An Army of Normal Folks - Anne Mahlum: Homeless Running Clubs (Pt 2)

Episode Date: June 13, 2023

Anne dives into how she didn't save any homeless Americans. They transformed their own identity through running. And then transformed their lives. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/support-1See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey everybody, it's Bill Courtney with an Army of Normal Folks. Let's continue with part two of our conversation with Ann Mowem, founder of Back on Mafia, right after these brief messages from our generous sponsors. Hi, my name is Cooper and I'm a mini golden doodle from Crocodoodles. And on Bentley, the cubicle. Now I know what you're thinking, talking dogs? Well, hold on to your tails because it gets better than that. I mean, not better, like, more impressive

than a talking dog, exactly. But if you apply now at Crocodotles.com, you could adopt me or any other breed we offer with just a few easy steps, whether you find a match immediately or by your time looking for just the right family member, we're worth the wait. We're all raised by reputable, responsible breeders

and could be delivered anywhere in the United States. We're all raised by reputable, responsible breeders and can be delivered anywhere in the United States. We're even certified by the Better Business Bureau and have over 500 positive reviews. But if you don't believe me, Jess asked Bentley. He's British, so he knows what he's talking about. Cooper is quite right. Are we coming all different breeds and sizes in personalities? Plus, we have a three year health guarantee.

So, check us out at Crocododles.com and apply for the perfect addition to your family now. I shouldn't worry about Varyuda, we're terribly popular. Crocododles is making families whole. One pup at a time. Say goodbye to summer shaving and hello to hair-free skin all year long. Give laser hair removal a try this month with one free treatment at any of Milan Lasers 5 Raleigh Durham locations. Milan Lasers delivers smooth hair free skin with permanent results for all skin tones.

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for up to 60% off and receive additional instant savings of up to $500 at select resorts. Turn on Easy Mode at applevacations.com or call your local travel advisor to experience all the Dominican Republic has to offer. That's AppleVacations.com. When we ended part one of our conversation with Ann, she was explaining how she didn't save any of their homeless runners

that had to do the work themselves. I love that. When I coach football, there were a lot of people that interviewed me and they would say, look at what you're doing to save them. And I'm like, you guys are so out of touch with reality. I'm not saving anybody. I'm simply showing an alternative way to lead a life. But it's, they gotta do the work.

They can save themselves. I'm just giving them a roadmap to consider. Well, Enville, I learned through my dad because I tried to save him. You can't force anybody, especially a grown man to do something because I wanted them to do it. There's no way.

They have to want it. That's no way. They have to want it. That's right. And these guys want it. But you can show them the way to do it if they make the decision to. Oh, yeah. Listen, I'm fully aware. And I, again,

Maslow's hierarchy and needs right of a food and shelter. We have a desire to be loved, appreciated, valued, cared for, cheered for. And it was like, we're going to build an environment that these guys want to be here. There isn valued, cared for, cheered for. And it was like, we're gonna build an environment that these guys want to be here. There isn't, I couldn't force them to show up in that morning. I didn't provide food or shelter for them, so it's not like they were getting that.

They were getting, I feel good here. I like how I feel here. On the Maslow's hierarchy needs, they were this bottom wrong. They had a roof and food, but none of the other peers above it were taken care of. Yeah, and take it to your own life if you're listening. Think about when you've left a relationship, a friendship or a job. It's because you haven't felt good in that situation. Either your boss is an asshole, you don't feel appreciated or valued for the work you're doing, or your relationship is not benefiting you in a way, the friendship, you're not getting something out of it, you know, without us, sometimes we can't articulate

why we do things, but it's that environment doesn't make us feel good. So the press is there. The press is there. And every newspaper, every TV station is all of a sudden reporting on unlikely group of runners leaving from 13 12. But they're not talking about the institution of homelessness now. They're talking about their individual. And they're talking about running and they're talking about the stories of these individuals and who they are and they're interviewing them and you're seeing their face and their smile

and their bubbliness. And I also think about those first nine guys and how charismatic and likable that they were. It's just again, I was like, when your life starts to piece together like this, when I'm like, all of these things that had to happen, I'm not a very religious person, but like I couldn't help but kind of look up at this guy and be like, I get it.

