Tyler Mayforth

Official Website of Tyler Mayforth | Delaware Born | NOLA Living

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Baring My Soul For November Project – New Orleans

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On November 3, 2017

In Blogging, Life Stuff

Earlier this week, the co-leaders from November Project-New Orleans presented me with the Positivity Award, which is given out to a member who isn’t necessarily the fastest or loudest, but is a steady influence at workouts and does his or her best to promote and grow the November Project movement.

November Project allows members to write guest blogs and I took this opportunity to bare my soul a bit about how much the organization – and those involved with it – mean to me.

I’ll link to it here and copy and paste what I wrote underneath it.

Humbled – Guest Blog By Tyler Mayforth (NOLA)

Surprised.

Speechless.

Humbled.

Those are just a few of the adjectives I could use to describe myself when Mia bestowed me with the Positivity Award on Wednesday. I’m sure anybody else who received the oar in the past felt the same way once their name was announced in front of the group.

Mia explained that one of the biggest reasons she and Glenn chose me was because of my relentless promotion of November Project – or myself, depending on how you look at it – on my social media channels. If you’re my friend on Facebook or follow me on Instagram or Twitter (I’m easy to find if you search for my name), just about every Wednesday or Friday I’ll post something NP-related from that morning’s workout. Those sunrises on the lakefront are too beautiful and the images our fearless co-leaders capture of us are too good not to share.

Social media comes easy for me, like it does any Millennial. It’s also in my job description at work, so there’s that.

The unbridled joy – and smile on my face in just about every single one of those pictures – doesn’t. At least it hasn’t in the past.

That changed when I was introduced to November Project back in January.

Ever since I graduated college, I lacked structure in my life. I had it as a college athlete at the University of Delaware, but after that, nothing. I worked odd hours in newspapers and got too reckless in my spare time. Can’t say I was too proud of my decisions from ages 23 to, let’s say, 30 (I’m 32 now, for those wondering).

Once I moved to New Orleans in August of 2015 and started my first 9-to-5 job, I knew something had to change. If it didn’t, The Big Easy would chew me up and spit me out.

First, I found a gym. Fitness is a huge part of my life.

Then I signed up for kickball. The competitive fire in me will never die and I couldn’t think of a better way to make new friends.

Ten months ago, the best of both worlds came together: fitness and friends. Better yet, fitness and family.

It may sound cliche, but November Project does become family. Visit another city with November Project and you’ll see that first-hand. I traveled to Chicago last month to cheer on former New Orleans NPer Allison Rogers in the marathon and attended four different NP functions: a sign-making party on Saturday, the Cheer Station at mile 22 on Sunday, the post-race party on Sunday night and the pop-up workout on Monday. I felt welcomed at every turn. Plus, you wouldn’t believe how many people – runners included – yelled “November Project” or “F–k yeah” throughout the day on Sunday as I traversed the Windy City to find different vantage points.

I wake up at 5:30 am just about every Wednesday and Friday because I know all of you will be there ready to push yourselves up and down the ramps, steps and everywhere in between at Champions Square as well as up and down those levees (That we devour for breakfast) at the lakefront. Plus, I also want to hold myself accountable – something I failed to do for far too long. Don’t tell anyone this, but I’m a morning person now.

And perhaps two of the best things about November Project are that it’s free (I mean, you pay for the gas it takes you to get to and from the workout site, but that’s it) and you get out of it what you put in. I am continually surprised at the lack of affordable gyms in New Orleans, but November Project lets you sweat away those calories while running and doing bodyweight exercises free of charge, at your own pace.

If you read this far, I owe you a high five or a hug. Your choice.

Above all, thank you for accepting me for who I am.

Thank you for pushing me to become a better man.

Thank you for being awesome.

Red Dress Run-ning In New Orleans

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On August 15, 2016

In Life Stuff, New Orleans

Of all the things I’ve called to tell my mom — and believe me, there have been a lot over the years — what I told her two weeks ago definitely set a new standard.

“My shoulders are impossible to fit in a dress.”

She responded as I expected. Then I told her why I had been dress shopping.

