Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode, I connect with Michael Lovato, a former professional triathlete and champion at the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 distances, for a conversation about the backstory of how he and his wife, Amanda Lovato, landed in Boulder, the tough early years as a young couple of professional triathletes, and then their transition to real estate. We also discuss how the quality of life measures, such as the Boulder Valley's promotion and support of a culture of activity*, make the area so attractive, desirable, and beloved.
*These measures include, but are not limited to, easy access to nature, trails, gravel roads, and safe and inviting paved pathways all over the place, beloved parks and pools, and a social acceptance that an active lifestyle is normal, yeah, imagine that.
Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
👉 Lovato Properties: lovatoproperties.com
👉 Love Where You Live Podcast: buzzsprout.com/2316037/about
👉 The First Episode with Michael & Amanda: bit.ly/472kBwg
👉 Lovato Properties YouTube: youtube.com/@LivinginBoulderwithTeamLovato
👉 Ryan Van Duzer's Channel: youtube.com/@duzer @duzer
👉 David Roche's Channel: youtube.com/@MountainRoche @MountainRoche
👉 Also, check out the fabulous new doc on David Roche's improbable return to and triumph at Leadville 100 2025: youtu.be/eRxgSZrfruo
Thank you so much for watching! If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs-up, leave a comment below, and share it with a friend. If you'd like more content like this, please subscribe to the Active Towns Channel, and be sure to "Ring" that notification bell to select your notification preferences.
If you are a fan of the Active Towns Channel, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:
1. Become a Member of Active Towns right here on YouTube by clicking on the Join button and selecting the level that best suits you
2. Join the Patreon community: patreon.com/activetowns
(Note: Patron benefits include early, ad-free access to all my video content)
3. If you enjoyed this video, you can also "leave a tip" by clicking on the Super Thanks button right here on YouTube or through "Buy Me a Coffee" buymeacoffee.com/activetowns
4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc. at activetowns.org/donate
Credits: Video and audio production by John Simmerman
Music via Epidemic Sound: bit.ly/3rFLErD
Resources used during the production of this video:
- My recording platform is Ecamm Live: bit.ly/3rwsUup
- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: bit.ly/35DBDDU
For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
Website: activetowns.org
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/activetowns.bsky.social
Newsletter: bit.ly/SubscribeActiveTownsNewsletter
Background:
Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.
Since 2010, I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."
The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.
Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.
Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2025
In this episode, I connect with Michael Lovato, a former professional triathlete and champion at the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 distances, for a conversation about the backstory of how he and his wife, Amanda Lovato, landed in Boulder, the tough early years as a young couple of professional triathletes, and then their transition to real estate. We also discuss how the quality of life measures, such as the Boulder Valley's promotion and support of a culture of activity*, make the area so attractive, desirable, and beloved.
*These measures include, but are not limited to, easy access to nature, trails, gravel roads, and safe and inviting paved pathways all over the place, beloved parks and pools, and a social acceptance that an active lifestyle is normal, yeah, imagine that.
Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
👉 Lovato Properties: lovatoproperties.com
👉 Love Where You Live Podcast: buzzsprout.com/2316037/about
👉 The First Episode with Michael & Amanda: bit.ly/472kBwg
👉 Lovato Properties YouTube: youtube.com/@LivinginBoulderwithTeamLovato
👉 Ryan Van Duzer's Channel: youtube.com/@duzer @duzer
👉 David Roche's Channel: youtube.com/@MountainRoche @MountainRoche
👉 Also, check out the fabulous new doc on David Roche's improbable return to and triumph at Leadville 100 2025: youtu.be/eRxgSZrfruo
Thank you so much for watching! If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs-up, leave a comment below, and share it with a friend. If you'd like more content like this, please subscribe to the Active Towns Channel, and be sure to "Ring" that notification bell to select your notification preferences.
If you are a fan of the Active Towns Channel, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:
1. Become a Member of Active Towns right here on YouTube by clicking on the Join button and selecting the level that best suits you
2. Join the Patreon community: patreon.com/activetowns
(Note: Patron benefits include early, ad-free access to all my video content)
3. If you enjoyed this video, you can also "leave a tip" by clicking on the Super Thanks button right here on YouTube or through "Buy Me a Coffee" buymeacoffee.com/activetowns
4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc. at activetowns.org/donate
Credits: Video and audio production by John Simmerman
Music via Epidemic Sound: bit.ly/3rFLErD
Resources used during the production of this video:
- My recording platform is Ecamm Live: bit.ly/3rwsUup
- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: bit.ly/35DBDDU
For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
Website: activetowns.org
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/activetowns.bsky.social
Newsletter: bit.ly/SubscribeActiveTownsNewsletter
Background:
Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.
Since 2010, I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."
The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.
Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.
Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2025
