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Little Miracles

If you knew how long you’d live — would you change what you do today? Tomorrow? In this episode, we speak with people who have challenged stereotypes, overcome major obstacles and proven that when you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything.


  • Three Promises

One moment Carolyn and Chad Moor were celebrating their love. The next, he lay dying, the victim of a hit-and-run car accident. During their final moments, Carolyn made three promises that she’s spent many years and tears trying to keep. Hers is a story of Growing Bolder in the face of heartbreaking loss. See how she learned to live and even laugh again and how her story even caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey.

  • Enjoying Life’s Little Miracles

She’s not really an athlete. She’s a retired biologist who loves adventure. That’s why 96-year-old Mary Anne Cooper traveled from British Columbia to Arizona to compete in the U.S. Masters Swimming National Championships. Mary Anne isn’t trying to be a role model or set an example, but with every stroke, she’s doing just that. She even inspired her 70-year-old daughter to also compete at Nationals.

  • Free Throw King

Andy McGuffin is the best there is. Mr. Automatic. The Free Throw King once made 400 in a row. Bill Shafer goes one-on-one with Andy to learn the secrets to his success.

Plus, thoughts from Growing Bolder With… contributor Pat Williams, who wants to you redefine the meaning of “consequences,” and we feature PGA professional and YouTube superstar Don Trahan in our How Are You Growing Bolder? segment!

A Beautiful View

Sometimes life is all about how you look at it — as something to cherish, or something to get through? All of the people in this episode are striving to meet new goals every day, and we think they’ll inspire you to change your own view.



  • Finding His Purpose Late in Life

Artist Robert Sutz is a messenger for beautiful people filled with horrific memories. Sutz, 82, is creating what he calls irrefutable evidence of one of the darkest chapters in human history — the Holocaust. He calls it proof for those who don’t believe and a painful reminder to those who might forget.

  • Life From the View of a Canoe

Rod Price was a successful businessman, but he wasn’t happy. Then he discovered his passion in the grueling endurance sport of Adventure Canoeing. Now, more than 200 wins later, he has rediscovered his zest for life, and at 51, he has never been happier.

  • The Crown Jewel

An unlikely corporate icon, Bruce Rossmeyer parlayed street smarts and a willingness to gamble into a major business empire. In a GB exclusive, we visited Rossmeyer shortly before his tragic death and found a man motivated not by money, but by fun.

Plus, thoughts from Growing Bolder With… contributor Rowdy Gaines, with advice on setting goals that you can actually reach, and we feature world traveler and birthday celebrator Jay Freeman in our How Are You Growing Bolder? segment!

Still Having Fun

What’s your story? Whether you’re inspired by music, art, sports or something else, we think you’re Growing Bolder. So we’re shining the spotlight on people who are proving it’s not about age; it’s about attitude.


  • Orleans: They’re Still Having Fun

Think you know music? Who sang “Still the One,” “Dance With Me” and “Love Takes Time?” Orleans was the band, but who was the singer? Leave it to Growing Bolder to introduce you to one of the most recognized voices but least-known names in music.

  • In for the Long Haul

Siphiwe Baleka is a one-of-a-kind Yale graduating, globetrotting, God-fearing, truck-driving, fast-swimming family man. And he’s got a new mission — to help long-haul truckers everywhere improve their health, fitness and quality of life.

  • Conversations of a Lifetime

We all have a tale to tell, and that’s the premise of NPR’s Story Corps. We take you inside an amped up Airstream that’s a one-of-a-kind time capsule and it’s helping people across the U.S. leave a priceless legacy for future generations.

Plus, thoughts from Growing Bolder With… contributor Dr. Dot Richardson, who says you need to believe in the gifts that God has given you, and we feature intergenerational artists Meg Mosely and her grandmother in our How Are You Growing Bolder? segment!

Better Together

Bolder is best, right? And we’re boldest when we take chances together, support one another and believe in the power of community.

Segments in this episode include:

  • One Lap at a Time

Susan Helmrich is one of the best swimmers in the world in her age group. She’s also a three-time cancer survivor and a victim of one of the greatest drug tragedies in history. With luck, determination, great medical care, the support of family and friends and the benefits of the sport of swimming, Susan has fought to escape the deadly legacy of a supposed wonder drug turned nightmare.