Every August in New Orleans, there is an event called the “Red Dress Run.” It’s a charitable fun run put on by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, which deems itself “A Drinking Club With A Running Problem.” Last year, according to the New Orleans Hash House Harriers website, the Red Dress Run raised $169,000 for 73 local charities, which is no small feat and a great way to give back to the community.

Outside of Halloween, I don’t think I’d ever wear a dress. I put that disclaimer out there because I did dress up as a cheerleader a few years ago when I was in Texas.

At the same time, I never before lived in The Big Easy where an old axiom goes, “We don’t hide the crazy. We parade it down the street.” You quickly understand that.

When in Rome, right? So off I went to Goodwill and found two dresses that could actually fit me and ended up buying both because I’m as indecisive as the day is long.

Overall, I had a blast and the French Quarter was filled with revelers. New Orleans knows how to throw a party and Red Dress Run is no different than anything else.

This past weekend also marked a milestone of sorts in my life. On August 10, 2015, I officially arrived in Louisiana and exactly one week later, I started my current job as communications assistant with the USTFCCCA (Say our acronym 10 times fast).

Tyler-Mayforth-Georgia-New-Orleans-Move-2015

Pictured: Scotch and Tape before leaving Georgia.

With Red Dress Run in the books, I’ve officially experienced the gamut of things this city has to offer, whether it be a Saints game, carnival season or a music festival.

They say once you’re in New Orleans for a year, you’ll know if you want to stay for a while. With such a wealth of activities, I can understand why people never leave.

From New Orleans To Biloxi And Back

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On July 5, 2016

In Life Stuff, New Orleans

Sometimes it feels great to get away.

Easy, now: I’m not talking about bank robberies.

This past weekend was another festival weekend in New Orleans and unlike the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival or Voodoo Music & Arts Experience, the Essence Festival takes place right downtown. While most of the music is confined inside the Superdome, thousands of festival-goers spill outside and make getting around the city and/or eating anywhere downtown a chore.

Knowing this was the case, Amanda (my lady friend) and I decided to take a day trip to Biloxi, Mississippi to check out the sights — and more importantly, the pool at the Hard Rock Hotel. Biloxi is also right on the beach (with all the flesh-eating bacteria you could shake a stick at), so many opportunities to relax could be had.

To those not in the know, Biloxi is one of several towns on the Gulf of Mexico within driving distance (read: 2-5 hours) of New Orleans. It’s like if you’re up north among the Yankees in Delaware and you want to get to Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach or anywhere along the Jersey Shore (Stone Harbor, please).

Overall, the day trip was a pleasant experience.

The pool at the Hard Rock Hotel, while opened to families and children (placards said it was only available to those 21 and up), wasn’t too crowded and the swim-up bar added a fun wrinkle. Other guests were fun to talk to and stories were shared.

On the way back to New Orleans, we stopped at The Blind Tiger — a popular place to eat in Bay St. Louis that Amanda had heard a lot about in the past. Located right on the water, The Blind Tiger had a chill vibe to it, the sun felt great as you dined and the menu reminded me of Charlie’s in The Big Easy, where I had a delicious meal with impeccable company on my birthday.

Like I mentioned before, there are a ton of other cities within driving distance of New Orleans so I’m sure there will be more day trips coming up in the near future.

The Half Hour And More Fun Opportunities

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On June 22, 2016

In Life Stuff, New Orleans

Five months ago I got free tickets to a concert at The Civic Theatre featuring Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It turned out to be an amazing experience and one where I could truly “feel” the music.

Earlier this month, before I went on a 10-day work trip with the USTFCCCA to Eugene, Oregon for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, I went back to The Civic — but this time for a taping of a Comedy Central special entitled “The Half Hour.”

Those in attendance on the night I went were treated to a pair of 30-minute sets (hence “The Half Hour”) by up-and-coming comedians Ahmed Bharoocha and Naomi Ekperigin. Impossible names to spell and I’m not going to lie, I had to just look them up to do so correctly.

Before the show I had a rapport with Ekperigin over Twitter.

https://twitter.com/tylermayforth/status/738529350400675841

Overall, it was another great experience at The Civic.

