I sat down with Tom Kelley, a true leader in college athletics and a cornerstone of Framingham State University. With over 40 years dedicated to the program—including 30 years as Athletic Director—Tom has built a legacy of excellence, from championship-winning teams to shaping the future of student-athletes. A former player turned coach with over 100 career wins, multiple conference titles, and national recognition, Tom’s story is all about resilience, leadership, and taking chances when it matters most. His record as head coach:8 conference titles (MASCAC)7 NCAA D-III Playoff appearances4-0 in ECAC and New England Bowl games Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on what it really takes to build something lasting. #TakingChances #WhyNotYou #Leadership #podcastclips #collegeathletics

I’m so excited to introduce you to Amy—someone who truly embodies what it means to take a chance and turn passion into purpose.

Amy has spent the last ten years as a personal trainer, but her love for movement and performance started long before that—she’s been a runner since junior high. What began as a personal passion evolved into a career dedicated to helping others grow stronger, faster, and more confident.

In 2016, Amy expanded her work into coaching runners, and since then she’s worked with a wide range of clients—men, women, and kids—many focused on sports performance. Her experience spans everything from corporate gyms to boutique fitness spaces to recreation centers, giving her a well-rounded perspective on what it takes to meet people where they are.

But Amy didn’t stop there.

Eight years ago, she made a bold move: she took a chance on herself and launched her own business, giving her the freedom to create deeper, more personalized relationships with her clients. Today, she trains out of Commit2Fitness in Arvada, Colorado, where she continues to make a lasting impact.

What makes Amy’s story even more powerful is her ability to adapt and care for clients across all walks of life. From working with athletes to supporting individuals recovering from knee and hip replacements or dealing with chronic joint pain, she brings both expertise and empathy to every session.

And beyond the gym, Amy has also followed a dream close to her heart—coaching high school athletes. As an assistant coach for cross country and track programs, she’s become the kind of mentor she once looked up to, inspiring the next generation just like her coaches inspired her.

Amy’s journey is all about growth, resilience, and taking that leap—even when it’s uncertain.

So today, we’re diving into her story: the risks she took, the lessons she’s learned, and why she believes that sometimes the biggest question we can ask ourselves is… “Why not me?”

What does it look like to take a chance on yourself—and keep climbing?

In this episode of Taking Chances – Why Not You?, I sit down with Matt Ostrom, a Quad Cities entrepreneur whose journey is built on grit, vision, and saying yes to opportunity.

Matt takes us back to his roots growing up in Iowa, his days playing college baseball at Iowa State, and the moment he realized chasing pro ball might not be the path forward—after even heading to Canada to give it a shot. From there, his story takes an unexpected turn: a part-time job at Active Endeavors in Coralville making just $5 an hour, where he learned the ropes in sales, inventory, and customer service.

Fast forward nearly three decades, and Matt is now the owner of Active Endeavors, having grown it into a thriving specialty retail business—including a brand-new brick-and-mortar store in the Quad Cities. He shares how the business evolved from a mountaineering and gear shop into a modern footwear and apparel destination, and what it takes to stay relevant over 28 years.

But Matt’s journey isn’t just about business.

In one of the most incredible chapters of his life, The North Face invited him on a trek to Mt. Everest. With the support of expert training—and help from mutual friend Kyle Dietz—Matt pushed himself to new limits, climbing to over 21,000 feet at Everest Base Camp.

This is a story about endurance, reinvention, and saying “yes” when life presents an opportunity.

Whether you're chasing a dream, building a business, or standing at the base of your own mountain—this conversation will inspire you to take that next step.

Why not you?