In 2004, I managed to land my first major-market radio job in Edmonton, as a community cruiser. In the grand scheme of where I wanted to end up in radio, this was what I considered to be a foot in the door. It was a shot to work in the building I grew up inspired to be a part of, and I was going to make the absolute most of it.
During my interview, I made it perfectly clear that my goal was to be on the air full time. I would take whatever task and assignment given to me before then, but that was my goal. One day, Ian Sterling approached me and said that I should get a tape into the boss and see about doing some fill-in shifts. I didn’t think much of it, because this was a mega station and I was just a noob. Sure, I had some experience, but country? Sure… why the hell not… A few days later, the guy in charge said, "Hey, I hear you have some on-air experience - I'd really like to hear a tape". Holy crap... he means it. Okay... I was pretty edgy back then – coming hot off of rock radio with a chip on my shoulder which far outweighed any real confidence, I did my best. It wasn’t always the greatest – in fact, that same person that put me on the air took great pride in the fact that he had to “reign me in” instead of push me forward. The best memory of getting my ass kicked was him sitting me down in his office, playing a call that I thought was “innovative, hilarious and fresh”, then pointing out that there wasn’t a damn funny thing about it. Years went on and new opportunities came along. With his blessing, I was given chances to advance. In a business where saying the wrong thing can call for your head, I have no doubt that my neck was spared more than once. There was a time where it seemed I was groomed to follow in his footsteps. He wasn’t afraid to kick my ass when I needed it, all the while managing to pull my ass out of a fire more than once. In a personality driven business, sometimes business wins. We’ve had our ups, and most certainly we’ve our downs… but as I reflect over the time I’ve known him , I can truly appreciate the good share of one-on-ones over the years. While I don’t get to say I work with him anymore, his rousing support and continued encouragement are why I’m writing this today. As I continue my career, I can only hope that it is one as successful as my friend, the guy who gave me many a shot over the years, Chris Scheetz. Chris taught me the importance of meaning what you say, and following through on a promise made to the audience. He taught me how to earn trust, and how to listen to my heart. Anything I ever tried to do in support of a charity came from his lead... Chris taught me that what we do on the air CAN and DOES MATTER. Even at our worst, we still managed to find our best in each other. Nothing is ever cut and dry in this world, no matter how much we try and control things. While I’m still not half as good at it as he is, I think I’ve learned a few things from him over the years. Congratulations on 25 years Chris.
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It's no secret that I'm pretty fanatical about WWE. I can't even explain why I still enjoy it as much as I do today... but this may be the answer. As a fan, I'd like to commend WWE, their Superstars, the crew who made a customized entrance for him, the talent wranglers and production staff that made sure the entire roster was at ringside, and everyone else who was involved in making this special event happen. My condolences to Connor's family, friends, and his now millions of fans around the world. In 7 short years, you brought more happiness to this world than anyone could ever imagine.
