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Author: Jonathon Norcross

Skidmore’s Successful Season Openers

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


The Skidmore College riding team placed second at their season-opening show at SUNY Cobleskill. Photo via Skidmore Athletics.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the past 20 years, the Saratoga Springs varsity girls swim and dive team has achieved some impressive regular season records, including going 7-1 in 2006. But all of those seasons were surpassed this year when the Blue Streaks won every single one of their meets.

The unbeaten streak was solidified last week when Saratoga bested Shenendehowa for the second time this season.

“Shen has historically been great and they are this year too,” said Coach Joshua Muldner. “I was probably as surprised as anybody when we pulled ahead at that first meet.”

The Blue Streaks launched their season with back-to-back victories against Shen and Niskayuna, another school that has long been a tough challenger for Saratoga. Muldner called those meets and the final rematch against Shen “super intense.”

The successful season is due, in no small part, to a lethal combination of experienced, record-setting seniors and a freshmen class that exceeded expectations. 

Among the veterans, senior Gianna DiMaggio broke multiple pool records (at Albany and Schenectady) as well as a school record, solidifying her place among the best divers both in Section 2 and in Saratoga Springs history. Muldner called her “a force to be reckoned with on the boards.” DiMaggio and another Blue Streak diver, sophomore Amelia Covey, have qualified for the New York State Championship meet scheduled to take place next month. (The last time Saratoga sent two divers to states was in 2019.) 

Meanwhile, the rookie team of Victoria Lill, Maeve Moynahan (an 8th grader), Skylar Panetta, and Catherine Kim broke all three freshman relay records this season.

“We have eight seniors this year and their leadership has been amazing,” Muldner said. “But it’s really the combination of the two forces: My new girls, who joined the team and meshed really well, and my seniors who set the tone for the team and carried on traditions… It’s like a very cool perfect storm of seniors who lead by example and are great role models at both ends of the pool, diving and swimming, and then new girls who are coming in who are not afraid to step outside their comfort zone and work really hard to get better.”

Next up for this talented group is the Section 2 Division I Championship, scheduled to take place Nov. 6-8 at the Shenendehowa Aquatic Center in Clifton Park. The state championship in Webster, New York is set for Nov. 21 and 22.

“This was a very special season with a lot of great girls and I’m just excited to be on this journey with them,” Muldner said. 

Saratoga Swim & Dive Team Earns First Undefeated Season in Decades

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


Photo of the Saratoga Springs girls varsity swim and dive team 
provided by Michelle Hebert.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the past 20 years, the Saratoga Springs varsity girls’ swim and dive team has achieved some impressive regular season records, including going 7-1 in 2006. But all of those seasons were surpassed this year when the Blue Streaks won every single one of their meets.

The unbeaten streak was solidified last week when Saratoga bested Shenendehowa for the second time this season.

“Shen has historically been great, and they are this year too,” said Coach Joshua Muldner. “I was probably as surprised as anybody when we pulled ahead at that first meet.”

The Blue Streaks launched their season with back-to-back victories against Shen and Niskayuna, another school that has long been a tough challenger for Saratoga. Muldner called those meets and the final rematch against Shen “super intense.”

The successful season is due, in no small part, to a lethal combination of experienced, record-setting seniors and a freshmen class that exceeded expectations. 

Among the veterans, senior Gianna DiMaggio broke multiple pool records (at Albany and Schenectady) as well as a school record, solidifying her place among the best divers both in Section 2 and in Saratoga Springs history. Muldner called her “a force to be reckoned with on the boards.” DiMaggio and another Blue Streak diver, sophomore Amelia Covey, have qualified for the New York State Championship meet scheduled to take place next month. (The last time Saratoga sent two divers to states was in 2019.) 

Meanwhile, the rookie team of Victoria Lill, Maeve Moynahan (an 8th grader), Skylar Panetta, and Catherine Kim broke all three freshman relay records this season.

“We have eight seniors this year and their leadership has been amazing,” Muldner said. “But it’s really the combination of the two forces: My new girls, who joined the team and meshed really well, and my seniors who set the tone for the team and carried on traditions… It’s like a very cool perfect storm of seniors who lead by example and are great role models at both ends of the pool, diving and swimming, and then new girls who are coming in who are not afraid to step outside their comfort zone and work really hard to get better.”

