Vroom Vroom Veer with Jeff Smith Vroom Veer Media

Kyle Duford is an executive specializing in crafting outstanding experiences for global brands. A former magazine editor, he also spent a bunch of his career with a focus on the fashion, outdoor and sports industries through the eCommerce and digital lens. Kyle's unique blend of design, branding, and digital best practices lends itself to creating and leading some of the foremost brands.



Kyle Duford Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



Grew up in Allentown PA 45 mins northwest of Philly; really poor; had no money he bolted at 18; mom made sure there were presents under the tree on ChristmasWent to college in Boulder CO; his whole family left home about the same time so there was no home to return to; never finished collegeAge 23 chased a girl to Minneapolis MN; worked in a coffee shop for a while; he was over-weight and miserable in a bad relationshipLost 100 pounds training for a triathlon on Catalina Island; started a magazine (American Tri); like a runner's world for triathlon; suddenly everyone was doing a triathlon The magazine shook the tri world; they were bought by a competitor for not a lot of money; but he got a job out of the deal and ended up being the editor and chief1997 in cafeteria of University of Colorado there are two cute girls; he ends up engaged to the cuter one who happens to be Billy Graham's granddaughter; through weirdness and no cell phones or emails they lose each other for 21 years Devastated and depressed his buddy tries to cheer him up; suggests a Johnny Cash concert; a light bulb goes on; Johnny Cash is friends with Billy Graham! Kyle has a chanceHe gets on the bus he talks to Johnny they talk about his fiance; never gets a chance to ask for help in reconnecting; he doesn't see her again for 21 years; gets married and has 2 kidsAfter his first marriage ended he went to Hawaii to ride his bike and figure out what's next; he hears/sees the one that got away on CNN; they reconnect on Facebook and end up married with a blended family



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Brieanna Lightfoot Smith is a Business Coach and Brand Strategist. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, she transformed her passion for affirming teenage girls into 4 published books and turned those books into a curriculum-based program. Now she teaches other women how to get paid for their passion.



Brieanna Lightfoot Smith Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



Grew up in Arlington TX and studied journalism in college in Missouri; had published 100+ articles when she graduated



Moved to New Orleans dating her future husband; was getting offers for jobs but turned them into freelance business gigs for newsletters, websites and social media



When she left New Orleans she was married and had her first child; she was offered a fulltime job and decided to take it



She knew when it was time to quit that full time gig when she passed out in her car when pregnant with her oldest



She shut down her business in 2018 to be a full time mom and give her self some rest; restarted the business in 2021



Had to streamline her business to fit into her life as a mom and wife and stopped working with clients that took to much work



Now she primarily works helping other moms run their business and make them fit into their lives without moving towards burnout



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James Divine says "There once was a little boy whose mom told him he could be anything he wanted…a policeman, a doctor, a lawyer, even President! He exceeded all her expectations and became a music teacher. He married his HS sweetheart, is father to 4 and grandpa to 10."



James retired from full time teaching but still teaches band part time at a charter school. The rest of his time is spent speaking, training, writing, podcasting, and performing. And often holding hands and eating pizza and cannoli.



Now for the boring, adult stuff…



James earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College in Maine and received my music education from the Army School of Music, graduating from the basic, intermediate, and advanced courses over a span of ten years, serving in Virginia, Japan and Colorado. He retired from the Army Band in 2006. He earned a teaching license from Western Colorado University and completed a master’s in music education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. James believes in the value of life-long learning! He just doesn't like standardized testing.



James Divine Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



Grew up in Virginia and his father was abusive to his mother which James witnessed; mom took James and his sister to Italy to get away



Spent a couple of years in Italy and mostly had a great time with lots of Italian relatives; but was sexually abused by a family friend



That abuse continued in Virginia when he returned; and finally ended when the abuser left; that was when James was old enough to be angry about it



He carried that rage into high school and realized that he needed to find a way to forgive his abuser not to excuse the abuse but for his own well being



Joined the Army Band and was in the Army active duty 10 year and the National Guard for another 10 years



After his miltary time, he worked on being a full time sax player; that can be challenging to make end meet; he took a band teacher position and realized he really loved teaching



Taught band for many years before retiring again; but missed teaching and is now back at it half-time along with public speaking



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Website (JamesDivine.net)



JazzySaxman.com

Glen Williams is a 26 year veteran police officer/detective. He developed PTSD, many of the related negative behaviors, became divorced, and bankrupt. Three years alone in his cabin, taught him how to rebuild himself, to communicate, and he started over. He now has a good relationship, he is a published author, is in a documentary, and he travels and speaks to mostly cops about relationships and trauma. Bridging the Gaps we have created in our lives.



