🎙️ Podcast Intro:

*"Today, we’re honored to welcome an extraordinary athlete, advocate, and trailblazer—Eliaz Willis. Known to many as Liz, Eliaz is a U.S. Paralympian who competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in the 100m, 200m, and placed 6th in the 400m. But her story doesn’t stop there. After Rio, Eliaz dominated the para professional Boston Marathon scene, winning the first three titles from 2021 to 2023.

Before her Paralympic journey, Eliaz ran cross-country in college and taught elementary special education for two years. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2010 when complications during childbirth led to the amputation of her leg. Instead of slowing down, she turned adversity into purpose—adopting a daughter from foster care, co-founding Wichita Adaptive Sports to expand parasport opportunities in Kansas, and becoming a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and intersex athletes.

Now retired from professional running at 39 due to health concerns, Eliaz continues to inspire as a coach, board member, entrepreneur, and community leader. In her free time, she’s exploring trail running, building businesses, and even serving on a campaign committee for a U.S. Representative.

Get ready for an incredible conversation about resilience, advocacy, and redefining what’s possible. This is Eliaz Willis."

🎙️ Podcast Intro: Honoring Leadership with Steve Anderson

Welcome to today’s episode, where we celebrate the heart of service and leadership. Each year, Operation BBQ Relief presents the Leadership Award to a volunteer who embodies trust, inspires others, and leads by example. The 2023 recipient, Steve Anderson, is the perfect reflection of those qualities.

Steve first discovered Operation BBQ Relief in 2021 when devastating floods hit Waverly, Tennessee. Drawn by the mission of combining barbecue with helping people in times of need, Steve jumped in—and never looked back. His first deployment was in Hazard, Kentucky, after floods struck in 2022. It was there that Steve experienced his defining “OBR Why” moment: delivering a hot meal to a woman who hadn’t eaten in days, just before her 95th birthday. That simple act of kindness—and the joy it brought—cemented his commitment to serve.

Since then, Steve has volunteered hundreds of hours, deploying to disaster zones across the country and supporting military members, veterans, and first responders through OBR’s Always Serving Project. Today, as Area Coordinator for Tennessee, Steve continues to lead with passion and purpose, making the worst day in someone’s life a little better—one hot meal at a time.

Stay tuned as we dive into Steve’s journey, his leadership philosophy, and what drives him to keep serving. And if you’re inspired by his story, visit operationbbqrelief.org/volunteer-obr or download the “OBR Volunteers” app to join this incredible mission.

2025 Year-End Recap: Taking Chances - Why Not You?What a remarkable year it's been for Taking Chances - Why Not You?! In 2025, we dropped 34 powerful episodes, each one a testament to the core message: bold moves, big dreams, and the courage to ask, "Why not me?"This year, we brought you an incredible lineup of guests who embody resilience, determination, and the art of betting on themselves. From the worlds of elite athletics to business and everyday heroism, our conversations highlighted what it truly takes to push limits while navigating real life.Highlights from Our Extraordinary Guests:Pro Athletes and Combat Legends: We sat down with UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich, diving into the mindset of a fighter who redefined grit in the octagon.

Ultra-Endurance Warriors: Stories from Ultra Running Champions, Backyard Ultra winners, Leadville Trail 100 finishers, and national record holders inspired us all to go further. A standout was Episode 19 with Phil Young – owner of Fleet Feet Davenport (one of America's top running stores) and holder of the 4th fastest 100-mile time in U.S. history. His blend of business savvy and blistering trail speed reminded us that excellence isn't limited to one arena.

Olympic-Level Achievers: Gold Medalists shared the sacrifices and triumphs behind standing on the podium. (Andy Yohe)

Business Titans: Leaders like Beth Jannery (Founder of Titan Strategic Communications) opened up about strategic risks, authentic leadership, and building legacies that impact industries.

Ordinary People Doing Amazing Things: The heart of our show shone through in episodes with everyday heroes – folks crushing massive goals while juggling demanding jobs, families, and life's curveballs. Transformations like Evan Kilstrom's journey to engineering and endurance, or Brian Doerfeld's reinvention through fitness and coaching, proved that extraordinary results start with everyday courage.

Across these 34 episodes, recurring themes emerged: mental health in high-stakes pursuits, balancing ambition with family, overcoming adversity, and the sheer power of discipline and self-belief. Whether it was tales from the trails of Tunnel Hill, the intensity of HYROX training, or rebuilding after setbacks, every guest left us with actionable inspiration. Thank you to our incredible guests for trusting us with your stories, and a massive shoutout to you – our listeners – for tuning in, sharing episodes, and taking your own chances. Your messages and feedback have fueled this journey. As we close out 2025, remember: Start that podcast. Write that book. Take the leap. Why not you?

Here's to an even bolder 2026. Keep taking chances!– Your host, John O'Brien

#TakingChances #WhyNotYou #UltraRunning #MentalHealth #GritAndGratitude