Dr. John Mulligan, Cousin, Creator of the Caveman Food Experiment

He's responsible for the way I look on the front cover of my next book.  Yep.  All 30+ pounds of my weight loss can be attributed to the food experiment my cousin John created to help increase the quality and quantity of my life.  He asked me for a 45-day commitment to his food experiment and I jumped at the opportunity to be his lab rat.  I can't wait to share the lessons I learned in the book.  Thanks, cousin, for rescuing me when I had three strikes against me.  Without you, there would be no Caveman Miracle Network.  Thanks for creating the food experiment that saved my life.  Welcome to CMN, Dr. Mulligan.  Have a great day.

Cousin Mark Mulligan, CMN Honoree

My cousin, Mark Mulligan, is a singer, songwriter and author of "The Three Miracles."  You can click here to order his book on Amazon or visit him the next time he's in your town for a concert.  Mark was the first person to visit after my relocation to the Midwest five years ago and I've had the pleasure of seeing his live show twice.  He says I inspired him to write his first book but I believe it's the other way around.  Mark has been in front of the public for many years and he really enjoys giving back.  He claims he deported himself to Mexico 24 years ago.  He's the father of 4 and released 13 albums while soaking up sunshine in his Sea of Cortez home.  His book is a must read.  Thanks, Mark, for all you do north and south of the border and for being a part of the Caveman Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Sheila Catero Fernandez, CMN Honoree

Please welcome Sheila to the Caveman Miracle Network.  I met her during a book signing at Kathleen's home and Sheila has been keeping in touch ever since.  She jumped on board CMN as soon as I asked for volunteers.  Sheila, I hope to see you again on a future visit to Arizona.  Thanks for supporting CMN.  Have a great day.

Kathleen Erickson is CMN Honoree

Book signing at Kathleen's home.

 Kathleen Erickson

Please welcome Kathleen Erickson to the Caveman Miracle Network.  She invited me to her home in Arizona one year ago to meet her friends for a book signing event and it was a highlight of my trip. Kathleen wanted to know more about future writing projects and I shared a little bit about my journey to better health during our visit.  I talked about the silent killer lurking inside my body that was increasing my risk for a heart attack or stroke and how it turned out to be food related.  I promised the audience they would be able to read all about it in the next book.  Thank you, Kathleen, for giving me the opportunity to meet your friends and share an evening with them.  You are now an official member of the Caveman Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Karen Harbin-Januzik and Husband, Brian Join CMN

I would like to thank Karen and her husband, Brian, for a fun evening they shared with my wife and me across the street from SHS on our last visit to Phoenix.  Karen and I were high school classmates who pursued marketing careers after graduation.  The most important take-away for me during our time together was this idea Karen shared that praying circles around your biggest dreams can actually help unleash them.

There's a reason my caveman network contains the word miracle in the name – it's a miracle how God brings the right people into my life at the right time to get His work done.  I can't do this alone.  Karen and Brian gave me a shot in the arm to inspire me to finish this book on time against all odds.  Thank you both for spending time with us.  You're part of the circle.  I think it's really cool you were married on the day "Pi Day" – 3.14.15.  Welcome to CMN.  Have a great day.

Leland and Tracy Cox Rolling, Honorary CMN Members

Leland and Tracy were visiting Christchurch, New Zealand when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake ripped the town apart.  The family was in the epicenter and barely escaped the room they were staying in.  The family accompanying Leland while he represented the USA in an international tennis event.  Click here for the guest post Leland wrote about the experience.  Speaking of writing, Leland's wife, Tracy, is an award-winning writer with a knack for connecting with her readers.  She's also an avid tennis player.  These two people are always encouraging me to do my best and I'm happy to call them friends.  Please welcome them to CMN as honorary members.  Have a great day.

