.jpg)
Lasting Impact
Welcome to "Lasting Impact," the podcast that dives deep into the stories and insights of extraordinary individuals who are leaving an indelible mark on the world. Here, we'll explore the transformative power of their actions and innovations in the realms of business, ministry, and community. Our guests are the change-makers, the visionaries, and the unsung heroes whose unwavering dedication and passion have not only made an impact but a lasting one. Prepare to be inspired, informed, and empowered as we explore the stories behind the lasting impact these remarkable individuals are creating.
Lasting Impact
Finding Success Through Relationships and Resilience with Angela Fritz
Discover the inspiring journey of Angela Fritz, a former jewelry business owner turned successful realtor. Learn how her focus on relationships and emotional intelligence propelled her transition from jewelry to real estate. In this episode, Angela shares personal anecdotes on parenting challenges, her advocacy for children's mental health, and the power of community service in fostering lasting connections. Tune in for valuable insights on adapting to challenges in the real estate market and the importance of resilience, empathy, and community engagement for personal and professional growth.
God did. I knew it was not going to be by my own power or dignity or whatever that I got through this. I'm like Lord. You have to help me love her because just liking her Welcome to the Lasting Impact Podcast.
Speaker 3:I'm your host, mark Marquand. Join me as I sit down with remarkable individuals making a meaningful difference in business and ministry. We'll explore their stories, challenges and successes, all with the goal of encouraging you to go out and make a lasting impact. If you love what you hear, don't forget to rate review and share. Welcome to Lasting Impact, angela Fritz. Hey, welcome to the podcast. Thank you for having me. I'm so honored to have you here. For those listening that don't know, you, tell us a little about yourself.
Speaker 1:I am a full-time wife and mother of three boys, and I am also a full-time realtor and volunteer for all kinds of shenanigans. Oh, that's awesome.
Speaker 3:Well, what brought us together is business. I'm obviously your realtor, like you just said, and I'm a lender and I could tell, as I'm starting to get to know you better, you're a very impactful person.
Speaker 3:And so with you dropping all the serving and volunteering comment just there. It does feel like that's probably who you are. Well, you haven't always been a realtor, correct? And so what were I know you have we just talked about? Uh, I had thought jewelry business was right before, um, your, your real estate business, but I think jewelry business was a big career that you had, and then you had some. What were you up to leading up into real estate?
Speaker 1:Well, I was in the fine jewelry industry for 13 to 14 years.
Speaker 1:I can't remember Started as an evening part-timer and then worked my way up to having multiple stores in Oklahoma before that company unfortunately went bankrupt. I did work for the Moody's family locally. Ernest was a great advocate for me, so I had their flagship store. And then when surprise Joshua came along, our youngest son, I just really felt led that I needed to go somewhere else. I really thought it was stay at home mom. So I said goodbye and did that for a year almost and then realized nope, this is not where God's calling me. So then I did kind of some volunteer things, part-time jobs in between and I was a conditioning coach and team mom for my son's football team and one of the dads was like, hey, have you ever thought about getting into real estate? I'm like no. So then I tell my husband can you believe? My buddy, mike Rowe, says that you should be in real estate. Brian's like yeah, you should.
Speaker 1:So I started looking into it and what it took to do it, talked with him a little and then started the journey, stepping out on faith yeah and um, I started right when covid hit so the first few classes were in person, the rest were all zoom oh my gosh, so but god's timing is perfect and so next thing.
Speaker 1:you know, by the time I was all the way through and officially had my license, I was starting with great support because I had so many people that I have served and just been part of their lives over the years and so they trusted me. They knew my reputation and that if I don't know exactly what I'm doing, I will reach out to those that are successful in that are to get us on the right track.
Speaker 3:Well, I want to go back to that jewelry business. I used to work with a person who was she had come from being in the jewelry business and I was always really impressed with her. Just like sounded good on the phones, she was great with customers and I just remember telling her like man, you're really good at, I like hearing you interact with your clients and on your phone work. And when I told her that, her response was well, I come from the jewelry business and so I think that you know she probably went into. You know why serve those clients well and we really had to take care of them. And so walk me through a little bit of the jewelry business, of like what, what your great takeaways from there and how has it served you well in real estate.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know um it's relational, just like an emotional the jewelry business as well.
Speaker 3:I would think it's emotional right.
Speaker 1:Because you're commemorating events or you're celebrating events or you're saying goodbye to someone that's passed and you're making something special for the family members to remember them by so being in it 14 years, I had people who they just got married. Then they had their kids. I've been helping their family. I had a client who her and her husband were married seven times to each other you know, and they're still married to this day. Wow. So that's great, you just keep on trying. I don't know.
Speaker 1:But you know you get those the good times and the bad times, and then you have people that you know. Personal notes has always been a big thing to me. And so. I would write thank you notes even for a $10 battery you know, because you just never know what that person was going through that day, if they're going to need something or if they're going to know somebody else that needs some help, and I knew that I was talented and God had given me the knowledge and the want to serve people that way.
Speaker 1:So they'd give me a call or refer me to someone else.
Speaker 3:I like that personal touch that you're, you know, like with the card or even if it was the battery, and would you say that was some of the training you were receiving because of the business you were in, or was that more well, this is who I was and I just do it because I want to, or a little bit of both you know when I I didn't do personal notes and things when I was in the corporate setting but when it?
Speaker 1:came to being with the Moody's in the family-owned business. You got a little bit more of ownership okay you know, because, yes, you're representing a family that you know and love, but you're also you know, it's commission-based as well.
Speaker 1:So you can provide for your own family. Yeah, so, in order to keep lasting relationships and clients and I wanted to make the Moody's look good as well that little touch of just saying thank you for coming in today, or I'm glad I could take a link out of your watch. Of course, we love writing the notes for the two, three $400,000 things as well, but some of those relationships with even just the little battery customers, I still see them today. Wow.
Speaker 1:So it's, yes, some of it was training, especially when I got into the family owned businesses. It was training especially when I got into the family owned businesses. But it's also just seeing how you want to be treated and treating others, and I had some really amazing mentors there. I don't know a lot of people in Oklahoma and Tulsa will know of Izzy Levine. He was probably sold everybody and their mom something in.
Speaker 3:Oklahoma and You're in.
Speaker 1:Oklahoma in their lifestyle, but he was just great at getting to know people, just having a conversation. Sometimes it would take an hour for him to help just one client, but it's because they were catching up or swapping stories, you know, and just learning from someone else's view in life.
Speaker 3:Wow, so that. I mean when I was young, I worked retail you know, not that high dollar, you know, I think at just the basic, I was a kid that sold shoes, um, and, but as a, as a young adult, uh, part-time I. I did work in a men's clothing store and um work in a men's clothing store and um, higher end, I guess, and um, there were some full-time professional men that this was their career.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:And I just it blew my mind yeah, so I'm 21 years old or something, 20 years old, 21.
