Nuanced. - 100. Terrance McKinney: UFC Fighter Overcomes Adversity and Shares His Mindset

Episode Date: March 29, 2023

For the 100th episode of the Bigger Than Me Podcast, Aaron Pete interviewed Terrance McKinney. During their conversation, Aaron delved into various topics such as Terrance's beginnings in mixed martial arts, his triumph over adversities during his youth, his journey towards joining the UFC, and his unique mindset.Terrance McKinney is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was born on September 3, 1995, in Spokane, Washington, USA. McKinney started training in martial arts at the age of 14, and he began his professional MMA career in 2018. He quickly gained attention for his knockout power and flashy style, earning the nickname "T.Wrecks."In June 2021, McKinney made his UFC debut on short notice and shocked the world by knocking out opponent Matt Frevola in just seven seconds, which tied the record for the fastest knockout in UFC lightweight history. He then went on to defeat Fares Ziam via unanimous decision in his second UFC bout.McKinney has a professional MMA record of 11 wins and 3 losses, with 7 wins by knockout and 3 by submission. He continues to be a rising star in the UFC lightweight division, and many fans and analysts are excited to see what he will accomplish in the future.Chapters:5:01 Wrestling Background6:58 How to Stay Motivated8:26 Training with Kevin Holland11:09 Developing a Healthy Mindset13:59 The UFC15:37 Starting a Family17:42 How to Stay Positive24:11 Aaron Reflects on 100 EpisodesSend us a textThe "What's Going On?" PodcastThink casual, relatable discussions like you'd overhear in a barbershop....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the shownuancedmedia.ca

It's the Bigger Than Me podcast with your host, Aaron Pete. For our 100th episode, we are sitting down with the man, the myth, the legend, Terence T. Rex McKinney. I am so excited to record this. He is a prospect in the UFC's, worked incredibly hard to get here. He set such an example for other people, and I'm so excited to speak with him today. Terrence T. Rex McKinney, it is such a pleasure to sit down with you today. Would you mind introducing yourself for people who might not know? What's up, you guys? It's Terrence, T.R.R. McKinney. I fight in the U.S.C. Lightweek division.

And I'm 13 and 5 right now. So that's 13 wins, five losses. And I got a 100% finish rate. And every fight, we're going to look to keep that going. 100% finish rate and we're at our 100th episode. Thank you so much for joining us. Yes, sir. It's a good honor. Can we first start a little bit about your background? I obviously watched the interview between you and Ariel and I think you have just an incredible story of resilience, of overcoming adversity. I think you bring such a positive mindset. For me, my grandmother played a real role in my life. She's a role model to me to this day. I know you have a similar relationship. Would you mind talking about your background? and growing up? I grew up with my grandma at first because my mom had to get her life together. She had me at 16. And then after that, she got her stuff together and I was able to move back with her.

So it was like a lot of moving this stuff. So like, you know how new school is there. So I used to fight a lot and stuff. And then removed my mom and married just got lived in Washington. And that's probably one of the farthest years of my life. We moved to Washington. uh they got me in the wrestling it was awesome i was able to get a scholarship full ride and yeah that's where you know life changed now i've got into drugs that doing a lot of crazy stuff

i end up dying twice can you can you talk about that because um i know that some people have different perspectives but i think your story is one of overcoming and having these pivotal moments where you made different decisions and i know you got some flack on it about on twitter but I think that's all nonsense. Would you mind sharing that story? I know you've had to tell it before, but I think it's just incredible. Yeah, so one night, like, I'm getting drunk, partying and stuff, and I take, like, a bowel acid and they're, like, over-nated to showarms. Then I end up fighting the cops twice, getting tased, and my heart ended up stopping two times.

