I’m so excited to introduce you to Amy—someone who truly embodies what it means to take a chance and turn passion into purpose.

Amy has spent the last ten years as a personal trainer, but her love for movement and performance started long before that—she’s been a runner since junior high. What began as a personal passion evolved into a career dedicated to helping others grow stronger, faster, and more confident.

In 2016, Amy expanded her work into coaching runners, and since then she’s worked with a wide range of clients—men, women, and kids—many focused on sports performance. Her experience spans everything from corporate gyms to boutique fitness spaces to recreation centers, giving her a well-rounded perspective on what it takes to meet people where they are.

But Amy didn’t stop there.

Eight years ago, she made a bold move: she took a chance on herself and launched her own business, giving her the freedom to create deeper, more personalized relationships with her clients. Today, she trains out of Commit2Fitness in Arvada, Colorado, where she continues to make a lasting impact.

What makes Amy’s story even more powerful is her ability to adapt and care for clients across all walks of life. From working with athletes to supporting individuals recovering from knee and hip replacements or dealing with chronic joint pain, she brings both expertise and empathy to every session.

And beyond the gym, Amy has also followed a dream close to her heart—coaching high school athletes. As an assistant coach for cross country and track programs, she’s become the kind of mentor she once looked up to, inspiring the next generation just like her coaches inspired her.

Amy’s journey is all about growth, resilience, and taking that leap—even when it’s uncertain.

So today, we’re diving into her story: the risks she took, the lessons she’s learned, and why she believes that sometimes the biggest question we can ask ourselves is… “Why not me?”

What does it look like to take a chance on yourself—and keep climbing?

In this episode of Taking Chances – Why Not You?, I sit down with Matt Ostrom, a Quad Cities entrepreneur whose journey is built on grit, vision, and saying yes to opportunity.

Matt takes us back to his roots growing up in Iowa, his days playing college baseball at Iowa State, and the moment he realized chasing pro ball might not be the path forward—after even heading to Canada to give it a shot. From there, his story takes an unexpected turn: a part-time job at Active Endeavors in Coralville making just $5 an hour, where he learned the ropes in sales, inventory, and customer service.

Fast forward nearly three decades, and Matt is now the owner of Active Endeavors, having grown it into a thriving specialty retail business—including a brand-new brick-and-mortar store in the Quad Cities. He shares how the business evolved from a mountaineering and gear shop into a modern footwear and apparel destination, and what it takes to stay relevant over 28 years.

But Matt’s journey isn’t just about business.

In one of the most incredible chapters of his life, The North Face invited him on a trek to Mt. Everest. With the support of expert training—and help from mutual friend Kyle Dietz—Matt pushed himself to new limits, climbing to over 21,000 feet at Everest Base Camp.

This is a story about endurance, reinvention, and saying “yes” when life presents an opportunity.

Whether you're chasing a dream, building a business, or standing at the base of your own mountain—this conversation will inspire you to take that next step.

Why not you?

On the next Taking Chances – Why Not You? @Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@takingchanceswhynotyou/videos

The podcast that challenges the quiet doubts, the excuses, and the hesitation holding you back.

Because the real question isn’t “Why not you?” It should be: Why not me?

Today’s guest is @gavinbrown_ultra —dad of two, elite ultrarunner in pursuit, and living proof that extraordinary goals don’t require an extraordinary starting point. Gavin is chasing big dreams while balancing family, fatigue, setbacks, and real life—and he documents every step of the journey. Check him out! You're not going to believe what he's up to this June!!! Running across the entire state of Colorado!

This isn’t just about running.

It’s about consistency over motivation. Discipline over comfort.

And what happens when you decide to stop waiting for permission and start showing up anyway.

If you’ve ever felt stuck… behind… or unsure if you’ve got what it takes—this episode will show you exactly how to go from stuck to unstoppable.

https://dashboard.rss.com/pod.../taking-chances-why-not-you/

Today’s guest knows how to go far—really far—and still get faster doing it.

We’re joined by Tara Schuster Flesch, an ultrarunner who consistently redefines what endurance looks like. Tara just crossed the finish line of her fastest 100-mile race ever, clocking an incredible 21 hours, 47 minutes, and 10 seconds—a performance that speaks to years of grit, discipline, and belief in the process.

But that’s just part of her story. Tara is also a winner of the CornBelt 24-Hour race, proving she doesn’t just survive long days on the course—she thrives in them. Whether it’s managing the mental battle at mile 80, staying present through the night, or balancing life with high-level training, Tara brings a grounded, thoughtful perspective to the sport.

Today, we’ll talk about what it takes to chase big goals over long distances, how she’s evolved as an athlete, and what keeps her coming back to the miles when quitting would be easier.

So lace up, settle in, and let’s go the distance with Tara Schuster Flesch.

Ultramarathon runner, Dog Lover, 100-miler, Chocolate Lab Mama x 2 Golfer Hunter Positive Energy Married the Man of her Dreams

Jackie Young

Owner of Fleet Feet Davenport and Fleet Feet Des Moines—helping thousands of runners take their first steps, break PRs, and find the gear that moves them forward.

She’s not just in the running world—she is the running world.

A badass ultra‑distance runner, tackling 50Ks!!

A mom to three incredible girls, proving that success and balance can coexist…And a leader who knows that showing up—at work, at home, and on the roads—takes intention.

Oh—and she’s married to one of the greatest American 100‑mile runners of all time. Phil Young

Fresh off a blazing 12:03 finish at the Tunnel Hill Hundred.

This episode is about grit. Family. Work‑life balance.

And why betting on yourself is always worth it.

Whether you’re thinking about starting your running journey…

Or leveling up with the best gear in the game—@Fleet Feet Davenport Fleet Feet Des Moines has you covered.

This is Taking Chances – Why Not You?

And this one? You don’t want to miss.

PODCAST INTRO — “Taking Chances: Why Not You?”

Welcome back to Taking Chances – Why Not You? — the podcast where we dive into the real, raw, and remarkable stories of people who bet on themselves… and changed everything.

Aimee is someone who embodies grit, creativity, reinvention, and pure determination. Meet Aimee Ford, also known as Artist Aimee Ford, the powerhouse behind AF Tattoo Studio — one of the Quad Cities’ most respected tattoo destinations.

Aimee’s journey is anything but typical.

She grew up “below the Hill” in Clinton, bounced through four different high schools in just three years, became a mom young, and learned early what it meant to fight for stability while chasing a dream. With a musician for a dad and a librarian for a mom, art was in her blood from day one.

She graduated, stepped into a tattoo apprenticeship, took a detour into marriage, poured herself into photography for years, faced divorce, and then — as a single mom — made the bold choice to re-enter the tattoo world.

And what happened next?

She built a studio. She built a brand. She built a community. All on her own.

Today, Aimee is living proof that the path doesn’t have to be straight for the destination to be extraordinary.

So settle in — this is a story of resilience, creativity, single‑mom strength, and the fearless pursuit of a life you choose.

This is Aimee Ford, and this is Taking Chances – Why Not You?

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

🚀 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