  • Meet the Hornman!

Bill Nemoyten was a music educator for most of his life. So why would that change when he retired? Instead, he bought an RV, packed up his wife and his collection of 16 different types of horns and set out from his home in the San Francisco Bay Area on a never-ending mission to share his passion for horns with anyone who will listen. Now, he is known far and wide as… The Hornman!

  • One Class at a Time

Kay Mullally is not a typical student, but she does represent an entire generation of women who were told that college was not in the cards. After raising a family, Kay decided to take a step into the future — or, shall we say, onto a campus.

Plus, thoughts from Growing Bolder With… contributor Gary McKechnie on enjoying some of the unexpected journeys that can pop up when traveling, and we feature amateur rapper and professional Growing Bolder fan Kay in our How Are You Growing Bolder? segment!

I Love Juicy

It was inevitable. I surround myself all day with inspiring people at GrowingBolder.com, listen to motivational interviews from Growing Bolder Radio and produce stories for Growing Bolder TV all day.

So, obviously, I had to buy a juicer.

That may seem like quite a leap, but I promise, if you play “Six Degrees of Growing Bolder,” it makes sense.

[Read more...]

Life at UCF: A Bold Bunch

Marc and Bill are known all over the country thanks to Growing Bolder TV and Growing Bolder Radio. And we absolutely love hearing from all of you that Growing Bolder has changed your life, or made you think about what aging means to you, or has inspired you to make a difference.

We always say that we’re not doing any of this for the glory, the recognition or the kind words. We’re doing it because we’re passionate and motivated by the ordinary people doing extraordinary things in every city of America. And we love shining the spotlight on others.

That’s why we really enjoyed speaking with a packed room of people at a recent Life at UCF meeting, on the campus of the nation’s second-largest university.

[Read more...]

Season 3 Sizzle Reel

Seasons 1 and 2 of Growing Bolder TV were smashing successes, and we’re thrilled to be working on Season 3 right now!

Season 3 will debut in January of 2012, with some amazing additions. Want to get the sneak peek? Take a look at this brand new sizzle reel featuring bonus material (and some breaking news) from hosts Marc Middleton and Bill Shafer.

(embedded above or follow this link)

Rowdy Gaines Sets a New World Record

Three-time Olympic gold medalist and Growing Bolder contributor Rowdy Gaines just keeps getting better. The 52-year-old just set a world record in Japan!

At a Masters Swimming competition in Osaka, Japan, Rowdy set a new world record in the 100m freestyle for the 50-54 age group with a time of 54.6.

Rowdy also holds a world record with his Team Blu Frog teammates, including Growing Bolder CEO/Founder Marc Middleton, Keith Switzer and Scot Weiss, who we featured in the episode Never Give Up.

Watch the video below to watch Team Blu Frog setting the world record in 2010, a feat they repeated earlier this year.

[Read more...]

Becoming a Viral Video Star

Here at GB headquarters, we’re proud of every story we share — from the videos that get a few hundred views to those who have skyrocketed past the 11M view mark (“Romancing the Road“).

And while we’re constantly trying to market our work so that the people we’re profiling get the love and support they deserve, it’s never really our goal to go viral.

But that does seem to be the main goal for more and more “celebrities” (I use quotation marks because some of the people I’m thinking of aren’t famous for much more than being famous).

This week, Rebecca Black — yes, she of “Friday” fame — has released a new single and it’s already racking up the views on YouTube and downloads on iTunes. [Read more...]

We’re Better When We TRI Together

Just two sassy ladies…posing for a photo.

photo courtesy: Nelson Creative

Wait a minute — just nothing! Two fabulous friends who just experienced the thrill of a lifetime together. That’s a much more accurate description!

Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson (“Composing a Life of Exquisite Harmony“) and I may be smiling in that picture, but underneath the grins, we’re sweaty, a little bruised and ready for a long nap. [Read more...]

Vlogging Tips

Using video is a great way to update your website, send a personal message to friends and family or spread the word about a project that you’re working on.

In many cases, video can be more powerful than text or pictures, and there are a few easy tricks that you can use to become the next viral video star.

Checking In

Checking in used to be what you did before breaking curfew – but the term is all grown up and a great way to find friends or make new connections anywhere … at any time.

So what is checking in?

A term used for when you post your location on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and Yelp!.