[0:01] I'm walking on the field. I'm 5 foot [0:03] six, 135 pounds, soaking wet. And I'm [0:06] just looking up at these guys like, "Oh [0:08] boy, I could barely see over the line." [0:11] But ultimately, I threw a few touchdown [0:14] passes. Uh I balled out and I remember [0:17] sitting on the sideline and and and Ew [0:20] sitting next to me. He's like, "Um, for [0:24] practice on Monday, report to the [0:25] varsity field." And I'm like, "What?" [0:28] I'm like, "Okay, let's do it." [0:39] >> Hello everyone. This is Dr. Kino Cooper, [0:41] the assistant superintendent of St. [0:43] Louis Park Schools, and I am here with [0:46] the former regional president of LA [0:49] Fitness, business marketer for Blue [0:52] Hammer Roofing, a graduate of the 2003 [0:55] St. Louisis Park class and he used to [0:57] drive a real nice white SUV in high [1:00] school. [1:02] Please give it up for Aaron Evans. How [1:05] How are you doing today? [1:06] >> I'm doing fantastic. Yourself? [1:08] >> Oh, I'm doing great. I'm doing great. [1:10] Well, I want to thank you for your time [1:12] today and uh we want to really get to [1:14] hear your story so our community uh can [1:17] just see how St. Park has had an impact [1:20] and also your impact too goes fur [1:22] further uh than we even know as you're [1:25] already in Texas uh doing some great [1:28] things. So let's start off here with the [1:30] beginning. Tell us about your family. [1:32] Where did you grow up? Um any siblings [1:35] and stuff like that. [1:36] >> Okay. So I I uh I grew up in South [1:40] Minneapolis. Uh we moved to St. Louis [1:42] Park when I was in seventh grade. [1:46] Seventh grade. Um, my mom's from [1:49] Streetport, Louisiana. My dad's from [1:51] Minnesota. So, um, a lot of lot of down [1:54] south roots. A lot of down south roots. [1:56] Um, yeah, we grew up in uh went to St. [2:00] Louis Park my my seventh grade year. I [2:03] think that was uh a a culture shock for [2:05] me, so to say. Um, but it was a great [2:08] thing. Uh, I I think, you know, just [2:11] growing up in so many different [2:13] communities and and being around so many [2:16] different cultures in my life has [2:17] propelled me to where I'm at today. [2:20] >> Okay. So, did you have did you grow up [2:22] with any siblings or anything? [2:25] >> Um, so yes and no. [2:28] >> Okay. [2:29] >> I think we know how that one goes. [2:31] >> Um, I I I have a sister. She's not my my [2:34] my my my real sister, but you know when [2:38] before my dad passed, uh he introduced [2:40] her as my sister, so that was my sister [2:42] for life. [2:43] >> Um but more more uh more so is me and my [2:46] mom growing up. Um she was a single [2:49] mother. She did her best. She did great. [2:52] Um now I'm married. I have two kids. My [2:55] daughter's 19. [2:57] >> Wow. [2:58] >> 19. She actually just got her her uh uh [3:01] nursing certificate, her certified nurse [3:03] assistant certificate. Um she's in [3:05] school in college right now to become a [3:07] nurse and my son is 12 years old [3:11] >> growing every day eating all the food in [3:13] the refrigerator. [3:14] >> Tell it. I mean, uh kids growing fast [3:16] now. I have one son and he's 18. So he [3:19] starts he started his first year of [3:21] college, too. So I I know it goes fast, [3:24] man. It goes fast. [3:25] >> It's scary. So, so being a parent and [3:28] everything, let's go back to your mom. I [3:30] hear your mom was very very involved um [3:33] with a lot of things that you were [3:34] involved in at school. [3:36] >> Oh, yeah. Um my mom was my my dad, my [3:40] brother and sister all rolled into one [3:42] and she played that role very well. I [3:44] commend her. Matter of fact, on Father's [3:47] Day, I even buy her a card and say, [3:49] "Happy Father's Day." So, um but no, my [3:52] mom was actively involved. I think uh [3:54] one of the things that she wanted for me [3:58] was just to make sure we didn't continue [4:01] to live the way we lived. Um and so [4:05] every step of the way, anything she [4:07] could do, the sacrifices she made um [4:09] were just, you know, phenomenal. So [4:14] >> So, so you moved um here to St. Louis [4:16] Park, you said around seventh grade. So [4:18] you did you did you attend middle school [4:20] in in St. Louis Park or [4:22] >> No, I did not. [4:23] >> Okay. But you started St. Louis. You [4:25] started here at St. Louis Park High [4:26] School, right? [4:28] >> Yes. Yes. [4:28] >> So, what was something that got you [4:30] connected to the community? What did you [4:32] do? [4:32] >> Oo. Uh, so I wasn't even supposed to go [4:36] to St. Louis Park. [4:38] >> So, what happened there? [4:40] >> The the whole family the whole family uh [4:43] went to North High School. Um, so on my [4:47] dad's