And, yeah, that changed my life forever. I had, like, escaped the hospital because I was supposed to go straight to jail when I woke up. That's crazy. you've been through this experience and I think your approach to how you thought about it is really unique you talked about how you felt like you saw demons would you mind elaborating on that because you're a person who believes in Jesus you you have faith I'm just curious about how you think about those things I knew I wasn't a good space I was seeing demons so like random soul to start praying and like I said my body was shut down and yeah

Yeah, I had to watch myself all through a window, and then, yeah, it was just like a dream world after that. Is it a trip to tell this story? Yeah, it is, and just to see how far, like, God brought me out, it's incredible. What do you take away from the experience, looking back on everything that took place? Some people might say, like, I couldn't handle that. That would be too scary. They'd have regrets, but it seems like you've taken a lot from that experience. just stop saying it's the last time or I'm going to do something later the time we do it

and the time it stops we have to right now like don't wait you're going to do something starts now go get it done beautiful who are some of your role models when you look at back at the things that you overcame growing up who are some of the people that stand out that really made a difference in how you look at life um my mom and god uh in all my cultures and, yeah, and certain teachers, they all pray an important role in my life and me becoming a man I am today. Could you talk about your mom's development? It sounds like she went through a lot of growth just like you have

in terms of being able to bring you back home. What was that experience like? Maybe my mom, we pretty much grew up together, so, like, rude butt heads and stuff. But the other day, like, as all you guys get older, we all realized that our parents were right. And, yeah, I wish I would have listened now and I would have known stuff. I knew it, but I wasn't listening, you know. So, like, yeah, shout to mom.

You know, like, you've got your parents. So this too that they say, because later on you're going to be like, damn, I wish I would have listened. It's always like that. Couldn't agree more. How did wrestling impact you? It seems like that almost grounded you. What role did that play for you?

Um, that, that was huge for me because it gave me a chance. to basically, like, make the image for myself, which was, which was fun, you know, because I didn't know, you know, you know, when you wrote up, you don't know exactly you aren't, and then I got to see, and then as I got older, I was like, I'm not just a wrestler anymore. I'm a great athlete on many things, and, yeah, so, like, wrestling helped me, like, literally just learn, you know, how to make friends, how to support people, how to, like, be kind. I'll just say, like, yeah, it was a experience I need it. it's to taught me how to work hard and have drive and just have the will to win.

Wrestling seems unique in that way because it pushes you beyond what you think you're capable of all the time. And you're a person, again, I think you look at adversity as an opportunity to grow, not as a weight or a barrier or something to avoid. How did that kind of shape how you look at challenge when you see a new name that you have to face? It seems like you get excited about it, not something that you dread. And I think that that might come in part from your wrestling experience. Yeah, exactly, because, like, it's a chance to really see if I'm one of the best in the world or see if I'm one of the best strike in the world.

Even though I lost my last fight, I was able to take so much. And now I feel like it's when I'm pushing to a whole other level that people I've ever seen. Like, I rather take these losses now instead of when I'm in the rankings. Yeah. When you get exhausted, it seems like that you have more fuel. left in you and I think again going to wrestling and being pushed it's one of the most exhausting because all you want to do is take a break yet you keep going what keeps that motivation going in those moments where you're exhausted you're tired ready for food and a break

and a nap how do you keep motivated um just know I've been through worse and you know and knowing that I'm not going to like battle alone like I know God's with me my teammates behind me my family and you know when you go in the war with army you know my chances of wins it's 10 times greater so how could I not walk with my head hard when you say you've walked through like hell when you've been through these things what is the one that stands out for you is it that experience that people think of it is that that night or is there something else that stands out to you that's that sits in your mind in a different way um like when uh up there was like i got the i got kicked off the team and I was like about to wrestle at national. I just took second at the

Armax and it was finally my chance to be like a national champ and just a pew that I was wrong and then I got kicked out of school, you know, because I had to keep back in fourth for court. So right there that was that hurt me big and for me to be to stay hungry and actually want to go out there and do another sport again. So I look at that a minute, it's a strong person I You hear that when people get injured, that sitting on the sidelines is one of the hardest things to watch the sport continue without you. Is that sort of what it was? Not that. It's just because I had a goal for myself.

And, you know, when you're right there to getting them and then it just ripped away the instant, they ain't nothing that ever worse. Right. Now you're in Texas. And you tell me about how this came about for you. Well, I end up joining like K.O. reps, and then I got tapped in with Kevin Holland, and then we just clicked like that. He's our big brother. He's teaching me a ton, and I know he got striking.

