It Is Your Right To Be Extraordinary: Mindset for Success with Former NFL Superbowl Champion Ryan Harris

Speaker 2

00:00

 This episode of the form adversity to abundance podcast and actually stealing an episode that I did on the Good Deeds. Note investing podcast, Chris 70s Show originally where I sat down with Ryan Harris of the NFL. And honestly that episode probably fits this podcast, this show better than the Good Deeds note investing show because we really didn't get into investing too much. What we did do is talk a ton about mindset and overcoming adversity, and how to become successful. Ryan Harris played in the NFL for 10 years. He played, he won a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos, in 2007, and he played for several different teams. We go through that on this episode. He had I think nine or ten surgeries something like that. So I mean, having gone through surgery myself one time. I can tell you, it's no fun and I can't imagine having to go through it that many times. You know, we go through his background and his story, but we also focus a lot on financial literacy and his passion for bringing Financial education to those who don't get it. And that could be those who are in poverty. It could be in the NFL who all of a sudden are given a big chunk of money, and they don't know what to do with it. He's very passionate about financial literacy. He's an active real estate investor. He's a an investor and I think crypto and some other things. So we get we touch on that a little bit, which is awesome, but really it's about mindset. He's got a book out called mindset for Mastery. And I mean, his story is really is fantastic. And it brought a lot of value to me and it fits perfectly with this. Our show here, and so I hope you get just as much value. As I did. Thanks inspiring stories of real people. Overcoming incredible odds to live life to the fullest. We are all guaranteed to face. Hardships, how will we handle the adversity?

Speaker 1

02:07

 Join us to be moved by every day, people who have.

Speaker 2

02:09

 Turned poverty into prosperity and weakness into wealth Be Inspired as these relatable Heroes, get vulnerable and former counter and Diligence investigator Jamie Bateman puts his interviewing skills to the test, restore your faith in humanity as you experience. True Cinderella stories of average people turning surreal struggle and deep despair into booming, businesses and financial Fortune. Take ownership of the life. You are destined to live.

Speaker 1

02:37

 And turn your adversity into abundance.

Speaker 2

02:51

 Welcome everybody. To another episode of The Good Deeds, note investing podcast. I am your co-hosts Jamie Bateman, and I am flying solo as a host today, unfortunately. Chris, the last minute was unable to make it. We both got a lot of snow last night and I guess he lost power and internet, likely excuse. Now, I am kidding. I know he really wanted to be here for this one, because today, we do have a special guest Ryan Harris, and we will get into Ryan's background, he was He's a formal former NFL player Super Bowl champ. Ryan, how are.

Speaker 1

03:26

 You do today? Doing good. Jamie, thanks for having me on.

Speaker 2

03:29

 Absolutely, I am happy, we could connect. I know you're a couple hours behind, so I appreciate you getting up for this, but you mentioned, you already. You already up and Adam. Is that right?

Speaker 1

03:41

 Yeah. I do ecosystem with that includes broadcasting. And I do CBS digital hits for their CBS Sports HQ show Wednesdays. And Friday's in the morning. So and as a father of three, a husband to one the early morning is the only time I am allowed, I believed to have fun and some of my personal passion. So it's fun to jump on with you talk financial literacy, talk money.

Speaker 2

04:07

 And.

Speaker 1

04:08

 Give some examples from my life and NFL locker.

Speaker 2

04:11

 Room. Yeah, absolutely. I appreciate you joining us, there's so many different directions we could go with this. A financial literacy is really important to me as well. And But more importantly, to our audience and you know, it's something that we need to really grow as a culture and Country. I think, you know, there's so much growth that needs to happen there. But before we dive into all that, let us hit on your background a little bit for those who are unfamiliar with you, who are you? And what's your story?

Speaker 1

04:46

 I am Ryan Harris, 10 year, veteran of the NFL Super Bowl, 50 Champion Notre Dames. Graduate as well, and I am a broadcaster of a radio show here in Denver or do a TV show at the Denver Broncos. I do the Notre Dame football radio games are also done NFL games with Westwood one. I talked about my work with CBS, I am also a mortgage broker in a public speaker and a best-selling author. So I got a little ecosystem working here and the in retirement, and I am thrilled to stay busy.