We got there early hoping to secure floor seats, but had to settle for balcony seats instead and the view wasn’t bad at all (see the picture at the top of the post).

Both comedians were fantastic, with Ekperigin winning Comedian of the Night by the esteemed panel of judges (myself and Amanda). Bharoocha had his moments, but a stalled bit at the end killed his momentum (That’s what you get for trying out new material, which if timed right, would have done marginally better).

I fully recommend checking out “The Half Hour” when it airs in the fall. Look for me in the upper deck if they cut to a ginger during Ekperigin’s set.

Can’t Believe I’m Living In…

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On April 15, 2016

In Georgia, Life Stuff, New Orleans, Texas

Sometimes it hits me at the strangest times.

Like last week as I drove back from the grocery store.

I just crossed the intersection of Bienville Street and Galvez Street and caught a very brief glimpse of the skyline through a clearing in the trees.

“I’m living in New Orleans.”

I honestly said it out loud as The Weeknd’s “Low Life” played on the radio.

It’s not the first time — and definitely not the last — that those words left my mouth.

I said the same thing at some time about every other location I’ve lived since I started my communications/journalism career nine years ago.

Lebanon, New Hampshire? Can’t remember when, but probably.

Bar Harbor, Maine? Yup. When I sat on the side of Cadillac Mountain after a hike.

San Marcos, Texas? You bet. Hanging out on my ex-girlfriend’s porch in Austin, of all places. I remarked how wild it was to be living in Texas.

Athens, Georgia? For sure. Walking around UGA’s campus.

New Orleans, Louisiana? See above.

My career and pursuit of whatever else is out there for me has taken me places I never thought I’d live. If you asked me right after I graduated if I thought I’d ever be living in New Orleans by the time I was 30, I’d laugh.

Life is all about the road, not the destination.

Macklemore, Usher and New Orleans, Oh My!

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On January 18, 2016

In Life Stuff, New Orleans

I love live performance art.

Musicals? Been to several Broadway shows in my life, including The Lion King when it was sold out for months on end during its hey-day (Thanks a bunch, Grandma!).

Plays? Don’t get me started on Dickens  (My family still laughs about it).

Professional wrestling? Yes, that counts. It’s so different in person than on TV.

Let’s not forget about music, which is the crux of this blog post.

There is just something about live music that I can’t get enough of. Sure, you can listen to a song but until you hear the artist perform it live, you can’t feel it — if that makes any sense at all. Probably not, but you hear and internalize it differently.

Living in New Orleans has immersed me into the live music scene like no other. For as great as Athens is purported to be, it doesn’t hold a candle to The Big Easy. Now I know that’s apples and oranges, but the best part about New Orleans is that most of the music here is free (other than festivals like Jazz Fest and Voodoo Fest, et al).

These past three weeks kicked some major butt when it comes to free live music.

On December 30, the Sugar Bowl brought Usher to perform during their Fan Fest. That was within walking distance of my apartment and words cannot describe how great of a performer he is. Not only does he sing incredibly well, he can dance with the best of them and engage the crowd. I had no idea I knew so many songs by him until I sang and danced along to pretty much every song he performed that night.

https://twitter.com/tylermayforth/status/681943981803081728

https://twitter.com/tylermayforth/status/682596286403637248

Then on a random Sunday in January, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis brought down the house inside the Civic Theater and I was there to witness it. Earlier in the day someone from the kickball team mentioned it was free and there could be tickets remaining. Sure enough, they wanted to pack it and make sure it was “live” (as the cool kids are saying these days) for the webcast (which was the reason for it).

“The Heist” is easily one of my favorite albums of all-time and I can’t tell you how many times I listened to it while driving from Texas to Georgia and everywhere else since it was released. From the first time I heard it, I could tell Macklemore doesn’t just do music to do it. He lives it. He breathes it. It means something to him. Seeing him live on a random Sunday night in New Orleans cemented that idea.

Macklemore poured just about everything he had into the show and it showed. The crowd hung onto every word that came out of his mouth. And you could tell after he wrapped up “Same Love” and “Starting Over” that he bared his soul to the crowd.

