At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua Manuel Amezcua

Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with former NFL players Israel Idonije and Jake Butt.

Both Israel and Jake have played the game of football at the highest level, and are now taking the skills and lessons they learned in the NFL to their lives outside of the game.

Israel Idonije’s journey started in Canada at the University of Manitoba, but his hard work took him to a 10 plus year career in the NFL. During his time with the Chicago Bears, he discovered the importance of preparing for life after football, and has since started several successful business ventures.

Jake Butt played football at Michigan under legendary coach Jim Harbaugh, and had several stops in the NFL. During his time at Michigan, coach Harbaugh imparted a life changing approach to striving for greatness, and Jake has never looked back.

In this episode of At the Podium, Israel and Jake share the lessons they’ve learned and touch on how former athletes, or anyone looking to excel in life or business, can achieve greatness!

These pieces of advice include the value of mentorship, aggregating small daily effort, and so much more.

0:00 - Introducing Israel Idonije and Jake Butt
1:09 - Creating a Vision for Your Life
3:59 - “Hard Work” Just Makes You Average
6:37 - How Jim Harbaugh Made Michigan’s Roster Elite
9:25 - What Michael Jordan and Izzy’s Dad Taught Him About Effort
12:18 - You’re Responsible For Everything in Life
13:14 - Why Tony Gonzalez and Other Players Are HOF Level
14:49 - Be the Standard
19:42 - Adding Value to Create Opportunity
21:34 - Planning For Life After the NFL
25:26 - Value of Mentorship
28:49 - Finding Balance Between “Yes” and “No”
33:42 - Gadgets They Can’t Live Without
39:00 - The Danger of Being Rigid
43:00 - Financial Instability


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Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with NCAA and Michigan State Legend, Greg Kelser.
Greg Kelser has lived a life unlike many. He moved over 10 times as a child due to the fact that his parents were in the military, and along the way he acquired a unique approach to life that is still serving him today.
He has overcome obstacles during his athletic journey, ranging from being placed on the JV squad for 4 games as a tenth grader, to fighting for a starting spot at Michigan State.
In this episode, Greg shares a look behind the curtain of Michigan State's 1979 National Championship over Larry Bird, and reflects on his time playing with Magic Johnson, Terry Furlow, and his other immortalized teammates.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Introducing Greg Kelser
3:20 - Growing Up in a Military Family
8:35 - How Greg’s Parents Raised a Winner
13:47 - How Greg’s Father and Bill Russel Made Him Love Basketball
18:53 - Going From JV to Varsity in 4 Games
25:26 - The Impact of Coaches
28:19 - How Greg Got Recruited to MSU
37:06 - Life at Michigan State
38:55 - Terry Furlow’s Impact on Greg
44:22 - The Type of Advocates You Want in Life
47:31 - Beating Larry Bird in the National Championship
51:04 - How Magic Johnson Made Greg a Better Player
54:05 - Getting Drafted to the Detroit Pistons
58:11 - Battling Injuries and Walking Away From the NBA
1:04:38 - Basketball Can Give You A Lot But It Owes You Nothing
1:06:23 - Becoming a Broadcaster
1:10:42 - Making Meaningful Connections
1:13:01 - The Current State of Society
1:19:16 - Sports Connect the Community
1:32:40 - Follow At the Podium and Greg Kelser

CONNECT WITH MANNY
Podcast: At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua
Website: https://thepodiumgroup.com/
Instagram: / podium_podcast
LinkedIn: / mannyamezcua

NEW TO THE PODCAST?
At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua features interviews with the most innovative minds in business, sports, and entertainment to uncover the habits, disciplines, and mindsets that lead to success.

#nfl #nba #collegesports #podcast #sports


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Today on At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we have the pleasure of sitting down with John Huggins, a safety from Jackson State University who will be waiting to hear his name get called in the 2024 NFL Draft.
John’s story begins in the Bronx, but he had many stops along the way. He played high school football in Florida before committing to Florida State. However, after Jimbo Fisher took the Texas A&M job, John made the switch to Gainesville to play for the Gators.
After some hiccups in his career, John Huggins ultimately ended up at Jackson State, and his new coach would be no other than Coach Prime, Deion Sanders.
Under Coach Prime, John learned the value of hard work, punctuality, and the importance of focusing on the finest of details.
John most recently dominated at the HBCU combine and earned high praise from NFL Draft gurus like Bucky Brooks.
Throughout all of his stops and all of his experiences, John Huggins has never lost sight of the fact that God is guiding his steps, and that only HE is the author of his story.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Introducing John Huggins
1:59 - How Madden Sparked John’s Love For Football
4:18 - Playing with Tank Dell
4:38 - Always Felt Comfortable at Safety
4:58 - Getting Recruited to FSU and Florida
6:33 - Choosing to Finish Career at Jackson State
8:39 - Lessons Learned from Coach Prime
11:26 - Advice for Aspiring Athletes
13:15 - John’s Impactful People
14:29 - Dominating at the HBCU Combine
17:22 - The Greats Do the Extra Work
19:02 - Setting Boundaries
20:26 - Who Does John Want to Be Drafted By?
21:11 - Favorite Players to Watch Play?
21:46 - WRs John is Excited to Match Up Against?
22:13 - What Does Life After Football Look Like?
23:41 - Follow John on His NFL Journey

