Mike Capuzzi:
Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Author Factor podcast. My guest today is Phebe Trotman, a Vancouver based entrepreneur and distinguished athlete who has been inducted into several sports halls of fame. Phebe embodies resilience, a quality she brilliantly shares in her first book, never quit on a bad day, inspiring stories of resilience, which is a source of energy and empowerment, offering tools for overcoming challenges and fostering gratitude for life's journey. Phebe, welcome to the show.

Phebe Trotman:
Thank you so much, Mike. I've been looking forward to this.

Mike Capuzzi:
Your bio is kinda cool as I was sharing with you before we hit record. So I'm gonna shut up. I'd love to hear more about what you have done, your sports history, and where that's led you to today.

Phebe Trotman:
Yeah. Absolutely. Well, thank you so much, Mike. I love what you're doing with this podcast, and it's really is truly an honor to be able to share. And so I'm an a soccer player. I'm an athlete. I started at a very young age. I've had an incredible career in terms of being able to play the collegiate level and then professional after that.

Phebe Trotman:
That being said, you know, national championships at all levels, and so I'm so grateful for playing on amazing teams and a lot of personal accolades as well too, you know, being inducted into sports hall of fame and then having player of the year and MVPs and different things like that. However, I share that only to share that there have been a lot of bumps along The journey. It hasn't always been, every team, you know, right on that team, and I'm starting. I've had those moments moments where I didn't make a team, and I had to overcome that. I've had moments where I wasn't starting. I was sitting on the bench or sometimes not even playing, and I've had to push through those challenges. And that's why I've been able to have the success that I've been able to have.

Mike Capuzzi:
And I guess the Factor that you've, you know, had such a distinguished sports career, now it makes sense, never quit on a bad day. Because I'm like you said, I'm guessing there was probably 1 or 2 over the course of your career. So let's start focusing, Phebe, on your book. So you just published it this past year. Congratulations.

Phebe Trotman:
Thank you. Thank you so much.

Mike Capuzzi:
Tell me a little bit more about why you decided to do a book. Why, you know, why the book? And then if you don't mind sharing, you know, what was the thought before we jump into the book, what was the thought for creating? Like, what are you looking to do with the book?

Phebe Trotman:
Yeah. Well, with the book, the book is really a book. It's it's more than just short stories. It's a it's a compilation of short stories. However, there's also workbook pages, a section called reflection reflections on resilience, And that section is really for the reader because I truly believe we are all incredibly resilient. Sometimes we just don't remember it, or we don't acknowledge some of the things that we've gone through that have helped us to become the person that we are today. So the book is really designed to help people on their own journey because we all face challenging times. We all have frustration.

Phebe Trotman:
Oftentimes, we see people's highlight real. However, we don't always know what they've gone through to get to where they are, and that's why I shared with you in terms of my, you know, the list of accolades, which I'm so grateful for. However, a lot of times people don't know it hasn't always been that simple. You know, there were those bumps in the journey, and that's why this book is really so powerful because it shares the story behind the story.

Mike Capuzzi:
Publishing a book is a challenge, as you all know. Right? I don't know how long it took you to, from the idea that you had to the day it was published. But what was the thought? Was it just a way of sharing? You know, you wanted to use the book to share. Was it you know, you wanted to use it to make connections in the business world. You know, what was what was some of the intention that you were thinking about when you decide to publish it?

Phebe Trotman:
Yeah. So I had always after the last, I'd say, 5 to 7 years, I've had on my heart to create something to help and inspire and encourage. I've just been had incredible mentors, and I read a lot. And, you know, people have poured into Mike, and that has helped me on my journey. And I wanted to create something to do the same for other people. That being said, I didn't really know what that was gonna be. I was just open. I knew what I wanted to do.

