The Bender Continues
Everyday bros talking about how life goes!
The Bender Continues
Overcoming Career Transitions and Adversity FT. Tim Meyer
Tim Meyer, a seasoned expert in the sports industry, joins us to share his deeply personal journey through career transitions and the unforeseen challenges of unemployment. From orchestrating monumental events like the Junior Olympics to navigating the emotional and financial trials after losing his job at AAU, Tim offers a candid reflection on the resilience and self-discovery that such phases can foster. This episode is not just a narrative of professional shifts but also an exploration of the human experience, underscoring how life's unexpected turns can shape identity and fortitude.
We dive into Tim's strategies for coping with unexpected life changes and financial uncertainty. He opens up about the struggle of compartmentalizing emotions after losing both a job and a father in the same year, highlighting how these experiences reshaped his worldview and resilience. Tim emphasizes the importance of finding positives amid adversity, exploring alternative income sources, and seeking solace in supportive environments. From creative side hustles to the complexities of unemployment benefits, Tim's story is a testament to the importance of preparedness—financially and emotionally—and the power of community and conversation in navigating tough times.
Throughout the episode, we also examine the role of interpersonal skills and support systems in achieving career success. Tim shares insightful reflections on building meaningful relationships and maintaining motivation, even when faced with setbacks. His journey with the Orlando Valkyries, marked by resilience and persistence, serves as an inspiring reminder that setbacks are not the end. With practical advice and personal anecdotes, this conversation offers hope and encouragement to anyone facing similar transitions, illustrating that brighter days are always within reach with the right mindset and support.
Welcome to the Bender Continues podcast Introducing our guest for today's episode of the Passion Project. Under our career pillar, we get the opportunity to introduce Tim Meyer. Tim oversees corporate partnerships and youth programming with the Orlando Valparaiso part of the Pro Volleyball Federation. He brings over a decade of experience working in sports. Today we are going to discuss the dynamics of changing careers and the journey that this entails. Tim recently started a new role after spending over eight years with an AAU. We are appreciative of his willingness to share his experiences over the last few months and in hopes it will help with anyone dealing with the transition into their own career. Welcome, tim, and thank you so much for joining us today. Thank you for having me Happy to be here. Yes, sir. So, tim, I know you've obviously been on your fair amount of interviews, so we got to start off here with the number one question you always get. Just give us a quick two-minute spiel Tell us a little bit about yourself.
James LaGamma:Who are you, where are you from and what's up? Very interesting.
Tim Meyer:I don't think you're supposed to talk about where you're from and stuff in job interviews, but I'm from here, born and raised in Orlando, florida, st Cloud, florida, and moved up here. I met all you guys through my wife Shannon my beautiful wife Shannon and yeah, I worked at FanDuel, I worked at the AAU, I've worked now with the Valkyries and I've always been a sports person, got my master's of floor state in sports administration. Um, I've always wanted to work in sports. I, you know it's just the job for me. I know I I uh hear a lot about what you guys do. One of my other friends do and it's like man, I just I like the idea of being able to like no offense to you guys, like have fun at my job. That's what I swab Ryan is like. Oh, I sit behind and do spreadsheets. That's what I think I've always been able to enjoy going to sporting events, traveling. I love the sports industry. Obviously, we're going to be betting hundreds of dollars later with our friends about sports, that's for life for us.
Tim Meyer:So, um, I get to live it and work it, which is fun timmy already taking shots.
Jonny Strahl:That's our um.
Jonny Strahl:One thing we respect about you is no matter the situation, no matter what's going on, whether it be serious, you're always going to bring people up.
Jonny Strahl:So we appreciate your obviously willingness to communicate and talk through this journey, and we're going to specifically talk about unemployment and some of the factors it had on you and just how you shape your future state. I think it's important to note that unemployment it's often a personal challenge and experience and affects millions of people worldwide and it can bring a feeling of uncertainty, stress and almost a sense of loss. But I think, with your journey and what we're going to get out of this is, it can also be a time of growth, self-discovery and just resilience. So this episode, more or less, is going to focus on anyone who is facing or has faced unemployment, maybe going through a job search, wanting change in their career. I think Tim's going to provide some valuable insight just to advice, managing the emotions and just resilience as a whole. So, whether you're looking for motivation or just a reminder that you're not alone in these types of situations, this conversation will offer some value and hope it helps future state.
Ryan Selimos:Well said. So, tim, let's talk about that. Man, I mean, right, aau over eight years. It's a part of what you do and, if I recall, you know you were coming back. You just got back from one of your biggest events that you oversee every year, and that's the Junior Olympics. Correct me if I'm wrong. So you get back from that and then all of a sudden you go from you're in a space that you're comfortable with, you're in sports, right, this is what you love. You've just finished hosting a fantastic event and now, all of a sudden, you don't have a job anymore. Just kind of take us through that, your mental state, through that transition. You know the shock reaction and kind of, what was the impact there? How are you feeling?
Tim Meyer:Well, yeah, when you give you know event. It's the AAU Junior Olympic Games and it's one of the biggest multi-sport events in the world. It brings anywhere between like $60 and $80 million of economic impact. So just thinking about that like what it does for a city, I mean it can kind of make or break a city, doing it the right way. And so when you're there, you're up 6 am and you're working until whenever the last event stops. So it could be 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm, setups, takedowns. You're working with 13 different sports track wrestling, trampoline and tumbling, gymnastics, a lot of things that like there's a lot of moving parts, obviously. So, going back from that, I mean you work 14 days straight, you're working 80 hour weeks, um, getting very little, uh, appreciation for it, but it's, it's what you do, right, it's your life.
Tim Meyer:So, and just as a whole with the AAU, you know I was there for eight and a half years. I met my wife there, I met some that's how I met all of you, all of you guys through her and I met some of my best friends that stood at my wedding with me, um, and so like it is a family, right. So I don't really have too many mentors, I kind of have one and they were there for me through everything they threw. You know I've had a tough year and so they were there for me through that. They threw us a good like wedding shower and stuff. It's just a big family and so they sent me to the Super Bowl. They sent me to a bunch of different fun events. I've gone to Hawaii. So, like, job was awesome, you know like, and they're obviously had its ups and downs, right, it's very political and things like that.
Kenny Massa:But so coming back from a big event.
Tim Meyer:You're kind of like ready just to relax a little bit. I was doing some fantasy football research. Uh, I got called down to uh, our you know our hr, which isn't really hr, but, um, I'm gonna try not to throw shots, but um, and then they, uh they made my boss, who was my friend, just sit me down and say hey like we're gonna have to terminate your employment.
Tim Meyer:And I was like, what like? What are you like? What are you talking about? And uh, he's like, yeah, like effective, immediately we're gonna have to terminate. And he's like tearing up, right, so I'm sitting here like so I start to cry. I'm like, hey, like this, because this is you did your life, right, it's your I. In three days I was going to Europe as, like a, we were taking my mom to go to Europe to see some things. We were gonna go to the Florida state game over in Ireland. So, like, I'm amped up, right, I'm coming off a successful event. And then I'm like, well, and now I got a couple of days like to kind of finalize a couple of things. And then, okay, now this happens.
