Why not you with John OBrien

Why not you with John OBrien

by John OBrien

Self-Improvement Fitness

Season 2

Travis Swanson Leadville 100 Finisher Mines of Spain finisher Runner father inspiration recovering addict

aking Chances – Why Not You? This week, I’m sitting down with someone who defines grit, resilience, and the power of choosing a different path: Travis Swanson — Father, Husband, Brother… and Ultrarunner. Travis calls himself a “typical middle‑aged, standard family, recovering alcoholic” … but anyone who knows him knows there’s nothing typical about the miles he’s logged or the battles he’s won. At 45, he’s juggling a career in manufacturing, life with his wife and two busy kids, and still finding ways to push himself into the wild world of endurance running. He might say he doesn’t have the most time… but he’s learned to give the most effort (minus the diet part, his words ). Travis Swanson has been sober for 8 years and running for just as long — and the friendships, community, and shared suffering on the trails are what keep him coming back. His accomplishments? Buckle up: Four Mines of Spain 100 finishes (with another coming this fall) Two Barkley Fall Classics (where he’s always projected to finish after cutoff ) Leadville 100 finisher 42.5 miles at the Schuetzen NIEN Hour Endurance Run (IYKYK…) And now he’s asking the best ultra question of all: “What else looks like a good bad time?” You won’t want to miss this conversation — Travis brings honesty, humor, humility, and a whole lot of heart. Episode drops soon! Why not you? https://www.youtube.com/@takingchanceswhynotyou/videos

Maurice Lowan - MarathonPandaMaurice Social Media Influencer Car Salesperson of the Century

🚀 Meet Maurice Lowman — a.k.a. MarathonPandaMaurice 🐼🏃‍♂️One of the most relentless runners you’ll ever meet.🏅 43 Marathons🏅 100+ Half Marathons🏅 2 Ultra 100‑Mile Finishes🏅 4 Ultra Marathon (24‑Hour) Finishes🔥 9.5‑Year Run Streak — from 1/1/2016 to 8/1/2025, Maurice ran at least 1 mile outside every single day. That’s 3,476 consecutive days of showing up.And now he’s taking on the 2026 Boston Marathon — not just for himself, but to raise money for an amazing cause through GivenGain. 🙌👉 Support his journey & donate here:https://www.givengain.com/champion/maurice-lowman-367002

John Miletich Leadville DNF Business Owner - from prison to ultra runner

Taking Chances - Amanda Green - Episode 37

🔥 NEW EPISODE ALERT! 🎙️ Taking Chances – Why Not You? (Coming Next Monday February 16th) I sat down with the incredible Ace Verde Amanda Green and trust me, her story is a masterclass in betting on yourself. From growing up in Peabody, Massachusetts, to heading north to The University of Maine, Amanda has always carved her own path. But she didn’t stop there…At 29 years old, she made a bold move and joined the Navy, where she became a professional welder — talk about grit and skill. 💪⚓️🔥And just when you think the story can’t get any better… Amanda is now taking her next big leap: pursuing a career in acting. 🎬✨Check out her latest clip with Andrew Scott https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Scott_(actor) https://youtu.be/5cXCUp6j5M8?si=5mIbM35Dr7mfMZnn She also owns a landscaping business. Yes, she really does it all. 🌿💼 This episode is packed with inspiration, courage, and the kind of life pivots that remind us there’s never a “too late” to chase something new. 🎧 Tune in, get inspired, and ask yourself… Why not YOU? 👉 https://rss.com/podcasts/taking-chances-why-not-you/ 🎬 https://www.youtube.com/@takingchanceswhynotyou/videos #TakingChances #WhyNotYou #Podcast #NewEpisode #Inspiration #ActingJourney #VeteranStories #WomenWhoLead #SmallBusinessOwner #LifePivots #AmandaGreen #AceVerde

Eliaz Willis Paralympic Champion Runner Amputee

🎙️ Podcast Intro: *"Today, we’re honored to welcome an extraordinary athlete, advocate, and trailblazer—Eliaz Willis. Known to many as Liz, Eliaz is a U.S. Paralympian who competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in the 100m, 200m, and placed 6th in the 400m. But her story doesn’t stop there. After Rio, Eliaz dominated the para professional Boston Marathon scene, winning the first three titles from 2021 to 2023. Before her Paralympic journey, Eliaz ran cross-country in college and taught elementary special education for two years. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2010 when complications during childbirth led to the amputation of her leg. Instead of slowing down, she turned adversity into purpose—adopting a daughter from foster care, co-founding Wichita Adaptive Sports to expand parasport opportunities in Kansas, and becoming a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and intersex athletes. Now retired from professional running at 39 due to health concerns, Eliaz continues to inspire as a coach, board member, entrepreneur, and community leader. In her free time, she’s exploring trail running, building businesses, and even serving on a campaign committee for a U.S. Representative. Get ready for an incredible conversation about resilience, advocacy, and redefining what’s possible. This is Eliaz Willis."