I know what I'm supposed to do here. I fully get what's going on, and I will like do everything I can to create these opportunities for people when no one else is looking at homelessness like this. They were looking at it as an institution and trying to create the same thing you talk about government. We need more jobs for X.

We need to figure out the policy. We need to spend more money. Right. Let's go spend more money and put together more bureaucratic programs that have never worked, but let's do more of. And about that. Yeah, exactly. And I'm like, if someone is 53 years old,

ending up in a homeless shelter, what kind of life do you think that that person has had and upbringing that they have had that put them in this position? And you're missing that. You're missing all of the emotional component. And what do you think they see when they look in the mirror? Right. And and man, they know it's exactly what they're looking at when they look in the mirror. And it's just them and them.

Everybody does. Yeah. And yeah, if you're 53 and homeless and that's it, I mean. And you're a man, you know, as you're sort of, you're more than likely have left a child or two somewhere. Totally. And you can't provide for yourself, I don't know anybody else. I mean, the self-esteem, everything is way down bottom of the totem pole. And so, and this is for anybody when you change, you cannot change if you do not think that

you are capable or deserving of it. And these guys need to be put in a situation where they had people rooting for them, that wasn't going to judge them for their mistakes, that just wanted to help them move forward. And so if you can do that with anybody or your own life and start to believe you are deserving that you are capable, that things are possible. That's when you're gonna start to make the right decisions. Otherwise, you throw caution to the wind or you throw like, it doesn't matter anyway.

So tell us how running at least started to evolve that belief system form. So I was bullish on the idea that if we can change people's identity of themselves, that they will be able to change the direction of their life. And say that again, if we can change people's identity, how themselves, self identity, self identity. If I can help provide tools for a person to change their self identity. Then they can make the progress and create real change.

They can make for themselves the progress. They will want more, they will realize they are people of more. So what I needed to do with this program, Bill, was change their identity from someone who looks in the mirror and says, I'm homeless, I'm nothing. I live in a homeless shelter. I'm a loser. I'm an addict. I'm this. In somebody who's, I'm a runner. I'm a teammate.

I'm disciplined. I have goals that I am meeting. I needed to get them to think of themselves in that way, in order for them to not want to be in the homeless shelter, in order for them to want to contribute to their own lives and to the communities around them in a different way and know what is possible for them to want to contribute to their own lives and to the communities around them in a different way and know what is possible for them. But I couldn't skip, it's like again running, I told you I couldn't skip the first mile to the fifth mile.

I could, you can't take people living in homeless shelters and just put them in homes and think you're solving homelessness. Yeah, it doesn't work. You have to focus on the emotional well-being of individuals and help them realize they are capable and deserving of doing it on their own. And nobody was doing that in this space. And I don't have a background in social work, I don't have a background and I wasn't

training any of this stuff. You're also 26. Yeah, I am 26, but I just, I knew how I was going through life and what made me feel good. And when I was at my top of my game, and it's when I felt good about the decisions that I was making for my life, the high quality decisions. And when people around me were cheering for me and supporting me. And it was like, these guys have none of that. We need to create that and watch what happens. That's all we need to do. So what happened over

those next few weeks? One, these guys were showing up every day. Not because of any, me telling them yelling at them. They weren't required. They weren't required. They wanted a quit, they could quit. They were showing up every day because they wanted to be there. And voluntary behavior is really important to pay attention to. The second one was the reaction that when I tracked their miles every day, big poster

board, names on the left, numbers on the top. And it was cumulative from the names before. So I have this sharpie, you know, next to everybody's name and these guys are like, in a, I ran three today, not two and a half. I'm like, okay, thanks, let me know. And they wanted to see that progress and they were so proud.

