Create A MES

They say to be a winner in life, "it takes a village"!!! Well that village can be something as simple as, your teammates on a volleyball team!!! Join us in Episode 10 of Create A MES when we hear from a former player of host Stephen J Fenton, Maria Pansari!!! Maria, who was a Two Time, Back To Back State Champion High School Volleyball Player, was able to take herself "out of her comfort zones", as she expanded her volleyball career into NCAA Division 1 Collegiate Volleyball!!! Listen to Maria's stories through her career on and of the volleyball court as she learned that sometime you "Just Have To Go For It"!!!! Weather it's leaping across the air on a ropes course activity called Leap Of Faith, or about to play for the winning point in a State Championship Match, "Just Go For It" is not only a philosophy that you can experience on the court, but rather a lifestyle to live every day of your life!!!! Keep that feeling alive within you that if you do "Just Go For IT", no matter if you make that winning ace point in a game point of a third set of a volleyball match, or losing the point, either way you face your fear and never lower your standard, and always in all experiences in your life to, "Just Go For It"!!!!

Be ready to hear the story of a Miracle, in the midst of a Nightmare...In Episode 9, I am joined by another former teammate from my high school running days, Josh Kestler.  I was honored to share the track with Josh as teammates, I am even more privileged to have shared this time to learn about a young man named Jake Kestler who exemplified the statement, "Tough As Nails!!!"  Josh shares the story of his son Jake, the extreme battle Jake experienced with his illness, and the simple fact that through Jake and his families traumatic time, Jake was "the toughest kid you could ever imagine!!!"  You will hear a difficult story that will, that will test your emotions, and yet through the entire experience Josh will share the lessons Jake taught him, his wife and their family in how to "smile" through the pain, and simply "never ask why."  Jake is a hero to Josh, his wife Galiete and Jake's siblings Lily and Luke and will forever be The Miracle In Their Life!!!

Get ready for some "Just Dance" life lessons with Episode 8 of Create A MES Podcast!!!  In Episode 8, I was able to interview my youngest guest to date, Ryan "Zuggy" Diskin!!!  Listen to Ryan's story that was a serious experience but became a great experience that was able to help both help others and himself!!!  Ryan will share how an undiagnosed tumor to this date became the "bait" that would change his life.  Through his experience, Ryan found the sport of fishing, that ultimately lead to a life passion and mission that he found his transformation from his difficult experience.  Through fishing Ryan was able to find life practices that can change anyone's perspective!!!  Mindfulness, Gratitude, Perseverance, and Self Reflection are just a few of the changes that "hooked" Ryan when fishing became a part of his life!!!  You will certainly learn a way to look at your own life and how to live it fuller and richer all through the story of the young yet experienced survivor, Ryan "Zug Man" Diskin!!!

In Episode 7 I "get connected" with a family member who I didn't know went through some tremendous personal growth on her way to finding her own Spirituality!!!  One of my 13 first cousins, Tracy Hermes joins me for an episode I am sure you will be able to find your way inward!!!  Hear of Tracy's relationship that lead her through a path of resentment all the way to finding an angel in her life!!!  Listen to Tracy's personal definition of becoming spiritual and finding God in many facets, even (GOD) Going OutDoors.  Connect with Tracy's ideals on learning who she was as it may have taken her many years to unpile some insecurities to finding her inner peace.  Learn how Tracy was able to put her own life wisdom to work as she wrote her first book that is available on Amazon; "Wizardly Wit & Wisdom"!!!  You will certainly hear a story and learn a little of the battle to "quiet yourself" to live the enriched life you deserve!!!

Get Ready For This Crazy Long Journey!!!!!  You're in for a "raft up" trip in Episode 6, as I am joined by a young yet life experienced man, Stephen Sottosanti!!!  Listen to the story that almost changed Stephen's life forever, yet looking back on it now, he would't change a thing about it.  Learn of Stephen's family, as it extends past his three brothers and one sister, into his "Roll Tide" Family.  Listen to how Stephen truly used his own MES to begin healing in all facets of his life.  Hear of Stephen's growth internally as he learned one his greatest lessons of life, asking for help.  Learn about Stephen's change of perspective and how the strong, fit young man he was was a reflection of the balanced, tough adult he has become!!!!!   