Tim Meyer:So it was a, it was a whirlwind of emotions, right, like I, you know, I sat in the office there for like an hour like crying on and off, like insulting and like just like kind of figuring out what I'm like, what should I say? Can I fight this? Like and and that's? And I was like, well, why? Right, like I've been here for almost nine years, excuse me. And they were just like oh, we don't have to tell you, it's a right to work state and like I never thought I'd be in that position. Right, like no one ever thinks they're going to be told like it's a right to work state, you're fired Like cause I've never had any bad reviews, I've never had any kind of like things like that. Like it's just like all my earlier I just I try to bring happiness like there's a lot of people unhappy there and I try to always be that guy that keeps keeps the good vibes going because there's there's no reason not to um, and I think I was pretty much, I was pretty universally like, liked there, um, so yeah, it was. Uh, it shook me to my core, right.
Tim Meyer:I called, I called shannon in the parking lot. I'm like, hey, you're sitting down. She was like, why am I? I just lost my job. She's you're kidding I'm lot. I'm like, hey, you're sitting down. She was like, why am I? I just lost my job, she's you're kidding. I'm like, no, I'm like I'm serious. So I broke down again and then came home and you know, luckily I have a really supportive wife who's like, yeah, we're going to get through it and um, and yeah, so it was good and obviously you got to take the positives. So, like you know, I learned how my wife would react in that situation. A lot of people wouldn't be as generous and there for me as she was, so that was really nice.
James LaGamma:It's good to have that support system where Shannon can kind of act as a rock oh for sure, Help you through that. But I can only imagine not to be able to get closure. That's kind of what ends up happening there in that regard. Well and the worst part is.
Tim Meyer:I guess I didn't talk about that. It's like he's like all right, we're going to, you're going to go like, and not no one. None of you guys have seen my office, but you know I've been to a lot of different events. I've been to a lot of. I have a bunch of memorabilia throughout the years, like a Tony Gwynn signed thing, pretty expensive stuff. They're like yeah, we can't let you get anything, we have to escort you out. I was like what? I'm like we work at the White House or something, the Pentagon. I'm like are you kidding? I told my boss. I'm like are you joking me, dude? I'm like I've known you for nine years. You're going to like, you're going to escort me out, like, like okay.
Tim Meyer:So then it became a little hostile there for a second, but you know it's just like.
Tim Meyer:So they had to pack up my stuff, which I trust them to do, that Cause you know I've known him for a long time but so they sent six boxes home of all my stuff you know, like I couldn't even do that, that was hurt the most because I'm like you know, and I know it comes from the top and whatever, and but I'm just like really, and he didn't want to do that, he was hurt and he still is hurt, but it's just kind of, it was kind of weird yeah, that's.
Kenny Massa:that's a tough thing. Sorry, ryan, that's a tough thing, you know. Thinking about that, you know a lot of people don't realize that when you work in a, in any, in any capacity, right wherever you work, you spend a hot majority of your time. So you become really close to the people that are around you just by association, by doing what you do, spending, let's say, 40 hours a week in any environment, you're around those people a lot. I mean it's morning to night, every single day, five days a week, and in most cases it's more than that. That's the bare minimum. So you become really close to that and it could change the capacity of your relationship pretty quickly with people.
Ryan Selimos:For sure it's part of your identity, man, and I think what's interesting is you talked about you're about to go on this trip of a lifetime and you just get this news. So how did you, you know, going into that situation and even coming back from that, just how did you cope with that situation, how did you stay grounded, how did you enjoy that trip? But then, when you come back, how did you reset, like what was your thought process? Because this is something that's been a core part of your life so many friends, family members, so many different relationships established and then boom, kind of all gone, like that. That can really send people in a spiral and we saw it didn't for you. So we'd love to hear, kind of just what was your daily challenges with yourself in that environment and what's that?
Tim Meyer:Yeah, I think like you you said it does- become kind of part of your identity, right, because, like I, because so many branches of your life come from that. Right, like a lot of friends, like my wife, like family, you know, so there's always gonna hold a special place in my heart, right, I know a lot of people from across the nation from there and, like I spoke to one of them yesterday, a couple of them yesterday, because it's always gonna have a special place in your heart, um, but, you know, going to, you know, going to europe, it's like okay, well, for one, I took the positive right, like I had already taken what like eight days of pto to go, so I got all that back, so I got paid out for that, which is nice, like I got paid to go, so that was nice, you know, um, and it's one of those things, like we have a really big event that we're gonna have to to do some reconciliation on. We're going to have to like do a lot of like back end works. Hey, I don't have to do that anymore. So at least there's a, you know, there's a couple of positives, and I'm about to go on the trip of a lifetime with my wife and my mom, like why not? It's just going to be awesome and I thought at the time that was the end of the trip. So I think it's just like.
Tim Meyer:And for me, I've always been really good at compartmentalizing things, like in, in looking at the positive and, like I said, for like, also, you know, I lost my dad in the last year and so like, after that, like for me, like nothing else can really compare to that right, like losing a job and and a parent in the same year is tough, but like it actually kind of helped, because I'm like what would he? You know, what would he do? What would he have me? Uh, be like. And I and he always was like be tough. You know, be tough, be tough. And you know, one of the last things I said to shannon was same thing thing Be tough for him, I want you to be his rock, which is really great because she has been.
Tim Meyer:So it's not easy, but I think just I was looking for the positives at Europe. I was just like, hey, listen, I have nothing to do. There's so few times in life where you're going to have absolutely zero to worry about. And I'm like, hey, I'm 33. I'm like, I'm going to, I'm in Europe, I'm going to enjoy this Like and not think about what I have to come back to. It's just nothing. I just get to come back and relax, and so that was really. That was actually really helpful.
Tim Meyer:Cause I'm like you know, I knew that I was going to get paid out. I'm very money motivated and so I knew I was going to get paid out, because they do it like you're delayed almost two pay periods, I think. So I knew I was going to get paid when I was in Europe and I was going to get paid one more time. It was going to be like a double paycheck. So I was like, okay, I have a little bit of time too. So you just got to look at it very black and white. Don't let this stuff, because obviously I have my moments. I had very like black and white, don't let this stuff, because obviously I have my moments. Like I had a moment yesterday where I got pissed, like it still comes and goes. But, um, yeah, how can you be mad when you're in europe anyways right, like how can you be mad when you have, like you're having the time of your life? Like you said, true, for the lifetime?
Kenny Massa:I agree with you. You said something, though just a couple minutes ago, like when you lose someone that's really important to you, especially, you know, like your father, I can relate to you with that and we've had talks about that before but it's like there's, it almost becomes like everything else, like literally 99.9% of stuff you become numb to, because nothing could be as worse as that and that experience and that weight on you at that moment in time. So same for for me. And, and when you look at it like that, it's like well, whatever, like life will go on, it'll move, it won't move past us, it is what it is. So I think you have to think like that.
Kenny Massa:It's like, well, whatever, like life will go on, it'll move, it will move past us, it is what it is. So I think you have to think like that. It's like, well, you know, it can't be that, it's not that bad in the grand scheme of things. I've dealt with with the worst and this is like, whatever, I'll transition and I'll just, I'll just pivot, and that's, that's what it is. You gotta pivot.
James LaGamma:And you know, to be able to call back to the teachings of someone like that to help you through the process. I mean, that's massive, you know, and obviously keeps their memory alive as well too. So that's huge.