side, everybody on that side is [4:49] pretty much a North High School [4:50] graduate. Um, uh, Andy Ewald and Mike [4:54] Faber, who was the, uh, head football [4:57] coach at the time, Andy Ewald was the [4:59] assistant. Um, they got wind that I was [5:03] going to go to North High School. They [5:07] also coached my uncle back in uh, from [5:10] uh, he graduated in 96 from North High [5:11] School. They coached my uncle um, who [5:14] played for North High School. So that's [5:15] how they kind of knew of me. Um they [5:18] heard that I was going. They called my [5:20] mom and was like, "That's going to be a [5:22] terrible idea for him, especially where [5:24] where he's coming from. Bring him here [5:26] with us and you know, we'll kind of [5:28] we'll kind of look out for him." And [5:30] that's really how I got to St. Louis [5:32] Park High School. [5:34] >> Wow. So I have a connection there. So uh [5:37] Dr. Mike Favor um is a very have a good [5:41] connection with him as he's a [5:42] superintendent [5:44] uh over in another school district 287 [5:46] and then you said Andy Ewalt. So tell me [5:49] a little bit about him. How how's that [5:51] relationship [5:52] >> with Andy Ewalt? [5:54] >> Yes. [5:55] >> Oh man, that that whether he knows it or [5:57] not, he is probably like my [6:00] like my uh my father in a far I'll call [6:03] it. M [6:05] >> um and I don't I don't think I've ever [6:08] expressed that to him, but I think we we [6:09] we we kind of have that relationship [6:11] where what's understood doesn't have to [6:13] be said. [6:14] >> Wow. [6:15] >> Um he he uh he he looked out for me. I [6:19] mean, I was a young knucklehead and he [6:22] was the one always kind of ringing me [6:24] back in. Um there was never any special [6:27] treatment in our relationship in terms [6:30] of sports or anything like that. [6:31] Everything was earned. but he was the [6:34] one that always would pull me aside no [6:36] matter what it was and set me straight [6:39] and and I respected him for that because [6:41] I didn't have that in my life. And I [6:43] think that was, you know, one of the [6:45] biggest things. So, you know, whenever I [6:46] get an opportunity to stop back into [6:48] Minnesota or whenever I get some free [6:51] time, he's he's one of those guys that [6:52] I'm reaching out to just checking in on [6:54] because all the things he did for me as [6:56] a kid as a kid growing up. [6:58] >> So, when you was in high school, this is [7:00] an interesting story. [7:02] >> Oh, boy. you you you you had this white [7:04] SUV and you would take all the footballs [7:08] and basketballs and have them packed up [7:11] and and would always be like, "What, [7:14] man? What are what are you doing here? [7:16] What what was your love for taking all [7:18] the sports equipment?" [7:20] >> Uh I used it. [7:23] I used it, you know. Um I I was one of [7:26] those guys that I just wanted to play, [7:29] you know, uh wherever it was. if if [7:32] there was a chance to sneak in the [7:33] weight room and work out, I wanted to [7:35] work out. If there was a chance to pull [7:38] a truck over and play somewhere, we were [7:40] playing. So, I always had to have some [7:42] equipment with me. And of course, that [7:43] that came up. And I'll be honest with [7:45] you, we didn't have money to buy stuff [7:47] like that. So, it was like, well, that [7:48] looks like it's free, so we're just [7:50] gonna throw that in the truck. [7:52] I know after every season he was like, [7:54] you going to return my helmets? And I'm [7:55] like, oh, I do got that, don't I? [8:00] >> No. Now, here here's something and I [8:02] want to make sure I'm correct on this. [8:03] You were one of two Andy told me uh [8:06] freshman to play varsity. One of two [8:09] started in ninth grade. [8:11] >> Yeah. [8:11] >> So, how was that experience that you [8:13] started off uh playing secondary then [8:16] you then you went over to playing [8:18] quarterback. So, just tell me that [8:19] experience of joining the team and and [8:21] navigating, you know, doing all those [8:24] things. [8:25] >> Yeah, it was it was it was interesting. [8:28] I remember it like yesterday. We had [8:30] just finished our ninth grade scrimmage [8:32] and I'm in the locker room changing and [8:35] I remember the ninth grade coach, he did [8:37] not like me. He thought I was he thought [8:39] I had a big head and I probably did at [8:41] the time. He he looked at me one day in [8:44] practice. I I got to say this. He looked [8:45] at me one day in practice. He's like, [8:47] "How long do you stare in the mirror at [8:48] yourself?" And I'm like, "I don't even [8:51] know what that means." But as I got [8:53] older, I realized what it was. I need to [8:55] humble