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This month, we’re proud to feature Dave Soffen (@bigdogdave99)—a larger-than-life personality in our community whose energy, honesty, and willingness to show up have made a real impact over the past year.

If you’ve been in a Collectors MD meeting, chances are you’ve heard Dave. He’s boisterous, engaged, and never afraid to speak his mind—but underneath that is someone who’s deeply reflective and committed to doing the work. Over the last year, he’s been a consistent presence in our weekly meetings and an active voice in our intentional collecting chat, always looking to support others while continuing to work on himself.

Dave’s collecting journey isn’t tied to just one lane—it’s evolved over time, like it does for a lot of people. Sports cards, Pokémon, Funko Pops… he’s been through all of it. But what really pulled him in was something more creative.

A few years ago, he got introduced to designer toys—artists creating their own pieces, building something from scratch, putting their identity into what they make. That shift stuck with him.

Now, Dave doesn’t just collect—he creates. His work includes original resin pieces like Cloody, a cloud character, and Teddy Ursa, an alien bear—both extensions of his imagination and creativity. It’s a different kind of connection to the hobby. One that’s not just about chasing, but about building something of his own.

That contrast—between creation and compulsion—is a big part of Dave’s story. In one of his Daily Reflections, he talks about getting paid and immediately feeling that pull. Jumping into live streams, chasing hits, convincing himself that maybe this time would be different. And like so many people, it wasn’t. The rush faded, and reality set in.

But what stands out isn’t the slip—it’s what came after. He recognized it. He adjusted. He paid what needed to be paid. And instead of going deeper into the cycle, he made a different choice—he bought resin. He created. He redirected that energy into something that actually gives back.

That doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Dave’s honest about that too. He talks about sitting in his car outside GameStop and choosing to leave. Joining breaks and not bidding. Listing cards he didn’t even remember buying. Those moments—the small ones—are where real change starts to show up.

In another Daily Reflection, he touches on something even deeper—the idea that collecting wasn’t just about cards or packs. It was about coping. Stress, anger, depression, control. The same patterns that showed up in other areas of his life found their way into the hobby. And that’s where things start to click. Because as Dave puts it, the damage isn’t always obvious. It’s not always physical. But it’s there—financially, mentally, emotionally.

Since joining the Collectors MD community, he’s started to create space between the urge and the action. Turning off notifications. Being more intentional about when and why he engages. Using platforms to sell instead of chase. Not perfect—but better. And importantly, not alone.

That’s a big part of what makes Dave’s story resonate. He still loves collecting—especially smaller designer figures, glow pieces, and work from artists he connects with. But now there’s more awareness behind it. More intention. More balance. And at the same time, he’s become someone others can lean on.

Whether it’s sharing openly, offering perspective, or just showing up consistently, Dave represents what this community is about. Not perfection—but progress. Not isolation—but connection.

Dave’s story is a reminder that collecting can take a lot from us—but it can also give something back, if we’re willing to look at it honestly and make the adjustments along the way. And sometimes, the biggest shift isn’t walking away completely. It’s learning when to pause, when to redirect, and when to choose something that actually builds you back up.

#CollectorsMD
Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

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https://collectorsmd.com/collector-spotlight-april-2026/

This month, we’re proud to feature Conor McGrath—one of our own team members and a collector whose story is deeply rooted in Boston sports, 90s basketball, and the moments that stay with you long after the game ends.

Conor’s collection is built on more than players and cardboard. It’s tied to identity, memory, and the emotional imprint that sports can leave behind. Growing up just outside of Boston, sports weren’t just part of the culture—they were the culture. The teams, the heartbreak, the history, and the expectations were always there.

And in the 1990s, there was plenty of heartbreak to go around. For Boston fans, it was a difficult era. The Celtics were rebuilding and still reeling from devastating losses. The Red Sox couldn’t quite get over the hump. The Patriots were a long way from becoming the dynasty people now associate with New England sports. It was a frustrating stretch for the city—but like so many kids growing up during that time, Conor found something bigger through basketball.

