Meet Brandon Tosti | Inspirational Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandon Tosti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandon, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always loved writing but a phone call from my college roommate (University of Kentucky) in November 2019 changed my perspective and set me on the path to becoming an author. For a decade, I used Facebook as a creative outlet to inspire, motivate and provide humorous stories to my friends. No topic was off limits and I wrote from the heart including difficult life issues such as my wife’s breast cancer battle and how it feels to lose close friends in your 30s. I balanced it with lighthearted stories which stemmed from coaching youth sports for 13 years and a nonprofit I established for schools in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, even though I lived in Denver.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My passion and creative mind sets me apart from others. I have always been known as an idea guy but I am fortunate to be able to implement the idea too. I spent close to 18 years in the sports industry and endured two layoffs and other setbacks but persevered and opened Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, one of the world’s largest youth soccer facilities in the world.

My proudest accomplishment would be the creation of the all volunteer nonprofit, Sports for A Cause. I led seven volunteer trips to New Orleans to help schools rebuild playgrounds. We donated over $150,000 of used and new sports equipment to schools and youth programs in New Orleans and Denver, The experience changed my life in multiple ways. On paper, it made zero sense, but something in my heart told me it was the right thing to do. I am glad I followed my gut even when others told me it might be tough.

I was diagnosed with ADD in my early 40s and it was eye opening in many ways. It took me a while to own my condition and now I try to be an advocate for others. My ADD fuels my creativity and entrepreneurial mindset and I do not run from it anymore. I include it in my Facebook posts and other writing columns.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a concert. It is a magnificent venue to watch a show and it is a bucket list  experience. I sell and manage corporate partnerships for the City and County of Denver’s Arts and Venues division which includes the Arts Complex downtown, Denver Coliseum and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

I would take him or her to the local restaurants such as Benny’s, My Brothers Bar, the Bluegrass Lounge in Arvada. Each one of these establishments are of the mom and pop variety and have long histories with the city. After dinner, I would head straight to Bonnie Brae Ice Cream and order a double scoop of triple death chocolate homemade ice cream with the best waffle cones in the world!

We would also take in a game at Coors Field. The stadium is one of the best in the majors and the views are tough to beat.

Any Colorado trip must include a trip to the mountains. Steamboat Springs is my favorite mountain town and it never disappoints. The western spirit is alive and well there. I would take them hiking (it’s my favorite outdoor activity) and hit the lake too.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My wife, Beth, and our two kids have supported me as I follow this passionate journey as well as my mom, dad and little sister. Many friends encouraged me along the way, including Chad Randall and Dave Blankenship, both long time friends. Chad is my college roommate who called with the book idea and Dave Blankenship is a close high school friend. Two weeks after Chad called me, Dave emailed me on Facebook and told me we were not getting any younger and I needed to write a damn book.

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 Gander, Newfoundland is by far my favorite book and the one I always recommend to friends. It restored my faith in humanity and inspired me to help others.

As a child, I was lucky to have positive minded coaches and teachers, not to mention a few bosses who always pushed me to dream big.

Website: brandontostiauthor.com

Instagram: brandontostiauthor

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/btosti/

Twitter: @AuthorTosti

Facebook: Brandon Tosti, Author

Youtube: Brandon Tosti, Author

Image Credits
Chris Austin @ AustinStudioDenver