Speaker 3:I'm coming in after class working a few hours with them and these guys would have a book of business working a few hours with them and these guys would have a book of business like a true book of business. I would see them go to their drawer. It's all retail Like, it's like a clothing store, right. Yeah, it's just nice in there and comfortable. And yeah, I would see them on the phones and so we would have phones kind of like on the side by the window and and I'd I'd see you know they'd have the readers on and they grab a book and they're calling their database. Yeah and uh, tim, hey, once you come in, we got a new two piece great lapel.
Speaker 3:You know, whatever the um herringbone, it just just I'd hear him on the phone and just go right down the list and sure enough, they'd set appointments and of course they're calling businessmen or doctors, lawyers, businessmen, accountants and those who have a certain way they dress every day to work at the time and that was just all new to me. So I learned so much by just them taking care of these guys and just like you said, that guy, these guys would come in and they just know them.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah, like they would know them and wouldn't just be like a customer walking through the mall and you sold them a t-shirt and never see them again. Obviously there is some of that, oh yeah but there was like like a little celebration, like hey, man, what's going on, tim, what's up? And they just go right into catching up and they might have golfed together. I mean just it was, um, really cool, like I was, just like man, what this? Is more to this.
Speaker 3:This is there is more to this maybe yeah, yeah and I just really was watching them learn product you know, really study their product knowledge and really, um, like just watching them study a jacket study is through threads study and then to be able to just talk to the guys about that, talking about fitting so I don't want to go on it, but I just when you say that, when you're, when you're talking like that, I just it kind of took me back 20 some years ago and it was really stood out to me that that is um what do I say?
Speaker 3:that it is special, it's special, it's unique and it really does make us human. Yeah, and it sets you apart. I mean, I think that's where I started liking the client like the service business, like the client service, um, and so yeah, for sure, for sure. So you did that for a long time when and you were learning so much there of just again that that caring, that touch, learning their story.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 3:I mean as a mortgage lender, I'm. I mean not every deal is like this, just because there are some people who are a bottom line type of person.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 3:You know you get like two seconds of their time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I know the pragmatics I need to know now.
Speaker 3:But for the most, you know you're referred over. I'm a 100% referral business and so they're referred over and you know, my first step is I really just want to know their story of what they're trying to accomplish, what stage of life they are. Are they downsizing, are they upgrading?
Speaker 1:Investment portfolio. You never know.
Speaker 3:Absolutely Similar to what you're saying with jewelry. I mean, sometimes it's marriage, sometimes it's divorce. There's a lot there, but I'm always driven to understand who they are and what they're trying to accomplish, what their goals are. So I would imagine you working in that jewelry and learning all of those kind of the same, that skill set. Yeah. It was, it was came in handy going into real estate.
Speaker 1:For sure. I would definitely say that you get people at the worst and people at their best.
Speaker 1:And so, then, going through life and being gracious enough to just walk through them as they walk with them, as they go through it, it's crucial because any of these big purchases like that with whether it's jewelry or now for me, it's real estate you know there's emotions and everything involved. Plus, this could be make or break their financial decisions, things like that. So you want to really fine tune and get to know them and what their goals are, what their fear is yeah, so that you can keep them focused, because sometimes, well, a lot of times it gets very overwhelming by the time you know finally you find the right house or the right ring or whatever, and then it's let's get this to come to fruition so you can take the ring out the door or you're moving in your new house.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And so there's some of that emotional intelligence that's involved in there and I'm always, you know, trying to fine tune and get into that, because it's like I can do it much better with strangers than I can sometimes my own husband or my kiddos. Yeah. And I think that's just because you're so comfortable you know, with your own family. So, but finding those things out and helping redirect them and keep them back, what's the main thing? Let's stick with the main thing and not get caught up. You want this beautiful home? Yes, I do.
Speaker 1:Well then, let's not worry about whether refrigerator has a den in it or not, but sometimes in the heat of negotiations or things like that that can come up. So I think being in the jewelry business really helped me with the great moments and the bad moments and um, just walking people through it and trying to stay calm.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I really love that. Um, I think the most successful people are really. I like how you said you're guiding someone through something they know they want to buy something.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 3:And you're there to help them, guide them, serve them and, like you said before, keep them on track. That's one of the. Really, whether they know it or not, they're hiring you to keep them focused.
Speaker 1:Right to achieve a goal. That's right yeah.
Speaker 3:So whether, like, oh, I just can't imagine Probably why well, we have our own toughness on the lender side. But yeah, I know my realtor partners a lot of time, like you had just said. Like, hey, let's stay dialed in over here. It's the great price, it's the perfect area, it's hidden, it's checking all the boxes we're getting a little twisted up over the. That um piece on the floor that's kind of like can be repaired with 20 bucks right and we're like spending an hour trying to investigate what could have happened there.
Speaker 1:Yes, we're like wasting time, never gonna know all of that so yeah yeah, or you might, you don't want to know. So move on.
Speaker 3:You know it just depends, even with new construction. I mean like and the builders will even admit to it. It's like hey, I mean, we're building you an awesome, beautiful home. There's a reason why it comes with like hey, hit us and we might have missed. We might have missed the big things. Right these little things that like yeah, you bet. Yes, this one but we're right around the corner. We'll be come right back. We'll get that all tied up.
Speaker 3:It's nothing's perfect. No, um, I think that, um, when I'm, when, when I've spent time with you, you're real calm, like your demeanor is real chill, and you're real fun, and, uh, you make me laugh. Um, I imagine that serves you well with with clients most of the time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know, um, sometimes I'm joking around, maybe a little more than I should, or they don't understand my joke, but usually they get to know me better and um know that it's just. I've learned with life. It's just, you can't take everything so dang serious. You know, yes, there are times for that, but you know, I've been with high end people and hung out with the homeless and we all have stories. People are the way they are for a reason, and I believe that we were all made in God's image. Are we perfect?
Speaker 1:No, we're in an imperfect world, but having hope for someone else when they don't have it, or seeing something good in them that they don't see, bring some light to the subject, you know and and I'll never forget, just like my the football dad that said hey, have you ever thought about this Speaking that goodness or that, that thing that you see in someone that they may not even see? Um, that was a big thing with coaching. Um, with the football kiddos, I mean, we had them since they were five years old until they went to school ball in eighth grade and for union. I don't know if you've ever done that, but it's like a combine. You know it's insane yeah um, they're not playing around.
Speaker 1:So, um, having someone to see something great in you and call it out, or be able to have a little bit of a laugh about it, or whatever, yeah it helps a lot because these are big purchases. Yeah, you know yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3:I think that sort of stuff staying, you know, being a positive person that doesn't mean you don't talk about concerns, but like staying upbeat and being positive, like again, without someone saying I need that from you, they need that from you Again, that calming hey, we're going to get past this. If we have to transition out of this thing and it's not going to work out, it won't, but it's creative solutions.