And that's one again, it was just this reaffirming. Gosh, this is the only way that these guys are ever gonna have a chance at a better life. I believe it's goal setting. It's goal setting. And it's realizing that like, this is what I'm supposed to do with my life. There is a full fledg non-profit program here

that starts with running, but it's running as the tool and the vehicle and the impetus. I had no interest in creating running clubs within homeless shelters. I wanted to use running as an impetus to create self-sufficiency within people who are experiencing homelessness so that they could change their life. Yeah, but that's not a job. Well, I saw it as one. No, I get it, but that's not a job. Yeah, yeah. So when I started to think about

this is what I'm gonna raise money and I had worked in nonprofits my whole life, right? I'm like, I'm gonna raise money. I'm gonna get a 501c3 what I'm gonna raise money. And I had worked in nonprofits my whole life, right? But I'm like, I'm gonna raise money. I'm gonna get a 501C3. I'm gonna get a board. And the goal of this program is to show that we can take people living in shelters, start with running and move them out through this program.

And we're gonna have job training employment partners, like I had this whole vision. You know, I'm here in it. And 26 year old girl worked hard, graduated early, run around through Philly, helping non-guys. That's beautiful. I mean, it's beautiful. But I mean, it's a nice story. But I mean, and there's novelty to it that everybody thought was going to wear off. Well, that's what I'm saying. I mean, whatever and how many people are going to run with

homeless folks and how you're going to make it all the I mean, I love your dreams, but it almost sounds to me like similar to the 12 year old streams. I mean, they're nice and pretty and they got a bow on them, but are they really going to happen? And I can't help but hear the story and have doubt it could ever go. Well, everybody had doubt. I mean, anybody is so as a 26 year old, right? What do you do? You look around for the adults in the room and you look for their blessing. And I was looking for one adult to tell me. None.

Zero. At first. I got zero. Zero. Well, that's because it's a ludicrous idea. Right. And you're just kind of in pectuous immature girl who doesn't know what she's called. And it was admirable and people thought it was just so great. But like, can you just, why do you, like, I guess what I'm trying to do is I'm trying to set up the condescending.

Mm-hmm. Isn't that sweet? Exactly. Yeah, pat on the head. Isn't that sweet? Mind you, on the head, isn't that sweet? Mind you, I just took a big job at Comcast because I was so fed up with my life. Which is huge for those who don't know,

Comcast is massive and filling. Yeah, it's this. That's where they're best. And it's a big, big employer. Six-figure job, stock options, like you need it. 26 years old, six-figure job. And if there was any part of Ann Malum that wanted that life that she said she didn't want anymore,

this was the path to get it. And I took it, and when I took that job, I had six weeks off. And so I was like, I want six weeks to get this running club up and going. And in those six weeks is when I realized this is so much more than a running club. No, you quit Comcast.

I never even made it. I never even go. I didn't even go. And you're looking for adults to support you when you're walking away from a six-figure job? Exactly. Nobody's going to support that.

Well, yeah. So, everybody thought it was an admirable idea, but like, why can't I just run out of time? I mean, no one's close to you. People are thinking you've lost your mind. Yeah. And my mom is just, you know, she's a worry-worried. So, she's just so worried. How are you going to pay?

You know, what do you mean? What do you mean? What do you mean? And my dad, ironically, is worried about my safety, you know, what do you mean, what do you mean, what do you mean? And my dad ironically is worried about my safety, you know, all of these things. You mean the addict who is really, if we're honest, the impetus behind your heart for all of this, is worried about your safety.

Yeah, which I think is a dad, right? It's like I'm in the middle of Philly, this gritty city running with men who are living in homeless shelters. Like I can understand the attic prep, but he didn't identify him. It just speaks to a little bit of self realization on your dance part.

Yes. That's kind of funny. Yes. And so it was the day before I was supposed to start my Comcast job. And I'm like, I got, I mean, I was traveling a lot. I had to go to Vegas. I go in all these conferences.

