"Life Lessons to Share" with Tom

Tom Kontak
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“Everyone has a story...” & “If you really knew me...” I am your host, Tom. ...62 years old ...42 years as husband & dad ...34 years of teaching and coaching This is where I hope the podcast goes! I share my story. You really get to know me. You are inspired to reflect on your own story. We share our life lessons. And, the journey begins of "Life Lessons to Share…" LET’S GET STARTED!

  1. EPISODE 32 / BOB BERGMAN... BEYOND THE MAT, LEADING YOUNG MEN

    6D AGO

    EPISODE 32 / BOB BERGMAN... BEYOND THE MAT, LEADING YOUNG MEN

    My guest today is Coach Bob Bergman, architect of one of the very elite high school wrestling programs in the state of Ohio. Bob just completed his 16th season as head coach. His teams have won 4 state titles in Ohio, 11 league titles and 386 dual meets. He has led his individual wrestlers to 69 league championships. He's had 54 state qualifiers, 34 state placers, and 16 state champs.  Ingrained in all those championships is a story of a coach and a program that develops, not just great wrestlers, but great competitors and great young men. Sit down and hold on, because when Bob starts talking about his wrestlers, his coaches and his family, he's off to the races with his drive and passion. He's a student of the sport and also a student of people and the process that goes into leading young boys toward becoming young men.  My goal was to try to get Bobby to paint a picture of what truly is involved putting together and sustaining an elite top level program. He was really good doing this, but it wasn't easy for him. It is incredibly hard for him to use the words "I" and "me".  He's more at ease using the words "we" and "us". Here now is the 22nd guest to the podcast, Head Coach Bob Bergman  Send us Fan Mail To Share Your Thoughts... email Tom at: lifelessonswithtompodcast@gmail.com THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    43 min
  2. EPISODE 31 (Part 2) / JERRY SNODGRASS... A STORY OF TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY

    APR 13

    EPISODE 31 (Part 2) / JERRY SNODGRASS... A STORY OF TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY

    Welcome back! I am so glad you are here... This is part two of my conversation with Jerry Snodgrass. Jerry is the 21st guest to the podcast and brings so much experience and insight. He has spent nearly 50 years in the world of high school athletics as a Coach, Athletic Director and former Executive Director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. If you haven't listened to part one yet, don't worry. You can go back and listen whenever you have time.   Today, Jerry and I go deeper into Life Lessons of leadership, loyalty, trust, change, and the Do It for 19 Foundation, which Jerry is heavily involved in.  This is a Story of Triumph over Adversity. So settle in. This is part two of my conversation with Jerry Snodgrass ... Master Class segments at: (2:30) When implementing change… people will accept change, but “people don’t like to BE change” (3:45) Loyalty from assistants, whether in coaching or in business, especially during challenging times, is essential  (13:15) Leadership, Ethics, Academic Success  (16:00) Developing your team - and, not just sports team - building trust and love (22:40) The future of high school sports… some possible concerns (29:20) Have the athletes of today changed over time? (not really) (32:05) The best coaches and teachers… (33:22) Handling adversity and the “Do It For 19” Foundation  (37:17) What did we learn doing this episode together? Send us Fan Mail To Share Your Thoughts... email Tom at: lifelessonswithtompodcast@gmail.com THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    41 min
  3. EPISODE 31 (Part 1) / JERRY SNODGRASS... TURNING ADVERSITY INTO TRIUMPH

    APR 8

    EPISODE 31 (Part 1) / JERRY SNODGRASS... TURNING ADVERSITY INTO TRIUMPH

    Welcome... I'm so glad you're here! This Episode 31 (Part 1) is one that I think is going to hit close to home for you in so many ways.  My guest today is Jerry Snodgrass, former Executive Director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Jerry has spent nearly 50 years in the world of high school athletics. As a coach, an athletic director and as a mentor to countless young people along the way. He's a passionate and compassionate soul who has a gift for building relationships with people that last a lifetime. I really wanted Jerry to delve deep into his own story and let it be okay to talk about himself. He delivered in true Jerry form. He shares his story and gives us a chance to get to know him a little better, while also sharing many valuable life lessons.  Jerry still stays very busy, even in retirement, yet was kind enough to accept my invitation to be a guest on my podcast. But for those of you who know Jerry, you're not surprised at all he said yes, because you know Jerry always says yes. We talk about adversity and failure along with growth and triumph. We also explore some thoughts and various aspects of what good leadership looks like. But more than any title or role that Jerry's held, what defines this guy is his belief that the best lessons in life come from "Turning Adversity Into Triumph". I hope you enjoy Part One of my conversation with Jerry as much as I did. His passion and love for people literally is infectious.  In Part Two, Jerry talks more about his personal story and the life lessons he's learned along the way. That episode will be coming up very soon and you're going to love it... Thanks for listening! Send us Fan Mail To Share Your Thoughts... email Tom at: lifelessonswithtompodcast@gmail.com THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    38 min
  4. EPISODE 30 / STEVE BOEHLE... SCHOOL SPORTS, THE MOST IMPORTANT CLASSROOM