Speaker 1:Yeah you know, just even saying that, even, even that saying that sort of stuff.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean I've worked with. I've worked with um. I mean I've been a lender for 20 years, so I've worked with every personality out there yeah and there's a lot of people that don't would ever use that phrase. Creative solution. Yeah. There's just like it's over it's as dead. Yeah, and we're going, we're going South fast. And and that's the reason why a lot of lenders hold back from giving details to people.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Because if they had a clue of every time something, could go wrong could this that came back higher than we thought you wrong? Could this that came back higher than we thought you know, insurance has a problem, it's just it could get real negative, real fast oh yeah, and so when you're working with people who have that that positive attitude, of like hey we'll come up with a solution. Yeah, we'll get this figured out there are ways yeah, they're these.
Speaker 3:These things tend to work out. I would have, I have a process. I would talk to me like, oh, these things work out.
Speaker 1:God that would mean so much to me.
Speaker 3:It's like oh thanks for saying that, and I just needed to hear that just to stay like cause.
Speaker 1:it's on track, yeah.
Speaker 3:Cause it's so true. Well, you've you've mentioned um youth, youth football or youth lacrosse. Is that? Is that being on the board, or you were coaching, or what was all?
Speaker 1:that. Well, I was a conditioning coach, I was a team mom and I was on the boards. So yes for both Union Youth Lacrosse and Union Youth Football.
Speaker 3:And what ages are those?
Speaker 1:Those start from age five all the way up. Union Youth Lacrosse goes all the way. It's clubs, so it goes all the way through seniors. But then Union's actual school ball and all of that little system. The youth is from 5 to 8th grade. They start going into what's considered actual school ball for union.
Speaker 1:So I did that even after my middle guy, jordan was the one that was the football kiddo and I went on and continued to serve on that board, some after he was already done, but the impact there is, you know, it's interesting. I was helping with coaches and interviewing coaches and, you know, placing them with teams and things like that. But it's also the parents, you know. They want little Johnny. He's going to the NFL, you know and they get very emotional and out of control, you know. And so it's trying to manage and inspire and connect the coaches of what your goal is. What is our purpose, what is our plan here? Are we just trying to get them to championships or are we raising young men? Yeah.
Speaker 1:Because a lot of these kids don't have father figures or two people in the home or whatever, so they have a pretty good culture there. It's just fun to be a part. I see my husband didn't really have a father figure in his life, but the one he did, the difference that father figure in his life but the one he did, the difference that it made in his life was huge, yeah, and so his goal was to make sure he was there for his boys and have a complete family and all that kind of stuff. Um, and so it's really nice to where I was raised I both my parents are still married today you, you know so it's total different um perspectives, but to see that I'm just figured that was important.
Speaker 1:Now we're being purposeful with it. So I was grateful for the time and the opportunity to be able to volunteer, be a part of that be in part. I mean, I have so many football sons, it's ridiculous.
Speaker 1:And so that's why I know Fritzy, you know, or my husband's coach, Fritz butitz, but I just see them everywhere and they're doing great things in different places and you know, some of them aren't even in football, but it is. It's having that impact, speaking, that positivity, that talent that you see in them, that somebody or telling them they can do something that no one's ever told them they could. You think that that's just normal, but it's if you go into the schools and you volunteer?
Speaker 3:a little bit, man, you're going to see that it's really not there, yeah. So yeah, I man there's. There is a ton to unpack there. It's working with youth and the students you were. I mean, I know that I bet you sometimes they're just hanging out with you is just the best part of their day.
Speaker 1:Maybe I mean I don't know, because I was the conditioning coach, so some days I mean I had those boys running around this gravel track and doing it. But you know, they did really really hard work. Yeah, gravel track and doing it but you know, they did really, really hard work, yeah, and then to see them make progress and realize the man that was, that's the most fulfilling thing in the whole world well, it's like well, if you're talking about football and stuff, I mean, that is so family oriented you know, I mean it's just this.
Speaker 3:Well, it it's. It's a great, great team sport and, um, you need all, you need all parts working and uh, it's hot outside and it's it's whatever, and yeah, it's hot, it's cold, you're up against conditions, you're up against stuff, and so it takes the grit. I mean, if you're going to play that sport, it takes a lot of grit um, so, just to stay on it for a little bit longer on that and I know you can just unpack that for a long time too of how impactful it is working with those boys and their parents, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:I always yeah those families. Yeah, yeah, the families that are like this is a big part of their lives. And for some, it keeps them occupied, keeps them in trouble, keeps them focused, you know, puts where's their energy out. And um what? What would you say was most impactful for you with your, on your time with them, um?
Speaker 1:I would say I'll never forget. There's this one kiddo who was probably not the best athlete in the team. His brother was great at football, his older brother, things like that. He wanted to follow in his footsteps and his mom kind of did too, but he was worried about this jog-a-thon that they did at the school every year. And so, through this conditioning that I had them doing, I would have them do.
Speaker 1:Um, they used to be called Indian runs or fart, looks where you kind of you run in a line and then the back guy comes and runs around to the front yeah so of course, I have my linemen in the back and my running backs in the front. I'm like, no, you have to slow down. They're like we're walking. But anyway, they continue to do that and they had to get around this track and it was about three quarters of a mile by the time they got to it but, um, I'll never forget.
Speaker 1:I mean and he was the one I'd be walking with or whatever at the end just come on, you can do this. You made it this far, let's go, let's go. I'm never gonna be able to do this. Yes, you are. We're doing it together. Right now it doesn't look like everybody else's, but we're doing it and we're making progress, I promise you. And so for them, his mom had to call me, you know, a couple months later and say he just wanted me to tell you that he was able to jog the whole time at his jog-a-thon and he was just like I really can do this. Wow.
Speaker 1:Are you kidding me? No, he's not the one scoring all the touchdowns or making all the blocks, but this made a difference in his life outside of football. Yeah. You know, football and all the talents in the world are great, but a lot of us aren't going to be NFL superstars. Right.
Speaker 1:So a lot of time. I think it's, it's the person that it makes you in the journey. You know, and who you become trying to achieve your goals and just showing them how to write down a goal, to even come up with a goal. You know, because these are things that are important for your entire life, whether we're 95 or two.
Speaker 1:You know, you've got to have something you're aiming for, and so to teach them and model that with them and I was doing the workouts with them out there dying and uh, then I'd get parents involved it was great. Yeah, there was a time I was in I got a. I thought it would be a great idea for them to do suicides out on the football field but I came around the thing in a t-rex costume, not thinking about that.
Speaker 1:It's hot, it's august, I'm about to die and now I'm in this t-rex costume doing these sprints, but anyway, oh, they'll never forget that that was their last year before they went to school ball, and they still laugh and talk about it with me now.
Speaker 3:So were there a lot of other moms that were out there coaching too, or are you like the only mom?
Speaker 1:no, I was kind of the oh no.
Speaker 3:Now there were, I had my core, you know, of mamas that I still have even today wow um so, but not out there not out there doing it with me, but they were always at the practices, you know.
Speaker 1:Okay, sure, so yeah it was a great support. But yeah, no, it was me out there with the coaches and my husband was a coach as well, but yeah, so I was just kind of the football mom.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so I know you were. I want to get into the running, the marathon, the marathons you've done and the coaching. So was that because you mentioned conditioning? Yes, co coaching on the conditioning side for the boys. Were you in the middle? Of all that uh of your running years, uh, your marathon years.
