Voracious is defined as someone who has an insatiable appetite. It’s an adjective often used to describe someone who like to read, and it describes my next guest on this installment of The Many Hats Podcast. Kathy Burnette has been a voracious reader since she was a young person growing up in the Inglewood neighborhood of Chicago, so it should not be surprising that Kathy owns The Brain Lair Bookstore on South Bend’s near Northwest Side. However, Kathy would say that the arc from Inglewood to the Brain Lair was not linear. True, Kathy has worn many hats that qualified her to become a bookseller, including elementary school teacher and middle school librarian. However, owner a bookstore was a distant dream until she concluded that the challenge of getting literature that told diverse stories could only be addressed if she became one of the people who addressed it. I’d like to welcome. Kathy Burnette, owner of The Brain Lair bookstore to The Many Hats Podcast.

Regardless of where you fall in your fitness journey, it’s time to get up and move. However, many people don’t know where to start. Fortunately, our community is filled with fitness trainers who have the expertise and patience to meet you where you are, and it’s never too late. Whether you’re an athlete looking for that extra edge, someone taking those first tentative steps back into the gym or you want to learn a new sport, the guests that I will talk with over the next four weeks of the Many Hats Podcast all have a story to tell. My next guest, Eld. Carl J. Steen III, seeks to address the needs of the entire person, first as a preacher of the gospel and as a fitness trainer, who founded and own 3rd Gen Fitness. Eld. Carl J. Steen is a legendary name in the city of South Bend’s faith community. His grandfather pastored Saint’s Memorial Church of God in Christ. His father, Bishop Carl J. Steen II is currently the pastor, and CJ III is an ordained pastor there. CJ also seeks to minister to the natural body through his personal training business. For the Eld. Carl J. Steen III there is no separation between mind, body and soul. The married father of three with one on the way seeks to get every aspect of our lives in line. We will talk about it here on the next episode of the Many Hats Podcast.

Regardless of where you fall in your fitness journey, it’s time to get up and move. However, many people don’t know where to start. Fortunately, our community is filled with fitness trainers who have the expertise and patience to meet you where you are, and it’s never too late. Whether you’re an athlete looking for that extra edge, someone taking those first tentative steps back into the gym or you want to learn a new sport, the guests that I will talk with over the next four weeks of the Many Hats Podcast all have a story to tell. My first guest is Amber Thomas, owner of Amber’s Fitness Lab, located in the 1600 Block of South Miami Street in South Bend. The name of Amber’s business gives you a hint that she takes a scientific approach to fitness training that’s influenced by her years working in the health care field. Amber spent her life involved in sports, so she knows the connection between body and health. However, Amber also had to overcome internal challenges that could have stopped her from becoming a fitness training with a loyal following. We will hear about it on this episode of The Many Hats Podcast. Please welcome Amber Thomas.