NEW TO THE PODCAST?
At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua features interviews with the most innovative minds in business, sports, and entertainment to uncover the habits, disciplines, and mindsets that lead to success.




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Join us for an inspiring journey on At the Podium as we delve into the remarkable story of Jana Webb, the CEO and Founder of JOGA World. Born and raised in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Jana's passion for sports and yoga led her to revolutionize athlete performance with her innovative approach. Despite facing adversity, including two near-fatal accidents, Jana turned to yoga for rehabilitation. Her competitive spirit and determination fueled the creation of JOGA, a groundbreaking movement system that blends yoga with the biomechanics of sports. Through JOGA, Jana has empowered thousands of athletes to strengthen their minds and bodies for optimal performance.

Discover how JOGA has transformed the training programs of professional sports teams, including NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, and CFL, with its ability to enhance athletic performance, improve concentration, and reduce recovery time. With over 350 certified JOGA coaches across North America and a flagship JOGA House in Toronto, Jana's vision continues to inspire and empower athletes worldwide.

Key Highlights for the Episode:

1. Jana's journey from adversity to success: Learn how two near-fatal accidents propelled Jana to create JOGA and revolutionize athlete performance.
2. The power of JOGA: Explore how JOGA's unique blend of movements and breathing techniques has transformed the training programs of professional sports teams.
3. Empowering athletes worldwide: Discover how Jana's vision has empowered thousands of athletes to optimize their performance and achieve their goals.



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Join us on At The Podium for an invigorating episode featuring DJ Myint as she brings her electrifying beats to Detroit's top sports organizations, igniting the stadium with her contagious energy. Explore the vibrant world of Nicole Myint as she shares her journey from local venues to global stages, igniting joy and creating pathways for positive change. As the 2023 DETROITER of the year, Nicole has brought her DJ skills to top-tier organizations like the Detroit Lions, University of Michigan, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Grand Prix, and Nike.

Key Points for Listeners:
Unleashing the Beat: Explore DJ Myint's meteoric rise from Ann Arbor to international fame, as she brings her infectious energy to stadiums and festivals worldwide, proving that passion knows no bounds.
Authenticity Amplified: Discover the power of staying true to oneself as Nicole embraces her unique DNA, breaking barriers as a female DJ and entrepreneur while championing causes close to her heart, including animal welfare and community empowerment.
Purpose: Journey with us as we uncover the deeper rhythms of DJ Myint's life, from her transformative experiences at the Full Moon Party in Thailand to her commitment to changing lives through entrepreneurship, spreading happiness one beat at a time.




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This week on At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we are delighted to introduce one of the youngest and most promising performers ever featured on the show – Avery Gach. Hailing from Wylie E. Groves in Beverly Hills, MI, Avery has quickly made a name for himself as a standout blue-chip offensive tackle recruit.
Throughout our conversation, Avery generously shares valuable insights into his journey as a student-athlete. From the influences that shaped his development to his aspirations at the collegiate level, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the person behind the player.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Team Focus: Avery consistently emphasizes the importance of team dynamics and leadership. Drawing from experiences as a younger player, he reflects on the catalysts that molded his perspective. Now an upperclassman, Avery expresses his commitment to leadership and performance, highlighting the positive impact of focusing outwardly on the team.
2. Intentionality in Recruitment: Avery's approach to the recruitment process stands out for its thoughtfulness. He discusses the meticulous steps he's taken to evaluate each program, emphasizing his desire to choose a place where he would find happiness beyond athletics. His criteria for school selection encompass academics, coaching staff, and the continuity of personnel. Notably, Avery is driven by a desire to be part of building something substantial, explicitly stating his intention to avoid the transfer portal.
Join us this week as we delve into Avery Gach's inspiring journey, exploring the mindset and values that set him apart both on and off the field.


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