Speaker 1:You could still run now, I don't know, but your marathon years yeah, I was, and so that's what kind of tied in it did, and it helped me get some of those runs or workouts in while I was in throws of football season and working and everything else. Yeah, because when I did most almost all of my marathons I was work. I was running um the Moody's jewelry store on 12th and Harvard full time. I was the manager of that store. Oh, wow.
Speaker 1:And I had both the boys in school, um, and I remember at one point, was it? Yeah, I was helping the lacrosse guys and I was pushing Joshua in a running stroller through a field with them, trying to keep them. So, yeah, yeah, I did do all that at the same time, but it, um, running for me started as a my best friend. She has two kiddos with cystic fibrosis and she's like, hey, they're doing this 5k as a fundraiser. You want to do it with me, like sure, I just hope I don't die because I played basketball and all you did was like the fast sprint stuff where you're gasping and dying.
Speaker 1:So I was like this is going to be terrible. But um, I just started going around the fortune, started working my way up and um, I didn't die. So then I was like, well, let me try a 10K.
Speaker 3:How old are you then I?
Speaker 1:think gosh, you would ask me that. I want to say it's probably been. Let's see Joshua's 11, about to be 12. So it has to be maybe 13 years ago or more, because I did my eight marathons all pretty dang quick, because once you've trained that hard and you love it. Then you try to pack. It's called marathon maniacs and you can pay.
Speaker 3:You can put two or three marathons in gosh a few days, or you pack them in a few weeks so were you 20 years old at the prime of your life no, I was in my 30s, okay, so you started running, yeah, so so when you got this invitation to let's go, yeah, run or whatever you were in your 30s.
Speaker 1:Yes, I was just like, okay, sure, I'll try this. And then it just kept growing. I went all the way up to I did the Route 66 half marathon. I just kind of trained through myself, trying to figure it out with different apps and things I'm always one of those researchers and trying to see what's going on. So I did that. And then I discovered Fleet Feet on 61st and Yale and so they had a program to help train you to do a marathon. So I was like, okay, let me try this out. And so I trained with them, did the Oklahoma City Marathon for my first marathon. That was the year that it rained sleet hail. They almost canceled it. It. It was insane.
Speaker 1:it took me over five hours wow but I finished that I was so frozen I didn't realize it, because my core, my body, core temperature was so high and I'll never forget trying to walk from the finish line to the car to get to the hotel and my husband's, just like you are shaking. I'm like I don't know, but I feel amazing yeah but, anyway.
Speaker 1:So we're a different breed, us runners. But, um, you know, you're either a one and done yeah, when you get to that marathon, because it's insane, yeah, um, or you're just totally hooked, and so I was hooked, but then they asked me to help coach for the next seasons and I was like, oh yeah, I want other people to know what this feels like yeah, fleet, fleet, fleet feet asked you to train to coach Wow. And so not.
Speaker 1:Again is a volunteer kind of thing at the same time, but it takes a lot of time, and so I met so many amazing people throughout the years and help them reach these goals that they never thought they could. And I mean it just never gets old, never man you have so much heart and grit so well.
Speaker 3:I started to think what you slid in there on the jewelry thing was you were managing a store, Okay, and so you didn't start out as a manager there. I think you said you might've worked your way up. This is like off podcast. We talked a little bit of.
Speaker 1:I started as a regular employee because Ernest was wanting to. The manager that was there was Mr Izzy Levine and another gentleman and they had been there a long time and were kind of getting towards retirement. So he knew my reputation in the jewelry industry, wanted me to come in. He knew I can handle different personalities with grace, though at the same time. For the most part don't get me wrong.
Speaker 3:I am not perfect in any way. That's what I'm talking about with you.
Speaker 1:yes, you have to be able to just listen, and even if someone's chewing you out and saying awful things, I'm just looking at them going. Okay, what's really going on? Here, who put something in their tea? Or did they have an argument right before they got here? You just never know.
Speaker 3:Well, that's the intelligence you were talking about.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it just it really means something to me yeah so but yeah, so he kind of snuck me in that way and then, once they were ready to retire, I took over and that was pretty much I was doing the running training before I became the full-fledged manager there. But I would run anywhere from. I think the most mileage I would run before work was 22 miles by the end when you get through a full training. On average it was like 5 to 13 miles a day, so, um, and that was about four days a week wow.
Speaker 3:So when you were working in the jewelry business, was that something that like, well, I want to work my, I want to work my way up, or was that just like, hey, because you're doing?
Speaker 1:so well we're asking you to yeah help more and give you a little more responsibility well, it started as, um, I just needed an evening, part-time job, you know, right before call or around college time. And then I um, I ended up working for my mother-in-law at one of the jewelry stores and then, yeah, I became pregnant with my first son, went out on maternity leave. I had worked my way up to full-time by then, went out on maternity leave and then they decided they needed a manager for another store. So I interviewed while I was on maternity leave and then, when I came back, came back to my own store and they had to clean house and all that, so hiring new staff, and um, just hit the ground running from there.
Speaker 1:And then from there it was running multiple locations and I just really loved it. I loved all the operations parts of it I loved um, I mean even some of my employees from back then. I still have great connections with them now and it's fun to see them.
Speaker 3:I feel like you like a challenge. Well, yes, are you like internally I like challenges? Or just like subconsciously you're like I mean, there's something there that you want to conquer it, or like come in and fix it or help?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I have to watch myself, cause I like to fix a lot of things and that's not really what God wants me to do.
Speaker 3:I find.
Speaker 1:Um, but yes, I do love a challenge. Um, of course, if you tell me I'm stubborn, very stubborn, um, if someone tells me I can't do something, I'm like, yeah, I'm pretty sure I can do it. It might not be 100 right, but it's like let's figure this out. So, but I love it's kind of. I see everything kind of as a puzzle, you know, and I want to figure out how to put the pieces together. Whether it's myself or other people, I love learning and kind of discerning what's going on with this person or whatever. And oh, if they knew this person, they could tap into their potential.
Speaker 1:You never know or that could lead to something else to grow and develop them. So I guess, yeah, challenge or figuring out the puzzle would really be a good way to describe it.
Speaker 3:What was I mean? I think there's two, I would imagine, on the marathon stuff. There's that season you're taking care of yourself because of like man, I'm going to become, like I can do this. Yeah. I'm going to run a marathon, then the goal, then I'm going to run the next marathon. There's that part of it and what's going on inside you. And then there's the part of now I've become coach. Yeah, would you call them both equal joys and tough. Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:They're both equal joys and tough, or, um, they're both equal joys and tough, but they have different pluses and minuses, shall we say, but I think for me personally it really um. I learned a lot about the balance of self-care and wanting to achieve goals because I wasn't getting any younger and I had to go stand on my feet for eight to nine hours a day in heels after I run, so I learned to embrace things like ice baths and other crazy stuff that are not always fun.
