Where you grew up and your background can often have surprising effects on our lives and careers. We’ve asked folks from the community to tell us about how their background has affected them.

Taryn Lopez Norley | President & CEO ALS Arizona

I was born in Kansas but grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. Throughout my life, I have always valued helping others. Growing up, I attended Girls Club (before it merged with Boys Club) and was given the opportunity to volunteer at a senior living residence. The program was called, Adopt a Grandparent. We would get matched with a senior every week during the summer camp. We would talk with them, make crafts and share stories. It was such a great experience, I was hooked from the first day. Throughout high school I would volunteer at the hospital, through church and in various elementary schools throughout Phoenix. Read more>> 

Hannah Beer | Psychotherapist at Ember Psychotherapy Collective

I’m from Phoenix, AZ and I’ve lived here my whole life. I grew up with a younger sister and my mom and dad. It was a fairly normal upbringing for a little while; my sister and I were very close, but we had our moments like most siblings do. My parents took us to church every Sunday and we had family dinners with our extended family every week. I played sports, took piano lessons, and eventually ended up in the marching band in high school and college. In 5th grade, my parents got divorced and that kickstarted about 8 years of troubled experiences. Read more>>

Joseph Martinelli | Martial arts Instructor and studio owner

well i was born in LA, but lived my whole life in AZ. Honestly with out my upbringing i wouldnt be doing what i am today. you see, my mom had a very abusive childhood. Her biggest concern was for her children to never become victims. This being said, once she got the chance she enrolled us into martial arts. Without out her going through the traumas she faced i would never of fell in love with martial arts. This is also why we take a huge approach in making sure our studio is a safe place for our kids but also a place for them to open up. Read more>>

Alex Basaldua | Project Coordinator and Event Planner for Trap Culture AZ

I’m originally from Alhambra California, it’s a small suburb on the border of El Serino and Pasadena. What’s unique about my where I lived and how I was brought up is that my parents kind of let me do what I wanted as long as I wasn’t failing any classes and it gave me the opportunity to really start determining who I was going to be from a young age in the aspect that it allowed me to experience life for myself starting at a young age. Read more>>

Mike Halland | Family Man, Musician, Adventurer & Marketing

In the early 80’s, I moved from Hawai’i to Arizona. I went from surfing waves to riding dirt bikes. Soon after, I ended up breaking my femur in a dirt bike accident and because of complications, I spent a great deal of time in the hospital. My dad felt bad and brought me a guitar to help pass the time. While in traction in the hospital, I started figuring out songs by ear and this started a lifelong passion for music. In the 90’s, I was the guitarist in a band called Crushed and we were signed to a record company out of San Francisco. The company was backed by Intel so it was very promising. We made a music video and they sent us out on a van tour.  Read more>>