Music is just incredible.

Maybe I’ll share the story about the time I graced the stage in college. Just maybe.

 

Flipping The Calendar From 2015 To 2016

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On January 8, 2016

In Life Stuff

Once again I have been awful about updating this blog.

December was quite a busy month around these parts.

Before I knew it, January hit and that means 2016 came with it.

Let’s backtrack a bit and fill you in on what happened in December.

From December 10 until December 19, I was in San Antonio with my coworkers putting on the annual U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Convention. I’ll spare you the boring day-to-day details of what we did during the Convention, but I will say that we knocked it out of the park.

Two of our biggest events at Convention went off without a hitch — 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and The Bowerman Award Ceremony. Both were a hit, even though the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony lasted way longer than it should have (but those coaches need their moment in the spotlight). I thought I wrote some great pieces about those events, so feel free to read them at your leisure.

Read about the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony right here

Marquis Dendy and Jenna Prandini Capture The Bowerman Award

Bonus: Recapping the Female Coaches Roundtable

I also got to catch up with Joe Vozzell, a former coworker of mine at the San Marcos Daily Record. I actually hired Joe in January 2014 and groomed him to take over for me as I knew my time in San Marcos was drawing to a close. Joe has blossomed as a journalist in the seemingly short time he’s been at the helm of the Daily Record.

After Convention, I took a week at home for Christmas and to recharge. I planned on having enough time not only to enjoy the holiday, but to welcome my newborn nephew into the world, but The Stork had other plans. My wonderful twin sister’s due date was December 26, but by the 28th, he hadn’t arrived so I had to head back to New Orleans and eagerly anticipate a text from my mother. A few days passed, but sure enough as of January 1st at 1:14 a.m. ET, I am a first-time uncle.

It’s unfortunate that I live so far away from my family. I joke that I’m going to bribe my nephew to love me since every time I visit I’ll bring Christmas/birthday gifts.

So what else happened since the last time I blogged on here?

  • We wrapped up the kickball season. I couldn’t play in the playoffs since I was in San Antonio (bummer), but they were ready to go in my stead. If it hadn’t been rained out, we would have had enough people to try to get to the championship game. Yet it rained and the next day was tough to pull enough people together and they had to forfeit.
  • I went to the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. That was a great experience, not unlike the one I had two years ago on New Year’s Eve at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta. That makes two New Year’s Six Bowl Games in a row for myself. Can I make it three in a row next year? Time will tell.

I promise I’ll blog before 2017. Quote me on that.

Catching Up Since the Move to New Orleans

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On September 23, 2015

In Life Happenings, Life Stuff

New Orleans.

Wow.

I never thought I’d call The Big Easy home.

Hell, if you told me after I graduated from the University of Delaware that within the next eight years I’d live in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Texas, Georgia and Louisiana, I wouldn’t have believed you. Life takes you where it damn well pleases.

So what have I been up to since I moved a little more than one month ago?

Primarily I’ve been trying to adjust to the 9-to-5 lifestyle — not so much in the sense of waking up earlier compared to newspapers and such, but the “extra” time. While I know 40-hour weeks are 40-hour weeks, working 9 to 5 frees up a lot more time in my mind than working in newspapers ever did. Maybe it’s because I have weekends off for the first time in my career — or that it’s still bright out when I leave the office.

With all of that ‘free time’ at my disposal, I’ve tried to put myself out there as much as possible and hit a groove socially — and that doesn’t mean I’m spending every waking hour on Bourbon Street even though I live four blocks from there. By the way, mix the smells of urine and bad decisions and that’s the odor of Bourbon St.

For the first few Thursdays I found a group that played pickup dodgeball in a rec center not too far from me. While the games were fine and I forgot how much fun dodgeball was, getting my iPhone 6 stolen the first week I was in town wasn’t fun.

Pickup dodgeball soon ended as the season geared up (I missed the signup date), so I have since transferred my talents to pickup kickball. That’s also an activity I hadn’t played since sixth grade. Soccer players really have an advantage in that I’ve found.

