My Life At A Weird Angle (MLAAWA)

From time to time these episodes are about the benefits that I've gained from my injury. The time I've spent through introspection and just the relentless pursuit of God. Peace of mind is a big one.

An impactful conversation with my Uber driver at the New Orleans airport led to this conversation on my podcast. My guest is a lawyer, a public speaker, and a self-proclaimed heehaw man. On occasion, life gives you opportunities to enhance your bubble and to add a member to your tribe. This seemingly chance encounter was one of those moments. We catch up to talk about purpose, ripple effects and so much more.

As new opportunities present themselves to me I am often confronted with a bit of concern and even fear. Knowing that the life that I really want is on the other side of that fear causes me to keep going and to find solutions. Having God on my side, and knowing that he wants me to win allows me to experience the clarity I need to move forward.

When you think about always when it pertains to your life you have to be very careful. Having an always mindset will keep you in a box. People often say things like it's always been this way or that's the way it's always been done. My family has always struggled with money. These phrases are dangerous and we must get past them in order to achieve long-term success. Change and adaptability are key.

From time to time I give my son lessons in Manhood. While most of what it is to be a great man is understood through observation, I wanted to really hit home a few staples that will never change.

In this episode, we're talking about bridges. The ones you do with your body and the ones you build with the bodies and personalities of other people. Bridging has opened up my world and helped me to heal my body. Bridging has also opened up my mind and my heart to the fullness of life, the life that God has for me. What I once took for granted I have the utmost appreciation for and that goes for the people that I once took for granted as well. Knowing when to build bridges, knowing when to rebuild bridges, and knowing when to set bridges on fire are key.

I had the opportunity to talk about fitness and growth with another FNX ambassador, Helen. After a year of covid-19, she hasn't lost her dedication to herself and the firehouses she spends so much time in. It turns out, cliches are true, and "when you put effort in to yourself, you always win."

Certain people have a huge impact on your life. They work towards your betterment along side you. This episode is about one of those people.

I reflect on how far I've come as an entrepreneur and the grandson of Willis & Mabel Phelps Jr. From Conakry, Guinea to Kalamazoo, MI.

I had the privilege of catching up with one of the owners of West Main Nutrition here in Kalamazoo. We talked about the benefits of making healthy choices and how overcoming difficult situations is The New normal when you're living an entrepreneur life.

After 20 years of my injury I'm realizing just how many benefits that I've gained because of it. The ability to not be distracted and to stay focused on my path to success no matter what I'm doing, has been one of those strengths. This is the how in the why, the what and the win.

I spend time on the word realization and what it means to me. How it's opened up my world and allowed me to change my personal reality. Being aware of myself and my abilities is one of my greatest gifts from above and from within.

Selena and I catch up for the first time and assess how much we've grown and how examining ourselves helped us to discover our unique path for success.

This morning's conversation with myself started with a bit of self-care. It quickly progressed into something much more substantial.

Ray & I you talk about how the pain and recovery have shaped us. Knowing what we wanted ultimately was the key to keeping us going. Turns out the cliche about perseverance paying off is true. We're better for all the challenges and all the difficulties. So are you.

On this episode I'm going through one of the drops in my book that says your dreams came from you so don't look to someone else to complete them. Far too often we're looking outside of ourselves to someone else in order to accomplish what we know is ours. Our ideas and dreams are inside of us in our imaginations and it's up to us to put in the work to realize them.

As I have built my life after my SCI, I'm very mindful of who and what I attract into my life. The FNX fitness brand has expanded my wellness circle & given the supplements I need to become the best I can be. Hear how & why I'm an Ambassador and the value it's added to my world.

I'm recounting my day yesterday and the mental journey that I went on. Reminding you that each day is meant to be a renewal of your mind. Reminding you that, to think what you want to think despite your circumstances is being a mastermind. You can't nor should you try to change other people. Your focus should be on changing yourself, noticing the things in your own life & the way you think about them. That way is the best way to affect change for the better. https://www.liinks.co/lord.milan

I had the honor of speaking with the Founder of Right Cross Athletics. We hear the story behind the brand & swap inspirational stories & insights. https://rightcrossathletics.com/

I do a deep dive into the cure for laziness. The cure to getting what you want out of yourself and out of life. The importance of self-talk, decisions, and actions go hand in hand. Enjoy.

Bias can be a simple literary trick or it can be the first step in a series of detrimental elements of a person's life. Knowing this, my faith can never be based on the circumstances that surround me but rather on the fielty of God

A quick 20min is all you need to self-talk your way towards the next step. Or at least you'll be able to calm your nerves a bit enough to step out of God's way. I mention my clothing brand DDH Apparel Co. as I'm struggling with what to do about its growth. Turns out giving advice is a lot easier than receiving it.

While sitting down to come up with a "good" idea for an episode it hit me, why? Why am I trying to get listeners or even likes? In the 40th episode, I get back to the essence of this podcast, My Life at a Weird Angle. 

I catch up with a friend of the family to talk about her trip to South Africa. As a Black American, a Black woman, using a passport to go to the Motherland sets Amber apart from many of her counterparts. Travel is a great way to see new things & explore new places not just externally but internally as well. 

We go into the realities of Black America through the family stories of Rosalind Pierce. Turns out there's hope overall when you have a strong base.

Esse Quam Videri: to be rather than to pretend. The truth is, we all pretend to be or not to be something from time to time. However, it's those of us brave souls that refuse to live a version of ourselves that isn't true. Being means honest expression. This can be difficult however and the opposition is sure to come. Like it says in D.R.O.P.S., "happiness is a reflection of an honest you". 

Do'nah Ollila enlightens while sharing her journey of loving more & staying connected to Spirit. Then, we speak on celebrating the long legacy of Black women.