He was able to strike, but won the boy, and not a lot of people are willing to you stand up with him. So for him to be able to do it with a broken hand, I knew, like, he was the guy that I need to learn from, and I could teach a wrestling. It's just a per-it-like-shade, honestly. Did you guys know each other prior and, like, have interactions prior, or was this one of the first times really connecting uh we i we talked it on a few times on instagram but yeah we really connected like after i joined with his management interesting and so how long have you

been out there now um probably three four weeks and and what has been your biggest takeaway so far being able to you're both incredible strikers or that what have you taken away from this so far um i'm getting better footwork and uh making sure i'm getting my head off center after my combination on like encountered uh when i get a pull back making sure my hands on my chance uh just getting back to the roots and the basics and just because i got to finesse because i was so skill for i go to venez but i skipped the basics so that's where we're just going back and just sharpen everything up i'm so excited to see how both of you return because i i am imagine he's learned some stuff from you as well right exactly I feel bad

people we're gonna have to shoot on them soon you know once we work together for like six to a year I think about to be a deadly duel so how long are you planning on staying out there right now just my little back home seeing my team potentially move down here but I'm gonna still be rep in warrior camp just figuring things out so I'm about to go home April 1st, then go to Kevin's fight in Miami, come back, go to Spokane, train for a little bit, and then, like, I'll probably just keep going back and forth, to be honest. Really? So this is going to become a normal thing now, eh?

Yeah. What do you think of overcoming adversity? When you think of moving forward in the direction you are, you have such a positive mindset. You don't seem to, it just, it seems to roll off your shoulders. and for so many people, they get stuck, they get frustrated, this didn't go my way, if one thing had have changed, and it just seems like you're just embracing everything that the world kind of delivers to you. Where did you develop this mindset?

Um, just like throughout life trials, you know, because at the end of the day, like, like some, you like say, like someone's lost, but at the same time, someone's gang, you know, it's always like, no matter, you might need it, you need it to take that fall. you can get to the gains, you know, sometimes a bad thing has to happen. And you just, sometimes you got to accept that and make it, make you stronger. Do you think other people could perhaps learn from you in this regard? It seems like it's really tough in the industry you're in to not take things so personally, to not carry things with you all the time.

And it seems like you're just a beacon of light. You've got this amazing smile, this positive energy. And it seems like some people get stuck in the darkness, in their frustrations, in where they should be, where they could be if they had to have stepped here or stepped there, and it seems like you really bring a different mindset in that regard. It's not something, you know,

it's like life has to teach, you know? I could tell them it, but it won't make sense until they, like, accept it, you know? Like, some people can't accept, like, failure, you know? Because they see it as like, oh, I see it as like, oh, this is what I work on, this is why I can grow. versus oh now that I know this I can be

easy a world champ like things like that you got to be like ooh I'm glad this happened because now now I can make the adjustments and be at the level that I need to be like when you lose that's when you learn it reminds me of a quote I don't know if you know Russ the rapper but he talks about like

I used to look at adversity like why me and now I look at it like try me and it definitely seems like you bring that mindset of like try me give me your your biggest challenge. Exactly. Yeah. What do you think is up for you for 2023? What are you hoping to see happen? The goal still remain the same. I think I can't be anyone in my week class. So I just want to be in a top 15 before year ends. And yeah, my next fight, we're going to look to get this winter street going and show people what I'm really made of. How many fights do you think in

2023 that we can expect. I'm at least try to get three to four more. Oh man, I'm so excited. I think that you're one of the most dynamic, but you're also a voice. I think I'm always excited to hear from when you hop on Ariel's podcast. I'm always excited to hear what your thoughts are on the game. Following you on Twitter is always exciting because you bring such a different perspective. And again, I think you just bring a positivity.