Speaker 1:but you got to suck it up, buttercup, you know. If you want to keep moving, you're going to have to do something. So it kind of forced me into some of that and opened another avenue of oh there's another world out there of like taking care of yourself and being purposeful. Does everything work all the time?
Speaker 1:No, and then I learned what overtraining can do to you because I did that to myself as well, yeah, so I guess it was learning and failing my way through and then getting to share that with somebody else, hoping to spare them from some of the failure. Yeah.
Speaker 1:But then at the same time it's also just being there to be like well, you didn't listen to me anyway, but I'm still here with you because I've been there, you know, or know someone who has, and I've walked through that with them and I just feel that so many people feel alone in their goals or if they have a goal, or especially running. What is that thing where you know you buy a goal or especially running you're about? What is that um thing where you know you buy a red car and then you see a bunch of red cars?
Speaker 1:all the time, yeah you start running and then you you're going to achieve a goal and not. Well, now everyone's a runner. But then, when you get out of that influence, you realize there's only for marathons. What is it? One percent of people make it to that, you know. But if you're surrounded by it all the time? They're like oh well, now they're running faster, they're running longer. Don't do that.
Speaker 2:Look at what you're doing you know, and I think we just forget sometimes and so, um, it was just fun to be there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I kept myself in shape and things like that, but yeah, it was much more being on the journey with all the people.
Speaker 3:Did you ever take someone from you know, like the couch to 5K that they do, or whatever? Like all the way from I'm just starting running to you, help them turn into a marathon runner.
Speaker 1:Yes, no, I didn't do that straight through Fleet Feet. They would start because by the time I got them they had already been committed to either having run at least maybe a half, or I. When I got to the end, I stopped doing full marathons and I was doing half training, half marathoners. But yes, um, I would kind of tell them what I started doing to get to 5k, unless they wanted to sign up for a group and get help with that, or um, then I got, when I got to have them and they were in my group, then we went all the way through and it's just just you know, it's a whole different world.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I bet that's like such a how do you say? Like a thrill to see the unbelief turn into belief.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 3:To be like man, I just ran 3.25 miles or whatever it is. I can't believe I just did that, yeah, and then then they went farther.
Speaker 1:And then you know, here comes the Tulsa run, and then more and then more and more. Yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I bet it's incredible to see.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Um, you make a believer out of them.
Speaker 1:It does and a believer in themselves.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know, that's the fun part right there, and everybody always thinks, oh, you've got to make all these big jumps. But it was nice, because if they started at 5K, well then go work up your way to a 10K. Yeah. I mean, I got all the way through a half without even knowing about the nutrition you needed to keep you going. I was watching these people, you know, taking goos or whatever, and I'm like what in the world's going on? I should probably be doing that, you know. I learned that.
Speaker 1:I always try things out on myself first, which is not maybe the best, but my husband and I laugh about that. But then I know what it's like to eat the wrong thing and try to run. Or have you need water more than anything else Not all the Gatorades, but you know, just teaching people through that and watching them go through that journey and now I don't really run as much anymore. Um, COVID really took a toll on me but I love to make the posters and have the cowbell out and cheer them on you know things like that so that's.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's a big community, so that's really cool. Well, let's dive a little bit back more into real estate and because I feel like all of this about your life, all of this that you've been, doing yeah, leads to a great real estate career that you have right now. And what, what have been, what have been some, what have been some successes for you and some challenges for you over the last five years in real estate.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know, the first year I was in real estate I did really, I want to say I can't remember how much I did, but I did good for someone who starts in real estate for their first year. Um, I had steady business throughout the whole year. Um, I had some wonderful people that trusted me and I. My first one ever was a listing Um, and that was in that crazy COVID time. So that was fun to learn to navigate.
Speaker 1:But if you didn't know any better, you just rolled with it and took in soaked in everything you could and made the best decisions you know, um, the first year I was with a different brokerage and then after that year I met Lori and Amy and I've been with Remax Results and that has been a wonderful partnership, because you don't know what you don't know until you get into something right.
Speaker 1:And so, with this it's your own business, but you need a good support of like-minded people around you if you want to be successful in the longevity of this business. So, um, they are always on top of it and pouring things in and giving you education which brought me a huge from year two to five, you know and keeping it consistent in this market. That's changing, um, cause I don't know if you know right now, but things are kind of a little bit slower, but there's still nowhere near where they were were you know it was always like six months to sell a house here.
Speaker 1:It's like you put it up one day and you got 55 offers and blah, blah, blah. Well, now here you're, changing and shifting um, and it's learning how to talk to people who have are just now shopping for homes when they haven't shopped in 10 years, so they're expecting things to be the way they used to be. I never worked in that type of market in real estate yeah but things change, trends change and all of that. So, um, I learned who is in my corner and who wasn't out of mistakes okay.
Speaker 1:Okay, educating people thinking they know what you're offering them, how the transactions go, giving them some pitfalls that could happen ahead of time. I learned to do that too. Don't want to scare you people, but this could happen, but we're going to get through it. That's why you have me here as a professional. That's um, that's why you don't you know, and I also had to learn how well, why didn't that person use me as their agent? Yeah you know and not taking that personal well, what was that first like?
Speaker 1:that was brutal. Yeah, I mean, I can tell you I had a, really that's that is kind of that.
Speaker 3:It is everybody's gonna face that because you know we all have great friends, they all know realtors and they all know lenders and it's there's a lot of times that you're not going to be the one that they use.
Speaker 1:You're not going to be the one, so I had to. Really, I was like Lord, you're going to have to help me with this one, Because I am not feeling very good right now you know, and I want to do the whole. You're dead to me, but that's not a good way to be, you know. So, um, I had to learn that it's not always about me, um, and that, um, there's reasons, you know. Sometimes people that are close to you don't want you to know all the things about their finances or their situation.
Speaker 1:So I just try to let people know that I'm here, I'm a real person. Of course, your stuff is confidential with me, but at the same time, the expertise and the longevity that I bring to this with dealing with clients or people and just in this industry where I've been, um, I've helped people with little bitty condos up to you know, half million, a little over half million dollar homes and things like that.
Speaker 1:Um, they all mean the same to me because, they're all been achieving different goals you know and you meet some interesting characters in all parts of life. But um, yeah, I had to really stop and say you know what? This isn't about me. This is about something going on with them. Um, and then some, usually it ends up coming back around and they're like you know what? I really should have done that and it's like I know, but it's okay. Or I just say well, I appreciate you, at least apologizing or recognizing that you know and um you honor me with that you know, even though, I'll be honest, I was really hurt.
Speaker 1:Um, I had to deal with my own thing and move on you know, and the good part about this is, people are always going to need shelter.
Speaker 3:They are.
Speaker 1:So there's enough people out there in the world and if you are a professional and you stick with it and your heart really is to serve people with your talent, to get them to the goals that they need you, it just keeps coming back around, yeah and I'm not, and I'm not something that I had to deal with, um, and probably still do deal with.
