Seizing the Moment with CEO of “I AM” Possible Enterprises Kenneth "Jo-Jo" Smith
08/22/22 • 39 min
2 Listeners
When you want good things to happen, you must endeavor for them at any cost.
Many people are afraid to attempt a goal when it presents them with choices where they have to let go of what is currently in hand. The cliche, a bird in hand is worth more than two in a bushel, is easier to accept than taking a blind leap into the unknown. It may seem like there is nothing more significant than this. For instance, it is the dread of not knowing what lies ahead, what's on the finish line, and the terror of starting something different that causes hesitation.
We must understand that sometimes life could require us to take a step forward into some risky places to achieve our ultimate purpose. In some instances that problematic situation appears in front of us to help us to have faith in someone more significant than ourselves and more potent than we can be.
Mr. Kenneth Smith is an author, educator, and entrepreneur. He is a husband, a father, and the CEO of I am possible enterprises. He is known as "Coach Jo-Jo" in the Akron, Ohio, community. He has been a youth life coach promoting healthy mental and physical health for the past 18 years. Using education and athletic experiences, he is inspired to spread the message of infinite possibilities.
In this special episode with Kenneth Smith, we'll learn about the life journey of a man who was able to take a step forward for his life's ultimate goal. He is eager to chase his dreams, follow God's leading, and is now sharing his story worldwide.
"You have to have to go for it. Going for it doesn't necessarily mean quitting a job. It means that you have to sacrifice as you did when you were a former athlete; you had to sacrifice for the team or whatever you did to achieve the ultimate goal. You have to figure out what that is, and then start putting yourself in a position to take advantage of those opportunities." - Mr. Kenneth Smith
Topics Covered:
(00:00:00) Introduction + Episode Snippet
(00:00:10) Introducing our special guest, Mr. Kenneth Smith
(00:00:31) Advertisement: Zero Gravity Skin: a leader in the aesthetic device market.
Visit www.zerogravityskin.com and use my code: DRDERRICK30 to receive 30% off your purchase.
(00:01:27) Greetings to a friend, Classy James of Athlete Unite Conference
(00:03:27) Growing up in Akron: Who is Kenneth Smith?
(00:06:22) Lebron James, the Akron Hammer: When did people first realize that Lebron was unique compared to other kids his age?
(00:07:25) The most remarkable days in Mr. Smith's life: A life of blessings and adversities
(00:10:12) The high ankle sprain: What was your injury in basketball?
(00:12:02) How the college world works: Your failure can be another man's opportunity
(00:14:44) Mr. Smith's professional basketball career: The opportunity that shaped his experiences and existence.
(00:19:40) Advertisement: Sabre Bats, the training bat that will take you to your next swing. Go to https://www.sabrebats.net to know more.
(00:20:24) How was being an educator play a role in Mr. Smith's current career?
(00:23:13) Behaviors are communicators: How were you able to connect with kids labeled "difficult to deal with" in a unique way?
(00:24:58) Being more than just a teacher: To give a different level of patience and understanding.
(00:26:38) Firm, Fair, and Consistent: The lines that transcend across many different fields
(00:26:58) The "I-am-Possible" enterprise: The beginning of Mr. Smith's entrepreneurial journey
(00:32:38) The pandemic: A hindrance and a life teacher
(00:33:56) Final TimeOut with Mr. Kenneth Smith: What would you advise a young athlete or entrepreneur struggling to get started?
(00:35:52) Faith in God: You have to have faith in something more significant than you
(00:36:57) The strength of I AM statements: The powerful words that must daily speak of
(00:38:04) Connect with Mr. Kenneth Smith.
Key Takeaways:
"So, adversity is not a bad thing when you learn from it."- Mr. Kenneth Smith
"Athlete, listen, it's not just about your skills. It might get you to the top, but they're not going to keep you on top."- Dr. Derrick Burgess
"You can't just skip the process. It's the day-by-day grind. It's where you learn and where you separate yourself from other people." - Mr. Kenneth Smith
"They (the labeled "difficult kids") were living some difficult lives and things that adults put in front of them that they had no control over. So, I had different patience and understanding in trying to help them get into a different space. It's to have an understanding of where they are and try to help them advance." - Mr. Kenneth Smith
" Kids aren't going to open u...