And in a conversation with Ariel, you talked about how sometimes we get lost with people screaming on the mic rather than having a love of the game a love of style and developing a skill set could you talk about that your thoughts on on where we're at in in the ufc um yeah just about talking um but the people like to talk to still fights but i think um martial arts is about honor you know so like like i said um when i call someone out is uh to test myself to to see if i can compete see like to see how far I can take this thing and that's just that's the goal like anything I do like why not try to be the best at it absolutely is there other areas you hope to develop is there areas outside the UFC that interest you or that get you excited um just being more on a business

aside uh just making their wise investments like I'm gonna get a house here and then it's both can and just um yeah start trying to make as much money as possible so my family's taking care any areas that really interest you i definitely think that your merch would sell really well and it does um is there an area that that jumps out at you uh well um get my real estate license uh and then i'm just going like to the east coast buying as many house i can and rent them out and just like i said pretty much like monopoly just try to make my money make money fascinating where did you get that idea from is there people in your life that are influencing you they're giving you guidance um just learning and talking people like really talk

wealthy people like that's how you make money um getting real estate owning alms and renting alms out yeah when we talk about like this is the bigger than me podcast and i think of you as a person who really looks beyond yourself and tries to take care of your family you've been through a lot growing up i'm just interested what is it like to be a parent now what is it like to have a family It is awesome. It's beautiful. Like I said, it's the greatest gift you can ever get. It's me. It's a little me run around and it's fun, you know, just the whole process. And it goes by quick. So I just need to enjoy these moments. And if I do, we're going to tell me sure the sacrifices, well worth it. That's why I'm giving this 110%. Incredible. Is it harder with all the extra responsibility? Is it a gift? How do you try and think

about it when you're heading into a fight? There's a little bit different now, but it's a blessing, man, because you got to, because there's going to be things in life that's going to make you feel so like I said, I'm glad everything's happening now, so I know how to respond to depression. Is there something you take away from the experiences you've had that you want to instill in your child? I'm just here to be more loving to him, you know, it's lovely. as possible. It's funny even the best life possible. Whatever he wants, whatever mindset he wants

to have, but he's definitely going to know not to work hard. And if he wants something, he's going to know that he has worked where he's just knocking me hand it down to him. That's really important. Do you think he'll ever be a fighter? Is this something you want for him, you don't want for him? How do you think about that? I don't let him do whatever he wants. He wants to play basketball, football, he wants to be a teacher, go to school, and support him, whatever and every he wants. Amazing. And you mentioned looking at the East Coast, so are you looking at both

Washington and the East Coast? Is there a side of the country you enjoy more? It's just this. I'm just going to do as much as possible. Be on both sides, like I said, I travel a lot, so. What advice do you have for people who are going through their own struggles and turmoil and really having trouble finding that light, finding that positivity.

Um, positive words of affirmation and also, uh, just start really figuring out how to be alone and be happy. That's the number one thing because people, some people always, they don't know how to be alone. They, so you got to figure out how to love yourself. So spend time with yourself, figure out what makes you happy. One area that I think you're really unique in is that you do use Twitter. And you and Ariel talked about you being on Twitter right before a fight.

And it sounds like you went a little bit back and forth with one of those media companies. Are you able to talk about that? What your thoughts are reflecting on that kind of back and forth? Yeah, it was fun. And it's bar stools. We made a man. So, like, but yeah, it's still, like, screw barstool, to be honest. Can you tell people what happened, like, the backstory?

story? Well, they're like, hey, you didn't talking crap about they got knocked out trying to knock me down. But like I said, that's part of the game. And the only way they did the revenge that is by Patty. So like once they're, once a UFC scared or he's scared, we can make that happen. Interesting. So Barstool, hopefully everything's back on the same page now. But, uh, they were cool and show we fight Patty. Then they got, they got them. And then, yeah, I got to come back with slick stuff too. So is that a fight you still really want that Patty? fight uh it doesn't matter what fight i want right now it makes sense or like i said i don't i don't really care what i fight as long as i fight make some money uh i'll be happy i mean you would just run him

over i'm i'm sure they should be worried about that come on yeah they would exactly but um or he's fighting drew with drew dober so we'll we'll see where he's at rule so interesting i would love to see you and drew run it back because i think you had that for sure i do want to run it back the full camps. After I get the workout here, I might even end up staying for like six months. I think that's going to fish the next level. I couldn't agree more. How excited are you about this next coming year? Because I think that the sky's the limit for you. I think you're one of those prospects that just everybody gets excited to see. You bring that positive energy. You bring insights. I'd love to see you more behind the mic talking about upcoming fights because I just