Speaker 2

05:19

 That's really cool. I mean yeah it's This is definitely outside of our typical, you know, guest profile, I guess if you will, but there again it all ties back to some of the things, we're getting it into mindset leadership financial literacy. So ten years in the NFL. Can you hit on that a little bit more and a little more specifics there?

Speaker 1

05:42

 Yeah. So I got drafted in 2007 to the Denver Broncos. Got fired from them in, 2011 went to the Houston Texans for two years. Then the Kansas City Chiefs for a year. Here and then they can't see. Chief said Ryan, we love you, but we don't think there's any football left in you. So then I went back to the Denver Broncos, with my coach from the Houston Texans, Gary Kubiak, we won Super Bowl 50, finished my career in Pittsburgh. Then after that 10 years 9 surgeries for on my back one total replacement five surgeries to save my leg below, my knee called it quits. And fortunately you know, just chose my mindset throughout all those surgeries throughout the different obstacles I had to overcome. I am from Carlos, the NFL and, and also the obstacles. I have to overcome be on my career, right? I mean, retiring at 33, you know, you don't want. My kids, see, me sitting on the couch waiting for the next slate of TV shows, right? So deciding how I wanted to make an impact in my community deciding how I wanted to bring value to others. And, so I chose my mindset and doing that, and that's what my book is on and just really move it. Trying to continue to move. You know, I love the Japanese concept of Kaizen constant. Improvement. So, so I walk that line of self-acceptance and, and constant Improvement every.

Speaker 2

06:57

 Day. Yeah, that's fantastic. I mean, I certainly have not had that number of injuries or surgeries or anything, but I have dealt with some of that myself and it's not easy. And again, not saying it was the same level by any stretch, but it's just, there's definitely, you know, it's so easy with the alien fantasy football, and things like that. Be like, oh, is this guy? Sky in or out, you know, does he have covid or not? You know, he's not a human baby but, you know, I can't imagine that sounds like quite a. I mean, that's a whole lot of obstacles, you overcame. So we might drill down into the mindset that allowed you to overcome those obstacles.

Speaker 1

07:41

 You know, when you win the Superbowl, everything you believe about yourself comes, true for other people. And I want others to have that moment in their life. And I was only able to be there by Choosing My mindset and I did. So, with the words, I am, I can, I will. I was knocked out of my cleats, in my, in my life, fifth practice at Notre Dame. And I just said to myself, you know, I am here because I can play football, I will focus on this one drill tomorrow and knock this guy back and fortunately, the guy was going against didn't do anything different. What are you done? Kicking my tail, the previous five practices but those same teammates of mine are going to uh you know kind of questioning about me were now I who. Okay, right here is complained that end up turning around my career at save my career in the NFL when I was arrogant and unwilling to learn with the Denver Broncos. And then I was released, you know, never been more embarrassed in my life and I had to tell myself, you know, I am never going to lose my job again because of my unwillingness in my arrogance. I can ask questions, I can eliminate distractions, I can focus. Focus on the craft that I love and want to be a part of, I will be a champion and has even said it the night before the Super Bowl. I am terrified, my grace achievements going to be my greatest failure, but I am also ready. I am excited, I am prepared. I can go out there and put on my pads. I can knock the crap. Out of somebody, I will, I will be a champion. So I really used that throughout the 17 years. That were formative for myself, my career, and my future. And with 1600 players, playing in the NFL only 53 will call themselves Champions this year and it's all because of mindset and it's a choice. Each of us makes every day.