Next up for this talented group is the Section 2 Division I Championship, scheduled to take place Nov. 6-8 at the Shenendehowa Aquatic Center in Clifton Park. The state championship in Webster, New York is set for Nov. 21 and 22.

“This was a very special season with a lot of great girls and I’m just excited to be on this journey with them,” Muldner said. 

Cake Coming to SPAC

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Entertainment.

Image provided by Live Nation.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Cake, a rock band best known for their hits “The Distance” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket,” will perform at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on June 1, 2026. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 a.m.

Cake’s last studio album, “Showroom of Compassion,” was released in 2011, but the group will reportedly release a new album (perhaps as soon as this year) that will include their 2024 song “Billionaire in Space.”

Cake is now the second act already announced for SPAC’s 2026 summer lineup. The first was country star Riley Green, who will perform with special guests Justin Moore and the duo of Drake White and Hannah McFarland.

Social Media Stars Wage War: Two Buttons Deep vs. Agent Aaron 

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Entertainment.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Public feuds tend to be a nasty bit of business. Usually, one might be tempted to ignore them for the sake of all involved, but it’s been difficult to turn away from the ongoing and rather shocking battle between digital media company Two Buttons Deep and its ex-employee Aaron Madej (formerly known as Intern Aaron, and more recently known as Agent Aaron).

For those who don’t spend too much time online, here’s an explanation of the unhappy events. 

Two Buttons Deep is an influential Capital Region company that runs social media accounts you may be familiar with, especially Around Saratoga Springs, which currently has more than 32,000 Instagram followers. Two Buttons Deep (sometimes referred to as 2BD) hired Madej back in 2023 as one of their interns. At the time, Madej was a student at the University at Albany looking for a fun and flexible opportunity. An internship at Two Buttons Deep seemed like a natural fit.

After joining as an intern, Madej was later promoted to content producer. In this role, he appeared on the Buttonista Show podcast, met with clients, and curated social media content. Madej didn’t initially expect to become an on-camera personality, but his charisma and sense of humor soon saw him appearing in front of the camera on a fairly regular basis, making him a familiar face to followers of Two Buttons Deep. Madej even appeared in a video alongside New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

But then, seemingly out of the blue, he was gone.

“The rumors are true, Intern Aaron has left Two Buttons Deep; he quit,” announced the company’s co-founder Jack Carpenter in a May 8 video. “I speak for the team when I say that we’re bummed. We didn’t see this coming, and I felt he had a lot more potential here in our world, but alas, he’s got new opportunities coming his way and he’s doing what’s best for Intern Aaron, and really that’s all that matters.”

“When my departure happened,” Madej told Saratoga TODAY in an interview in May, “it came to a certain point where I realized that I needed to prioritize myself and my mental health and go forward and take new opportunities that also align with my personal, career-driven mission.”

As the weeks and months after his departure wore on, Madej posted a number of references to his time working for Two Buttons Deep, most of which seemed to cast the company in a negative light. After landing a job with the North Greenbush-based Core Real Estate Team, Madej began hyping a new podcast called the “Agent Aaron Show,” which Core would seemingly produce and/or host.

The first episode of the podcast went up earlier this month. After floating the idea of moving to Saratoga Springs to enjoy a “hot girl Saratoga life,” Madej made a number of accusations against Two Buttons Deep. “Girls, buck up,” he said. “This is going to be insane.”

Madej said he was not trying to destroy anyone and that he cares deeply about the people he used to work with, but nonetheless felt a need to tell his story. He said he wasn’t necessarily asking the audience to side with him and saw his story as a learning opportunity. 

According to Madej, things began to change for him at Two Buttons Deep following “transgate,” a nickname for a 2023 incident in which a transphobic remark could be heard in a video posted by 2BD. In the video, a bar patron said that transgender people should “get the f— out” of his county. After the remark was made, the video cut to Two Buttons Deep personality Taylor Rao (a.k.a., the Buttonista), who quipped, “I guess we’re not in Saratoga anymore.” The controversy cost the media company significant advertising revenue. 

Madej said that “transgate” should’ve been “a really good lesson [for] them but they really never actually learned from it.” He suggested that the owners of 2BD “only care about themselves” and “don’t really see the bigger picture of other people’s employment struggles.” He also added that the alleged “toxic” work environment at the company made his mental health worse, citing at least one incident in which he seemed to struggle with thoughts of suicide. 