Glen Williams Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



Started going to college in Colorado, majored in party and had a rather low GPA; transferred to Utah to try to avoid most of the parties



Wanted to get a job in Federal Law Enforcement, but after completing the very lengthy application process was disqualified for diabetes



Decided to work in local law enforcement instead and did that for 26 years



After an trying CPR on a child having the child not make it, was lucky that his Lieutenant let him go away and process that and not worry about the report right away



Glen, like most law enforcement officers was experiencing trauma at a very high frequency; seeing a dead body became "no big deal"; it's a big deal and traumic



Not knowing about PTSD, he shut down and just used more work as an escape so he didn't have to "think" about the the trauma



Shiloh his service dog let's him know when his blood sugar is both high and low and does a better job than the glucose monitor



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Bruce Schutter struggled with Bipolar, Alcoholism and GAD, until he discovered mental health is the key to triumphing over any life challenge! He created the Mental Health Warrior Program, a grass roots approach to Mental Health, a journey of Self-Help and Empowerment. We teach everybody to be Mental Health Warriors.



Bruce Schutter Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



Volunteered as an EMT while in High School; used CPR on someone; when that person died; naturally Bruce fell into depression but didn't have to tools to deal with grief



Bruce leaned into trying to help people and got his EMT certification working as a volunteer; which added to an already stressful life



Bruce was feeling many unwanted emotions and didn't know how to process those feeling; so he turned to alcohol to avoid the pain



Got a job in IT, but he really struggled with the emotions related to work life, used shopping and alcohol to ease the pain and looked right from the outside



After several short stays in jail for drinking, was twice placed on a 3-day psych hold and could barely get through each day as they seemed meaningless



One day attempted suicide but survived; this was a turning point where he realized he needed help



Desperately seeking answers and relief he went to meetings, doctors, took meds, and tried everything offered but still was left without any control of my life.



He realized during this period that his Mental Health was what he need to embrace and nurture instead of avoid



He realized he feared "feeling" of his own emotions because would lose control



Bruce learned manage his emotions and becoming comfortable with them. This allowed him to stay in control of the day and take the steps needed to triumph over my life’s challenges.



Learned there are foods to avoid to improve mental health; processed foods, processed sugar, reduced carbs



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Wendy Wright is a Financial Therapist known for her expertise in merging psychology and finance. With credentials as a licensed therapist, money coach, author, and business owner, Wendy is a trailblazer in her field. Leveraging her diverse background as a former mortgage loan officer, business proprietor, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she pioneers transformative financial therapy and money consulting. Wendy’s approach helps clients overcome psychological barriers impeding financial growth.As CEO of Financial Therapy Solutions, LLC, based in Denver, CO, Wendy offers virtual services in the US and internationally. Her impactful teachings shed light on the fusion of psychology and finance, guiding individuals toward financial clarity and empowerment. She is the author and creator behind the transformative Money Mindset Shift©, a program designed to foster healthier relationships with money. Wendy’s contributions mark her as a visionary bridging the gap between emotional well-being and fiscal success.



Wendy Wright Vroom Vroom Veer Stories



Wendy started her career on the business marketing and mortgage side of life before she got into therapy



Why we make a financial plan instead of a budget; budget is a loaded term that carries shame/blame/guilt



Journaling is key to start hearing your internal dialog about money; write it down when you start talking to yourself about money



Some people come from a culture that says all debt is bad; you might say to yourself; I'm a bad person if I have a mortgage



Another way to think about paying taxes is that you are contriuting to the common good; my taxes helped to pay for this freeway…I love this freeway!



Why you should not pay down your debt until you make a plan to and learn how to break your debt cycle



If you get a big chunk of money you probably want to get some help with that--you may need a team of people to help you deal with a Lotto win



Before you talk to your loved ones about money ideas; spend some time journaling and listening to your money self talk first



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