Jonny Strahl:Hey, tim and I know there's an opportunity where we're going to explore future of like what you did in the moment and supporting and trying to find additional sources of income and whatnot. But I do have a question, and it kind of goes back to a little bit of what Kenny brought up. But you mentioned like there's days where all of a sudden something just registers. You know you get pissed off or you get upset. I think in the in the world we live in, there's a lot of psychological factors and a lot of things we can do. But how do you manage just the experience when you go through that moment of like? You just get frustrated, like do you seek out to do something? I'm just curious.
Tim Meyer:You know not, I said for me, I'm kind of, I'm kind of weird, Like I just kind of let myself feel it and like let myself think about it and I'll talk to Shannon or whoever about it. Like, for you know, for a couple of months, after my dad passed on to therapy, because I was like I don't know how to handle this, like I had no one to really talk, express everything that you really want to feel, and ultimately me and my therapist didn't bond like too well, I mean it was good, but like she, just she always told me like just let yourself feel it and so, like you kind of have to right. Like the other night I was laying in bed and so I came across the video and it kind of reminded me of my dad and so I cried. I was like, okay, you just got to cry and let it out, you know, and this goes the same for it goes the same for work.
Tim Meyer:You know, like yesterday, when I was on a walk, I was like man, like I'm pissed, like I didn't get any closure, like I, you know, I'm happy I moved on, I was ready to move on, but like not on my own terms, and so I, so I just like I don't know and sometimes honestly I'll talk to myself about it and like I'll just talk out loud and I think that really helps to say like all right, like fuck this, like or whatever like but it's going to be okay, like you moved on and you're going to show them that you're better than working for them.
Tim Meyer:You know.
Jonny Strahl:Yeah, you have a sense of closure, a sense of closure right, and you're at peace with moving on, which I think is what's most important.
Kenny Massa:Yeah, yeah, I just always think like nothing lasts forever, right, like there's always a point in time where there's a change, whether it's, like you just said, on your timeline or someone else's timeline, nothing lasts forever and there is a point where change is inevitable. But I want to jump into what Johnny just said, which is like those alternative sources of income. What Johnny just said, which is like those alternative sources of income, when you start to think about you know obviously now you're looking for a job, you're seeking somewhere else to be employed with. How do you, in the time where you have that gap, how do you start to process the route in which you're going to go? Do you pick up something that is pretty in alignment with what you're doing, or do you come up with alternative sources of income completely outside of that and kind of test your way through this and do things that you normally wouldn't have?
Tim Meyer:Because now you have the time, I think you have to be creative, and I've always been, and that's one thing that you taught me which is nice. Like I'm not above anything, I'll do anything Right, and so, like I have a wife that Shannon makes good money, but like I have a wife that I feel like I need to look after and a house, I have a mortgage, and so that does get a little scary. I think one thing my parents always instilled in me was just saving money and having an emergency fund and all that stuff. So you know what? 10 years ago I started an emergency fund and all that stuff. So you know what?
Tim Meyer:10 years ago I started an emergency fund and I never touched it. I put it it's an ally. You know saving, which is four and a half percent, or an immigrant at ebbs and flows, but I've never touched it. Now, that's not to say I put a lot in there all the time, but it's enough that it's going to get us going. It'll keep us afloat for six months or whatever it is, and obviously my goal is to have one that gets us going for more, and I think everyone should do that.
Tim Meyer:If anyone takes anything from this interview, it should be have an emergency fund, because that number one that gave me some solace in knowing that, all right, I have a little bit of time, but that still doesn't like change the fact that I need to like try to make some money. So immediately, pretty much, I got into I'm I'm just I'm stupid with alliteration. So I started up Tim's trims, you know, like at the AAU. I admire his market. I was the vending machine of the AAU so I make money on the side there.
Tim Meyer:I hustle like I don't have a job, almost sometimes Like I'm like it's kind of weird. But so luckily I had some friends like James and my buddy Alex that needed a couple of things done around the house that they just didn't have the time to do. So I trimmed my buddy Alex that needed a couple things done around the house that they just didn't have the time to do. So I trimmed my buddy's trees and got paid for that. I pressure washed my buddy's fence and I did a horrible weed job, for James broke my back and there's still some weeds in the wood. You did a fantastic job. That was the worst thing I've ever done. I thought I was going to die in James' backyard. Every five minutes I was coming in and laying on the tile. He didn't know this Cause like I, just he was in his. He was in his office working.
Tim Meyer:I was probably an outlier with me and I just was like I'm going to pass out Like and I've never been like that Cause.
Tim Meyer:I grew up doing like yard stuff and like working and working out. So, like I love, I love doing the outside things and everyone always tells me like I should have like some sort of business like that just because I like doing it. But I, you know, I have a degree. For a reason I want to use my head, not my, not my back. So I did that and and that was fun and, honestly, you make you make a thousand bucks and it's like okay, like that, you know it kind of it's like one or 5% of comfortability for you. It gives you, gives you like a sense of calm, like all right, I, I made a little bit of money here, you know, and and I'm like moving in the right direction. I'm not, you know, you're always moving. So I wasn't.
James LaGamma:I wasn't stopped. Yeah, and some people, you know, while they're doing those odd, odd jobs, they they might lock their friend up, Actually you lock up in the attic.
Tim Meyer:Actually, you locked yourself in the attic, I just couldn't get you out Technically. Yes, I couldn't get you out.
James LaGamma:That was a problem. Yeah, you couldn't get me out, trying to put that attic ladder into the ceiling. I thought James was going to die.
Tim Meyer:the same day I was going to die. My arms were cramping. I'm trying to get the thing out. My arms are cramping.
Kenny Massa:I can cramping, I can't do it. That was fun, that was fun, that was good, yeah, yeah. Now, do any of those like odd jobs? Uh, did you have a thought at any point in time where you were like this is actually not bad and I can see myself like maybe creating my own business or taking this to the next level, or did it? Did it kind of give you a thought of maybe you wanted to change?
Tim Meyer:yeah, I did, honestly because you know, when you lose your job, you become jaded. So, like I was, like I don't want to work for the man, like, fuck the man, you know. Like right anywhere because it sucks right like you know if it's just like.
Tim Meyer:It's such a weird concept that like I have to ask someone to take off work to live my life or something you know. And so, like I was, I was very, very like jaded and and so, and I, as I like doing it, like when I grew up and I was in high school and I come back for college, like, uh, my parents live on a street, just like a random street, and I'd mow everyone's yards and I'd take care of their stuff and do whatever. So I grew up kind of doing that and I enjoy it. And um, I, I mean, I was mowing my grandma's yard up until like a year and a half ago and then she moved down down South and so like, yeah, for sure, I and I had friends tell me like hey, but you need to just do your own thing, like you're doing it already. You just have to like put more, put more behind it.
Tim Meyer:And so if I hadn't, you know and I still think about it like why not? But it's just there's a lot that goes into it that I think, like you know, insurance and there's a lot to get off the ground, which is like obviously takes up so much space in your mind it's kind of scary, but I did, yeah, I did think about it and I still do, because it's good money too, right, like they say tradesmen like make the best money and they just kind of do their own thing. It's just not super challenging mentally sometimes and I think that is what I need personally, but it is fun. I mean I did enjoy it. Honestly, I wish I could have done a couple more jobs.
Kenny Massa:Fair, yeah, I get that.
