The other morning while I was making my delicious spinach, blueberry, and vanilla protein smoothie, I thought about how those ingredients are symbolic of my life. Every day the ingredients in my smoothie are a little bit different; just like the different stages of my life. There are certain ingredients, or interests and passions, that make up who I am. As I change and evolve, so do the ingredients. I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself through these “ingredients.”
When I was a kid my food blender wasn’t always full of fruits and vegetables; it consisted of ice cream, chocolate syrup and Oreo cookies. You know, a yummy milk shake! My life ingredients were my grade school friends, riding bikes, collecting baseball cards, and playing football & soccer.
When I was in my 20’s, my food ingredients were lime juice, tequila and triple sec; a margarita. (Yes, I liked to drink a little bit.) My life ingredients were a little more balanced though. I liked to party, but was still a responsible college student at the University of Idaho who later started a career as a Videographer and TV News Producer. I even DJ’d part time at local clubs, traveled to Europe with my wife and loved to golf. I simply enjoyed life.
Now, I’m in my mid 30’s. My food ingredients consist of more fruits and veggies… and A LOT LESS ALCOHOL. My life ingredients have three key components: Family, Boise DJ career, and Health.
My first ingredient is my FAMILY:
My beautiful wife Joely, whom I’ve been married to for 7 years, my adorable daughter Finley, and our latest bundle of joy, Asher. I wouldn’t be who I am today without these three.
My second life ingredient is my DJ CAREER:
I mentioned that I was a full-time TV News Producer and a part-time DJ. That all changed in 2011 when the news station I worked for laid off the entire news staff. I was working on a sinking ship. Fortunately for me, I had a plan. I wanted out of news and was ready to create my own path and follow my dream. That’s when I started my mobile DJ company, Rhodes Entertainment. Mixing music and MCing for people is my passion. Now, instead of sitting in front of a desk all day, I get to stand in front of my turntables on the weekends. I get to work at weddings, private events and mix regularly at upscale venues like Barbacoa and The Owyhee in Boise, ID. I absolutely love it!
My third life ingredient is my HEALTH:
I mentioned earlier that I used to party a lot. I was also a smoker for 13 years. (No one ever believes me when I tell them.) In 2009 I kicked that habit and turned my life around. I started exercising and eating right daily. I went from double cheeseburgers to cottage cheese and pineapple, and basically never looked back. I workout at the YMCA on a regular basis and have participated in events like “The Race to Robie Creek,” a brutal 13-mile run that feels like it’s uphill both ways. I never would’ve imagined doing that 10 years ago. Now, I look forward to taking on a triathlon one of these days. When I do, I’ll have my wife and kids to support me and a DJ mix in my ears to motivate me.
Who knows what the rest of my future holds. No matter what, I definitely look forward to adding and modifying my life ingredients as each new stage of my life approaches.
~Eric