Great job girls and guys... Long Live The Crusher!!! Since I have found myself with some extra time, I decided I would try and live up to a promise I made to a former co-worker and someone I still consider to be a mentor in how to be in radio and frankly, in life. Friday morning, I made a call down to the Hope Mission. When I worked at CISN, as it still is today, the Hope Mission became a cornerstone for the year. Every Thanksgiving, they would devise creative ways to try and draw attention to the issue of homelessness while raising money. While it is a shelter, the Hope is also a rehabilitation facility, youth shelter and truly, a first step in the right direction for those who are looking to take it. Knowing that their annual Thanksgiving Dinner was coming up that day, I thought I would see if they needed any help. Like any event, there is usually a strong interest as word gets out, but soon, numbers dwindle due to other commitments, etc. After speaking to Erin, the volunteer coordinator, she told me that they had a spot and to come down around 3:45. Once I arrived, I aproned up and got ready to work. I wasn't there for any other reason but to work, which was refreshing. I found out my job would be to be one of the food platers. The way it works is that each station is in charge of two rows of tables (each row seating about 60-70 people). Those food plates are then given to another wave of volunteers, the servers, who deliver it to the Edmontonians who are there for the meal. Setting the table is something I don't do at home. in an effort to make it feel that much more special, place settings were laid out for 250 people a sitting. Pretty standard... a couple of cups for coffee and juice, a little candy bar as a pre/post meal treat, cutlery, salt & pepper, coffee fixings and cutlery. Pumpkin pie or cheesecakes were the desserts prepared for our guests, along with a meal that was tirelessly prepared by the cooks, mostly all that day. I found myself with a box full of miniature Caramilk bars, placing one per spot... I couldn't help but think that in a few weeks I will be doing the same thing for trick or treaters that come to my door. Talk about a contrast in lifestyles. Once the places were set, the doors would open, and to the sounds of music from the Mission band, our dinner guests were welcomed in, given a seat, and patiently awaited their meal. As I stood at my station, I watched as many of the people - some of which clearly hadn't eaten in a while - sit at their placings and understandably begin their meal with their dessert that was already waiting. After the first seating was settled, a blessing was given over the meal, and we began plating the food. With two groups around 250 people each, portioning is key. One of the chefs came out and gave us instructions on how much food they figured could be a part of each plate to satisfy our guests and still have enough to serve the second group coming in. What followed was a flurry of plates coming my way. Earning the nickname "Turkey Mike" from my young team member "Gravy Girl", we managed to get our first group of plates dished up and handed out. The menu, while the same for everyone, was a formidable feast. Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Turkey and Mixed Veg, with gravy, cranberry sauce, accompanied by a dinner roll and Caesar salad... quite comparable to what most of us probably have planned for our own dinners with family and friends. As we watched the people enjoying their meals, sharing stories, and no doubt comparing their days with one another, what stood out most was how happy the environment was. For years, the Hope Mission have used the slogan, "Hope begins with a meal". During those previous radio campaigns, I had said it before, and I had witnessed first hand the transformation people who have walked through the door have made, but I was never there first hand to see the impact of a hungry person taking a first bite of a meal. Many of those who were finishing their meals would come up to us and thank us for volunteering - so much gratitude for 3 and a half hours of my time... I felt unworthy. I then went from food plater back to busboy. In the spirit of some of the best servers I've ever had in a restaurant, I was sure not to rush the ones who were still enjoying their meal... selfishly because I knew that once they were finished, they would be back out on the streets. Like a flurry of worker-bees, we all started grabbing things to re-set the tables. Now that we had a first sitting under our belts, we were ready for action. Within 10 minutes, the doors opened, and more guests filled the auditorium of the Hope Mission. There was one standout in this grouping. A woman that I didn't know at all, but recognized instantly. As she walked in, she fought to hold her head up, and keep the lump out of her throat. She didn't look at anyone, except for her son who I would have guessed was no older than 10. My Mom and I were never "poor" when I was growing up - at least, if we were, I never knew it. Looking back, I knew we had our challenges, but Mom did whatever she had to do to take care of me. That was the same look I saw on that woman as she sat her son down for their Thanksgiving supper. We live in a part of the world where the issue of homelessness and people living on the street is a polarizing issue. To play the devils' advocate, there is a large portion of society that easily dismisses the homeless as those who need