myself. Um but anyways, uh I was [8:58] it was after our scrimmages. I was I was [9:00] actually in the locker room and I was [9:03] changing and I just remember u um one of [9:07] the football coaches coming in yelling [9:09] my name and I'm like uh oh, I'm in [9:10] trouble. I did something. [9:12] >> And he's like, "No, we need you over at [9:14] the varsity field for scrimmages. The [9:16] starting quarterback just got hurt." And [9:18] I'm like, "Okay." So I'm throwing my [9:20] stuff on. I'm excited. And so I walk on [9:23] the field and we were scrimmaging D Lel [9:27] at the time and this is when they had [9:28] Dominic Sims who was who went on to be a [9:31] great golfer legend. Um and I'm walking [9:35] on the field. I'm 5 foot6 135 pounds [9:38] soaking wet. And I'm just looking up at [9:40] these guys like oh boy I could barely [9:44] see over the line. But ultimately I [9:46] threw a few touchdown passes. Uh, I [9:49] balled out and I remember sitting on the [9:51] sideline and and and Ew sitting next to [9:54] me. He's like, "Um, for practice on [9:58] Monday, report to the varsity field." [9:59] And I'm like, "What?" I'm like, "Okay, [10:02] let's do it." [10:04] >> And yeah. Um, so I I played of numerous [10:08] positions my freshman year. Um, I think [10:10] it for me, I didn't care where I was. I [10:13] just wanted to be on the team. I just [10:14] wanted the experience. So I I the first [10:18] varsity game we played in Duth I played [10:20] quarterback for a series. I went three [10:22] for three though on pass. [10:24] >> Okay. Yeah. [10:25] >> Talk about that. Make sure you add that [10:26] in. Um and then the the senior [10:30] quarterback was back so he played. So [10:31] they moved me to running back and then [10:34] our I think second game of the year [10:36] against Marian Barber and uh Weisetta, [10:39] they throw me in at kick return because [10:41] a kick returner got hurt and he's like [10:43] Aaron go return kicks. And I'm like, [10:44] I've never done that in my life. And I [10:47] remember fielding it. I break up the [10:49] sidelines for like 40 yards. I get [10:51] smacked on the sidelines and I just laid [10:53] there because it was all surreal to me. [10:55] I went from playing at a junior high [10:58] field in a in a dirt patch to now [11:02] >> hundreds of fans screaming and yelling [11:04] and I'm just I'm I'm 14 years old, you [11:08] know? So that that experience, man, it [11:10] was was just incredible, man. like like [11:13] if if that if I can remember anything [11:16] about high school, that was probably one [11:17] of my my best memories is just being [11:19] able to go out there on that field my [11:21] freshman year in front of all those [11:22] people. [11:23] >> Wow. And then you also uh played a lot [11:26] of basketball too, right? [11:27] >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. [11:29] >> So So that was another thing that [11:31] brought some connection to you, got you [11:33] involved here in the community. How how [11:35] was that playing going, you know, going [11:36] from football season to now you're [11:38] playing basketball? [11:40] >> Um here's the crazy thing. When I moved [11:42] to St. Louis Park, they were telling me [11:45] that I couldn't play both sports. It was [11:47] miscommunication, but they were telling [11:48] me I couldn't play both sports. [11:50] >> And I almost gave up basketball for [11:52] football. Football was always my first [11:55] love, you know, and I was like, "Well, [11:57] then I'm not playing basketball this [11:59] year." And they were like, "Yeah, that's [12:02] not gonna happen. We're gonna figure out [12:03] how to make it work." But, um, [12:06] basketball was my second love. Um, [12:11] but what I realized is that I had equal [12:14] opportunities in basketball for life. [12:17] Um, so it was one of those things where [12:19] I can go play football, I can go play [12:20] basketball. I was pretty decent at both. [12:23] But basketball was was was fun. I don't [12:26] even know how to explain it any other [12:28] way. You didn't have to be in the heat [12:29] for two days. [12:32] Um, you know, even in college, you [12:34] didn't have to report to college two a [12:37] month early. you can come when you want [12:39] it. Um, so but no, basketball, [12:42] basketball was fun. Um, Larry Ron Ling, [12:45] uh, um, honestly, when I first started [12:48] there, I didn't think he liked me. But [12:51] come to learn very fast, Larry was just [12:55] kind of tough on some of the things I [12:57] did because he expected more out of me. [12:59] And still to this day, and Larry Rling [13:01] was the varsity coach at the time. Still [13:04] to this day, every time I see that, man, [13:06] I'm forever grateful for him as