Passion Struck with John R. Miles - Shawn Springs On: How to Stay Grounded in Life EP 73

Starting point is 00:00:00 anyone who's happy or dedicated to doing something that they feel, I mean it could be anything, anything in the world, you know, from being a dentist, food teacher to the Valley Park and Cars, to being a world-leading scientist. If you enjoy what you do, you know, that's what's most important. Welcome Visionaries, Creators, Innovators, Entrepreneurs, Leaders, and Gross Seekers of all types to the Passion Struck podcast. Hi, I'm John Miles, a peak performance coach, Maltkei Industries CEO, Navy veteran and entrepreneur on a mission to make Passion Ho-Viral for millions worldwide. In each week, I do so by sharing with you an inspirational message and interviewing eye achievers from all walks of life who unlock their secrets and lessons to become a passion struck.

Starting point is 00:00:48 The purpose of our show is to serve you the listener. By giving you tips, tasks, and activities, you can use to achieve peak performance. And for too much passion-driven life, you have always wanted to have. Now let's become passion struck. Welcome to this week's episode of the Passion struck podcast with former NFL Pro Bowl Cornerback Sean Springs. And I want to thank you so much for tuning in to today's episode. I realize there are millions of other podcasts you could be listening to and we so appreciate that you're here with us today hearing this great message from Sean and if you truly love this episode please share it with some like-minded friends who could use this weekly dose of inspiration and if you truly truly love it please give us a five-star rating they go such a long way and we are trying to get to two,000 of them. Now, let me get on with today's show.

Starting point is 00:01:46 Former 49ers receiver Jerry Rice said, Today, I will do what others won't. So tomorrow, I can accomplish what others can't. And Dallas Cowboys, former quarterback Roger Stovack said, Winning isn't getting ahead of others. It is getting ahead of yourself. And I picked those two because as you hear today's discussion unfold, both will tie into my discussion with Sean Springs.

Starting point is 00:02:12 Now, let me tell you a little bit more about Sean. He is a former pro ball professional football player who was a cornerback in the NFL for 13 seasons, playing for the Seattle Seahawks, the Washington Redskins, and the New England Patriots. He was an all-American at the Ohio State University and became the highest draft pick ever at his position of quarterback.

Starting point is 00:02:34 Today, Sean is the CEO of WinPact, where he built a core team of engineers, designers, and world-class scientists all dedicated to improving impact protection. And in today's discussion we talk about his journey from high school to a high-state into the NFL. What that moment was like when he found out he was the third pick in the draft. Some of his career highlights in the NFL, the one play December 12 2004, that completely changed his life. His current forward role that he has with the Boulder Crest Foundation and why that foundation is so important to him. His path to becoming an entrepreneur and the CEO of WinPack, he describes the mentorship

Starting point is 00:03:19 that he had with Microsoft Founder and Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen, and why it was so vital to his success both on and off the field. He talks about his advice for those who are willing to become PassionStruck and live their own No Regrets life, as well as a bunch of fun questions about his time in the league. So excited for you to hear today's episode. Now let's become Passion Struck. Welcome to the Passion Struck podcast in this week's episode with Sean Springs, Sean, so glad to have you on the show. I'm glad to be on the show, man.

Starting point is 00:03:59 Okay, so I just have to start out today with I think I told you this before, but my parents, my grandparents, my aunt, are all university Michigan graduates. So I grew up. I grew up. I grew up now. So finally, I get to interview a former NFL player and my mom and dad are gonna be like,

Starting point is 00:04:19 and you picked and I wish you guys. Yeah, yeah, yeah. John, you know what I like to tell them? If we win this year, you know it's gonna be last 18 out of 20 games that we beat the Michigan. I actually feel bad. So tell your parents, everybody is like, oh, man, you know, he didn't give me a hard time on the podcast, man, because they've been whipping that school up north so much

Starting point is 00:04:42 that he's kind of just feel bad about. Feel bad about it. Well, do you worry about that because my friends give me so much crap about it already. I've heard all the time. I think it reminds me of when I was at the Naval Academy, we had only beat Army one time. It happened to be my plea beer, which is the the best one you're gonna get, but we had a string where I think we beat them 10 years in a row. And after a while, you're like, we hope that we won one you're gonna get, but we have a string where I think we bid I'm 10 years in a row and after a while, you're like, we hope that we win one

Starting point is 00:05:07 because it's just getting, but tides do change. Well, I wanted to start out today because the reason I reached out to you was actually because of an organization I become familiar with called BoulderCrest. And they've got a program called Warrior Path. And you're on the board of it and when I saw that I was like I really want to talk to them about it. So what got you involved with Boulder Crest which primarily helps veterans?

Starting point is 00:05:34 Well the fact that it's just an amazing organization that helps Bradavins who are spilling effects of traumatic brain injury and PTSD kind of be able to overcome some of the challenges that they face. It was something that was near and dear to my heart one because there's such a close tie to the NFL and the effects of concussions and with the injuries that they're facing and what we see with the soldiers coming back from war and other places that it was just a natural fit for me in understanding the challenges and I wanted to be part of something. But like that, that's helping people. But more importantly, John, most people don't know my mom was in the army.