think you have so many insights. Is that something that interesting? to you? Like, I gotta, I'm at to do like a show where I'm commentating, like, I'm looking to all that, because the main goal is to make sure I have a job after I have this job. I'm just going to show that I can speak well

and just looking to just set myself up for like, that's just how good. Yeah, because you're the hype. Like, you've got that positive energy. You've got that Daniel Kormier kind of like getting the people excited about the fight. I think that that's what the sport always needs

is those people who get you excited and invested. Exactly. So, like I said, we'll see in due time. I'm still fairly new to the USC. But like I said, I just don't limit myself to just be the UFC chap. I'm looking to do it all act, whatever, make music. I'm looking just to be everything I can be, you know.

Sky's the limit, like you said. And music. Who are some of your favorite voices? It takes a lot to get excited about a fight and to get into that mindset. Are there people you go to to get really focused and hone in during a training camp

or on that walkout music? For me, they're my fights. I just like to not think about it. Honestly, I might even fall asleep before my fight. Really? Yeah, I'll be chilling. How do you stay calm?

Is it any work or is it just comfortable? It's just fighting. You know, just been, I've always been scrapped from my uncles and stuff like I live by, like I'm fearing our own man but God. That's just, that's just what it is. Beautiful. I really appreciate you being willing to come on today, man. This is our 100th episode, and I cannot believe that I had the opportunity to sit down with you today. It's been such a pleasure to speak with you. I'm so excited about your career. You're my favorite fighter right now to watch, to see go out there when I

see your name on aerials or on a UFC list to fight I just get super excited and the ability to speak with you today is just such a trip for me uh so I just couldn't be more grateful for you sitting down today yeah no problem man and like I said for Washington baby you know you guys are my brothers my sisters you know I love everyone in my city so let's go awesome can you tell people how they can connect with you on social media Twitter Instagram yes sir um it's T-T recs uh 155 on pretty much on my platforms except TikTok is T-R-X-95 and most importantly I want to say shout out to Warrior Camp and Pablo Alfonso and then my family and my son and number one shout out to God you know like I said or he's

given me a second chance he always blessing me even then the bad times of life like I was able to get hit a neck like to me that's like God was like I'm gonna punish you but look, you got, I'd hit you on the neck. Like, I could have lost my whole grill. My mouthguards out, I got needed, like, just like small stuff like that. I see, like, all right, I know I wasn't doing everything right, so I can do things better, and he spare him.

So I get a chance to do it again. That's such a positive mindset. Can you also tell people how they can connect with you on YouTube? Because you put out some great content of you watching fights, and I think that that's just, again, a sign of the places you're going to go. Yeah, let's. Terrence, and then, you know, quotations, cheek, that's Rex, and then McKinney, that's my YouTube page. Big things coming in 2023. I'm so excited. I hope people follow along with your career. I had a bunch of people reach out, and they're super excited about this episode.

So keep up the great work. It's great to see you and Kevin Holland working together. And again, I just couldn't be more grateful for your time, man. Yes, sir. You guys have a wonderful day and stay blessed. You too. I just, I love his story. I think the things that he's overcome is really inspirational. Like, mother wasn't there, had to overcome a lot, and has just, just the smile. Like, everything's going to be okay, despite the fact that you've been through a lot. And he could be frustrated by it. He could be jaded by the things he's had to overcome.