well, [13:07] too. [13:08] >> Wow. [13:09] >> Yeah. [13:09] >> You know, I I think about it, too. I [13:11] never had the opportunity to play [13:12] football, but basketball was my sport. I [13:15] loved it. So, if you're ever in town, [13:18] maybe we'll get on the court. Maybe. I [13:20] >> You know, I'm I'm probably 25 pounds [13:22] over my playing weight. These knees [13:24] don't act the same no more. I'm about [13:27] 40. So, [13:29] be a slow game. [13:31] So, so what now? What about the [13:34] classroom? Um, you know, during your [13:36] time here in St. Louis Park, was there [13:38] any uh teachers um that really, you [13:41] know, um left a lasting impact on you or [13:45] any classes? [13:47] >> Um, you know, the the the truth about me [13:51] in high school was I wasn't the best [13:54] student. I I really wasn't. like I would [13:57] go to class, but I was the jock in high [13:59] school where I kind of focused more on [14:03] sports and just passing rather than [14:05] being the student I needed to be. And as [14:08] I look back on that, that's some of the [14:10] things that I really try to implement [14:12] with my kids. Um I mean, we learn from [14:14] our mistakes and we try to make our kids [14:16] better, right? Um, as as far as high [14:19] school goes, [14:21] I'm I'm I'm so far removed from it as [14:24] far as naming one teacher, I couldn't [14:26] even name any teacher right now. Um, but [14:28] I do remember when Andy Ewa was my [14:30] substitute. [14:32] >> Okay. So, [14:34] so how was he when he stepped in as as [14:37] the substitute? [14:38] >> Oh, man. I was sitting I I got the [14:40] class. I'm sitting there and I look up [14:43] and he walks into the room and I'm like, [14:44] "What are you doing here?" He's like, [14:46] "I'm the substitute for today." I'm [14:47] like, "Oh, God." [14:52] Um, and and he's just staring at me like [14:55] the whole class because he he had like a [14:57] study hall type thing going for us. He's [14:58] just staring at me the whole class and [15:00] he's like, "So, this is what you do in [15:03] this classroom, huh?" And I'm like, "Oh, [15:05] man. I'm in trouble." But no, he he was [15:08] good. He was good. It was good to, you [15:10] know, see him in a classroom. But as far [15:12] as I've listen man, I've been I' I've [15:16] continued my education so far that the [15:19] high school education but kind of became [15:21] a blur after a while. Um but I do one [15:25] thing I do recall the most about high [15:28] school was how the teachers actually [15:30] were supportive at St. Louis Park. Um [15:34] you know if I fell behind in an [15:35] assignment they would they would [15:37] definitely let me come after class. They [15:39] would sit down with me. they would help [15:41] me. I remember that like yesterday [15:43] because there was a lot of times with me [15:44] right where I had to, you know, last [15:47] last three weeks of the semester I was [15:49] playing catchup. So, if there's anything [15:51] I could say to anybody that's watching [15:53] it that is in school, you know, is is [15:56] high school is important. Um, and I'm [15:58] sure we'll get to it, but I had to go [16:00] the Jo route just because of my my [16:03] grades. Um, and if there [16:05] >> more about that the that route. So, for [16:09] the the junior college route is, you [16:12] know, I had several offers to go play [16:14] different places. Um, but I couldn't go [16:18] to a university straight out because my [16:20] GPA wasn't the highest then. Um, also, [16:24] you know, test scores weren't the [16:27] greatest. So, I had to take an extra two [16:30] years just to go the junior college [16:32] route just because of what I did in high [16:34] school. So before we even transition to [16:36] that, the biggest thing I want to say is [16:38] take your book serious because, you [16:40] know, I I I focused so much on sports [16:44] and the friendships that I was trying to [16:45] create during high school that it [16:47] actually, you know, uh set me back a [16:50] couple years and where what I could have [16:53] done. And you know, no regrets, but you [16:56] know, at the end of the day, if I just [16:57] would have paid attention a little bit [16:58] more, who knows how fast things would [17:01] have happened for me a little bit more [17:02] just by going to class on time, um, [17:05] doing the assignments, and now all my [17:07] kids are A and B students, just so you [17:09] know. They're not making that mistake [17:11] like me. But, um, you know, so yeah. [17:14] Yeah. Yeah. [17:15] >> Okay. So, as we you know, you you had [17:17] the support of the teachers, you had [17:19] Andy Ewald guiding you through and [17:22] supporting you. So, you know, you you [17:24] graduate, you