to shape up and play the game like everybody else. One of the first groups we served were from the "Breakout Program". These are people who have been fed the meals, and one day, for whatever reason, asked the Mission for a chance to move forward. Whether it was overcoming an addiction or finding their own direction in life, these people are on their way out, and back into our city as productive, contributing members of our communities. They are the reason the Hope Mission is there, and why we as a city should be thankful. I don't tell you this story to try and make you think I'm a good person - and I'm not a fan of the "humble-brag". Whatever the circumstances were that brought them in the door, there wasn't one person I encountered who felt entitled or demanded a dinner. Not one person I saw were particularly proud to be taking a handout, or trying to do anything more than survive. What I did see were people who are trying to figure it out. Whether it's something as complicated as Mental Illness, or something as simple as being lost and unable to catch a break, it was apparent that there is "hope". For more about the Hope Mission, including how to volunteer for a number of things, please visit www.hopemission.com He is one of the go-to names when it comes to naming wrestlers who were big in the 80's. He's also one of the most recognizable names outside of the ring. For years, Jake "The Snake" was on top of the world. One of the premier attractions for the World Wrestling Federation, he was living the good life... or so it seemed. What would follow would be a tailspin that made headlines around the world, and was even believed to be the inspiration for the Mickey Rourke film, "The Wrestler". While the wrestling world waited to hear the worst about Jake "The Snake" Roberts, a good friend, "Diamond" Dallas Page" believed that Jake could be better. As you will hear in this interview, Jake has begun to try and fix a life full of regrets and mistakes. The trust and love shown to him by his friends, and his fans, is something he is truly beginning to appreciate for the first time in his life. This week, Jake sits down for a very candid interview, and shares some vivid details about his life, his rise to fame, his fall from grace, and seemingly, his resurrection. I hope you take the time to hear this remarkable story, and share it with your friends. This is probably one of the deepest interviews I've ever done, and it still feels like we barely scratched the surface. Granted, I'm not really qualified, but I feel like we had a great conversation about something we are all exposed to every day. When you hear about people like me who raise money for causes like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, it's easy to say that "THEY" need the help that these charities provide. Dr. Baksh is one of those "THEY"... I've been wanting to have this conversation with him for a long time, as it gives an answer not only to where certain types of cancer research projects sit, as well as the struggles scientists face in decoding this ruthless killer. If you have been considering sponsoring my Marathon, this might provide you some answers as to where your money goes, as well as offer you some insight into a side of fundraising you may have never imagined... If the embedded player isn't working below, please CLICK HERE and download the file directly To Emerson Drive fans, he's the fiddler with the cowboy hat. To his bandmates, he's the tech-geek of the group. A couple years back, Dave Pichette became a friend of mine, as we shared stories and experiences throughout our lives in the entertainment industry. Like we've seen in past Mike on a Monday episodes, all the guys lead different lives behind the scenes. Dave is no exception. On this week's episode, get to know David, including his life off the road, and his incredible "non-music" career - one which is taking off in a big way! To listen to the podcast by FREE DIRECT DOWNLOAD, CLICK HERE for the mp3 file! There have been some reported issues with it, but you are also welcome to try the embedded flash player below: Don't let a the scary face fool ya - Mukai Maromo is as much a nice guy as he is a fierce competitor in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Add to that a fascinating upbringing, and you have all the parts for a great Imagine living in a country where everything you're used to - customs, social structures, and even sports and entertainment are completely different. How does a man who comes from a country where there's no such thing as a "professional athlete" make the adaptation to living in North America, making his living as a professional fighter? The path for Mukai Maromo is a tremendously interesting one, and destroys a lot of stigmas. Enjoy this fun conversation between Mike and Mukai, including some impromptu "Old-School WWF Trivia"! If the embedded player below isn't working properly, CLICK HERE AND DOWNLOAD THE FREE mp3 FILE! Let's start on a high note. I'd like to thank past Mike McGuire Podcast guest Ken Franczek for kicking in $1,000 for my "10 Marathons for $10,000" goal. If you don't know, the Running the BMO Full on May 5th will be my 10th endurance event, so I'm trying to help out the charity that got me started in my running journey, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. Please consider sponsoring me, as I'm giving it all I got. That said, I didn't have much this morning. Running a radio station