Adapt: August/September 2014 by UnKonventional Media

ADAPTING YOU TO LIFE. ADAPTING YOU TO GOD

Vol. 2 Issue 4

ALEX 'NEMO' HANSE:

DREAMING WITHOUT LIMITS

August/September 2014

"WRITE THE VISION; MAKE IT PLAIN ON TABLETS, SO HE MAY RUN WHO READS IT. FOR STILL THE VISION AWAITS ITS APPOINTED TIME; IT HASTENS TO THE END...IT WILL NOT LIE. IF IT SEEMS SLOW, WAIT FOR IT; IT WILL SURELY COME; IT WILL NOT DELAY. " HABAKKUK 2:2-3

“EVERYONE CAN START WORKING TOWARDS [HIS OR HER] DREAM; IT DOESN’T HAVE TO START BIG. YOU CAN START WITH A BLOG GIVING HEALTH ADVICE...THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO START.” - ALEX HANSE, CEO, FOOLIES

(CONTENTS) SPIRITUALITY P. 16 | Manifesting Greater P. 18 | Let God Give You Beauty for Ashes

IN EVERY ISSUE • EDITOR’S LETTER • CONTRIBUTORS

LIFESTYLE P. 22 | Transfer Students: Make a Healthy Transition

CAREER PREP & MONEY P. 26 | Alex Hanse: Dreaming Without Limits

COVER IMAGE: CAREY EBANKS COVER DESIGN: UNKONVENTIONAL MEDIA, LLC

Photo: Michelle Clarkson

(EDITOR'S LETTER) It’s been eight years since I embarked on my journey as a college student. I stepped onto the University of Florida’s campus with my own backpack full of dreams, a brand new laptop, empty notebooks and ink-filled pens ready to fill those notebook pages with the best knowledge an American college education could afford. Little did I know that those next four years would set me on a path of self-discovery and adventure. I had some of my most memorable and impactful experiences while at UF. I made some great moments and some not-sogreat mistakes.

an idea or a dream, we spend months, and sometimes years, deciding whether we should pursue it. I know I wasted a lot of time thinking and analyzing whether this dream that burned so deeply on my heart was worth pursuing. At the end of the day, I leaped. I leaped because I didn’t want to have any regrets. I wanted to give God a chance to do big things with my little life. The doubts and fears didn’t necessarily go away. In fact, sometimes they seemed to be screaming at me through a megaphone. But six years in and God hasn’t stopped proving me wrong and silencing those blaring doubts and fears.

One of the things that was birthed during that time was this If God has put a dream in your heart, don’t ignore it. Write it very magazine. I had a dream and I was so scared to pursue down. Write down every single idea that comes to mind. Pray it! But I did and I have no regrets. Sometimes when we get over it and then release it. Oh, yeah…and don’t forget to leap!

allysen

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Adapt Magazine is published six times a year by UnKonventional Media, LLC. All questions regarding advertising, subscriptions or this publication should be directed to publisher@unkonventionalmedia.com. Please visit www.unkonventionalmedia.com to learn more about our company.

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(CONTRIBUTORS)

Monica Solomon graduated from the University of Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education Monica recently graduated with a Master of Science degree in Public Health at the University of South Florida with a specialization in Behavioral Health. She is currently working her dream job and living out her goal to help people live healthier.

MONICA SOLOMON

Antoinette is a hard-working young woman. This wife and student is currently pursing a degree in Education. She and her husband live in the Tampa area where they felt God drawing them to grow the Kingdom. She has two dogs, Cocoa and Lex, who are very much like children. She enjoys serving in her church’s children’s ministry and looks forward to singing, dancing and praying with the kids each week.

ANTOINETTE CHARLES

Paula is a senior writer for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts®. Her background and experience include communications, human resources management, recruiting, benefits administration and communications, as well as training and development. In her current role, Paula develops and writes communication and education resources for Disney Destinations. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications/Public Relations from Iona College, New Rochelle, New York. Paula has been a contributing writer for Adaot Magazine since 2009.

Paula Kerr

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Spirituality

adaptmag.com 16

MANIFESTING GREATER Angela Skaff, Editorial Intern

Judah also will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be gathered together: Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance. - Zechariah 14:14 I spent the last week getting a spiritual attitude adjustment.

Have your manifestations come forth? What do you want to see, or experience in the rest of 2014?

As I attended this nearly week-long conference, I walked in with a chip (or two) on my shoulder, needing to see God do something...as if He has not -- and doesn’t do something in my life every day and every moment that I have breath.

Claim it now and move forward, get it now and never look back. Do not let the last half of this year fall by the wayside or become a losing battle. In this season lean in, listen and obey; it is time to lock and load for the second half of the year.

I sat in the sessions early in the week looking around and expecting “more” because my attitude and pride were bigger than my eyes and ears, which should have been focused on the words coming from those anointed men and women of God in the first place.

God is looking to do things beyond what we could ever have imagined or dreamed. Be encouraged and watch the world around you.

Throughout the week, God spoke to me and moved in me. He helped me to let go of the hurts, humble myself, and put my pride to the side.

