JESSICA TEIXEIRA and SHAUNA MUHONEN

FORGED

Jessica and Shauna forged the perfect friendship!  Both singers since childhood, they came together with complimentary skills and preferences.  Jess prefers singing melody while Shauna prefers singing harmony.  Jess sings high and Shauna sings low.  They have a love of harmony that is shown in the songs that they write.  They have pursued careers in country music as they love the storytelling aspect of the genre.  In 3 ½ minutes of a country song you can listen to a lifetime, hear someone’s whole heart, or go on an adventure!  Jess and Shauna have started pitching their original music to Nashville labels, and hope to someday hear their songs sung by other talented artists in the industry.

A little about Shauna:  She is the mother of 6, is self-taught in mandolin and piano.  Shauna has fond memories of learning how to sing harmony as a child sitting at the feet of her mother.  Shauna has spent many years singing in various capacities for women’s groups, churches, fundraisers, etc.  Shauna created and runs a woman’s ministry as well.  Shauna is living the country lifestyle too she has horses and her husband even competes in Hunter/Jumper shows.

A little about Jess:  She is the mother of 4, is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, and her husband owns a pizza and sub shop that’s attached to their home.  Jess has spent many years singing in various competitions, churches, fundraisers, etc.  Jess even won the title as “college idol” in a spin off competition of American Idol at her alma mater.  

Forged has grown over the years from a duo to a full band.  The band has grown to include Matt Johndrow (drums/writer), Mike Pistone (guitar/bass/keys/sound engineer/writer), and Rob Murphy (bass/sweet dance skills).  The band has 2 new songs in studio that will be ready to release soon.  The new songs are from both ends of the country spectrum.  One is the type of song you’d listen to on someone’s front porch (with a banjo of course) while the other is more of a fast paced rockin’ empowered song.  Stay tuned!

MELANIE GIBSON

Melanie Gibson began taekwondo training at age ten. At age twelve she stopped taekwondo to pursue other interests, and resumed training in her early thirties.

Although Melanie had academic and career achievements throughout her life, she struggled with mental illness and low self-esteem. After making some progress through psychiatric treatment and counseling, she knew she needed to do something more substantial to make lasting changes. Returning to taekwondo had always been in the back of her mind, and the timing was right. 

Taekwondo proved to be not only an opportunity to re-learn a beloved skill from her childhood, but also a means to build her self-esteem and confidence, and heal from old wounds. It brought a needed excitement and purpose to her life, which she shares in her blog Little Black Belt (http://littleblackbelt.com). While continuing to work at her full-time job, Melanie dedicated herself to taekwondo training and earned her first degree black belt in 2015. In 2017, she earned her second degree black belt. Although a pandemic and knee injury sidelined her training in 2020, Melanie plans to return to taekwondo and test for her third degree black belt. 

She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Texas Woman’s University, a Master of Library Science from the University of North Texas, and an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. Melanie has worked in the healthcare industry since 2004, with roles as a hospital librarian, corporate trainer, and learning designer. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Melanie Gibson was an independent woman with a good job, multiple college degrees, and a condo in the trendy part of Fort Worth. She also had a few mental illnesses, a minor substance abuse problem, and rotten relationship skills. She was nearing a total mental breakdown and needed a good kick in the pants, literally and metaphorically. 

As a last desperate means to save her sanity, Melanie turned to a nearly forgotten childhood activity: the Korean martial art of taekwondo. To her surprise and delight, she discovered her childhood taekwondo instructors’ Grandmaster operated a taekwondo school a few miles from her home. She restarted her training as a white belt and quickly learned that taekwondo had much more to offer than just learning how to kick and punch.

In taekwondo, Melanie felt like she had a fresh start in more ways than one. She found an inner peace she’d never known before, a sense of community, a newfound confidence, healthy relationship stability, and a positive outlook on life. The kicking and screaming she was doing in class quieted the long-suffering kicking and screaming in her mind. Funny and frank, Kicking and Screaming: A Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts  is the story of Melanie’s life-changing journey from troubled, lost soul to confident taekwondo black belt.

Brian C. Joondeph completed his training as a retina surgeon in 1990 and since then has worked both in private practice and full-time academic ophthalmology. He practiced in Michigan for ten years before taking his family on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to work and live in Auckland, New Zealand for several years. He has been in Denver for the past 15 years after returning from his academic retina position down under. Denver was a great fit for his family after New Zealand given the opportunity for outdoor adventure and sports.