Phebe Trotman:
I just wasn't sure how I would do that. And some dear friends of mine, we were chatting, and I shared The, and they're like, you should write a book. And I chuckled because I've had people say that Podcast, and I'm always like, nah. Okay. However, something in that moment with them, they did flip it on me, and they really shared that a book wasn't just about me. It's the people I could help, and that's always been on my heart. And so when they said it in that way, it landed differently, Mike to feel passionate about what I was gonna write about. And I remember The like, that night when I was talking to them, The month before that is when I was inducted into the The Sports Hall of Fame, and we had an interview.

Phebe Trotman:
And in that process, the interviewer asked me what sport has given me. And I shared, you know, so many life skills and the incredible highs, but I also shared it was a lot of those lows and pushing through as I shared already that had led to the highs. And that's when it clicked, and I was like, that's what I wanna write a book about. That's what I wanna share, the story behind the story of what people go through so that people reading can realize, number 1, they're not alone, and number 2, here are some tips and ideas and techniques and things you can do to to push through when you're going through your own struggle, which we know will happen because we're we're we live. Okay? Like, life has life has bumps and and challenges that you know as well too. And so that's really what the book is is all about.

Mike Capuzzi:
I'd like to go a little deeper because what you shared The was very insightful from you know? Again, this podcast is meant to inspire maybe someone who's thinking about what you've done, but hasn't done it. And so oftentimes, Phebe, I'll Author when we were talking like, our business, we we help people publish books. So a lot of times when not, you know, often, people will get on our initial calls, and they explain all the reasons why they can't write a book and all the time. They're not a great writer, yada yada yada. And I always try to flip it and say, well, listen. Try to take that spotlight off of you and put it on the people that this book is meant to help. Because as you and I both know, books are very powerful devices. Even in this day and age where there's so many other media opportunities, a book is still a very powerful way to connect with people.

Mike Capuzzi:
And if you can shine the light on that person that you might be able to help, who you may never know I mean, not everyone tells you that your book made a huge difference in their life, but that's how to focus it. And I think what you shared is exactly that sort of connection you made. It's Mike, this is about helping others. Yes. It's about helping me and, again, you know, but it's really about how I can help others. So I appreciate that.

Phebe Trotman:
Yeah. It's so important because I I really looked at the book as I'm writing to the younger Phebe. I'm writing to the person who was reading, and, I mean, you can see my like, all I have books everywhere around me because I love to read. And so I was writing it from that standpoint of some of the things that I've loved in the books that I've had an opportunity to read and how I've grown. And also, what are some of those pieces that, oh, that would have been cool if that was in The. Or, you know, what if I could and that's really how I designed it, thinking about that end person who's gonna be reading it on a day when things are great or maybe they're reading on a day where it's really challenging for The. And how can I help them? How can I share some of the knowledge that I've accumulated over these years in personal development and workshops and videos and podcasts and YouTubes and all that and put it into something that I know will help people? And I'm so my heart is just overflowing with gratitude for all the reviews and the feedback that I've had from people who have read the book and have been moved in a way where they've moved forward in their own dreams and their own passions and have taken that step forward, and that's really what it's all about. And so I'm just grateful for my contributors.

Phebe Trotman:
I'm grateful for, the readers and just being able to share and and help really and truly help people.

Mike Capuzzi:
Now was there a targeted reader or maybe a a set of readers, Phebe, that you were thinking about as you were putting this book together? Is it for everybody? Is it just for you know, can you describe a little bit more?

Phebe Trotman:
Yeah. It's really for the people out there who have dreams and goals, who want to move forward, and maybe they are moving forward. However, it's really they maybe they've been discouraged. They've been hit by something along their journey that they felt a little bit discouraged or deflated or maybe they're frustrated or maybe hitting their goals. You know, they have that idea of what they wanna hit and isn't happening as quickly as they would like, which we can relate to. Sometimes that's how life works. So it's really for those people out there who want more out of life, who are on track to create more and whatever that looks Mike, and just want a companion along the way with you to hear some stories from other people and really to help that person with some ideas to move forward because the way the book's written, it's, you know, short stories, but at the end of every Factor, there is that reflections on resilience that's really for that reader. Take a pen, go through it because it's gonna help you for the next time you get hit with a little bump in the road or even just to help you in terms of navigating life challenges as you're growing and going through life.

