As a runner and triathlete, health and fitness have always been a cornerstone of Dan's life. However, it wasn't until he started thinking beyond his own personal well-being that health became far more significant. Dan had spent most of his life building people their dream kitchens, when the nagging question of "whats next" reared its head. Stepping back, he realized it was time to switch from working with people on their exteriors to working with them on the interior.

On this episode we talk with Lisa Goodman Helfand. Lisa is no stranger to adversity, and has never been one to back down from a challenge. As Lisa shows us throughout her story you can give in, you can give up, or you can give it everything you've got. After living with a rare autoimmune disease since childhood, surviving 9 surgeries, and spending 218 days in a hospital, Lisa is no stranger to adversity. So when Facebook contacts her unexpectedly, she stand up in a way that few of us would have the courage to do.

On this episode we talk with the incredibly talented Jess Koehler. Jess is an  LA based family photographer, who has found a way to shift her creative focus, as a result of Covid-19, into a project that will truly go down in history. To check out her gorgeous work go to: https://www.jesskoehlerphoto.com/https://www.instagram.com/jesskoehlerphoto/For more information on Taking The Plunge Podcast:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/  

Have you ever felt uninspired? Like there has got to be more, better, something else out there? Natalie Tessler felt that way, but instead of sticking with comfort she took a leap of faith and ultimately found her purpose.....twice.  For more information:https://compassprobono.wpengine.com/To follow Taking The Plunge:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

Educational inequality is a fact. Most of us know the bleak statistics, but despite our best intentions, we don’t address it. We resign ourselves to the status quo, convinced of our powerlessness.   You will quickly learn that Brian Floriani  is not most people: how many of us would trade in private jets for weathered books?   In speaking with Brian, we learn about his remarkable plunge, and are reminded, that sometimes all it takes, is one person with a crazy dream to make the impossible, possible.  As Brian tells us: when the "why" is important enough, the “how” is irrelevant.     For more information on Bernie's Book Bank:https://www.berniesbookbank.org/https://www.instagram.com/berniesbookbank/To follow Taking The Plunge:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/ 

Idioms, mantras, inspirational phrases: they are everywhere, passing through our consciousness with little effect.  We may pause for a moment, briefly reflecting upon its meaning, before moving on, unchanged.  But once in a while, we come across a phrase so extraordinary, we cannot simply move on.  We are changed, and our life must change with us.   For Rich Alapack, it was four words: We All Live Here. A simple phrase on an ordinary night was all it took for Rich to leave everything he knew. Join us as we learn how these four words changed Rich’s life, and consequently, impacted thousands of lives throughout Chicago. For more information on We All Live Here:https://www.facebook.com/Wealllivehereproject/https://www.instagram.com/wealllivehere/To follow Taking The Plunge:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/Behind the scenes video footage of We All Live Here studio:https://www.dropbox.com/s/v71bsz0eqnes1ak/IMG_9343-3.mov?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/0wwc9krau7wwaio/IMG_9345rich.MOV?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/hfy3umetg2wtcze/IMG_9348%202.MOV?dl=0    

What do you do when it seems that all news is bad news? John Denney teaches us the importance of taking a pause, searching inward for the answers, and how his "plunge" into meditation has changed his life in extraordinary ways! For more information on this incredible meditation:https://theharmonyexercise.com/https://www.instagram.com/theharmonyexercise/To follow Taking The Plunge:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

We are told that we can have it all: the high paying job, the 2.5 children, the impeccably kept home. But what happens when having it all means waking up in a cold sweat at 3:30 am, not knowing which way is up; when your days become so consumed with endless tasks, you can't remember what it was like to sit quietly. In this podcast, we explore the stressors of modern-day society and learn that slowing down can mean the difference between life and death. For more information:https://www.northshore.org/pediatrics/specialty-programs/neonatology/perinatal-family-support-center/perinatal-depression-program/To follow our podcast and show:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

Once in a while, someone comes along with such extraordinary vision that anything seems possible. Such is the case with Zac Cohen, a person who by the age of 10 had touched the lives of over 10,000 children. On this episode we talk with Zac's mom Ellen, and sister Elana,  as they share Zac's relentless drive to live his life in the service of others. For more information on Zac's Zoo or to donate stuffed animals go to:https://www.facebook.com/zacszoo98/https://www.instagram.com/zacszoo98/https://www.zacszoo.com/Follow Taking The Plunge at:https://www.instagram.com/plungeshow/

What do you do, when the man who has loved you for 40 years, leaves you with no warning and no chance to say good-bye? Losing this relationship awakened a part of Jennifer that had laid dormant for years. It was from this place of immeasurable grief that Jennifer was inspired to create something of infinite hope. Follow Jennifer at: https://www.instagram.com/jazzifit/