I was supposed to be like smoothing with politicalhing with political folks. I was working in government affairs. Oh, so you're going to do the lobby sign of the thing? I was going to, yes, be working. Which makes sense with the DC. Yeah, government affairs. And so I picked up the phone and I called who was going to be boss. Deep breath. And I was like, you know, was that a deep breath?

Was that like, I cannot believe I'm doing this? Oh, yeah. And I sat on the floor and I'm just like, thank you so much for the six weeks. boss and I was like, you know, was that a deep breath? Was that like I cannot believe I'm doing this? Oh, yeah, and I sat on the floor and I'm just like, thank you so much for the six weeks. I have figured out what I'm supposed to do with my life and I can't take this job. And they were mortified and just so angry.

I was about to say you said mortified. I'd imagine they were just pissed. They were waiting six weeks. And also the interview period was very lengthy. I don't even tell you. They probably passed on some really nice candidates. Totally. And then you just ditched them. Yeah.

I mean, the point of justice was years later, they became a massive sponsor of back-am-back. Of course. Yeah. We'll be right back. Hi, my name is Cooper and I'm a mini golden doodle from Crocodoodles. An ombitly, the cover. Now I know what you're thinking, talking dogs?

Well, hold on to your tails because it gets better than that. I mean, not better, like, more impressive than a talking dog, exactly. But if you apply now at Crocodoodles.com, you could adopt me or any other breed we offer with just a few easy steps. Whether you find a match immediately or buy your time looking for just the right family member, we're worth the wait. We're all raised by reputable, responsible breeders and could be delivered anywhere in the United States.

We're even certified by the Better Business Bureau and have over 500 positive reviews. But if you don't believe me, Jess asked Bentley. He's British, so he knows what he's talking about. Cooper is quite right, are we coming all different breeds and sizes in personalities? Plus, we have a 3 year healthcare in C. So, check us out at Crocododles.com and apply for the perfect addition to your family now. I shouldn't worry around while you know, with terribly popular. Crocododles is making families whole.

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unlimited package is included with every purchase, you'll never pay touch-up fees or run out of sessions before you're officially hair-free. Don't spend another season shaving and waxing. Give Milan Laser a call at 833-No-Razor to speak to a laser hair removal expert or check out NeverShaveAgain.com today to schedule your free treatment and consultation. That's NeverShaveAgain.com deals on all inclusive vacations to top rated resorts and unlock exclusive sun and sand savings to your favorite destinations. This summer you can book your Dominican Republic vacation for up to 60% off and receive additional instant savings of up to $500 at select resorts. Turn on Easy Mode at AppleVacations.com or call your local travel advisor to experience all the Dominican Republic has to offer.

That's AppleVacations.com I went all in and I, you know, I just sort of, some of this stuff you don't realize where it comes from, but I just, I knew what to do. I knew I needed a website. I knew I needed, you know, which you learned how to do in your spare time with the Xbox for your work for you. Yeah, yeah. I didn't build this particular website. I had someone else do it for me. But you knew. I knew what I wanted. I knew what I needed it to look like and provide the direction

there. And Bill, I just started asking people for money and I got specific. I was like, Bill, I'm asking for $5,000. And people got so like they were just, they got behind me because like, and if Anne walked away from that job to do this, like, how do you not support her? Like she, she really wants to help these individuals. And, and then, and then the media really kicked up. I mean, national news was like, we want to come down and do a story. So you've got CNN and CNN, NBC, ABC, national, whatever exposure, and money started kind of pouring in. And we started expanding the program. We had so many volunteers, so many people, I started to hire people, figure out the structure of things, and surrounded myself with people who were much smarter than I am.