Could be discouraged, thinking that the world hasn't treated him fair, and doesn't. just excited about going back out there and performing and shining a light on all the people who support him. Yeah, absolutely. And congratulations on 100. That's an amazing milestone. I was doing some Google searches just to see how many podcasts get to 100 and I couldn't find any results. I did find that only 17% offer videos. So well done on that piece as well. So you're definitely knocking it out of the park. That's the goal when I started. It was, as I think I told you in the last interview with Linda, the goals is at least a thousand before I call it a day because I think I'm capable. I'm interested. And when you get to sit down with people like this, it's a true privilege to have any amount of their time. And I learn from them and I get inspired by them and get excited about the next people that we're able to speak with. So I appreciate you for being willing to support this and invest in this endeavor. I appreciate everybody who listens for being patient as if you go back to episode one, again,

just completely different than it is today. And I'm very excited about the next hundred. That's great. You are now, to use some UF.E language, punching above your weight as far as reaching out to people. What's been your secret of sliding into their DMs or what's your approach to demand these guests? it's been a transition to try and communicate with people and show them respect in such short communications because it's not through email anymore. That's not the way that I get people.

So I'm not able to elaborate to the same degree of like, this is who I am, this is the goal of the podcast, this is why I think you'd be a good guest. It's like I get two sentences. And so I do try and show love and support for the work that they're doing prior. and when somebody comes onto my radar to comment on their posts to say hey this is a song I love or hey that was a great fight or start the dialogue prior

so that they know that I'm not just showing up to get their clout to get their popularity to get their name because I think that that's a trap interviewers can fall into which is your I just want to get your name on my screen so I can say that I interviewed you and I think that that's never how I've tried to deliver this

when people used to come over gave them a letter just saying hey I appreciate you being willing come out, spend some time. I try and give them coffee and an experience so that it was worthwhile. Now it's different. So how do I show that love and support before the podcast, during the podcast and after the podcast? So they're not like, okay, I just did this for his benefit and I got nothing out of it. Yeah, that's amazing. Your approach is, well, you're really putting in the work. I mean, it's, and it just shows next 100 episodes. What are three goals you have to achieve in those next 100 episodes. I think the what we were just talking about really showing love and

support to the guest and making sure that they know even after the episode that we have a dialogue. I don't want to just have like, oh yeah, I interviewed that. Yeah, I haven't spoken to them since the interview to build honest relationships with people where they know that I'm invested in their success and that I'm not just here to get an interview and then I'll contact you with the next interview. Another one is obviously have bigger names. I love that we have different camera angles now that we're able to switch to, to keep people engaged and to be able to say, hey, we're moving in the right direction. We're switching things up. We're growing. I want to have more conversations with you. Start the podcast, the beginning and end with a conversation

that people can enjoy so that they know they're tuning in for something consistent. That's a big change. I think that's coming. And I think three is to be more clear about the fact that I want to highlight people who are overcoming adversity and showing themselves to be a force to be reckoned with because I think so many of the people I meet feel so small like their opinions don't matter like they don't matter like they're a fly on a wall and what you see with all the people that I interview is they just believe they can make a difference and they're going to go figure out how to do that in whatever avenue they choose and that's what I love about about recording this is trying to find those ways where people he turns looked at his last loss as an opportunity to

go learn not as a way he was disadvantaged wronged or slighted or um the ref was unfair or something going on beyond him he was like this is just a chance for me to improve and i think that message can translate if you don't get the job promotion if you don't get the opportunities you wanted if if some sort of thing that you wanted didn't arrive you have to go work some more for it and that's the beauty of life i don't want anything handed to me i don't want gifts and and like oh let's make it easy. I want to earn this and I see a lot of creators looking at it like they deserve this amount of followers, this amount of views on YouTube. You have to go earn every listen that you get, every view that you get and be excited that once you get there, it's going to taste so much sweeter.

So when Rebecca and I were walking the other night and we were like, wow, like we're in this amazing studio now. We're in this amazing space. We have somebody who's supporting the podcast to you by being willing to produce this. Be grateful for that with you the last 80 episodes. as working to earn that confidence that you've shown in me that I'm going to deliver, I'm going to show up, we're going to do interviews, and I'm going to respect your time. And so I think just be grateful and worked hard is the lessons that I'm hoping to continue to share over the next hundred episodes. So when you go back to episode zero, you're dreaming up this thing,