God is moving, miracles are happening and, just like you will be going back to school, or starting something new, there is that refreshing which is upon us. If we press into Him, we will never be the same.

He also helped me know that what I have dreamed about for my life is nothing compared to what He has planned, and it is going to bring to pass for me. By the end of the conference, I had my fire back and don’t ever want to let go of it again!

We must be sound in the word, know what He has for us, take the authority He has given us, and stand on His word and promises for our lives. I have been watching God do things in lives all around my community: healing people of diseases, bringing prosperity to the impoverished and, in my own life, bringing me stability and taking me to a higher level...to the “greater”.

This life we have is far too short to keep going back and forth, circling the same trials and tests. The LORD wants me to humble myself, spend time with Him and allow Him to move in my path…a path that will lead to light shining throughout the darkness of life, the testimonies, and the victim to victory that is going to help others see the love of God.

Become the overcomer so you can be a blessing! God is looking for forerunners who will go on ahead and win so others can follow! We are in the half-time of this year; take time to regroup, refocus, lock and load to make the last half an unimaginably phenomenal year with all God has in store.

God is love and He wants to take us to greater levels but we must be ready to trust in Him, and in Him alone! The change of seasons will be here soon as classes begin and fall approaches.

Zechariah 14:14 NKJV reads: “Judah also will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be gathered together: Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.”

In life, there are always changes in the seasons -- naturally and spiritually. As you move into the next season of your life remember: God is over everything. We are in the last half of 2014, the year of manifestation, the year of greater. Are you working toward your “greater”?

August/September 2014

adaptmag.com

LET GOD GIVE YOU BEAUTY FOR ASHES Margaret Olatunbosun, Editorial & Social Media Intern

very now and then I am baffled at how God chooses to use the most broken people to advance the sharing of the Gospel.

When all roads seem to lead nowhere, Christians are called to walk by faith…NOT by sight. I am terribly guilty of asking “Why me?” Sometimes when things don’t go as expected. But very quickly the Holy Spirit does a great job of nudging me back to repentance, reminding me that the faith that I received is a gift of God because I believed.

The message of grace is being preached everywhere and we’re beginning to see an increase in the number of people who have decided to face their pain and embrace their destinies. It is a movement that has spurred hundreds of healing and mentoring ministries, urging young men and women to lay their burdens at the altar and find God’s purpose for their lives.

Now, Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” If we claim to believe in an all-powerful and unseen God, who declares that the faith we have was a gift -- not earned, we need to believe that all things will work out for those who believe in Him.

And that is where my surprise comes in: that God can take the worst of us and make us vessels of honor, redeeming us...that He can console those who mourn and give them beauty for ashes…and a garment of praise… (Isaiah 61:3)

Let God give you beauty for ashes. You might be feeling a little upset because your plans have been derailed by one single mistake and you can’t go back. This is the perfect set-up for God to show His strength in your weakness.

My initial surprise was registered when I studied the lives of those who served God and the stories surrounding their birth. Most times, their calling was always fraught with a prior history of rebellion, greed, frustration, childlessness, persecution and so on, but they turned out to be even greater ministers of God.

Your future is not written on the blueprints of your past. Actually, it is contradicting to believe in God yet be paralyzed by the mistakes of our youth. All predictions of success lie in God’s Word. Hear Ephesians 3:20 “the one who is able to exceeding abundantly give you everything you think of and ask for in His name according to the power that works in us.”

God doesn’t call the perfect. He calls the unsaved, abused and neglected, and releases a measure of grace upon them which increases as they fully embrace the identity God has chosen to give them.

If only we can learn from this:

God’s thoughts for us don’t depend of anyone’s report of us.

Jesus was called the Son of David. We all know David to be an adulterer and a murderer—he killed Uriah by placing him in battle where the fighting was fiercest. Yet God was merciful and faithful enough to bless his lineage by giving His hope of the world through His descendants.

If these were false, Moses would never have been able to walk closely with God as he did, seeing that he was condemned as a murderer by his own country man whose life he was trying to save.

Yes, the worst of us all is valuable to Christ…as long as we believe and trust in His makeover.

We aren’t stuck in calamities. They are His divine ways of calling us to reflect on Him in those situations, and use them as lessons to mentor others who are losing hope fighting similar battles.

...It is contradicting to believe in God yet be paralyzed by the mistakes of our youth... August/September 2014

FEATURE Story

LIFESTYLE

adaptmag.com 22

TRANSFER STUDENTS: MAKING A HEALTHY TRANSITION Nicole Walker, Editorial Intern

ummer has officially come to an end and while most students are heading back to campus, there are a few students who are coming in as transfers.

supplies, including: Band aids, heating pads, ace wrap, antibacterial soap, Rolaids, PEPCID®, Imodium A-D, Tylenol and Claritin are all good to have in stock to make sure you continue to stay healthy.

Coming from a small community college to a university can be big change -- a challenge for a lot of students.

Now that you have all of the necessary medical items taken care of, what else should you think about?

Forget about the idea of classes and making friends; there are other things to think about such as: Should I live on campus or off campus? Should I use my car? Should I get a meal plan?

