In this episode of Elevate Each Other, Freddie Martinez sits down with Lisa Rorich, the powerhouse owner and CEO of the Pueblo Punishers, Pueblo’s new pro arena football team joining the National Arena League.

Lisa shares the full journey—from starting as a fan in Wyoming to building a championship-caliber team from the ground up. She breaks down the decision to choose Pueblo as the team’s home, the story behind the gritty logo, and how the community’s excitement has already turned into sold-out predictions.

You’ll hear about:

• How a tape measure moment changed everything

• The vision for player-community engagement

• Upcoming tailgates, watch parties, and kids’ camps

• Her goal to put Pueblo on the national sports map

• Why this isn’t “just another team”—this is Pueblo’s team

Whether you’re a football fan, a business owner, or proud Pueblo local, this episode will leave you fired up and ready to rep the silver, black, and purple.

Follow the Pueblo Punishers:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Season tickets available now through the team

Episode Description:

In this heartfelt episode of Elevate Each Other, host Freddie Martinez sits down with James Romero, a Pueblo native, former car finance manager, boxing enthusiast, and current mortgage loan officer with Edge Home Finance. James opens up about his deep ties to Pueblo—from working at Musso Farms as a kid to volunteering at Central High as a wrestling coach—and how those roots shaped his values.

James shares how a dream to travel the world with his wife and child sparked a complete lifestyle pivot. They visited 16 countries in less than a year, and returned with a renewed sense of purpose. Now James helps others plant roots by guiding clients through the home buying and refinancing process with transparency, creativity, and care.

This episode is about more than mortgages. It’s about staying local, thinking global, and finding joy in helping others move forward.

Highlights:

• His unexpected career shift from paramedic studies to car sales to home loans

• Why working from home helps him stay present as a father

• The inspiring story of his family’s year-long journey through Europe

• Coaching youth, giving back, and his future plans to grow a community-focused mortgage team

Connect with James Romero, The Mortgage Man at www.themortgagemancolorado.com

In this episode of Elevate Each Other, host Freddie Martinez sits down with multi-talented creative and community advocate Jason Gutiérrez. From his roots in abstract art and improvisational cooking to his current work with Old Dirty Bins and White Rabbit Beads, Jason shares how creativity and community shape everything he does.

Jason talks about building Pueblo’s first trash bin sanitation and power washing business, expanding into commercial contracts, and how a love for expression through music, painting, and jewelry has fueled his entrepreneurial journey. Whether he’s curating a gallery show, polishing gemstones, or strategizing for the iconic Pueblo levee mural, Jason embodies passion with purpose.

This is a conversation about turning creativity into impact—one cleaned trash bin, polished stone, and inspired idea at a time.

Connect with Jason or learn more about Old Dirty Bins at olddirtybins.com