Speaker 2

09:18

 It's really good. I mean, and I think that's a really, that's a struggle. I think, you know, to find that balance you obviously hit, you know, I don't want to put words in your mouth, but it sounds like you kind of hit rock bottom when you were released. And so there's an element of humility, you know, they're that you had to accept, I guess, it sounds like, but then you were able to build back. And with that humility, still existing some real confidence. So I think that's the struggle for a lot of people is to find that balance or, you know, when am I, how am I confident and humble at the same time versus being cocky and, you know, maybe not as humble. So I just from the outside looking in and being a sports fan and, you know, former athlete. It's that's a tough one. I think to overcome mental, you define. That, you know that right balance there. So, that's really good. So then you have post NFL you have already touched on it some but you're really passionate about financial literacy. And what else? What is your, what's your life look like? After the NFL?

Speaker 1

10:30

 Well, you know, less stress more fun, right? That's the number one thing, but nice. You know, you 78% of NFL football, players are bankrupt and Either chemically dependent or divorce two years after they're done playing football. I am somebody who blew their first million dollars. You know, my first year in the NFL, I made over a cool million and I did not know what to do with it. I gave money away. People stole money from me. I didn't invest. I didn't do the things you're supposed to do and one of my degrees from Notre Dame, is in economics and policy, right? So just the behavioral side of me of having money, you know, understanding that saving We will be the hardest thing you will ever do as an adult, right? When you have the money to go buy something you want, how could you use? Stop yourself. So I am really big on encouraging people to choose their mindset, choose their language. You know, I had a buddy who just was going through a divorce, and we were on the phone and I can't do this, I can't do that, I can't do this, I can't do that. So what can you do? You know any kind of just took a breath and I can still be a good. Father. I can make sure my kids want for nothing. I can focus on the positive. I can smile even when I don't want to and now he started moving, right? So I just I want to encourage people because so often you know we find ourselves around people, when an obstacle presents itself. They say, oh, told you something would happen or maybe it's not for you or, or, you know, why don't you calm down? Like, I am living my life, you know, and pray and that's not the way to win and that's not really what you want to do. You know, you will scare the crap out of people who are living an average life. If you try and reach for your greatness and I want to encourage you to do so the world's a better place when you make the Impact in the way you're capable of. And all of us are far more capable than we know of producing of engaging of connecting with others. And it's my passion to encourage people to choose their mindset, create better leaders for the next generation and talk about financial literacy. So we can have safer communities, more intelligent, communities, and less crime.

Speaker 2

12:35

 Absolutely Nyla. I love the all this, you know, as far as just taking ownership of your personal financial situation. Ation taking ownership of your situation, your larger situation and your, you know, I love it. So what do you say? So my mother is a retired school teacher public school teacher, and we have had these not debates but just kind of, you know, I come from, you know, the maybe the public school system that I am used to or that I have been exposed to didn't necessarily do the best job of teaching financial literacy. And I still, I still believe there's a lot of room for improvement. But she would say well, we tried, but you know, kids aren't the kids weren't ready for it, or weren't open to it. So what would you say to that? You know, that kind of debate? I mean, did you find that in the NFL? It was there, where their support systems, but the, but the individual players often times weren't open to it.

Speaker 1

13:32

 No, the NFL, she has no Financial Training that they provide their players and it shocks a lot of fans to learn that as actually NFL teams. Are it benefits them if you are not financially literate, right? I mean, Jamie if I am willing to pay you three million but you're broke right? And I offer you 650,000 with the 50,000-dollar, you know, signing bonus that will be in your account next week. What are you doing? Are you holding out for three million? You know? And, and so had you been financially, you know? You made Financial move, zoning, what you buy, buy the stocks that you own. If you got an Apple phone and you like, going to Starbucks on the way to Target own, those stocks, you know what I mean? It, look at real estate, you know, I am a real estate investor. We have a couple of Residential multifamily Properties that's used. And if anybody says kids aren't listening, that's a lie, you know, everyone wants to talk about money. If you talk about money, right, everybody's listening because the wealthy, don't talk about it, as a matter of, as manners, right? And then middle class doesn't like talking about it because most met to the middle class has death and the lower socioeconomic status. I mean they just they don't even have the time to think about what you could do with the amount of money that many people make. So the important thing is to empower people, right? Save 60% of every $100 you make own what you buy know the difference between cost and price. The new iPhones at thirteen hundred dollar price but the cost of that iPhone is whatever it takes to feed your mouth. Entertain your eyes, and keep you active per month, and then the Thirteen hundred dollars, right? So that's about a, depending on where you live, that could be anywhere from a $3500 phone to seventy-five hundred dollar phone, right? So it's so important to understand that and nobody's talking to our kids about this. And there are so many studies that show when you are financially literate, you increase your leverage power, your leverage ability and negotiations. You actually increase your overall earnings and it's very simple things we can Do that make a huge difference in our lives. You know, I am somebody who didn't know, it could pay down, debt that can make a huge difference for you. So I love being able to do that in the different Realms that I am in talked about on my radio show. Help people when they're purchasing their home or talk about it to, to Youth and other organizations as I did with Google, it's fun to talk money with people and encourage people to choose their mindset with money as well. I love it the way.