In Episode 5 I am joined by a "Unique" Four Of A Kind.....The Besecker Sisters!!!!  Lauren, Daniella, Rachel, and Christina are all sisters who have shared experiences that have been life support systems all through the game of volleyball!!!!  Hear the stories of how these sisters who all enjoyed the love of the game of volleyball and how it related to their true love of their bond of sisterhood!!!!  Hear the different yet similar perspectives of how the "power of a group of people" could cause "never ending growth" to learn the "authenticity" of a "hard work" ethic that each have and still are carrying with them as they pursue life goals as a Speech Pathologist, a Chemical Engineer, Quantitative Finance, and a Optometrist!!!!  You will be captivated by these young perspectives as they speak so eloquently of those they consider FAMILY both on and off their own volleyball courts!!!!!  

In Episode 4 I am brought back to my past, almost thirty years into the past, as I had the honor of speaking with former teammate from my high school cross country and track running days, Sean "Mac" McGrath!!!  As a current Navy Commander Family Physician, hear Mac (as referred too throughout the episode) and his story of how he "ran" his way into the Naval Academy.  You'll learn about Mac and mine life touching tough and fair track coach, Coach T.  As in this episode we all become "plebs", as Mac explains are new recruits into the Naval Academy, become engulfed in Mac's stories that lead him to feel the patriotism to serve upon the Gulf War, and how his past experiences both tragic and rewarding were able to shape his moral back bone through his life.  You certainly will be able to listen to Mac's stories , hear the break downs he shares and the build ups he encountered and take something small from this episode to being a bigger part of what is important to your life!!!

It all started here!!!  In Episode 3, I am honored to be joined by a long time friend and extremely rich and musical driven guitarist, David "Delux" Mondragon!!!  As the sole guitarist of the well known hard core band Etown Concrete, Dave is able to share with our listeners his story of how music literally drew him in at the age of 3, and became not only his life's work but rather his life passion.  Dave goes on to explain that the success of Etown Concrete came from the brotherhood of his band members, and even a little "uncontrollable giggling" they shared together!!!  You will be captured throughout the episode in listening to Dave's philosophies as he examples the true definition of "Creating a MES"!!!  Dave explains that playing the guitar is the most humbling experience, as everyday the guitar calls to him to play, at the same time reminds him how much he has left to learn!!!  So sit down, put your life on hold for this episode, and hear the story of how Dave went from one Rockstar life to another Rockstar life!!!

In Episode 2, I am fortunate enough to be joined a Head Instructor of Jiu Jitsu at Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu, in North Princeton NJ.  Coach Wojtek Ratkiewicz shares his journey of coming to the United States of America from Poland with as little as a pocket knife in his pocket.  Coach, as referred to in the episode, tells our listeners how Jiu Jitsu was a third times a charm experience when he first discovered the sport, and how it not only changed his life but became his life work.  Coach is able to speak to our listeners about the fundamental mission of Gracie Barra in terms of family and community, which correlated to the life he came from in Poland.  Coach speaks of the inspirational ones that helped Coach find his path in Jiu Jitsu, and how he is able to now pass along his passion to his students in a community like no other!!!  Enjoy this episode that doesn't dwell on the wins, but rather dwells on the loses!!!

Episode 1:  In this episode we learn from a very successful High School Coach, Corey Romanak!!!  Beyond Corey's 5 time State Championships as a Head Volleyball Coach, Corey also accomplished county, conference, coach of the year, and even was inducted into New Jersey Coaching Hall Of Fame!!!  But how was Corey able to achieve all his success as a coach??? Learn how Corey was able to find the best out of his volleyball players, simply by finding the best out of himself.  Listen to Corey's story as he allowed the moments of his life guide him through his vast experiences.  Learn Corey's philosophy of life and how Corey was able to put that use Mental, Emotional, and Social tactics to put his philosophy to use.  I promise, if you can surrender yourself to the flow of this episode, you will find insight that can aid to your own search for your success!!!