Ryan Selimos:Give yourself a quick shout out. Right, you're on TikTok. You went the social media route. You were challenging the vendors continues, which is why you tried to lock james up in an attic. So give yourself a quick shout out if people want to see any of your content that you're still doing.
Tim Meyer:Yeah, so I'm. I think I'm. I'm tim talk. Uh, let me see my actual username, so I did do that. I didn't know if you're gonna queue me up on that or not. I'm tim talk. 13, 22, um, do you want me to get into why I did TikTok? I?
Jonny Strahl:think so, get into it, because that was an alternative route.
Ryan Selimos:You're talking about how not working for the man and right You're, you're looking at different alternatives and, yes, everyone today wants to be, you know, social media influencer, even for guys who think they can do a podcast. So you, you know, we would love to hear that angle. And and guys who think they can do a podcast. So you, you know, we would love to hear that angle and and some of it's funny man, so tell us about it.
Tim Meyer:Was it's uh, I think to johnny's question a while back like that was something that kind of helped me too. Like I just got back from europe and I was like I was on, I wanted to create some, um, some healthy boundaries for myself and some healthy habits, and so I was going to walk every day and do all that Cause in Europe. I ate like a cow. Like you know, I drank. I ate, like we walked a lot too, but, like you know, you just feel kind of gross.
Tim Meyer:So I came back, I had done some funny TikToks in the past, like stupid things, like trends or whatever, and so I'm like you know, I'm, I'm going to, I'm going to talk about it and see, like what comes of it. Right, I never had any intention of like going viral or going like trying to make money off of it. If so, great, Like I would have totally taken it. But, um, I was like you know, I'm going to do this. So I kind of told a little bit of my story on like a TikTok that had got like 800 views, but like whatever, who cares? Like it was more for me, excuse me, it made me feel better because like I could talk about it Right and um, and so I kind of went back and forth, cause I don't like sharing, Like that's another thing. My dad always says, like loose lips stink ships.
Tim Meyer:So I'm like I don't really like sharing all my stuff on there Like I don't know, I don't, I'm a pretty open book, but like I don't know it's different when you're sharing it on a social media app that you know anyone can see at any time. And so I deleted the video or I took it off my profile. And then I had a couple of friends text me and they're like they're, they're always hyping me up and they're hey, like I'm, I'm here for this, like this is awesome. I was cracking up, like and that really I'm like you know what, okay, fine, like, cause I knew I had the support, and then all you, all of your wives, have watched them and loved them. And Austin Marks is one biggest fans, you know he's. Like I love to talk and uh, so for me, I love making people laugh, like I love entertaining people and so sure, if it.
Tim Meyer:I guess if one of my videos were to go viral, I made money, great, or like you know, like I would, I would happily take that, but like, I'm just doing it more for myself, cause it's fun and obviously everyone's a little bit vain too, right, so it's funny to like see myself on there and like talk and and see like how many people you can get and my viewers have gone up right. My first few videos were like 200 250. Now I'm up to like 500 a video right, and that's double what it was just 20 videos ago. I would make some videos for tim talk or for tim's trims. Um, I do like little fun videos. It's just kind of something to keep your mind off of things, right like that's the biggest thing. Like I know you have eight hours a day that you need fill like you need brain, brain activity.
Tim Meyer:Yeah.
Ryan Selimos:I think the biggest thing that you've talked about is you know you had a decision through all this you could have solved, you could have sat around and you decided to just figure out each day what am I going to do? Keep going, keep moving, keep after it and I think that's a big takeaway for anyone watching. It's just you can't let that type, whether it's you individually or it's leaning into, you know, a support group. You got to keep moving forward and you're a great example of how you know every day you were trying something and you kept moving, and you know you kept yourself in a good mental space.
Tim Meyer:You know, given all the bullshit, you have to, and because if you don't, you can go down a really bad road. And I I'm not saying that I didn't have my days, but waking up and walking every single morning and working out every single morning, like that was something that I enjoyed because I'm walking around and that's the thing, like I get to enjoy the fruits of my labor, right, like I've worked for since I was in college or whatever. So like I get to enjoy my house, I get to enjoy my wife, I get to enjoy my dog, I get to enjoy my neighborhood, get to, you know, like, like I said earlier, there's so life is so short, but like we work so much of it, so being able to like understand that like this isn't permanent, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna not have a job forever, like so let me enjoy these two months.
Tim Meyer:Yeah, I need to apply to jobs and I need to figure it out at the same time, like I don't, I don't have to do anything, I can sit here and hang out my wife bother her because she works. You know she works from home. So but I don't know, I just get to enjoy like what you work.
Tim Meyer:So hard for what you're gone 45, 50 hours a week for Like I got to sit here and enjoy it and like decorate my house and clean my house, organize my garage. We got to go to Virginia for a week and see my in-laws and like enjoy staying there like I don't know. There's. There's so many positives to take from it that like I might not ever have that again. Like I might not ever have a two-month period where I'm not working until I'm like unless I either have a kid or I'm like 60 and retired, and then I can't move.
Kenny Massa:You know, like it's almost like a reset. It's just like you just reset everything, find equilibrium again and then just reset everything by an equilibrium again and then just reset.
Tim Meyer:And when you get, when you get let go like you need that, I, I, I wholeheartedly believe you need like a month at least to to get over it and, at the minimum, I'm still excited it's been. I was August 12th. I'll never forget that date. I got back from Europe August 26th and you know I started applying August 27th and then I got a job offer the third and went from there. But yeah, you need to, you need to reset for sure, and some other things I thought about doing. You know, like maybe I'll Uber, maybe I'll Uber Eats, maybe I'll do all this other stuff. I never came to that, but um, it's enticing stuff to do.
Tim Meyer:It's like nothing's beneath me. It was just like I just didn't want to do that. I'd rather do my own thing first. But those are all options. I mean, they're all good options too.
James LaGamma:So you got recalibration, you got a sense of productivity. You're imploring alternate sources of income, but what about the main alternate source of income that most people attack after they get, uh, removed from their position? What about unemployment? Oh, did you go down that route, did you? Did you go after?
Tim Meyer:the government to say like hey, it is like our system is broken. It's horrible. You can't get a hold of anybody.
Tim Meyer:And my situation is very unique because I've done unemployment before with FanDuel. Like they just cut a bunch of us like after a year or so. Like we got unemployment. It was pretty seamless, so that was nice. But so this time, the day I got back, I probably should have waited, but I was so pissed I got back and I started doing unemployment and it's a pretty easy process but, like you know, they don't really ask questions for everybody.
Tim Meyer:So, like in my situation, I wasn't let go for a certain specific reason. They didn't tell me a certain specific reason. Like all my you know, out of the eight years I've been reviewed like twice because they're a joke, but they were both great twice to their joke. But uh, they were both great. And like my boss loves me, the, the volunteers I worked with, all love me like. So like I've never had a a like a demerit on my uh record or whatever. You know, like I got plenty of demerits, like jokingly, you know. But so like I, there's not an option for that. Like you can't just say, like I was just like oh. You know, like there you have to put like it was, because you don't get it for certain. Like you can't just say like I was just like oh, you know, like there you have to put like it was, cause you don't get it for certain reasons, like if you get fired for bad performance you don't get it, or whatever, which that wasn't the case, so I did it and I'm still waiting.
