Who is Producer Paul?

The Pirates have been beyond lucky to have had Producer Paul on board since our very first episode! He welcomed us into the Knightly News Podcast Studio as newbies and showed us the podcasting ropes along the way!

In episode 69, we quiz Producer Paul to see what he knows about the pirates (he gets an A) and we find out a lot about our favorite (and award-winning) producer! 

Here are a few highlights... 

1. Favorite movie - Reservoir Dogs
2. Favorite pet peeve - People who are late (um... one pirate may be guilty of this!)
3. Celebrity crush - Jessica Simpson 
4. Fave podcasts - The Tony Kornheiser Show, Seincast: A Seinfeld Podcast, and Talking Sopranos 
5. Childhood career goal - baseball player

This episode includes so much more about Producer Paul - dreams, goals, fears, heroes, and even the best piece of advice he ever received (it's good)!! 

CLICK HERE to listen to episode 69!

Help us show our appreciation for Producer Paul! Give him a shoutout in the comments! 

Don't miss an episode... Subscribe to The Pirate Life Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for living the pirate life with us! 

All About Zumba

Our first love... what brought us all together... ZUMBA! - Denise

The Pirates are always talking about Zumba, but what is it? Why do they love it? Is it fun? Learn about Zumba and its health benefits, to in episode 68!

What is Zumba? 

Zumba is a world-wide fitness format full of amazing Latin and international music, and easy to follow dance moves, and FUN!

How long is a class? 

Most classes are an hour, however you can find 30 minute classes or two hour Zumbathons depending on what you are looking for! Dance for as little (or as long as you like)! 

What types of classes are available? 

Zumba offers a variety of class formats... Zumba, Zumba Step, Zumba Toning, Aqua Zumba, Zumba Sentao, Zumba Gold, Zumba Kids, and MORE! Each format is unique, but all of them still have the same Zumba energy and party-like atmosphere! 

What are the benefits? 

Zumba classes offer socialization, an awesome cardio workout, plus lots of laughs and smiles! It's also great for your heart, lungs, and bones - not to mention the great mental health benefits!

Advice for new students

• If you are smiling, you are doing it right! -Adrienne
• Come to class expecting smiles (and squats)! - Shawna 
• Just have a good time, move, smile, and breathe! - Denise

Find a class at zumba.dance

CLICK HERE to listen to episode 68!

Have you recently tried your first Zumba class? Tell us all about it in the comments! 

Don't miss an episode... Subscribe to The Pirate Life Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for living the pirate life with us! 

All About Yoga

It all started with a book: Yoga and the Quest for the True Self by Stephen Cope. Our challenge for episode 67 was to finish the book and be prepared to discuss all things YOGA!  

What we found out was that we had A LOT to learn... Yoga is more than just tough poses and trying to be quiet (which is a BIG challenge for the pirates). 

According to the Huffington Post, most people (over 90%) begin their yoga practice in search of flexibility, stress relief, health, and physical fitness. But that's not what keeps them on the mat. Two thirds of that group change their focus to "spirituality or self-actualization, a sense of fulfilling their potential."

On a quest for increased mindfulness and shakti (the power within us), Shawn and Adrienne have officially registered for Yoga Teacher Training through My Vinyasa Practice (or MVP for short)! The training requires a commitment of 200 hours - something we hope to complete by the end of the year. We'll be sure to share our progress! 

About Yoga and the Quest for the True Self: 

Stephen Cope, a Western-trained psychotherapist who has lived and taught for more than 10 years at the largest yoga center in America... demystifies the philosophy, psychology, and practice of yoga, and shows how it applies to our most human dilemmas: from loss, disappointment, and addiction, to the eternal conflicts around sex and relationship. And he shows us that in yoga, "liberation" does not require us to leave our everyday lives for some transcendent spiritual plane - life itself is the path. Above all, Cope shows how yoga can heal the suffering of self-estrangement that pervades our society, leading us to a new sense of purpose and to a deeper, more satisfying life in the world.

CLICK HERE to listen to episode 67!

Do any of our listeners have a YOGA practice? Any tips for us as we start our journey? Let us know in the comments! 

Don't miss an episode... Subscribe to The Pirate Life Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for living the pirate life with us! 

Dave Ramsey, Baby Steps, and Booty

Episode 66 is here and the pirates are talking about their BOOTY. It's an important topic because, according to the Federal Reserve, almost 40% of Americans wouldn't be able to cover a $400 emergency (See article by ABC News). 

Fact Facts about Debt: 

• The average debt (any kind) per household in the U.S. is $158, 209.
• The average credit card debt per household is $14,241.
• 45% of Americans carry credit card debt from month to month (with an average APR of 17.13%!)
• Adults ages 40-49 have the highest amount of consumer/nonmortgage debt (an average of $24,404 per person). Adults ages 30-39 are a close second (an average of $23,584 per person). 
• Student loan debt is the second largest and fast growing category of debt. The average amount owed is $38,792.