And we just started building, growing, learning, screwing up so much, then fixing those mistakes, then only to make another whole slew of mistakes. But I think the important lesson for folks when they're thinking about doing things, you're never going to have it all figured out on day one. It's just impossible, but you have to take the first step or two to figure out what step three's even going to look like. And there's nobody who you admire or respect for what they've built who didn't have a day one, who didn't have that moment of like, okay, now what? And like trusting your resourcefulness, trusting your passion, your truth, your intuition is like, what helps

you get to the next step and not like not being afraid of not knowing how it's all going to play out, but just knowing you're going to figure it out. So, from the 9th guys in Philly, on Vine Street, right? 2007. 2007. What is this organization today? I mean, there's so much to say about that, but I will say I ran it for 6 and a half years. 2007, what is this organization today? I mean, there's so much to say about that, but I will say I ran it for six and a half years.

I grew it to six and a half million dollar annual budget, all privately funded. All 100% private donations, and that's an annual budget. That's an annual budget. I didn't want to get the government, you know, like, the same thing, the bureaucratic government, you know, how many stupid rules? The last thing you want involved is that. I was like, we're not doing any of that. Corporations, individuals, we create our own events, all bureaucratic government. You know how many of the last thing you like vaulted as well. I was like, we're not doing any of that. Corporations, individuals, we create our own events, all of that stuff. And I grew it to

12 markets around the country with an incredible team. Yes, 12 cities. And we just build the infrastructure and like what the... Can you just tell me what those 12 cities are? Oh my gosh, let's see if I can do it. Philly, Baltimore, DC, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indiana, New York, Austin, Los Angeles, and I'm forgetting one. San Francisco. No, I mean, I think they're in San Francisco today, but I forget the other way. Where does the other one?

Do I say Baltimore? Yeah. Major metropolitan. Yeah. But not just in the Eastern Seaboard, the country. Yeah, exactly. And you have how many how many homeless people running? Oh, well, to date, we've helped 7,500 people

move out of shelters into independent living and get jobs. So Marriott is the biggest employer back on my feet. We knew we had to build job partnerships and build what we were able to do is say, like, we weren't like, oh, we're a charity. Can you hire one of our guys? It was like, hey, this guy has showed up for the past six months,

5.30 in the morning. Hasn't missed a day. Hasn't even been late. Has done everything we've asked of him. Drop training financial literacy. Like, this is somebody who wants to. Much really good. I made one of the biggest problems is people being absent

tardy from work. Yeah. And you through your organization can prove these people have the ability to show up and be there when they're supposed to. Yeah. And we told them that. It's like, as we track all of these stats, because what we're

trying to do is give you opportunity. And if you can't show up here, we're not speaking on your behalf and ruining relationships with our partnerships. So when you go to a homeless shelter now and you say, Hey, do you want to run? And the pool of people who say, Yeah, yeah, I want to run against the pool of people who actually make it through the program and end up having a home and a job. What's the, what's the rate of success? When I was running it,

and I don't know exactly what it is today, because I've been so removed from the organization, from a CEO standpoint, it was a 46%, which is actually pretty high. Okay, so I read that, so I knew the answer for us to. Okay. But that means I love that number, and... Test me again. I love that number.

And I will tell you why I love that number. So many organizations love to do the something in the high 80s, 90 thing, and that's what they'll claim. And the reason I love this, especially for this podcast, is 46% is less than half. If you get a 46 on a test in school, you fail miserably. If you get a, if you're 46% in an election, you lose.

46% is by most metrics, just a losing number, but something I've always said is that in a lot of the circumstances, a lot of cases when you go into underserved areas and you decide you're going to give of yourself and try to make a difference, you have to understand that any level of success is a win, because that percentage of 46% is zero if you're not there. Yeah, and that's so important. Yeah, you need to understand what you're up against, right? And like, listen, we were never, we're not here to eradicate homelessness.

This program's not gonna do that, right? So we're dealing with, you know, the individuals who, again, didn't have the upbringing that that I had, right? Even though I had some disruption, I had some stability there. And we always forget to sort of, when we look at adults, I think we can think that like, you've always been an adult. You forget that that that adult was a child, and the household that they grew up in and how most of our childhoods have impacted our adult behavior. My dad grew up with two addictive parents. Used to take him to the bar.