Nancy Jay, Honorary CMN Member

Please welcome longtime friend and former co-worker, Nancy Jay, to the Caveman Miracle Network.  I've known Nancy for approximately 30 years.  All three of her children were babysitters for our kids when they were young.  Her husband, Roger, once a team-mate at my day job in Arizona, is the other half of this extraordinary couple.  One day when I was in need of some prayers, a package showed up unexpectedly from Nancy with some camouflage-colored wrist bands inside.  "Prayer Warrior" was inscribed on the wrist bands.  I used mine so often that it broke.  Nancy sent me a replacement.  She and her daughter were the last people we broke bread with when we departed California.  She told us she would pray for a safe journey.  Her prayers were answered and we arrived safely.  Thank you, Nancy and family, for keeping us in your prayers.  You are now officially part of the Caveman Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Elliott Fox and Wife, Patty, Honorary CMN Members

A sly fox on the tennis courts and a true gentleman off the courts, Elliott appears ageless at 90 – perhaps because his bride, Patty, brings out the gleam in his eyes.  Please welcome this couple to the Caveman Miracle Network.  I miss them both but feel their presence whenever I recall memories of living in Southern California for 22 years.  Elliott can lob like no other and he makes tennis fun.  I'm thankful he introduced me at my first book signing.  These are two of my favorite people.  They are a blessing.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Michael Brouillette to CMN

"For where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am with them." ~ Matthew 18:20

Today is my 2,797th consecutive daily blog post and it's also the 2,797th time Michael Brouillette will visit to check up on me.  Thank you, Michael, for your support of my writing efforts and for keeping in touch all these years.  Jesus says in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am with them."  Thanks for making sure I never get below two people on this blog.  I really appreciate your loyalty.  You are now an official member of the Caveman Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Angel in the Outfield #1, Joan Brouillette

Joan Brouillette is one special lady.  She wouldn't stop raising her hand when I auctioned off a set of books written by my friends from my Christian Writers Critique Group.  Included in the set was book #1 of "God's Black Sheep Squadron," the first fruit of my fledgling writing career.  Joan was the top bidder at over $300 for the collection.  I didn't want to let go of her when she came up to claim her prize in the photo above.  She's a winner and an inspiration.  When I reached out for one hundred volunteers to be my "angels in the outfield" in support of my first book, join was the first to respond.  I thank God for her presence in my life.  God bless you, Joan, and your family.  You are my hero.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Megan to CMN

I would like to introduce you to Megan from day job to the Caveman Miracle Network.  Like me, she fell in love with an Iowan and left Southern California to start a new life in the Midwest.  Megan is one of the fittest people I know.  She doesn't make excuses.  She's a mother of three and works full-time.  She gets more done by 5:00 AM than most do all day long.  Thank you, Megan, for inspiring so many of us to be fit.  I look forward to sharing your healthy recipes with my readers next month.  Thank you for being a part of the Caveman Miracle Network.

Please Welcome Joni From My Day Job to CMN

I don't share much from my day job here on this blog because I'm not an authorized speaker from the company and they prefer to lay low when it comes to social media.  What I can share is how well the Caveman Food Experiment/Challenge has been embraced by my peers.  My co-worker, Joni, is the person I can count on in any situation.  She invited me to attend a Pampered Chef evening at her home sponsored by Terry, her husband of 30 years, to add some really nifty kitchen tools to my caveman kitchen.  She also gave me some of her best recipes that will be featured in the book.

Thank you, Joni, for your encouragement and support.  And thank you, Terry, for helping me with my kitchen gadgets.  You are both honorary members of the Caveman Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Pat and Judy Byrne to CMN

He's the federal firefighter who put a volunteer group of civilians together in my hometown to feed the people responsible for saving our community when it was under siege by the worst firestorm in California history.  She's a member of the ladies group who made us a prayer quilt for our journey to our new home state five years ago.  Pat and Judy Byrne are my heroes.  Pat and Judy continue to serve others in need.  Pat is now a deacon and Judy helps make prayer quilts for those in need of support.  Please welcome the couple to the Caveman Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Cynthia and Alex Nieto to CMN

Cynthia and her husband, Alex, designed my first book cover for "God's Black Sheep Squadron."  I'm happy to announce they will be responsible for the the next one, scheduled for release two weeks from today.  The young couple keep busy with their young son while also running Studio Nieto.  I can't wait to see the big reveal on May 1.  Thank you, Cynthia and Alex, for your creative efforts and for all your help with the Caveman Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Happy Easter

The tomb is empty.  He is risen.  Heaven's gates are unlocked.  It doesn't get any bigger than this.  Happy Easter.  I'm taking a break from the Caveman Miracle Network today to share the Good News.  Go out and celebrate.  I'll announce the next CMN honoree  tomorrow.  Happy Easter!