Tim Meyer:I'm still waiting on unemployment. Yes, I haven't got a dime and I don't know if I ever will. Cause like and so like I've, you know, I've applied. So like I applied to 40 different jobs over the time and some of those were purely just for unemployment purposes, right, Cause you have to apply to five a week and you have to log all of that, and so I was doing that and for all offer, I don't know Cause, like they went through the fact finding portion, all that stuff. Everything was good, I guess. So I don't really know what they're waiting on. Like I, in my account it just says I have decision pending adjudication and so, like I get they're waiting to rule. I don't know. But like it's been almost 12 weeks now, Right, that I've initially started. There's not a thing to email. You can't call. I messaged you people on Twitter. I'm like, will you please fix this system? I'm like, honestly.
Jonny Strahl:I'm about to write a letter.
Tim Meyer:I am literally about to write a letter and hopefully it gets there.
Kenny Massa:Right, you're a congressman, you just pay into that shit and your money just fucking disappears and you can't call. You can't call.
Tim Meyer:I've called literally just one morning. I wish I could show you. I just called 20 consecutive times and then and it just doesn't, it doesn't. It hangs up on you because it says like, oh, we're busy right now, so, like it's just an ad, I would call. I called her every day. It was cause I just want to know like, if I get it great, whatever I would have gotten paid over that time would have been nice. Right, like to help offset my emergency fund. Yeah, it's not much. It's 275 bucks a week is like the max you can get, so that's all I could get.
Kenny Massa:So it's $3,300 over three months which is a completely another fuck yeah.
Tim Meyer:Literally 35 a week. At least you can eat.
Kenny Massa:Who the fuck can live off $275 a week yeah.
Ryan Selimos:Yeah, If you get it, I think that's but that's important because right.
Ryan Selimos:Not everyone has an emergency fund right For whatever their situation. And then you're you're told that, oh, this is going to be an Avenue for you and potentially at least of one individual's experience. It's not like thank you for sharing that, tim, because people probably don't know that they go into the situation there's all these different parameters about it that you might not see the money at the end of the day. You've got to be thinking about that now and just know that you don't have that to fall back on. You really only have yourself to fall back on. That's important.
Tim Meyer:It's fucked up. It's important, luckily for me, I think, of a lot of different scenarios. So I had like four different scenarios kind of played out uh, within our budgeting that Shannon and I worked with, and that's communication and money's very important. Obviously, some couples don't see the same, so luckily we do, and so I knew, if I didn't get it, well what I, what kind of we would need, which is why I kind of jumped on and started working and getting some cash, um cause, and getting some cash, because you never know how long you're going to be without a job, right, going into the holidays, and it's a really hard job market. So yeah, so that is kind of like I think that's what kind of pissed me off. Yesterday, too, I was trying to like upload some stuff and I'm like how is this? This is a joke, man, and that's the thing. Like that's what's worse. You can't get a hold of anybody, and, and that's the thing, that's what's worse.
Kenny Massa:You can't get a hold of anybody. And if they could?
Tim Meyer:just tell me, hey, you don't get it, or hey, you do get it, or it's going to be 10 weeks or 12 weeks, whatever. But there's nowhere that says that it's like a website built back. Kenny, you need to get with them. It's a site built back in the 50s, dude. We need to update their system.
Kenny Massa:The most interesting thing is like to go through that. You need an rfp right and then to get to get qualified and to do all that like we. We have ran through that process to be able to work with government contracts on that side, and even that is insane. I have to pay the city, the state, the government, the United States, for different levels. They have to go through vetting processes it's the craziest shit in the world and then the process that they go through. Two years later they'll get the job. It's crazy.
Tim Meyer:But then they just don't want to give you money.
James LaGamma:Correct me if I'm wrong here. Maybe, kenny, you actually know this, since you own a business. But doesn't your old business have to technically cover your unemployment when it's applied for? And that's usually why jobs try to avoid firing people?
Kenny Massa:Every day. This is, every state is different, but you do, yes, as an employer, you do pay into, like we pay on top of the salary. So like, let's say, someone makes $50,000 a year For the actual organization it's not $50,000 a year. There's employment taxes and things like that that the employer has to pay, which then feeds into those programs as well, correct? But so, yes, and then we, if someone does go through unemployment, typically they will get reached out to by the government, basically in regards to that individual that's claiming unemployment, requesting sometimes details or whatnot. But what happens through that process, like who really knows, you know, with with the whole process? I'm not sure we've had that, that happened but you answer questions and then that's it. Like on our side, I mean, we pay into it like I have no choice as an employer. I have no choice. I can't be like, no, opt out of that, Not really something that can be done, so I just eat it.
James LaGamma:Gotcha, I was just vaguely trying to remember because I know my mom got let go one time, but she was working for a company that was based out of Maine. So it's possible that, like you said, by state it has different things, and she did try to go through unemployment. I can't remember the results of that, but and she did try to go through unemployment I can't remember the results of that, but she ended up finding another job later on in Lake Boston, so that's been good.
Kenny Massa:Yeah, everything's different.
Ryan Selimos:We'll have to fact check this, but what I'm hearing is right AAU pays Tim's salary, they pay his unemployment, so the money it's there, it's there Tim goes.
Kenny Massa:I'm here.
Ryan Selimos:I'm ready to collect baby. Sorry, your funds were shipped out overseas. We have nothing for you right now. I mean, that's what I'm hearing. No fact-checking here. So maybe we need to do some due diligence, but our guy, Timmy, has owed some money. I believe that is the process.
Tim Meyer:I think, outside of that too, one thing we get I told myself I wasn't going to get into an insulting session but one thing that, like at the au, we always have, was like a summer bonus and like a christmas bonus, right, and they're not guaranteed, um, but you know, you can kind of say they are, because I've gotten them every single year and so like it's kind of for like the hard work you put in the summer, um, and like you know, I'd spent two weeks away from my wife, my, my, my dog, my family, my mom, like whoever, and I come back they give them the week after I get let go, and so I'm like all right. So I wrote I'm like, hey guys, like I really appreciate the opportunity to get this bonus. Like I worked harder than most people.
Tim Meyer:There's people that didn't even leave the office. They worked their eight to five, like they're important too, but like they didn't travel anywhere, they didn't do anything and outside of like their normal job and they got a bonus. But like me, you know you let go for whatever reason, and that I'm not even, that, I'm not even worthy enough to tell, and then or like try to fix or anything, and then I don't even nope, sorry, so that was, that was. That was probably my lowest point, like I was pissed, like I was very mad Because you're talking a couple thousand dollars, right Like that's really helpful for what I'm about to endure.
Tim Meyer:So not only are you like shaking in my life, like you know, you're not even going to give me a bonus that I earned. I worked all summer for Like that was unfortunate for sure. Yeah.
Kenny Massa:Yeah, so every state, like I said, every state is different. So, florida being a at-will state, there's obviously there's both sides of it. It's good for some people and it's bad for some people, employer and employee, both positions, but still, typically, from like an employer perspective, you weren't put on a PIP, a performance improvement plan.
Tim Meyer:No, that's what I'm saying. If I did something wrong, I don't know what it is, and they didn't even like, and after eight years.