Starting point is 00:06:15 My mom was a master sergeant in the army sheet every day just seeing the dedication and the uniform among us were and I used to get paid 50 Cent of a dollar for signing a boot so the ties to the army and my stepfather George Thomas who's also officer was an officer in army it's been a part of my life I tell people all the time you think your dad is a professional football players where I should have your mom who's in the army. Who's really rough, so therefore, I just, I feel the connection there. I'm actually starting today's episode out with a couple quotes.

Starting point is 00:06:55 One of them is from Roger Stoback. Did your dad actually get to play with him? Whoa, yes. Yes. Actually, you Roger's book at my dad's friend on Winnie Pass away, but Roger and my father were pretty close and he's a good man. Well, you know actually, you just booked my dad's print on when he passed away, but Roger, my father was pretty close and he's a good man. Well, you know, I had the opportunity to meet him one time and it was completely under

Starting point is 00:07:12 different circumstances. I was at Lowe's and we were searching for another data center and he got really big into real estate. So we show up to go look at this data center, never expecting that the president of the company would be the one who shows it. But he had heard that a Naval Academy graduate was part of the team that was looking at it. So he came out and that was how I met Roger Stawback.

Starting point is 00:07:35 One of the most humble people you will ever meet as well. So getting back to Boulder Crest, if someone isn't familiar with it, can you just kind of go over what their mission is? And because I had never heard of post-traumatic growth before, which you hear a post-traumatic stress disorder, but not that other term. And the mission for Boulder Crest is to pair up others who are suffering from prosimatic injuries and soldiers who just wanna go back to a normal life as possible.

Starting point is 00:08:09 Boulder Crest provides a facility where all type of skills are from cool stuff from learning how to paint, to just music, to all different type of alternative ways to have one in classes to help you as a soldier get back to being able to be a liver normal life and to be able to develop some of those skills to say, hey, you're not alone, you know, and I think I'm challenged a lot of times, John, as people who are suffering from, you know, depression or anxiety or some other effects may oftentimes feel like they can't have that discussion

Starting point is 00:08:48 with people or they can't really, who else and they're tough and because of their service and thank God for the men and women who serve our country protect our freedom, but you get this reputation of being tough and sometimes it's hard for you to say I need help. So Boda Crest provides a safe place locations around a country, you know, I live here in Leedsburg, Virginia where there's a huge facility out in the Virginia countryside as well as two sign floor and there's other ones open in the Boda Crests are awesome facility and you can bring your parents and I made your kids and family as well to visit signs, Florida, and there's other ones. Open them, but both of Crests are awesome facility. You can bring your parents, I mean, your kids and family as well, to visit and come see the work that they're doing there. OK, and the way I understand it is it

Starting point is 00:09:34 starts with the week-long program, which is with a small group of six-date other veterans. And then they actually give you treatment for the next 18 months, because one of the things through my research is often you'll do something to help with the traumatic situation. And it's like a one time deal, whereas their belief is this needs to become a lifetime program.

Starting point is 00:09:56 So by giving you that support, where you can talk to that small team, et cetera, it's kind of a different approach from other programs. Yeah, it's a different approach because you create a brotherhood and you know going to the Naval Academy and being in those groups, I would say I'm always fascinated with Navy Seal. But you know, just hearing about how Navy Seal's had small teams and moving together, I think that's kind of like you have your group of defense and backs, I was a defensive back that

Starting point is 00:10:24 you have those lifetime relationships and that backs. I was a defense of back that you have those lifetime relationships and that you can have those friendships and that bond is created that they can last a lifetime and and that's kind of the concept. We want to make sure that people have that support through their journey over the over their lifetime. Okay, and I think where I want to take this is I want to go a little bit into the NFL and then I want to go into what you're doing today. So coming out of the Ohio State University as an all-American, not only were you a

Starting point is 00:10:54 Draftec, you were the highest draftec. I think of all time at your position. Yeah, true. That is true. I think I'm tired today to kick from Ohio State two years ago or 2019 draft was drafted number three on wall to Detroit. So I'm still the highest drafted corner in the history of the NFL. So I just have to ask I've recently done a couple interviews with astronauts on what is it like before you're going to blast off and both of them were like I wasn't nervous at all because I did it. You know we we practice this thing so many times. I don't know how you practice a blast off, but what was it like?

Starting point is 00:11:28 I mean, I've always wondered, you're this youngster waiting for Robert Cadel to bring you up. I mean, how nerve-wracking is that? And what did you think? Where did you think you were gonna land? Yeah, that's a great story. I think all young kids when you play in youth sports,

Starting point is 00:11:45 you have a dream one day playing in a national football league. And I was fortunate to have a great career at a high state. And they started to talk about me being a high draft pick and I left school early. And I promised my mom, you know, she's a soldier. But I promised my mom that I would go back to school and finish my degree. It was important to her.

Starting point is 00:12:03 And draft comes around and had a great workout. I was my mom, she's a soldier, but I probably was my mom that I would go back to school and finish my degree. It was important to her. And draft comes around and had a great workouts and teams. And I think a week before ESPN, they said, I will be on the top five and after my workout. So draft night comes around and I get a phone call from my agent. And he tells me that there has been a trade and their ramps are going to take Orlando pace at first pick. So I knew I was going gonna be the first pick,

Starting point is 00:12:25 but I could be second, third or fourth. I was trying to be cool like I could sleep, but I didn't sleep at all. I stayed up all night. All night thinking about where could I possibly be? And you be like, oh man, if I go to Oakland, I'll be living out in the Bay area. And if you go to Seattle, I only know where Seattle is.

