What does it really take to walk away from a 28-year corporate career and start over in the skilled trades?

In this powerful episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast, host Pat Finley sits down with Corrie Phillips, a commercial foodservice refrigeration technician who made the leap from the corporate world into HVACR and never looked back.

Corrie shares her raw, honest journey—from working behind a desk for nearly three decades to enrolling in technical school, taking a massive pay cut, and building a successful career in commercial refrigeration, warewashing, and kitchen equipment service. This conversation dives deep into what it’s really like to start over later in life, overcome imposter syndrome, and find purpose working with your hands in the trades.

This episode is packed with insight for:

• Anyone stuck in an office job dreaming of a career change

• New and aspiring HVACR or foodservice equipment technicians

• Women considering a career in the skilled trades

• Technicians navigating self-doubt, learning curves, and long days in the field

Corrie talks about learning the language of refrigeration, adapting to the chaos of commercial kitchens, building trust with customers, and why patience is one of the most important skills a technician can develop. She also shares how communication, customer service, and life experience can be just as valuable as technical knowledge.

You’ll also hear why refrigeration “clicked” for her, how mentorship and asking questions accelerated her growth, and why the trades offer financial freedom, job security, and real fulfillment—at any age.

• Transitioning from a 28-year corporate career into HVACR

• What it’s like starting over in the trades later in life

• Learning refrigeration, warewashing, hot side, and bakery equipment

• Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a technician

• Why communication skills matter just as much as technical skills

• The reality of working inside busy commercial kitchens

• Women in HVACR and foodservice equipment repair

• Advice for anyone considering trade school or a career change

If you’re not using Viper, you’re working too hard.

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Throw a bottle of Viper on the truck and make your next service call easier.
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Follow Corrie on social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coolergirl_corrie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@coolergirl_corrie?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

If this episode inspired you, share it with someone stuck behind a desk who needs to hear this story.

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

Welcome back to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast! Today’s guest is DJ Coblentz, the Lead Technical Trainer at Viega’s brand-new state-of-the-art Ohio facility. If you’ve ever pressed a fitting, installed MegaPress, fought with threaded gas pipe, or wondered what it’s like behind the scenes at Viega’s manufacturing and training center — THIS is the episode for you. DJ shares his journey from the field to the classroom, how Viega is reshaping the plumbing & mechanical trades, and why press technology continues taking over mechanical rooms and commercial jobsites everywhere. ⭐ What You’ll Learn in This Episode How DJ went from traditional plumbing work to becoming a lead trainer at Viega Behind-the-scenes insight on Viega’s new Ohio manufacturing + training hybrid facility Why press technology (Viega ProPress, MegaPress, copper press fittings) is dominating the industry How the trades provide financial freedom, career growth, and a lifelong skillset How training, apprenticeships, and vocational programs are reshaping the future of skilled trades Advice for young techs, plumbers, HVAC/R apprentices, and anyone entering the mechanical trades Why the branch connector, transition couplings, and MegaPress fittings are game-changing tools How Viega partners with contractors, students, supply houses, and trade schools 🏭 About Viega’s Brand-New Ohio Facility DJ walks us through: What Viega is now manufacturing in the U.S. (½”–1” copper 90s, couplings, repair couplings) Their upcoming MegaPress production line The unique catwalk tour that gives trainees a safe aerial view of real-time production Why U.S. manufacturing matters to the plumbing, mechanical, and HVAC/R trades How the facility is already impacting the local community and trade partners This is the only facility in the U.S. where manufacturing and training happen under one roof — and DJ gives us the inside scoop. DJ with Viega 🧰 DJ’s Favorite Viega Product You’ll love this part. DJ explains why the Viega Transition Coupling is one of the most underrated life-saving fittings in the industry — especially when dealing with old galvanized pipe, cast iron, copper, or PEX transitions in residential and commercial jobs. DJ with Viega 🧑‍🏫 Why Training Matters DJ breaks down: How Viega approaches modern technical training Why tradespeople benefit from both hands-on and virtual training (VTTs) Why humor, conversation, and real field talk create better learning environments How the trades can attract more young people and athletes with strong work ethics What keeps the trades fulfilling even when you leave fieldwork DJ with Viega 🚀 For Anyone Thinking About Joining the Trades DJ’s advice is clear: Try a ride-along Stay curious Invest in yourself The trades can change your life From buying a home to paying off college, raising a family, and building a meaningful career — DJ’s story is proof of the opportunity that lives in the plumbing & mechanical industries. DJ with Viega 📞 How to Sign Up for Viega Training You can learn more about in-person and virtual training by visiting: 👉 Viega.us (Find local reps, classes, and training centers) 👉 Ask your local supplier or Viega rep 👉 Join a Viega VTT (Virtual Tech Training) DJ with Viega ❓ Questions for the Audience Have you used Viega ProPress or MegaPress on gas lines, hydronics, refrigeration, or domestic water? What’s your favorite press-fitting time saver? Does your shop encourage training and apprenticeships? Have you visited a manufacturing facility like Viega’s before? What product or tool do you wish manufacturers would create next? Drop your answers in the comments — let’s talk shop.

Check out their website for all their upcoming trainings and more!

https://www.viega.us/en/homepage.html

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat and Jason sit down with Rhydon Atzenhoffer — the Voice of Distribution, host of the HVAC R&D Podcast, and a guy who has lived HVAC life from the trenches to the top.

Born and raised in his dad’s heating and air business in the mountains of North Carolina, Rhydon worked his way up from rough-in crews to sales, project management, and eventually wholesale distribution. Today he’s an Account Executive helping contractors build better businesses while still keeping the roots of the trade at the center of everything he does.

In this episode we dig into:
• Growing up in the trades, learning social intelligence from his dad, and what early field life taught him
• What distribution really looks like behind the scenes
• How contractors and distributors can build stronger relationships
• The evolution of residential and light commercial systems — and why training matters more than ever
• HVAC R&D’s five years of Shenanigans and how the show has impacted the trade community
• Mental burnout, balancing passion projects, and staying motivated when life hits hard
• The future of contractors, distribution, and the next five years of HVAC R&D

You’ll also hear stories about racing museums, bourbon collections, pallet-jack shenanigans, crawlspace confessions, Canadian fans, and why HVAC friendships hit different in this industry.

And of course — a Viper ad read to kick things off, because the green stuff gets it done right the first time.

Whether you're HVAC/R, foodservice repair, in distribution, or just love real trade-life conversations, this episode delivers laughs, lessons, and plenty of truth.

Check it out — and support HVAC R&D, the #TradeCrew, and the people who keep this industry moving.

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Rhydon Atzenhoffer

https://www.hvacrnd.com/

Refrigeration Technologies

https://www.refrigtech.com/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

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