Mike Capuzzi:
Now you mentioned earlier, before we hit the record button that this book is actually part of a series that you're kind of thinking about doing? Are you that you're actively working on. Correct?

Phebe Trotman:
I am. I'm actively working on it. I'm already on book number 2, so very, very excited about that. And it's interesting, and this is why I just share with people, be open because to go from, you know, not really having a book on my life goals to now it's a series, it's been an an incredible journey, but I just wanna I'm grateful to be on. And and, again, the vision, and it's something I encourage people, is you you wanna have a vision for what you're creating. You wanna begin with the end in mind and work backwards. And when I first started and decided on the The, because I've always on my heart was to create something, but also to take my experience as an athlete and my experience in business and put it into something. So originally, the book was just gonna be one book with stories Mike athletes and entrepreneurs.

Phebe Trotman:
And then when I sat down and started to make a list of people's stories who I'd love to reach out to, the list just kept growing, and then it was Mike, okay. This is actually more than The book. This is a series of books because the stories there's so many incredible stories out there and and, so, yeah, we're working on book number 2 right now and very, very excited about it.

Mike Capuzzi:
Are we allowed to talk a little bit more about this?

Phebe Trotman:
Sure. We can talk a little bit a little bit more, Michael. Right. It's not ready

Mike Capuzzi:
to go enough. So let me ask you this. Have you have you thought about when you say the series, are you leaving sort of the end? It could be whatever number. It might be 2 books. It might be 22 books. Or do you have in mind already, this is gonna be, like, a 5 book series? Have you

Phebe Trotman:
I do. Well, I have 4 books for sure that I've already kind of outlined in terms of the the story content and and kind of the vision for that. That being said, again, I'm a very open person because I truly believe if there is a desire, if there is if I can help more people by continuing on with the series, it is something I'm open to. It's just right now to say, you know, exact number, not necessary, but you the vision at least is for the 4 that, I've kind of outlined.

Mike Capuzzi:
And then just to clarify, when you did the first book, when you wrote the first book, the the series was not in Mike at that point. Is that correct?

Phebe Trotman:
It when I first decided to write the book, within the 1st week of making that decision, once I knew what theme was gonna be, the title Good for you. Then I and as I started outlining, then I was like, oh, this is gonna be a series. So The

Mike Capuzzi:
reason I'm drilling down on that, that's something that I think in in my I've now published. I just published The 20th book. And now these are these are self published. A lot of times, the books aren't even public. They're done for a specific purpose, a specific group, whatever it might Mike, but it's 20 books now. And one of the I would say I don't know if the right word is mistakes, but I oftentimes don't think Mike you did, especially with The 1st week. Like, oh, this could be a series. And I think that's a very important strategy for some people to think about.

Mike Capuzzi:
Is it is it beyond just a single book? Is there a series? And if you can identify that early on so I had a series come a book a a book I wrote, but it kinda happened by accident over a number of years. And I'm kinda like, darn, I wish I had done this if I had known about it. So I think this idea, Phebe, of knowing ahead of time, that's very powerful.

Phebe Trotman:
Thank you. And I'm I'm a big I I really believe in visualizing. I really I've done that since I was an athlete in terms of, like Sure. My teammates would laugh because we do our physical warm up, then I'd I'd be on the bench, like, for 5 minutes just kind of visualizing myself in the game and going in hard. And so that's always been very important to me. And so with the book, it sort of just happened now, you know, full like, I, Mike, I literally was like, okay, god. Am I supposed to be doing this book thing? And I always joke because I say I'm just open the door, close the door. And when I had the idea for the like, in terms of the name, never quit on a bad day, it was Mike little signs where I was like, okay.

