{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Unbelievable All-Stars: Chris Donovan","description":"This week we\u2019re bringing you a series of five episodes we always point to when people ask what Second Act Stories is all about. These \u201cUnbelievable All-Stars\u201d all have one thing in common: they exemplify what we\u2019re looking for in an incredible Second Act Story. Whether you\u2019re a longtime listener or brand new to the show, these episodes bring together the stories that best capture the heart of the podcast: bold choices, hard-earned wisdom, and journeys that continue to surprise and inspire. Since his junior year in high school, Chris Donovan has been sketching women\u2019s shoes. It\u2019s been his quiet obsession for the past 30+ years. At the age of 50, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. And he knew it was time to leave his safe job at the phone company to pursue his lifelong dream. \u201cI need to follow this. I need to find out why I have this passion for shoes.\u201d Based on the recommendation of European shoe designer Aki Choklat, he was accepted to Polimoda, one of the best fashion design institutes in the world. He enrolled in an accelerated masters program and packed his bags for Florence, Italy. And while his first few months were difficult, he ended up graduating at the top of his class. Since our initial interview with Chris in October 2018, he has figured out how to turn his amazing designs into an actual product. Take it from Tim Gunn of Project Runway:&amp;nbsp;\u201cIt\u2019s like nothing you\u2019ve ever seen before.\u201d For more examples of Chris\u2019 amazing designs, visit&amp;nbsp;www.ChrisDonovanFootwear.com. *******  If you enjoy Second Act Stories, please leave us a review here. We may read your review on a future episode! Subscribe to the Second Act stories Substack. Check out the Second Act Stories YouTube channel. Follow Second Act Stories on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Second Act Stories theme music: \u201cBetween 1 and 3 am\u201d by Echoes. ","author_name":"Second Act Stories","author_url":"http:\/\/www.secondactstories.org","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39694045\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/4682b4\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/197382825"}