Beyond The Medal - Episode 6

Thanks for listening to the Special Olympics Rhode Island podcast! Be sure to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread inclusion and celebrate the incredible athletes and community behind the movement.

Learn more or get involved: www.specialolympicsri.org

Follow us: [Instagram] | [Facebook] | [LinkedIn]

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:57

Welcome back, everyone. I'm your host, Ed Pachico. Also, have the distinguished honor of being the president CEO of Special Notion Island. But today is a particularly special day because it's an anniversary of sorts for us here at Beyond the Metal Podcast, Stories of Strength and Achievement. And joining me for today's anniversary edition is none other than Henry Moretti and Ryan Fleming. You say hi, guys.

SPEAKER_01 1:23

Hello, everyone, and happy six-month anniversary to the show.

SPEAKER_00 1:26

Happy six-month anniversary. It's pretty incredible, right, guys? I mean, we were, I remember, it feels like a year, maybe probably over a year ago, that we were talking about the idea of a podcast, got into the studio to talk about uh an actual song theme that we just heard. Um, going to New England Tech, Henry, and trying out what a podcast would look like. Oh, yeah. I mean, how how cool is it to be here six months later? This is our sixth episode, a year later, after we even formulated this idea. Henry, you you you've been around Special Obies for a long time. This is a pretty cool experience for me.

SPEAKER_02 1:59

This is a good experience. For me, it is. Uh, going to um New England Tech and learn how to do the podcast. We all do all the years doing the cable show, which I did for 30 years. It was, it's a it's it's a great, you gotta um remember what you're doing, and you gotta uh learn how to do a different stuff, and that it's a different stuff, and I enjoyed doing it.

SPEAKER_00 2:22

Well, I'll I'll tell you, I remember you and I sitting in the podcast studio at New England Tech, and uh you were uh immediately you picked it up without any hesitation whatsoever. Because I have to tell Henry, uh, when we talk about storytellers, you're at top of the charts when it comes to storytelling, my friend.

SPEAKER_07 2:41

Yes indeed.

SPEAKER_00 2:43

Ryan, and I, you know, how about for you? I mean, you've been around obviously Special Olympics for a long time yourself. Um you you weren't on the you've had been on a TV show, I think, at different points in times, but now you're a part of the podcast team. What what has this experience been like for you?

SPEAKER_01 2:58

Yeah, I mean, this experience is amazing for me. It'd been, like I said, 18 years Special Olympic athlete, and um being from a TV reporter of Special Olympics Rhode Island magazine to a podcast reporter, it's such an amazing journey. It's all credit goes to everyone that has been part of the show, including Don Rate, um Mike and Tom, who we get to be on the show later on. And then um we, of course, uh we forgot to thank uh Jerry Walter, who's in New Jersey.

SPEAKER_00 3:25

Jerry Walter, who helps uh she was really a trailblazer in getting the TV show off the ground, working with incredible athlete leaders like the two of you. And you know, obviously, all the work that's happened over the years uh led up to the opportunity for us to continue to expand opportunities for athletes. You know, Chris Hopkins, Stanley DeJesus, Mike McGovern, the entire team here. You mentioned obviously Dawn Rate, who's was our Markov director. Uh now we have uh Ellie, who's been she's still showing up to work, by the way.

SPEAKER_01 3:54

Yeah, which is good.

unknown 3:55

Which is good.

SPEAKER_00 3:56

But I mean we love Ellie. I mean, she's behind the scenes, everybody. But Ellie Bond is our new director of marketing communications. Uh, I think we're going on two months at this point, Ellie. I'm looking off screen here, make sure to confirm that. But she's still showing up, she's still smiling right now.

SPEAKER_01 4:10

Yeah, definitely smiling indeed, like Jerry does in New Jersey and Don Rate too, right now in Rhode Island. I mean, um, it's awesome, but again, it's an awesome experience joining uh with a great crew. And um, and I do have a one memory that I walked in um when I was introduced to Special Epics magazine by Jerry Walto at a golf practice. Yeah, and um when I was uh doing some interviews too over the past, and um she was impressed with my um uh public speaking and she brought me into this great family of uh Special Epics Run magazine. I will absolutely never forget that moment. And Jerry, if you're listening from New Jersey, appreciate you, Mike, uh, for bringing me into this great family.

SPEAKER_00 4:50

Yeah, me too. Yeah, I love it. Yeah, and I'll tell you the the fact that you guys have led the way in mentoring other athletes to be a part of the podcast, and obviously that had a chance to join the TV show, uh and and now all these athletes coming up through Athlete Leadership University. Uh, and we're gonna talk to Mary Ellen a little later about athlete leadership opportunities here on the podcast today. But how I I mean, uh full circle, right? I mean, just every opportunity that keeps presenting itself. Henry, I mean, you did you do the Villanova training? Is that remember the uh there was a different leadership training? What trainings have you been a part of over the course of your athletic career here at Special Olympics?

SPEAKER_02 5:29

Uh I never been to Villanova. I don't know if I did that one, but I did a lot of training. I learned how to give speeches. Yeah. I did that training, learn how to give um speak in front of large groups, and I also did the training tour um for the Special Olympics cable show when I sat I sat when I did that in um 1994.

SPEAKER_00 5:50

Yeah. Well, and and for those who don't know this, Henry is uh not only a Rhode Island leader, but he was a global messenger uh as a part of Special Effects worldwide and have an opportunity to represent all Special Effects athletes throughout the world. And you know, again, you you had to go through a lot of training for that too, right, Henry? Yes. Yeah, and what was that like?

SPEAKER_02 6:11

It was it was good. I enjoyed it. My family got it sometimes to go with me, and we had a good time, learn how to do speeches, write speeches, and um talk to other people that you never met before.

SPEAKER_00 6:24

Yeah, that's incredible. Well, I I'll tell you, uh, you know, over the last uh couple weeks there's been a a few events that I've had a chance to attend. Uh, and it's really, you know, for all a lot of different reasons, they're all inspiring. Uh, case in point, yesterday, um actually the last two weeks I've been at two banner celebrations. One was at the Narraganta Elementary School uh banner celebration, uh, and uh that was just inspiring because we don't always get a chance to get out and be a part of uh elementary school programming as much as we'd like to. Uh well, personally, I don't always get to get out to elementary schools. And then uh fast forward uh just yesterday, I was at Coventry High School for a banner renewal.

SPEAKER_01 7:05

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 7:06

And uh I bring that up because guys, you you know, again, I I credit to the two of you and all the athlete leaders that have been involved. I was sitting on stage and I was listening to uh Unified Partners, but also the athletes stepping up, like Jordan Nickerson, who is a student at Coventry High School, talking in front of uh over a thousand people. I mean, that that's I mean that's intimidating for anybody, guys, right? And then to get up there and talk in front of people like that.

