Coach Bill Courtney of Oscar-winning documentary Undefeated and leader of the An Army Of Normal Folks movement

ABOUT COACH BILL COURTNEY AND AN ARMY OF NORMAL FOLKS

Coach Bill Courtney of Oscar-Winning Undefeated launches 'An Army of Normal Folks' Movement and podcast empower Americans to change our country by 'each of us doing what we can.

Business leader and football coach Bill Courtney joins with other "ordinary" Americans doing extraordinary work to solve our nation's problems through the new movement, An Army of Normal Folks. "Our country's problems will never be solved by a bunch of fancy people in nice suits talking big words in Washington, but by An Army of Normal Folks just deciding 'hey, I can help,'" said Courtney.

Based on his own example, Courtney is joining with the nonprofit Iron Light Labs to launch
An Army of Normal Folks. Founder of Classic American Hardwoods, Inc., in 2003, he became a volunteer football coach in America's third poorest zip code and yet 31 out of 32 seniors in his last two seasons went to college. Their success on and off the field was the subject of the documentary film, Undefeated, which won an Academy Award in 2012. "We believe that everyone has the power to create change, no matter how 'ordinary' they or their actions may seem," said Courtney. "And if there's An Army of Normal Folks just doing what we can, imagine how different our country could be." As part of the movement, Courtney hosts the iHeartMedia podcast An Army of Normal Folks. iHeartMedia is the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac.

The podcast features interviews with members of the Army such as Arkansas Police Officer Tommy Norman and Back on My Feet Founder Anne Mahlum. It aims to inspire listeners and present fascinating models that can be replicated in their own communities. All individuals are invited to join An Army of Normal Folks.

AN ARMY OF NORMAL FOLKS - BACKGROUND

America is at a crossroads.

While still having an enviable position in the 21st century, we also suffer from deep divisions, both perceived and very real. From politics and culture to race and religion, Americans seem to disagree on almost everything.

These challenges are complex and multifaceted. And they're not being solved by politicians. Instead, the greatest power lies in the hands of ordinary citizens doing what they can in their own communities. And if each of us does this, just imagine how different our country could be.

Our solution is An Army of Normal Folks.

A grassroots movement led by Coach Bill Courtney, former volunteer football coach of Manassas High School and the subject of the 2012 Academy Award-winning documentary Undefeated, An Army of Normal Folks brings together Americans of all stripes committed to "doing what we can."

Bill and his fellow changemakers believe that by taking action in ordinary but meaningful ways, such as volunteering, donating, and changing even only one other person's life, An Army of Normal Folks can make all of the difference. This is how America can overcome its problems: one life and one community at a time.

Featuring stories of ordinary folks overcoming life's obstacles and their own demons to make an extraordinary difference, the "An Army of Normal Folks" podcast provides a rallying cry for every individual to join a movement that can change the country. The iHeart Radio podcast, which is hosted by Courtney, launched in May 2023 and delivers much-needed inspirational, redemptive, and unifying content. Episodes include fellow members of the Army, such as:

● Tommy Norman, North Little Rock Police Officer known as the "Michael Jordan of Community Policing"

● Anne Mahlum, Back on My Feet founder that's helped over 7,500 homeless Americans secure jobs and independent housing through running

● Luke Mickelson, Sleep in Heavenly Peace founder whose 270 chapters have built...