Phebe Trotman:
Well, if the domain's available, then I know the door is open moving forward. You know? So it's kind of, you know, with yes. Within that 1st week, I did have The the vision did come to me to to do this series. That being said, it was also because at the end of the day, we have to take The step forward, and that's something I always encourage people because as you start taking those steps forward, then you're you start to see other things. Had I not committed and said, yes. I'm gonna write this book. Yes. This is gonna be the name of it.

Phebe Trotman:
Yes. This can be theme of it. Yes. Like, I'm taking action. I'm taking these little steps forward. I'm starting to write down names of people who, you know, right away, I knew I wanted it to be a compilation of short stories because I love stories, and there's so many people in different backgrounds. And I think it someone will always connect with someone, you know, when you share different stories. And so once I started doing that, that's when the the vision grew a little bit.

Phebe Trotman:
Then it was like, okay. Hold on a second. And so I just encourage people. It starts with that first step. You don't have to have everything mapped out. But as you start to take those steps forward, then you start to get a little bit more clarity. And then, yes, within that 1st week, it was like, okay. Well, this needs to be a book.

Phebe Trotman:
Again, giving a little teaser. I mentioned I want to combine my business and my athletics. The first book feature stories from business owners, so hint hint hint next feature, stories from athletes. And then from there, it just kind of became more clear some other things that I really just wanna share and help people. And and, again, I'm feeling and so inspired and encouraged as I'm working on these books and these projects as well too.

Mike Capuzzi:
Yeah. And the other powerful opportunity you have is really building a brand, if you will, of, you know, of these I mean, obviously, think chicken soup for the soul books. Right? I mean, I don't know if they had the original idea it was gonna grow as big and be as impactful as it has been, but there's just, you know, a ton of opportunity. And you've got that aura about you, so I think you're gonna probably do it. So let's talk about your author journey. There you go. There you go. She's showing me a a never quit mug.

Mike Capuzzi:
So being a first time author with your first book, you know, fairly recently published, what's something that you can share with the audience, Phebe, as far as a way that you have used that was, you know, that was good for you, that, you know, had some good positive results for getting that book out there? You know, what what was there any one thing or any couple things that you did back when you launched or even since The, really just to get the word out about your book?

Phebe Trotman:
Yeah. So, again, being a first time author, I definitely leaned on just learning. Right? There the beautiful thing, there's incredible people who can provide guidance. You know, there's experts and, Author, so, like yourself who you know, people who are sharing their knowledge and what they've done, and so that was really helpful. So couple things. I did create an advanced reader team. So I reached out to people who I know, you know, who are, well, network, who I who and one of the keys with creating this advanced reader team, The are people who I've contributed to first. I didn't just go randomly, like, hit up people.

Phebe Trotman:
It was people who I had a relationship with, people who I knew I've added value in terms of their life that I thought, okay. I'm gonna ask this person. I'm you know, here's this book that I've created, and and I one thing I didn't do, I didn't tell people I was writing a book. It really came down to when I reached out to the advanced readers. I was like, so here's what I've been working on. I've appreciated you. I've admired you. Are you open to reading an advanced copy? So that's one strategy that I definitely recommend.

Phebe Trotman:
Create your advanced reader team of people who can help get the word out there in terms of reading the book, providing feedback. And then once the book's published, you know, putting it out there in terms of social media and pictures and reviews and things like that. And then the other thing is Podcast, really being open to sharing more about the book journey, really giving at first, like, having that heart centered give mentality first is so important. And that I've just been open as people reach out and, like, hey. Hey. Can we have you on my podcast? Can we do video? Can we do this? Absolutely. Absolutely. I want to.

Phebe Trotman:
I'm open to it in sharing. So those would be 2 things that advanced reader team and then as well really, you know, being open to sharing the message from a a standpoint of what can you give. So how can you give more than you're actually even receiving out of of your contribution?

