I'm Getting Plenty Sporty.

Finding immense joy in my part-time jobs!

I hope you got to read last week’s incredibly powerful story about my friend’s brave journey out of alcohol addiction—in case you missed it, here it is. May you be inspired to bravery in your own life.

This week I want to share some fun stuff I have going on in my life…besides music and narrating the occasional audiobook!

If you’ve been reading my newsletter for a while, you already know that baseball is one of my life’s great loves, and that I discovered my happy place working at the stadium where my favorite team plays.

I Found My Happy Place At the Ballpark

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the incredible experience I had singing “God Bless America” at one of the games last Fall. (watch the video in the following link!)

Singing At the Twins Game

Well, I’m back for season FOUR at the ballpark. And this year I got a little promotion. Huzzah! I’ve been an usher for the past few years, scanning tickets when people come in and watching over sections of the field during play. This year I have the honor of getting to be a leader over a group of ushers—whether at a gate, or a larger section of the field.

It might not sound like much to you, but let me tell you—I feel like I’m operating on all cylinders in this role, bringing a bunch of my passions and skills together in a really unique way. I get to help with more specific issues within the park, but I also get to help create a great experience for my fellow workers and the guests.

Working for the Minnesota Twins at Target Field is an incredible joy. And I tell you what, the more I learn about everything that goes into making a baseball game happen, the more respect I have for everyone involved. It’s a massive undertaking.

But wait…I’m not done!

There are two sports that I have literally wanted to have nothing to do with…ever in my life. Not that I thought they were horrible sports, I just didn’t know anything about them. When that happens, it’s easy to dismiss something (or someone) as not being worth your time…even though I knew they were both EXTREMELY popular sports.

I wanted to do something about that. I wanted to change my mind.

So, last year I took a job working for our local professional soccer team, the Minnesota United, aka the Loons. I’ve been working in the Guest Experience department (similar to what I’ve done for the Twins), being an usher for the matches in our incredible stadium…some say it’s the best in the whole MLS. And this year, I get to be a supervisor there, as well!

From the first game, I could absolutely see what all the hype was about, even though everything about it felt completely foreign to me. The energy in that place is rocking! Fans are so into it for the entire 90+ minutes of the match. Drums are pounding throughout, songs are being sung, smoke bombs released, and scarves are waved. It really is a completely different cultural experience. And now I can wholeheartedly recommend that whenever possible you must make it to a pro-level soccer match.

The other sport…can you guess it?

Basketball. Right? Where have I been? I just haven’t had any experience with the game, watching or playing. Except playing HORSE as a kid.

So, Iast fall I took a job working for our local pro basketball team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. I’m doing security in this position, which also includes working the other events at the Target Center arena, including WWE, Disney on Ice, and tons of concerts.

We are just starting our run in the playoffs this year, so we’re at a very exciting time! And lately, I’ve been down on the court—smack dab in the middle of the action. And I absolutely can say, you must see an NBA game in person sometime, especially if you can be down close like I have the privilege of doing. The physicality, the non-stop action, the relentless fans who keep going through all four quarters, the dancers, the music…it’s A LOT. And I’m so loving it. Words I never imagined I’d say, even six months ago.

What do these three sport experiences have in common?

I get to be a contributing member of something bigger than myself. I get to use my people skills to connect with and assist guests and coworkers. I get to use problem solving skills to fix or even prevent issues that may arise. And I get paid to be near the event that most people pay (sometimes a LOT of money!) to see.

BOTTOM LINE: It’s the people. It’s the camaraderie of my co-workers. It’s the excitement of guests, and the opportunity to help make a fan’s experience something special. But more than anything, it’s about my joy. Which might sound selfish, but without it, I couldn’t do any of the other parts as efffectively.

And because of that, I can’t wait to get to the next game.