Just shut up and do what you need to do. with Nick Henderson

Babatunde William Akingbemi.  The anchor (nose guard) of the 3-4, NOW an IT Strategy Consultant and Entrepreneur based in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Bemi shares his multifaceted journey from the football fields of the Naval Academy to the boardrooms of Atlas Trident Consulting. We get into Babatunde's early life, the impact of his immigrant parents on his values, his athletic and academic experiences at the Naval Academy and Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), and his service in the Navy. We also discuss Babatunde’s transition to civilian life, the challenges he faced, and how he overcame them, including his son’s health issues. Babatunde emphasizes the importance of understanding one's purpose, maintaining focus during adversity, and the transition from being a football player to a leader in service and business.

Key Takeaways:

• Background and Influence: Babatunde's parents, immigrants on academic scholarships, instilled the importance of education and success in him.
• Athletic Journey: Transitioned from soccer and basketball to football, leading to his decision to join the Naval Academy, influenced by his parents and a sense of calling.
• Naval Academy Experience: Faced challenges and growth at NAPS, creating lasting bonds and learning important life lessons.
• Service and Leadership: Emphasized the shift from sports to service, underlining the legacy and pride of being a Naval Academy athlete and the emotional depth associated with it.
• Professional Transition: Discussed the transition to a civilian career, highlighting the relevance of Naval Academy skills in the IT and consulting sectors.
• Personal Struggles and Growth: Opened up about personal challenges, including family health issues, and the importance of flexibility and adaptability in career and life.
• Life Philosophy: Stressed understanding one’s purpose and maintaining mental toughness and focus amidst life's challenges.

Jeremy Jobson shares his professional journey, starting from his early career in a trucking company and transitioning to the financial sector. He highlights the importance of mentorship, learning, and navigating career transitions. Jeremy also discusses his experience in a startup company and the lessons he learned about flexible work schedules and leaning into his strengths. He then shares his time at Elevate, emphasizing the value of transparency and embracing one's authentic self in the corporate world. In this conversation, Jeremy Jobson shares insights and experiences from his career journey. He discusses the importance of exploiting the talents of team members and the need for collaboration and listening to others. Jeremy emphasizes the value of taking multiple perspectives and turning the map around to gain new insights. He also talks about dealing with commitment issues and the importance of directness and kindness in leadership. Jeremy shares lessons he learned from his mentors and the challenges of transitioning between jobs. He highlights the significance of embracing failure and learning from it, as well as the price of admission in leadership: acceptance and ownership.

Takeaways

• Exploit the strengths of your team members to maximize their talents.
• Collaboration and listening to others are essential for success.
• Taking multiple perspectives can lead to new insights and innovative solutions.
• Directness and kindness are crucial in leadership.
• Embrace failure and learn from it to grow and improve.
• Acceptance and ownership are the price of admission in leadership.

Lane Jackson → NFB Class of ’05.  Senior season of ’04… Navy… Inside… Backer…. Seal Team 8 Leader.  Now in Manufacturing industry.  A little bit of “You can’t cheat the grind”, “It being hard makes it valuable”, and “There’s not Price in WOULDN’T PAY!”  

Takeaways

• Lane Jackson was a key leader in the Navy football team's turnaround (as well as a High School team turnaround).
• Lane's leadership and preparation had a significant impact on his teammates.
• Lane's favorite game was against Air Force.
• Lane's childhood and decision to attend Navy and NAPS shaped his journey.
• The 2004 Emerald Bowl was a symbolic milestone bowl game for Navy football.
• Lane's transition to the Seals was challenging but rewarding.
• The mental challenge of BUD/S (Navy Seal right of passage basic training) was intense and required overcoming self-imposed limitations.
• Understanding the brain and how it works can help in developing mental toughness and resilience. Transitioning from the military to civilian life requires adapting leadership styles and embracing a more collaborative working environment.
• The value of relationships and being part of something bigger than yourself is immeasurable.
• Befriending your inner critic and using it as a guide can lead to personal growth and success.

Jerry Vance!  THE Legendary Texas High School Football Coach of Liberty Hill.

Highlights
- The importance of the off-season
- Culture shift at Liberty Hill
- Coach Vance's coaching philosophy
- Turning the game around
- Simplicity in coaching
- Loyalty of assistant coaches
- Hiring good teachers, and building a coaching staff

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Background
04:32 - Memories of Coach Jerry Vance
26:26 - Coaching Journey and Philosophy
42:26 - Turning Point at Gregory Portland
45:35 - Playing in the Astrodome
47:14 - Simplicity in Coaching
49:44 - Making Changes for Success
50:15 - The Importance of Keys
52:43 - Building a Coaching Staff
56:04 - The Loyalty of Assistant Coaches
58:13 - Continuity in the Program
59:29 - Appreciating the Support Staff
01:00:43 - Favorite Memory of Jeff Walker
01:01:58 - Remaining Self-Aware
01:24:51 - Price of Admission

Ross and Erinee' Pospisil work with the Free Burma Rangers and share their experiences and insights into the conflict in Burma, Thailand. 

