It was early September 2010. At over 225 pounds and sporting a size 40 waist, I decided it was time to make a change. After all, at 46-years old, I wasn't getting any younger. In order to hold myself accountable to my desire to get fit and lose weight, I went public with my goals. I wrote about the changes I would be making extensively on this blog. My first entry was posted 9/14/10. By... Continue Reading

How is it possible to be in one place and everywhere at the same time? For us mere mortals, it's not. However, with social media all of us are more connected than ever before. I frequently get questions from people wanting to know how they can connect with me. I thought it would be useful for me to provide a list of where you can find me. I invite you to connect and interact with... Continue Reading

As you know, I've been building websites since 1995. I've always been a big fan of creating content-rich sites that bring value to others. That's why I have always spoken against creating spammy sites designed to game the search engines. It's not a good model for building a long-term business. I've sold a number of my sites over the years. In 1998, Yahoo! purchased my multiplayer game site, ClassicGames.com. Today you know it as Yahoo... Continue Reading

On September 1st, 2010, I weighed in at over 225 pounds. I didn't step on the scale often because it wasn't very good news. My energy levels were low. My blood pressure was high. And I was moody. I didn't want to feel that way anymore. I had lost weight in the past, but I wasn't sure I could do it again. After all, I DID balloon back to my previous weight AND put on... Continue Reading

Yesterday I scared little children around the world with photos of me at 225 pounds. I did warn you beforehand, so please don't send me your psycho-analysis and therapy bills. For the past three months I have been on The Joel Comm Diet, which is not a diet at all. Instead it combines common sense with a plan that works for me. I am pleased to say that three months later I have lost 35... Continue Reading

WARNING: What you are about to see may traumatize you. Parents of small children are cautioned from letting their kids see the photos on this page. I will not be held responsible if they have nightmares! As you may know, I have struggled with my weight the bulk of my adult life. (See how I used the word "bulk" in a sentence? I'm a punny guy...) There are two reasons this has been a problem... Continue Reading

(Written by guest contributor Dan Nickerson) In preparation for writing this article I thought I would look for a great quote about learning from your mistakes. You know what...that was a mistake, because honestly there are a ton of them online. They all boil down to one basic principle: You can learn far more from your mistakes than from your successes. Continue Reading

Someone recently sent me a link to an information product suggesting I look at their sales letter. It was a typical "make money online" pitch with a well-dressed guy sharing his story of how he went from zero to hero using strategies and methods that he would share with us at the designated price. There was the big house, the pretty girlfriend and the sports car. Ooh. I'm impressed. (Note the touch of sarcasm, please... Continue Reading

Carpe Diem, goes the phrase. Literally translated "Seize the Day" from Latin, I first became familiar with the term from the film Dead Poets Society. While the film had a depressing twist, I am coming to understand more and more the need to take hold of the moments in our lives. It seems like just yesterday that my son was born. I remember changing that first poopie diaper as though the smell still lingers in... Continue Reading

I recently enjoyed a meal with my daughter at Hu Hot Mongolian Grill in Fort Collins. It's our favorite place to enjoy build-your-own stir fry. Very tasty. As we were leaving the table, I heard my name called out. "Joel"... I turned around to a gentlemen looking at me. I didn't recognize him so I am scanning the recesses of my brain very rapidly to try to recall where I know him from. As it... Continue Reading

A few years ago I heard people in the Internet marketing circles talking about "The Secret." I was told it was an amazing film featuring successful people demonstrating a "law of the universe" that had been hidden from the majority of mere mortals. Starring in this film based on a book by Rhonda Byrne were such people as Joe Vitale, James Arthur Ray, Michael Beckwith, David Schirmer and Bill Harris, among otthers. I decided to... Continue Reading

Whether you are just starting out in learning the web / mobile app development ropes, or are looking to hire someone to do your development for you, it can be useful to know what basic developer tools there are out there. For the purpose of this article, we define a developer as the following: Someone who writes code for launching a PTA offer, develops an app, or writes software. Developers know the different programming or... Continue Reading

I started the day lacing up my running shoes, taking a breath of fresh colorado air, and setting my sights on a new chapter. Today is Day #1 of Project Fit! As I blogged last week, I need to lose approximately forty pounds. On top of that, I would like to become physically fit. And I want to do it without going to extremes. No punitive diets. No beating my body into submission. We've all... Continue Reading

It's been terribly dry in Northern Colorado. I can't remember the last time we had a substantial rain. Last week, the big news was the fire in Boulder County that claimed over 600 acres of land and at least 92 homes (nine of them belonging to firefighters.) Fortunately, no one was injured. As we were leaving church Sunday morning, it was impossible to miss smoke rising due west of our town, Loveland. It did not... Continue Reading