Speaker 2

15:56

 I personally view money is, it's really important. It's, it's very powerful. So it's kind of like, you know, in some ways in my mind it's kind of like the internet could be used for really for good or for bad or you know in between right but it's not going away and it's so it doesn't do you any good to bury your head in the sand and just kind of pretend that money isn't important. So I love the mindset piece was going to sew our audience is primarily mortgage, note investors, you know, with within the real estate investing space And obviously we're not going to drill down into the specifics of note investing, you know, on this episode but as a mortgage note investor starts to scale their business. That's exactly what it is. It's a business. So you know, I think I we have about seven in the 70s as far as mortgage notes. Chris May own in his different entities. I don't know, 250 mortgage notes at this point, but at some point, you have got to You're out. How do I scale, right? And so what I am getting to is, I have found more and more every day. My focus is on leadership team building, and that kind of thing. So, how would you address our? Our audience in that sense? Regardless of whether they're investing in mortgage notes or whatever, but they're building a small business. What experience do you have that? You could Enlighten us with their.

Speaker 1

17:30

 Number one, you need other people for your success, right? I think that's the biggest thing that high performers. Forget. And that can be played. In coaches, it happens in the NFL every day, but the good coaches in the NFL, they understand, they're a part of their team, right? I mean Gary, Kubiak is one of my favorite coaches that I ever had, and.

Speaker 2

17:50

 And Marie. And I, by the way.

Speaker 1

17:51

 Right? Yeah. And he said, yeah. And he, and I, we had some big, some big discussion, sometimes I am the field. Hey, Gary. Pull your head out of your tail. I know you're a quarterback but run the bleeping ball, right? I mean those are kind of thing and you know what? He did, he did it. So I mean I try to take To Gary Kubiak, how he listened, and the great coaches in the NFL, listen to the players, on the field, you have naive experts everywhere around, you can use them and Empower them, and we just lost John Madden, a Titan in the NFL. And one of the things that have come out are all the stories of people that he's, he would do when he was with your brother. If you're on his broadcast team, he'd bring you on his bus right? Once a year he'd bring you on his bus and things like that. But so often I think people believe that they're independent Success matters. Most, I am here to tell you, as a Super Bowl champion, you will never reach Elite Performance without the help of others, Jeff? Bezos needed, his wife to help start Amazon, right? I mean, Warren Buffett's been married for, I think for over 30 years. All right, 40, 50 years. So, I mean, your success depends on other people, bad leaders. Focus on themselves and believe. It's their success. Great leaders, encourage others, Empower others. Lift them up. Let them fail. Let them succeed again after failure. And in great leaders seek Solutions. So if you're going to lead to win, that means including others leading with examples of your past life and making sure other people want to be around you and feel a part of your success mean what often, what coach in the NFL? Do you have you ever heard Jamie that said, I am so happy, I won the Super Bowl, it was a tough season and thank you so many fans, right. But a lot of us do that in our personal life where the head coach of a team or were the leader of a team and I think it's our success. Absolutely not. You look as foolish as that coach would credit your team rewards, your team and take care of your.

