Caught on the Mike...

Christine is a comedian and writer from Denver, CO. She has performed at comedy clubs across the U.S. We talk about the duality of her role as comedian and promoter, the dangers of stand up comedy, and she shuts down my Husker gear in the first 5 minutes! haha!
Check out her website: https://christileigh.com/
and follow her on instagram @ christileigh_5280

Katie Webb is a witch, paranormal investigator, and divination enthusiast. You might recognize her from her work on the web series, Haunt ME, where she was recognized for blending witchcraft and divination in with traditional investigation methods. Webb is regularly reading cards at paranormal, horror, and comic conventions around the country.

We talk about "the unknown" and I even get my first ever tarot reading during the show!

One fateful night at an MMA event her freshman year of college changed everything…

A one time cheerleader and gymnast, now fighting at a high level on season 30 of ESPN+'s The Ultimate Fighter:
Kaytlin "Katniss" Neil, a member of Team Nunes, joins me on the show today- and we talk about her journey, her utilization of social media, and she does her best to keep from spilling any beans.. ;-)

www.caughtonthemike.com

bio.fm/kaytlinkatnissmma

ebraskans for Medical Marijuana is a movement consisting of families and patients fighting for compassion, while supporting two complementary ballot measures to put medical cannabis on the November 2022 Nebraska ballot.

This group’s advocacy seeks out safe access to medical cannabis that can bring relief to people who are suffering in Nebraska..

Joining me on the show is Lia Post, an advocate and volunteer for this organization. We talk about what they are trying to accomplish in 2022, and breifly touch on what happened in 2020 to keep it off the ballot then..

In all my years of watching MMA, I don't know if I've ever seen the intensity of a "specific" spectator like this... In this case, the spectator just so happened to be UFC Boss Dana White, in this current season (season 30) of The Ultimate Fighter. Episode 6 featured a continuation of the rivalry between Julianna Miller and "Grizzly" Claire Guthrie.
And they put on a show...
Claire is a member of Team Amanda Nunes, and also a team member of Elevation Fight Team based out of Colorado.
I had a fun conversation with Claire, and I'm excited to see what the next 6 months brings!!

I love seeing friends do amazing things.
Just this last week, a group of friends did such an amazing thing. Midwestern country band, Sack of Lions, just released a phenomenal new single: "Take Me Away." I've had the pleasure of knowing the guys for many years and have watched their journey with excitement. Band leader, Dan Olsen, joins me to talk about the band's journey, the new single, Below Deck, and we discuss how marketing has changed for bands in recent years.

17 Seconds….
That's all the time it took for my next guest to finish his last opponent in March of 2022. He is young, driven, and motivated. A lovely girlfriend and baby girl at home giving his fighting journey a new sense of purpose.
I'd like to welcome MMA Featherweight Carlos Calderon to the show, he's a member of Elevation Fight Team and trains with good friends of the show at High Altitude Martial Arts in Aurora, Colorado. This is a quick listen but totally worth it.
www.highaltitudema.com
www.caughtonthemike.com

Gymnast. Judoka. Cheerleader. Stuntwoman. MMA Fighter.
How could one person find the tenacity to not only do all these things, but also be a standout in all?? Heart.
Pauline "Pita" Macias has been an athlete her whole life; competing and consistently winning at all levels. She's got a great story, including how a well-known friend gave her the nudge into this next chapter.
Normally, I don't add a lot of personal commentary in episodes- but I had a blast having this conversation- and I think you will also by listening to it!

In the construct of hip hop music, quality always comes down to “the elements..”
With a precise focus on the small details that separate the “good” from “the great.”

For over 20 years, DJ Abilities has focused on the craft and art-form- refining his vision, and demonstrating the importance of quality over quantity.

First gaining notoriety as half of the duo: Eyedea and Abilities, he has built an incredible resume while maintaining a duality as both musician and producer.

He just completed a tour with The Far Side (formerly of the Pharcyde), and last fall released the stellar solo album- Phonograph Pheonix. Just recently, a 20th anniversy re-release of E&A's "First Born" was brought into the world; and the excitement of all things surrounding D.J. Abilities makes this episode a great listen.

www.rhymesayers.com
www.caughtonthemike.com

There is a saying that goes:
"Pressure creates diamonds, fire refines gold.." Illuminated in neon lights in Vinnie Lopez's Vital Training Systems gym is the phrase- "Pressure is a privilege.." My next guest is the embodiment of that phrase as well as the fire that fuels the desire to be more today than he was yesterday.
I'm pleased to have had Elevation Fight Team memeber "Cadillac" Le'Ville Simpson on the show. We talk about life journeys, mind set, and focus our sight on what's next for him...