SPEAKER_01 7:32

I mean, it's amazing how we have all unified champion schools, these presentations. Um, it shows the represents of unified uh leadership, it shows inclusion, it's it's the heart of a champion of Special Olympics. And and I did see on Instagram that the governor was there, am I correct?

SPEAKER_00 7:49

The governor came down, the commissioner of education, Afante Green, was there. Uh, it was pretty impressive. And and you know, uh again, I you know, people who have been to Special Olympics uh at Rhode Island events have have seen some of these folks attend. But, you know, these are they're not strangers to us, right, Henry? I mean, Governor McKee, uh, you know, President Parlange at the University of Rhode Island, both of which will be at Summer Games this year. I mean, you've met folks like Arnold Schwarzenegger and the President of the United States. I mean, you know, leaders throughout not only Rhode Island but throughout the world uh look to you guys as as inspiration as well as mentors.

SPEAKER_01 8:25

I'm kind of jealous, Henry. You met the president of the United States.

SPEAKER_02 8:27

I've been to the White House three times, and Bill Clinton twice, and George W. Bush once.

SPEAKER_00 8:33

Wow, that's incredible. I I've I've met President Clinton. I never met uh Mrs. Bush, though. I've never met her, unfortunately. But I would love to meet her. I've heard she's a fantastic individual.

SPEAKER_01 8:43

I absolutely agree with that.

SPEAKER_00 8:44

I mean, incredible. Well, we're gonna talk to a few incredible people today, and and I I have to tell you, uh again, full circle moment. Uh, it's an anniversary for us here at Beyond the Metal Stories of Strength and Achievement, uh, because we're gonna, you know, talk to some of the folks that really uh in a lot of ways were behind the scenes, but also instrumental in getting us here to this point. Uh our friends from New England Tech, uh, Tom and Mike are gonna be with us today. Uh Tom Stroll and Mike Davis, um, again, uh big supporters of the podcast getting off the ground. Uh the one and only Phil Vincent who wrote, if you love the jingle for the show, uh, that is Phil Vincent who worked with our athletes to know the words, the music, the entire inspiration behind that. Uh, just an incredible talent. And of course, as I made mention, we're gonna be talking to Mary Allen Powers today about athlete leadership.

SPEAKER_01 9:34

And that's why we call Phil the Music Legend of Podcasts.

SPEAKER_00 9:38

He's definitely a legend for us, I'll tell you that one. And hopefully everybody's picked up on that jingle uh to say the very least, because I it's it's in my head all the time in a good way. Uh I love it. And hopefully everybody at home loves it too, and I'm sure you do. But uh, so we're gonna take a quick break, uh, bring in a few of our guests, uh, and uh, we'll be right back after these messages as we celebrate the six-month anniversary of Beyond the Metal Stories of Strength and Achievement podcast. Welcome back, everyone. I'm Ed Bachico, president and CEO of Special Microsoft Island. Uh, I'm your host today for Beyond the Metal Stories of Strength and Achievement. I'm joined uh by the one and only Henry Moretti. Hello, everybody. Hello. Uh you know, are you excited? I am. You were, you know, you were we were taking pictures off air. Your friend B came in and took a couple good photos. Yes. Going to share that with the family.

SPEAKER_02 10:26

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 10:26

Yeah. I like to point out all the improvements, Henry, every time we come back to film a new edition of the of the podcast.

SPEAKER_02 10:35

Incredible.

SPEAKER_00 10:35

You'll notice that we have very fancy polo shirts now uh that Henry is donning. Uh all of our co-hosts uh were given these branded polo shirts. We also have t-shirts that we're giving out to guests uh that come on air uh going forward. So we are a professional outfit, Henry. What do you think? That's very good. Yeah. I'll say we we're changing up the lighting, we're working on camera angles, all the above. So uh, but all the stuff I just made mention of, by the way, uh was only made possible through the incredible supporters that we've had throughout this journey. One group of supporters, in particular, Henry, is two of our guests here today, Tom Stroller and Mike Davis from none other than New England Tech, who really helped set the stage for us in a lot of ways. We were just talking about it a moment ago, guys. Uh Henry and I were bragging about the fact that we had a chance to go to New England Tech and actually try out what it meant to have a podcast, be a part of a podcast in the first place. And so welcome to the official Beyond the Middle podcast. Uh Mike, you're usually behind the scenes. Yeah, this is a pretty cool moment.

SPEAKER_03 11:39

This is very different for me. Very much different. I don't know if he likes it, I know, but he's doing it anyway. I like to be behind the camera, not in front of the camera.

SPEAKER_00 11:47

Uh well, we're thrilled to have you on this side of the table. And let me say thank you. Uh on behalf of our athletes, all of our families. I know we were talking off air. I I I can't go anywhere uh at a special Ocean Island event uh without somebody saying, How can I get onto the Beyond the Metal podcast? And uh it wouldn't have been possible without uh your support. So thank you on behalf of everyone who's gonna be able to do that.

SPEAKER_04 12:08

Thank you from the athletes too. Oh you're very welcome. You know, when Dawn reached out to us at first, I I I told her I had a I used to volunteer for Special Olympics in New York. I love it. When I was a younger person, I have I helped with the bowling program. So there's a little place in my heart for the Special Olympics. I like bowling. That's my favorite.

SPEAKER_02 12:28

I go bowl, yeah. Yeah. Where do you guys bowl? I bought a Cranston bowl on Sun Saturdays. My brother helps you on my all my CNA helps me on bowl. Nice. Do you guys have a good time doing that? Any perfect scores yet? I go, I'm nine 90s, or I get over if I get over a hundred, it's a good game. Yeah, very good. Strikes and spears. Very good. I enjoy it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 12:53

So I I I do have some history with uh Special Olympics also. Uh huh. I used to work at a TV station in New Hampshire. And I used to work with a sportscaster up there, and then we used to do all the Special Olympics stuff. Oh, that's right. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Yeah, that's great. We we'd for days we would go there. They'd always have their games. And it was him and I would go there and shoot those and edit them. And we actually did a one-hour special through channel through channel nine in New Hampshire.

SPEAKER_00 13:19

Yeah, that's great. Yeah, we're we're fortunate. We have uh Mike, as you know, we've talked about this uh before with you. Uh Channel 12, WPRI, uh huge partner of ours here in in Rhode Island, iHeartRadio, which we'll I'll come back to momentarily. Uh Lamar, uh they you know, all these media partners, and and now Cox Communications, uh who's been a media partner of ours for the last uh few years, uh supporting summer games. So But it lets we gotta talk to New England Tech. Tom, when when when this conversation came up, Dawn calls, it's a cold call, and and we we pitched this idea of doing a podcast. What's going through your mind?