oh, I'm going to do a podcast. Did you have any idea how much work it would be? Like any fathom of what you would be putting into it? Definitely not. And it was particularly hard because I went three hours. And so imagine the editing for two camera angles over a three hour interview. That would take me a whole Saturday afternoon, like from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and then doing like the editing for like the bios and everything until 11 o'clock at night. And that was that way for the first 60 episodes. It was a lot of work trying to get all of those things set up. And again, those are the times where nobody knows the amount of, work you're putting into it to try and deliver a quality product. And so, again, to have that initial investment, I had no idea the work that was going to go into trying to make it great. As you know, I was committed to video early on because I want you to see my reaction and the person's reaction and how we jive together over a conversation so that it's exciting to the person

to be able to check out this clip or that clip and feel connected to the story. So to answer your question, I had no idea the amount of work it was going to be, but I couldn't be more grateful for your support, for Rebecca's support, for Alex's support, and all of this. I'm always doing my best to appreciate you by putting in the work myself and not taking any of this lightly. Well, and under the column of Terrence had said everything happens for a reason, and I know last June, maybe May, 2022, you reached out and said, my apartment has flooded. I do not have a studio.

I've got a really big guess that I'm trying to interview. It was Mayor Braun from Abbotsford, and coincidentally, you had a flood that you were going to be talking to him about how he dealt with a bigger flood. And you reached out and said, hey, could we do this in your studio? And I was such a fan and just really loving what you were doing

and thought, if there's any way I could help, I would love to do that. And so that brought us together. and then when you started to go down the path of, I need to figure out how to do some sort of Zoom production for remote guests because I want to go beyond what I can do in my own home studio. I said, let's figure that out. And so I'm happy to have jumped on the bigger than me bandwagon a little later than you,

but I'm happy to be helping with the production. I appreciate it. What made you want to take that jump? What did you see in it? I get so many folks that come and they're excited about the studio we have here and I want to do a podcast and it's just, and it's more of a romantic idea. They don't really have what is their thesis, what are they who are they, who are they potential listeners, what are they trying to do? And I saw immediately in you that you had a vision. It coined in the name bigger than me and then you had the dedication and you figured out all of the tricks along the way.

like it's not just a matter of hit record it's okay that's the easy part it's now how do i publish this how do i figure out an rs s feed what podcatcher do i put it on what this and that and you keep adding you added spotify and apple music and now substack and now you're making a website and it's just you're all in like and so if i could help in any way uh i said this is somebody who's got he's got the it factor and going to make something of himself and so if I could help that would be amazing. So that's what drew me

to you and you've been I've never heard someone say thank you or sorry so many times like you're just a quality person and so anything I can do to help I really appreciate that can you reflect a little bit on our interview. We went out to

the sham wetlands this is a while ago but what are your recollections from that conversation? My recollection from that conversation is my internal body temperature increasingly getting warmer and warmer and warmer. As it was like during the heat wave, Aaron said, we're going to take this podcast on the road and we're going to do it out in the sun. It started in the shade, but as the sun went through early morning, so a lot of it was I have no idea what I said. other than I am so glad I wore shorts. Yes.

I think that you, a lot of people reflected on what they learned about the differences between banks and credit unions and about being financially responsible. When looking back on that episode, I had a few people go, like, I didn't know the difference. I just went with TD because that's where my mom was or that's where my aunt was. And I just kind of followed the footsteps. And I think that provided an opportunity for people to figure out

why they're with their financial institution. I think I also had, I saw that you were doing this and sort of hitting people around town and thinking, and then you had asked me to do it. And my immediate being vain, I went, what number is he on?

Why am I number 34? If you're going to be higher in the ranking here? I'm just kidding. I was happy to be asked. And I think that was part of your growth, right? Being able to highlight individuals like yourself was the original starting place. I think that there's voices, there's people who work in the background that we don't hear from, but make a community a community, make our social fabric richer and stronger,

and never look for the credit. You're never out there being like, hey, where's my award for this? How do I get in front of a stage and get people knowing about me? You're very much happy to be in the background, and it's a challenge for you to kind of be with the camera on you. So I just think you're a very admirable person, and I appreciate all of your support with this. Again, thank you to Rebecca. Thank you to Alex. I'm so grateful to be celebrating a hundredth episode with everybody.