Starting point is 00:12:40 I'm from Washington DC, not to stay there, but Washington and and then potentially Baltimore was I think they had a fourth pick. Draft Aid comes around and I'm sitting there and you know you just you ain't just a little bit but then it's a calm because you like you know what I know I'm known getting drafted because they're inviting me here and I sat there with my family and I was I went to the second pick went and I really thought I was gonna be the second pick to Oakland and have been a third pick to Seattle

Starting point is 00:13:09 in which we've won, which changed my life, but my dad always used to tease me because I cried on draft day. I was upset I wouldn't leave the second pick. I was a third pick. So, but one of the best things that ever happened to me is most people don't know at the time, John. A guy named Paul Allen was purchasing the Seahawks.

Starting point is 00:13:27 Yes. Most people don't realize that Paul Allen also owned us the Seattle Seahawks in a Portland trail Bay just to say, no, by him, being a founder with Bill Gates of Microsoft. So that was a pretty good, a cool experience and I could share that story with you, Paul Allen.

Starting point is 00:13:41 Yeah, well, how much, when you were living in Seattle, which has now become one of the technology mechas, how much exposure did you get to that? A lot of it. I tell people all the time, you know, how I got into what I'm doing today. It's a pretty cool story, which I, when I was drafted, the team was actually up for sale of the Norson family,

Starting point is 00:14:00 I believe, was selling it to a group out of California. So the team, us in April. The team was practicing down at Anaheim and Paul Allen had made a commitment to purchase the team. And the week later, I opted to draft. I had to come back out and I go around to these small little towns, Redmond, Washington, and Kirkland, Washington, and Bellevue. And Miss Allen says, hey, I'm going gonna put up $300 million of my own money

Starting point is 00:14:25 and I wanna keep teaming Seattle and we get these new exciting players. And I would raise my hand and say, I'm happy to be here. I wanna change the culture to see halts. I'm pretty excited about being here and making long story short, to on in between, it's a ride,

Starting point is 00:14:41 I asked Mr. Allen, I said, Mr. Allen, but you know, you can going to be a billionaire. And he said, Sean, it wasn't about when William and Bill started Microsoft. It wasn't about being a billionaire. It was about doing something unique and different on this web, you know, the internet. Yes. And he was just like, you know, what we call disruption today. And he just blown away John with the fact that he, it wasn't about the money. It was about doing something that really changed the world

Starting point is 00:15:11 for the good. And it changed my perspective because I'm living in the Kirkland. And I remember today that the partners, like $2,700 at 1997. And I'm just like, I know how I can afford to live here. But how does my buddy who I go to this house every day after practice play video games, man? You in your short still, did you work today? He said, yeah, man, I'm a coder.

Starting point is 00:15:32 I said a coder, I don't even know what a coder is. So I'm about to go work with this company and say, I'll book some online. I said, man, people buying books online, that's a dumb idea. Right, and today we know that company is Amazon, right? And I had another friend who was going to work for a company that was selling water and coffee for like three bucks,

Starting point is 00:15:53 which was Starbuckish. Starbuckish. I had another friend that was going to work for Microsoft. So for me, after having that conversation and being able to hang out with Mr. Allen and him telling me stories about data and innovation. I didn't even know the mentor I had. I just was the first person he drafted. So I got a chance to just be around and get invited to a suite.

Starting point is 00:16:16 I got injured one time and went into the suite and he said, hey, I want to meet this guy, Steve, Steve Balmer. You know, like,'m 20 21 years old and and I just I had no idea the type of lessons and type of things he was pointing to a young man's life and showing me what to look out for and Seattle was a small town now and say we call it a silicone forest, right? You know, you think about the the future of innovation. And Seattle has played a major part in that. Yeah, so I have always heard that that stadium for opposing teams is one of the hardest to play in because it gets so loud. Is that accurate? It is, it is pretty loud, man. It's not as loud as the old King Don, where all the noise was dropped in, but the 12th man gets pretty loud out there.

Starting point is 00:17:06 That's great. Well, I had a couple of fun questions I wanted to ask you, and then I'll take it forward. So you played with some incredible wide receivers or had to defend them. I wanted to ask, who was the hardest wide receiver you've ever had to defend? Oh, man, that's a lot of good ones over 13-year period. I've seen some really good ones. Do I have to pick one or I can give you a several a couple? You can give me a couple. You're saying I have to pick one.

Starting point is 00:17:38 Give me a couple. Give me a couple. Well, my rookie year, my first person I ever checked was a guy you might have heard of named Jerry Rice. My rookie year, I had to check Jerry Rice. I was my first preseason game. I went in and match up with Jerry Rice. So I did that. The second Jerry Rice was great. Jimmy Smith, if you remember the old Jacksonville Jaguars, him and Mark Runell, he was a stud man. I love Jimmy Smith. And probably if I had to argue, he was probably one of the top two or three best players that I've played against. Randy Moss, the teammate in New England,

Starting point is 00:18:14 but he was a force to be dealt with. Moss was an unreal T.O. who I matched that probably the most in my career. I probably took play T.O. so many times. And I get tired of saying them. Yeah, we were friends. And then Tory Holt. So those are my top probably, my top five guys.