SPEAKER_04 13:54

Oh no, another button, another person wanting help. No. Uh because it was special limits, it felt like something that we really wanted to do. Uh we had that initial meeting, uh, you know, had one of our former students was an intern here, Alyssa, right? So she had she, I guess she had done some initial work on setting up what kind of equipment you might want to have. Uh you know, podcasts are very hot right now, so it was a great idea to do do one, get off where you were. So we and I talked to Mike, I said, Mike, you want to take a trip with me over here to the Special Olympics facility and see what they have and and see if we can help in any way. So that's awesome.

SPEAKER_00 14:33

Yeah. And and when you you obviously you had to run this by other folks at New England Tech, right? So what those conversations look like. I mean, I would imagine Doug Sherman was all in on this as soon as you threw this idea out there.

SPEAKER_04 14:45

Well, once I mentioned your name, he was. Well, maybe he wasn't actually. He said, No, you don't want to go there. No, we uh yeah, they were all for it. They were the the workshop took a lot of, you know, I had to talk to a lot of different people. But for Mike and I to just come over here and give it an initial look was no big deal. But to set up the workshop, you know, there were some releases that had to be signed and permissions that had to be approved. But everybody was right on board with it, you know. It also, quite honestly, you know, it was probably pretty good public relations for our department as well. If I got the word out, what we do, how good we are at it. Uh, you know, we're right on terms of types of equipment that's out there for students to work. So I think it helped us as well. It got us some social media outlooks. Yeah, so no, that's great.

SPEAKER_00 15:32

No, I'll tell you, we and Mike, we when we had a chance, and and Tom, you should know the students that we had a chance to work with, hi Henry, last year were phenomenal.

SPEAKER_03 15:40

Yeah, I very good. That worked out that worked out really good because it was all part of my class. We kind of collaborated. Yeah, it worked out.

SPEAKER_04 15:45

I mean, I popped in and they and I think I asked those guys how they were enjoying it. Yeah, nice. You had too. Not a bad studio, right? Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:55

It was actually a really nice studio. And in the fact that you have stay-the-art equipment and by and large available to the students. And for folks at home don't know this, we I know we talked about it briefly on the first segment. Uh, to before we even built our podcast, we had a chance to be invited down to New England Tech, test out their podcast equipment and what it would be like to have our own you know show. And and um, that was done in conjunction with Mike's students who really were in a lot of ways uh mentors and guides to what this process would look like. And and they were phenomenal. They really uh took ownership of the project, demonstrated their awareness of everything that was going on, but also um I you know I tell you that that not everybody has an opportunity to work with athletes like Henry. Uh and the the students' uh care, empathy, and compassion that they showed throughout the entire experience was um uh evident of the values and culture that is New England Tech.

SPEAKER_04 16:48

Yeah, I mean those are upper class people that I helped as well, I think. You know, they've been there for a while, they know our culture. You know, New England Tech's unique that way. The in the fact that we, you know, they're hands-on learning, and that's a lot of our students learn best that way. So we have like a very pre pretty unique student body, I think, so that they understand the types of athletes that are coming here. They they that really helps.

SPEAKER_03 17:12

And that really helped my class because we had we had to hook up all the equipment, we had to talk to your athletes to see how to set it up. The the athletes more or less uh set up the the studio the way they wanted it, and then my students came in and just made the equipment work. So it was a great I don't know, we were there for four hours or so. It was a long way. Wow, yeah and um yeah, it went really well. Uh uh they're still well they're not talking about it, they're because they've graduated now. But they talked about that for quite a while. They really had they really enjoyed that. Because usually we go out into um other other venues, but we had the opportunity to stay with stay within that studio.

SPEAKER_04 17:46

I mean, thought was maybe we'd come here, but it wouldn't fit size-wise. Yeah, we this room's not as big as the classroom. It was definitely best that you came to us, I think. And uh I like you said, you got it got a good feel of what it was going to be like to do this, right?

SPEAKER_02 17:59

So were you one of the hosts for that that day, or what was your role? Uh I won the host that day, but I done special I used to do the Special Olympics magazine show special. I did it for 30 years. Wow. I was the first one to ever do that. And 30 years ago, 1994.

SPEAKER_00 18:16

We were talking about uh Henry is is one of our, if not our special Olympic for 50 years.

SPEAKER_03 18:20

Oh, and you were also the first one, first guest uh on the on the first podcast. I remember that because I was sitting over there doing it.

SPEAKER_04 18:27

Yes. Were you um we were hosting the one in in the TV show? We were the host as well, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 18:34

Mar Mary Allen, another sp a lot of special Olympians, and she was a co-host of me and her.

SPEAKER_04 18:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 18:42

And my friend Mary Ions, my friend Michael Bullock, and my Ian, we all did it together.

SPEAKER_00 18:49

Tom, you have to know Henry is a global superstar. He was a global messenger and had a chance to represent Special Olympics on an international stage.

SPEAKER_02 18:58

I've been to a lot of play special, I've been to the White House three times. Really? Two presidents, uh and uh Bill Clinton twice, and uh George W. Bush, and I've been to Ireland, I've been to Japan, I've been to um North Carolina doing the cable show. How'd you get so famous? How come you all the sports I used to play in Special Olympics? Oh, the sports. I especially play and I also did sports in Special Olympics too. I used to play soccer and golf and volleyball and handball. Now I only do bowling and walking now. Gotcha.

SPEAKER_03 19:29

I remember the first podcast when we did uh um a webcam with Dr. Schneider. What's his first name? Yeah, Tim uh Tim Sherry. So that's Tim Shriver.

SPEAKER_00 19:37

Tim Shriver. Eunice Shriver's. Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_02 19:41

I actually knew you. Personally, yeah. He goes, Hey Henry, how you doing? I I know him a long time. Yeah. Me and Mary Allen. That's not what you know, it's who you know, right? Right, Mary.

SPEAKER_00 19:51

Yeah, we're very fortunate uh to have such an incredible.

SPEAKER_02 19:55

And his mother and his mother, Eunice, was very good friends with us too.

SPEAKER_00 19:58

Yes, yes. No, we with Tim, so uh Tim Shriver, um, who uh, as I made mention, is Eunice's son, um, thus happens to pass through Rhode Island to get home sometimes over in Massachusetts. So we're very fortunate. Tim makes himself available to support our athletes, uh, is friends with uh Henry and many other athletes here in Rhode Island, uh, but uh also is just a huge supporter of everything we're doing here. And when we told him we were doing a podcast, he was over the moon excited to be a part of that to really kick it off.

SPEAKER_04 20:27

You would have fet the pie of the first one. Well, he won't want to definitely be a part of the first one.