Speaker 3:I mean because you know the sting never goes away of certain things, where you invested a lot in someone and they're just assuming you're going to be their preferred lender or you're going to be their friend, lender or um, either some mentor told me or I learned the hard way is like, when I start working like people owe me something, then it it doesn't go.
Speaker 3:Well you know, because it's eventually. That's really cause what I started doing. I was like, well, I've served you this well, I've catered to you this many times and you gave me like you owe me now and it's really, that's just not the truth. Yeah, they're like nobody, they don't owe you anything.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 3:And what for someone, let's say on the lender side, like there's 10 other lenders doing the same thing, the same way and so it's hard. But yeah, when you could, as a professional, you, when you're really there to serve, you know you're you have to do it with. Well, if it's true serving, then I'm not looking for someone in return you owe me this, I know. I hosted a broker's open for you, so now you owe me your next five leads.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly, it's just not the truth, right.
Speaker 3:It's just not, you just do it. It's like, hey, you need help, I'm here to help.
Speaker 1:Yeah, period and having that open hand, you know to serve others, not to receive. Yeah. Um it off of you, because you know it's like I tell everybody I what I do. I do it so that I can go to sleep at night and be energized and ready to help the next person or myself or my family or whatever's coming up, whether it's real estate or not.
Speaker 1:Um, just giving without expecting anything in return, it's very freeing yeah, and it takes especially when you've been hurt with something like that um, with someone who turned you, didn't use you, or whatever it takes some you gotta force your way through it Some for it to really become organic and how it really goes 100% yeah, but it's worth it yeah. You know, because staying bitter I'll never forget. And this wasn't even in real estate, this was in one of my jewelry days.
Speaker 1:There, there was an employee that, oh, it was so hard, and at the time I wasn't even her boss, I was just working with her, and so it was like, lord, I'll never forget praying lord, help me love this person and help me really mean what I'm saying, because I don't mean it. You know what I mean yeah but it's just something.
Speaker 1:It cracked that little hard part of that heart there and it um. It still took another two years for that relationship to change, but it did. But it started with going. Okay, help me with my part of it, you know because, I can't control what anybody else is going to do or say, um, I can control how I react. I can control what I hold onto and try to take as my identity or not.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so, um, I like that honest conversation that you had with the Lord, cause that's really. And. Or how you just said that, hey, you're, when you, when you start telling yourself really serving is, you're not expecting anything in return, nobody owes you anything. Yeah, that that's not said one time. And then you got it oh right. That is like that's work.
Speaker 3:Yeah, man, it's just again. That's why I said well, 20 years later, I'm still having that conversation with myself from from time to time of that, that current training, that constant training of you're here to serve. They don't owe you anything and just stick with the plan, run the plays. But I did like that prayer because I just appointed out, because I feel that it was gold.
Speaker 3:I know you made me laugh with it, but it really is to really ask God of like help me with this, Because it's like and I had to know, because this is hard. It's not real, but I want it to be real. Right so you help, help me make it real. Yeah, and that is a wonderful prayer for whatever it is you? Really want or believe in for.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I knew I wonderful prayer for whatever it is you really want or believe in for is, and I knew I couldn't get to the goal without saying the word love her, because if I didn't, love her the way god did. I knew it was not going to be by my own power or dignity or whatever that I got through this. I'm like lord you have to help me love her, because just liking her, helping me, you know, tolerate her, is one thing.
Speaker 1:I truly love this person for who they really really are, under all of this cover of a shell that she's got going and that she uses and things like that, and so I got to see the beauty of who she really truly is. You know, it took some time wow but oh, it was so hard to breathe. I was honest and I'll never forget telling my husband that he's like are you serious? I'm like, yeah, I did. I prayed for God to help me love her. It's hard, I don't know if it's going to happen, but it did.
Speaker 3:Well, that really helps me. I mean I love that you said that, because really I don't think I would use like hey, let me get with. You know, let me understand this person. Yeah, Let me get through this. Yeah, you know let me, help me to have peace.
Speaker 1:Right when you work with someone every day so intimately like that. It's going to have to be more than that in order for you to not be stuck in a dead end job that you hate. And I think that people, you know not all, not everybody gets to do what we do and make your own hours.
Speaker 1:I mean, don't get me wrong, we're at the beck and call of people but, as you work by referral and serve those, you kind of get to set who you work with and who you don't work with, and as long as you honor their time and also genuinely share yours, they understand, you know, the swap that you're willing to make to take great care of them. But, um, getting through those moments of what seems to be mundane jobs where you're just getting through, like you know, when you first start out, I've got my boys, you know they're both working, one's working in a restaurant and somewhere else, and I know they don't always, you know, get along with their employees or clients Servants. You know people are rude when you're serving sometimes, and so I tell them my story. I'm like, I know it's going to sound crazy, but try it out. It works, you know, and it's sometimes. It doesn't always change you, it changes them. You never know.
Speaker 3:Yeah, but yeah, I love that. I mean, this is probably going to be one of the biggest takeaways I take away from this, this conversation of that. It's got to be love.
Speaker 1:It can't just be tolerate. Yeah, that's not genuine.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's helped me love this person. That's so awesome. Um, I want to hit on a couple of things before we start tying it up. Um, I do want to talk about motherhood for you, and we're both raising boys. Mine are younger than well, one of mine's younger than um my older yep, and then I think my youngest is the same age as yours, or something Um sixth graders, yeah.
Speaker 1:That's all I got to say. They're awesome and oh, let's hold on.
Speaker 3:So did you did you say you, you served homeless ministry, or just the part of okay, what? Where are you involved in that right now? Or something you did in the past?
Speaker 1:It was something I did in the past.
Speaker 1:I still do little things on my own but I'm not yeah, it was, um, it was a ministry that I just got connected with. They would kind of be like hey, the last Sunday I can't remember what it was some Sunday or something of every month we would meet at this certain parking lot until we got kicked out. Um, because you go to serve people and then sometimes they bring their messes and people don't like that and so they want it off their property. So we ended up, basically, if you're on a sidewalk, it's city limits, so no one can kick you off the sidewalk.
Speaker 1:But anyway, it just started as you know, hey, if you have any extra clothing, you know, or anything like that, or I'd be looking, depending on the season gloves, anything warm, chapstick, little things like that. We were just kind of a group together. People would drop stuff off at my house. I'd kind of go through it, and then I'd take it to that once-a-month thing. They'd go through the clothing or we'd have pizzas Little Caesars was great to partner with us and we'd have a big chunk of money to just get a whole bunch of pizzas and bring them out there and serve them and hang out with them for about usually about two hours really yeah, and so I would take the boys with me.
Speaker 1:My husband was always working, but it it was important for me to let them see service, not just do it. And yeah, there was kicking and screaming and why are we doing this? And but then they got to know them you know what I mean and so they'd be the homeless, would be waiting for one of my sons or whatever, and they'd meet him the next month or whatever, and so it was great for me to see them know somebody who might not smell the best or might not be able to communicate the best.
Speaker 1:Yes, it was sometimes terrifying you know, but at the same time you had security and things in place in mind.
