The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - Episode: "Happy Birthday Ron Magill!"

Release Date: February 25, 2025

In this heartfelt and engaging episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz celebrate the birthday of their esteemed guest, Ron McGill. Broadcasted live from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, the episode delves deep into Ron's rich personal history, his illustrious career in animal conservation, and his memorable experiences in the world of television. Below is a detailed summary capturing all the key points, discussions, insights, and memorable moments from the episode.

1. Welcome and Celebrations

The episode kicks off with the hosts extending warm birthday wishes to Ron McGill. The atmosphere is jovial as friends and colleagues join in to celebrate Ron's milestone birthday.

• Billy: "Happy birthday to him. I don't care. Good luck. 65 years old, Ron McGill." (18:58)

Ron humbly acknowledges the celebration, expressing gratitude for the surprise party organized by his wife and the presence of close friends from various parts of his life.

• Ron McGill: "I felt very privileged that I had so many good friends there. So I was a great surprise." (20:20)

2. Ron McGill’s Early Life and Heritage

Ron opens up about his multicultural background, growing up in New York City with a Cuban father and a Colombian mother. He candidly shares his struggles with embracing his Hispanic heritage during his youth.

• Ron McGill: "I purposely forgot [Spanish] because I just thought that was, like, a bad label for me because it gave people a reason to make fun of me." (02:18)

Despite his initial reluctance, Ron's natural height led him to basketball, a sport he never played before. His recounting of being forced into the sport highlights his early challenges and the pivotal role his high school coach played in his life.

• Ron McGill: "He said, Ron, you can't coach height. It's true." (02:56)

3. Transition from Sports to Animal Conservation

Ron's passion for animals was ignited by watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Inspired by Jim Fowler’s daring exploits, Ron knew he wanted to dedicate his life to animal conservation.

• Ron McGill: "I saw the guy catch a jaguar in the Amazon with a throw net. I'm like, that's what I want to do." (03:28)

Reflecting on his 44 years at the zoo, Ron emphasizes the fulfillment he derives from his work, stating that loving what you do eliminates the feeling of work.

• Ron McGill: "That's the reason why I've been at the zoo for over 44 years, is because, dude, I..." (04:02)

4. Mentorship Under Don Francisco

A significant portion of the episode highlights Ron's mentorship under Don Francisco, the iconic Hispanic television host. Ron recounts how Don Francisco invited him to appear on his Chilean show, Salo Gigante.

• Ron McGill: "That guy became the greatest mentor I've ever had when it comes to television, when it comes to the public." (05:13)

Their collaboration was filled with humorous mishaps, especially Ron's struggles with speaking Spanish on live television, leading to memorable and entertaining moments that endeared him to audiences.

• Ron McGill: "He goes, look at me, Ron. Every Saturday, I go out there and I make a total jackass out of myself." (06:32)

Don Francisco taught Ron invaluable lessons about humility and the importance of not taking oneself too seriously, encouraging him to laugh at his own mistakes.

• Ron McGill: "One of the things I've learned on Dan's show is that, Dan, you gotta learn to laugh at yourself, man." (06:32)

5. Adventures on Salo Gigante

Ron shares his adventurous experience traveling to Panama with Don Francisco for the Harp Eagle project. They navigated the challenging terrains of the Darien rainforest, highlighting the dangers and the beauty of indigenous communities.

• Ron McGill: "We had to take a dugout canoe for four hours down the river to get to this village of these indigenous people." (11:10)

Upon arriving, they were greeted by the village chief in a manner straight out of a movie, leading to humorous confusion and cultural exchanges.

• Ron McGill: "This guy is like the D. Number one Hispanic television star in the world." (04:21)

The visit culminated in Ron being featured on Salo Gigante, showcasing the village’s ingenuity and resilience, and reinforcing the show's mission to connect people across cultures.

