It’s been nearly 10 years, but Anna Riehm remembers it vividly.
“Oh, like it was yesterday,” she said.
As the support services officer at Texas Health HEB, Anna and a few others were interviewing this one job candidate won all the sudden he shocked everyone.
“The story surrounding it I’ll never forget,” Riehm said.
Not because of anything he did – but because of what he said.
“If, for any reason I pass out, tell the paramedics to take my pants off,” Mike Lofland, the job candidate, said.
Talk about a first impression.
Turns out, Mike Lofland was in such a hurry he accidentally grabbed his son's very small pants. His odd request was just an attempt to make them laugh.
It worked. Not only did Michael get the job, he’s been spreading joy life the past 10 years.
He says that’s because it's his calling.
“This job is sort of a mission for me”
Mike’s dad, Corry Lofland, died after a long fight with heart disease. By the time Mike started college, he promised to keep others from suffering like this father.
Mike knew that people who exercise have even stronger hearts with laughter.
"It makes you feel good to laugh,” he said. “This is the fun side of medicine. We get to see them get better.”
Mikes impact can be felt in seen all around the gym. Quite literally, seen.
A gifted artist, Mike drew the mural on the wall, made the sculpture overhead and even painted pumpkins for charity.
"He's very caring, he's very kind,” Riehm said. “He's definitely in the right place."
“I’ve always said when I walk in this place I can look up to the heavens and say, 'Dad, we did good. We did good,'” Lofland said.
He may have worn the wrong pants, but he’s obviously walking in the right shoes.