Kenny Massa:Which means it wasn't a performance-adjusted element. Right, because you would have been put on a PIP and the conversation would have been had, because and the reason why I say that is because it is always, like always, always, always, always more expensive to hire and train someone new, especially than keeping someone who's been around for nine years. I haven't had someone around for nine years because the company isn't that old, you know, that's a long fucking time. So you know, you, generally, if it's a performance related thing and you know johnny and I have talked about these things too like performance improvement plans are, it's just an easier way to get alignment in regards to things, but obviously, you know, if you're not put on that, then it's not a performance thing well, I would believe I could speak from personal experience with a you, considering that my wife worked there with tim for, uh, a stint.
James LaGamma:It was two to three years but they don't have an hr department. It's not formal, you know so it's understandable that they didn't go through.
Tim Meyer:I don't even know if they're just about to say that I'm glad you said it.
Kenny Massa:I didn't that's fucked up. How many employees are there 50.
James LaGamma:50 in office, yeah, and then obviously they have all their like reps that do all the events nationwide and stuff.
Tim Meyer:So it's kind of like a it's interesting, you know the AU has been around since 1888. So it's just the good old boy system kind of thing and there wasn't a lot of like good practices put into place business wise or, you know, like HR, like I said, like James said. I mean there's like there's been what I think 80 employees that have left over the last. Since the time I was there for like eight years, there's been like 80 boys that left for, and really good people.
Tim Meyer:So it's like there's something kind of wrong with with that. And I said I don't even think they know what a PIP is to be honest with you.
Ryan Selimos:Well, they're out. The government they're out too. Let's talk about greener pastures. Let's talk about Timmy. Mr, want to bring everyone up. I'm pulling myself up out of this situation. Confident guy, right, open book and talk about anything. You're 10 years in the workforce, you're over eight years at AAU and now you're restarting. Right, you talked about that reset. How does your confidence change? How's your confidence have to be rebuilt? And now, right, you're applying to all these jobs. You're going into interviews. What's that mentality coming into an interview for a new company? Like, are you confident going into that? Are you starting to second guess yourself? Because, wow, I just got canned. You know it's been eight years. Yeah, I don't know. Like, maybe you have some internal interviews at AAU, but really, how frequent have you been in this type of setting? Take us through that part of the journey.
Tim Meyer:The first couple of years at the AAU, like I was like 24, 25, 26. So I did interview for a couple of jobs here and there, Just you know if.
Kenny Massa:I see something.
Tim Meyer:I like you know whatever like, because when you're young you don't really know what you want to do I never thought I'd be working and use sports for like my life. Like I enjoyed it because, like I could still love sports and go to sports and then still work in sports. So it's actually it's kind of like an anomaly, um, but yeah, it was. It's.
Tim Meyer:It was hard because in the summer I'd actually applied to a couple of jobs because I said I was kind of ready to do my own thing and and move on and try something different, just because, like when you're somewhere for eight years, like it's just, you know, it's kind of time right, like I'm always looking for something more, because when you're running same events, similar events, doing a lot of same things, like you stop losing a lot of that mentally challenged, like mentally stability, mental stability of like all right, I'm always, I'm getting challenged every corner. Now it's like all right, now I just have to do this. And so I was ready to kind of do something different. I was a finalist for two different jobs over the summer. So, honestly, that kind of took my confidence down a little bit because I'm like, oh, you know, like all right, I'm second best, and you know, they both called me outside of everything. We're like, hey, we really liked you, but there was this, this or this right, and I just went up against a really good, some really good competition. But that kind of takes it out of you, whether you want it to or not. And so that's always kind of in the back of your mind when you're applying to so many different jobs. That also can really screw you over, right? Because I applied to 40 different jobs. I'd say about 14 of those were kind of like I would have entertained. You know I would have entertained it, but like mostly for, you know, unemployment purposes. Um, so, like 26 of them roughly, I kind of did, or like 24, something like that. Like where's like, actually I'm, I'm interested and I stayed. I stayed in Orlando Cause, like you know, I I have things here I need to take care of and like um, I just I liked the area. I don't really want to move. Obviously I could have really broadened my horizons. But so I did 24 jobs here in Orlando. At some point I interviewed at four different places and I think I'm still waiting to hear back from him a lot and then I got told no from like 12 of the total 40. So there's still it's like. So it is hard right. I mean I interviewed four out of the 40 places, that's one in every 10. I got a job offer from one of every 40. There's people out there applying to 200 jobs.
Tim Meyer:I'm in a very competitive field sports. People want to work in sports. It's not very glamorous, it doesn't pay very well, but for some reason people want to do it. I always ask myself that why do I want to do it. I think there's ancillary benefits, obviously, but so yeah, it's. It was um it. You know it took a toll on my psyche. Like you said, I'm a confident person, so it was tough going into some of these interviews and being like all right, here we go again, you know, and I was a finalist for one of one of the four and then I got the job offer at the other one. Obviously, but yeah, it's a, it shakes you up a little bit.
Ryan Selimos:Was there any like added pressure? Because now you're interviewing for a job and you don't have a job, like every interview. So I need to nail this, because I need this job, because I need the income Like did that come into effect?
Ryan Selimos:at any point, yeah, or were you able to kind of kind of stay away from that Cause? I'm sure people are out there right, whether they've been unemployed for a little bit of time or extended period of time at some point. Human nature that that doubt is going to creep in where I need to land this, or else I can't buy food for my family, all these types of things. You didn't get to that point, but did that ever-.
Tim Meyer:It started to. But I think if you have, the biggest thing is if you have a plan. Like I had a plan from the get-go. I knew what I could do. I knew when I needed to really ramp it up, because I know how long my emergency fund is going to take me. I didn't want to empty it out obviously. That was not my intention. So I think, really, once, obviously I took Europe as its own little section and I took like September and October. I was like all right, apply to some things that really can further your career aspirations and things you really want to do.
Tim Meyer:Once November 1 kind of hit, I think I was going to be more so like, all right, I'm open to a little bit more Because. So like, yeah, to answer your question, it didn't really creep in too much because, like I knew I had a plan and I stuck to it. But no matter what, it's still yeah, you know you're, you know because, at some form or fashion, like I have a wife that's working, all my friends are working, my family's all working, and so like it's fun to enjoy being at home. At the same time, you kind of do feel like, oh, like I'm the only one not working Like you do, kind of lose a sense of yourself and it's hard to fight those battles. But you know you keep yourself busy and then, like I said, have a plan. You know, no one's perfect, but there's some tough moments. I just looked this up.
James LaGamma:Sorry, James.
Kenny Massa:I just looked this up and I don't think this helps you at all, but the job reports came back a couple days ago and only 12,000 people were reported new jobs in October, which is insanely low. When I actually saw it, I looked at it, at it, I thought I read it at 120 000 and I reread it was like 12 000, like it's insanely low for economic growth and like it's I mean it's decades low, like very, very low. So it does not help that the job market itself is just not at a peak right, like it, like it is at a really, and there's a lot of political things that come into play there. But I think that's at a very weak point where, on the upside, I think, if you did find something, but there is more that's going to be out there on the foresight, sure.
James LaGamma:I remember, as you're going through the interview process, there was a point where you're starting to get prepared to maybe make an industry shift. Um, kind of go through your, your thought process on when you were ready to walk away from sports essentially was it due to the rejection that you kept receiving. I mean, you kind of gave your statistics there One in 40 got the offer, one in 10 were, you know, finalists essentially, and kind of get callbacks, that kind of stuff, getting interviews done In a heavily competitive industry that you're talking about. When were you starting to think about other stuff? Because I know we had conversations about hey, tell me about the mortgage business. Is there something that you may think that I could be a fit on based?
