Life Beyond the Game

This week we have my friend John Parker Wilson on the show! John Parker is a former collegiate and NFL football player. John Parker was a three-year starter for Alabama as a quarterback from 2006-08. When his career at Alabama ended, Wilson held every passing record in Alabama school history. In 2009, John Parker was signed as a free agent and spent the next four years in the NFL playing for the Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers. He currently lives in Birmingham, AL with his wife, Tyler, and two sons, Parks and Peyton. Along with being the color commentator for the University of Alabama, he is a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley. In this episode, we discussed: John Parker’s early football career John Parker’s journey making it to the NFL What it’s like to be a backup after being the starter for your whole career The trap of the victim-mindset and externalizing our experiences Learning to adjust with the times while remaining consistent Patience, comparison, and instant gratification Creating your own network and finding connections in life Finding purpose after football and John’s journey in wealth management Learning and growing through football John Parker’s vision for the future Taking ownership of your finances and becoming the CEO of your life Connect with John Parker Instagram | @jpwilson4 LinkedIn | John Parker Wilson Connect with Joe Website | www.joe-hawley.com Website | www.thehartcollective.com Instagram | @joe.hawley Sign up for My Newsletter Here Check out Joe’s other Podcast Quantum Coffee, where he brings on guests to discuss the unanswerable questions of the Universe If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts

This week we have Eric Wood on the show! Eric Wood is a former NFL athlete, playing 9 years with the Buffalo Bills. After the 2017 season, he was diagnosed with a career-ending neck injury. Prior to his diagnosis, Eric had signed a contract extension with the Bills and was the only player on the team to play 100% of the plays. Eric is now a broadcaster for ESPN/ACC Networks and the Buffalo Bills Radio Network. He is also a keynote speaker for special events and hosts his own podcast, What's Next with Eric Wood. One of the many ways Eric is bettering the world and his community is through The Eric Wood Fund. He created The Eric Wood Fund specifically to provide support, resources, care, and encouragement to children with chronic illnesses and their families. In this episode, we discussed: Favorite Ryan Fitzpatrick stories Eric’s football journey and injuries sustained in the NFL How Eric processed the news of his career coming to an end Transitioning out of football and finding new purpose How to manage extreme lifestyle changes after football Goal setting and routine outside of the NFL The power of writing and gratitude practice Enjoying the experience of life and questioning our stories Advice for athletes transitioning out of sports Trusting where the world is taking us Tools and works discussed in this episode: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself - Joe Dispenza Lone Survivor - Marcus Luttrell The Boys in the Boat - Daniel James Brown Outliers - Malcom Gladwell Connect with Eric Instagram | @ewood70 Twitter | @EWood70 Website | ericwoodmedia.com Podcast | What's Next with Eric Wood Connect with Joe Website | www.joe-hawley.com Website | www.thehartcollective.com Instagram | @joe.hawley Sign up for My Newsletter Here Check out Joe’s other Podcast Quantum Coffee, where he brings on guests to discuss the unanswerable questions of the Universe If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts

This week we have my good friend Ken Ruettgers on the show! Ken is a former 1st round pick and NFL great of the Green Bay Packers, where he played offensive tackle from 1985 to 1996. In 1989, he was the Packers offensive MVP and was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2014. Ken is one of the most passionate people I’ve met when it comes to helping former players during the transition process and joined the NFL in 2015 as one of their official transition coaches. He has also founded a non-profit in order to help former athletes during their transition. Ken is an author, teacher and coach with a wealth of experience in business, education and psychology. He has added a ton of value in my life, both personally and professionally. Between his own experience leaving the sport and what he sees as a transition coach, Ken truly understands the unique challenges that former players face on their journeys. During this episode, he provides a ton of advice and value to those who might be struggling. In this episode, we discussed: The beginning of Ken’s NFL career The injuries and surgeries that Ken experienced towards the end of his career and how he knew it was time to walk away The demands of professional sports and the shame that athletes can experience The process of re-telling our stories The stigma around counseling for men How professional sports prepares you for life Ken’s journey as a transition coach for athletes The importance of celebrating and creating a marker for the end of your career What it was like playing with legendary talent like Brett Favre and how the league has changed over the years Connect with Joe www.joe-hawley.com www.thehartcollective.com Instagram Sign up for My Newsletter Here Check out Joe’s other Podcast Quantum Coffee, where he brings on guests to discuss the unanswerable questions of the Universe If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts

This week we have my soul brother, Brandon Coleman on the show! Brandon is a former NFL athlete, playing as a Wide Receiver for the New Orleans Saints from 2014-2018. He successfully reached the highest level of competition in one of the world’s most visible sports, while teaching our young about the challenges ahead, on and off the field, and making a difference in the lives of Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers with Life of Legacy advocacy group. For this achievement, Brandon was awarded by the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable and Andrews Business & Community Alliance for his service as a role model for Prince Georgians everywhere. Brandon was also an accomplished student-athlete, being a part of the Big East All-Academic Tram and Team Captain during his senior year at Rutgers. After his time in the NFL, Brandon went on to becoming an entrepreneur and Certified Life Coach. He has partnered with Can Be Done, LLC as a brand ambassador for their products, including CBD infused, flavored toothpicks. In this episode, we discussed: Brandon’s early career and the emotions that came from not being drafted The life of the practice squad in the NFL How Brandon dealt with nerve pain, surgery, and rehab in the NFL Brandon’s transition out of the NFL and into entrepreneurship How to move beyond self limiting beliefs Using your passion and your interests to find your niche in business Recovery and self-care after a career in the NFL How we can use meditation to improve our everyday lives The importance of unplugging and regularly detaching ourselves from social media Brandon’s vision for the future Tools and works discussed in this episode: canbedone.com Connect with Brandon Links | https://linktr.ee/SOULCOLE Instagram | @b_cole16 Instagram | @canbedone_cbd Connect with Joe Website | www.joe-hawley.com Website | www.thehartcollective.com Instagram | @joe.hawley Sign up for My Newsletter Here Check out Joe’s other Podcast Quantum Coffee, where he brings on guests to discuss the unanswerable questions of the Universe If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts

This week we have my good friend Kyle Kingsbury on the podcast! Kyle is one of the wisest guys I know with a lot to share. He is the proud father of two kids, Bear and Wolf, and a loving husband to Natasha. After playing college football for Arizona State, he went through a challenging transition which eventually led him to a career as a UFC fighter. After his time in the UFC, Kyle became the Director of Human Optimization at Onnit. He also hosts the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, where he shares his journey surrounding human optimization. If that isn’t enough, Kyle is currently a coach for the Fit For Service Fellowship, started by Aubrey Marcus, where he offers one-on-one coaching within the community. Kyle is an advocate for plant medicine and psychedelic use for self-discovery and healing. Some would now even consider him a psyche-nut, having at one point eaten 30 grams of mushrooms. He has spent years dedicated to his inner journey and put in the work for his own spiritual and self-development. In this episode, we discussed: Kyle’s difficult time in college, his planned suicide attempt, and his first experience with source His shift into health and wellness and mixed martial arts How Kyle used breathwork, meditation, and sports psychology in his UFC career How plant medicines shifted Kyle’s perspective in both sports and life How our physical bodies can help us tune into feelings of peace and equanimity How we can use teachings from multiple spiritual traditions to find meaning in our lives The science behind psychedelics and how we can work with them Learning to quiet the internal noise Bringing intention into our lives Honoring both our conscious masculine and conscious feminine energy Kyle’s vision for the future Tools and works discussed in this episode: Lizard’s Eat Butterfly’s - David Martin Madness in Crowds - Douglass Murrey Lessons From the Pain Teacher - Paul Check The Last Four Doctors You’ll Ever Need - Paul Check Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari Cosmic Serpent - Jeremy Narby Supernatural - Graham Hancock The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide - James Fadiman Third Wave Psychedelics Podcast Soltara Tim Corcoran’s Soul Wander King, Warrior, Magician, Lover - Robert Moore & Doug Gillette The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life - Boyd Varty The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz Connect with Kyle: Podcast | Kyle Kingsbury Podcast Website | https://www.kingsbu.com/ Instagram | @livingwiththekingsburys Connect with Joe: Website | www.joe-hawley.com Website | www.thehartcollective.com Instagram | Instagram Sign up for My Newsletter Here Check out Joe’s other Podcast Quantum Coffee, where he brings on guests to discuss the unanswerable questions of the Universe If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts

This week we have my friend Nick Hardwick on the podcast! Nick is truly one of the most amazing men that I have come in contact with. We have so much in common and are so aligned in our mission. Nick played center for the San Diego Charger for 11 years and he is someone I looked up to during my playing days. He has some incredible stories about his athletic journey and how he has navigated life since retirement. I know you’re going to love this one! In this episode, we discussed: Nick’s incredible athletic journey in high school and college How he knew it was time to walk away from the NFL How Nick shedded weight so quickly when he stopped playing football Recalibrating our goals… Checking in with your “why” The dramatic physiological changes that can take place in the body when your athletic career ends and tools to combat CTE Finding new meaning and purpose when football is over Nick’s vision for himself and for the future Tools and works discussed in this episode: hardwick.life (Use code hawley20 at checkout) Finding Center Podcast Connect with Nick Instagram | @nickhardwick Facebook | Nick Hardwick Website | https://hardwick.life/ Connect with Joe www.joe-hawley.com www.thehartcollective.com Instagram Sign up for My Newsletter Here Check out Joe’s other Podcast Quantum Coffee, where he brings on guests to discuss the unanswerable questions of the Universe If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts

This week we have Marcus Smith II on the podcast! Marcus is a former NFL athlete, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Redskins. In addition to playing in the NFL, he created the MII Foundation, which provides opportunities and support for single-parent households. Marcus is a University of Louisville alumni, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. This accomplishment helped prepare him for life after football, where he is now a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and guest speaker. Marcus is devoted to helping others overcome mental health struggles and ending the stigma, especially in professional sports. In this episode, we discussed: Marcus’s early struggles finding his place and his position in college before everything clicked How Marcus handled the pressure of being a first round draft pick while dealing with anxiety and depression Marcus’s continued struggles in Seattle, the change that began when he started therapy, and his return to football The healing power of writing Relearning how to live and schedule your time when you step away from the rigid schedule of professional sports Marcus’s advice for athletes going through the transition out of sports and the importance of vulnerability Marcus’s vision for the future and where you can find and support his work Tools and works discussed in this episode: Bathtime with Rai - Marcus Smith II The Circle of M Connect with Marcus Website | Marcus Smith II Instagram | @moneymarc91 Twitter | @MarcusSmithII Connect with Joe www.joe-hawley.com www.thehartcollective.com Instagram Sign up for My Newsletter Here Check out Joe’s other Podcast Quantum Coffee, where he brings on guests to discuss the unanswerable questions of the Universe If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts

This week we have my friend Shamiel Gary on the podcast. Shamiel is a 4-year NFL veteran, who played for the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots. He is now a successful entrepreneur, mentor, and keynote speaker, featured on TEDx. Shamiel’s mission is to inspire folks from all backgrounds to overcome life’s adversities and see the value in their own dreams. This podcast is packed full of practical tools that we can apply to our lives to remove baggage and find purpose in our lives. I hope you enjoy! In this episode, we discussed: Shamiel’s journey in the NFL and when he knew his passion for football was coming to an end The process of recognizing the baggage we hold onto, and some practical tools we can use to begin to let go of it The power of intention and using the 5 F’s (Family, Faith, Finance, Fitness, and Fulfillment) to check in with how you are living your life Recognizing the negative systems we build in our lives The stigma of counseling The power of visualization and passion to achieve your ultimate goals Tools and works discussed in this episode: Scary Close - Donald Miller Shamiel’s TedX Talk Connect with Shamiel shamielgary.com Instagram | @s.gary7 LinkedIn | Shamiel Gary Youtube | Shamiel Speaks Connect with Joe www.joe-hawley.com www.thehartcollective.com Instagram Sign up for My Newsletter Here Check out Joe’s other Podcast Quantum Coffee, where he brings on guests to discuss the unanswerable questions of the Universe If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts

This week we have my friend Jay Barnett on the podcast! Jay Barnett is a former professional athlete turned author/speaker and Marriage & Family Associate. He has a transparent and relatable methodology that allows for an instant connection to our youth. Teaching of self-worth through the word as it related to empowerment, encouragement and most importantly mental stability. King Jay is no stranger to adversities. However, with strength and faith, nothing seemed impossible for him. Expressing his past frustrations and how he overcame his experiences as a youth has led him to become powerful beyond measure along with his clinical methods. In this episode, we discussed: How Jay dealt with his initial transition out of football and his struggle with depression and a sense of purpose Knowing when to let go of what is no longer serving you Finding support groups and trusted spaces to sort through hidden trauma and express emotions How spirituality has helped Jay find his purpose and passion outside of football Jay’s vision for the future Connect with Jay https://www.jay-barnett.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kingjaybarnett/ https://www.facebook.com/jaykingbarnett/ Connect with Joe www.joe-hawley.com www.thehartcollective.com Instagram Sign up for Joe’s Newsletter Here Check out Quantum Coffee, where Joe brings on guests to discuss the unanswerable questions of the Universe If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts

Welcome to the very first episode of Life Beyond the Game! "Sports are such a big part of all of our lives. From the big plays to the unforgettable games, They continue to inspire us in unimaginable ways. But what happens to the athletes, the warriors and heroes of our time, when the game is finally over and the sport they love, and worked their entire lives pursuing greatness at, continues on without them? How do they cope with the transition? How do they find purpose, reclaim their identity, and work towards a vision of the future? As a former professional athlete, playing in the NFL for 8 seasons, I know the unique challenges that these athletes face. On this podcast these athletes will share their stories and how they navigate... Life Beyond The Game. " The intention for this podcast is to provide a space for former professional athletes to share their stories and how they are coping with the transition out of sports. In this special episode, Joe breaks down his own career in the NFL and the life lessons he learned along the way. Why he chose an early retirement and how he has found new meaning and purpose as he has transitioned out of the league. Connect with Joe www.joe-hawley.com www.thehartcollective.com Instagram Sign up for Joe's Newsletter Here If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts