Your Corner Man

Some people are born to be coaches. Tim Swords, a Strength and Conditioning coach for USA Weightlifting and the founder of Team Houston has been coach for over 30 years officially, but his early days of coaching can be traced back to his small workout area in his parents’ basement in West Virginia. It was there that he found a passion for strength and weight training and, since then, he has never stopped learning and evolving.

In this week’s interview, Coach Swords and I sit down and discuss how picking up a magazine at age 12 led to his interest in weightlifting and how his brothers and father played a large role in his athletic childhood. We talk about how two College Football Hall of Fame coaches (Bear Bryant and Pat Dye) shaped his youth as a football player but also as a man.

He has trained Olympic medalists and has coached and helped over 200 weightlifters reach national championships, while guiding 58 to a title. But he still believes it all boils down to a dedication of being “a teacher” as a coach and helping his athletes find their passion. We’ll discuss how a trip to see Navy Seals train helped him find his coaching style, what the downfalls of over-coaching are, what kind of culture he has in his gym, and how there’s a romantic side of coaching. He tells some great stories, including how to avoid a Chechnyan jail.

This week’s conversation is a must-listen for anybody, as we discuss how discovering your passion is a key to life.

When it comes to professional boxing, there’s no one more iconic than 5 X World Champion the great Sugar Ray Leonard. On this episode, I had the opportunity of having a powerful conversation with Ray himself about the evolution of his boxing journey, how fear drives him to be the best, and what it truly takes to become a champion - both inside and out of the ring.

Sugar Ray Leonard is deeply honest and forthcoming about the trials it takes to become a champion and I can’t wait for you to hear it. This is one powerful conversation that’s not to be missed!
LEADERS: A simple lesson on the insight, thinking and behaviors of what it takes to be great.
All of us have a desire to be successful. Whether it’s through creating impactful businesses or becoming well-respected leaders, we all want to achieve greatness and stand out for something. But we forget that the journey to becoming special is paved with great sacrifices. Often, those who are called to lead the pack have to walk very lonely roads.

No one knows this more than former pro boxer, Sugar Ray Leonard. The moment he put on a pair of boxing gloves, he knew he was destined to be a fighter. But not just any fighter -- one that was going to be special.

In this episode, my co-host, Rick Schaeffer and I had the pleasure of talking to Sugar Ray Leonard about the evolution of his boxing journey from a young boy with a dream to a champion who desires to give back to others.

Along the way, we gain insight into the high-performance mindset he adopts before each challenge, how fear can help us become better leaders, and how he strives to make an impact both in and out of the ring.

Key Takeaways / Timestamps:
● How Sugar Ray Leonard started his boxing journey [1:55]
● The moment he knew he wanted to be special [6:57]
● Sugar Ray Leonard’s main motivations [8:51]
● How he prepared before every fight [13:48]
● How Sugar Ray Leonard views on fear [18:25]
● Sugar Ray Leonard’s decision to keep returning to the ring [23:30]
● The loneliness of success [31:40]

Connect with Sugar Ray Leonard
· https://www.sugarrayleonard.com/
· Ray Leonard on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarrayleonard/
· The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation: http://www.sugarrayleonard.com/foundation/

Connect to Your Corner man!
· https://www.yourcornerman.com/
· https://www.yourcornerman.com/podcast
· https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucebabashan/
· https://www.facebook.com/Your-Corner-Man-170573467015694/
· https://twitter.com/brucebabashan?lang=en
· https://www.instagram.com/yourcornerman/

● Get your copy of my ‘6 Ways to Win a Fight infographic’: <insert link>

Rate and Review: If you enjoyed this episode of Your Corner Man, I would be incredibly grateful if you left a rating and review. I welcome all feedback and it also helps other people discover the podcast and benefit from the key takeaways.

Like many people, Charlie Brenneman found himself unfulfilled with his everyday job. While most would look to move to a different company to get a better job, he did something completely different. That’s because Charlie Brenneman isn’t like the rest of us. We begin the fourth season of Your Corner Man with “The Spaniard”, as I sit down with the man who left his Spanish teaching job for the Octagon. The former MMA fighter tells me how he decided to step out of the classroom to dive headfirst into a sport he knew nothing about and “get his butt kicked” by the likes of UFC stars Frankie Edgar and Eddie Alvarez.

