The Good Life – July-August 2023
Ten years, hundreds of stories, and thousands of lives impacted. Founders of The Good Life reveal the magazine's origin story (and more) to mark its 10th anniversary. Also in this issue, Dad Life on the topic of Helicopter Parents, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and its fleet of vehicles, Having A Beer with Dawn and Darren from Urban Toad Media and more!
Ten years, hundreds of stories, and thousands of lives impacted. Founders of The Good Life reveal the magazine's origin story (and more) to mark its 10th anniversary.
Also in this issue, Dad Life on the topic of Helicopter Parents, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and its fleet of vehicles, Having A Beer with Dawn and Darren from Urban Toad Media and more!
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ON THE COVER | A LOOK BACK AT 10 YEARS<br />
Justin Nudell, featured in May-June 2017<br />
Addiction to recovery, homelessness to security, failures to redemption <strong>–</strong> this<br />
local business owner knew a better life existed but wasn’t quite sure how or<br />
where to find it. Fueled with courage and nerves, Justin Nudell shared his story<br />
in 2017 not knowing the impact it would make.<br />
“After the story published, I got several messages, saying ‘Hey man, I’ve been<br />
looking to get my life on track,’ or they’d ask me ‘How did you do it?’ ‘cause they<br />
wanted the same changes in their life,” he said. “It was great to know putting<br />
myself out there in such a vulnerable way <strong>–</strong> maybe it did help someone.”<br />
Prior to getting clean in 2014, Justin made several attempts to start his business<br />
but either fell short or failed completely. In <strong>August</strong> 2020, he revisited the dream,<br />
opening Zoltar Tattoo in Moorhead, Minn. Now with 21 years of tattooing up his<br />
sleeve and <strong>–</strong> even more impressive <strong>–</strong> 9 years clean, this Moorhead native has<br />
made the good life a permanent addition.<br />
It means “constantly growing, working on my dreams and growth within myself<br />
as a father, business owner and in relationships. Just being consistent with all<br />
that stuff is what really matters,” he said. <strong>The</strong> redemption story continues.<br />
Read it here<br />
“It was great to know putting myself out there in such a<br />
vulnerable way <strong>–</strong> maybe it did help someone.”<br />
Matt Cullen, featured November-December 2017<br />
Laced up, taped up, and stick in hand, three-time Stanley Cup champion Matt<br />
Cullen pulled on his forest-green jersey to play for his home state in 2017 <strong>–</strong> just<br />
before wrapping up his NHL career. But even then, he and his wife Bridget, had<br />
bigger dreams for their young boys.<br />
“Quite a bit has changed,” Matt said. “I had some fun years at the end, but now<br />
we’re home in Moorhead, and it’s awesome.” His boys <strong>–</strong> Brooks (16), Wyatt (14)<br />
and Joey (13) <strong>–</strong> all attend Moorhead schools. “This winter, Bridget and I had a<br />
full-circle moment when our oldest played Spuds hockey. It was a proud mom<br />
and dad moment.”<br />
One thing hasn’t changed: Matt’s humble Midwest character and philanthropic<br />
heart. From $1 million in 2017 to more than $7 million in giving today, Cullen<br />
Children’s Foundation approaches 20 years in 2024. “Those are the things that<br />
last <strong>–</strong> more so than how many goals you score. It's what you do with what you've<br />
been given," Matt said.<br />
Read it here<br />
Cullen’s hope to raise their boys in Moorhead <strong>–</strong> where the couple grew up,<br />
attended church together and played sports <strong>–</strong> was once just a dream. “Back then,<br />
I probably thought ‘that’d be nice,’” Matt said. “But now we’re fortunate enough<br />
to be living it!”<br />
20 | THE GOOD LIFE
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