Jennifer Roll 10/16/23 Jennifer Roll 10/16/23

LeSean "Shady" McCoy: Former NFL player

LeSean McCoy is a former NFL running back and 2x Super Bowl Champion who played for a total of 12 seasons. After playing at the University of Pittsburgh for only 2 seasons, McCoy was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, making him a 20-year-old rookie and the youngest player in the entire league. LeSean went on to make remarkable impacts on the league becoming the rushing touchdowns leader in 2011, rushing yards leader in 2013, and winning a Super Bowl in each of his last 2 seasons in the league. On Episode 46 of our Catch the Moment Podcast, we were honored to have the opportunity to sit down with LeSean and dive deeper into his story.

McCoy spoke with us about how his upbringing shaped the goals and aspirations he had growing up. “Growing up in the hood I was blessed to have both of my parents, so a lot of stuff that my friends were doing and participating in I couldn’t do because my dad was at home,” says LeSean. His ultimate goal was to succeed so that he could take care of his parents and improve their situation. This fueled his competitive drive and determination from an early age and allowed him to eventually play football at the highest level. LeSean and I connected on the importance of family as we talked about raising our children. We agree that having children makes you think about the little things you say and do that easily rub off on them.

Throughout his time in the league, LeSean learned the importance of constantly evolving and growing as you enter new environments. “You work this hard not to be the same,” McCoy says as he discusses how he regrets not branching out more and taking advantage of the opportunities he had while in the prime of his career. Looking back, he wishes he would have made new connections to grow with, instead of being so adamant about only being around his “Day One’s.” He could have been learning from so many new people and making valuable connections. LeSean also learned the value of keeping people around you who hold you accountable when you make mistakes. The people who love you demand the best out of you because they believe in you and know what you are capable of.

Ultimately, LeSean McCoy’s defining moment has nothing to do with football. “Mine is just being a walking role model to my kids…my kids are set up for life,” LeSean shares as he talks about how proud he is of his children. He wants his kids to see his accomplishments and know that those things are possible for them as well. LeSean’s football career may have ended, but his story is just beginning. He continues to be an inspiration through his success as a businessman and father, and the determination he cultivated within himself from a young age shines through to this day. Give our podcast episode with LeSean a listen to hear his full story!

Jennifer Roll 4/6/23 Jennifer Roll 4/6/23

Justin Ashley: Racecar Driver and Entrepreneur

Justin Ashley is a 28-year-old professional racecar driver with 7 career wins under his belt already. Justin has also been awarded the NHRA Rookie of the Year Award due to his performance and relationships on and off the racetrack. Not only is Justin the youngest driver competing in NHRA’s premier Top Fuel Dragster category, but he is also the President of Ashley Developers. Ashley Developers was created by Ashley and is a real estate investment organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of distressed properties. Justin spoke on episode 36 of our Catch the Moment podcast discussing his desire to leave the sport better than when he entered.

The podcast started with Justin telling us the thought process of how he started off as a racecar driver. His father raced when he was little and there was “a family atmosphere and a team atmosphere” that attracted him to pursue the sport. After talking with his father, they advised a plan to work his way up to race on a professional level. Ashley didn’t want to just put all his eggs into one basket racing though, so he developed a second part of his career investing in real estate. He did this to not be dependent on racing, and to gain more knowledge about business to apply to the racing world.

Sharing his experience on the mental aspect of what he does, Justin says that “there has been many times when I look at myself in the mirror, and ask myself is this really worth the journey, is this really worth it.” He explains that with each downfall there is something that he learns and uses to grow and get better for next time. Justin also dives into those who have helped him and encouraged him throughout the process, including Antron Brown. Not only is Ashley inspired by the fact that Brown has won three world championships, but also by the way that he carries himself off the racetrack when it comes to his sponsorships. “90% of racing is business and the other 10% is actually being out there racing,” says Justin.

Justin and I end the episode with a lesson to use in our own lives; there is a physical aspect to everything, especially in sports, but your mental health side needs to be doing great so that you can perform your best. He compares this to football and says that “you can go play football and work out 5-6 times a week in preparation, but if your mental side isn't right, what's the difference, the result is not going to show on the field.”