SPEAKER_00 20:31

And how how incredible is that? No, that is pretty much you know, the chairman of the board of the worldwide organization wanted to be able to come out and be a part of that with us. And and it, you know, for the athletes to have a chance to talk with uh Dr. Shriver, it's it's a pretty incredible experience.

SPEAKER_03 20:43

Nothing like testing out the equipment to make sure it works on your first podcast. Yeah, listen, I think. I mean we kept our fingers.

SPEAKER_00 20:50

Listen, we kept bringing you back. I know, you know, I know we pay you a lot of money, however.

SPEAKER_04 20:54

Well, you know, uh when you guys invited us, I was like, well, you know, Mike doesn't like to be on camera much, but I said, Mike, you gotta come because really he put in more time he put in a lot of time.

SPEAKER_00 21:04

Yeah, well, we we had fun. I'll tell you, Mike was uh great because uh we have you know very candid conversations about what had to happen behind the scenes and how we need to set it up and you know things we wanted to test out. But I I think you know, again, going back to you know the support New England Tech has is provided. I mean, that that support, you know, is it's just like we say at Special Olympics, is passed on to Baton. So now we have one of your incredible students that's working the boards behind the scenes, Caitlin, who I know no one can see right now, but we're eventually going to get her on the show. She does a great job.

SPEAKER_02 21:34

Caitlin, it will be job. Caitlin does a great job at it.

SPEAKER_00 21:39

And you know, how I mean, you know, and and for me, you know, I I spent nine years in higher education uh before I joined Special Election Island. And to the, you know, as a as an administrator, as a faculty member, someone who's a part of you know any educational institution, you know, to see the teachings and the mentorship actually come to full fruition and they you know, your students being out there in the field and and not only not only you know doing the work that we've trained them to do, right? But also making a difference in the lives of others. And you know, when we talk about stories of strength and achievement and celebrating athletes like Henry and Ryan and so many other athletes, it's it's mediums such as this that allows people to learn more about what Special Impact has to offer. And and you guys should both know you help make that happen. And and so it's not just about the podcast, it's about the stories that we're able to share and the difference that we're making in the lives of others.

SPEAKER_04 22:32

Well thank you. I'll tell you there's not you know the the most enjoyable part about teaching is to see people go out in the field and be successful. For me anyway. I mean that that's that's what you want, right? So and that's New England Tech's goal is to get people prepared to work. Yeah. Right. And I think to see people working like Caitlin and others, it just makes you feel good.

SPEAKER_03 22:50

We were in a meeting last Tuesday we were talking about all the students that have graduated that are working in the field in the Providence area. And if you're turning on a radio you're listening to a New England tech graduate. Maybe not the voice but who's running the board. Yeah. TV stations, all the TV stations, the radio stations, hospitals, special Olympics. That's a good thing they you may not see them but they're there. Yeah that's great.

SPEAKER_00 23:12

Well that's a testament to you guys.

SPEAKER_04 23:14

And then there's those we don't even know what they're doing but we know they're in the field. They'll come back and reach out to us like we didn't know you were doing that. You know you could let us know because we want to have those success stories. Like this is the success story.

SPEAKER_00 23:25

Yeah that's incredible. Well thank you again on behalf of everyone here at Special Oaks Rhode Island. Yeah thank you Henry and and it's a pleasure to have you guys here and for everybody back at home uh if you want to be a part of some of the amazing work that's happening uh in the community here at Special Oaks Road Island TV shows radio shows as Tom and Mike just made mention uh obviously uh we have a lot of incredible partners but as you can tell what's happening at New England Tech is pretty special. Uh reach out to Tom and Mike and any one of their colleagues uh join the New England Tech family and maybe you'll have a chance to you know succeed someone like Caitlin and work in the boards on the Beyond the Nettle podcast because one day we're gonna say we knew Caitlin win. Yeah and it's all started here at Special Olympics and and with the help of New England Tech. And so thank you guys it's been a pleasure thank you we got to meet a legend so thank you thank you well thank you again and and to all our friends at home uh we'll be right back after these messages welcome back everyone I'm Ed Pachico your host of Beyond the Metal Stories of strength and achievement and I have the one and only Ryan Fleming back with me. Ryan say hi to everybody.

SPEAKER_01 24:35

Hello watching on YouTube and again happy six months of the podcast I love it I love it.

SPEAKER_00 24:40

Ryan we uh we had a great group on earlier we I know um we had Henry was our co-host for this last segment but yeah um our friends Tom and Mike from New England Tech we talked about um if you could believe it a year ago I think Marianne was saying off air uh I think next week it'll be a year since we went to New England tech to experience an actual podcast studio before we had our own.

SPEAKER_01 25:03

I mean honestly New England Tech's amazing with these podcast technology that's why we have this today.

SPEAKER_00 25:08

Well you you you you know I agree with you and we definitely want to say New England Tech is fantastic because Caitlin is recording us right now we have to yes and um and of course we would like to welcome Mr.

SPEAKER_01 25:21

Phil Vincid here.

SPEAKER_00 25:22

Hello welcome to the podcast my friend you have to you have to explain to everybody who Phil is because it's the first time everybody's seeing him at home.

SPEAKER_01 25:29

Oh yes and for those of you who don't know Phil Vincent he was the one that introduced our music to this podcast so if you hear this jingle in the beginning of the show he's your guy Phil rock star. Oh yeah absolute rock star thank you yes indeed and um yeah so talk to us a little bit like how you how what's your inspiration of the music the jingle that been part of the podcast so talk a little bit about that.

SPEAKER_05 25:55

The inspiration was you yeah you everybody in that room that day had everybody write down one sentence and that was the song right there. And yours we're not just athletes we're family that's yeah I mean I could have said anything better myself I mean that started it off but you guys wrote the song I wrote the music but you wrote the well I mean we came up with ideas let's put it out you tell everybody at home with so what that what that experience looked like last year.

SPEAKER_01 26:20

So last year what that experience looked like um we get to go over the podcast what it looks like and we're trying to shape up the podcast wherever we are today.

SPEAKER_00 26:30

Yeah and we we spent an entire you know a couple hours actually here in the office with Phil and really just a conversation of sorts about what it meant to be a part of Special Olympics.

SPEAKER_01 26:41

That's what podcasts is all about I mean organic conversations I mean what we are right now these two guys right here.

SPEAKER_00 26:47

And and Phil I have to tell you the fact that you were able to on the spot take all that information in and create the jingle that we have today is I mean that's you are an incredibly talented musician my friend I just have to tell you that I was a vessel.

SPEAKER_05 27:02

Vessel indeed I was transmitting the the lyrics to the music.