When you want good things to happen, you must endeavor for them at any cost.
Many people are afraid to attempt a goal when it presents them with choices where they have to let go of what is currently in hand. The cliche, a bird in hand is worth more than two in a bushel, is easier to accept than taking a blind leap into the unknown. It may seem like there is nothing more significant than this. For instance, it is the dread of not knowing what lies ahead, what's on the finish line, and the terror of starting something different that causes hesitation.
We must understand that sometimes life could require us to take a step forward into some risky places to achieve our ultimate purpose. In some instances that problematic situation appears in front of us to help us to have faith in someone more significant than ourselves and more potent than we can be.
Mr. Kenneth Smith is an author, educator, and entrepreneur. He is a husband, a father, and the CEO of I am possible enterprises. He is known as "Coach Jo-Jo" in the Akron, Ohio, community. He has been a youth life coach promoting healthy mental and physical health for the past 18 years. Using education and athletic experiences, he is inspired to spread the message of infinite possibilities.
In this special episode with Kenneth Smith, we'll learn about the life journey of a man who was able to take a step forward for his life's ultimate goal. He is eager to chase his dreams, follow God's leading, and is now sharing his story worldwide.
"You have to have to go for it. Going for it doesn't necessarily mean quitting a job. It means that you have to sacrifice as you did when you were a former athlete; you had to sacrifice for the team or whatever you did to achieve the ultimate goal. You have to figure out what that is, and then start putting yourself in a position to take advantage of those opportunities." - Mr. Kenneth Smith
Topics Covered:
(00:00:00) Introduction + Episode Snippet
(00:00:10) Introducing our special guest, Mr. Kenneth Smith
(00:00:31) Advertisement: Zero Gravity Skin: a leader in the aesthetic device market.
Visit www.zerogravityskin.com and use my code: DRDERRICK30 to receive 30% off your purchase.
(00:01:27) Greetings to a friend, Classy James of Athlete Unite Conference
(00:03:27) Growing up in Akron: Who is Kenneth Smith?
(00:06:22) Lebron James, the Akron Hammer: When did people first realize that Lebron was unique compared to other kids his age?
(00:07:25) The most remarkable days in Mr. Smith's life: A life of blessings and adversities
(00:10:12) The high ankle sprain: What was your injury in basketball?
(00:12:02) How the college world works: Your failure can be another man's opportunity
(00:14:44) Mr. Smith's professional basketball career: The opportunity that shaped his experiences and existence.
(00:19:40) Advertisement: Sabre Bats, the training bat that will take you to your next swing. Go to https://www.sabrebats.net to know more.
(00:20:24) How was being an educator play a role in Mr. Smith's current career?
(00:23:13) Behaviors are communicators: How were you able to connect with kids labeled "difficult to deal with" in a unique way?
(00:24:58) Being more than just a teacher: To give a different level of patience and understanding.
(00:26:38) Firm, Fair, and Consistent: The lines that transcend across many different fields
(00:26:58) The "I-am-Possible" enterprise: The beginning of Mr. Smith's entrepreneurial journey
(00:32:38) The pandemic: A hindrance and a life teacher
(00:33:56) Final TimeOut with Mr. Kenneth Smith: What would you advise a young athlete or entrepreneur struggling to get started?
(00:35:52) Faith in God: You have to have faith in something more significant than you
(00:36:57) The strength of I AM statements: The powerful words that must daily speak of
(00:38:04) Connect with Mr. Kenneth Smith.
Key Takeaways:
"So, adversity is not a bad thing when you learn from it."- Mr. Kenneth Smith
"Athlete, listen, it's not just about your skills. It might get you to the top, but they're not going to keep you on top."- Dr. Derrick Burgess
"You can't just skip the process. It's the day-by-day grind. It's where you learn and where you separate yourself from other people." - Mr. Kenneth Smith
"They (the labeled "difficult kids") were living some difficult lives and things that adults put in front of them that they had no control over. So, I had different patience and understanding in trying to help them get into a different space. It's to have an understanding of where they are and try to help them advance." - Mr. Kenneth Smith
" Kids aren't going to open u...