Where I’ve spent most of my time, especially since college football is back in full swing, is covering Tulane for a site called Underdog Dynasty. In case y’all forgot, the Green Wave is (and I really had that it’s a singular team name) awful. That’s why I take the Dr. Strangelove approach to the games and say “Tyler Covers Tulane: Or How I Learned to Stop Caring and Love Bad Football.” To be completely honest, it’s been great to be back in a press box again. I also love the thrill of covering a game and while I don’t have a ‘deadline’ since I’m writing for online, I pressure myself to get it done as soon as possible. That doesn’t make game nights much fun — but I love to write and it keeps me out of trouble. In my opinion, one of the best articles I wrote so far for Underdog Dynasty was this piece: From Goat to Hero: The Ballad of Tulane WR Devon Breaux. That’s also the first game I caught Green Wave Fever.

So yeah, I’m trying to find things to do — but more importantly, I’m trying to find my groove. They say, “You don’t call New Orleans. It will call you.” Baby, I’m listening.

Clark Kent Left the Daily Planet

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On August 16, 2015

In Journalism, Life Stuff

Goodnight, sweet prince. You served me well.

Goodnight, sweet prince. You served me well for more than one year at the Banner-Herald.

It started to hit me when I turned off my computer for the last time at the Athens Banner-Herald. Rarely did I turn it off before (mostly logged out), but it felt right.

Once I walked out the door and it shut behind me, the realization hit like a truck.

That very well could have been my final day in newspapers. Not for the week. Not for the month — but for life. Nearly eight years in the business and then cold turkey.

What I felt wasn’t remorse, because I accomplished what I set out to do. My first and only goal that I can remember in journalism was to become a college beat writer by the time I was 25. I accomplished that when I accepted my second full-time job at the ripe age of 22.

I grew exponentially — not only as a worker, but as a person — from the time I started my foray into journalism with the Connecticut Valley Spectator in New Hampshire its endpoint at the Banner-Herald. In between, the now-defunct Bar Harbor Times in Maine and the San Marcos Daily Record in Texas (where I achieved that aforementioned goal) served as strong launching pads.

Journalism will always have my heart but I knew there was something out there for me, which is why I looked elsewhere and eventually found my current job with the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association.

And what is life without adventure? Thanks to journalism I’ve been able to live in three states and the skills I honed in Texas led me on a path to New Orleans. Plus, those skills I honed, which included my multimedia chops and page design, among others, allowed me to become a versatile worker who can plug and play anywhere.

Near the end of my run in Athens, I thought I put out some good work. Here are two designs I thought turned out really well. It’s funny how you hit a stride at the end.

On the Move Again: Hello, New Orleans

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On August 5, 2015

In Life Happenings, Life Stuff

A little more than two years ago I drove to New Orleans, nervous but excited.

As it turns out, not much changes in the span of 859 days.

Back in 2013, I decided to attend WrestleMania 30 by myself. I had never been to The Big Easy, let alone stepped out of my comfort zone that much. As I opened my mind to what could happen and the overall experience, I began to reap the rewards. Not only did I see one of the best WrestleMania cards of all-time, I truly liked what I saw of New Orleans. There was an indescribable charm and buzz surrounding it all.

Next Tuesday I head back to New Orleans. This time, however, will be for keeps.

I turned in my resignation at the Athens Banner-Herald on Monday.

In two weeks, I’ll continue my career as communications assistant for the U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

I need to pause a second to read those two sentences again. These past two weeks have been a whirlwind, to say the least. Life happens when you truly least expect it.

This will be my fourth move since August 2007, as you can see on the above graphic. I’ll be retracing 540 of the 1,208 miles I traversed when I moved last July from San Marcos, Texas to Athens, Georgia. If you’re counting at home, which I am sure you are, this trip from Athens to New Orleans will put me at 4,622 lifetime miles moved.

I’ll have my dad with me again to help, just like I did when I went up to Maine as well as my trip from Texas to Georgia. These trips allow us to grow closer, which is great.

There are a million things running through my mind at the moment, but I felt it was a good idea to break this news on my blog. Check back in the upcoming days, because I’m sure I’ll have more to say about this truly great opportunity I have in front of me.

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