Please Welcome Mark and Lori Garrow to CMN

These are the people we called upon when we needed to sell our California home during a challenging time in the real estate world.  Mark and Lori Garrow guided us through the process and made our relocation to the Midwest possible.  Mark was also part of the group of volunteers who gathered food and supplies for the firefighters during one of the worst wildfires in California history.  Mark wasn't afraid to offer help to those brave men and woman who refused to leave the front lines. 

When I sent up smoke signals asking for help with the Caveman Miracle Network, this couple was one of the first to respond.  Thank you for answering the call and welcome to CMN.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Cousin Mary, CMN Honoree

My mom, cousin Mary and me.

You won't find her on Facebook.  She's all about face-to-face contact.  I'm thankful for all she does as the oldest member of our generation of countless Mulligan cousins.  Although her itinerary was fully booked while visiting her youngest daughter in Spain, Mary made the time to visit the small town of Rubalcaba where my mom's ancestors are from.  She sent us pictures of the small town located not far from the place high in the mountains where another possible ancestor, a 7,000-year-old dark-skinned, blue-eyed Spanish caveman was unearthed.  Scientists decoded La Braña 1's DNA and discovered he was an ancient hunter gatherer with a lactose intolerance.  If his image looks hauntingly familiar to the front cover of "The Caveman in the Mirror," it's because it's nearly identical to the ghost who taunted me in my nightly dreams until I finally wrote about him so he would finally leave me alone.

Mary is the cousin from my dad's side of the family who helped me see the connections to ancestors on my mom's side of the family.  The truth is all of us are connected.  Children's Miracle Network is all about connecting people to help sick kids at Children's Hospital.  All proceeds from my next book will make a difference in their lives.  Thank you, Mary, for helping me find an important link to our ancestors.  Your dark-skinned, blue-eyed cousin is thankful to have a role model like you to look up to.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Jeff Rosburg to CMN

He's seen the Ark of the Covenant.  He's ascended Machu Picchu with his family.  Jeff Rosburg is my go to guy when I need a shot in the arm.  We've worked day jobs together, started a company from scratch and witnessed things most people never see in one lifetime.  Jeff inspired "808," a work/life balance we strive for in our daily lives.  808 is the area code for Hawaii, a favorite vacation spot where Jeff's ancestors are from.  It's also 80/8, work 80 days and take 8 off (I'm still working on this one).  My daily posts at 8:08, pacific time, are my reminder to start every morning giving back to others.

The best way I can describe today's honoree in the Children's Miracle Network is to share the Bible story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, three Jewish men thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to bow down before a false god.  See chapter 3 of the book of Daniel for more.  These men persevered in the flames.  The bottom line is they trusted God would be with them.  Thank you, Jeff, for your willingness to stand with me in the flames.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Dr. Jim Miller to CMN

Watching the Suns with Dr. Jim Miller

He knew I was going to be an influence in the crowded room gathered together on St. Patrick's Day, 1987.  Maybe it was the green hat and green suspenders I was wearing.  Laurel, my friend from my day job, was also decked out in full St. Patrick's Day attire.  Jim didn't fully understand at the time how important this day is to me.  He demonstrated by his own example, "you don't take the Dale Carnegie Course, you live the course."  Winning friends and influencing people is his specialty.  When I moved to Southern California, Jim was my first visitor to our new home.  He renamed our place at the top of Tesoro Way, Mulligan Mountain.