Speaker 2

19:45

 Team. Yeah. And then when things go wrong, take ownership of that right. Take responsibility.

Speaker 1

19:51

 Yeah, he will Panic. You know me. Hey, there's and there's going to be an interception in, just about every game in this NFL weekend, right? And every game has bad plays. Bad place happened, you know, bad, coaches, bad leaders, they focus on that. How could you make that mistake, Jamie, what are you? I think well, hey, Jamie we need you to play, man. Hey, I Believe In You ache. You understand. Now, what you're supposed to do? Let us go. Let us go. Finish this, I mean, it's not just failure failures of certainty, right? How you react. That's the variable that dictates your.

Speaker 2

20:20

 Success. Now, that's great. So, as we move toward the end of the show here. So can you touch on? What does your, you know, personal investing strategy look like right now and so not so much your business and all that stuff but What's your approach to? You know, your own financial situation currently you mentioned some real estate stuff. Is that right?

Speaker 1

20:46

 Yeah. And you know Jamie's change for me because you're talking to a retiree right? You know I am a retiree. So anybody looking at retirement let me tell you what you need right now, income, stable income. So I love real estate. I love residential real estate as a kicks. You that income. But I also, I am a huge believer in value stocks, right? I mean, when is Our bus going to stop making money. When is Disney going to stop making money, right? And so, for me, I had this, I had this period of time. I really saved 80% of every hundred dollars I made and just invested over time. That's done well for me. But now it's about, you know, I love my plan and I encourage everyone to have a plan because if you're like me, Jamie, you get a bunch of offers every week to join into a fund or a group. But my question is always, how much money am I making month one, and that answers everything. Thing I need because of your if your investment doesn't make me income month one, then I am looking somewhere else because I am an income investor. Now, as I turn into retirement where I was at growth investor, during my.

Speaker 2

21:50

 Career, that makes a lot of sense and it really again it depends on your personal situation, right? If you're making five hundred thousand, seven hundred thousand dollars a year. You may not need that income right now. You may not even want that income right now from a tax standpoint but it really. And that's one thing I just love. About real estate and notes and again, goes back to taking ownership of your own situation but you know, market conditions change and your own situation will change. But there's more than one way to skin this cat, and so they're your approach, shouldn't be identical to, you know, somebody who's currently in the NFL maybe, you know, so that's I love it. And so, what a kind of like Jex or books or you know, what do you learning from these days?

Speaker 1

22:42

 Well, I am a huge, huge reader. So right now, I am reading that Will Smith book. I highly recommend it for anybody who's looking just to hear personal story of success. I am also learning a lot about cryptocurrency and blockchain Technology more specifically. So, you know people, I talk to, you know, calling Notre Dame games. One of the benefits is that I get to talk to many wealthy people and many people who have done things differently and one of the most successful people, I know I said, are two things that have made you successful. He said, staying open to influence and surrounding myself with people better than me and more intelligent than me. And everybody who is more intelligent than me, more successful than me. Their focus is cryptocurrency and blockchain Technology. How the secure transfer data is going to change the world, the speed in which you can verify transactions. Oh, so that's a big interest of mine. And then also to just looking forward to more change. I mean, I think when especially, we talked Financial You financial literacy is a great way to talk about, you know, social justices to somebody who commits a 500 dollar crime, or they were 35,000 dollars in our tax money. I don't know. Let us talk about, does it sound logical? You know, so I continue to want to make a difference for those who have made a mistake in a non-violent way and continue to use financial literacy money and my experience to learn to grow and seek New Frontiers.

Speaker 2

24:09

 That's fantastic. Like I said, there are so many little rabbit holes. We could go down with this conversation and so this one might we didn't prompt you for this one, but we're prepared you for it but you're pretty quick on your toes. I think so. So this is the Good Deeds. Note investing podcast. Can you think of a good deed that you have done either in your, you know, your professional NFL career? But maybe even more importantly, posts NFL, with, you know, friends or family or somebody, you know, on the financial side of things, somebody somehow that you have helped somebody out.

