It is with pride and joy I present to you the 1st member of Team Do Good, my brother, the mighty Rob Reynolds. I can say without a doubt he is one of the best people I know. And that is not simply because he is my brother, it is because of all the good he does. And he does sooo much! Although I am Rob's older brother, I look up to him in many ways, am blessed to have him in my life, and am absolutely thrilled to celebrate him here via Tampa Bless and Team Do Good. I also want to thank Rob for his time and willingness to not only participate in this, but to provide feedback as well. Surprising behavior from a Team Do Good honoree? No. But neither is it taken for granted. And now, without further ado...
Name: Rob Reynolds
Place of birth: Poughkeepsie, NY
Currently reside: Tampa, FL
Heritage: Irish-American
Family: Wife and 6 daughters *Update: And a son, and #8 is on the way.
Alma Mater: Franciscan University of Steubenville
Occupation: Entertainment Producer / Owner of Production and Real Estate Companies
Activities you organized or participate in related to helping others and uplifting humanity? I realize this is an uncomfortable question to answer because it feels self-promotional, yet it's important to share so to inspire others:
Launched and help grow Catholic men’s group at local parish for last 7 years; launched Christian production company targeting entertainment toward pre-teens; actively involved in volunteering such as weekly visits to local assisted living facility; periodic involvement with feeding the hungry at Trinity Cafe.
**Update: Studio 3:16 Show debuts September 8, 2021 via studio316.com which launches the same day. Watch. Pay it Forward. Share! Thank you.
The Tampa Bless 12
Let me preface this by saying that the term favorite or any superlative really is meant to be understood as a top choice because some people have multiple favorites.
1) Favorite pastime or hobby? Why? Please explain.
Competing with my kids in the backyard. I really enjoy playing any type of competition with them outside, be it basketball, frisbee, capture the flag, tag, whatever. Brings me a lot of joy interacting with them and seeing their competitive spirit and joy come out. I guess in the context of lapsed time, it’s a nice window in seeing them grow and change. Find it to be high-quality time very well spent.
2) Favorite sport, team, or player? If not into sports, your favorite musician or album? Or answer one of each if you'd like or any combo. Please explain why for any one or more of the questions you answered.
NY Giants is my favorite team, professional football my favorite sport. Just enjoy the pace, physicality, and drama of it. And I’m from NY, so staying loyal to the G-Men! First person to come to mind is Phillip Rivers for favorite player, because despite being a famous, successful quarterback, he is uncompromising in not using foul language, has a large family (7 kids, I believe), and is very outspoken about his Catholic faith. He’s a great counterexample for what fame does to most people.
3) Favorite movie? Why? Please explain.
Braveheart. Powerful experience. When I saw it, it changed me. Inspired and moved me like no other movie, and really glorified valor, courage, love, loyalty, and sacrifice in ways that made me really want to embody them in my own life.
4) Favorite place (country, city, town, etc…) you have visited and why?
Israel. For one, it’s the homeland of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the 12 Apostles. It was incredible to walk the ground that our Savior walked on and it gives my reading of Scripture an additional dimension. In addition, I was able to experience it with my great brother, Peter, and his family. I feel very blessed to have been able to visit Israel.
5) Last meal? You could have anything, what is it? Why? Please explain.
Ha, well, what actually came to mind right away was the Eucharist (the Body of Christ)! Why? Because my last meal comes right before I die, and I can’t think of a better time to consume the Bread of Life! Before that? A marinated, medium-rare ribeye steak, with some McDonald’s fries on the side.
6) Three activities or routines you would highly recommend? Please explain your reasoning for each.
1. Daily Silent Prayer Time. Not just praying daily. Having a scheduled time slot for it each day which you commit to like you would a meeting at work. It’s your “appointment with God.” We’re all concerned with the meaning and purpose of life and whether we’re on the right track. No one better to consult than God on that. He speaks in the silence, often through our own thoughts and in our own narrative voice, yet we can’t hear it if we don’t stop and listen in silence. #1, by far.
2. Wake Early, not when you “have to” wake, and keep alarm away from your bed. I think it’s so critical to wake well before you have to be at work. There’s more to life than work, and it’s hard to keep that perspective when you wake just in time to race off to work. Gives your body and mind time to transition and take in a new day, and makes available that time slot for that silent prayer I mentioned (which, having tried many things early morning such as exercising and reading, has definitely won out as the best way to start the day).
3. Nightly Family Dinner. Non-negotiable. I rarely miss. It’s part of my schedule as much (and more) as an important meeting for business. Most would say that family is their priority, yet does the way we spend our time support that. Our spouse and kids want our time more than the finer things that optional extra time at work provides. Life consists of a series of trade-offs -- opportunity costs. My career as a worker will undoubtedly last longer than my children growing up and living at home. So many great exchanges occur at the dinner table.