go to junior college out [17:26] in California, correct? [17:28] >> Yes. For 30 days. [17:31] >> Okay. 30 days. Then, so talk about the [17:34] 30 days. You was in beautiful city of [17:36] California. Then, and then where did you [17:37] go next? And about that experience. [17:39] >> So, I you know how I got there really [17:41] quick. Um I I played uh at a at a JO [17:45] showcase. So, at the time, this is going [17:48] to be go go into a long story. I'll try [17:50] to keep it short, but um I was playing I [17:53] was I was training with um um Chris [17:58] Humphre, Darren Clark, all those guys [18:00] who were were huge names back then [18:03] >> um with James Wear who I believe he [18:06] coaches at Park Center and then I think [18:10] he's back in Hopkins now. But uh he was [18:12] he was training me. He was helping me [18:13] through the whole experience because at [18:15] that time I decided I wanted to play [18:17] basketball. We didn't throw this in [18:19] there, but I broke my leg my freshman [18:20] year [18:22] >> of high school. [18:23] >> Yeah. Of high school. Yeah. It was like [18:24] our fifth game of the year. It was a [18:26] freak accident. Like like my cleat got [18:28] stuck in the ground. It was something. [18:30] It wasn't a size difference or anything [18:31] like that. It was just an awkward play. [18:33] But anyways, um I broke my leg my [18:35] freshman year and as as I finished up [18:37] football my senior year, um I was kind [18:40] of like, man, I you know, I don't know [18:42] if I really want to get hit by these big [18:44] guys anymore. and I had the same equal [18:47] opportunities in basketball and it was [18:49] like well let's play basketball. Um so [18:52] uh James Wear was training me. Uh he [18:53] would invite me down one day he invited [18:55] me down to play and I'm literally [18:58] sitting there putting all my stuff on [18:59] and Chris Carr uh the former dunk [19:02] champion for the Minnesota Timberwolves [19:04] was sitting there and he's like you're [19:05] Aaron Evans, right? And I'm like yeah. [19:08] He's like you know who I am? I'm like [19:10] absolutely I know who you are. How do [19:11] you know how do you know who I am? He's [19:14] like, "I watched you play, you know, [19:16] against such and such. You had like 25 [19:18] points in in like one quarter." I'm [19:20] like, "Oh, yeah, that was me." [19:23] And he said, he started inviting me to [19:25] open runs and stuff. So, one time he [19:27] invited me to an open a couple open runs [19:29] with Kevin Garnett, Randy Moss. So, I [19:32] Yeah. So, I got to play with a lot of [19:34] elite people and Chris Carr and James [19:36] Wear got me down to a Missouri showcase [19:39] where I actually did well and that's how [19:41] I got to California. Um, it was Feather [19:44] River College in Quincy, California in [19:46] the mountains right outside of Lake [19:47] Tahoe. Beautiful. And we had a rodeo [19:50] team. So when you pull into the the [19:52] school, there was horses on the in the [19:54] school was like in the mountains. It was [19:56] pretty sweet. I was homesick. I was way [19:59] too far from home. So I withdraw, came [20:02] back. I did a semester at MCTC to become [20:05] eligible uh for the next upcoming [20:08] season. Um, James Wear uh helped me get [20:11] into Lake Region State College in North [20:13] Dakota. Um, I played a season there, did [20:15] really well. Um, they were going to [20:17] scale back on my full ride to help bring [20:19] more players into North Dakota. And so, [20:22] I let them know that, you know, I got to [20:24] go then because I really can't afford [20:25] school like that. So, they uh I let [20:28] people know I was a free agent at that [20:30] time and I got picked up by uh Clinton [20:33] Community College in Iowa. Um, I went [20:35] there. I was all region, all conference [20:38] there and then uh went through several [20:41] recruiting measures and um I actually [20:44] had my daughter that year. [20:45] >> So I yeah I I needed to stay close to [20:48] home. So Denver uh Denver University was [20:51] the one I was pretty much ready to go [20:53] to. They were recruiting me like crazy [20:56] >> and then you know I had to be realistic. [20:58] I had to also be a father and still [21:01] chase my dreams at the same time. Um, so [21:04] the day my daughter was born, Biji State [21:06] University called me literally the [21:08] morning after my daughter was born and [21:10] they're like, "Hey man, we did X, Y, and [21:12] Z. We did our research on you. We're [21:14] going to offer you a full ride to be [21:15] here." [21:18] >> They did their research and everything [21:20] and said, "You got a full ride." [21:22] >> Yeah. Yep. [21:23] >> So, as you think about that