Episodes
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Barry Davis has been a head baseball coach and a leader in collegiate athletics for over three decades, compiling over 900 wins. A leader in the sports industry, Davis has established himself as an expert on leadership and leadership development. His in-depth research on leadership, coaching excellence and culture change has assembled a foundation for elite coach selection and program development in a pressure driven collegiate climate.
A four-time National Coach of the Year at Gloucester County College (NJ), and three-time Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year while at Rider University, Davis is entrenched as a consistent winner among the nation’s best coaches.
Davis also is a member of four Hall of Fames: the Gloucester County College Sports Hall of Fame in 2010, the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, the Bridgewater College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014 and lastly, the National Junior College Athletic Association Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2016.
In this episode, Damon talks with Barry about developing individual and team discipline, vulnerability and growing from mistakes, the challenges in developing a team and facing adversity.
Be sure to find and follow Coach Barry Davis on Twitter and on his website. The AimHighU family sends our best wishes as the Rider University Broncs start their spring baseball season with Coach Davis at the helm. Go get 'em, skip!
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Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Clearing clutter to pursue your purpose with Kerri Richardson
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Kerri Richardson is a lifestyle designer, trained coach, and The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of What Your Clutter Is Trying to Tell You and her latest book, From Clutter to Clarity. She has helped thousands of people around the world learn to use their blocks as stepping stones to living their best lives. Through her signature clutter readings, she can help you discover the real reason you struggle to let go of physical and emotional clutter.
In this episode, Damon and Kerri talk about the physical and emotional clutter stopping us from living out our purpose, working through feedback, imposter syndrome and comparing ourselves against the successes of others, and the idea of taking “silly steps” to build confidence when tackling challenges in your path to purpose.
Be sure to follow all of Kerri’s wisdom via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. You can also explore more of her books and other resources on her website..
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Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
Matt Volkmann on finding purpose on the battlefield
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
From young athlete, to gritty soldier, to broken man, to budding entrepreneur and podcaster, Matt Volkmann has lived, seen and learned a lot along the way.
Matt Volkmann is a father, husband, US Army Veteran, former athlete and amateur powerlifter who lives and thrives on personal growth, mental fitness and resilience. He started a clothing brand from the ground up in 2017 and has slowly been focusing on incremental growth. Having been both on top of his game in his earlier years to being deemed medically unable to serve, Matt has been on both ends of what many would consider the personal success spectrum.
In this session of ThePurposeLab Podcast, Dr. DF Arnold talks with Matt Volkmann about family, resilience, pivoting and finding favor in the presence of failure.
You can find Matt Volkmann on Instagram and Twitter. You can also check out his clothing company, Arsenal Apparel Company, on Instagram and Facebook. He’s also launching an exciting new podcast and community with The Existential Man Podcast, so make sure to give him a follow and show some support.
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Thursday Oct 01, 2020
Obstacles to Opportunities with Justin Romack
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
It's time we start acknowledging our obstacles as opportunities.
Today's guest is hardly a guest at all. Justin Romack, my producer, my family, is here with me to talk about obstacles, adversity, perspective and perseverance - as someone who's failed forward and as a disabled person.
Justin sits behind the glass, rides the faders and mixes each episode with precision - and he does it without seeing anything at all. His attitude, confidence and reflection are evident as we talk through ways to acknowledge, embrace and grow from the obstacles and opportunities that come along our journey.
Become an exclusive member of ThePurposeLab Insider network and hear, see and access behind-the-scenes info from our guests - that you won't hear on our Apple Podcasts or Spotify mixes. Join today - it's absolutely free.
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
TimSelgo on leadership and building championship teams
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
Leadership isn't about an important-sounding title, laundry list of responsibilities or a bevy of direct reports, though there's no doubt the best leaders often rise the ranks to share their time and talents in elevated organizational roles.
Today's guest is Tim Selgo, a gifted leader, motivator, champion and architect behind the powerhouse of Grand Valley State University's athletic successes throughout the past two decades. Your teams don't show up to play their best if they're not led well from top to bottom!
Under Tim’s leadership, Laker teams have won 161 conference championships, 74 NCAA regional championships and 18 national championships.
Tim was named Division II AD of the Year three times by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), and this past year he became the first Division II athletic director selected to serve as president of that organization in its over 50-year existence.
Though retired as an AD, Tim is now a consultant with Athletics Staffing and Consultants, where he advises athletic departments on leadership training and staffing. He will be inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame this fall.
Makes his life's mission and journey about people.
This man has made his life's mission all about people, whether it's giving of his time, sharing his wisdom or empowering others to step into their purpose. He's a true professional in all he does, and I'm glad to call him friend as I welcome Mr. Tim Selgo to ThePurposeLab!
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Purpose Has No Pause Button
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
There's no doubt, COVID-19 has radically impacted how we work, live and interact with one another. We don't go back to business as usual after living through something like this, friends.
Dr. DF Arnold and Justin Romack take to their mics in a conversation on pursuing your purpose - even when the world feels like it’s on pause. Your hosts will tackle tough questions on living in your purpose through COVID, the importance of relationships and the ways they've grown as leaders and teammates during this season.
Make sure to share this episode with your network and don't forget to subscribe to ThePurposeLab Podcast to catch episodes as soon as they hit the web!
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Denise Minefee - On being a single mom raising a young man
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
No matter how you ended up there, being a single parent is a challenging responsibility.
Denise Minefee, more affectionately known as "Ma", sits down with me to discuss the trials and triumphs of raising a young man as a single parent.
We talk about the challenges we went through together and what parents can do to make sure they're raising resilient, compassionate leaders who can go into the world and make an impact.
Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode of ThePurposeLab Podcast!
Wednesday Aug 12, 2020
ThePurposeLab AMA for August 12, 2020
Wednesday Aug 12, 2020
Wednesday Aug 12, 2020
Life doesn't come with an instruction manual. More often than not, we're making our way on the journey by taking shots, making mistakes and learning as we go. It's the reason I launched ThePurposeLab Podcast - and it's why I'm excited to host these Ask Me Anything sessions every other week. I want to answer those pressing questions weighing on your heart and in your head, so that you can get back out there and do that thing you're wired to be doing. Join me and my producer, Justin, as we tackle questions on merging purpose, passion and profit, as well as ways you know you're operating in your purpose and what we've learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Make sure we answer your questions next time by sending them our way. And don't miss a single episode of ThePurposeLab Podcast when you subscribe via Apple, Spotify or your favorite podcasting app!
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Cam Bradfield with the Jacksonville Jaguars
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Life has a way of pouring wisdom into us through experiences along our journey. Today's guest is Cam Bradfield, who frames mistakes as part of learning experiences to get you toward success.
Cam, otherwise known as "Big Cam" to his Grand Valley State University family, is a product of what commitment, discipline, repetition and pursuit can look like for young athletes. Cam's journey wasn't easy, but the work, the persistence and the sacrifices landed him a career in the NFL, and now an opportunity to pour into other athletes through his work with a sports agency.
Find inspiration in Cam's story that when you sew the seed with focus and diligence, you'll reap the rewards of that work in whatever path you're pursuing.
Wednesday Jul 22, 2020
Charles Johnson with the Minnesota Vikings
Wednesday Jul 22, 2020
Wednesday Jul 22, 2020
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.
Click to tweet
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.
Click to tweet
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.