Brenneman is a fascinating study in getting the most out of your life and taking advantage of a work ethic that won’t quit. We dive in to how his wrestling background gave him perspective on how to deal with a loss, how it ultimately helped him make the leap to combat sports, the commitment it took to train the way he needed to, and what he sees for his future. He discusses how his unique background in teaching and in sports helps him as a speaker for students, his aspirations for his own life and how he wants to live it, what led up to him writing two books so far, and what he wants for his own kids. Charlie is a well-grounded man whose life can provide motivation for those in the boardroom, the classroom, or the ring. This talk certainly is full of plenty of lessons of perseverance and will power. It’s hard not to be inspired by his goals in life and what he’s already accomplished.
LESSONS FOR LEADERS

· Being able to overcome self-doubt is hard and can take a lot out of you but doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

· How you respond to something negative that happens to you will tell a lot to those around you.

· Remember someone who helped you at your lowest and try to be there for people who may be experiencing similar instances in their lives.

· Being happy for those succeeding around you speaks volumes about your development.

· You can develop the trait of feeling joy for others. Being a sore loser can be worked passed.

· Life changes can be scary and making big decisions in the workplace can have consequences. But if you believe in your gut that it’s the right move, you can follow that path more confidently.

· People that you recognize as the best at what they do are extremely valuable to learn from.

· It’s very noticeable to others when you’re accountable and you work hard. It can only help you going forward.

· Wanting something and being willing to pay the price are two completely different things.

· Take what you’ve learned from teachers and coaches and put those lessons back into the world.

· Surround yourself with the right people to help you succeed. You will, in turn, help them succeed as well.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 10

Vinny Paz wants you to know that life is harder than anything you’ll face in a boxing ring. The five-time world title holder is a decorated boxer, but his inspiring comeback story is what he is most proud of because of how he persevered. On this week’s episode, I sit down with the colorful fighter with the larger-than-life persona and hear about that storied life. We discuss what it’s like to be loved and hated at the same time, how watching a certain boxer gave him all the inspiration he needed to get into the ring, how hard it is behind the scenes in the boxing world, and why his world changed after he won his first title and then lost it.

We dive deep into what it’s like to be a celebrity in Rhode Island, why fame and fortune was fun until it became a distraction, how his father brought him back from the brink of death after his fateful car accident, and what it was like to see his life story on the big screen. Vinny is an honest guest who doesn’t pull punches about what a life in boxing is like. But he is a deeply religious man who believes he is extremely lucky to be where he is today. This discussion brings together many facets of life, including successes, defeats, highs, lows, and, for Vinny, the “women.” Come and enjoy our sit-down, as it’s hard not to get caught up in the whirlwind that is “The Pazmanian Devil.”

Some people try to run away from their family legacy and forge their own path. Nik Wallenda has been able to make his own path while continuing in his family’s footsteps. While he is seventh-generation member of The Flying Wallendas aerial entertainers, he has used his determination and focus to defy the odds and take acrobatic stunts further than anyone else ever has. On this week’s episode, I sit down with the 11-time world record holder to discuss his storied career and life performing on the wire. Nik is an inspiring example of how preparation and following your heart can lead you to great achievements.

During our conversation, we discuss his family’s history and, while he was raised by entertainers, he had to fight to be one himself. We also break down what it’s like to live life on the actual edge, how shake-ups at major television networks nearly cost him the chance to perform a stunt he had prepared two years for, how fear is a constant in his life but also something that motivates him, and what he’s saying to himself when he’s hundreds of feet in the air. You’ll find out how he goes about assembling his team for stunts, the advice he has for rebounding after a tough defeat, and why love is the ultimate teaching tool for him.

Nik’s new book, Facing Fear: Step Out in Faith and Rise Above What’s Holding You Back, dives into how he’s used fear to overcome some of the toughest situations he’s faced. This episode shares what it means to set goals for yourself, prepare as much as possible for any scenario, and why you must be careful with the kind of noise you let into your mind. This is an inspirational talk and you’ll even hear what Nik still hopes to walk over across the globe.