story of you [21:26] saying, "I didn't have the grades and I [21:28] didn't have this, but there was still an [21:30] opportunity for you to be able to attend [21:32] college." So, I think that's so [21:33] important for our students to be able to [21:35] hear how you navigated that and and the [21:38] resilience that it took to navigate each [21:41] of those steps along the way. [21:43] >> 100%. You know, [21:45] >> you know, coming out of high school, I [21:47] knew I my goal was to once I set it on [21:50] basketball, I want to play college [21:52] basketball. Um, the crowd I was I was [21:55] running with at the time, they were all [21:56] athletes. They were all going to [21:58] college. So, first surround yourself [22:01] with people that want to grow, right? [22:03] >> You you have to surround yourself with [22:05] people that want to grow. Um, through [22:07] the times I've let go of a lot of [22:08] friends, which sucks, but um yeah, you [22:12] know, there was there was always that [22:13] ambition. I remember telling my mom, I [22:15] want to go to school. I want to I want [22:17] to study business and I want to open my [22:18] own restaurant. That was always my goal. [22:20] I don't know why. That was always my [22:22] goal. And so we she helped me find ways [22:26] to to get into college along with the [22:28] people that helped me with those camps. [22:30] And you know, sports was a huge thing [22:31] that helped me get in get into college. [22:34] But I was going to school. There was [22:36] there was no way whether I had to work a [22:38] separate job. I was going going to [22:40] school because, you know, I needed that [22:43] extra education to give myself an [22:45] advantage in the workforce and goal. [22:48] Yeah, everybody wants to go play [22:50] professional sports. But I knew the [22:52] reality of where I was going. Yeah, I [22:53] was going to try, but the but the [22:55] realistic ideal of this that doesn't [22:57] even last forever, [22:59] >> right? So, I needed the education. So, [23:01] yeah, you know, I didn't have the [23:02] grades, but I knew what I wanted and [23:04] nobody was going to stop me. So, um even [23:07] when I withdraw from from Feather River [23:09] and and came back and took my class at [23:11] MCTC, I was headstrong on this. It was a [23:14] thing where I knew I needed this and [23:16] there was going to be no stopping me. [23:18] >> Wow. So, so after you, you know, you [23:21] graduate and um continue to go on your [23:25] next role is then you got into LA [23:27] Fitness. [23:28] >> Was that the [23:29] >> And talk about just I mean you sort of [23:32] and you became um a regional president. [23:35] >> Yes. Regional vice president. Um so [23:38] >> uh my first year there I had you know [23:42] those little small little contracts they [23:43] try to give you to go overseas. It's [23:45] like 40 grand to play in Greece and it's [23:47] like 40 grand a year and miss time with [23:51] my daughter again or get a job um [23:55] fitness you want to stay in in you know [23:57] so what you know so I was like let me [23:59] just get a job at a gym so I interviewed [24:00] at Lifetime and I interviewed a young [24:04] lady I was dating at the time she's like [24:05] you should check out LA Fitness I'm like [24:07] what is LA Fitness she's like I don't [24:09] know I keep seeing them pop up [24:10] everywhere so I interviewed got the job [24:13] um had my little business degree [24:17] and I'm like, I want to run the whole [24:18] gym. And they're like, that's not how [24:20] this works. So, I'm like, well, I got [24:22] this degree. And they're like, well, [24:24] yeah, that's cool, but you still need to [24:26] have experience. So, you know, another [24:28] thing for the people watching, make sure [24:30] you're you're tracking some experience, [24:32] whether it's an internship, whether it's [24:34] you actually having a summer job in the [24:37] field that you want to get a job in. [24:38] Experience and degrees go hand in hand. [24:41] So, [24:41] >> yes, [24:42] >> that's a nugget. Um, [24:43] >> I don't appreciate that nugget. [24:45] >> Yeah. Um, but no, I I got hired. Um, it [24:48] was a sales job ultimately. Uh, I [24:51] remember sitting there and they're like, [24:52] "This young lady just made $1,000 in one [24:55] week." And I'm like, "Man, that's like [24:56] one financial aid check." [25:00] >> That's how my mind was working at the [25:02] time. [25:02] >> Man, I can relate. I relate to those [25:04] days. Financial aid checks. And then you [25:06] look up out of college and you're [25:07] looking at, "Oo, maybe I didn't need to [25:10] take all that money out." [25:11] >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I'm like, [25:13] man, that that I got