Charles Johnson with the Minnesota Vikings

I've been blessed to work with many, many athletes over the years. CJ stands out to me for his desire to rise above circumstances and hustle to be the best at whatever he puts his mind toward. Here are just a few notes from our conversation. Drop us a note in the comments and share what you found inspiring, enlightening or insightful as you hear CJ's story today.

On the meaning of failure.

CJ says failure is when you've given up. He says you can get knocked down time after time, miss a grade on a test or lose a game, but if you keep doing it over again - you're not a failure. You have to keep showing up every week.

On his background.

CJ says his story is wild. He's from northern Kentucky and he got his start in football at Lloyd Memorial High School as a junior. He started getting all of these offers for football, which surprised him because he'd been a baseball athlete to that point. He had no idea you could get scholarships for athletes. He says he was just an inner-city kid who didn't know anything about the possibilities to grow as an athlete in college. He admits he didn't even really know much about college in general. He started as a true freshman at Eastern Kentucky University with a full ride scholarship, which he lost after being suspended his first year. He says that was hard having to go tell his dad he lost his scholarship for playing too much and being immature. He was suspended for two years and transferred to Analo Community College in California, where he played ball and met his wife. After a year, he moved home to take care of his father who'd become very ill. He and his wife had also had their first child, a daughter, so he was also a new husband and father. He was working at Olive Garden, Arbys and taking classes, too - and he says it was a grind. After advice from the NCAA, CJ got into Division II football. He says he knew nothing about Division II football, didn't have a team, didn't even know any programs to consider. Grand Valley State in Michigan was the first to respond. He travelled there in the middle of spring, snow flurries falling, and after a workout and meeting - they offered him a scholarship. He was happy for the second chance and the opportunity to play football again.

From a two-year college suspension to a competitor and contributor in the NFL, Charles Johnson shares his purpose with Dr. DF Arnold in #ThePurposeLab. Listen now at https://www.aimhighu.com/102 Click to tweet

On taking opportunities to learn.

He had to sit out his first year at Grand Valley STate due to eligibility restrictions. He said it was incredibly tough, but there was nothing he could do - but learn from the time on the sidelines. He said it made him go in with the knowledge and perspective to compete at an elite leves. Coming in, he knew he was ready to compete - but he got the time to know the plays inside and out. CJ says it gave him the freedom to play wide open and play with confidence.

On where his confidence comes from.

He says he doesn't like to lose, doesn't like to get beaten. It's inside of him, how he feels about himself. If you don't believe in yourself, nobody will believe in you. He's had to build this up, put in the work and put in the time to get where he's at. He says he believes in himself because he's grinded for it.

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On timestamping his early morning workout photos.

Waking up at 5AM, nobody wants to do it. That's easier. CJ says he gets up and does it because there are a lot of people who aren't, and he wants to be different and put in that work. He knows that guy next to him isn't willing to put in those miles at five in the morning.

On catching the NFL’s attention while at Grand Valley State.

CJ says he knows being suspended and losing his scholarship had to happen for him to make it to a DII school like Grand Valley State. It helped grow him up and knock him off his high horse a bit.. He says if you’re not playing to make yourself a better person and for the love of the game, you won’t make it very long. He says being the best you can be and doing everything you can control has to be the motivation for your success.

On getting drafted.

CJ says it was literally one of the most exciting times in his life. He says remembering the phone call still gets him emotional today. He says he remembers his dad running outside and saying how proud he was to live to see that moment. CJ says that moment reminds him that all of the setbacks were worth it. He says he didn’t fail because he kept going.

Charles Johnson remembers that feeling hearing his name called during the NFL draft. What moment are you grinding for in your life right now - and what work are you doing to get there? Click to tweet

On missing his rookie year.

CJ talks about how, to that point, he’d never missed a game in college and how, three days into his rookie mini camp, his hamstring tightens up. He later finds out his ACL is torn and he’ll have to miss his entire rookie year. Cleveland knew they could release him, but they didn’t and CJ knows how important that was for him.

On moving to the AAF league.

Injuries were persistent and CJ said he started to lose his love for the game. He said, early on, it had that same feeling and energy as his college teams did. He said that energy and opportunity allowed him to just play and find himself again.

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On doing what you love.

He offers a reminder that we only have a short amount of time in this world, and there’s no amount of money that can replace enjoying what you do. CJ says loving what you do is far more important than the amount of money you can make doing it.

On what he’d say to his younger self.

CJ says he’d tell himself that he matters. He had a difficult past filled with lots of peaks and valleys. He says if he knew what he knows now, he’d maybe grind a little harder, do a little more and remember he matters.

On who inspires him.

CJ says he’s been so fortunate to have so many people who have poured into him throughout his life. He says people like his dad, who worked hard for so long. He watches business leaders, his kids and so many more who give him sources of inspiration. He talks about people being puzzle pieces that fit together.

On the meaning of purpose.

He says purpose means the reason behind who you are, what you’re doing and what you’re becoming. CJ goes on to say it’s the reason behind why we’re living what we live and the answer on the other side.