Whether you decide to live on or off campus, you will still need to make sure that you are eating healthy and, yes, it may be easier when you’re off campus because you are able to make your own foods and pack them for lunch.

Those are all great questions to think about and ask yourself and, yes, that can be a tricky concern, but very important to think about.

There are meal plans available to transfer students and those can be healthy and also helpful.

Whether you decide to live on or off campus, there is something very important that you need to make sure you have up to date: a signed Medical History form and updated immunization records.

As long as you make sure that you are getting your necessary fruits, vegetables, and protein, then it is not so bad to eat the food on campus. It does help; however, if your campus offers healthy menu options.

The University of South Florida, for instance, requires that you have proof of: “two measles and rubella (or MMR) forms, Meningitis vaccination; if living on-campus, proof of vaccination is required.

Finally, while being a student can be challenging with getting used to a bigger campus, having more students in the classrooms, and all that a university has to offer, don’t forget to head over to the gym.

If living off-campus, students must provide proof of vaccination or a signed waiver to decline a Hepatitis-B vaccination or a “waiver to decline” (USF, 2014).

Students can use these facilities free of charge! Some college gyms are open from dawn ‘til dusk, which makes it perfect to plan your schedule to incorporate time to workout, especially when things get stressful.

Meningitis is a viral infection and, if treated early, can be prevented; otherwise the disease can be fatal and deadly. Meningitis is spread through the body to the spinal cord and the brain. This is an infection that can spread from living in the dormitories.

College life can, indeed, be stressful, and transferring to a university can add more stress, but it’s just another step to where the Lord is placing you so you can continue to do all the great things that He has in store for you.

That’s why it’s so important for students to have all of vaccinations up to date.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Not everyone will get sick when they encounter their new suite or roommates, but it is always good to protect yourself because you never know what the other person might have.

Source: (USF, The Department of Student Affairs, 2014)

Especially if you decide to live off campus, make sure that you keep your medicine cabinet stocked with first aid

CAREER & MONEY

ALEX HANSE:

DREAMING WITHOUT LIMITS... MONICA SOLOMON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CEO. Hopeful. Motivated. Inspiring. Resilient. Refreshingly optimistic, but realistic. In other words, Alex ‘Nemo’ Hanse, is a proud Foolie. I met Alex ‘Nemo’ Hanse about eight years ago as a bright-eyed freshman my first day at the University of Florida. Although, I met a lot of people that day, I never forgot Alex. It could have been his funny jokes, his willingness to give freshmen advice, or his bright blue ‘Finding Nemo’ backpack. That’s right folks Alex ‘Nemo’ was rocking a plastic Nemo backpack, which unknowingly sent a message to the incoming freshmen that it was okay for them embrace their individuality and uniqueness. Alex’s company, Foolies, provides a similar message...

Alex’s inspiration comes from a sincere place. In our interview he spoke passionately about his mother who wanted to open up a salon before she passed away, but never got the chance. With conviction in his voice he stated, “Life is short. Passion is powerful to me. Remember to be the change you wish to see in the world. Everyone can start working towards [his or her] dream; it doesn’t have to start big. You can start with a blog giving health advice. The important thing is to start.” When I asked Alex about any advice he has for college students trying to pursue their dreams, he said, “Begin with the end in mind.” “For my company I see stores, I see a huge staff, I see a scholarship fund. I can see myself telling young kids here’s a full ride to the Juilliard School of Arts…now go pursue your dreams.” “When I first started this company I put any quote on the shirts, but now I am way more intentional. I had to do a 360, not just a 180 and move forward. Now my company is all about inspiring people,” Nemo said. “People think I’m out here making a lot of money, but I’m staying on my friend’s couch right now as I pursue my dreams. It’s never been about checks for me, I genuinely want to impact the world.” His advice to anyone reading this article? STOP READING. Yep, that’s right. Stop reading and go do something. “Seriously go pursue your dreams!” “Remember you are the summation of things,” Alex said. “The five last books you read, the five last people you hung around so be around good people. When I see people effortlessly pursuing their dreams they are shifting me.” What resources does this chief dreamer recommend for people interested in pursuing their dreams? “To be honest the best resource is trying something new, messing it up and then trying again,” he said. “Messing up is a great teacher.” “I would tell people don’t get paralyzed by the possibilities...just try something. Alex says he thoroughly enjoys watching creative people who step outside the box such as: Seth Godin, Marie Forleo, and Chris Brogan. He is also very open to speaking with people about pursuing their dreams. “You can all look for me on the social media sites!” He hopes that after real action takes places following the conversations he has with fellow dreamers. “My advice is that we talk with a purpose and (make a) commitment to action afterwards.” “I want people to come with purpose-driven questions because at the end of the day I want you to go do something. “Pursue your dreams!” Learn more about Alex and stay connected with Foolies by visiting www.thefoolies.com.

DON’T GET PARALYZED BY THE POSSIBILITIES... JUST TRY SOMETHING.

THE GOSPEL THROUGH H IP-HOP

T E N . E R U T L U C HOLY @HBCREATIVE