English novelist- George Elliot, has a quote that says:
"It's never too late to be what you might have been.."
My next guest embodies that remark throughout the entirety of this episode. A native of Missouri Valley, Iowa and based largely out of Omaha, Nebraska- Jazz Musician, Mitch Towne felt a tidal shift about ten years ago- springboarding him into this next chapter of his musical career. I'm proud to know him and call him a friend, and I'm equally excited for all of you to hear what he has to say...

"The warrior instinct comes in, the heart, determination, the will to win. Even though you're rocked you still have to fight hard, to come back." This quote by Timothy Bradley perfectly sums up the testimony of my next guest- PFL Lightweight & member of Team Elevation: Arut Pogosjan. This was a fun conversation that spanned all things from mindset to video game tournaments and even Jean Claude Van Damme movies.

There is a noticable difference in the performance of athletes now versus as little as ten years ago.
What has made that difference has been the ever evolving, scientific aproach to conditioning where the mechanics of body movement are applied to function fluidly and efficiently.

My next guest is one of these coaches.

He's a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, a family man, a fellow midwesterner as well as a sought after sports performance coach. He has worked with athletes of all sports; but his primary focus has been with fighters. Some of his clients include Justin Gaethje and Kamaru Usman. I'm super excited to welcome Aaron Porter to the show- and hope to have him back soon!

www.landowperformance.com
www.caughtonthemike.com

There's a famous quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that goes:
It's not the destination, it's the journey.." And with my next guest's diverse level of interests- her journey does not leave a lot of time for boredom. Jessica Knapik is a cosmetic tattoo artist, MMA enthusiast, Paranormal enthusiast, and she co-hosts the weekly podcast- "What's Up Weirdo." This interview was a lot of fun! Check out her socials.
Instagram @openmyeyestoblue @magickbrows @wuwpod and on Twitter @jessicaknapik
"What's Up Weirdo" podcast is available on all platforms.
www.caughtonthemike.com

In Jason Isbell's song, "The Life You Chose," he sings:
"Are you living the life you chose?"
"Are you living the life that chose you?"
My next guest proves that its possible to do both.
From a small town in Iowa to the windy city of Chicago, Ryan Bakerink has established a great body of work as a sought after photographer. Many of his portraits of musical subjects capture the music industry during a special time in the early 2000's. One such photo is the iconic album cover of Fall Out Boy's "Take This To Your Grave." His subject matters are vast and expansive adding color in regards to social commentary and capturing time in a manner built especially for the sake of nostalgia and human interest.
I first met Ryan in the eighth grade, and was honored to catch up with his journey now- and the six degrees of separation that come with those moments in time.

www.ryanbakerink.com

Sometimes life has a funny way of reconnecting people based on parallel similarities. I've had the pleasure of knowing Dusty for 20+ Years because of the number of rock shows we have shared in the past. He's a fellow podcaster, martial artist, MMA enthusiast, family man, and now a successful singer-songwriter based out of Wichita, KS. He's going to share details of his journey and talk about his new release, the powerful song: "Oceans."
www.dustygrant.com
www.caughtonthemike.com

One of my favorite things about interviewing fighters, particularly MMA fighters, is breaking the fourth wall of bygone stereotypes people have about the mindset of mixed martial arts. When you add a layer of depth unique to somebody like my next guest, it makes breaking down those walls simultaneously more complex and more rewarding. Miranda is guest that I've wanted to interview for a while, and somebody that several of my listeners have asked for. This episode delivers. I feel honored to now call her a friend, and I am not only excited to see what her career in the UFC will bring- but also in life itself. The fact that her name is "Maverick" is way more than just a convienent coincidence.

Social Media. Positive Mindset. TikTok.
Sometimes those phrases don't always correlate, but with my next guest- they do and then some. Vicki Magyar, or "Slick Vick" as she is known on social media, is a Reiki Master, practitioner of JiuJitsu, positive vibes influencer, fellow podcaster, and social media creator who is growing her audience every day. With her mindset coaching, it is not hard to figure out why. Her weekly affirmation driven podcast "Peace Toast and Jam" can be found on all podcasting platforms- and she is a joy to have a conversation with.
http://www.slickvick.com
http://www.caughtonthemike.com

The process of belief is a great and powerful thing.
The belief your family has in you to pack up and move across the country, so you can fulfill a destiny.
The belief that a UFC great by the name of Cub Swanson has in you to help guide you in your career.
The belief that a current title contender by the name of Justin Gaethje has in you to become a close ally and training partner.
But most importantly, the belief you have in yourself to pursue a dream and achieve it.
This is the story of my friend, UFC Lightweight- Rafa "Gifted" Garcia.
www.caughtonthemike.com

Recently moved to Colorado by way of Madison, Wisconsin- Dante Schiro is a freshly signed welterweight to Bellator MMA. In this episode we talk about his journey from soccer to MMA, family support, and a unique experience he had with a promotion overseas.
www.highaltitudema.com
www.caughtonthemike.com