Soon after its publication, Madej’s podcast episode was deleted from all platforms, with the Core Real Estate Team publishing a statement calling Madej’s remarks “inappropriate.” The company also fired Madej.

“This content was not approved, authorized, or posted by Core Real Estate Team and was uploaded independently by the individual to our platforms,” the statement read. “Upon learning of the video, we took immediate action, terminating their association with Core Real Estate Team. We have great respect for Two Buttons Deep and the positive impact they make in our community.”

The episode sparked an even harsher response from Carpenter, who posted a video titled “The Unfortunate Truth About Intern Aaron” to 2BD’s social media accounts.

In the video, Carpenter said that Madej sent 2BD demands that “look like, sound like, and feel like extortion.” A screenshot of an email sent from Madej to Two Buttons Deep included a request for a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) regarding his time of employment with the company (Madej had also mentioned the NDA in his podcast).

“We have no interest in an NDA because first and foremost, there’s nothing we don’t want disclosed,” Carpenter said. “If there was, we would’ve had him sign an NDA on his way out, not six months later. So, we’ve decided as a team to break our silence on what we have been dealing with all year with him.”

Carpenter then accused Madej of making “countless, baseless accusations” against Two Buttons Deep and its employees. In response to accusations that Carpenter bullied Madej, Carpenter showed a clip from a podcast recording in April 2025 in which Madej appeared to be bullying the off-screen Carpenter.

“Maybe you should do some meditation because clearly you need it,” Madej can be heard telling Carpenter. “Maybe some psychological evaluation, as well. I don’t know, maybe you can get a therapist to meet up with you here because you clearly need it, you narcissist.”

Carpenter also alleged that Madej would say “awful things” about the children of 2BD employees, showing a screenshot of a text message exchange in which Madej appears to suggest that one employee’s child may be autistic.

But perhaps the most shocking allegation was that after quitting the company, Madej (according to Carpenter) duplicated an office key without permission, entered the Two Buttons Deep office, disabled its security system, and then “ransacked the place.”

Carpenter said that despite all of this, he was willing to “take the high road” and “sweep this under the rug” but six months of “relentless defamation” by Madej resulted in the company breaking its silence. 

As of publication time, Madej had not issued a public response to either Carpenter’s video or news of his termination by Core Real Estate Team. A request for comment from Saratoga TODAY also went unanswered. 

Saratoga-Based Company Sues Over “Death” Coffee

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.


An image from Death Wish Coffee’s lawsuit that intends to show the similar brand aesthetics of Liquid Death and Death Wish products. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Death Wish Coffee, a Saratoga-based business, filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in federal court in California earlier this month against Liquid Death, a popular water brand that may launch a new line of coffee products.

The problem, in Death Wish’s eyes, is that Liquid Death’s coffee products may confuse customers due to the two brands’ similar death-inspired aesthetics and names.

“The Infringing Coffee Products will confuse consumers, infringe the DEATH WISH Marks, and irreparably harm Death Wish and its valuable brand,” the complaint reads. “The Infringing Coffee Products will duplicate the dominant element of Death Wish’s registered trademarks – i.e., DEATH. They will likely appear in the same retailers and side-by-side with Death Wish’s products in stores, where Death Wish sells both ready-to-drink canned coffee as well as other coffee beans and coffee products. And they will share similar consumer bases and advertising, distribution, and marketing channels. Liquid Death is well aware of Death Wish’s established trademark rights in the coffee market, but plans to launch the Infringing Coffee Products anyway. In short, this is a dead-to-rights case of willful trademark infringement.”

In the suit, Death Wish said the two companies have been able to coexist because they each sell different products (coffee and water), but that this coexistence is coming to an end because Liquid Death “is preparing to invade Death Wish’s market territory and infringe Death Wish’s trademarks by selling DEATH-branded coffee beverages.” Also in the suit, Death Wish said they asked Liquid Death not to launch the new coffee line but Liquid Death refused. 

In response, Liquid Death published an Instagram post stating that the company has “no real plans to actually launch a coffee.”