Starting point is 00:18:32 You know, the T.O. The Randy Moss is probably head above, shoulder above everybody. And Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald towards, I mean, I seen his career too, but, you know, it was five right there, six right there. Pretty good. And I got to take this the Michigan direction now. So did you ever think that Tom Brady would reach where he's he's reached?

Starting point is 00:18:56 Because I did you play in both in college and in the pro's? Yeah, that's what I thought. You know, I had a chance to play against him and actually Tom didn't start when we played him. Actually, Brian Grisi was starting. I think Tom might have came in. And then he started, you know, it was between, I think Tom was right behind like Todd Collins, where it was like Todd Collins, Brian Grisi and Tom. And you know what, after playing with him

Starting point is 00:19:21 when you're in New England, I know why he's that way. When you talk about relentless, when you talk about smart, when you talk about humble, when you talk about holistic thinking, thinking about everything, there's not enough things or compliments I can tell you to put in perspective how good of a human being time is but how good of a football player is. And I don't say that about a lot of people but man I get chills thinking about it. That dude is

Starting point is 00:19:55 amazing man. He can inspire anyone. He could take a youth football team that I didn't want to game in 20 years and he beat Goddamn coach. He's just aspiring in your walks of all from a place where you come across teammates, generals, others. I mean, you know what it looks like when you come across one of those guys like you going to battle with and Tom is one of those guys. Yeah, I well had to ask because one, because of the Michigan connections too.

Starting point is 00:20:22 I live in Tampa Bay now. So I think the region is very happy we have them. But you can see how much this leadership has meant. And the other thing about him is I never ever hear him talk about putting blame anywhere else. I think he accepts it. So, but his work ethic is just unheard of. So, well, and I guess the third year I won to cover

Starting point is 00:20:48 is you and I had a similar experience, me playing rugby, you playing football. I don't think either of us remember too many details about what happened to us. I remember it was a beautiful day. We were playing a big match in a tournament and I remember it was a beautiful day. We were playing a big match in a tournament and I was playing Winger that day. It all comes to me and all I could see was the goal post in front of me. And the next thing I know, I got tackled from behind and don't know

Starting point is 00:21:15 how long I was out, but I woke up because they gave me smelling salts. It took me to the sideline, popped my shoulder back in, fixed my broken toes, and back in the game, I went later on because that's what you did back there. And I remember, because I'm an Eagles fan, that at some time I think it was a December game. You were with the Redskins at the time. I think it was around 2012. And can you tell the audience what happened to you? Yeah, well, it was actually before think it was around 2012. And, you know, can you tell the audience what happened to you?

Starting point is 00:21:46 Yeah, well, it was actually before that it was around 2005, when I had... 2005. And I was, you know, I was playing in the midfield and I was kind of spying on Donovan McNab because he can run pretty good. And well, I was in coverage and then I came out of coverage. The Go Chase Donovan McNab Donan, like you said, all I could see was Donovan

Starting point is 00:22:05 and Matt in front of me. And that's in your knowledge. I wake up on my back and I could barely breathe. And I saw Brian Dawkins and T.O. and my teammates. And there's a stand over top of me. And apparently, I got not completely out. And the scary thing about that, John, I just remember waking up and I couldn't breathe. And then I was laying on my back and all that, then I tried to get up and I realized I couldn't move. So I was carted off and it was pretty bad injury. I ended up playing maybe one or two games a couple weeks later, but you know, that was an injury that probably in today's game, probably you would miss the rest of the remainder of the season, but also, you can't take too many of those hips

Starting point is 00:22:53 that could ruin your career. You'd have to retire from football. We get hit like that too many times more than once. Yeah, well, I mean, we're just looking hockey in Eric Lindros or some of the other players. So, I specifically wanted to talk to you because I think I revealed to you I had a close friendship with another wide receiver you would have known Benson Chagson. Unfortunately, passed away recently, but you know, it's now coming out that he might have had

Starting point is 00:23:26 some other early onset of CTE, and that was a problem. I wish, because I myself have been through TBI's, that of all the things we would talk about from relationship issues and other things, the one thing he never talked to me about was that. And I think for a lot of people, it's a hard thing to talk about

Starting point is 00:23:45 because some of the symptoms from a brain injury, they're like a snowflake. No two people who have one have the same exact symptoms. So I could have a mild one, you could have a medium, but mine could linger on much longer. It's just hard to tell. So, and I know in this NFL community you come from, it's become a much bigger aspect of life.

