At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

At 5'7", Kalif Raymond is one of the smallest players in the NFL.

His journey to making it to the league is incredible.

It included sending 840+ emails to earn a spot on a college roster at Holy Cross.

Kalif entered the league as an undrafted free agent 6 years ago and now is on a 2-year contract with the Detroit Lions.

Unbelievable story. Kalif shares his entire journey with me and the lessons he learned along the way on our recent podcast interview.

The video is live on my channel now: https://youtu.be/ISRflL4h1ZE

3 years ago | [YT] | 53

At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

I'm impressed by people like LaMarr Woodley.

This is not just about sports.

I'm impressed beyond the fact that he was an All-American at the @University of Michigan or because he was a Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL.

I'm impressed because from a very young age, he recognized that his unique opportunity to play football at a high level would end someday.

He recognized that he needed to be thinking about his life after sports - even when he was in college and ascending into the NFL.

It reminds me that we can always be thinking about our next chapter in life.

What are we doing NOW to prepare for that chapter personally, professionally, and financially?

In this podcast conversation, we talk more about:
- LaMarr's football journey and what he learned from Coach Llyod Carr at U of M.
- How he started thinking about his life after sports from a young age.
- Lessons he learned from his NFL experience and unheard NFL stories.
- The story of starting his media business, Area 56 Entertainment.
- How betting on yourself and controlling your mindset is the #1 thing U can do to create success.

These conversations are all about converting the stories of high-performance people into actionable lessons that U can apply toward achieving your dreams in life.

This is an episode U will not want to miss.

LaMarr, thank U for sharing your story with me At The Podium. Keep dominating brother. Always in YOUR corner.

Watch the full conversation on my channel.

Appreciate U all for following along and I hope the episode provides value. 👊

3 years ago | [YT] | 0

At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

My guy Chad Miles spitting the truth. U can't ignore the many sacrifices made on the journey to the podium.

And it takes many. 👊

3 years ago | [YT] | 0

At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

The reality is the average professional sports career is incredibly short.

It's a short amount of time to compete, earn an income, and build a legacy. For so many athletes, their years in retirement will be many times the length of their playing career.

It's why so many athletes I interview who transition successfully outside of sports talk about the importance of using their time as players to open doors - but it can't be the only thing they bring to the table.

Athletes who are successful in their next chapters of life acquire the skills and network while they are playing to set themselves up for success after sports.

3 years ago | [YT] | 4

At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

Love Taybor's definition of what it looks like to be a great teammate. Tons of respect for him.

If U haven't heard the full interview, he shares his entire experience from going undrafted to entering year 5 in the NFL.

Check it out here: youtube.com/watch?v=kaxcO...

3 years ago | [YT] | 2

At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

I always enjoy hearing about this side of pro athletes.

There's the version of them we see on the field, but so much of their legacy is also built by how they show up off the field.

If U haven't listened to my full conversation with ‪@49ers‬ Taybor Pepper, check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaxcO...

3 years ago | [YT] | 8

At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

Keep attacking your vision. Put in the work. 👊

3 years ago | [YT] | 5

At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

Hilarious story. Two guys battling for scholarships who BOTH made it to the NFL.

Check out my full conversation with 49er Taybor Pepper here: https://youtu.be/kaxcOT2q-sw

3 years ago | [YT] | 0

At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

A lesson I learned from my father, Papi Beto, has always stood out to me:

Think abundantly. The moment we stop thinking big, we will do little.

Growing up, we didn't have much in excess. It never stopped us from thinking that anything was possible.

Our ability to think abundantly isn't a reflection of what we have, our upbringing, title, or status.

It's a personal choice we can make every day.

There IS enough.

There is enough to go around for EVERYONE to win.

People who think abundantly and act abundantly are the changemakers in the world.

It starts with a choice.

3 years ago | [YT] | 1

At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

Everyone wants mentors but ignores advocates.

Having one will help. Having both will change your life.

Here's why:

Mentor - Someone who can demonstrate the qualities, characteristics, and actions that lead to success.

Advocate - Someone who will speak positively and promote U in rooms you are not in.

Mentors will help you develop as a professional while advocates will create opportunities for U.

Have one and you'll start to get ahead.

Have both and you can completely alter the trajectory of your life.

3 years ago | [YT] | 0