In this episode of Download the Uplift, we welcome Stephen McCoy, a 21-year-old student at Texas Tech University, originally from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, who is studying to become a wildlife biologist. We dive into Stephen's journey, starting with how he managed to navigate his freshman year without getting swept up in the typical college party scene.

We also touch on some current events, including the recent storms on the East Coast, and dive deeper into a discussion on natural disasters like tornadoes and earthquakes. From there, Stephen introduces us to his unique passion for animals, including his pet python, Benjy, who made a surprise appearance and hung out with Stephen throughout the episode!

Our conversation shifts into Stephen’s love for wildlife biology, his goals to help animals, and his admiration for the late Steve Irwin and his family. Stephen shares some of his favorite animal YouTube channels and what inspired him to pursue this career.

We then talk about Stephen’s experience as a Gen Z college student, his thoughts on how technology and social media impact everyday life and dating, and his interest in starting his own YouTube channel or podcast in the future. We also discuss the vastness of the YouTube audience and how there’s space for everyone.

In the second half, Stephen shares his fitness journey, including how he lost over 100 pounds, and what motivates him today—especially his love for music. We also hear some wild stories from his time working at the airport and Raising Cane's, which are sure to entertain!

Finally, we wrap up with a powerful discussion on mental health. Stephen shares his personal mental health practices, including his love for journaling, and we swap tips and strategies for maintaining balance and well-being.

Tune in to this fun, inspiring, and educational episode as we say goodbye and thank Stephen for sharing his story with us!

🎙 Download The Uplift Podcast - Episode 18: "Authentically You & Unpopular Opinions!"

In this episode, we kick things off with a fun chat about one of the greatest superfoods of all time — eggs! 🍳 From scrambled to poached, we break down the best ways to cook them and why they’re a nutritional powerhouse.

Next, we dive into some wild territory, discussing Joe Rogan's podcast on the moon landing and conspiracy theories(spoiler alert: we get into our favorites). From there, it’s a deep dive into tech and energy as we talk about Microsoft’s plans to reopen Three Mile Island to power the future of AI, and the energy demands of crypto and electric vehicles.

We also touch on California's possible ban on phones in schools 📵 — is it the right move for students?

Finally, we dig into the heart of the episode: the power of being authentically YOU. We explore why embracing who you truly are is vital for your mental health, social connections, and overall happiness. 🌟

To keep things light, we finish with a few unpopular opinions, some laughs, and a sneak peek of our next episode featuring a special guest! 🤩

Don't miss out on this lively, insightful, and slightly quirky episode of Download The Uplift! We hope you enjoy and have an amazing week ahead. See you in the next one!

In this episode of Download the Uplift, Dane and I dive into a bit of everything! We kick off with some good old nostalgia, reminiscing about childhood toys like Moon Shoes, and classic video games like Sonic the Hedgehog. From there, we marvel at Elon Musk’s wealth, breaking it down to just how much he earns by the minute.

Next up, we debate the best Harry Potter movies and why they hold up, followed by a look at the dynamics of bands like Linkin Park and Queen as their lineups changed. The heart of the episode is all about relocation stress—what it’s like to start over in a new city, how overwhelming moving can be, and the mental and emotional toll that comes with it. We share our personal experiences and tips on handling the chaos of a big move.

It’s a fun, lighthearted conversation that balances humor with helpful advice. Tune in for some laughs and relatable moments as we wrap it all up by wishing our listeners well on their journeys.