James LaGamma:off of you know my personality, et cetera, et cetera.
Tim Meyer:Yeah, I'm incredibly blessed to have a lot of friends that reached out to me and, you know, said like hey, like maybe we can do this, maybe we can do this. Um, that meant a lot to me. I think that just goes to show the support system. Almost everyone on here is like hey, what can we do? And I had other friends same thing, and that meant a lot to me. So then I'm kind of thinking, like you know, sports isn't super glamorous, it's fun, right, there's just moments, but it usually doesn't pay super well. So I'm looking around, like I think a lot of my other friends make more money than me, which that doesn't bother me too much, but I'm like, but they're, they're doing a job Right, and so you kind of just have to. I was like searching for like a reason why I wanted to stay in sports.
Tim Meyer:I think it was mostly because I had done it for 10 years and I've worked hard, I got my master's degree to do it, but like, ultimately a job is a job, right, and you just want to make money at some point. And so I think I did entertain I still think about it, but I did entertain being a mortgage officer or something, I think, for me I want to keep doing what I was doing, because just because you have one setback doesn't mean you can't keep going right, one step back, two steps forward. And so I thought about it, but I really seriously did, but steps forward. And so I, you know, I thought about it, but I, I really seriously did, but I was just like you know, I, you know, I worked so hard to do this. I'm going to keep trying and at least give it a couple more shots and and see where I can, where I can go.
Tim Meyer:But that's a hard thing because all you have, you know, it's eight to six or whatever it is like. All you have to do is time to think and and wonder, think, maybe I should do this, maybe I should do this, maybe I should do this. And so I think it's natural to switch it up because obviously something went wrong. You know, and there's a lot of other jobs that you can make a lot of money in and I'm just like, huh, that might be nice.
Jonny Strahl:You know it's interesting, tim you kenny brought it up as well just talking about, like, how many people were on boarded off for jobs just in october. You also add the fact that you're working in sports, which is the most competitive landscape for finding a job. There's nothing even close to it. Um, you also have the fact that it is a election year, which, every four years, companies continuously want to wait until the next year. You want to figure out where the prioritization of their spending and budget needs to allocate right, because they're in wonder land too.
Jonny Strahl:But I do think it is incredible that you know, after taking a little bit of a hiatus, going to Europe, enjoying your life, living in the moment, and then coming back, having the opportunity to interview and find a job and land on your feet, although it probably didn't feel like it was a quick turnaround, it is quite impressive. So I do have to ask this and this may be a little bit off topic but in an interview process, building your resume, like that entire area, like are you naturally someone who feels comfortable during an interview? Do you beat yourself up Like curious Cause? Some people, unfortunately, have a lot of great experience, try so hard to prep themselves up for what to expect and how to crush the interview and unfortunately just don't land on the positive outcome.
Tim Meyer:I pride myself on being a relationship person. You know, like I just that's me. I like talking to people, I like bonding with people and so in an interview I feel like I'm pretty good at like forming that connection pretty quickly. So I've always, I always tell myself if I can get, if I can get in front of somebody, I'm usually okay and I and I don't know if what I've done has proved that or not, but I think, like you know, being a finalist for two jobs at least, getting through all those in a couple of different industries that I was missing some pieces of experience in I think kind of proves that point.
Tim Meyer:Because it is tough, right. I've only really came away from a couple of interviews thinking like shit, I did not do well in there, because I've just always been comfortable speaking to people. I've always been comfortable speaking to people. I've always been comfortable like in those situations. And plus one, if you're, if you're applying for jobs and interviewing for jobs that like you actually should be interviewing for, like it's pretty easy to to like communicate your experience and like cause, like you're all cause you should be comfortable, you know, cause, like it's everything that, it's everything that you've done, it's like it should be an easy conversation. I suit up and everything and I'm ready and I'm nervous, but it should be a pretty easy conversation at some point because you're interviewing for a job that you have experience doing.
Kenny Massa:Yeah, I think that those personal skills can go so far. I think they get you above, because I think it's still which is crazy it's so hard to find someone who has good interpersonal communication skills, that can actually communicate, that actually cares about relationship building, that can talk and discuss topics with you and not be awkward. So I think that you do. You have that. You know a lot. You can talk to literally anybody, like I've seen you talk to anybody. So I mean, that's a, that's a skill, it really is as crazy as that sounds, because we're all people, but it's unique and a valuable.
Tim Meyer:I don't have that skill. Tim does, tim definitely does.
James LaGamma:I think you have that skill. No, tim does. Tim definitely does, I think. Jay, do you have a more? Do you think I have it again? Like you said, get myself in front of somebody and if I can get a conversation going, then I'm good, I'm all right. It's more the approach that I have, which that necessarily isn't needed. That's tough, I don't even like.
Tim Meyer:Shannon was talking about the other day how you were talking about some, like you were captivating. I think we were all watching football at Johnny's and you were captivating the women about something and like going on about something. And Shannon's like, yeah, I'm like, well, that's James, I think you can talk to more people than you think.
James LaGamma:I talk to people if I know them. I'm an introverted extrovert is what I like to call it.
Kenny Massa:Tim just walks up to random people. That's what I like to tell you. Tim just walks up to random people Tim you could just Literally yesterday in our elevator right.
Tim Meyer:I'm just like it's in the morning, I'm in a good mood. It's Friday. There was this girl holding a loaf of bread and I was like, oh, I'm jealous, like that was pretty good. And she's like, oh, that's my boyfriend's bakery. Like, would you, this is your office. I was like yeah, hey, because it's like a shared suite or whatever, and she's like oh, I'll bring you some. It's a sample on Monday. So now I got a bread sample to do on Monday because I was nice and tried to talk to somebody.
Kenny Massa:I was actually going to say that. I was going to say you bridge the gap. I would say, 50% of the time it's witty comments, like you know, I don't know, you just come up with witty things to say that aren't like intrusive, they're funny and they're like I think they put people's guards down, but that's like your unique proposition. I would say, like you could bridge the gap in any type of setting by putting someone's guard down and literally starting a conversation with them, but you catch them off guard and then sometimes now it's going to lead you having to read, but oh that's trouble.
Tim Meyer:So if you guys want some bread, I can apply.
James LaGamma:Listen, now you're getting after that bread.
Tim Meyer:I can happily provide. Listen, now you're getting after that bread. I'm going to make that guy be a partner with the Valkyries.
Jonny Strahl:There you go.
Kenny Massa:There you go.
Jonny Strahl:Sponsor right there. So, tim, obviously the journey of just rebuilding confidence and kind of focusing on what you can control and going through interviews, landing a job, you know it's quite a, it's quite a success story and obviously the friend group here knowing you, we're proud of you and we're not shocked. But I think now it's future state Like when you look at the goals and what are you trying to accomplish moving forward. I'm just curious what that looks like.
Tim Meyer:Well, I think when I was at the AAU I became kind of like an expert in the event industry Not an expert, but very, very well versed to where I'm like, okay, maybe I'll try something a little bit different. I've always liked the corporate partnership side of things. It's good for me. Everyone always tells me I should be in sales so I can talk to anybody and good relationships I hustle. So I'm like maybe I'll do a sales, corporate partnership kind of thing. And so I had interviewed for a role, became a finalist and then so this role kind of came up. I applied to it. I'm like, yeah, that'd be awesome. I get to work in professional sports, an up-and-coming sport, kind of like a startup, and then also corporate partnerships. So for me I was just like I need to kind of be because I've worked with corporate partners.