“Perhaps the executives at Death Wish Coffee are amped up on too much caffeine to be this paranoid about the future,” read the post. “Which is why the new CEO at Death Wish (Steve Gardiner) may want to consider trying our new better-for-you energy drink (coming in January) that has zero sugar, 5 calories, essential vitamins, and a sane level of caffeine (100mg).⁣ And whether or not we ever go into coffee one day, we don’t believe any one company can legally own the word DEATH regardless of how it’s used.”

Liquid Death also took a shot at Death Wish for sharing a name with Deathwish Inc., a hardcore punk music label.

Death Wish Coffee was founded by Mike Brown in 2012 and is headquartered at 260 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. The brand’s products are available in grocery stores across the country and online via Amazon.

A Frightening Family Affair: 35 Years of Double M Haunted Hayrides

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business, Featured.


Image via Double M Haunted Hayrides.

BALLSTON SPA — Family-run businesses usually evoke fond thoughts of kids learning a trade from their forefathers, carrying on traditions that would otherwise be lost to time. Add to this wholesome image an undead outlaw, a demented clown, and a homicidal nurse and you’ll have a better picture of what the Martin family has been working on for the past 35 years.

Leo Martin is the current owner of Double M Haunted Hayrides and he’s been developing his talent for terrifying locals since he was 19 years old, when his parents first got involved with a haunted hayrides franchise based in Syracuse in the early 90s. Now, Leo hopes that his 22-year-old son may one day take the reins.

“He loves this,” Martin said of his boy. “He was born and raised in it.” 

Martin’s wife Jennifer is also involved, helping to run the entire operation. “I can’t do it without her,” he said.

As the decades have unfurled, Double M’s terror-inducing attractions have grown in both size and scale: 50 employees eventually became 140, the hayride trail has expanded exponentially, and one haunted house was joined by six more. Plus, there are now vendors selling everything from haunted character paintings to carved foam pumpkins to apple cider donuts (courtesy of Lakeside Farms). Joining the festivities this year is a smoking, blinking “deadly drink.”

None of that should distract from the main attraction, however. Martin has been perfecting haunted hayrides for decades and he knows what separates a top-tier ride from a mediocre one.

“It’s all about the total immersiveness,” Martin said. “Some hayrides might not incorporate woods and, to me, you can’t have a good hayride without going through the woods. It’s a natural backdrop. It adds so much to it. We have sound systems on our wagon with music in the background that helps tell the story. It’s how well your actors are trained and how well you flow traffic and get people in and out. It’s a whole thing, not just one element or the other.”

The logistical and creative process for planning these haunted attractions begins in March, when Martin sits down with his staff to assess last year’s operation, come up with characters, and brainstorm new ideas. Trade shows are another source of inspiration.

“The haunted industry as a whole is much bigger than people think it is,” Martin said. “In St. Louis in March, there’s a huge haunted trade show and there are companies that build animation and props that also have a lot to do with ideas and how you do haunts.”

Martin’s favorite original creation is Scary Harry, a ghost cowboy that has become Double M’s signature character and helps connect the business’ seasonal haunted hayrides with its year-round Western store that sells a wide selection of boots and apparel.

Double M Haunted Hayrides is open for Halloween, from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. Buy a ticket online…if you dare. 

Saints Golf Team Wraps Up Winning Season, Player Qualifies for Sectionals

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


From left to right: Saratoga Central Catholic Girls Golf Coach Mike Ponticello, with players Eva Nucera, Lauryn Duell, Maddison Norton, Taylor Boldt, and Lily Norton. Photo provided by Coach Ponticello.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Central Catholic girls’ golf team finished its regular season with a winning record of 8-7 after an independent schedule that included matchups against Saratoga Springs, Shenendehowa, Ballston Spa, and Queensbury.  

This year’s roster included seniors Lily Norton Captain and Taylor Boldt; juniors Maddison Norton and Eva Nucera; and freshman Lauryn Duell. Norton was one of only 49 golfers to qualify for this year’s Section 2 tournament. 

“The team consistently improved throughout the season and worked hard in doing so,” Coach Mike Ponticello told Saratoga TODAY. And with three players returning next season, Ponticello remains “very optimistic” about his team’s future.

Saratoga Springs Athletic Hall of Fame Celebrates 2025 Inductees

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Athletic Hall of Fame recently celebrated its 2025 Inductees: Brian Becker, Kelsey Chmiel, Amber (Stanley) Howell, Bruce Jones, Aidan Tooker, Lynne Young, and the 2015 football team.