Starting point is 00:24:11 So, I kind of wanted to use that as a backdrop to now go into what you're doing with your company because I think that that background probably gave you a lot of passion to go do this. Yes, you're absolutely right, John, and it kind of jump started some thinking for me where I originally founded my company WinPAC, which today we're a technology and a material data company that provides data to product developers and manufacturers who build products using simulation and design tools. But my initial thought when I came across a technology

Starting point is 00:24:48 that I saw in a baby car seat was, how do I make the game safer for the next generation athletes? I saw the effects of TBI to my father and his friends. And some of my friends, unfortunately unfortunate for me I was able to I took one and two back incussions but fortunate my position allowed me to kind of check stay with the little guys I didn't have that have as much hitting during the game but I have friends who are suffering from impacts and different things like that but also I just really felt like something needed to be done something needed to be changed that the technology

Starting point is 00:25:26 I was being used in the helmets and stuff, why did the technology that was used in the carrying helmet 30 years later still being used, right? You'd think how much of a car has changed. And I set the course and the vision of my company to say, you know what, we got to make product safer, helmet safer. So we started off with a cross-cloud

Starting point is 00:25:44 which the pad that absorbs the dispersed energy and then quickly realize that yes, that is not just a football problem, but it's a problem across how much whether it's soldiers using it or basketball, I mean baseball or football or all those different things. But what we really realized too, as we were starting to get more products to the market, we realized the thing that really stopped people from developing products faster

Starting point is 00:26:11 and better is because of the process. It was antiquated and old. They basically were taking phone, putting it in a helmet, dropping and putting it on fresh sheet. When you see companies like GM and Boeing, they don't, Boeing doesn't wait to the plane, gets to $38,000, $33,000, feet to realize that the allos is gonna expand. They know how that material is gonna perform.

Starting point is 00:26:32 And we took that, we've evolved for that at WinFact, where we like, well, the most valuable asset for us is not that we can help create these novel solutions. It's how we do it, leveraging our material data, modeling and assimilation that you use machine learning AI to create these novel optimal solutions, whether it's a headrest for automotive company or a ballistic impact helmet working with the Department of Defense. So that's kind of like,

Starting point is 00:27:01 you know, what, what I was passionate, why I started and where we're going today. Yeah, I saw some recent statistics that over the past 20 years, examining veterans between 15 and 20% of them have experienced a brain injury. And many times they might not even know it happened, but as you know, you know, with repetitive collisions, it gets worse. So the technology that you have, will it in the future, or is it now, you know, if it's in a football helmet, let's say, would it be able to gauge the impact and how much the helmet was able to help with that impact? Yeah, so that's a good point.

Starting point is 00:27:45 So we started off as an ingredient technology, putting solutions and working with companies like Shet and Radell to make better helmets and still have a solution as part of our business. But for us, the most valuable thing is we can take and work with a work in collaboration with some of these companies to build these great products. But we realized the type of data that we've collected on these phone materials or 3D printing materials

Starting point is 00:28:10 is more valuable that companies like J.M. can run those simulations or Bauer for HockeyHomber can run those simulations or these companies can run these simulations for themselves. That's where we realized that we have a proprietary database of materials and we understand how they perform and that's kind of what was taken from the old antiquated way to the new way of doing it. With that being said, John, the future will be modern to impact locations, hit, and different things. Today they're doing out, you can put sensors in helmets, you can be mouthpieces, but the truth of the matter is, until there's a big fight over who owns the medical data, right? This is the athlete at the University of Michigan, or is it Michigan in the athletic department, or is it Nike who provided the sensors. So right now, there's a little bit of battle between, you talk about this, and I'm just talking about football,

Starting point is 00:29:09 for example, when you talk about data analytics and about the health of an athlete, it's coming, I think it's needed, but there's some things that's gonna happen. And I believe that having sensors and camera images in the future will only help you us, companies like us who build these models build better products.

Starting point is 00:29:27 Okay. And since we're talking about TBI's, I'm just gonna give a couple of shout outs here. I just released an episode today with Dr. Michael Lewis. And if someone is out there and they're listening to this, it's an interesting episode because he's a retired Army Colonel who became a doctor and during the last five to ten years of his Army career became the head of TBI research for the Army and he discovered that

Starting point is 00:29:57 Omega-3s can help with treatment of it even in severe situations. So I wanted to throw that out because that's an interesting episode. And then I've got another one coming up with Andrew Marr, who, former Green Rae, who founded something called the Warrior Angels Foundation. And they're through his work. And with Dr. Mark Orden, they've realized that there's a whole side that functional medicine and the use of hormone replacement can help both athletes and service members. So what really anyone who's had a TBI, so just wanted to throw those things out there. So from the standpoint of your company,

Starting point is 00:30:34 I heard the story in another podcast that you did that you were recognized for a startup program, but you had to give a pitch. And I heard you say on this that you were more nervous doing that pitch than you were playing in an NFL game in it, for those who haven't had to do one. You know, why was it that case for you? Just because it was such a foreign thing for you to do.

Starting point is 00:30:58 Yeah, you know, I'm a natural shy guy. Anyway, I think I'm an actual introvert, extravert, because of my job and being a professional athlete, obviously I'm recognized in my community and places. So I had no choice to be extra kind of like talkative. But when you're pitching, I think a lot of people have a fear of talking in front of people, but I was nervous about that pitch.

Starting point is 00:31:23 And maybe I would also nervous for those I did listening. I was also nervous, I think, for the first probably three plays of the NFL football game. And then once I got into it, I'm all out. I was ready to go. And it's the same thing in a pitch. I get nervous because the nervousness comes from an excitement.