Taking Chances - Steve Anderson - Episode 35 - Operation BBQ Relief

🎙️ Podcast Intro: Honoring Leadership with Steve Anderson Welcome to today’s episode, where we celebrate the heart of service and leadership. Each year, Operation BBQ Relief presents the Leadership Award to a volunteer who embodies trust, inspires others, and leads by example. The 2023 recipient, Steve Anderson, is the perfect reflection of those qualities. Steve first discovered Operation BBQ Relief in 2021 when devastating floods hit Waverly, Tennessee. Drawn by the mission of combining barbecue with helping people in times of need, Steve jumped in—and never looked back. His first deployment was in Hazard, Kentucky, after floods struck in 2022. It was there that Steve experienced his defining “OBR Why” moment: delivering a hot meal to a woman who hadn’t eaten in days, just before her 95th birthday. That simple act of kindness—and the joy it brought—cemented his commitment to serve. Since then, Steve has volunteered hundreds of hours, deploying to disaster zones across the country and supporting military members, veterans, and first responders through OBR’s Always Serving Project. Today, as Area Coordinator for Tennessee, Steve continues to lead with passion and purpose, making the worst day in someone’s life a little better—one hot meal at a time. Stay tuned as we dive into Steve’s journey, his leadership philosophy, and what drives him to keep serving. And if you’re inspired by his story, visit operationbbqrelief.org/volunteer-obr or download the “OBR Volunteers” app to join this incredible mission.

Season 1

Taking Chances - Why not you? Year end 2025

2025 Year-End Recap: Taking Chances - Why Not You?What a remarkable year it's been for Taking Chances - Why Not You?! In 2025, we dropped 34 powerful episodes, each one a testament to the core message: bold moves, big dreams, and the courage to ask, "Why not me?"This year, we brought you an incredible lineup of guests who embody resilience, determination, and the art of betting on themselves. From the worlds of elite athletics to business and everyday heroism, our conversations highlighted what it truly takes to push limits while navigating real life.Highlights from Our Extraordinary Guests:Pro Athletes and Combat Legends: We sat down with UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich, diving into the mindset of a fighter who redefined grit in the octagon. Ultra-Endurance Warriors: Stories from Ultra Running Champions, Backyard Ultra winners, Leadville Trail 100 finishers, and national record holders inspired us all to go further. A standout was Episode 19 with Phil Young – owner of Fleet Feet Davenport (one of America's top running stores) and holder of the 4th fastest 100-mile time in U.S. history. His blend of business savvy and blistering trail speed reminded us that excellence isn't limited to one arena. Olympic-Level Achievers: Gold Medalists shared the sacrifices and triumphs behind standing on the podium. (Andy Yohe) Business Titans: Leaders like Beth Jannery (Founder of Titan Strategic Communications) opened up about strategic risks, authentic leadership, and building legacies that impact industries. Ordinary People Doing Amazing Things: The heart of our show shone through in episodes with everyday heroes – folks crushing massive goals while juggling demanding jobs, families, and life's curveballs. Transformations like Evan Kilstrom's journey to engineering and endurance, or Brian Doerfeld's reinvention through fitness and coaching, proved that extraordinary results start with everyday courage. Across these 34 episodes, recurring themes emerged: mental health in high-stakes pursuits, balancing ambition with family, overcoming adversity, and the sheer power of discipline and self-belief. Whether it was tales from the trails of Tunnel Hill, the intensity of HYROX training, or rebuilding after setbacks, every guest left us with actionable inspiration. Thank you to our incredible guests for trusting us with your stories, and a massive shoutout to you – our listeners – for tuning in, sharing episodes, and taking your own chances. Your messages and feedback have fueled this journey. As we close out 2025, remember: Start that podcast. Write that book. Take the leap. Why not you? Here's to an even bolder 2026. Keep taking chances!– Your host, John O'Brien #TakingChances #WhyNotYou #UltraRunning #MentalHealth #GritAndGratitude

Taking Chances - Solo #3

🎙️ Podcast "Welcome back to Taking Chances – Why Not You? I’m your host, John O’Brien, and today we’re diving into solo episode number three. Recently, I listened to Ken Rideout’s new podcast where Rich Roll was his guest, and it got me thinking. People are often drawn to stories of those who’ve overcome addiction—whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or food—because those journeys are raw, powerful, and inspiring. But what about the rest of us? The so-called ‘ordinary’ people who’ve faced extraordinary challenges and still found a way forward? For me, 2001 was that year. I lost my mom, lost my job, and got married—all within months. Three massive life events, two of them devastating, one of them life changing. And somehow, I survived. I found a way. That’s what this podcast is becoming: a space to celebrate resilience, grit, and the everyday heroes who refuse to quit. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things—not because it was easy, but because they chose to find a way. So let’s get started. This is Taking Chances – Why Not You? Episode three."

Scott Anderson - AWA Hawthorne Finalist - The Scott Boys Writer Civil War history Family

🎙️ S. Scott Anderson Scott Anderson is a lifelong storyteller whose journey blends journalism, executive leadership, and a passion for history. An avid reader, student of the past, and global traveler, Anderson draws on real-world experiences to bring depth and authenticity to his characters and narratives. Though his career path took him from journalism into the world of construction equipment, writing and photography have always been his true constants. Now retired, he devotes his energy to exploring automotive history, crafting creative fiction, and weaving historically inspired tales that are as unique as they are compelling. Rooted in Tennessee, where his family has lived since the early 1700s, Anderson remains a voyager at heart—always seeking new horizons and opportunities. You’re most likely to spot him at historic car gatherings, tucked away in small vineyards, or immersed in history shows, continuing his lifelong pursuit of stories worth telling. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Scott-Boys-Novel-Inspired-Actual/dp/1663273553 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-scott-boys-s-scott-anderson/1147711487 iUniverse: https://www.iuniverse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/863188-the-scott-boys website: sscottanderson.com FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scott-Boys-61567869444996/ : https://www.facebook.com/p/S-Scott-Anderson-Author-61578488477061/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-scott-anderson-590391a3/

Taking Chances - John O'Brien - "Finding a way"

Just me, solo, recapping an episode and then realizing that this Podcast highlights people who end up being able to FIND A WAY to get shit done! It's that simple. ordinary people doing extraordinary things, accomplishing amazing things, balancing it all and FINDING A WAY TO GET IT DONE!

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