Rebuilding Rob

As WordPress continues to recycle old prompts, I pulled another prompt from The Coffee Monsterz Co to respond to today

Is there a favorite content creator you recently started following? Why do you like their content?

This is one of those questions that comes up every now and again, which I’m happy to answer because my response can change so much from year to year.

The “Ocean” in the Middle of America

Recently, I stumbled across two British guys, Josh and Jase, who decided to go on vacation in Michigan. The impetus for this trip was simply that they wanted to see the Great Lakes. Needless to say, they were absolutely astounded. To most international visitors—and even many Americans—the first reaction to the Great Lakes is, “That’s not a lake. That’s an ocean!” Their genuine shock at seeing “lake-gulls” and waves on the frozen shoreline was a viral sensation.

Josh and Jase have since been all over the state, eventually heading north to the Upper Peninsula. This involved crossing the Mackinac Bridge, the largest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere. If you check out their videos, they seemed completely overwhelmed by the prospect—especially the open metal grates that allow you to see the water hundreds of feet below.

These guys have definitely gone viral, becoming overnight celebrities here. In Marquette, they went to a local restaurant and the word spread so fast on social media that a massive crowd formed outside just to catch a glimpse of them. The average Joe has basically become their paparazzi. You can follow their journey on TikTok or Facebook.

A Perspective Shift: From South Carolina to the Shoreline

However, for me, what’s been so neat about watching these guys discover “The Great Lakes State” is being able to experience it through them vicariously—for the first time, or in many cases, for the first time again.

With the exception of the eight years I lived in South Carolina, I’ve lived in Michigan my entire life. As such, I take a lot of the amazing features of the state for granted. I remember shortly before moving to South Carolina, the reality of the move hit me: “Oh my God,” I thought. “I’ve never been to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. I’ve never even seen Lake Michigan.” It was during that time away that I realized something: Michigan might very well be one of the most geographically recognizable places on the globe. While most people need a map, we just point to our hands. We often call it “America’s Third Coast,” a title that seems like an exaggeration until you stand on a beach in Traverse City and realize you can’t see the other side.

The Universal Language of the Mitten

It’s a gesture so iconic that even our hometown heroes use it as a badge of honor. Take the Motor City Machine Guns, the world-famous pro wrestling tag team from Detroit. Their signature pose is the “mitten point”—a testament to how much our state’s shape is baked into our identity. Whether it’s a pro wrestler on a global stage or two guys from Nottingham using their palms to find their way to a pasty shop, that “Mitten” is unmistakable. It’s a silhouette that defines us, and seeing it through fresh eyes has reminded me why I shouldn’t take my home for granted.

We often spend our lives looking toward the horizon for the next big thing, only to realize that we’ve been standing on a ‘Third Coast’ all along. It’s funny how a couple of guys from across the ocean can remind you that the ‘Audacity of Potential’ isn’t just about where you’re going—it’s about finally seeing where you already are.

P.S. — Something big is landing on the site today at 10:00 AM. I’ve finally finished the new mission statement for 2026. Keep an eye out!

Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like 👍, comment, and subscribe below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media and check out my recent posts!

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The article “From Nottingham to the Mitten: What Happens When the World Discovers America’s ‘Third Coast’” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.