They discuss their background, living in Thailand, and their involvement in relief work and missions in Burma. 

• THEMES:  1) Unity.  2)  Power of Forgiveness.  3) Healing and Growth

The Pospisils discuss their experiences and journey of living and working in war-torn countries…. and the importance of making a difference and being a light in the world.

Visit the Pospisil’s website here to support their work:  Home - The Pospisils

Free Burma Rangers Website:  Free Burma Rangers

The Free Burma Ranger’s Documentary can be found on Amazon Prime Video Streaming Service

Takeaways

• Living and working in Thailand with the Free Burma Rangers
• TODAY, there have been +70 years of ongoing conflict and oppression in Burma
• The unity among different ethnic groups in the face of adversity
• Forgiveness has the power to transform hearts and break down walls of hatred.
• Sharing the stories of the oppressed and raising awareness is crucial in helping those in need.
• Asking thoughtful questions can help us gain new insights and perspectives.
• Processing our experiences can lead to personal healing and growth.
• Each person has the power to make a difference and be a light in the world.

⠀Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

03:12

Living and Working in Thailand

12:20

Erinee’s Background and Journey to Thailand

28:54

Missions and Relief Work in Burma

40:18

Impactful Events and Stories

40:29

Impact of Witnessing the Lives of the Burmese People

43:05

The Power of Forgiveness

45:24

Breaking Down Walls of Hatred

46:27

The Impact of Love and Kindness

52:13

Choosing to Love in the Midst of Chaos

56:43

Living for Something Bigger Than Yourself

59:09

The Challenge of Getting the Word Out

01:01:16

How Others Can Help

01:24:19

The Power of Thoughtful Questions

01:26:21

Being a Light

01:28:02

Tyler Goble!  Navy Football Inside Linebacker Sr of ’15.  A piece of an 11-2 season.   ’16 Grad…USMC Infantry Leader…Known for his dedication, discipline, and strong moral principles rooted in his Christian faith. 

Starting in the single-family home sector and evolving into commercial real estate and consulting, Tyler leverages his data science expertise to ensure the business thrives independently of his military commitments. Co-founding LTG Investments (with his wife … the brains of the operation of course) in Washington, D.C., Tyler also engages in community service, notably with "Unbound Now," an anti-human trafficking nonprofit. 

His journey, marked by determination and a team-first attitude, reflects his commitment to overcoming challenges and contributing positively to every team and community he's part of. Tyler's character, shaped by his experiences ... A-lot-a-bit of “Bringing people together” and “Supporting for others” in this one.

Billy is a former defensive lineman ('10) and Naval Academy graduate ('11) from Ridgeway, South Carolina. From digging post holes to becoming a Marine Corps Infantry Officer and a financial executive, Billy's journey is a testament to his formidable spirit, matched by a fierce loyalty to friends and family off the field. Now living in Wilmington, NC, Billy juggles his professional life with passions such as hunting and coaching his son’s flag football team. 

All seasoned CPG manufacturing industry professionals: Bruno Garcia, Federico (Freddy) Perez, Sean Fernando, Shawn Davies, and Gilberto Chaviedo Gonzales. Discussion themes - "keep peddling," new beginnings, and the essence of adding value. 

• Bruno highlights the significant evolution and challenges of the manufacturing sector in recent years, underlining the industry's critical role in global supply chains.
• Gilberto emphasizes the importance of teamwork, data-driven decisions, experiential learning, practical problem-solving in daily life, and values perseverance in both professional and personal contexts.
• Freddy, credited with coining the phrase, reflected on the essence of "keep peddling" as finding joy in overcoming challenges, especially during tough times at the plant.
• Sean Fernando highlighted striving for excellence and personal growth, accentuating the balance between personal and professional development.
• Shawn Davies reminisced about a time when the phrase was particularly relevant during an operational challenge, emphasizing the importance of feedback as a tool for growth with a combination belief in doing the right things to eventually achieve success.

All acknowledge sacrifice - like time away from family, associated with relentless dedication in their profession.  On leadership, emphasizing humility as a key component.  

Jon Alvarado discusses his challenges and the essence of commitment. Alvy emphasizes acting out of necessity, shares personal struggles with self-worth, and highlights the bonds formed at the Naval Academy. Big memory - Marianna Winchester’s big hug, the mother of a fallen brother, underscores the weight of sacrifice. The episode concludes with a call to action, emphasizing our collective responsibility and the power of shared experiences.  A little bit of “Gratitude for the journey”, “Listen to the language”, and the importance of being “Two steps ahead” when able.

Catch his band perform called “Only Whenever” whenever you can. 

One of my industry brothers from another mother.  Ivan, affectionately known as "Cabeza" by friends, is a multifaceted individual with roots in both Santo Domingo and New York City. As an accomplished Industrial Engineer with a concentration in Mechanics, he currently leads as a Senior Site Leader in Rochester, NY. Beyond his professional achievements, Ivan is passionate about traveling, sports, reading, and music, and he's deeply committed to giving back, with aspirations to fund education for deserving students. His journey, marked by diverse experiences and a drive to fight for what's right, showcases his resilience and dedication to positive change.