SPEAKER_00 27:06

Yeah well let's back it up a second. So you're yeah you know you get a phone call from your good friend Dawn Rate.

SPEAKER_05 27:12

Yes she throws out this idea of a podcast and writing a jingle and what pop that wasn't the original oh that was it the twist your arm I don't know let's see what was a phone call Phil I want to run something by you that was the message that's how that's how I know she's got something planned. Yeah and what did that conversation look like for you um it was it was you know it was humbling. I like oh okay that'd be great. So I didn't know what to expect but after I met everybody I said this is easy now.

SPEAKER_00 27:40

Yeah well it was that was a pretty cool experience I've never done anything like that in my life.

SPEAKER_05 27:44

I always wanted to write jingles because a four minute song is a pain in the rear end. So you know nice 30 second song one minute song but this one really means something.

SPEAKER_00 27:54

Yeah and it is it is catchy I have to tell you we ever we we go I was telling our friends we're doing attack it wasn't my first version as you know Ed. No there was a couple versions right there was a how many did you come with in total?

SPEAKER_05 28:06

I mean I heard three three or four yeah okay there's one that nobody heard but okay yeah that was your least favorite? Um no I like them all. Oh yeah I like the more rock and stuff but you I the the melodic stuff was one that I think everybody liked.

SPEAKER_01 28:20

It was it was uh I you know we were I remember listening to all the jingles it was hard honestly Dawn's in the background right now by the way everybody we we she she's retired but she still shows up to the office well let's call it semi-retired let's just put it that way she just she volunteers now we don't pay her anymore but she still says we she still shows up wants to be a part of everything it's kind of thinking her in DNA so Mike I apologize it is what it is yeah definitely it is what it is indeed I mean yeah I mean this podcast I mean um it's especially thanks to you and especially thanks to Tom and Mike I mean uh for I know for those like younger generation like who want to listen to podcasts or anything like do you have any advice who want to be involved in some sort of podcast like this or anything.

SPEAKER_05 29:07

Well I heard Ed talking about maybe the iHeartRadio um platform that that'd be great. I mean more people exposed to this the better.

SPEAKER_00 29:16

You know yeah we so uh iHeartRadio one of our media partners uh we had Rhonda Lappin who has since uh retired from her role as the region uh market president semi-retired or retired uh well she went to go work believe it or not she went to go work for the nonprofit uh sector she I think it might have been announced I'm not entirely sure yet but she's an executive director now of another not for profit but care jones who worked with her as well as other team members um have made mention to us about the I opportunity to take this podcast Ryan think about this for a second absolutely be able to go to iHeartRadio on their download system for podcasts and be able to see beyond the metal that's stories of strength achievement download this actual podcast to listen to.

SPEAKER_01 30:03

Oh man yeah I mean people who want to use iHeartRadio I mean that's just the best part I mean unless if you if there's subscription plans I mean that's just how the best part of it.

SPEAKER_00 30:13

Well they have free and subscription but yes I but I so but Ryan I want you to think about this for a second, right?

SPEAKER_01 30:18

So right now uh we have the thousands and thousands of special inch Rhode Island uh you know community members that listen but then I want you to think about an opportunity for us to be heard by millions hundreds of thousands on iHeartRadio I mean I what does that say to you as an athlete for that type of opportunity well I mean it's amazing I mean thousands of people who want to be uh want to listen to this podcast more I mean that just definitely represents how we put this podcast on a map but we've been talking backstage before this segment um how like we could put this podcast in the map for other people to know and say hey I want to I want to be create an inspiration podcast or anything based off of the Rhode Island where we are right now.

SPEAKER_00 31:04

Yeah that's incredible. And you know I have to tell you that's one thing that I was sharing with Tom and Mike earlier Phil is is you know this isn't just another podcast right that you know and and and there are plenty of of things people could spend their time and listen to this one is I I think not only unique because it's housed here at special island but you know we're giving a unscripted microphone to our athletes right to tell their you know to share their stories to give their opinions to about not just things related to Special Olympics but just you know in general that are going out in the world you know sporting events current events opportunities that they have going on in their lives uh all the pieces that have contributed this podcast you you know yourself included gave them that medium gave them that platform uh to be a part of this incredible opportunity giving them a voice that's it's great yeah it's amazing it's amazing feeling I mean as athletes we get to have a voice in this podcast so yeah and I and you we have some of you know Ryan being one of them but we have incredible athlete leaders uh here at Special Island and uh you know to to you know to provide a foundation like this podcast but also you know bringing it back to the jingle you know the the words that make that up uh you know and talking about you know being a family being inclusion uh being a champions of inclusion talking about um you know and really summarizing a way for people to appreciate what this is all about it it's it's not just a jingle right it's a it's a it's an invitation to be a part of this conversation with us and and to share what Special Olympics represents in so many ways beyond even what we could touch on today. I mean we could go on for hours talking about what Special Olympics does for athletes like Ryan and their family.

SPEAKER_05 32:47

Yeah I mean this podcast definitely like a free invitation for everyone to watch I mean yeah so do you uh so uh side topic I've seen uh related though cool as billboards in Rhode Island fillens and billboards any what upcoming projects do you have uh going on I'm working on a project for uh Band in the Netherlands uh they send me all the music I'm doing the lyrics and the vocals now that's cool that's cool Band in the Netherlands yeah yeah with the internet you could do anything now so I got a couple of solo projects coming out in July and then December almost for the year how many albums do you do you have right now Phil with just in general like that you've published 58 wow that's incredible songs written and most of them are international uh you know worldwide internet based yeah yeah no they're just actual physical CDs oh that's incredible and the new one night my new album is uh actual vinyl double vinyl oh I love that yeah that's a new thing by the way everybody's bringing that back yeah that was funny how we said but we were in um I forget I think it was Newberry Comics with my kids and um they're like oh dad we should get one of these record players I was like did you just say a record player?

SPEAKER_00 34:04

And they wanted how old did you feel? Old enough old enough i would if well it it was also music to my ears no pun intended because uh my kids were actually saying they want to buy records I mean that's pretty that's I think that's pretty cool. You know it's it's you know they they I forget what the word they use nowadays to describe vintage but it was uh you know I I you know I I can't keep track of the lingo anymore but um the fact that they were celebrating that as a medium to listen to music is pretty cool. Yeah I mean I I still remember popping uh cassette tapes into my car so C track cassette yeah yeah yeah that's not coming back no but the vinyl seems to be coming back so yeah and what what's um do you have a favorite song or project you're working on right now no they're all they all mean a lot to me that's cool my my solo stuff is the most important stuff you know the jingle is high up there on the list you know being a part of this and how can uh how can people learn more about uh your music and and your projects where where can they learn more about phincent.com philvincent philvincentbands.com oh that's a good website yeah pretty easy yeah easy to promote so you gotta check out philvincent.com to learn more about what Phil's working on uh some of the music that they can purchase and download that's credible and it and uh any any other do you any live concerts or anything like that?