That’s where the connection really took hold. Like many collectors of that era, he was drawn in by the stars who felt larger than life. Jordan. Shaq. The rise of 90s basketball. The visual energy of the hobby itself. Cards like Beam Team didn’t just stand out—they stuck. And from there, the collection kept growing.

As the decade moved forward, so did the players who shaped his PC. The legendary draft classes from 1996 through 1998 left a huge imprint on Conor’s collecting identity. Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce—so many of the players who defined that era still anchor his collection today. That stretch of basketball helped shape not just what he collected, but why he connected to it in the first place.

But according to Conor, the most meaningful item in his collection isn’t a card at all. It’s a jacket. A black and yellow Boston Marathon volunteer jacket from 2013—his first year volunteering at the race, and a year the city will never forget. The events of that day left a lasting impact, but what stayed with him just as deeply was what came after: the resilience, unity, and compassion that poured out of Boston and the broader running community in response. That spirit carried into sports in a way that felt impossible to ignore.

When the Red Sox won the 2013 World Series, it wasn’t just another championship. To Conor, it felt like something more. Bigger, even, than 2004. It felt like a city reclaiming itself. A reminder of what people can do when they come together after pain, and a moment that captured Boston’s grit, heart, and resilience in real time. That’s what the jacket represents.

Today, Conor’s collection tells a layered story—one about growing up around Boston sports, falling in love with 90s basketball, and holding onto the moments that meant something deeper than the scoreboard. It’s a reminder that collecting isn’t just about what you own. It’s about what it represents, and the memories it helps you carry forward.

Conor leaves us with a reminder that feels especially fitting: the most meaningful pieces in a collection aren’t always the rarest or most valuable. Sometimes they’re the ones that hold the most story.

#CollectorsMD
Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

https://collectorsmd.com/collector-spotlight-march-2026/

This month, we’re proud to feature Luke Kusumoto (@uberman808)—one of our community members joining us from Hawaii and a collector whose range, perspective, and intentionality truly stand out.

Luke’s collection is one of the most versatile we’ve seen. It doesn’t live in a single lane or category. Alongside curated sets of sports cards and memorabilia, you’ll find Funko Pops, action figures, pins, posters, Pac-Man stickers, and other pieces tied to nostalgia, memory, and personal meaning. Luke isn’t just collecting items—he’s preserving moments. He’s a collector through and through.

Luke’s collecting story began long before cards entered the picture.

As a child, he collected honey bees, tadpoles, and guppies before moving on to smelly stickers, Transformers, LEGOs, G.I. Joes, and eventually sports cards. His favorite collection growing up was a vast run of Don Mattingly cards—a passion that defined his early connection to the hobby. Like many collectors, Luke stepped away for a long stretch, only to feel that familiar itch return during the pandemic.

That return started with intention—but quickly drifted.

Luke rebuilt a 49ers sports card collection and then found his way into the world of modern breaking and resale. He chased the hottest players, joined breaks, and tried to flip big cards to other “collectors”. He built a following. But in his words, he was left with very little to show for it.

What Luke realized was sobering—and honest.

Keeping up with the sports card market felt worse than the stock market. Breaks consistently resulted in losses. Investors undercut prices without regard for what anyone paid. The cycle was exhausting, financially draining, and ultimately unsustainable. It was a dead end.

That realization became the turning point.

Luke made a deliberate choice to step back, sell off what no longer mattered, and re-dedicate himself to collecting only what he genuinely wanted for his personal collection. He set a monthly budget. He walked away from chasing profits and hype. He stopped buying for others—and started buying for himself.

In doing so, Luke reconnected with why he fell in love with collecting in the first place.

Today, his collection reflects memory, joy, and personal meaning rather than market trends or resale value. For Luke, collecting is about connecting tangible objects to the moments, people, and experiences that shaped him. It’s about grounding the hobby in something real.

Luke leaves the community with a message that captures the heart of Collectors MD: He hopes collectors hold close to why they got into the hobby in the first place—choosing meaning over profit—so we can create a healthier, less toxic collecting environment for everyone.

This is intentional collecting.
This is what Collectors MD is all about.

#CollectorsMD
Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

https://collectorsmd.com/collector-spotlight-february-2026/

This month, we’re proud to feature Martina Fasano (@darthtrader89) in our Collector Spotlight, a passionate lifelong Toronto Blue Jays and New England Patriots fan, and a mother who now collects alongside her son.

Martina’s story reflects the heart of what Collectors MD is all about. Her collection isn’t driven by hype or resale value. It’s built on nostalgia, memory, and personal connection. From childhood Jose Canseco cards that once felt impossible to own, to modern Blue Jays and Patriots pieces she now collects with her son, Martina reminds us that meaning matters more than market value.

After returning to the hobby in recent years, Martina quickly recognized how much modern collecting has shifted. What used to be a simple and affordable pastime for kids now often feels engineered around pressure, urgency, and gambling-like mechanics. Rather than leaning into breaks or high-dollar wax, she re-focused on singles and affordable products that bring genuine joy, especially when shared with her son.

Her recent Daily Reflections captured that beautifully, showing how "junk wax" and childhood cards still matter because of the memories they carry. It’s a reminder that the emotional value of collecting far outweighs any monetary profit.

She also shared a thoughtful framework for approaching the hobby in a healthier way, publishing her own Annual Card Review and Plan for 2026. That process encourages collectors to reflect honestly on the cards they buy, what actually brings them joy, and how to move forward with intention over impulse.

Martina's personal collection focuses on players like Jose Canseco, Cal Ripken Jr., Addison Barger, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Joe Carter, Shawn Green, Tom Brady, and Drake Maye, along with a long-term mission to collect every Blue Jays base card ever printed. And now, the most meaningful part of that journey is sharing it with her son, building memories together through affordable boxes, games, and moments that last far beyond the cards themselves.

Martina’s voice has become an authentic and supportive presence within our CMD community. She reminds us that collecting should feel grounded, fulfilling, and shared, not pressured or compulsive.

This is intentional collecting. This is the heart of Collectors MD.

#CollectorsMD
Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

https://collectorsmd.com/collector-spotlight-january-2026/

This month, we’re proud to feature Alex Bridgeforth (@alexbridgeforth) in our Collector Spotlight—an Army veteran, devoted father of four young boys, and the anchor of a Chargers-loving family.

Alex has become a vocal and consistent presence within the Collectors MD community, actively participating in the Intention group chat, our Discord, and weekly peer-support meetings where he openly shares progress, reflections, and stories from his and his boys’ shared collecting journey. For Alex, the hobby isn’t about hits, hype, or resale—it’s about connection. It’s a shared language between a father and his sons, rooted in joy, curiosity, and love for the game.

That mindset shows up clearly in how Alex engages with the hobby. The only time he’ll ever participate in a break is for a reasonable football PYT (Pick Your Team)—and it’s always the Chargers. Even then, it has to be affordable and well within his budget. There’s no chasing, no stretching, no rationalizing. If it doesn’t align, he walks away without hesitation.

What makes Alex such a powerful example of intentional collecting is that resale value and aftermarket comps are completely arbitrary to him and his boys. Their collection has purpose. It has meaning. Every card represents a moment, a memory, or a shared experience—not a price point. Through this, Alex is actively teaching his children the art of responsible spending and collecting with intention, clarity, and purpose.

He brings his boys to card shows and Chargers games. They spend several nights a week sorting their collection together, opening affordable boxes like Score or Donruss Football, talking football, laughing, and enjoying the hobby side by side. There’s no glitz. No glamor. Just presence, passion, and time spent together.

This is the beauty of what collecting can look like when we strip away the manufactured hype and revenue-driven noise that’s been embedded into the hobby. This is the foundation of the #RipResponsibly campaign. And Alex lives it—not just for himself, but for the next generation of collectors he’s raising.

THIS is what Collectors MD is all about.

Below is a glimpse into Alex’s collecting world. Be sure to show him some love—the hobby is better because of collectors like him.

#CollectorsMD
Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

https://collectorsmd.com/collector-spotlight/