Starting point is 00:31:40 Not necessarily a fear is more of an excitement that I have, I feel like I have so much to share and I have to be able to organize those thoughts in a way where they come across precise and I can articulate my point pretty effectively. And sometimes I get super excited and nervous about it because I'm passionate about it. We believe that we're sitting on something exciting as a company. And that podcast you're talking about is with Colle Harris. She's at Morgan Stanley and they got a wonderful program for women, iPod, and Disney's and

Starting point is 00:32:14 people of color, a program that they help get funding and recognition. Obviously, it's, you know, the biggest challenge I see, John, for me, being a minority, especially in a material data and material science spaces, and you don't see a lot of minorities, especially professional football players, going to the tech space. I'm like, you know, I'm like a unicorn. I'm speaking at a, I'm speaking at the Geekwide conference, and I'm like, ah, you know, am I a unicorn? Because I'm athlete, I'm a unicorn because I'm minority. But I had to end it today, man. It's all about solving problems,

Starting point is 00:32:51 creating disruption, doing something good for the world. Okay. And I know when I was talking to Vincent Jackson, one of the things he pulled me back then was that when you come in the league, a lot of people think that they're gonna just like kill it and have these long careers, but he said, you know, the average person lasts two years, the three years, and he started to start talking to every single business person he could to try to learn as much as he could about business so he could start diversifying. But I know one of the topics we wanted to cover today was professional athletes who leave that, especially in the NFL, there's such a high number that that have financial difficulties after they get out.

Starting point is 00:33:46 But I think you could apply this to many different lifestyles. So I know one of the things you wanted to talk about was life after the NFL and how do you think that jump? What are some of your secrets? I think, you know, I was one of the fortunate people where my was drafted pretty high in the first round. So I knew that my career for Lisa first five, six years were pretty secure based on where I got drafted. But and I was able to get a lot of money over my career. I think the big thing for me was going into the NFL as a father who was a professional football player.

Starting point is 00:34:22 Johnny always told me to think about football is not to end all be all, but a stepping stone for the second half of my life. And he wanted me to take meetings, develop relationships with executives. He's like, they all have kids, and they all kids want to meet you. And I was fortunate to have Paul Allen,

Starting point is 00:34:43 but any chance I got a chance to learn from an executive or somebody like yourself who's done some amazing things. I would just say, hey man, can I come down there? I'm gonna come, you in Tampa, I'm gonna come down to Tampa and you be my only just picking your brain. I was just actually questions. And that comes from just curiosity

Starting point is 00:35:01 and that comes from just, I think if you come with a humble spirit, people will be willing to help you. And John, it was just one of those things where, I once I attach or see something, I, you know how it is, I'm relentless and to have my success. And one thing I learned from about winning in a,

Starting point is 00:35:21 in a fail list, the only way you really win, John, is you gotta have a good team. You, right? And you don't know all that answers, but you and I both know that there are people who are there who's done it, you know, who can help you coach you along, give you that experience.

Starting point is 00:35:39 And then when you come across them, you just ask them, hey man, here's what I'm thinking. You know, can you help me? I used to be surprised that because of my network and I've done a reverse, right? Because of my network and relationships I've developed over the years and I help, that's has helped me transition. And that's what it's about, right? Like knowing that you have a window of opportunity that's short, not as long as you think, and cultivate

Starting point is 00:36:06 and develop those relationships that you would need later in life. And it's not just about you taking from them. It's oftentimes, how can I help you? How can I support what you're doing? And there's a win-win for everybody. And I've always had that approach. Okay. Yeah, it's still a sad and staggering statistic of how many, I've heard agents talk about it because the agents themselves say that they would like to help, but ultimately it comes down to the individual that they have to make the right choices. And I will say the NFL John has been doing a much better job in the last product five to 10 years, teaching guys financial literacy that now financial planners

Starting point is 00:36:46 and the truth of the matter is, a lot of it's not necessarily bad deals, a lot of it may be family circumstances or the being divorced after playing football and some of it may be related to some of the problems they're dealing with from injuries and stuff like that's a matter of mind or brain injury but that's the biggest challenge, the part of the bigger challenge is just, you know, the divorce can take it. Yes, look a lot of guys. Yeah, that's for sure. So on the same lines, a lot of the audience are people who are seeking, I call them gross seekers, but they're trying to get to the next level of they're looking for, how do I make that choice to do something different and pursue my dream? And seeing someone like you, who's NFL player, they may think, I can't relate to this guy,

Starting point is 00:37:35 but in essence, you had to start, I mean, you had a little bit more of a safety blanket, but you had to start completely new and you were facing the same fears and uncertainty as anyone. So what is some of your biggest advice if someone is sitting there going maybe they've got a stable job but they don't like it or maybe that they're end of one career and they want to start another? What's some advice you have on kind of reinventing yourself and taking this next path? Yeah, and it's scary. It's not an easy thing to do,

Starting point is 00:38:06 but I think a lot of it has to come down to your network. Sometimes you may not have the family, but again, going back and asking people, having a friend, hey man, what do you think about that? Find someone in your life who, I like to say it's three different people in your lives. There's a choreographer who takes a speed up, slow down.

Starting point is 00:38:27 You got the person who's just a listener, and they all they do is listen. And then you got the person that you just trust who's gonna tell you whether you're right or wrong. But they can do the honest opinion out through love. So you gotta have those type of people in your life. So it's leveraging your network as one, two, it's in this day and age, the biggest thing that holds people back is fear. And for me, a way I was able to overcome

Starting point is 00:38:54 fear is my faith, you know, fear and faith can't coexist in my world. So just having faith in God that he would lead me in the right direction, that my vision and my actions are guided by my faith. So that's my personal secret. I have no problem with sharing with the world. And the other thing is having confidence that, you know what, we always get this, why not why me, right? And you got to be able to have that self-talk saying why not me.

Starting point is 00:39:23 And you got to be able to not look at what you don't have or look at the good things that you have, the amazing things that you have. And whatever those strengths are, try to lean into it and make them even better. And whatever your weakness is, find that, find how you can make that better and just hyper focus on.

Starting point is 00:39:43 I need to change this, I want to change this. I mean, you help change it whatever that weakness or whatever that is, but just kind of lean into just being committed to the process of being better. And every day, make celebrate the small steps and manage the high the lows. That's the best way I can think, man. Well, I think it's really about action stacking. I think when you go into this, you can't think, I'm gonna go from point A to point B overnight. It's never gonna happen.

Starting point is 00:40:14 I mean, you didn't become an NFL player, you know, overnight. You didn't become a successful entrepreneur overnight. And so I think it's every single day taking an action that gets you closer to your goals and over time, you'll realize just how many of those have stacked up and how much further you've gotten. Yeah, down to that point, everyone, they add think where when you do those acts as you got a stack of an act, I think sometimes people get discouraged because one of the acts is, it might not go the way you thought it was going to go. Right. So you got to have the resiliency. So you know what? It's still it's still the access stack and actions, but you know, that might not go, but you got continued to continue to stack.

Starting point is 00:40:54 Yeah, well, I'll be the first to tell you I've missed tackles when I was playing rugby and you know, you learn you learn, I mean, you feel bad about it, but you learn from it. Same thing in learn, I mean, you feel bad about it, but you learn from it. Same thing in life mistakes. I recently interviewed a guest, this guy's name is Trav Bell, and he introduced to me a concept I had never heard of, which is the reverse bucket list. And you can think of it as a done list. And I think sometimes people don't have the self-confidence to go and pursue their dreams. And this done list is you go back and you start listing out the accomplishments that you've had, the experiences that you've had or any in your life and you look at that, you just think back, I have done all these things, many of which probably seemed impossible to me at some point.

Starting point is 00:41:42 So why can't I take on this next hurdle? So I always encourage people to create a done list when they're looking at what they want to do in the future as well. Right. Right. I totally believe that. And I like to say celebrate the small wins, man. And you may not be where you want to be, but just keep pushing forward and don't look back.

Starting point is 00:42:04 Because you move into a new place. but just keep pushing forward and don't look back because you move into a new place. I've met people who may accomplish something and they get a big head about it. It would be easy for you to do that being a professional player you were next stuff. How do you, how do you stay grounded? And how can people stay?

Starting point is 00:42:24 Because I think one of the biggest issues we have today is ego and showmanship. And it is becoming such a big part of society. And I think ego is one of the biggest things that can hold you back. And you got a dotty ego every day, man. You got that. The football is humbling because every year there's somebody smarter, bigger,

Starting point is 00:42:47 stronger, faster, right? And you can see it. But I would have to say that that boils down to the way I was raised. And I was always a little little guy that kind of kind of grew into who I became, but I always had to work harder than everybody else. I was always, you know, just trying to be the best at what I had, what the biggest strongest and fastest, more times the smartest. Even though my mom might argue that I thought I was the smartest at times. But John, but it really comes back to my family and my faith.

Starting point is 00:43:21 And you know, my mom being a soldier. She came from a very humble background.. She came from a very humble background. Both parents came from a very humble background with my mom, went into the military to get away from an abusive and alcoholic situation. And my dad was at NFL, but they had me out of high school and they both were pretty young. So she left me with my grandmother

Starting point is 00:43:41 while she was stationed in Germany and other places that my dad went off to planning a film. So, but John, I just, I had one of those lives where I was grounded in the fact that, you know, what I had to work and earn everything. That's that mentality that both parents instilled in me. Still got to do it. I'm going to go to the card and earn everything, man. And I, you're right, I've accomplished some amazing things. Sometimes I look back, which I really look back, but Washington in the year, high after after corn, I'm all big 10 academically president of this,

Starting point is 00:44:15 global executive board, it's done a lot of different things. And see, make a long story short, man. You know, the only thing I really care about is being a great dad and building a great company and providing a service to others. So I come with that spirit if we're all put on earth to provide a service to others

Starting point is 00:44:35 and if I can do that and I'm winning. Yeah, well, I think you summed it up pretty well. I mean, no matter if you've had your life, if you were Paul Allen, if you're me, if you're someone else, it doesn't matter. We all have self doubts. I don't care how much you've had your life, if you were Paul Allen, if you're me, if you're someone else, it doesn't matter. We all have self-doubt. I don't care how much you've accomplished. People still have self-doubt. Many times they just don't want to admit it, but it's only human too. So, but I think your your discussion with Paul about Paul Allen early on, I think was an important one because sometimes we have mentors in our life

