EP23: Cory Procter - NFL-er with Essential Advice for Athletes!

"You just keep busting your butt and showing up, and good things are going to happen. I had this insane work ethic and the ability to work past everyone else. It raised everyone else's game, and if they couldn't do it they just fell off." There are thousands of retired professional athletes, many who struggle with the transition into their next careers. A big part of my Make Your Mark podcast is to shine a spotlight on those who are making a positive impact after they leave their sport, and today's guest, Cory Procter, is a superb example of that, as his story of becoming a truly inspirational speaker and financial manager will inspire you. "If any athletes are listening to this right now this is important. So many guys hang onto the dream. I'm not saying not to, but when you hang onto the dream you will pass up so many other opportunities because you're holding onto something that will potentially happen. (This is what I tell guys who are either playing right now or holding out ) Work on your side hustle, work on your side passion, work on something that you want to do after football is over, because at some point it's going to be over whether it's now or in 10 years and you're going to want to  do something with your life and us as men we identify with our work so much that when our work is taken from our lives we have identity struggles. So work on that side passion right now." Cory has been a hard worker, a grinder, since he was a young boy, seeing the results pay off eventually into an NFL career. But the big reward for Cory (and his audience) has been his message of making yourself accountable for your actions, that you truly control your outcome, and treating everyone with respect can earn you a spot on your team (sports, corporate, and anywhere else) that may have otherwise gone to someone else. "When I went to training camp I made sure to introduce myself to the entire training staff; equipment managers and the rest of the staff, not just the head coaches, and at the end of the camp I thank them all. Then an equipment guy tells the coaches 'We need Cory Procter on our team'!  That's not something to be taken lightly because you are having an impact on every place you enter. If you come in and you're respectful, happy and uplifting while showing gratitude, you're going leave imprints wherever you go. You never know where those connections might lead." This was one of my most enjoyable podcasts, as we could have gone on for hours. Cory is such a genuine guy, calls it like it is, and treats us, his audience, with the understanding that with just a few words, we can be inspired to greater things. We talk about being a Grizzly, earning the respect of Bill Parcells, and playing drums in metal band! Give this one a listen...it will fly by, as our conversation was just that, with plenty of advice for athletes and others spread throughout. Happy listening!  Some Topics we talk about in this episode: Intro- 2:04 Igniting Cory's flame - 3:55 Montana is Calling- 8:00 Having an Impact- 12:30 NFL Career- 19:20 Not Many Choose to Step Away/ Injuries- 24:20 Preparing for the Future - 29:20 Critical Keys of Networking- 33:00 Speaking - 37:05 Organizations Have Similar Problems- 39:30 Financial Management - 45:00 What it Takes to Have a Will- 49:00 Hit your Mark- 52:00 How to get involved Be sure to connect with me on Social Media @MarkMoyerCoach and go to my website, www.markmoyer.com to get access to the tips and strategies that my coaching clients get directly. If you're looking for ways to Make Your Mark, send me an email [email protected] and I'll get you going right away. If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave me a quick review on iTunes. Your reviews and ratings will help me reach more people with ways to make their mark in life!