Previous Episode
Entrepreneurship and Overcoming the Fear of Imperfections with Dr. Myrdalis Diaz-Ramirez, MD
In the United States, a doctor commits suicide each day, equating to 300 to 400 physician suicides yearly. This egregious number is more than twice that of the average population. Having adequate knowledge of the said issue can help us see things in a bigger picture and search for how we can prevent it from growing.
Interestingly, entrepreneurship is an outlet for doctors to regain control of their lives. Physicians need a system of sustainable habits that can keep them motivated, focused, and thriving. And as an entrepreneur, you must surround yourself with the right people who will help you see your potential and be a better version of yourself. You will need different people with different expertise to be your lifeline. Because like Dr. Ramirez said, "at the end of the day, physicians like being physicians."
Dr. Myrdalis Diaz-Ramirez is an anesthesiologist and pain specialist by trade but now doing some inspiring things in the field of medicine. She's a podcaster and an entrepreneur. And she also deals with the mastermind of how to help other high achievers and physicians find freedom and quality in their life.
In this special episode with Dr.Myrdalis Diaz-Ramirez, we'll learn about how entrepreneurship can help physicians and high achievers who struggle to get out of their comfort zones. She will be educating us about the advantages entrepreneurs can bring and the life tips that can help us guide as we take a step toward our goals.
"Entrepreneurship will help you come and practice and see your patients for joy, not for need, because you have an outlet. You have a created outlet. You have the facility of having some passive income or another source of income that tells you, and you know what? I don't have to be here. I can do it because I'm happy." - Dr. Myrdalis Diaz
Topics Covered:
(00:00:00) Introduction + Episode Snippet
(00:00:12) Introducing our special guest, Dr. Myrdalis Diaz-Ramirez
(00:00:39) Advertisement: Zero Gravity Skin: a leader in the aesthetic device market.
Visit www.zerogravityskin.com and use my code: DRDERRICK30 to receive 30% off your purchase.
(00:01:39) A physician and an entrepreneur: Who is Dr. Myrdalis Diaz?
(00:02:57) Be with like-minded people: Like-minded people will raise and promote each other.
(00:03:31) A first-generation physician: How did Dr. Diaz choose the field of medicine?
(00:04:53) Opportunities to learn: How does growing up with an entrepreneur father shape your mindset?
(00:06:17) The lack of Financial Education: The missing piece that Dr. Diaz didn't have growing up.
(00:09:59) Pain and Mental health: How can an interventional pain physician help people with pain and depression?
(00:12:29) The life with entrepreneurship: Helping other physicians have the right mindset
(00:16:28) Advertisement: Sabre Bats, the training bat that will take you to your next swing. Go to https://www.sabrebats.net to know more.
(00:17:20) How do you take someone with a vision or an idea and help them formulate it and bring it to success or completion?
(00:21:03) Fear mindset: What is the major obstacle you see in high achievers trying to start something?
(00:22:49) Start educating yourself: You can start things without them being perfect.
(00:24:01) Starting each day by taking care of yourself: What habits do you practice to feel like you reach your optimal performance?
(00:27:48) Final TimeOut with Dr. Myrdalis Diaz: What advice would you give to an entrepreneur who fears getting out of his comfort zone?
(00:29:49) Own what you do: Don't let your life be handled by somebody else.
(00:30:38) The freedom to be creative and in control: What are the advantages of being an entrepreneur?
(00:32:48) Connect with Dr. Myrdalis Diaz
Key Takeaways:
"You have to surround yourself with like-minded people. They're going to be raising each other, growing together. There will be people you know who are really in your heart. They might not be the people going to grow your business with you, but they will necessarily have the same growth mindset where you can excel. And this group is one of those, and we're very fortunate to be part of them." - Dr. Myrdalis Diaz.
"Despite having a background in entrepreneurship, we didn't have the financial education. There was this spirit doing things, but there wasn't necessarily planning. You can have the business aspect, but if you don't have the financial aspect, the planning aspect, or a different type of mindset, then you can still get in trouble." - Dr. Myrdalis Diaz.
"The focus will be prevention and optimization, finding out, defining your state. Let's define your health state and give you the book of life. Here's for your body is for words we could be. And ...