He had to sit in North Dakota, sit in the car while his parents would be in the bar getting drunk in winter, in winter. And my dad's dad, they still don't know if he's, if he killed himself or he accidentally shot himself. His mom died of, you know, liver, uh, a variant cancer from smoking and cigarettes and, it's smoking and, and alcohol. And it's like, it's no wonder my dad ended up the way that, that he did. Right? Now, it's, it's our responsibility as adults. If we, especially have the resources and whatnot to do the work and try to be better and not make our past define us in ways that we don't want it to.

But we forget to look back and ask, like, what was your childhood like? What was your upbringing like? What did you have or not have? And to think that that didn't play a massive role in somebody's state today is just ignorant. And there's no way to your point that running is going to cure all of those. But, but if, if running can show somebody discipline, commitment, you can't cheat your steps and, and they have inside of them a desire to improve, then you're using tools to give an opportunity to teach somebody who maybe has never even experienced utilizing those tools in their life, an opportunity to save themselves. And when you do that, you get a 46% success rate,

which is a failing grade in school, but it's at 46%, it's a hundred percent more than what it would have been. And it's important that people that hear this podcast as, you know, look, somebody may be energized by this idea for their community and they may not. That's okay and they may be energized by another podcast, but the point is something

we haven't spoken about enough. And I think it's really important because your story really illuminates it is any success is a huge win. because when you go into the most poverty stricken, most disenfranchised, most lost parts of society to try to exact some measure change, the failures are probably largely going to outweigh the successes, but whatever successes there are are 100% better than that they would have been, had it not been for your efforts.

Yeah, and... So when you get 46%, you gotta feel like a million bucks. Yeah, I mean, yeah, I'm super proud of that number, and I agree with you. It's like, well, 46% were like, listen, that's the reality, and we know that this is frankly good in this space,

and there's no reason for us to be like, how do we get, I mean, I always wanna get the number higher, but we're not going to not share that number. And you need the context behind it. And I think Bill, what you said earlier about like, you know, this might not resonate with your runner, but make it applicable.

I'm at a guy asked me once, I'm like, and I'd really love to help, you know, underserved communities with music. And I'm like, then go do it. And people think, oh, I don't, I need funding. I'm like, no, you don't. Go find some. The great questions, well, how do go do it. And people think, oh, I need funding. I'm like, no, you don't. Go find some.

The great question is, well, how do you do it? Yeah. Well, here's a do it. You walk across the street. You walk in the door and say, here, hi, I'm here to help. Right. And like, find somebody who wants to learn and says, yeah, I would love to learn how to play guitar or something.

And then again, because we go, oh, well, then what? Then why? I'm like, you won't know what until you do it. You have to do the first step for you to figure out what the second step is because it's not what you think it is. And people just talk themselves out of it so often. Oh, well, I need to find out what if it doesn't work and then this and that. Yeah, it's not really worth it.

It's just like, if you want to do it, just go, go help somebody and see how it feels and see what comes from it. We'll be right back. Hi, my name is Cooper and I'm a mini golden doodle from Crocodoodles. And one bit late, the cover. Now I know what you're thinking, talking dogs? Well, hold on to your tails because it gets better than that. I mean, not better, like, more impressive than a talking dog exactly.

But if you apply now at Crocodoodles.com, you can adopt me or any other breed we offer with just a few easy steps. Whether you find a match immediately or buy your time looking for just the right family member, we're worth the wait. We're all raised by reputable, responsible breeders and can be delivered anywhere in the United States. We're even certified by the Better Business Bureau and have over 500 positive reviews.