7) A) Personality trait you highly value? Why? Please explain. B) The personality trait you highly dislike? Why? Please explain.
A. Magnanimity. When a person with power uses it to shine a light on others or to lead by humble service to others, particularly those of lower social rank/status, I find that compelling, inspiring, and admirable. I desire to exemplify this a great deal if I find myself in such positions.
B. Arrogance, particularly belittling other people. I often see people in leadership roles -- from popular kids in school and star athletes to managers and CEOs -- act convinced that their position, whether earned or not, has made their worth as a human being increase above those in lower positions, and do not hesitate in showing it. I’m sensitive to the challenges every person faces in upholding their perception of their own self-worth on a daily basis -- externally and between the ears -- and I think this is a tragically unnecessary way to compound that struggle for others.
8) Favorite thinker (author, philosopher, theologian, etc…)? Why? Please explain. And what is your favorite piece of advice, quote, or text from them or in general? Why? Please explain.
Jesus. That’s easy. His wisdom is practical, true, uplifting, hope-filled, and timeless. It’s as relevant to me now as it was for the people in the 1st century. My favorite advice/quote depends on the day. Right now we’re in a major economic crisis catalyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic, so it’s easy for me (and countless others) to grow in worry for the future. So, my favorite quote is Mt 6:25-33; if you can relate to this worry, I strongly urge you to stop right now, read and take it in yourself. In summary, “And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” Can it be said any better?
9) Biggest influence in your life or a top one, and what was it about them that really stood out?
Historically, my Dad; presently, my wife, Marya. Nothing but fond memories observing my dad in early morning prayer, coming home from work with an expression of eagerness to see us, coaching my soccer teams, working hard around the house, and constantly instructing us in our faith and philosophy around the kitchen table. For me, he is the perfect example of humility, persistent faith, and the peace that comes with it. My wife simply lives for others, rigorously, and does it with joy and a smile.
10) If there is one thing you could change in the world, what would it be?
Tough question. Perhaps the pornography industry… eliminating it. It’s an absolutely insidious industry that by all rational measures should be fought against severely by any good-desiring government. The condoning of this industry, I assume due to the massive amounts of money it generates, amounts to pure self-sabotage. I think it causes us to rot from within, on a micro (individual) and macro (societal) level. I think it breathes so much life into the destruction of marriage and family -- the basic unit of culture -- and heavily influences violence and the “Culture of death” (contraception, abortion, etc.).
11) Where did your desire to help others and uplift humanity come from? Please explain.
First, probably observing my father as a kid. He’d take me with him to pack food through St. Vincent DePaul Society to then deliver to poor folks; based on how he interacted with them, I literally thought they were his friends. He also started a men’s group at the parish we grew up in and I saw the admiration other men had for him doing so and the positive fruits they reaped from it. I admired him for it and aspired to perpetuate it. Funny thing is that I probably have not connected those actions with my own until answering this question. Secondly, Jesus. Reading and understanding Scripture made it very clear to me that this is the recipe for fulfillment in this life and for spending eternity in Heaven. If you want the cheat sheet for the final exam, it’s Mt 25:31-46, specifically 25:34-36.
12) What are you working on now and how can people get involved?
The academics for our young people is being engaged, but their faith is not. I have a deep desire to provide kids educational entertainment that will inspire them to imitate Christ. In response, I launched Cross Boss Media with Shevin McCullough (our star, aka “Shevin Michael”) and have been growing it with a team of 5. We are a production studio that creates music and short-form videos, along with an episodic film series, providing children ages 7 to 12 genuinely entertaining content in a secure domain to encounter Christ, inspiring virtuous action. The kids hold our future; they’re the leaders and heroes in formation. If you have kids in that age group desiring to be servant leaders, curious about Christ-centered formation, enjoy music and the arts, and like to laugh, I’d strongly encourage you to check out our live-streamed show, “Showtime with Shevin,” which airs at 3:30p ET throughout the week on Zoom and YouTube Live.
**Update: Studio 3:16 Show debuts September 8, 2021 via studio316.com which launches the same day. Watch. Pay it Forward. Share! Thank you.
Editor's note: At its peak, the Catholic men's group Rob mentioned he launched and help grow over the last 7 years had over 400 registered men and 250 weekly attendees. The group continues to meet weekly at 6 am on Tuesdays at Christ the King Church in Tampa, FL.
Thank you so much for your time Rob and for all that you do. The place we live in is that much better because of you. I hope that this feature has served to inspire you, as well as successfully celebrate those that help others and uplift humanity.
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