Living Your mainelove: One on one with Inspiring Coach PJ Singh

Living Your mainelove: One on one with Inspiring Coach PJ Singh

What does it mean to lead with purpose, positivity, and heart? In this inspiring episode of the Living Your mainelove podcast, host Jeannie Assimos sits down with beloved Maine soccer coach PJ Singh to talk about the journey that shaped him—from growing up in Ghana, where soccer was played with stones in the street, to building a life and coaching career in Maine that has impacted countless young athletes. PJ shares the lessons he's learned about leadership, resilience, teamwork, and choosing optimism, even when life isn't easy. He opens up about moving to Maine at 18, overcoming homesickness, embracing new cultures, and why the greatest victories aren't individual awards—they're the moments when an entire team succeeds together.

Living Your mainelove: How Kristan Vermeulen Became Miss Maine

In this episode of the Living Your mainelove Podcast, Jeannie sits down with Kristan Vermeulen, Miss Maine 2025, entrepreneur, PR professional, community advocate, podcaster, and passionate supporter of local creators. From rapid-fire favorites (lobster rolls, fashion, and travel) to meaningful conversations about purpose, leadership, and creating a life you love, Kristan shares her inspiring journey and the lessons she's learned along the way. She opens up about supporting Maine's creative community, balancing ambition with authenticity, and what it means to follow what truly lights you up. Whether you're looking for inspiration, motivation, or simply a deeper connection to the people making a difference in Maine and beyond, this conversation is full of heart, wisdom, and encouragement. In this episode: • Kristan's journey to becoming Miss Maine 2025 • Supporting local fashion designers and entrepreneurs • Finding purpose through community impact • Balancing career, creativity, and personal growth • Advice for anyone striving to live a fuller, more meaningful life

Living Your mainelove: MyMaine's Maggie Knowles' Writing Journey

In this episode of Living Your mainelove, CEO Jen Millard sits down with Maggie Knowles, co-founder and editor of MyMaine Magazine, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, and redefining what modern Maine looks like. Maggie shares the story behind launching a print publication in a digital-first world, the vision for a magazine that speaks authentically to people who live in Maine—not just visit—and why she was determined to move beyond clichés like lobsters, lighthouses, and flannel. Together, Jen and Maggie explore the challenges and rewards of building mission-driven brands in Maine, the importance of supporting local creators and journalism, and what it means to create meaningful content that is educational, inspirational, useful, or simply beautiful. The conversation also dives into female leadership, entrepreneurship, and the realities of starting a business in Maine, while celebrating the growing influence of women-led creative spaces across the state. Thoughtful, candid, and full of heart, this episode is a celebration of modern Maine storytelling, community, and the courage it takes to build something original.

Living Your mainelove: Hearts of Pine Founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson's Inspiring Soccer Ride

In this episode of Living Your mainelove, Jen Millard sits down with Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder of Portland’s Hearts of Pine, to explore how a soccer club can become so much more than a team. From its grassroots beginnings to a sold-out first season, Gabe shares the story behind building a values-driven organization rooted in community, purpose, and place. Together, they dive into the power of sport as a catalyst for connection—touching on everything from Maine’s unique sense of identity and “provenance of place,” to the club’s explosive growth, community-first philosophy, and plans for a women’s team. The conversation also highlights the shared ethos between Hearts of Pine and Mainelove: sustainability, authenticity, and creating something that truly gives back. This episode is about more than soccer—it’s about building something meaningful, fostering belonging, and proving that when you lead with heart, people show up.

Living Your mainelove: Hearts of Pine Ollie Wright on The Power of Self-Belief

Ollie Wright, attacking midfielder for Portland Hearts of Pine, joins Jeannie on the Living Your mainelove podcast for a fun and candid conversation about soccer, music, and life growing up in the UK. The episode kicks off with a rapid-fire round covering everything from Messi vs. Ronaldo to lobster rolls vs. traditional English fish and chips, revealing Ollie’s personality and sense of humor. From there, Ollie shares how soccer became a lifelong passion, growing up immersed in the sport with a father who played and coached. The conversation highlights his journey from kicking a ball around as a kid in England to becoming a standout player in the U.S., while also touching on cultural differences, favorite music discoveries, and the lighter side of life as a professional athlete.