Jim knew I was going to be an influence in the room where he was introducing fifty new students to the Dale Carnegie Course thirty years ago, but I didn't discover until about half-way through the course how much my life would change because of his influence.  My future wife was in attendance on graduation night when Dr. Jim Miller led the closing ceremonies.  I still wear my green hat and green suspenders on St. Patrick's Day.  So does our daughter, born twenty-four years ago on St. Patrick's Day.  She just celebrated her special day in Ireland.  I can't wait to tell my friend, Jim, what they were wearing.  Thanks, Jim, for three decades of friendship and mentoring.  You are now officially an honorary member of the Children's Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Send in the Clowns to CMN

The world needs more people like my cousin, Jo McElroy Senecal.  Like her parents before her, Jo knows how to light up a room with a smile or a clown nose she sports at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a place where seriously ill kids can go for healing.  She's got spunk, she's got humor and she's got enough writing talent to make you laugh, cry, get angry, vote, donate, forgive and love your enemies, all in one sentence.  She is the queen of cool, the bride of an exceptional human being, and the mother of the next generation of world changers.

When I asked my cousin to join CMN, she said, "what do you need from me?"

"Just be you," I replied.  Jo inspires me to be more generous.  Send in the clowns.  That's what the Caveman Miracle Network is all about – changing lives, one chapter at a time.  My heart goes out to the families caring for sick children, especially the ones who could use someone like Jo in their lives.  Thank you, Jo, for making the world a better place.  Have a great day.

Uncle Harry Joins Wife in CMN

My uncle Harry shipped me a Study Bible on 4/17/10 with a note inside, the world would keep you from this Book, but this Book will keep you from the world!  He's right.  He's also married to the special lady I introduced yesterday.  These two lovebirds are a blessing in my life.  I'm thankful for the gift my uncle gave me seven years ago.  It will take me a lifetime to grasp even a sliver of knowledge in the best seller of all times.  Thank you, uncle Harry, for being an awesome mentor and exemplar.  Have a great day.

Wedding Crasher Joins CMN

Please welcome my aunt Helen to CMN.  When she heard we were planning a Midwest wedding she called in her RSVP before the official invitations went out.  Our adult children tell us their Minnesota visits are at the top of the list of childhood memories.  Yes, this lady is the real deal.  What I admire the most about her is her faith.  She welcomed my bride into the family with open arms.  She's an awesome wife, mother, grandmother and aunt to numerous nephews and nieces.  I'm fortunate to be a part of her extended family.

If I could give a word of advice to the bouncer in Heaven in charge of the pearly gates, I would say, "no need to check your list when my aunt Helen shows up.  Besides, not even a burly dude like you, St. Peter, can keep her from crashing the party in Heaven.  Just let her in and wipe that 'uffda' smirk off your face.  Nobody's gonna keep my Aunt Helen from Jesus."  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Chris Mabry to CMN

There's an idea floating around that all of us are connected by six degrees of separation.  I learned recently that Chris and my cousin, Dr. John Mulligan, the creator of the Caveman Food Experiment, were good buddies in Kindergarten.  You will be able to read more about Chris's food journey in my book on May 1.  When I asked him what motivated him to be so diligent with his adherence to going "Caveman," he said, "I can do anything for 45 days."  I look up to Chris.  Not only did he kill it in the challenge, but he also beat cancer.  Chris sent me weekly updates about his progress during the experiment he started in January and extended all the way to St. Patrick's Day, his wedding day.   You won't want to miss what Chris has to say about his results.  I would like to thank him for reuniting me with some elementary school classmates he gathered together while I was in town a couple of months ago.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Paige Powers to CMN

You'll be meeting Paige in chapter one of my next book.  She will be sharing in her own words about her 45-day journey to better health.  She's responsible for inspiring countless others to give the Caveman Food Experiment/Challenge a try.  She's got spunk and today happens to be her birthday.  Paige came to me at her day job inquiring how to get involved and her results are stunning.  She's a shining example of what happens when you're willing to try something new without worrying about peer pressure.  Thank you, Paige, for sharing your life with my readers and for donating your hair to help a cancer patient look and feel better.  I can't wait to read your final report about your experiences with the Caveman Experiment and to include your story in the book.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome Bill Leinheiser to CMN

His basketball team won the state championships 50 years ago at Camelback High School.  His Arizona State baseball team won the college world series when he was a pitcher for the team.  He was college room-mates with my uncle, Mike Rupcich, yesterday's CMN honoree.  And he was my junior college tennis coach at Glendale Community College for two years.  I was really fortunate to cross paths with Bill Leinheiser at an important time in my life and he inspired me to always give 100% every day.