But if you don't believe me, just ask Bentley. He's British so he knows what he's talking about. Cooperie's quite rare. We come in all different breeds and sizes, in personality, plus we have a three-year health guarantee. So, check us out at Crocododles.com and apply for the perfect addition to your family now. I shouldn't lie around while you're with terribly popular. Crocododles is making families whole. One pup at a time. Say goodbye to summer shaving and hello to Hair Free Skin all year long. Give laser hair removal a try this month with one free treatment at any of Milan Lasers'

5 Rolly Durham locations. Milan Lasers delivers smooth hair free skin with permanent results for all skin tones. So you can finally end that never-ending cycle of shaving and waxing. Laser hair removal is all they do, and you'll save time and money by never shaving again. They're overseen by medical professionals and use the latest technology to safely, comfortably and effectively give you the best results. And because their exclusive unlimited package is included with every purchase, you'll never pay touch-up fees or run out of sessions before you're officially hair-free.

Don't spend another season shaving and waxing. Give Milan Laser a call at 833-No-Razor to speak to a laser hair removal expert or check out NeverShaveAgain.com today to schedule your free treatment and consultation. That's NeverShaveAgain.com today to schedule your free treatment and consultation. That's NeverShaveAgain.com. Not only does Apple vacations make planning your vacation easy, but they make saving on your vacation easy too. Find deals on all inclusive vacations to top-rated resorts, and unlock exclusive sun and sand savings to your favorite destinations.

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Yeah, I really love my life. And one of the things I've learned through, and we, you know, listen, I've had a huge life after back on my feet also, you know, I've got this company that I've built. I'm starting another company, the philanthropic work that I do now. So I have I have learned to really embrace living life on my own rules and and marching to the beat of my own drum. And I think that it's it's actually when I think about sort of what my purpose is today, that's a big part of one of the buckets that I'm trying to show and teach people by leading an example. Like I'm almost 42 years old.

Everybody back in my high school has either been married, divorced, has kids, you know, has the house, has these things. And I'm like, that's just, that's not for me. Which, which, that's the whole irony of it is to me. Right. Is you spent the first 25 or six years of your life chasing this thing that you thought you were supposed to be and as much as you've done for homeless folks and Philly and now the country, Look what they taught you. They've, as you said, I got so much out of that program and just being an entrepreneur and that being my first thing and learning like, oh, I can create my own rules.

I can create the life that I want. And I've been engaged twice. I called both of those engagements off. I have really made the decisions and I have pivoted, leaving back on my feet to start solid core. Solid core is Anne's innovative workout studio that's grown to over 85 locations in the country.

I guess it's not much surprised she did that. Anne, her new fitness and wellness company is called Ambition. And then last year I stepped down as CEO from Salah Quar to make sure that someone else was coming in after me and that I was taking care of my company and not making it about me. Now I'm starting something else. The point is that I'm just trying to make is you really do get more out of the effort

than you give. Almost always. It's almost universal. Everybody I talk to has learned more about themselves and been more fulfilled by their work than any fulfillment that they've given out. And that's kind of the payoff to the hard work. Yeah, and if you're looking for the destination

to be the payoff, it's really not that exciting. You have to enjoy. It's not worth a trip. it's really not that exciting. You have to enjoy. It's not worth the trip. It's not worth the trip. You have to enjoy the day to day and people always say the journey, but like the ins and outs of building it, who you're working with, what you're doing. And it's still like the best part when I hear people, you know, the guys will someone time to reach out to me, you know, volunteers, people who work at back on my feet, people

who take solid core and just like how much it's meant to their life. And you ask who I am, who I am and what I feel like my, my gift to the world is I love creating and building experiences that make people's lives better. And that is what I'm good at. I get so much out of it. And that's where I put my addictive entrepreneurial efforts into things that are going to improve and enhance people's lives. How many volunteers? Oh my gosh. Do you know the number? I do not know the number. Have you ever?

Yes. Ballpark. Thousands. Thousands. A part of back on my feet, yeah. That's the reason I'm asking around say it is Another irony I've learned Is when I first started coaching football. It was me and another guy. It's seven years later. I had

non-volunteer assistant coaches and 20 volunteer staff cooking food for the team. And one day we had like bikers for Jesus show up with rakes and like 80 of them showed up with rakes to fix the field. And the point is hundreds of volunteers. And what happens is philanthropic efforts somehow become contagious. Yeah. And the volunteers community can contagious. Yeah. And the volunteers immediately can grow. Yeah.