    MAR 20

    EPISODE 30 / STEVE BOEHLE... SCHOOL SPORTS, THE MOST IMPORTANT CLASSROOM

    This episode is one you don't want to miss. Today, I talk with Steve Boehle, the 20th guest to the podcast. He's a former multi-sport, high school athlete turned marketing executive.  It was a moment in a school cafeteria, sitting across from a young boy who told Steve, "school was the only place I get any food to eat". That changed everything for Steve. That experience motivated him to sell his marketing company. And, ultimately, led him to be the founder of Academy 48, a tuition free, nonprofit sports academy here in Arizona.   I wanted to learn the story of how this ultra-successful businessman came to have such a passion for teaching young people life lessons that only sports can provide. As you listen to Steve tell his story, you'll really start to understand why the title of this episode is, "School Sports, The Most Important Classroom". Thanks for being here. Thanks for just showing up. It means more to me than you know. ****************************** For more information about Academy 48, go to www.academy48.org Send us Fan Mail To Share Your Thoughts... email Tom at: lifelessonswithtompodcast@gmail.com THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    43 min
  5. EPISODE 29 / MIKE VICARS... YOU EARN PEOPLE'S RESPECT

    MAR 11

    EPISODE 29 / MIKE VICARS... YOU EARN PEOPLE'S RESPECT

    Today's episode is about "coming full circle" and "unfinished business". My unfinished business is reconnecting with Mike Vicars. It's been 15 years since we last talked. What's most important is not why it's been 15 years. What's most important is how we got here, today. We both reached out, we both showed up and we both hope you enjoy the life lessons inside our story. Remember, you are never alone and there is always hope! Master Class segments at: (8:35) Showing encouraging moments by the coach (9:33) Learning to coach with love and trust to earn their respect  (12:50) As the leader, it’s your job to build that family with unconditional love and trust (17:13) Learning the lesson of humility in both victory and defeat (20:20) The fundamental foundation stones you need to build a program (23:10) The strength in saying “I’m sorry” and circumstances that put us in awkward situations (38:35) The importance of always trying to inspire and lift them up by being genuine and passionate (41:55) What did we learn doing this episode together? Send us Fan Mail To Share Your Thoughts... email Tom at: lifelessonswithtompodcast@gmail.com THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    46 min
  6. EPISODE 28 / LIFE CHANGING DECISIONS TO MAKE (archive)

    MAR 4

    EPISODE 28 / LIFE CHANGING DECISIONS TO MAKE (archive)

    Hi, thanks for being here. Today, I look back on an episode I did one year ago, "Life Changing Decisions to Make". As you know, this is my audio diary. If you ever get a chance, it's a great idea to make an audio diary or just simply journal. To be able to sit down and reflect on life as it's unfolded and that journey is really a cool experience. Something I've enjoyed in every single episode. Remember, you're never alone and there's always hope.  Thanks for being here... now onto the episode.  Send us Fan Mail To Share Your Thoughts... email Tom at: lifelessonswithtompodcast@gmail.com THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    22 min
  7. EPISODE 27 / TYSON SMITH... GIRL DAD, FITNESS GURU

    FEB 11

    EPISODE 27 / TYSON SMITH... GIRL DAD, FITNESS GURU

    This month marks one year since I started doing my podcast. This is the 27th episode. I've shared with 17 guests in the first 26 episodes. Today, I share life lessons with my 18th guest, good friend and personal trainer, Tyson Smith. Tyson's story is one we all can relate to so very well. From growing up with divorced parents, the relationships with his brothers, becoming a husband and girl dad to his journey becoming a personal trainer. For those of us who know Tyson, or thinking we know Tyson, you're going to learn much more about this interesting guy. If you don't know Tyson, sit back and enjoy this super relatable story with this girl dad fitness guru Tyson Smith.  Send us Fan Mail To Share Your Thoughts... email Tom at: lifelessonswithtompodcast@gmail.com THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    50 min
  8. EPISODE 26 (Part 1) / LIFE WITH LYNNE... A TRUE LOVE STORY

    JAN 21

    EPISODE 26 (Part 1) / LIFE WITH LYNNE... A TRUE LOVE STORY

    In Episode 26 (encore), I get to share with you stories with the one person who has been the biggest part of my story, my wife, Lynne.  Lynne, and I look back on our life together over the past 45 years.  We laughed, we cried, and most of all, we talked about all our life lessons straight from the heart. There wasn't ever any schedule of what we were going to talk about. We just started at the very beginning and we went from there.  We hope, in sharing these life lessons, you can relate to our story in some way.  We want you to know you are never alone and there is always hope! This is Part 1 of 2 for Episode 26 - Life With Lynne... A True Love Story Send us Fan Mail To Share Your Thoughts... email Tom at: lifelessonswithtompodcast@gmail.com THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    50 min
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About

“Everyone has a story...” & “If you really knew me...” I am your host, Tom. ...62 years old ...42 years as husband & dad ...34 years of teaching and coaching This is where I hope the podcast goes! I share my story. You really get to know me. You are inspired to reflect on your own story. We share our life lessons. And, the journey begins of "Life Lessons to Share…" LET’S GET STARTED!

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