Speaker 3:And everything was in a group. Yeah, you did it in a safe way.
Speaker 1:But then it got so big, people would bring so much stuff. I'm just like I couldn't even keep my husband's like okay, the garage is just no, you know, and so I would hand things over to my friend because she they had a more organized way of doing it and everything, and so I would still volunteer but and point people in that direction.
Speaker 1:but I wasn't always able to be there as much as I wanted to so now I still have my little you know, I call them go-to bags in the car, made up with, you know, gloves or whatever, and some. Vaseline and stuff like that for the winter and hand them out.
Speaker 1:And I always, even if they're standing there and I've seen them 15 times asking for money I always make eye contact and say hi, because if they're genuine, nobody looks at them, nobody talks to them. You know the ones that are standing out there just getting money. They still, but they can see hey, I see you, I'm talking to you. How's it going today?
Speaker 1:you know, but um, it's just good for for them to have a connection and um always have little dog food or cat food, because they seem to always have pets too so why they draw to the homeless?
Speaker 3:because there's lots of ministries there are.
Speaker 1:it's just that, um, a couple there's a really good couple that I know and their daughter is homeless and, um, you're dealing with mental illness and things like that and I would see her, um, but knowing how genuine and amazing and giving these people are and seeing their heartbreak with their daughter being out on the streets and never really coming home, and she had children and knowing those children, it was just like you know, these are all people with a life that they didn't intend to end up here or they might. There's one guy, mr Duane, which he's passed now, but he, you know, he was a vet. He had a certain amount of money that was given to him each month, but he just loved. He could not settle down into one place, so the street was the only life he knew.
Speaker 1:He was a character, but he was a great guy and, um, inspirational to a lot of us, but that's just. He could not handle having to have a roof over his head and paying that bill. He had money, but he just couldn't do. The relationship and the confinement of it so interesting.
Speaker 3:Well, there was a lot there. That's wonderful. So you know a family that their, their daughter and grand kids ended up homeless, and that is couldn't be more heartbreaking. Um, well, I love your heart and um, yeah, it's hard to see and I don't want to get off on this story, but I did serve at a homeless shelter I think it was last year, a couple of years ago and I saw someone I knew.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:And I just kept looking I'm just looking over because it was like kitchen feeding time, you know when they were getting ready for service that we were going to help out, and I was like I know that guy, I know, I know, I know that guy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, seen him somewhere.
Speaker 3:But obviously he does not look like the last time I had seen him which was years ago not look like the last time I had seen him, which was years ago, um, and so I posed it on over to his table and just introduced myself, and then he said his name and I was like man, that I was like, hey, I'm, I'm a Mark.
Speaker 3:We used to, um, go to church together, whatever it was. And he's like oh, hey, hey, and I just didn't even know where to begin. You know, I'm like what's insulting, what's not insulting, and I just wanted to know like how?
Speaker 1:yeah, how did this happen? Yeah, like we used to usher together and we were like you're older than I am.
Speaker 3:You know there it's just like you're, you're, there's no way this should be happening right now. And he was going to a church service and he's going to go to my. I told him about a service that was coming up. He's like, oh yeah, so-and-so is going to be speaking. I plan to make it. And I'm like how I just don't know your world. But I had called a mutual friend and he knew about it. And he's just like, yeah, it's just something. And he kind of went into the story and it's just like he had lost his wife and then he decided to like I think he said similar. Oh, he has money.
Speaker 3:Yeah, you know he's choosing this. You know his kids have talked to him there's and it was kind of odd. Anyway, it's just, it was an eye opener. For sure. I want to talk about parenting and you're raising some boys or young men and I know that there's probably some stuff that hasn't been the easiest. Oh yeah, and I don't know if you're open to share a little bit about your sons and their journey. I love them.
Speaker 1:Yes, well, first of all, just so you know, I was an only child. First of all, just so you know, I was an only child. So my father did have a previous marriage where he had three children, but they were all much older than me. So I never really grew up with them in the house. So I went from being an only child who was I'm never having kids. I never babysat anyone, never changed a diaper, nothing. So, hey, here's a bouncing baby boy. So I'll never forget my dad looking at me and my husband being like, okay, here's how you change this diaper, you know. And that's when reality hit me. But you know, it's the best thing that's ever happened in my life. These boys mean everything to me.
Speaker 1:Joseph is 22, about to be 23 next month. He was a little fire pistol from the moment he was born. Um, we had a lot of everybody kept telling us oh, he's adhd, he's like the top one percentile of those. Well, let me tell you, fight for your kids, realize that you know them more than anybody else because you are with them constantly. Um, you've watched them develop and grow. You may not know exactly what you're doing, but you do know your kiddo, your dynamics, how they react, things like that. So always keep that part in your heart, because I kept pushing, I kept seeking help. I didn't just accept the answers that were given. I tried holistic things and things like that. But anyway, to make a long story short, he ends up being high functioning Asperger's. Um, I discovered that one day after getting a phone call.
Speaker 1:I worked at Moody's and I got a call from the school saying your son, we've got eyes on Joseph is okay, but and we have eyes on him but he's running around the outside of the school and we're trying to catch him because he was having a reaction to medication oh, wow and so, um, there's nothing like running, rushing up to the school to get there and finding five adults holding down your son because he's just, he's turned into Mighty Mouse because of a reaction to a medication and he I don't even know if this was even fifth grade no, he's probably third grade at this point and they were doing everything they could. I knew these people, you know, and again, I volunteered to get to know them on purpose. They knew that I pulled him out of a private school to put him in union because I needed resources, you know, to help me. I didn't knew that I. I pulled him out of a private school to put him in union because I needed resources you know to help me.
Speaker 1:I didn't know what I needed anyway. So, yes, they're holding down my son, but I they're doing it with love to keep him from hurting himself and run out of school. So, um, I remember God puts people in your places in your life. For a reason there was a um therapist from family and children services that was placed in the school that she would go with me to the doctor's appointments and things like that to meet with a psychologist. Because they at laureate, they're like we're gonna make him a poster child. He's top one percent.
Speaker 1:And I remember her saying something to me about oh, have you ever looked at autism or Asperger's or anything like that? It's like, oh, I don't. That is so that day after I got over him being safe and everything at the school, I just needed a little time to process it before I went back to work and I was at Barnes Noble in like the kids section and there's this book sticking out. I have this book to this day. It was even cats have Asperger's too and it was a kid's book trying to explain what it was and how the thought process. And I just read that and I'm in tears because it was a relief. This is my son. This is what's going on. I kind of understand now. Now, how do we do this? So he was off all medication. We started treating it as Asperger's but didn't bother getting a whole diagnosis because we knew what it was.