(Source: Ramsey Solutions)

Working Toward Financial Freedom: 

Dave Ramsey outlines a seven step process called the "baby steps." Each of us have found value in the baby steps - although we follow them differently. Bottom line? Being in control of our finances has brought us more than financially security - it's also brought us peace of mind and a lot less stress! We know it's an individual journey, but here are a few of our favorite booty-saving tips... 

Quick Tips to Save Some Booty: 

• Read Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover or his newest book, Baby Steps Millionaires (Bonus points if you borrow it for free at your local library).
• Before you buy, ask if it's a want or a need. 
• Make purchases sit in your Amazon cart for a day/week/month or more before you buy. 
• Use a budgeting app like Every Dollar.

CLICK HERE to listen to episode 66!

What are YOUR financial goals? Do you follow the baby steps? Let us know in the comments! 

Don't miss an episode... Subscribe to The Pirate Life Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for living the pirate life with us! 

Winning!

In episode 65, the pirates talk about getting lucky! Shawna is the sweepstakes queen, and she shares tips and tricks around one of her fave hobbies! 

Some of Shawna's big wins: 

• Eagles prize pack 
• Dunkin prize pack 
• Celcius bike 
• Washer & Dryer 
• Tix to monster truck show

Shawna's tips... 

• Sweepstakes are typically random drawings. Contests have criteria to enter and are judged.
• No need to pay to play - invest your time instead. 
• Check out sweetiessweeps.com. 
• Enter only the sweepstakes you want to win. 
• Look for boxes to be added to newsletters, etc. (can uncheck to reduce emails)
• Watch for scams. Legit sweeps don't sent unsolicited emails. You also won't win things that you didn't enter to win (ex. Those Wal-Mart gift card emails and/or Apple phone texts). 

CLICK HERE to listen to episode 65!

Have you ever won anything BIG? Let us know in the comments! 

Don't miss an episode... Subscribe to The Pirate Life Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for living the pirate life with us!

Biosteel Taste Taste

In episode 64, Denise leads the pirates in another taste test! This time we sampled Biosteel Sports Drinks! 

About Biosteel 

Biosteel is a clean, sugar-free sports drink loaded with electrolytes. It's clean, no added sugar, and sustainably packaged!

According to the Biosteel website, it is the "most purchased product in North American pro sports." It's the official Sports Drink of the U.S. Soccer Federation, USA Hockey, and the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association. Pro-athletes like Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) and Jalen Ramsey (Los Angeles Rams) endorse the product. 

About Electrolytes

Electrolytes  like Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Magnesium and Calcium play an important role in our bodies. They help to balance fluid levels, maintain blood pressure, and support the function of our nerves, muscles, and organs. 

According to eatingwell.com, most of us don't need to to supplement our electrolytes on a regular basis IF we are eating healthy foods and drinking enough water (Tip: Look for clear/pale yellow urine). However, there are times when a Biosteel Sports Drink could be in order! Here are a few examples: 

• When you are in extreme heat 
• After an intense workout
• When you are sick (vomiting/diarrhea)
• When you need a hangover remedy 

The Verdict

We sampled three flavors: mixed berry, rainbow twist, and white freeze. Overall, the mixed berry was the pirate fave, and we plan to add it to our grocery shopping lists! We also found a new goal... Getting our Pirate Podcast logo listed on the Biosteel Athletes & Partners page! (@Biosteel... How do you feel about being our first podcast sponsor??) 

CLICK HERE to listen to episode 64!

Have you tried Biosteel? Let us know in the comments! 

Don't miss an episode... Subscribe to The Pirate Life Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for living the pirate life with us!

The 2022 Life List

It's tradition! On the first episode of every year, we create our PIRATE LIFE LIST - A list of adventures we will commit to taking in the coming year.

According to Chris Guillebeau, "A good life list is an anchor. It grounds you in your purpose, gives you hopes and dreams for the future, and helps you understand more about yourself." Our annual life list definitely keeps us dreaming, laughing, and stepping outside our comfort zones! 

Chris G. says creating a life lift helps us to, "identify the activities that help us to be more alive." They need to be specific and measurable. But it's important to have fun in the process - dream BIG!

Here are a few a questions to consider as you begin to draft your list:

• What do I dream of learning?
• What do I dream of doing?
• What do I dream of creating?
• Where do I dream of going?
• Who do I dream of meeting?
• What financial goals do I dream of reaching?
• What career milestones do I dream of achieving?

Still need inspiration? Check out these life lists from Mighty Girl and Bucket List Journey/Annette White.

Here's our list for 2022: 

• Self Defense Class
• Diggerland/Beach Day
• Pirate Life Podcast Tshirts
• Fitbodies Teaching Vacation
• Quarterly podcast meetings
• Float room
• Bungee Aerobics
• Rage Room
• Reverse Skydiving
• Pirates for a Day/Duckaneer

CLICK HERE to listen to episode 63!

What's on YOUR life list? Let us know in the comments! 

Don't miss an episode... Subscribe to The Pirate Life Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for living the pirate life with us!