SPEAKER_05 35:25

No I'm not a live performer no live performer makes sense now live performance ended in tw 2013 okay where was that?

SPEAKER_00 35:34

Um England a lot of international stuff huh?

SPEAKER_05 35:37

Yeah well the I d one of the bands I I record with is based in England. So instead of flying them here to do a concert they flew me there and I had a couple of uh good concerts there but the experience was not I'm not a performer I'm more of a songwriter. I gotcha my performance is on the on the desk.

SPEAKER_00 35:55

Well listen if you uh everybody listening at home if you love jingles hit up Phil because now that's that's a whole nother genre that you can enter into that I didn't think of that yeah okay yeah well well our endorsement right Ryan you have our endorsement so this came from the heart for these guys every line in that song is written by these guys. My love came right from the heart so that's not a jingle it's that's why you have our endorsement well Phil thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts here at Special Olympics it's it really um the fact that we have this it it I I want to I can't stress it enough it legitimizes the work that we're doing on behalf of our athletes right when when you have an opportunity to have a formal intro um such as this one and and done in such a professional manner it it speaks to your character and your professionalism but also your willingness to give back thank you Ed yeah and thank you for coming on I appreciate you coming on at you right and definitely sharing with us uh what you've meant to this podcast thank you for having me thank you for including me well thank you for being a part of the six month anniversary Phil and everyone at home uh we're gonna go to break and we have the one and only Maryland Powers coming to talk about athlete leadership opportunities here at Special Olympics how we've evolved with athlete leadership and how we can celebrate unified leadership like we're doing here today. So right after these messages stay with us at Beyond the Metal Stories of Strength and Achievement. Welcome back to Beyond the Metal Stories of Strength and Achievement I'm your host Ed Bachico and we have both Ryan Fleming and Henry Moretti back with us for this segment. And if you notice we have another special guest that's sitting behind the table. She's usually behind the scenes uh but that's the one and only Mary on powers who uh we wanted to invite on to talk about athlete leadership in general here at Special Olympics right Emmy?

SPEAKER_08 37:47

Awesome. Thank you. Welcome we're thrilled to have you uh so athlete absolutely thank you Henry uh uh athlete leadership Emmy why don't you tell everybody at home uh what that means uh in the bigger picture for Special Olympics so if I could define athlete leadership I would say it's leadership opportunities that athletes can serve in outside of competing in sports helping behind the scenes in our organization.

SPEAKER_00 38:15

I love it. And and by the way for the record Mary Ellen Powers is not just an athlete she's also a team member here professional staff here at Special Island. So when we talk about athlete leadership and you're you're living it every single day because you work here on behalf of the athletes I'm very blessed.

SPEAKER_08 38:33

This coming June will mark 15 years of me working here that is incredible.

SPEAKER_00 38:37

I'm very 15 years wow jeez so I will let's go around the table here really quick.

SPEAKER_01 38:43

Ryan say again how many years you've been in Special Olympics well let's just say 18 years but I wouldn't judge on how many years of Special Olympics we've all been on. Henry how many years? 50. 50?

SPEAKER_00 38:54

Mary Ellen how many years?

SPEAKER_08 38:57

As an athlete um over 25.

SPEAKER_00 39:00

I mean we're we're uh I'm doing the math in my head that's almost a hundred years of collective experience through Special Olympics that's why we're called veterans of special olympics guys everybody at home a hundred years of Special Olympics Ryan right here and and and all of them have done pretty incredible things uh you know Ryan has been you know involved Special Olympics has been athlete leader Mary Ellen has been involved in Special Olympics SRI magazine TV show an athlete leader a staff member Henry has been Special Olympics athlete global messenger SRI TV I mean the the you guys uh it is uh an honor to sit with the three of you at the same time and it's an honor to interview with you at dignified experiences yeah Mary Ellen so talk a little bit about because you've seen it as an athlete as a as a staff member um talk a little bit about the evolution of athlete leadership here at Special Olympics Rhode Island but also special olympics in general what the what's the history behind that how has it looked over the last decade or so um well athlete leadership started here in Rhode Island back I think in the 80s Henry was one of our very first global messengers um under the leadership of um our retired uh director of marketing communications Jerry Walter she brought athlete leadership here in Rhode Island and I went through global messenger training back in early 2000s and so I've I've grown as an athlete leader but since my involvement in my role as uh at athlete leadership and especially within the past decade is we've come so far.

SPEAKER_08 40:30

We have more than global messengers now.

SPEAKER_00 40:32

Now we call them athlete spokespersons and we have health messengers uh something a brand new initiative that we're bringing um athletes serving on committees as well as athlete representatives so we've we've really grown a lot and what opportunities exist today for athletes that are in who want to get involved beyond sports right as you described uh on and off the playing field uh what what do those opportunities look like right now so uh a lot of people think it's just giving speeches but it's not um yes that that is a big piece but it's not the only one either um we have athletes serving on c committees that through our state offices but also within their own teams too some teams have their own um for example one team has a management management team where they brought in a couple of trained athlete leaders to serve on um it's a good unified experience too athletes are bringing the um the voice of the athlete perspectives to a unified committee and that's a very important piece um I was on games management team for Summer Games years ago and I said we need the athletes to vote on a theme for the dance and and since then everyone's been doing it ever since. That's right. And Rhode Island in a lot of ways is is leading the way across the country and in the world for all intents and purposes around athlete leadership, right? Because you you touched upon it a moment ago we were we were kind of joking about it but unified leadership what what does unified leadership mean and and how does how does that play into athlete leadership?

SPEAKER_08 41:53

Unified leadership is where athletes are working alongside people without intellectual disabilities. So for instance you have games management team that's a mix of staff volunteers who are all working on planning for summer games and then we have the athlete representative they are the voice of the athletes they come up with ideas. We have also another unified experiences the board of directors as well that's been going on for years.

SPEAKER_02 42:18

Henry you were on the board too right the first board members special mixed board members in Rhode Island.

SPEAKER_08 42:22

It's amazing you were the first Henry yeah in 2001 wow it's amazing yeah I think it was um I know you were on Mary has been on Ian has been on um Megan Miller who um now lives in um Florida and still involved and still involved yes and she got involved with athleticship in Florida so I'm very excited that she continued her um experiences down there. Um and and I know there are more athletes uh since um Mike Bullock has um Chris Lucier now but um I'm very proud of uh to see how my friends have grown and you know are using their voices and uh planning helping with planning things behind the scenes too.