Dr. Joondeph grew up in northern New Jersey with his entire family in medicine or allied professions, making medical school an easy choice. Ophthalmology provided a high-tech blend of medicine and surgery, with retina further exemplifying these features. There is little in medicine more satisfying than saving or restoring eyesight, arguably the most precious of our senses.

Dr. Joondeph has more than 80 academic publications and is a current and past investigator in multiple clinical trials. He enjoys clinical research as it links scientific inquiry with eventual new treatments he can offer to his patients. He is also an examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology, helping develop the next generation of ophthalmologists. Dr. Joondeph is widowed and has three adult children.

When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family. His hobbies include golfing, skiing, fitness, and travel. When not in clinic, you will find Dr. J in the mountains or visiting a foreign country

Justin Reid is a 2015 Watkins Award Honoree graduated from Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana. He went to Stanford University after high school and played on the football team where he earned First Team All-Pac 12.  Justin was a 3rd round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2018 and remains on their active roster.

Justin Reid is a 2015 Watkins Award Honoree graduated from Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana. He went to Stanford University after high school and played on the football team where he earned First Team All-Pac 12.  Justin was a 3rd round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2018 and remains on their active roster.

Sworn in as governor in 1994, George Allen set about to bring sweeping reform that would make Virginia a national model in economic development, public safety, education accountability, welfare reform and creative government. He challenged critics and sentiment that suggested it couldn’t be done, reining in government spending and substantially reducing the size of the state workforce. And he accomplished his reform agenda with bi-partisan support.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, Mr. Allen continued to advocate for Virginia’s families. He strove to make Congress live like families do – within its means – by introducing and advocating for real budget reform including a balanced budget amendment, line-item veto and a paycheck penalty for Members of Congress when they fail to pass appropriations bills on time.

 

Since leaving the U.S. Senate, George Allen has continued to advocate for the issues and ideas he has always fought for. He launched the American Energy Freedom Center, whose mission is to advocate positive ideas for American jobs, economic prosperity and promote increased freedom, opportunity and competition in the development and use of our vast energy resources. George also serves as the Reagan Ranch Presidential Scholar for the Young America’s Foundation.

Football has always been a central part of George Allen’s life. In his recently released book, What Washington Can Learn from the World of Sports, he presents solutions that can work to put people across America in a position to compete and succeed in achieving their dreams.

Mark Pfoff

INFORMATION / BIOGRAPHY taken from: http://markpfoff.com/

Consultant

Mark Pfoff is owner of Rocky Mountain Computer Forensics which provides consulting for civil and criminal cases throughout the United States.  He has worked on projects from New York to Alaska. RMCF uses specialized software to examine computers, cell phones and cell phone records.

Mark is a court qualified expert in computer forensics, cell phone forensics, and cell phone technology. He is also an expert in police procedures and investigations; to include interviewing and interrogation techniques, proper digital evidence collection, and methods to obtain best digital evidence.

RMCF's mission statement:

"Provide forensic examinations of digital evidence using best practices; provide accurate and detailed reports of our findings; and provide expert courtroom testimony"

http://rmcomputerforensics.com/

Cattle Rancher

Mark has a herd of Black and Red Angus cattle in Eastern Colorado.  His cattle graze in open pastures during the summer and are fed a combination of hay and grain during the winter. His herd expands every spring with the addition of calves. Mark's herd has grown to over 50 with more calves on the way.

http://markpfoff.com/cattle-rancher/

School Board Member

Mark was the longest serving school board member for Lewis-Palmer School District 38 since term limits were enacted.  He was elected three times serving 12 years. He served twice as President and held every position during his tenure.  Lewis-Palmer is a high-achieving school district with one of the highest on-time graduation rates in the state of Colorado.

During his tenure the school district maintained a balanced budget, increased reserves, and was ranked as one of the top ten school districts in Colorado.

He completed his fourth and final term in December of 2019.

How can you improve your wellbeing and take your life to a higher vibration? My guest is Athena Bahri who wants you to raise your vibes! Athena is the author of an easy-to-use guide on energy healing and runs a popular and engaged crystal, Reiki business. ⭐ Fun fact: Athena is from a Hollywood dynasty, and is related to Rita Hayworth, Donna Reed and Ginger Rogers. Athena is a certified Reiki Master, Crystal Reiki Master and chakra healer, and the creator of Crystal Reiki Healer, one of the fastest-growing online presences. In addition to creating content for Instagram and her website, Athena contributes to podcasts and radio shows, and performs Reiki healing locally in California, as well as helping people around the globe via distance healing.