If you can't find Bill on the tennis courts or in the gym, you may find him at a soup kitchen in Phoenix helping feed the homeless.  Please welcome Bill Leinheiser to CMN.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome My Uncle Mike Rupcich to CMN

You met his wife, Marcie, yesterday.  My uncle Mike (Rupcich) is the other half of an extraordinary couple I look up to.  My earliest memory of my uncle was watching him on TV in game 7 of the College World Series when he was called in to pinch hit in the bottom of the 9th with two out, bases loaded and his team, Arizona State, down a run.  The lesson I learned from observing him over the years is you hold your head high no matter what happens in important situations.  My uncle played a major role shaping the lives of countless student athletes during his twenty-six seasons as an assistant coach in Fresno.  Here's a link to an interview with my hero.

Thank you, Uncle Mike, for being a great mentor and role model and for inspiring me to always give my best.  By the way, your college room-mate will be featured tomorrow as the next honorary member of the Children's Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Marcie Rupcich, Honorary CMN Member

She was the first extended family I saw on TV when she represented the state of Arizona in a national Jr. Miss America Pageant.  Yep, she made the top ten.  She's number one in my books.  Speaking of books, she's also a writer.  Her memoir is a great read, although currently available only to family members.  My aunt Marcie called on her daughter, a top New York magazine authority responsible for overseeing creative designs, to assist with the front cover of her book.  It's first class for a first class aunt.  Thanks, Aunt Marcie, for being an inspiration in my life.  I really appreciate all your prayers and welcome you to the Children's Miracle Network.  Have a great day.

Dr. Thomas Mulligan, Honorary CMN Member

My uncle Tom still travels around the world teaching other orthodontists the best methods for straightening teeth and improving smiles.  I have him to thank for giving me mine.  I also have him to thank for accepting my request to be my confirmation sponsor when I was a scrawny teenager seeking direction.  That's his quote above.  His books have been translated in multiple languages.  Click here for his amazing bio.  Thanks, uncle Tom, for your contributions and for being a great role model.  I know you really don't need any more titles, but I would like to include you in the Children's Miracle Network, a group of friends and family members who helped me become the person I am today and who have a desire to make the world better.  Have a great day.

Please Welcome My Aunt Teresa to CMN

To know her is to love her.  She's the mother of 8 and she has enough grandchildren and great grandchildren to field a soccer team.  She also makes the best cookies, the centerpiece of countless care packages I received over the years, along with notes of encouragement.  Aunt Teresa is the kind of person you want on your side when the chips are down and you need a smiling face to lift you up.  Please welcome Teresa Mulligan to the Children's Miracle Network.  ¡Olé!  Have a great day.

The Queen of the Rubalcaba Clan

Her name is Gloria Dolores Mulligan.  Before she became a Mulligan, her maiden name was Rubalcaba.  I call her Mom.  She's the backbone of the Caveman Miracle Network.  Her prayers allowed me to survive the most tumultuous times of my life.  Mom volunteered to help type one of my college term papers the day before deadline when my hunt-and-peck method wasn't getting the job done.  The ribbon broke.  Mom stayed up all night, manually moving the ribbon, inches at a time.  It was like plowing a field without a tractor.  She went to work the next morning without any sleep while I scribbled the last pages of my paper by hand at sunrise.  I drove to her workplace and she finished typing during her break just in time for me to meet my deadline.  I got an A.  I also learned to type.

Mom is always there for her six kids.  She encourages.  She prays.  She believes in us.  She's the oldest of her generation of Rubalcabas and the first honorary member of the Children's Miracle Network.  Mom is one in a million.  You will never find one as loving and caring as my mother.  God bless the queen of the Rubalcaba clan.  She earned her angel wings a long time ago.  I love you, mom!