Tim Meyer:That's the best thing about the AAU. One thing you're always selling, because you're trying to sell the AAU, you're trying to sell events, you're trying to sell memberships. You're working with budgets like really big, large budgets for events. You're working with events, millions of dollars worth. You're working with events. You're working with vendors, partners. So you get to do a little bit of everything. So I have eight years of doing everything but like mostly events, and so this is going to be like a really like a good sales professional sports facility. So we'll be at ucfs arena, so I'll kind of like we have 14 games there, um, so I'll kind of get to know the ins and outs of a facility like that.
Tim Meyer:I've done a lot of facility work. But um and so it's. I wanted to be able to round myself out as a sports professional. So that way, in my next role, or if I grow here to do something great um, uh, like there won't be a any stone unturned I'll be able to kind of answer for every single question they have with with a hundred percent certainty.
Jonny Strahl:Love that.
James LaGamma:That's cool. That's cool. I know Bobby did some stadiuming work for the Panthers for a while, so are you like really involved in the stadium, since it's UCF stadium, or it's just basically the event itself?
Tim Meyer:with. Well, so right now you, now we have an events team. I'm the corporate partner manager so I sell and manage a lot of the relationships with our current partners, like our biggest being AdventHealth, and then we have some others and I'm working through some deals. I have meetings because our season starts in January, so really more so for me at the games I'll kind of be in like the VIP area is all you know, kind of wherever our partners are, we try to bring a bunch of the games so I'll kind of be hanging out with them and kind of you know, building relationships and you know just account management on that. So I I'll be there pretty early and I'll probably stay after and help do some things. But it there pretty early and I'll probably stay after and help do some things, but it's just more so like cause, when we have the arena it's ours for the night, Right, so we kind of do different things that, like UCF doesn't which is pretty cool.
Tim Meyer:So like that's where I can like lean on my event experience to help with that and then also say you know I've been a part of a professional sports event set up and all that Cause. We can do a lot. We have a lot of creativity we can do with like anything. We have a B2B area, we have a suite area, we use the black and gold club, we have a party, a party suite, a floor suite, floor seats. So like we have so many different areas that we can kind of brand and and move forward with, which is pretty neat. I have the creativity to do that with any of our partners. So you know, mass inbound tech system, swab, fpc. I hit up the FPC lady.
Tim Meyer:She hasn't really back, yet I'll go walk into her office I'm on 77, I believe Right, yeah, and so and that's where it kind of comes to like with the confidence thing, john, it's like you know, right now it's more building our building, our you know partnership stuff. We have some in, you know, but we want to grow. Obviously we're only a year old and so we have some really good exposure where I think last year we averaged 4,200 fans a game, I think this year we're aiming for over 5,000 a game, which for a first year team like I think that's probably more than a lot of WNBA teams. So it's pretty cool, it's a really good product and it's a fun, entertaining thing. So it's an easy thing to move. You just got to get in front of people and I think when you're firing, off emails and calls they're like what is this?
Tim Meyer:And so I think that's kind of challenging. My first two weeks has been a lot of that, of having some meetings but also having a lot of rejections and like not people, people not even running back, and so that kind of hurts. Like you know, I've been trying to like deal with that, but you know, it's just when you think about it though, it's just it's still fun and every meeting is like a deal and it's like a kill right, like for whatever money and like now you really value that relationship and that partnership. So it's.
Jonny Strahl:but but confidence is definitely something uh, it can be shaken well I think for you, though, tim, like what's what stands out is you have the confidence, but it's not in a, it's not from a cocky standpoint, and I think that's what brings out your authenticity and why people kind of believe in and naturally gravitate toward you. So when you've explained this role from like what you've done over the last nearly a decade, eight plus years right To then now, this role, it's like the best of both worlds. You get to use a lot of what you've done in the past, but then you really get to drive home and be more of that partner to try to build credibility and drive solutions and help other corporations grow, but also your own, which is very unique, especially in the sales side. So it's cool to see that.
Kenny Massa:Agreed. Before we head out, one thing I just want to ask you, tim, in regards to anybody else that might be going through a similar transition, whether it's intentionally or not intentionally, like we discussed way earlier today what's the best piece of advice that you can give a listener who may be going through a similar transition?
Tim Meyer:It's hard and that's kind of a lot of the reason why I started a TikTok too or started doing some of my videos, because I was honest, I want to help anybody I can help, because this is a hard and helpless feeling. I have a really good support system. I'm blessed. I have all you guys, I have my other groups of friends checking on me all the time. I have my family. I have my wife, my wife's family. You know like I have such a valuable support system. So my transition wasn't as hard as some others could be.
Tim Meyer:Some people might be single or not have a big family or friends presence in their lives. So I think the biggest thing is just have a plan. Um, have an emergency fund, please. Everyone started an emergency fund. That is so important Um cause. Without that and if you some reason don't get unemployment, you could be in. You can be in deep shit where you know you have to pay your bills and and and that's when you have to go do something you don't want to do. Um, but it's just. I think it's just stay strong, reach out to people. You know, just talk, talk it out. It's not good to hold it in. Obviously, I like to talk, but it's just um. You know it's really hard but it, you know, but it's not. It's also not the end Like this is like it's not permanent.
Kenny Massa:You're going to get a job.
Tim Meyer:You're going to find something you love to do. You're going to make money again. Try to enjoy the time off, right, you know, but do what you have to do. Hustle If you have to hustle, you have to hustle, but because you're the only one looking after yourself really, and you know.
Kenny Massa:Awesome. Well, does anyone have anyone else any other questions before I close this out officially?
Ryan Selimos:I think, just a takeaway that I've had from Tim and you being vulnerable with us today. So thank you for that is just. You know, like you said, it's not the end. You'll find a job.
Ryan Selimos:And I think people don't realize that people give up and that's how they end up in those situations where all hope is lost because they've lost that, that desire to continue trying, to continue pushing forward, and that's where you end up in a situation maybe you don't want to be so, no matter how. You know what that outlook looks like and you're a perfect example that you tried new things. You kept after it, you kept going a little bit every day and we've kind of been able to see full circle. You had a very low point and now how excited you've been talking about, you know, plans for the Orlando Valkyries and what's to come, and I think people can take that away as just, no matter how bad it gets, it's not the end. There there is, you know the sun's going to rise the next day. Just keep moving forward, talk it out and just thank you again for for sharing that with us today.
Kenny Massa:Yeah, we appreciate you being here and shedding some light on some of the situations that others may have similarities with and might be going through in a similar facet. But we all know, I think, at the end of the day, that the golden thing that you said is it's a lot easier to do it with others by your side. It's a lot more seamless of a process, not like the pain goes away or the troubles go away, but the support system is really important and it's super key. So if we can shed light on anything today, that's probably one of the biggest things and that's the reason why we do this with the Bender Continues. It's important to shed light on those topics, to share stories that similar people might be going through and hopefully we help someone in the process. So if that is the case, then awesome, throw a comment in the thread here, let us know what you're going through and if this has helped you, at least change your mindset a little bit. But I'm going to close it out.
James LaGamma:And together the Bender continues, the Bender continues.
