The Jon Gordon Podcast

In this extended interview, bestselling author Jon Gordon and Clemson University Football Coach Dabo Swinney talk about positive leadership, team building, overcoming adversity and much more.

In this episode Jon Gordon interviews Coach George Raveling. Quoteables below.

George, in his 80's at the time of this recording, is a living legend. He is Nike’s former Director of International Basketball and the first African American head basketball coach in the PAC-8 (now PAC-12).

Coach Raveling has held head coaching jobs at Washington State, The University of Iowa, and USC. Following a prolific basketball coaching career, he joined Nike at the request of Phil Knight, where he played an integral role in signing a reluctant Michael Jordan. He’s also been inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as well as the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

During this conversation George shares his perspective on winning in sports, business and the game of life... as well as a fascinating story of how he came to possess the original copy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Connect with George on Twitter @GeorgeRaveling or at CoachGeorgeRaveling.com

A few quoteables from this interview:

• Some people say "I don’t have time." No, all you have is time. It’s how you prioritize your time that matters.
• The problem is... we get into WHO is right and WHO is wrong vs WHAT is right and WHAT is wrong.
• Don’t be so focused on winning on the court that it blinds you from helping those you coach win off the court.
• The minute you think you’ve won, you’ve lost. - Phil Knight
• Every day I remind myself I am traveling on a path to BETTER.
• I ask myself every day: "What did I do today to make myself a better person today than I was yesterday?”
• I’ve always had this theory that, if you help enough people get what they want, you’ll always get what you want.
• Information = Knowledge Knowledge = Wisdom Wisdom = Opportunity

In this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Matthew Mitchell, a coach who redefined success in both life and sports. Matthew's journey from a small town in Mississippi to the head coach of the University of Kentucky women's basketball team is nothing short of inspiring. We delve into the principles that have shaped his leadership philosophy: honesty, hard work, and discipline.

Matthew shares insightful stories from his coaching career, including lessons learned from legendary figures like Pat Summitt and Bobby Bowden. We discuss the path he took from trying to emulate the greats to forging his own unorthodox style that revolutionized Kentucky's basketball program.

A key highlight of our conversation is Matthew's new book, "Ready to Win," which is set to release on November 19. The book offers a treasure trove of practical resources and compelling stories about how preparation is fundamental to success. Our talk also touches on his departure from coaching to focus on a faith-driven life mission, enriching family time, and broader impact through writing and speaking.

Tune in to discover Matthew Mitchell's winning tools and how the principles he's honed on the basketball court are universally applicable to business and personal growth. You'll come away motivated and armed with strategies you can implement to thrive in your own journey.

About Matthew,

Matthew Mitchell is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, speaker, three-time SEC Coach of the Year and the winningest head coach in the history of the University of Kentucky women's basketball program. The foundation for his teams’ achievements is the Winning Tools principles - honesty, hard work, and discipline. Through Mitchell's focus on the fundamentals, he led the program to new heights―seven 25-plus winning seasons and UK’s first SEC Championship in 30 years. Mitchell now leads the Winning Tools leadership platform, sharing the proven value of these principles with executive teams across the country.

Here are a few additional resources for you...

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