I had a chance to catch up with my father, a driving force in my life. We talked about the different choices he has made that have shaped who he has become. "Different, can make all the difference", is a quote by Lord Milan L'Oiseau. 

My fraternity brother Rudy, and I talk about some of our favorite F-Words including: faith, fight, fatherhood, & fitness. 

In this episode, I'm joined by my brother RaShaun bird, the Area Director of Applebee's Midwest. We talk about what it means to be in the game for so long, fatherhood, and the desire for more. 

We dive into manhood with the founder of Vision Builders Contracting, my mentor, Jeff Sims. He is a husband, father, and part-time philosopher. Definitely one of Detroit's finest but most of all, my friend. The world is enriched by him. 

Keith Pro, the founder of Indie Source Guru shares his journey to success and how we all should just get started already

Joe Shirmer, founder of the Rise as One movement enlightens & motivates on this episode. This is the right podcast at the right time. Check out his book by the same name, Rise as One at the link below.  https://www.amazon.com/Rise-As-One-Spiritual-Awakening/dp/1099494052/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5SQ47QGZ3ZBD&dchild=1&keywords=rise+as+one&qid=1586050689&sprefix=rise+as+%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1

The amazing Minister Onleilove Alston joins me to talk about the importance of self-discovery, telling your own story & finding healing after the trauma. 

I catch up with my fraternity brother Maximo & we dive right into life's most intriguing topics. 

A bit of positive Self-talk. Quiet was the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Exerts from my convo with the phenomenal life coach, Detra Carter.

BTS with Lord Milán. Autobiography interview.

In this episode I talked about the mental health Journey pursuing my master's degree. What it took for me to get to graduation and the support system that made it possible

After a convo with my wife & a cup of Colombian café, amazing words came pouring out.

In this episode I talk about the New in my life. Being a father, being a husband, being a master's graduate. The things that are coming after those titles become a part of who I am.

The ability to realize. Bringing things from what's in your head to the tangible world is a useful skill in having a full and successful life. I talked about the latest things to be realized in my life and the benefits of the DAY1 PHILOSOPHY. @dailydrops365

Value comes from God's yes & my gratitude.

I'm joined in the studio by the founder of the MLKtee-Rob Zeigler, straight from Birmingham, Alabama. We talk motivation and inspiration, purpose and fighting for the bigger cause.

Knowing that your abilities can grow exponentially just by being selfishly invested in you has made all the difference in the world, in my life.

Chopping it up in the studio with @lexonthekeys the most influential producer around. You probably heard his work and didn't even know it. Soon enough you'll see his name everywhere.

As my life expands it is much more easy to see the results of my belief. Being a creator of my world, a co-creator with God is the most empowering reality I've ever experienced.

In this episode you'll hear about my way of dealing with negativity whether that be from myself or from those around me. Also I'll tell you about my manifesting skills.

So often we get focused on the big picture of things. The things we see down the line. Those things often seem so far-fetched it convinces us that we cannot achieve those things. However if you do the things that are within reach, the things on day one, then you will have the things you see down the line when it is time.

It turns out late nights aren't just for drinking but realizations and reflection. I noticed that my brand for myself and for my work is to go about doing good. I walk you through my fourth Etsy store setup, my impact on the world and my peace with my pain.

12hrs of work followed by preworkout prep & mental health. #persévère

In this episode I talk about what inspired me to start my women's empowerment brand. The woman that became my muse, my frustrations on what I saw, and my ability to overcome it are all explored. Thank you to all the women in my life whom supported and guided me to this point.

Accentuating the fine points & the dope shit that is my life. Tattoos, business, belief, & mad strength. A real Rocky story.

In this episode I dive deeper into the name MLAAWA which is the acronym for My Life at a Weird Angle. I was hoping after a little bit of research, that I would turn up something interesting with that word rather than something weird or unuseful. Once again God exceeded my expectations and the definition behind MLAAWA was even more than I could imagine. Proof that following my prompts is the best way to live.

In this episode you will hear about the inspiration behind my best-selling book. Not your typical read, this book starts on DAY 1 and never changes. Because we are made of mostly water we can only change one drop at a time.

In this episode you'll hear about the adventurous year I lived as a 25 year old. Going from college parties to teaching second grade. From there it's off to Miami for cops, fashion, and Barack Obama! Enjoy.

In this episode, I tell of my becoming Greek, a Brother of Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity Inc. I was 22 and had only a good feeling and a whole lot of anxiousness. Becoming a being a Beta has been one of my greatest decisions as an adult. LAMBDA BETAS....COAST 2 COAST!! 

In this episode I recount my time living in Tampa, Florida at the International Academy of Design and Technology, when I was 20 years old . During that time many Extraneous circumstances happened, from a hurricane, to meeting a psychic, to having a DJ for a roommate and a Puerto Rican girlfriend from Grand Rapids, Michigan . Things were on their own path when I was living in Tampa and I think that is the Tampa way. Anyone who's lived there for any short or long period of time can relate to the uniqueness Of the West side of Florida . Hope you enjoy this most unbelievable True story. 

In this episode, I talk about the origin of the word 'weird' and how it relates to your destiny. The weird things in my life allow me to live the truest version of myself.

With special guest, Mama Bird, we recount our spur of the moment trip to Puerto Rico. The 4 day trip was chalk full of feather costumes, mispronunciations and Barralitos rum!

"It's easiest to hear, when you're listening." This bonus episode happened at 5 a.m. It seemed like the words were just pouring out of me so I grabbed my phone and pressed record. The God within me was speaking , and my answer is I trust you.

In this episode I recount my spinal cord injury along with how I came up with the podcast title. Also, I talk about my Lordship. Get to know me and leave me a message on the podcast.