to wait a whole [25:15] semester for that one check, you know, [25:17] and she got it in a week. I'm like, sign [25:19] me up. [25:20] >> Um, [25:21] >> my first month there, I beat all the [25:23] salespeople out. Um, I got promoted [25:26] really fast. I was [25:29] 23 years old, living in my mom's [25:31] basement, making $7,000 a month. [25:36] So, [25:37] >> yeah. I mean, you know, the [25:39] competitiveness of sports, u me [25:42] continuing my education, me being [25:44] cultured, raised in the inner city of [25:46] Minneapolis, then moving to, you know, [25:48] St. Louis Park on the outskirts in the [25:50] suburbs helped me to mold such a [25:53] different mentality towards everything [25:55] and a and a way to communicate with [25:57] people where I just flourished. Um, and [26:00] then as as soon as that started [26:02] happening, I realized really quick that [26:04] I got a lot of friends that could [26:05] probably excel at this. So, I started [26:07] recruiting people that I knew to come in [26:10] and I I personally trained them and [26:12] developed them. And before you know it, [26:15] LA Fitness was looking at me like I was [26:17] some kind of unheard guy. And so, they [26:20] started giving me bigger roles, bigger [26:22] roles. And before I know it, I was [26:24] running the whole state of Minnesota. [26:26] Um, I had Michigan. I also had Nebraska. [26:29] Um, and then, uh, I got moved out to [26:33] Texas to run the Texas market. So that h [26:37] that was about 17 years of my life of [26:40] LA. [26:40] >> Wow. [26:41] >> Yeah. [26:41] >> Yeah. [26:42] >> You're not homesick anymore. I mean you [26:44] all the way in Texas now. So [26:46] >> do you see the sun? [26:48] >> I know that that is beautiful. I I had a [26:51] chance to experience Texas. I had a [26:52] chance to see San Antonio, Houston. It [26:54] is beautiful down there in in the [26:57] weather. Uh cuz you know up here in [26:59] Minnesota is getting ready to get below [27:01] zero here in the next few weeks. And uh [27:03] I'm a little jealous, just a little bit. [27:05] So [27:06] >> we we got a high of 70 today, just so [27:08] you know. [27:10] >> I'm trying not to show any hate during [27:11] this uh [27:13] during this time here. So right now, uh [27:17] tell everyone what what you're doing [27:19] right now at this time. Um, so, uh, five [27:23] months ago, I think, uh, me and my wife [27:26] sat down and I I basically we we [27:29] basically came to the conclusion that [27:31] I've ran my course with LA Fitness. Um, [27:34] and Blue Hammer Roofing uh, actually [27:37] reached out to me uh, and was interested [27:40] in bringing me on to kind of help with [27:42] the management side of things. And [27:45] first, I was like, I'm not climbing on [27:47] nobody's roof. I'm not knocking on [27:50] nobody's door and they showed me the [27:53] P&L's and I was like, but I love roose [27:54] now. Um, but um uh no, I am uh the [27:58] market partner for Blue Hammer Roofing [28:00] in in Dallas and yeah, it's it's it's [28:04] been a phenomenal ride. I've been here [28:05] about six months now and um I have [28:09] roughly [28:11] 80 people underneath me right now that [28:13] I'm responsible for training and [28:15] developing. Um, ultimately I oversee [28:17] project managers who oversee projects. [28:20] So they do the door knocking, they do [28:21] inspections on roofs, but more [28:23] importantly they sell roofs and manage [28:26] teams as far as project coordinators, [28:29] estimators, things like that. So [28:32] >> Okay. Well, I just want to go back to [28:33] something, one thing here before I get [28:34] to my last question, but I want to go [28:36] back here to your mom. So, so, so when I [28:40] hear your story and I hear your story of [28:42] just being so resilient from navigating [28:45] high school, being new to the area, new [28:48] to St. Louis Park, um, what you went [28:51] through in football, starting off as a [28:54] freshman, and then after graduating, [28:57] figuring out those next steps, but you [28:58] kept pushing, kept pushing. Tell me how [29:01] your mom plays a role into that. [29:03] >> Oh, man. [29:06] >> Oh, man. [29:08] She plays a big role in it. Um, we talk [29:11] every day. Um, she's my biggest [29:13] motivator. Uh, she askes all the [29:16] questions that are not socially [29:18] acceptable. [29:20] How much is in your bank account? It's [29:21] like, what are you talking about, [29:25] you know? Um, but no, she's instrumental [29:28] to my success. like like I like um [29:31] without saying too much like we grew up [29:34] in the inner city during that times [29:36] where you know it was hard the drug [29:38] epidemic was hard. My mom fell into that [29:40] trap. She moved to St. Louis Park