Next Episode
Build Your Brand…Live Your Dreams with Sue Izzo
When you achieve your dreams, it's not so much what you get, as it is who you become. Dreams are vital in a man's life since they fuel our passion and purpose of existence. It gives us something to aim for and pushes us to achieve more incredible things. However, the route to triumph is paved with hardships and setbacks that we would rather not encounter, yet we sometimes do.
This road requires determination which enables any troubled soul to keep going when they feel like quitting. Its authenticity of it preserves your true identity when things get difficult to manage. In addition, the ability to celebrate our small victories encourages our patience and helps us to appreciate our endeavors. Do your best to achieve your dream, and your dream will make you great.
Sue Izzo is a business growth consultant, keynote speaker, Co-Founder, and CEO of Sports Management Mastermind, which is designed to educate upcoming action sports athletes and their parents on how to build their careers in action sports. And now, she's spending a lot of her time coaching and also giving back to the sport that provided a great lifestyle for her.
In this special episode with Sue Izzo, we'll learn about a passion that led someone to start her own enterprise and the things she had to overcome along the road to success. She will be educating us about life, business, and sports along with the mentality it requires to handle and enjoy a career.
Topics Covered:
(00:00:00) Introduction + Episode Snippet
(00:00:13) Introducing our special guest, Sue Izzo
(00:00:44) Advertisement: Zero Gravity Skin: a leader in the aesthetic device market.
Visit www.zerogravityskin.com and use my code: DRDERRICK30 to receive 30% off your purchase.
(00:02:24) An accidental career: What led Sue Izzo to be an agent for active sports?
(00:05:19) The woman who established her own empire: Who is Sue Izzo?
(00:07:06) Unafraid of the word NO: Being persistent with what you're passionate about
(00:07:44) Believing in my athletes: What mindset did you have that enabled you to succeed?
(00:09:34) Be true to who you are: What do you recommend to someone who's trying to build a brand?
(00:12:45) Beyond an athlete's talents: The importance of great personality and good communication skills
(00:14:25) A lesson for parents: Let your kids have the best intentions for a dream and excel
(00:15:50) The worst thing a parent can do: Make their kids one-dimensional.
(00:18:55) Placing more value on winning: There are different ways on the road to success; therefore, be flexible.
(00:19:36) Competing to win or competing not to lose: How do athletes fall under pressure?
(00:21:33) How will you encourage someone who's doing things solo and is pressured to be a female sports agent in a dominant male society?
(00:25:37) Advertisement: Sabre Bats, the training bat that will take you to your next swing. Go to https://www.sabrebats.net to know more.
(00:26:26) Mentorship about life and entrepreneurship: "I felt responsible that I needed to teach them life lessons and life skills."
(00:31:20) What would you tell your 30-year-old self now about what to do and what not to worry about?
(00:31:55) Being happy at the moment: Give yourself credit and enjoy your moment of accomplishment.
(00:34:06) A recipe for disaster: "I was always trying to make somebody else happy."
(00:32:38) Be surrounded by a solid group of people to trust and to be loved.
(00:39:57) The Sports Management Mastermind: How is your one-on-one coaching doing on the opposite side of the sports agency?
(00:45:06) Final TimeOut with Sue Izzo: What would you advise a young athlete and their parents who are feeling overwhelmed by the career they are to take?
(00:46:36) The importance of parent and child communication: Parents are vessels of support and unconditional love for their children
(00:47:05) Help yourself grow so you can run your own race: Do not try to rush the process.
(00:48:42) Connect with Sue Izzo.
Key Takeaways:
"I learned how to cultivate and nurture relationships through writing down people's birthdays and anniversaries on an index card and sending cards out." – Sue Izzo
"It's when you believe in someone or something so passionately, there's nothing you won't do for them." – Sue Izzo
"I've made a mistake with athletes where we tried to manufacture something like this is who you should be. It would always blow up in your face. So, I think it's really true to who you are because people can call it out or sniff it out a mile away when you're being inauthentic." – Sue Izzo
"Having kids learn to go up to sponsors or coaches and shake their hands, introduce themselves, have the athlete be the one that's calling or sending the email or reaching out. Like, that's very im...
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