It’s Oct 11, 2001. I’m a senior in college and an All-American athlete. It’s the night before a football game. My Dad’s my biggest fan, my greatest ally and together we’re dreaming of me playing pro football. Life feels great.

And then, I get an unexpected call from my sister:

Growing up in the small town of Delaware, Ohio, I overcame feeling dumb, feeling lonely, and being bullied for being in special needs classes by dedicating myself to becoming the best athlete I could be.

By my side the whole way was my dad supporting me, coaching me, and cheering me on… he was my best friend and my greatest coach.

Three months after the accident, we get the news that Dad has finally woken up from his coma.

My deep relief is quickly replaced by a heart-wrenching realization that everything’s different. He doesn’t care about my football anymore and he barely cares about me. The car accident all but killed my dad and left a shell of a man that just wants to watch TV. No matter how hard we try, there is no bringing back my Dad.

And then finally I thought of something I could do…

Since Dad could no longer help me, I start seeking new mentors;

I begin reaching out to highly accomplished people via LinkedIn, and asking them to tell me the story of their success.

These “interviews” give me new direction, new inspiration and new hope. And they make me realize I’m afraid of so many things. So the first thing I do is make a list of everything I’m afraid of and commit myself to overcoming my fears.

If it scared me, I go all in on it: Salsa dancing, public speaking, writing a book, Olympic handball and even launching my own business. Not only do I overcome my fears and get back in the game of life, but I find my passion again!

At 29, I launched my show, The School of Greatness, because of two realizations.

First, doing those interviews that got me off my sister’s couch made me feel as energized as sports used to. Second, I wanted to share the inspiration they gave me with others. Going all in on a podcast was a risk, but what started as one interview recorded on my iPhone and one listener, is now close to 1,000 episodes and over 100 million downloads.

Doing the podcast is how I discovered what I was born for; when something I do helps someone else overcome their challenges and find their greatness, that’s my new touchdown! That’s what drives me.

My dad did that for me. Now I’m using my life to do that for others.