Speaker 1

24:51

 Yeah, well, first and foremost in the NFL, you know, I led with an example, we had a teammate. The year we won Super Bowl, 50, that was planned wasn't playing his best and coaches. Screamed at them on the field players, screamed at him on the field, none of us do. Well by the way, when were embarrassed and being screamed at that doesn't, you know, you don't want to work harder at that moment right now? So I walked up to him I said, hey man, when I was your age, I made one, two, three, mistakes a game and then I started feverishly taking notes and I made one, two, three mistakes a year. And the next morning he showed up with a pen and paper and was writing down notes, and we won the Super Bowl. So, you know, that's something that, you know, as a leader. I engaged or somebody who's who My Success depended on his success, gave him an example. Instead of telling them what to do, you know, leading by example is a lazy way to lead. You don't give any context you missed the opportunity to connect and show vulnerability, tell somebody how you overcame a similar obstacle to grow and then what of the biggest things, you know, I am Muslim and what we and one of the sayings in Islam is, you know, one of the greatest Charities you can give as a smile. So I am a big smile and hi guys. Hi, good to see you. Hey, good morning. You know, it's one of those things that even if you're not in that mood and I have had you know I have started many great relationships. I had to this day just by simply smiling and saying hi. And really you know encouraging people to enjoy the day you have and enjoy the opportunity. You have to win to follow up on your goals and Tensions and celebrate every win. So go and enjoy it.

Speaker 2

26:25

 It's fantastic. I think, you know, over the last couple years across the country we could use another smile or two, right? I think that goes a long way so that's really good. Yeah, I mean you have we normally ask for a note and bolt a little nugget, you know, as far as something. Somebody may not learn in a training program or something like that. You have dropped, I would say over 1000 already, so. Is anything else come to mind that you want to share with the?

Speaker 1

26:53

 Audience? No, just continue to try something new, whether its leadership, whether it's finding a way to do a good deed, whether it's helping somebody find something new. You know, many of us in relationships, wouldn't like going to the same restaurant every single date, right? But that's what we do in our professional lives. Once we find success, keep reaching. Learn something new, connect yourself to new communities, and watch your possibilities grow. That's really, really.

Speaker 2

27:21

 Good. Now, you mentioned your book, do you want to?

Speaker 1

27:25

 Mentioned that again. Yeah, you can check out my book mindset for Mastery. It's available on amazon.com. Check me out. Ryan Harris, 68.com you can check me out in the crypto World. Ryan Harris dot e, th because I got the DAP still don't know what that means, but okay Jamie. But I believe it's a great, an easier way to collect crypto transactions without having that long 09, eb7 60 in a line. So, but check me out on Instagram at Ryan Harris. Underscores 68. I am on the Peloton, Django, underscore 68, come get these quads, bro, but other than that, you know, I am a resource for anybody. Anybody who wants to learn and grow, and I am here for you.

Speaker 2

28:06

 Awesome. I just followed you on Twitter about 45 minutes ago. So look forward to interacting you already covered where people can find out more about you Ryan. This has been fantastic. Yeah, I think we have covered so many key points. I love the mines. That you know, the taking ownership to finance financial literacy and just a growth mindset, positive attitude, leading by example, but also you know with Hugh, I guess humble confidence, you know, and listening and you know, tried to listen this whole, this whole episode and spit back much of what you said. But man, I think I need to listen to this one again. This is really good. So thanks a lot Ryan, I really appreciate you coming on. And for the listeners out there, don't forget to go out and do some good deeds. Take care, everyone.

Speaker 1

29:07

 Thanks so much for tuning in to this episode of the form.

Speaker 2

29:09

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Speaker 1

29:13

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Speaker 2

29:15

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Speaker 1

29:17

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Speaker 2

29:18

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Speaker 1

29:21

 It. Thanks again for listening, and we will catch you in the next.

Speaker 2

29:25

 Episode.