SPEAKER_00 42:59

Absolutely and athletes to get you know to have the opportunity to be an athlete leader, right, they need training. And and what are some of the opportunities that they have available to them to to actually pursue that training and education to be a successful athlete leader.

SPEAKER_08 43:14

So we have the athlete leadership university where athletes are taking college style classes so they can become certified athlete leaders so they can serve in these leadership roles. And when we started the Athlete leadership university we brought in those who have been through past training as global messengers or any other opportunities in the because the athlete leadership curriculum was very outdated that we and there's so much new stuff now. So um when I came up with this project, what started as a project um was we need to bring these athletes up to speed but also bring in some new interest too. So like we've grown since that um with our athlete leadership university. We're now planning for our fourth uh cohort as we call it that's incredible.

SPEAKER_00 43:55

And Ryan you know all about athlete leadership university right so as as you can tell I mean I've been part of the third

SPEAKER_01 44:00

Cohort class of this Athlete Leadership University. I mean, I'm so proud that I've been uh learning about Athlete Spokesperson. You're the inspiration. Um, and I appreciate it. Henry, you too, you're the inspiration as well. I mean, I've I've pop up a memory. When I was at Special Epics magazine back in the day, I was interviewing you for the 30th anniversary, Henry, and you talk a lot about what unified leadership is all about through uh Special Epics for Island magazine. You've done a lot, and you you're a legend. That's what I call you a legend.

SPEAKER_00 44:28

Thank you. That's a pretty amazing compliment you just gave, Ryan. That's pretty cool. And by the way, I agree, Henry. I endorse the legend uh because I remember meeting you for the first time at Jersey Mike's in 2022 when you were out serving as an advocate and ambassador on behalf of Special Olympics to promote uh the USA Games in 2022. And uh you uh are not shy. Weren't shy then, are not shy now, and went out of your way to be really kind and introducing me to everybody that was in the store and and why you were there in the first place.

SPEAKER_02 45:00

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 45:01

So I I gotta mention also uh because you just mentioned pioneered. So Henry and I had the pleasure of going to um Japan, uh filming the World uh Winter Games for the show, and we learned a Japanese term using the word pioneer. Do you remember what that is, Henry?

SPEAKER_02 45:15

I forgot, but I remember I remember going there.

SPEAKER_08 45:17

Yep, it was uh I am a pioneer, and in Japanese it's Watashiwa Pioneer.

SPEAKER_00 45:22

Well, that's interesting.

SPEAKER_08 45:24

So you made me think of that when he said pioneer.

SPEAKER_00 45:27

Now you get to learn different languages here on the Beyond the Metal podcast. I love it. I love it. Well, uh Henry, so you have seen really this evolution, you're you've experienced this evolution of athlete leadership. What you know, when you hear about all the opportunities that Mary Ellen just shared, uh what what's your reaction to that? What are your thoughts on that?

SPEAKER_02 45:48

It's great that more athletes get involved now in Special Olympics and speakers, um do um interviews and other stuff in Special Olympics, go around and give speeches too.

SPEAKER_00 46:01

Yeah, yeah, and it's it's more than just speeches, right? Is as you made mention, being on the board directors, you're you're helping make decisions for the future of Special Olympics.

SPEAKER_02 46:11

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 46:12

That's a pretty remarkable responsibility uh to have. And and and Mary Ellen, when when we talk to all the different athletes and and they are presented with these opportunities, they're uh I I they're intimidated in in a lot of ways, but in a lot of ways they're uh you know honored and and and really just uh inspired for the opportunity to be a part of these uh decisions and and be at the table as a part of a unified leadership experience. W when you see athletes uh you know picking up that mantle and running with it, you know, uh Sarah LeBresh is on the board now, Chris Lucier is on the board now. You know, what what goes to your mind when you when you think about the fact that athletes are leading this movement alongside all the other leaders that we've grown to know within Special Olympics?

SPEAKER_08 46:59

Honestly, I get chills. Um even back when like I, you know, was an athlete leader giving uh giving speeches, serving on committees, whatnot, I enjoy listening to other people give speeches. And I was just so m motivated by them, I learned from them. And now fully being behind the scenes of it here, I love seeing the growth. You know, you mentioned Sarah as an example of someone who started out shy. Um and Rick her father Rick can attest to that too. When she started the athlete leadership university, she was shy. Um, but then she grown beautifully through her experience. She spoke up more in class, she gave the keynote speech at graduation. And that's just one example. I've seen, you know, I see a lot of different personalities. Like getting to getting to know uh you, Ryan, and how many years I've known you, Henry. You two are not shy at all.

SPEAKER_01 47:44

Well, yeah, not shy on the national stage, let's put it that way.

SPEAKER_08 47:47

Yeah, uh, but you're also humble about it too. So it's not you're not like, hey, look at me. No, you know, you're very I I can see how what it means to you guys. Yeah. And uh I love the mix of personalities that I've met too. Like some people come to classes, are eager to speak up and answer a question, or some might be um reserved, but they they've grown. And I love seeing the growth.

SPEAKER_01 48:09

Yes, and I also want to add, I mean, and I also want to add my mentor too, Madison Flaxeton. I mean, she's been helped too, big help too, and I appreciate everything as a good friend of mine. Um, she's really great.

SPEAKER_08 48:20

Absolutely. And um, mentor is another unified experience because with our athlete leadership university, all athletes should have a mentor with them going through uh the classes because it's good to have the one-on-one assistance when you need it. Or and um they're learning as well. They learn about the opportunities that you have as athletes.

SPEAKER_01 48:38

Again, she's not just a mentor. Matt is not just a mentor of mine, she's also a great, like I said, a great friend of mine that I absolutely endure.

SPEAKER_08 48:45

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 48:46

Well, I I hope everybody at home you realize you you're hearing from Henry, Mary Ellen, and Ryan when we talk about uh Special Olympics, uh, and and I know the first thing that pops in people's heads is athletes being on the playing field, on the court, participating in sports, uh, clear examples here today, uh, that they are so much more than just an at another athlete out there on the field. Their bravery and courage that they display in in competition, uh, that same competition and that sportsmanship is evident through leadership on and off the playing field. And today is just another example of that.

SPEAKER_02 49:20

Thank you, Ed.

SPEAKER_00 49:21

It's incredible. No, thank you, Henry. Honestly, it's it's a privilege to be with the three of you and all the athletes of special extra island. I say it all the time. Uh, the most inspiring athletes in the world, right here in Rhode Island. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 49:33

That's why we're absolutely amazing to be a part of.

SPEAKER_00 49:36

It's true, Ryan. Uh, you know, and so beyond athlete leadership, there's a lot of exciting things coming up. Uh, guys, uh, I know for me, um uh Ryan, you're a WWE fan, right?

