Living the Dream at 70: Mike on Always Choose Adventures, Legacy & Giving Back

In this powerful episode of Building Dreams Together, Jack sits down with his son’s father-in-law, Mike, a 70-year-old father, grandfather, arborist, fly-fishing guide, and president of the board for Always Choose Adventures (ACA). From losing both parents as a teenager in Brooklyn, to numbing pain with drugs, to rebuilding his life in Colorado and creating a thriving tree business, Mike has lived a story of resilience, reinvention, and service.Now, his greatest joy is getting kids and people of all abilities off the couch and into the mountains—and proving that at any age, you can still choose adventure, live your dream, and give back in a big way.Always Choose Adventures & Camp ACAHow an online connection with Shantell (founder of ACA) during a health crisis led Mike into the world of outdoor nonprofit work.The mission of ACA: getting kids (and adults, including those with disabilities) outdoors, off their phones, and into nature.The off-grid Camp ACA at 9,300 ft between Idaho Springs and Central City: solar/generator power, campsites, ATV rides, and a true mountain retreat.Experiences Kids Never Thought PossibleGuiding nine kids from Lulu’s up Mount Pisgah (10,000 ft), pushing through complaints, altitude, and even one kid throwing up near the top.How ACA and Jack’s I Believe in Me program intersect in giving kids experiences—and inner beliefs—they didn’t think were possible.Why Over How: Living From Your “Why”Mike’s simple but powerful why: “I just love kids and want to work with them.”The reality of running a nonprofit: fundraising struggles, interpersonal challenges, and why the “why” is what keeps him going.Non-Monetary Rewards & True PaychecksWhy Mike and Shantell pour themselves into ACA with no personal financial gain.The story of Shantell calling a heartfelt support letter “my paycheck for the week.”The emotional moment when a student named Olive gave Mike a card about how much he meant to her—and how that became his real reward.Making the Outdoors Accessible to AllUsing all-terrain, four-wheel-drive wheelchairs to give people with mobility challenges access to nature.How someone like Evie (a quadriplegic) could experience the mountains and fresh air at Camp ACA.Trauma, Survival, and ResilienceLosing his mother at 13 and his father ten months later, then living alone with his brother in Brooklyn as young teens.How he emotionally “blocked out” the trauma for decades and coped with drugs and alcohol.From Unemployed to Business OwnerGetting into the Forest Service through the CETA program under President Jimmy Carter.Learning tree work, then starting a tree-cutting business with $200 and a chainsaw.Growing that into a company employing 15–20 people, built simply on consistency, showing up, and answering every call.The pride of having former employees still like him, stay in touch, and even hiring him back in a consulting role.Advice for the Next GenerationHonest reflections on college vs. non-college paths, using his grandkids as examples of different but valid futures.His big warning: don’t waste years numbing out with drugs; stay focused on your dream, whether that’s a trade or a professional career.Encouraging kids to find their passion—whether plumbing or cardiology—and go all in.Dreams vs. Goals & “Living the Dream”Jack’s distinction: goals are what you set; dreams are what you live today.The Power of Consistency & Emotional ToolsHow both ACA and the I Believe in Me program rely on daily, consistent action more than big one-time events.Teaching kids life skills, emotional tools, and the habit of consistency to move through challenges and build the life they want.The Best Season of LifeMike’s reflection on being 70: feeling wiser than ever and more fulfilled than in his 20s, 30s, or 40s.Building Dreams Together – What It Means to MikeHow “building dreams together” shows up in his work with kids, families, and people with disabilities.