The inductees were selected by a committee composed of current and former coaches, administrators, athletic directors, and community members. The inductees’ achievements will be permanently commemorated with plaques displayed in the trophy case located in the Blue Gym lobby.

Becker, class of 2001, was captain of the varsity basketball team in his senior year and captain of the varsity football team in both his junior and senior years. During his senior year, he was recognized as Defensive Player of the Year in football, recording 114 tackles and earning a starting position in the Section Two All-Star Football game.

Chmiel, class of 2019, holds the current Section 2 records in the 1500 meters and 3000 meters for spring track. She was a member of the U.S. World Junior team and the first American winner of the 5K cross country USA versus Europe meet in Edinburgh, Scotland. Chmiel also earned four-time All-American honors in both winter and spring track and was a three-time member of the sectional championship cross country team.

Howell, class of 1998, is a four-time High Hurdle State Champion, winning the 60m High Hurdles in 1997 and 1998 and the 100m High Hurdles in 1997 and 1998. Howell was also a three-time sectional and Suburban Council champion in both the 55-meter High Hurdles (winter track) and High Hurdles (spring track).

Jones, class of 1970, played point guard on the freshman (1967), junior varsity (1968), and varsity (1969–1970) basketball teams, serving as varsity team captain his senior year. He also played running back for the football team across all levels. He earned the Most Valuable Player award in the Foothills Council for baseball as a freshman, the Most Outstanding Athlete Award as a senior, and the Saratoga High Booster Club Award.

A member of the class of 1996, Young’s individual accomplishments include two-year letter winner for varsity soccer (1995–1996), two-year letter winner for varsity basketball (1995–1996), three-year letter winner for varsity lacrosse (1994–1996), most improved player award at the All Sports Banquet (1996), sectional lacrosse champion all three seasons, lacrosse team captain (1996), second team Suburban Council All-Star (junior year), first team Suburban Council All-Star (senior year), All American Lacrosse (1996), selection to the National School Girl’s Tournament for the Northeast (junior and senior years), most outstanding women’s lacrosse player at the All Sports Banquet (1996), most outstanding female athlete at the All Sports Banquet (1996), and Lacrosse Section Two All-Star (1995 and 1996).

Aiden Tooker, class of 2016, was a state champion in the indoor two-mile and a runner-up in the state cross country championships as a senior. He is a three-time Nike Cross Country Championship qualifier and a three-time sectional champion in cross country. As a junior, he earned All-American honors in the two-mile and set Section Two all-time records in the 3000 meters and two-mile. Tooker was a member of sectional and state championship teams in cross country.

The 2015 varsity football team finished with an 11-1 record and became the only Saratoga High School football team to compete in the New York State Football Championship game. The team’s accomplishments include NYSPHSAA Class AA Finalist, NYSPHSAA Class AA Eastern Regional Champions, Section Two Class AA Champions, and an undefeated Section 2 record.

Saratoga Girls Tennis Team Captures Section 2 Crown

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Featured, Sports.


Photo of the Section 2, Class AA girls tennis champions via Section 2 Athletics.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs varsity girls tennis team won the Section 2, Class AA championship last Friday, defeating the previously undefeated Guilderland 6-3. It was the Blue Streaks’ first sectional title since 2013.

To reach the championship game, Saratoga bested Colonie 9-0 in the quarterfinals before dispatching Shaker 8-1 in the semifinals.

Following their victory against Guilderland, Saratoga was next scheduled to face off against Class A champs Queensbury for a shot at regionals.

Despite not winning sectionals in more than a decade, Saratoga’s girls tennis program has produced a number of success stories in recent years. Last year, the doubles team of Clare Dooley and Addison Jones competed in the state championships after a strong showing at sectionals. The previous year, that same tandem brought home the Section 2 doubles title.

Yoga Instructor Becomes Adirondack 46er, Flies Buffalo Bills Flag on Every Summit

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


Sheryl Campbell of Clifton Park climbed all 46 of the Adirondack Mountains’ High Peaks, thus becoming an official Adirondack 46er. She documented her journey in a new book, “Climbing the 46 High Peaks: A Journey of Discovery and Healing.” Photos of Campbell with a Buffalo Bills flag atop mountain summits provided by Campbell. 

CLIFTON PARK — Hiking in the Adirondacks can yield a spiritual yet sometimes terrifying aura that is hard to capture in words.

