Why would anyone want to go on a 10,000 mile motorcycle ride?

For Mike Hazelrigs, there are plenty of reasons.

Mike discusses his experience, from working at Astroworld to embarking on the Hokahay Motorcycle Challenge, a 10,000-mile motorcycle ride starting in Florida and ending in Homer, Alaska. He shares his favorite memory from Astroworld, riding the Texas Cyclone, and explains the nickname "Squatch" given to him by friends. Mike elaborates on the rigorous preparations required for the ride, including his choice to purchase a new motorcycle and the importance of conditioning both body and mind for the journey.

The ride supports various charities, with Mike raising funds for The Rose, a breast cancer organization close to his heart. His personal connection to the cause comes from his fiancée’s battle with breast cancer. Mike aims to raise awareness and funds, driven by the motto: “If I can't save her, try to save others.”

Help Mike keep smashing his fundraising goal for The Rose HERE.

Learn more about the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge HERE.

Subscribe to the show HERE.

Key Takeaways

1.) Working at a place like Astroworld can teach significant life skills, particularly in dealing with people in various states of emotion. It helps in understanding human behavior and appreciating impactful moments in others' lives.

2.) Preparing for a grueling ride like the Hokahay Motorcycle Challenge involves not only physical and mechanical readiness but also mental endurance. Key preparations include building physical endurance, selecting appropriate food, and learning to manage time effectively on the road.

3.) Being a caregiver is an emotionally taxing role that requires immense mental strength and self-care. Caregivers must find ways to refill their emotional and physical energy to remain effective, underscoring the importance of self-care amid the challenges.

4.) Undertaking significant challenges can be driven by deeply personal motivations and the desire to make a difference. In Mike's case, raising funds for the Rose and supporting his fiancée highlights how personal connections and altruism can fuel perseverance in difficult endeavors.

5.) The concept of pushing beyond perceived limits, as emphasized through the analogy of internal 'governor,' shows the importance of mental resilience. This theme underscores the idea that individuals are often capable of more than they initially believe, aligning with the challenge's goal of finding one's true potential.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Astroworld experience taught valuable lessons about people.
07:04 One third don't complete the ride.
07:48 Comparison to David Goggins and internal governor.
11:32 Admiration for Hokahay leads to family tradition.
15:36 Starting a nonprofit, breast cancer, caregiver advice.
18:50 Making impact, helping others, receiving more.
21:03 Difficulty navigating roads during high tourist season.
23:57 Congratulations, Mike. Appreciate you joining the show.

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What drives a seasoned warrior to transform into a humanitarian hero?

Dennis Price's journey from Marine Corps special operations to founding Heroes for Humanity is a tale of transformation and purpose. After 17 years in the military and private sector, culminating in 13 deployments, Price found himself on the brink of becoming another veteran suicide statistic. However, a life-changing experience redirected his path.

Answering an urgent call to action, Price led a mission to rescue Americans stranded in Afghanistan. Within two weeks, he and his team saved 55 lives. This success led to a partnership with Save Our Allies, resulting in the rescue of 77 more individuals. This pivotal moment shifted Price's focus from taking lives to saving them, giving birth to Heroes for Humanity.

Today, Heroes for Humanity operates in six countries, driven by three core pillars: personnel rescues, humanitarian and medical aid, and evangelizing. The organization mobilizes volunteers and special ops-trained individuals to carry out its mission. In a recent operation, the team successfully evacuated 300 at-risk individuals from a conflict zone, demonstrating the immediate impact of their work.

Relying solely on donations and partnerships, Heroes for Humanity continues to make a difference globally. For those inspired by Price's story and the organization's mission, more information is available on their Instagram page.

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Freddy Cruz explores Galveston's connection to the American Revolution through Bernardo de Gálvez, the Spanish governor of Louisiana from 1776 to 1783. Gálvez supported the Continental Army by sending supplies up the Mississippi River. He worked with Oliver Pollock to finance and organize shipments while maintaining secrecy. And George Washington considered Gálvez's efforts crucial to the revolution's success.

But here's the kicker...