Starting point is 00:45:06 and we don't even realize the magnitude that they're gonna add up on the way. No, when we meet them, and I think he gave you some great advice, and I have never met Paul. I've met Steve Baum or a bunch of times, especially when I was at Dell, but through my experience with Steve, he was one of the most directed people I've

Starting point is 00:45:27 ever met with his vision for where he thought things should go. That's something that always stood apart when I looked at Steve and saw where he got his career. He always knew where he wanted to go. He always knew where Microsoft wanted to go. And I think it was that drive. And I have a book coming out in the first chapters is all about, you need to become a mission angler. And I think it's what Paul Allen told you

Starting point is 00:45:54 is you need to find that issue that's worth solving, kind of like what you're doing with this company now. And once you have that, and once you have that mission, that's what gets you going and propelling you forward. You're exactly right. And I think it's part of finding that mission and finding your passion and doing what makes you happy. I think, and that's harder said than done. But anyone who's happy or dedicated to doing something that they feel, I mean, it could be anything, anything

Starting point is 00:46:22 in the world, you know, from being a dentist, food teacher to valid parking cars to being a world eating scientist. If you enjoy what you do, you know, that's what's most important. Okay. Well, I've got two fairly easy questions to round this out. But the first is, do you think the Washington football team can take that NFC this year? Oh, man, I think it's going to be pretty tough, man. I play for the Washington football team, but I'm leaning towards Dallas Cowboys. I was leaning towards Dallas Cowboys unless that press guy arm was worse than they're saying. Man, I saw that preseason game for the Eagles, and I'm just like, man, it's gonna be a rough. I agree, I agree for the Eagles, okay.

Starting point is 00:47:06 Okay. And then out of all the different name choices that you've heard for the football team to be called, do you have one that resonates with you more than others? Believe it or not, I actually like the Washington football team. Right? And I heard red wolves and asinitors and, you know, the congressman or something like that.

Starting point is 00:47:30 Man, I think that, you know, the Washington football team is not bad and the interesting thing to see what they come up with. Yeah, the one that resonated with me is I, I'd like the one that honored the Tuskegee Airmen. I think it was called the Red Tales. I thought that. Yeah, the Red Tales, yeah. I thought. Because it would still play on kind of the Redskins name, but have a have a more important meaning behind it. Well, Sean, if audience would like to know more about you, yeah, what are what are the best ways for them to do that? You can you can email me at my email, Sean at WinPak.com, as SHAWN at WinPakWNDPACT.com, or go to WinPak.com and you know you can find me there. Twitter of Sean Springs on Twitter.

Starting point is 00:48:25 I think it's Sean Springs. I prefer to sit out there because I am not good at social media. I am terrible at social media. I don't know. But the best way to do it is email me or link them. You know, you can find me on LinkedIn. As Sean at Sean Springs is my LinkedIn name

Starting point is 00:48:43 and or Winpex LinkedIn and you can find me. And then I'll get back to you, I'll respond. I promise I'll eventually get back to you. Okay, well, thank you so much for being on the show and sharing your wisdom. Yeah, thank you. It was awesome. What a great episode today with Sean Springs

Starting point is 00:49:01 and I appreciated all the different topics we were able to cover. And for me, this area of traumatic brain injury and what he's doing with WinPack can have such profound impact on millions of lives. There are over two and a half million people just in the US alone who suffer a traumatic brain injury. And there are many more than that who go undiagnosed. Having safety equipment and the ability to analyze it, my windpact is doing is so vital to people not only playing sports but doing recreational activities like riding bikes and the military, first responders, etc. I also wanted to give a further

Starting point is 00:49:42 shout out to Boulder Crest and the Warrior Path Program, as well as the Warrior Angels Foundation that I discussed on the show. And if you want some more information on this, I have some great episodes. One with Dr. Michael Lewis, who's one of the foremost experts that using functional medicine to treat traumatic brain injury. I also have an upcoming episode with Andrew Marr who founded the Warrior Angels Foundation because of his own personal experience dealing with the after effects of TVIs from this time as a green beret.

Starting point is 00:50:17 If there is a topic or an interview guess that you would like me to have on the show or talk about, please DM me at Instagram at JohnRMiles. If you haven't, check it out and subscribe. Please go to our YouTube channel also at JohnRMiles where there are literally hundreds of videos across a variety of topics from overcoming adversity, personal growth, how to achieve peak performance, health and wellness, relationships, entrepreneurship, and so much more. Now go out and become PassionStruck. Thank you so much for joining us. The purpose of our show is to

Starting point is 00:50:57 make Passion Go viral. And we do that by sharing with you the knowledge and skills that you need to unlock your hidden potential. If you want to hear more, please subscribe to the Passion Start Podcast on Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your podcast ad. And if you absolutely love this episode, we'd appreciate a five-star rating on iTunes, and you're sharing it with three of your most growth-minded friends, so they can post it as well to their social accounts and help us grow our passion start community. If you'd like to learn more about the show and our mission, you can go to passionstruck.com where you can sign up for our newsletter,

Starting point is 00:51:36 look at our tools, and also download the show notes for today's episode. Additionally, you can listen to us every Tuesday and Friday for even more inspiring content. And remember, make a choice, work hard, and step into your sharp edges. Thank you again for joining us. you

Passion Struck with John R. Miles - Shawn Springs On: How to Stay Grounded in Life EP 73

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.