Some authors have tried to explore the mysteriousness of the dense, 5,000-square-mile mountain range. Liz Moore’s 2024 novel “The God of the Woods” hints at the perhaps otherworldly secrets lurking amongst the peaks. Other writers, such as Jon Krakauer with his nonfiction books “Into Thin Air” and “Into the Wild,” have tried to understand the psychology of adventurers and climbers who are willing to sacrifice everything to conquer both nature and their own fears.

A new memoir by Clifton Park-based yoga instructor Sheryl Campbell delves into many of these themes through the lens of a personal journey that includes challenges ranging from treacherous cliffs to a cancer diagnosis to self-doubt to dealing with divorce. And it’s a story that involves, in a rather profound way, the Buffalo Bills.

During her quest to become an Adirondack 46er by climbing all 46 of the range’s High Peaks, Campbell brought a Buffalo Bills flag with her to every summit. 

“It wasn’t just fabric,” Campbell writes in her book, ‘Climbing the 46 High Peaks: A Journey of Discovery and Healing.’ “It was home. It was pride. It was a reminder of where I came from and who I was becoming. Raised in West Seneca, I grew up with the rhythms of football season etched into our family life. The Buffalo Bills weren’t just a team, they were a symbol of resilience, community, and undying hope.”

Campbell told Saratoga TODAY that she came across a number of Bills fans while climbing the 46 peaks, and her interactions with those fans helped her feel more at home.

“I felt like I didn’t know these people, but in the mountains, my hometown was present, sprinkled everywhere with Bill’s Mafia,” Campbell said. “So, it really gave [me] that sense of community. You always say, ‘Home is Western New York.’ But your home is wherever you create it, and it’s the people that you surround yourself with. I felt closer to my hometown as I was going through this experience… It gave me that sense of belonging that maybe was missing for a long time.”

One of Campbell’s most challenging climbs was, ironically, Allen Mountain (ironic because the Bills are currently led by their reigning MVP quarterback Josh Allen). During the ascent, as they neared the summit, Campbell’s friend and fellow hiker sat down and gave up. Campbell was stunned by her friend’s defeatism and was unsure of how to handle it. She continued up the summit alone and on the way back down, was delighted to see her friend charging forward.

“The pride I felt in that moment is hard to put into words,” Campbell writes. “I knew she would show up. Deep down, I had never doubted it. Witnessing her push through her doubt, and seeing her conquer the mental and physical walls, filled me with overwhelming joy.”

Of course, Campbell faced many more hurdles along her journey, including her climb of Saddleback Mountain’s treacherous cliffs. Campbell had to scale the rocks like a spider, clinging on to any crevice or crack that could support one of her limbs. She feared that the weight of her backpack might send her tumbling backwards, cascading down the unforgiving chunks of stone.

“I felt the most fear in my life,” Campbell said. “I couldn’t hike after that for a couple months. I thought I had PTSD or something because you couldn’t shake the feeling. Even talking about it right now, I can feel my body like I’m there, I’m responding to it.”

Though this terrifying moment is burned into Campbell’s memory, so too are the many instances of joy and laughter and profundity scattered across the book. When climbing Whiteface, Campbell writes about an experience in which she could feel her deceased grandmother’s presence, “subtle yet unmistakable, guiding me, watching over me. It was a spiritual moment, one of many the mountains have gifted me, and one I will treasure forever.”

The book itself is structured like a football season, beginning with the pre-season and ending with the celebration of a Super Bowl victory. Campbell felt like she had won her own kind of Super Bowl by becoming an Adirondack 46er, but she also has an unwavering sense of optimism about the Bills’ future.

“They will make it to the Super Bowl,” Campbell said. “Even the last two games that have been gut-wrenching, I still have faith. I still believe. I feel it in my heart. You have to have that faith. You have to believe to receive.”

Campbell wants her book to inspire her readers, just like the Bills have inspired fans like her. As Josh Allen continues his pursuit of a Super Bowl, Campbell hopes her audience will be motivated to embark upon their own challenges.

“If my story inspires even one person to take a brave step forward, to trust themselves, or to keep climbing despite the challenges, then all of this is worth it,” Campbell writes. “Here’s to the quiet strength in every step, and to the beautiful, unexpected adventures waiting just beyond the horizon.”