Despite Galveston bearing his name, Gálvez never visited the island. The city's naming reflects Gálvez's influence in shaping the Gulf Coast region's history. This episode reveals the complex connections between Spanish interests, the American Revolution, and Galveston's origins.

Takeaways

1.) Galveston Island has a connection to the American Revolution through Bernardo de Galvez, the Spanish governor of Louisiana.

2.) Galvez covertly supported the American revolutionaries by sending supplies up the Mississippi River.

3.) His efforts were significant and even George Washington considered them a deciding factor in the American Revolution.

4.) Galveston is named after Bernardo de Galvez, despite him never setting foot on the island.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Galveston Island's Secret Ties to the American Revolution
00:59 Bernardo de Galvez: The Spanish Governor Supporting the American Revolution
03:46 Galvez's Significance: A Deciding Factor in the American Revolution
04:15 The Naming of Galveston: Honoring a Pivotal Figure in American History

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In this episode, Freddy Cruz sits down with John Simons, the founder of Comicpalooza, to discuss his latest book, The Saga of Bjorn Unfrid. John shares the inspiration behind his novel and delves into his experiences in the pop culture world.

Drawing from his background in storytelling and running a comic bookstore, John explains how these experiences influenced his writing process. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of being an independent author, with John offering insights into his creative journey.

John imparts valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and creators, drawing from his own experiences in both the literary and convention organizing worlds.

Takeaways

1.) John Simons, the founder of Comic Palooza, discusses his latest book and the inspiration behind it.

2.) His background in storytelling and running a comic bookstore influenced his writing style and character development.

3.) Being an independent author allows for creative control but also requires a lot of self-promotion.

4.) John shares his experiences in the pop culture world and gives advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and creators.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
14:07 The Journey of Comic Palooza
33:46 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Creators

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Buy John's book on Amazon.

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2024 is predicted to be a peak year for auroras. Depending on where in the world you are, they’re either northern lights or southern lights.

But how likely is it that we’ll see an aurora in Houston?

Dr. Sabine Stanley, author of the book What’s Hidden Inside Planets, joins the podcast to break it down.

In addition to auroras, we talk about helium rain, life on other moons, and a bunch of interplanetary awesomeness.

To learn more about Dr. Stanley’s work as a distinguished professor at Johns Hopkins University and as a scientist on the NASA Mars InSight mission, go HERE.

Please consider leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform and/or sharing with your family and friends. It's how we grow the show and keep guests like Dr. Stanley comin!

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In 2020, during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, Naval Captain Brett Crozier made a plea to his superiors because of a severe lack of supplies. Two days later he was relieved of command.

He then made national headlines after walking off the USS Theodore Roosevelt to the sound of thousands of his sailors saluting and chanting his name.

During this final episode of Freddy’s Huge ASK Podcast, you’ll hear my conversation with Captain Crozier about why you should play small ball, "focusing on the closest alligator, and his new book Surf When You Can.

While I love all of the conversations I've shared with you during this podcast series, this one is an all-time favorite.

Learn more about Brett Crozier at surfwhenyoucan.com.

And be sure to listen to my new show Cruz through HTX. It launches on 7/4 with a 5-episode drop and 12-hour livestream on YouTube. I'll be teaming up with Charlie Mike: The Podcast to raise awareness and money for Helping a Hero.

Sign up for my newsletter HERE. I'll be dropping a sneak peek for subscribers only between 6/28-30.

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What happens when you tell your dad you want to write a novel?

Tosca Lee's dad paid her over the course of a summer to write her first story. Since then, she's been hooked on storytelling.

The New York Times bestselling author joins the show to talk about her writer journey, her new novel The Long March Home, and how she's related to one of the world's most notorious serial killers.

Learn more about Tosca at toscalee.com.

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Why do storytellers torture themselves over and over again?

That’s one of several topics my friend Joanna Vander Vlugt and I talk about during this episode.

Joanna is an author, motorcycle artist and host of the JCV Art Studio Podcast. Over the next half hour, you’ll learn:r

-How she paid tribute to her late mother

-Why she never says “never”

-What it took to revisit a book she wrote twenty years ago

Learn more about Joanna HERE.

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