about to launch is tremendously rewarding. The schedule is highly demanding, and often the only chances I've had to get out there and do my runs are with the team. On my way to train with my team, I was thinking of my flight to Vancouver. I'm a window-seat guy, especially with this flight. The vast mountain expanses, the deep caverns... the view truly is the hi-light of the flight. Nature can be a wondrous, magnificent display. It can also be a real pain in the... Okay, so maybe the whole mountain thing was a dumb joke, but I learned today that the hazards are still quite real. Temperatures have been going up and down around the zero mark for the last few weeks, making for some very treacherous roadways and parking lots. I've talked before about the ice and the decision to go without cleats this year, and at this point, most of the roads and sidewalks are starting to clear up. Still, there is a stretch of Hawrelak Park where avoiding the ice isn't the easiest. Believe it or not, despite all the challenges I've faced through my 3 years as a runner, one thing I've never encountered is a training injury... until today. We were barely 100M out of the gate, and I was chatting about stuff with my teammate/friend Chris Hayden when BAM! My foot hit an awkward chunk of ice and rolled my ankle something fierce. So, while it's a minor setback, I'm icing and elevating... it's been a few hours now and it's still tender. I suppose the point of writing so much about something as minuscule as a rolled ankle is to serve as a reminder to take it easy and give an injury a chance to mend itself. Even this afternoon, I've been contemplating heading back out there and trying to get my run in. I've never been very good at sittin' around doing nothing, but the only thing keeping me from getting back out there right away is the thought of doing something to make the injury worse - potentially costing me the opportunity to participate in the marathon. In the meantime, I'll take it easy... Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to crank out some kilometers... Before we get rolling on this week's entry, allow me to make a cheap plug for the most recent episode of The Mike McGuire Podcast, featuring an inspiring conversation with the Founder of The Running Room, and a huge supporter of the BMO Vancouver Marathon, my friend JOHN STANTON! The "live player" kinda stinks, so click on the "audio mp3" button on the podcast page and download it to your mp3 player that way - John's conversation about both his journey as a runner and his evolution into Canada's authority on running is full of fun and some great information! La-Cross Training? One of the things on my weekly training schedule is "cross training". Intended to be something like swimming, cycling, yoga, etc, lately, cross training days for me have been my side-gig as the in-game host for The Edmonton Rush. It wouldn't seem like much to be the guy on the big screen crackin' jokes and hosting contests, but moving around Rexall Place from section to section amid stairs, fans and even mascots (yes, that's actually a job hazard lol!), it's a pretty solid little workout by the end of the night. The battle against my schedule is one I'm happy to say I'm winning. It's a good thing too, because as the days count down, the distance of the runs the next morning become longer and longer. A Saturday Long Slow Run - 15K for 2h20min As such, it becomes a little less exciting to see the same old trails along the river valley here in Edmonton. Hailed as the most beautiful part of our city, too much of a good thing can still be too much. I'm sure even those who live in Vancouver can say that running the same old spots can begin to grind on a runner's interest level. Normally we stay relegated to the areas within the trails and off the main streets. A couple weeks back, Coach Julia, my pal Jeff and I decided to embark in a different direction. Secretly, I was hoping we could do something crazy like run to Sherwood Park (which we probably will end up doing by the time training is over), but instead, we decided to enjoy one of Edmonton's most famous spots. Whyte Avenue is arguably the hotspot in Edmonton. The daytime offers trendy shopping, great restaurants and everything vintage from clothing to theatres. A hipster's haven, Whyte ave is also one of those areas that is a must-see whether you are into vintage neighborhood. It's also near the University of Alberta's main campus which has undergone some MAJOR overhauls over the past couple of years. Following that run, we've ventured out in a few different directions, and it's helping me keep my interest in getting "out there" alive and well. Now that we're finally getting some warmer weather, it's also easier to look out the window and want to actually be out there for longer than absolutely necessary. If you remember me talking about the ice a few posts back and how there is a benefit to running on it out here, that became apparent this week. There is nothing more rewarding than having a nice stretch of clear concrete to see the improvements that come with speed and hill training. Even though I still have my struggles, there are times where I can really open it up and get a great pace going. As the countdown to May 5 continues, I'm reminded that changes in training can be both frustrating and rewarding at the same time. What are some struggles you've managed to overcome this training season? Leave your comments below! Thanks! |