EP54: Phil Costa: Snapping to Tony Romo, life after sports, and a year in Madrid!

When I heard that someone had written a book on advice for athletes transitioning out of their sport, I had to speak to him, after all, it's what I do! And today's guest on my #MakeYourMark podcast, Phil Costa, does not disappoint! Between snapping footballs to Dallas Cowboys QBs including Tony Romo, struggling after retirement from the game, witnessing hundreds of heart procedures, and spending a year in Madrid, Phil certainly has so much he brings to the podcast!   "I was speaking with a former NY Giants player, and I said to him, 'You're making it all look so easy, now you're professional commentator, what's the trick?' And he said the three words to me that completely changed things. He said 'I struggled too'. He's a tough-as-nails guy, and he made me realize that it's okay to be vulnerable."   Phil and co-author Rob Curley have written The Transition Playbook for Athletes, pulling together 100+ athletes who give their insight and advice into how to make the transition smoother and less stressful. I'm excited to be sharing the stage with Phil in the upcoming Tackle What's Next Summit in the DC area, as any athlete who is looking for a more targeted focus post-playing days, a reason to get excited to win again, but this time in the business world, should join Phil and I.   "When you go to these events, don't show up as a celebrity, show up as someone who wants to network and meet people."   So much advice packed into this episode, make sure you give it a listen, twice!   "People are receptive, people want to help other people, especially if they think they're being true and their values align. Just (start by) sending a message on LinkedIn, an email on any social platform. We've reached out over time to build our network. We heard a lot of yes, a lot of no, but it's a numbers game."   Some Topics we talk about in this episode:     3:30 - Friendly competition with his brother  4:36 - I think I can do this professionally 5:12 - University of Maryland  6:20 - started off with criminal justice in mind  8:00 - a balancing act  10:00 - I was the one calling the agents 11:11 - plan B sounds like failure  12:15 - playing for the Cowboys  13:30 - knowing my time was up  14:27 - didn't know what was next  15:48 - watching 100s of heart procedures  17:48 - getting an MBA at Columbia University 18:42 - speaking Spanish and writing his first book  19:00 - most important 3 words - "I struggled too" 21:30 - reaching out to athletes  22:25 - the athlete transition  25:00 - the power of shared experience  27:35 - the #1 goal now  29:15 - getting the word out  30:00 - the importance of being humble  34:30 - so much more to advice to offer  37:45 - people are receptive  40:00 - short and sweet 41:48 - Hit Your Mark      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 would like to be a guest on the Make Your Mark podcast and/or know someone else who has either been an athlete, in a role within the sports industry, or a military veteran, and have made a successful transition into a new role, I'd love to hear from you! Just send me an email [email protected] and we'll discuss!   If you would like more information on how I can get you unstuck and moving forward with your transition, let's talk. We can see whether it makes sense to work directly with me, or I can give you other options, but don't let your transition wait another day, let's connect!   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, business and career!   How are YOU going to Make Your Mark today? Go get 'em!