Hi, I’m Todd B.
Leader, entrepreneur, podcast host, motivational speaker, life coach, mentor, husband, dad, son, and friend to many.
I possess the unique ability to draw strangers into sharing their life stories with me—a gift I deeply cherish and never take for granted. Being an attentive listener, I genuinely enjoy learning about the diverse journeys people navigate. I firmly believe in the inherent goodness present in every individual.
BIO SNAPSHOT
Embrace The Journey
Over the past few years, I’ve committed myself to a personal journey of refining and elevating every facet of my life, aspiring to be the best version for everyone I encounter. Recognizing that greatness doesn’t materialize overnight, I’ve come to appreciate that change is a gradual process requiring time and dedication. The journey is worth the wait for those who exercise patience and wholeheartedly embrace the transformative process.
Here’s my journey…
The Start
Hailing from Akron, Ohio, the same hometown as LeBron James, I was raised in a hardworking, lower middle-class family. My parents, who remain together to this day, instilled in me the value of hard work and resilience. Despite facing challenges, nothing was handed to us on a silver platter, but we persevered through it all. Both of my parents held down two jobs for as far back as I can recall, all to ensure my sister and I had what we needed. They were unwavering in their support of our aspirations, standing by us every step of the way.
Sports
My mother has always been a big supporter of sports, participating in various activities herself and encouraging my sister and me to do the same. I’ve been involved in a multitude of sports including, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, wrestling, softball, tennis, racquetball, bodybuilding, and pickleball. My main sports were baseball, soccer, and wrestling, which I lettered all three in high school. Despite being on the shorter side, I relied on my strength and speed to compete. While I showed promise in baseball and soccer, my attitude hindered my progress. I frequently found myself ejected from games and accumulating red cards in soccer. Nevertheless, my father remained steadfast in his support, never missing a single one of my games.
Breakdancing
This experience stands out as one of the most significant moments in my life. For four years, I poured my heart and soul into becoming the best dancer I could be. From dawn till dusk, I dedicated myself to perfecting every dance move until it became second nature. I immersed myself in countless competitions, eventually earning a coveted spot in the top dance group in our region. Being on stage brought me immense joy; there’s nothing quite like the thrill of entertaining an audience and eliciting smiles from their faces. During my dancing journey, I earned the nicknames “Chili-T” and “Windmill Wizard.” If you’d like to see me in action, check out this video. If you want to learn more about the influence breakdancing had on me, listen to this Tunesmate podcast.
The Dark Path
I’ve had the privilege of attending both private (Catholic) and public schools, each offering vastly different experiences that have profoundly shaped me. However, by the time I reached 8th grade, I found myself spiraling down a dark path of drug and alcohol abuse. Lost and in a haze, I traversed through a season of life filled with unimaginable stories and experiences. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I am to have emerged from that tumultuous period. It would be many years later before I discovered my true purpose and direction in life.
Hospital Janitor
Throughout my high school and college years, I dedicated seven years of my life to working as a janitor at a local hospital. It was a deeply humbling experience, yet there was a sense of gratification in the simplicity of cleaning floors—a tangible testament to a job well done. As part of a local union, my senior year of college brought about a unique challenge when we went on strike during the holiday season. Picketing for days on end in the brutal cold weather was an unforgettable experience. The photo you see here is from the cover of the Patient Guide that every patient received. This was my claim to fame!
The Beat Down
Amidst my darkest days, I found myself residing with two roommates in a drug-ridden residence off Buchtel Ave. One evening I returned home intoxicated, and for some reason, my roommates beat me to a pulp. I barely survived. I still have a chipped tooth as a constant reminder of that day. This incident became a pivotal moment in my life that demanded change. Determined to alter my trajectory, I took the courageous step of enrolling in college. Balancing full-time work as a janitor with a full-time academic load, was a grueling journey that spanned seven years until graduation, followed by another 15 years to settle my student debts. Throughout this arduous period, I was fortunate to have the support of numerous mentors and allies who stood by me, offering guidance and encouragement along the way, for which I am deeply grateful.
Marriage & Divorce
I entered into marriage with my first wife, and together, we welcomed our son into the world. He’s my little mirror image, and his achievements fill me with immense pride. However, after twelve years, as is often the case, my then-wife and I drifted apart, leading to our amicable divorce. Despite parting ways as spouses, we remained committed to co-parenting our son to the best of our abilities. The transition to not seeing my son every day was undoubtedly one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Following the divorce, I decided to get my first and only tattoo—a custom design symbolizing change and transformation, through the imagery of a phoenix, flames, and a lightning bolt (no surprise there!).
Second Marriage
I found love again in my wife, Debra, who is not only my partner but also my closest confidante and rock of support. Together, we welcomed our daughter into the world—an energetic and beautiful blessing who fills our lives with joy and keeps us on our toes. Our shared interests include embarking on spontaneous short trips, attending concerts, and never failing to catch an episode of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Committed to making a difference, we actively engage in volunteering and philanthropic endeavors within our community.
Started my own business
Following stints at internet startups and various ad agencies, I made the bold decision to embark on my entrepreneurial journey, founding Evolve Marketing a leader in web design and digital marketing. As the sole proprietor, I’ve painstakingly built this business from the ground up, acquiring clients one by one. Through this hands-on experience, I’ve gained invaluable insights akin to earning an MBA in real-world application. Though I’ve encountered my fair share of setbacks along the way, each mistake has served as a valuable lesson, contributing to my continuous growth. As Evolve celebrates its 15th anniversary, I am immensely proud of the remarkable team I’ve assembled. Surrounding oneself with exceptional individuals is undeniably instrumental to success.
My True Transformation Begins
- 2019 – Due to an injury I went on a gluten-free diet. This was the moment I connected diet to health and started my holistic journey of change.
- 2020 – I connected with Christine Hockman (as seen in the photo with me), my now high-performance coach who has had a profound influence on my transformational journey.
- 2021 – I invested in the Positive Intelligence program which changed my life forever.
- 2022 – I created my own life optimization system and now track all aspects of my life.
THE LOGO & BRAND
The lightning bolt has consistently served as a symbol that resonates deeply with me and holds a special allure. From being a prominent feature in my street and wall tags during my breakdancing days to my admiration for the DC superhero FLASH, the bolt has played a significant role in my life. My affinity for it traces back to my youth when I sported a gold chain adorned with a bolt pendant. The bolt captures a blend of speed, power, thrill, and a touch of destruction, embodying a multifaceted essence that resonates with my personal journey and brand identity.
Are you ready to spark a serious transformation in your life? The BOLT will ignite your journey to becoming the best version of yourself! Listeners describe the personal growth podcast as authentic, relatable, funny, and actionable. Listen and subscribe today to start your path to personal growth and self-improvement!
