Eight Years, Two Coasts, and One Leap of Faith
How Leaving the Gates of Calabasas Led to the Life I Was Meant to Build in the Carolinas
On the Cover:
Marnie Schneider’s Family
July/August 2014
Picture it: the gates of Calabasas Park Estates in the rearview mirror, the California sun fading behind us, and the road stretching east toward a brand-new life. Eight years ago, my children and I left behind everything familiar—friends, routines, the football field where I’d poured my heart into building the Calabasas High School program—and became rookies again. Our destination? The back roads of Mooresville, North Carolina, and the quiet waters of Lake Norman.
The decision wasn’t impulsive. My first book, GameDay in Philadelphia, was about to be released, and I knew if I wanted it to succeed, I had to be all-in. Philadelphia would be a frequent stop for me, and I believe this to my core: if you’re not invested, you can’t collect. It was time to make a move that supported both my work and my family’s future.
Leaving wasn’t easy. Calabasas had been home for years. I had been a fixture in the community—serving as Vice President of the Board for Calabasas High School football, working with NFL alumni, helping organize charity events, and raising my kids in a neighborhood where summer nights meant community barbecues and days were filled with sports, school, and sunshine. We’d made lifelong friendships there.
But my mom’s voice was clear in my mind: Do your homework. She’d always encouraged me to try things, to make moves, to be open for myself. And this was one of those moments.
Since moving to the Carolinas, I’ve written 12 incredibly successful GameDay in the USA books, with a young adult novel, The Playbook Diaries, coming soon. I’ve joined the board of the Ronald McDonald House, chaired our biggest fundraiser—Jerseys and Jewels—and made wonderful new friends. Our family has also grown in four-legged love, with Boom the golden retriever, Cash, and Mark joining Fumble the Dog (Irving).
I’ve learned that when you get involved in community and charity work, that’s where you find your people. Whether it’s fundraising, volunteering, or simply showing up, you build real connections. And here, even something as simple as visiting the local farm market becomes part of your story—the owners know your name, ask about your mom, and share tried-and-true “grandma recipes” for health and wellness.
One of my greatest joys has been watching my children flourish here—academically, athletically, and as kind, grounded young adults. Moving together, starting over together, and growing together has made us stronger as a family. I’m endlessly proud of them and grateful for the life we’ve built side by side.
The past eight years have brought milestones, laughter, and community. They’ve also brought loss. My mom, Bill, and my beloved Ryder boy are no longer here. Grief has been a relentless teacher, but it has deepened my gratitude for the people and places that make life meaningful.
I was born in Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love,” but here in the Carolinas, I’ve found what I call “Motherly Love”—a fiercely protective, generous, loyal embrace that welcomes you in and claims you as one of its own.
If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s this: life is made up of chapters. Some you write where you are, and others you have to pack up, move, and start fresh to create. Whether you’re moving for love, for family, for work, or for a dream—be flexible, do the homework, and be willing to start as a rookie.
Because sometimes, the leap you take today will become the most beautiful chapter in your life story tomorrow.
Life Lessons from the Move
Eight years, countless lessons—here are the ones that stuck:
1. Do Your Homework – My mom’s advice never fails. Research the details. Know your why.
2. Growth Lives in the Unknown – Comfort zones are cozy, but nothing grows there.
3. Start as a Rookie – It’s okay to not know everything. Every expert was once a beginner.
4. Flexibility is Your Superpower – Life takes you places for love, family, or work. Adaptability turns change into opportunity.
5. Build Your Circle – Seek out the people who feel like sunshine. Real community makes a new place feel like home.
6. Expect Growing Pains – They’re part of the process. Push through—you’ll thank yourself later.
7. Hold Onto the Good – Loss will come. Celebrate the love you had, and let it inspire you to keep living fully.
8. Bold Moves Make Beautiful Stories – Your leap today could be your favorite chapter tomorrow.
9. Get Involved – Community and charity work aren’t just good deeds—they’re where you’ll find your people.
10. Stay Healthy – Make wellness a priority, whether it’s morning walks, exercise, or fresh food (and don’t underestimate those “grandma recipes” from people who care about you).