Mike Capuzzi:
Great great advice. What about either a mistake that you made with the first book that you don't plan on making with the second book or just something that you've learned that you're gonna you know, you'd wanna warn others about? Because, obviously, we both know there's a lot of opportunities to make mistakes or, you know, whatever. Did anything happen from the first book you're not gonna do with the second?

Phebe Trotman:
Yeah. I don't know if it's necessarily a mistake. I definitely think it's something I can learn from. Right? And one of the things was, as I just shared, I didn't tell anyone I was writing a book. It was very much Mike, hey. Guess what, everybody? Here's this book. Really? Which I have learned. You know, in some ways, I think it it was fun for people because they're like, what? I just saw you last week.

Phebe Trotman:
Like, you didn't even say anything. You know? So that in that way, it was fun. But, also, what I have learned is, you know, it's nice to invite people on along your journey of writing The book and the stages and, you know, Mike making your community, if you will, in terms of social media and your friends and family, letting them know milestones. Right? And also having those people who can celebrate. You know, I did have a small crew of, you know, advisers and mentors who helped Mike, so they knew what was happening, and they were there to cheer on and and whatnot as well. However, sometimes it is nice to let people know. So one thing definitely with this next book is letting people know, hey. I'm working on the next book and letting people, you know, kind of see some of those milestones as they to evolve, because that's another way to create that community around your book.

Phebe Trotman:
And so that would be something I'd share for the listeners as well. Is it okay yes. It's okay to you know, if you wanna make it a surprise. However, you may get more traction if you start letting people know along the journey of writing your book and creating your book.

Mike Capuzzi:
Again, very insightful. Thank you. So, Phebe, as we get ready to wrap up here, I always like to ask the question, and, I can't wait to hear your answer, of what it has meant so far for you to be a published book author. What's what's the impact Factor it has made either to you personally or if you wanna share a story about how it's impacted others? But I'd love to hear about the impact of being a published book author.

Phebe Trotman:
Yeah. Even hearing you say it, it still feels surreal. It really does. It's still one of those, wow. I wrote a book. Okay. Cool. So that just it it warms my heart.

Phebe Trotman:
I really, what keeps me going is the feedback and reviews and what I've heard from other people who have read the book that absolutely can bring me to tears to hear how these stories and the reflection on resilience and the videos, how it has encouraged people. I heard from a friend who read the book and, she's starting a business. Like, she's excited it led her to you know, because there's in one of the reflections and resilience, it talks about what's one of your dreams? What's something you've always because I feel like sometimes we just we shut off the dreaming part of our brain, and so it talks about The. And what's one thing you can do? And she shared with me, like, she has a vision now for what she wants to create, and it's always been there. It just kind of moved her into Factor, if you will, and she went and registered her business name. And so just hearing that and then the feedback from people who, you know, they're going through a tough time, and now they're like, oh, I I hear that saying never quit on a bad day. And that was really important to me was whether someone ever picks up the book that they once they hear never put on a bad day, it sticks with them, and that it'll inspire them whether they're at the gym, whether it's, you know, the first time they go for a workout, whether it's with a relationship, whether it's with their job or a business that regardless, you know absolutely, the book is incredible, and there's a lot of valuable tips and suggestions. That being said, if you never pick up the The, just hearing the saying never quit on a bad day, my goal is that it'll inspire you to keep going because as we start living and going after our dreams and our passions, it naturally creates a ripple effect of The continues to grow for other people to do the same.

Mike Capuzzi:
It really is an awesome I don't wanna use the word brand, but it's the best way. I mean, really, it's just a it's such a powerful statement. And, like you said, the fact that it was all there for you, and now you own it and this is yours, How cool is that? So well, Phebe, thank you very much. I I appreciate your time today. I appreciate you in sharing just your wisdom, and congratulations on the first book and however many are coming in the future. So thank you.

Phebe Trotman:
Thank you so much, Mike. Truly, it's an honor, and I just appreciate everything that you're doing. And congratulations on book number 20. That's incredible. So keep doing it. Keep shining, and you're inspiring people like myself as well. So thank you.