got [29:42] clean um and then took me in um and just [29:47] basically made sure that I had [29:48] everything I needed. And even still to [29:51] this day, she calls me and she's like, [29:52] "You tired?" I'm like, "Yeah." She's [29:53] like, "Well, you need to go to sleep and [29:55] do this and do that." It's like, "Mom, I [29:56] am a grown man. I don't I don't need [29:59] you, you know, but you she she she was [30:03] always that one person in my corner. No [30:06] matter how bad I messed up or how great [30:08] I did, she always had my back through [30:11] thick and thin. If she had $5 left, she [30:15] would give me her last $ five dollar to [30:17] make sure I'm all right. You know, none [30:19] of any nothing I've accomplished in life [30:21] would would be possible without her. [30:24] Well, that's one of the things that as I [30:26] was learning about you is everything I [30:28] learned about you, I learned also too [30:30] about your mom and how your mom was [30:32] right there with you through everything. [30:35] So, I just wanted to make sure you had [30:36] her name in this because if people here [30:40] talk about you, they talk about your mom [30:42] and how much she was involved in and how [30:44] just resilient she was. So, man, you [30:47] make sure you get on that phone and tell [30:49] mom I love you and I appreciate you. [30:52] >> Definitely. So my last question is is [30:55] one of the things we do here is we have [30:56] a portrait of a learner and we talk [30:59] about our students ascending to their [31:02] greatness. And if there's anything you [31:04] could go back and you could tell [31:06] students here in St. Louis Park about [31:08] ascending to their greatness, what is [31:10] one thing that you would tell them um as [31:13] you look back on your time in St. Louis [31:15] Park and to where you're at today? [31:18] Um, I think I think the biggest thing is [31:22] for me, I wasn't much of a reader [31:25] >> at all. And now I actually have a book [31:28] club where we actually read. We read a [31:31] lot. [31:32] >> And a lot of these guys in this book [31:34] club own their own businesses. They [31:36] they're head of it. Um, you become who [31:40] you surround yourself with. Yeah, it's [31:43] cool to be with the the in crowd right [31:45] now, but when that in crowd is not the [31:48] crowd to be around anymore, do you have [31:50] the wherewithal to actually separate [31:53] yourself from them? Um, I think it [31:55] starts early. Um, habits are the biggest [31:58] things that you need to develop early [32:00] because, you know, we're actually [32:02] reading a book for the company right now [32:03] called the compound effect and it talks [32:05] about habits and it talks about a guy [32:07] pulling a small tree out of the ground. [32:08] That's easy. A medium-sized tree. It [32:11] took him a little while. a dig, but he [32:12] got it out. But the big bark tree, the [32:15] oak tree that's been there for years is [32:17] deeply rooted. [32:19] >> Your habits are be are are basically [32:21] going to become deeply rooted in you. So [32:23] what you practice, who you become, who [32:25] you be around is ultimately going to [32:27] become you. So if there's anything I can [32:29] tell anybody is watch the people you're [32:32] with, surround yourself with ambitious [32:34] people that actually want to grow. And [32:37] when you can't grow no more with that [32:38] person, it doesn't mean befriend them. [32:40] It als it just means find another person [32:42] that you can latch on to because we're [32:45] creatures of habit and if we find people [32:46] that have great habits and are [32:48] successful, we'll become successful. So [32:50] that's one thing I wish I could have [32:53] redone and there's no regrets, but [32:55] there's one thing I wish I could have [32:56] redone and that's simple. Just going [32:58] back and not necessarily befriending [33:00] people fast, but actually increasing my [33:02] circle with people that wanted to become [33:04] successful, that had different ideas on [33:07] things and stop being so close-minded. [33:10] Well, you've done more than one thing [33:12] and you dropped in you dropped more than [33:14] one nugget in this podcast here. So, uh, [33:17] Erin, this has been a pleasure. This has [33:20] been awesome. And your story here will [33:22] be played for the whole community and [33:25] everyone else just to see how they can [33:27] also ascend to their greatness and the [33:29] things that you have accomplished and [33:30] are continuing to accomplish. And so, [33:33] St. Louis Park is proud of you and so is [33:36] your mom and your family. So, thank you [33:38] so much. [33:39] >> Well, thank you, Dr. Cooper. I [33:41] appreciate your time.