport, because you never know when you might get the urge to leave the country.

Thankfully I’ve followed that advice, because I'll need my passport next month. I’m going to Vancouver, B.C. again. Returning to "Van" -- as the locals call it -- for the second time in less than two months.

When I was there in August it was to run 13.1 Seawheeze Half Marathon miles. This time it’s to DJ for 1,000-plus Lululemon employees and guests at their annual manager's conference.

Just to reiterate that .... I'm DJ'ing Lululemon's worldwide conference in Vancouver. 

It's a bit surreal. Especially when I realize it's all because of a 1,000-word blog post that got shared around the world. A post that was read by more then 10,000 people, and from I've been told, touched hearts, brought chills and even tears of joy. 

I didn't write it expecting anything. I just wanted to say thank you. I suppose it's true what people say about finding things when you least expect it.

For the past few years I used to sit in an office, knowing there was a better way for me to contribute to this world. To do so I needed to be in a different place. I knew there was a conversation that I could feel comfortable participating in. 

You find those places and conversations by engaging with others that want to take you there, and I'm glad I'm finding those people. 

Brett Timmons, a Lululemon Key Leader in San Diego (and one of those aforementioned people), said it best "don't tell someone at Lululemon your 'big hairy audacious goal' if you don't want it to come true."

That might be the best mistake I've made.