• Ron McGill: "One of the greatest rewards I've had in my career was they couldn't believe that I was there because they see me on this show." (12:29)

6. Return to Cuba and Cultural Reconnection

Ron’s trip back to Cuba stands out as one of his most meaningful experiences. Engaging in conservation work, he faced resistance from local officials but received unwavering support from community members.

• Ron McGill: "They are the heritage of all of us... I saw my father's face in every one of those faces." (08:46)

Walking through Little Havana, Ron felt a profound connection to his roots, appreciating the Cuban people's generosity and resourcefulness despite limited resources.

• Ron McGill: "They were giving me food they don't have... It makes me proud of my heritage." (09:09)

7. Philosophies on Life and Conservation

Throughout the conversation, Ron imparts his life philosophies, emphasizing the importance of living a life filled with memorable and impactful moments.

• Ron McGill: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths that we take. It's measured by the number of times your breath is taken away." (13:07)

He underscores the significance of conservation, not just as a profession but as a calling that transcends political and cultural boundaries.

• Ron McGill: "The animals in Cuba are not Democrats, Republicans, or Congress. They're political. They're part of the heritage of all of us." (08:00)

8. Debunking Myths: The Chupacabra Story

Ron shares a fascinating story about debunking the myth of the Chupacabra. On live television, he and his team conducted an autopsy revealing that the supposed Chupacabra was actually a dog that had gone feral and attacked livestock.

• Ron McGill: "We cut it open at Jackson Memorial Hospital doing an autopsy. And it showed that the two little bites on its neck were not a vampire, but a dog that had bitten it and strangled it." (24:00)

This bold move not only dispelled widespread fears but also highlighted the dangers of perpetuating unfounded myths for commercial gain.

• Ron McGill: "Common sense just isn't common anymore... You can't fix stupid. The way you fix stupid is you get rid of it." (22:58)

9. Upcoming Travels and Projects

Looking ahead, Ron is excited about several upcoming adventures. He plans to visit the Galapagos in May, embark on a documentary project in Australia in June, and explore Patagonia with his family in October.

• Ron McGill: "I'm going back to the Galapagos in May... Then I'm taking the family to Patagonia, Chile, Argentina, the glaciers, everything out there in October." (19:37)

These trips reflect his ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation and his passion for exploring the world's most remote and diverse ecosystems.

10. Reflections and Closing Thoughts

As the episode concludes, Ron reflects on his journey, expressing no regrets and a deep sense of fulfillment from a life well-lived. He emphasizes the importance of savoring life’s extraordinary moments and leaving a lasting positive impact.

• Ron McGill: "If I stepped out of here and died, no one should shed a tear for me, because I have lived way beyond any dream I could have ever imagined." (13:05)

The hosts join in expressing their admiration and gratitude for Ron's contributions, wrapping up the episode with heartfelt sentiments.

• Billy: "Ron, happy birthday." (31:41)

Notable Quotes

• Ron McGill (02:18): "I purposely forgot [Spanish] because I just thought that was, like, a bad label for me because it gave people a reason to make fun of me."

• Ron McGill (02:56): "He said, Ron, you can't coach height. It's true."

• Ron McGill (06:32): "One of the things I've learned on Dan's show is that, Dan, you gotta learn to laugh at yourself, man."

• Ron McGill (13:07): "Life is not measured by the number of breaths that we take. It's measured by the number of times your breath is taken away."

• Ron McGill (24:00): "We cut it open at Jackson Memorial Hospital doing an autopsy. And it showed that the two little bites on its neck were not a vampire, but a dog that had bitten it and strangled it."

• Ron McGill (08:00): "The animals in Cuba are not Democrats, Republicans, or Congress. They're political. They're part of the heritage of all of us."

Conclusion

This episode serves as a tribute to Ron McGill, celebrating his remarkable life, unwavering dedication to animal conservation, and his ability to bridge cultural divides through meaningful connections. Listeners are left inspired by Ron's stories, his passion for wildlife, and his profound life philosophies. The combination of humor, insightful discussions, and heartfelt moments makes this episode a standout celebration of an extraordinary individual.