PODCAST INTRO — “Taking Chances: Why Not You?”

Welcome back to Taking Chances – Why Not You? — the podcast where we dive into the real, raw, and remarkable stories of people who bet on themselves… and changed everything.

Aimee is someone who embodies grit, creativity, reinvention, and pure determination. Meet Aimee Ford, also known as Artist Aimee Ford, the powerhouse behind AF Tattoo Studio — one of the Quad Cities’ most respected tattoo destinations.

Aimee’s journey is anything but typical.

She grew up “below the Hill” in Clinton, bounced through four different high schools in just three years, became a mom young, and learned early what it meant to fight for stability while chasing a dream. With a musician for a dad and a librarian for a mom, art was in her blood from day one.

She graduated, stepped into a tattoo apprenticeship, took a detour into marriage, poured herself into photography for years, faced divorce, and then — as a single mom — made the bold choice to re-enter the tattoo world.

And what happened next?

She built a studio. She built a brand. She built a community. All on her own.

Today, Aimee is living proof that the path doesn’t have to be straight for the destination to be extraordinary.

So settle in — this is a story of resilience, creativity, single‑mom strength, and the fearless pursuit of a life you choose.

This is Aimee Ford, and this is Taking Chances – Why Not You?

aking Chances – Why Not You?

This week, I’m sitting down with someone who defines grit, resilience, and the power of choosing a different path: Travis Swanson — Father, Husband, Brother… and Ultrarunner.

Travis calls himself a “typical middle‑aged, standard family, recovering alcoholic” … but anyone who knows him knows there’s nothing typical about the miles he’s logged or the battles he’s won.

At 45, he’s juggling a career in manufacturing, life with his wife and two busy kids, and still finding ways to push himself into the wild world of endurance running. He might say he doesn’t have the most time… but he’s learned to give the most effort (minus the diet part, his words ). Travis Swanson has been sober for 8 years and running for just as long — and the friendships, community, and shared suffering on the trails are what keep him coming back.

His accomplishments?

Buckle up:

Four Mines of Spain 100 finishes (with another coming this fall)

Two Barkley Fall Classics (where he’s always projected to finish after cutoff )

Leadville 100 finisher

42.5 miles at the Schuetzen NIEN Hour Endurance Run (IYKYK…) And now he’s asking the best ultra question of all:

“What else looks like a good bad time?”

You won’t want to miss this conversation — Travis brings honesty, humor, humility, and a whole lot of heart.

Episode drops soon!

Why not you?

https://www.youtube.com/@takingchanceswhynotyou/videos

🚀 Meet Maurice Lowman — a.k.a. MarathonPandaMaurice 🐼🏃‍♂️One of the most relentless runners you’ll ever meet.🏅 43 Marathons🏅 100+ Half Marathons🏅 2 Ultra 100‑Mile Finishes🏅 4 Ultra Marathon (24‑Hour) Finishes🔥 9.5‑Year Run Streak — from 1/1/2016 to 8/1/2025, Maurice ran at least 1 mile outside every single day. That’s 3,476 consecutive days of showing up.And now he’s taking on the 2026 Boston Marathon — not just for himself, but to raise money for an amazing cause through GivenGain. 🙌👉 Support his journey & donate here:https://www.givengain.com/champion/maurice-lowman-367002