Speaker 1:And, um, he's a fully functioning, amazing adult. Now you know, and so, and then years later, um, that uh therapist that was there has been gone. And then I meet her at a pool one day. She's like how's Joseph, how's he doing? And just the, the relief on her face to see how he did, but then also to see that she has a daughter with the same and to give her a encouragement to know that they're not it's okay, you love them. You put all those resources towards it. You keep speaking that positivity and, um, go to their strengths and they're going to be amazing adults. So, anyway, that's my Joseph. And he was more the band student. He did lacrosse for a little bit, trying to be an athlete, and he hated it the whole time. So that's okay. Jordan is 19. He is my jock and my quiet, pensive one. You know he loves to read and all that kind of stuff. So he'll tell you he's the middle child. I'm very proud of him. He's just more pensive.
Speaker 1:He was that quiet kid, that would just lay you out you know with football, yeah, you know so with football, yeah, but um, so that was a fun to be part of that life and the culture with all those kids, and I mean having all those football stinky football players in your car I was just like, especially when they started at sixth and seventh grade, I'm like, good lord, roll all the windows down anyway.
Speaker 1:And then now I have josh. Yeah, thought I had the flu with that one. It was not the flu, okay. So I was sponsored to run the New York City Marathon by my Connections in Jewelry. Wow. And I got in. Good deal.
Speaker 1:And that was when Hurricane Sandy hit. So I landed and then they announced that it was over, they were not going to be doing the run, and then, of course, when you got there, you could see why there's no way. So, um, we still had a whole week there, so we just kind of walked around a lot and got to know a lot of people. But, um then, um I don't remember where I was going with that one. I cut that one out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I thought I had the flu. So I get back and I run the. I'd like. Well, I didn't run that one, I at least want to run something. So I did the Route 66, because it's usually a week after the New York Marathon. Yeah.
Speaker 1:So I was like I want to run this one and I just felt really sluggish and slow by the end I was like I don't know what's going on. And then, you know, I worked in retail with jewelry so I was like what he's like? You're pregnant. I'm like, wait, what I thought we were doing? Flu here. What do we got going on? So anyway. So yeah, I'll never forget calling my mom and my husband on the way home. They're like guess what? Are you sitting down? So anyway, he has been a joy. He is come to find out he's a high-functioning Asperger's and ADD. But those are just like little tool belts. You know that God put in them you know to make them who they are.
Speaker 1:He's my engineer building guy, so I'll find screws everywhere. I've got one of those little robot vacuums and it has lots of screws in it and I'm waiting for something to fall apart, but they keep me going you know, and they keep me young or make me old, and it's, I don't know, life without them.
Speaker 3:Well, I appreciate you sharing and you know we're wrapping it up now, so maybe a different podcast where we can unpack some of that. But what's some advice that you would like to give parents that? Maybe they're just discovering of you know kind of like you had to, like you know, because of the pin down of your child, you would have researched something you know you wouldn't have. Like let me go what is happening? Yeah, is he having a reaction to something is he so?
Speaker 3:yeah, so yeah, obviously you've been through some stuff discovering and learning, and what's some advice that you would give to a mom or dad mom and a dad that that you're.
Speaker 1:They're facing something similar, they're just getting introduced to this, or maybe they're wondering yeah if you're, you know you never know there's and you know the spectrum's huge and things like that. Yeah, um, but really look at to what your, what your kid is eating and drinking. It's a huge factor.
Speaker 1:You don't realize it until you start eliminating things um, and I'm still not the best at it, especially now he's the third kid my my oldest boys are like he gets away with murder. I'm like, well, we were poor when we had you two and, sorry, he also has your hand-me-downs you know, so, um, but it's, it's being involved in their lives, um showing up at the cafeteria for lunch every now and again, um carrying on some teachers, you know, or staff members, things like that. So that you know who those people are that are in your kiddos life, when they're not with you, and your
Speaker 1:husband or spouse. Um, because knowing those people and knowing who your advocates are is crucial, because not everybody's going to be, because they're busy, you know. But also truly understanding the environment they're in, especially in that elementary stage, is so huge. And then keeping your eyes and ears open to all the different resources that are out there and not being afraid to ask, ask for help, ask for just question. You know the doctors may not like it or they might have some things to say, but just again, that teamwork makes the dream work thing.
Speaker 1:It's like we don't know. One of us is going to know everything. So observe those people that are kind of in those fields or whatever. See how they act or react to things. Are they going to be calm? Are they going to be someone that would be good to just talk to and and um, see what's going on. Yeah. God put a very special person in my life, probably the first year I was coaching and she's amazing counselor educator she's.
Speaker 1:she was getting her PhD and she was in her twenties you know before, she even had her kiddo and, um, we, just we would do our weekly runs. I would really only do group runs on Saturdays, but I would run with her throughout the week and she was just a great person to bounce things off of. I didn't know at the time how deeply she was into that world, but just having her there to this day I'll never, never forget it. So, being aware of your kiddo, aware of your family situation, the school situation, and putting those iron sharpens, iron people around you, and not being afraid to kind of share some of your story to see what reaction you get and see who's there to be helpful or not. Yeah.
Speaker 1:And don't take it personal if they're not they just don't know or they haven't experienced it yet, so don't take it personally. It's hard.
Speaker 1:It can be a very lonely, stressful world, um, when you're going through those things but having just a one or two rocks around you, that is not just your spouse, because they have their own things and they're dealing not only with your child, but also your reaction as the spouse that they love, that they're seeing going through and you're not always going to agree on everything. You know, my husband and I see things very differently. That's why we're together. You know so, um. You know so, um, just being open, yeah, and always be learning. I'm telling you that's, that's just the way, because none of us know and they don't really know it all 100 either. But you know your kiddo, you see what makes them happy, you see what makes them cry, you see what makes them scared, you see what makes them want to create or whatever yeah so that's just observing and really tapping into those things.
Speaker 3:I'm loving them yeah, I think that's fantastic and and I love that you said taking some special uh, some care, some extra care for those teachers that serve them and thinking of them and wanting to help take care of them, that's. I can imagine that just helps them so much.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and knowing that someone else cares about this kiddo and that they have an advocate, you know.
Speaker 3:Yeah, Well, we'll wrap it up here. Um last question for you, or the name of, uh name of this podcast is lasting impact, and um, so what does lasting impact mean to you?
Speaker 1:I think what sticks out to me about lasting impact is leaving people, places and things better than when you found them whatever that looks like whether it's something physical, something social, whatever.
Speaker 1:It's like the kids just clean it up a little, you know the table, or you know throw that trash away, or give them a smile. So many people, it's just like. If you just look at them in their eyes and smile, they just that little shell comes off because the past three people that walked past them didn't even give them the time of day, or maybe they're just so into the strife of what they're going through they didn't even realize anybody else was in the room. You know. So lasting impact, yeah, I would do say you know.
Speaker 3:That was perfect. Yeah, that's great. Well, thank you so much for being here.
Speaker 1:Yeah, thank you for having me. This has been great. This has been great. I love spending time with you.
Speaker 3:Yeah, this is Angela Fritz and she's making a lasting impact.
Speaker 1:Thank you, I appreciate you.
Speaker 3:If you liked today's conversation and want to hear more, hit that subscribe button. Don't forget to leave a review and share your thoughts. Your feedback keeps the impact going.