People didn't chop it back on my feet hating it. They wanted to be there. They got to take their love of sport and share it with somebody else who they know could make their life better. Like, it doesn't feel like you're donating your time. It's actually fun. It's where you want to be.

Do you have a guy, a runner guy or gal, homeless person that's your favorite story? I mean, the person who I was closest to, unfortunately, had a heart attack last year, but his name was Mike. And Mike and I were so close. Like, he was one of, just a great friend. When you mentioned Mike and Philly was one of, just a great friend. When you mentioned Mike and Philip, was he one of the first guys? He was one of the first guys. So Mike and I, you know, went through a lot together and I know his family well, I know his mom. They live in Wilmington.

I was there last summer at a barbecue. Like anyway, yeah, Mike made it back to Wilmington with and lived there and had a new girlfriend and was working in the art community and really close to his family. Yeah, at home, yeah. Just that he became an adjusted adult in society. Yeah, and Mike was so creative and so talented

in that community and like had a really great relationship with his daughter, like came to me. None of which would have happened. Had you not looked over at 26 years old and said, I think I'm going to take those homeless people running. Yeah. I mean, what does that do for your soul? I mean, it's like I said, it fills me up so much to know that the things that I'm putting time and energy out into the world are enhancing people's lives. So like that's, yeah, it's it's amazing amazing and Mike has ran two marathons. He ran

I should say two marathons, you know, ran a half marathon. Not even six months after the first day of starting this program. And he was and how old was he? Oh, Mike was in his mid 40s at the time. Out of shape. But a lot of abuse a lot of of his body, drugs and alcohol over the years. And he just cared about everybody around him. He was so ugly. Well, one of the footballs saying, says, it's not high start, it's how you finish. Yeah, of course. Right.

And Mike, sounds like he finished well. Yeah, and I'm really glad that we had connected, you know, and I got to see him and his family in the last like a couple years. Well, here's to Mike. Here's to Mike. Yeah. Mike Solomon. And here's to you.

That's about it. What an amazing story. And if there's, I say it every week, and I'm in awe of the people that I get to talk to, but just normal folks do an extraordinary things in their community to make life better for someone else, and then of course themselves as a result. You are absolutely a member of the Army of Normal Folks, Sam. Even though later in life, we're not going to get into it here, but I know your CEO of company and you're starting another one and you've had

your serial entrepreneur and you've had lots of success and I'm sure we'll continue to have lots of success. That wasn't your reality at 26 when you started this. Just a normal kid jogging around, chasing away her own demons and in doing so, has helped change the lives of thousands and I think that is an amazing story. And I'm at all of it.

I just appreciate your story so much. Thank you. I appreciate you giving me the option to tell it. Always. And now I'm going to go enjoy the rest of the day in New York, how's that? Are you not going to go for a run? I'm going to run to the, I don't know,

I'm not going to say that. Yeah, I'm going to run down to I don't know, I'm not gonna say that. Yeah, I'm gonna run down to Luridaleam, get some meatballs. Okay, well, you know what, went to New York, you know, you might as well into a great food scene here. That's it. Yeah. Great time with you Anne. Thank you too. Thank you so much. And thank you, all of you, for joining us this week,

to join an Army of Normal Folks. Go to NormalFokes.os and sign up to become a member of our movement. And I'd love to hear what you're doing in your community. If there's stories you know that you think we ought to tell, write me anytime at billatnormafokes.os and we'll tell the stories. And if you enjoy this episode, rate it, review it, share it with friends on social, all the things that will help grow, and army of normal folks. I'm Bill Courtney, I'll see you next week. Hi, my name is Cooper and I'm a mini-golden doodle from Crocodoodles. Now I know what you're thinking, talking dogs?

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