SPEAKER_01 49:47

Uh W what is it?

SPEAKER_00 49:48

WWE wrestling. Oh, yeah, wrestling, yes. Oh my god. Mary Irons is watching right now saying, Ryan, what are you doing?

SPEAKER_01 49:54

As is Mike Bullock. Or probably, or probably um, probably John Cena fan. That's what I'm probably most looking forward to. That's it. Well, even though he's retired, that's why I like because I've seen it in him in movies. I mean, he's a great wrestler.

SPEAKER_00 50:08

So it's a uh a great time to be a sports fan. Uh we have WrestleMania coming up. The Masters just ended. Henry, did you watch the Masters? Yes, I did, yeah. Rory McElroy. I watched back to back. What'd you think?

SPEAKER_02 50:20

I enjoyed it.

SPEAKER_00 50:21

It was a it was a pretty spectacular match. I I thought Scotty Scheffler was gonna make a run at it at the end.

SPEAKER_02 50:27

I mean, watch go every Sunday we watched golf together.

SPEAKER_01 50:30

Oh, that's great. I love that. I mean, Rory McElroy winning back-to-back masters title. I mean, that's an attribute to his uh playing level with golf.

SPEAKER_00 50:39

I mean, that's just the way it is. Not many players have done that, right?

SPEAKER_01 50:43

Not many players, not since Tiger Woods, the Great Tiger Woods.

SPEAKER_00 50:46

The Great Tiger Woods. He has his own things going on in the world, but we'll stay off that topic. But yeah, we we appreciate him as an athlete, and people have struggles, unfortunately. But the but you know, so we had the Masters, Yankees, Red Sox are coming up. Uh Henry, did you tell me you're your Yankees fan?

SPEAKER_02 51:02

My mother was a Yankee fan. I uh actually like the Yankees too.

SPEAKER_00 51:07

You like the you told me you're not a Red Sox fan.

SPEAKER_02 51:09

No, I never I never cared. I w I could watch them, but they're not my favorite.

SPEAKER_00 51:14

Not your favorite?

SPEAKER_01 51:15

House divided between Red Sox and Yankees fans.

SPEAKER_02 51:18

I I'm a I used to like the Paw Sox until they moved.

SPEAKER_00 51:22

Yeah, now they're the Woo Sox. Yeah. That doesn't roll off the tongue like the Paw Sox.

SPEAKER_02 51:26

I used to like to go to all those games. My my sister and I.

SPEAKER_00 51:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 51:30

So every game we keep she used to sit and keep score.

SPEAKER_00 51:34

I love it. And then we have uh the Celtics are in the playoffs. The Bruins are in the playoffs. We're kind of spoiled here in Boston. Honestly. Well, I should say Rhode Island and the New England market. I should say.

SPEAKER_01 51:44

Since I was born in 2000, I've been a spoiled Boston fan, winning multiple championships.

SPEAKER_00 51:49

That's true. And you you're Mary Ellen, do you I know Mike is a big Celtics fan. Uh does he make you watch a lot of the games?

SPEAKER_08 51:58

Well, I uh I like uh basketball. So I do enjoy watching uh Celtics at uh at times. I was very proud of him and his family Mike and his family when they had that huge honor with going to a game. Um the sports, uh let's say Mike gives me a summary of what's happening in sports.

SPEAKER_00 52:14

Fair enough.

SPEAKER_08 52:15

I love that. So I can still be updated. I love that.

SPEAKER_00 52:18

That's great. It's a summary. Give me the reader digest version. Just keep me in the loop. I love that. I like well, it's it's uh so much fun. And of course, we have two incredible sporting events coming up for ourselves Summer Games and USA Games right around the corner, guys. Oh, yeah. I mean, it's it is April 17th, if you can believe it. Summer games is less about 40 days away at this point.

SPEAKER_01 52:40

And it's a little more days away for USA games, actually. I mean uh we have athlete leaders and a couple of 22 USA Games participants are gonna be participating in Minnesota this year. Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead.

SPEAKER_08 52:52

And athlete leadership university graduation. Uh, don't forget that. In between. That's incredible.

SPEAKER_01 52:58

Which is summer games, then leadership university, then uh USA Games. I mean, that's gonna be a whole month of June for great special Olympics, Rhode Island. I mean, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 53:08

What are you guys looking forward to the most at Summer Games this year?

SPEAKER_02 53:11

Doing well in my my sport I'm doing, and um have my family come watch me. They like they did last year.

SPEAKER_00 53:19

I love that, Henry. I mean, what how about you? What do you look uh you have a this is a big year for you.

SPEAKER_08 53:25

Hopefully. Um I don't think I'll be ready to compete this year. Um I've had a a lot of things happening with my knee the past couple years, but right now I'm working on building my way back again. But 2027, I'll be back in that pool again for sure. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 53:38

Well, you you've been training and congratulations on getting back to that point because uh I know you've had a few physical uh challenges, right? Uh you know, myself included, by the way, worth running for me. Uh and but I I'll tell you, your perseverance and uh bravery to get back in the pool uh you know is an inspiration in itself.

SPEAKER_01 53:58

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 53:58

Yeah. And Ryan, what are you looking forward to?

SPEAKER_01 54:00

I mean, what I'm looking forward to in Summer Games is making sure everyone competes at a high level. So yeah. Oh, I love that. I mean, honestly, and to those who are competing at the summer games and those competing obviously at the USA Games, um, wish you the best of luck, and hopefully, you will shine as one in 2026.

SPEAKER_00 54:18

Oh, what a great way to wrap it up uh in our discussion today. I, you know, so next month we are going to be talking about obviously the summer games. Uh, end of May, May 29th, May 30, uh, May 29th and 3031. We'll be down the D Doris Rhode Island for the Summer Games. USA Games will be right after that, guys, uh, on June 20th, it's opening ceremonies in Minnesota. Uh, we'll have all the details and more in our next episode of Beyond the Metal Stories of Strength and Achievement podcast. Uh, I'm your host, Ed Pacico, along with the one and only Ryan Fleming and the legend Henry Muretti. Thank you. And our friend and Dean of Athlete Leadership University, remarkable woman, Mary Ellen Powers. Mary Ellen. Indeed. This was a great episode, guys. Six-month anniversary. Happy anniversary to all of you and all of our hosts uh that participated.

SPEAKER_02 55:09

Happy anniversary.

SPEAKER_00 55:10

This is an incredible achievement, and we can't wait to share more great news about where we're going with the Beyond the Metal podcast as we hope to offer this as live uh download for everyone and anyone in the future and keep to adding to the technology, the atmosphere in here, but most importantly to hear from our incredible athletes. Thank you for listening to this month's episode. We hope to see you next month.