Justin Ashley’s journey from the start of his career and how he has navigated his business and the sports world is very inspirational. Justin continues to race and plans to spend most of his time improving his craft. He is truly someone we can all learn from and will be someone interesting to follow. Give our podcast episode with Justin a listen to hear his full story.

Jennifer Roll 3/9/23 Jennifer Roll 3/9/23

Cellus Hamilton: Christian Rapper and Author

Cellus Hamilton is an author and Christian rapper who was born and raised in the great city of Atlanta, GA who now resides in New York City where most of his music was made. Some of his top hits include Choices, Same War, Good Friday, Strength of My Heart, and so many more. Cellus spoke on episode 24 of our Catch The Moment podcast discussing his musical journey, Christian background, and future plans.

At the early age of 8 years old, Cellus started making music. He was born into a musical family and spent a lot of his young years inspired by both his mother and father. His mom was a rapper who toured and would practice performances in their living room, and his dad sang in the music choir. It was no surprise he developed a passion for the craft of music just like them.

With the love of rap came the culture of hip-hop and what’s often associated with that culture, and Cellus felt that struggle. “Rap was always my pass, I was always able to walk into certain spaces because I could rap. I grew up in a Christian home, but I always tried to be street. I had a dad at the crib…he was present, he was telling me…how to be a man and was raising me right, but I was attracted to…foolishness around,” Cellus explained to me.

After graduating high school, Cellus attended Howard University where he was ultimately declined the ability to finish his senior year due to tuition bills out of his control. The devastation on his part was an understatement, but he kept himself busy with a variety of jobs. “I was doing a lot of things but I didn’t feel like I was walking in my purpose, and I always knew music was what I was called to do.” With a little help from his father, it soon became clear what his next step would be…

“You’ll have the rest of your life to work…but right now you don’t have a wife and a family, this is the chance where you can take a risk and if you don’t eat for a few days it’s only you not eating…you got a chance and an opportunity to trust God because in other seasons where you have responsibilities, you won’t have this freedom to just take risks” - Cellus Hamilton, quoting his father.

At age 22, Cellus moved to New York to pursue his music career. He started rapping on trains for some extra cash and handing out business cards. Eventually, he established himself in the rap scene and began getting noticed. Cellus was able to separate the negative culture that hip-hop sometimes brings on rappers and really apply his own approach to the art with his religious beliefs.

After working with some prominent artists and producing some amazing work, Cellus is now at a point in his life where he’s “actually not focused on trying to prove that I think I’m the best” and is at a new season in his life where is he pursuing ministry at a church. His life is currently centered around prioritizing his family and worshipping the lord, and he plans to figure out how music can be incorporated into this new journey.

Click here to check out our podcast episode with Cellus Hamilton.

Jennifer Roll 2/9/23 Jennifer Roll 2/9/23

New Jersey Devils Legend: Kenneth Stephen Daneyko

Kenneth Stephen Daneyko is a 3x Stanley Cup Champion with the New Jersey Devils and is currently a Devils color analyst for MSG Network and NHL Network. He has been nicknamed “Mr. Devil” by Devils fans, as he currently holds both the franchise record for games played as a Devil with 1,283 games and in penalty minutes with 2,516.

“We were terrible when I started… I just wanted to be part of the answer, part of the solution… everybody thinks, do you wanna be on a better team?… No, I said, I want you be here. I want to go through the tough times because I know how gratifying the good times will be. I kept telling everybody, trust me, we're gonna be something someday.” - Ken Daneyko

One of his life-changing memories he shared with me was getting drafted. He had been out the night before and was sleeping in a bit. He knew they were doing the draft that morning, but he was not expecting to get drafted in the first round. To his surprise, his mother bursts into his room saying he has a phone call that he needs to take immediately. When he picks up the call, the first thing he hears is “Congratulations Ken, we’ve just drafted you 18th”. Ken was so thrilled he almost forgot to ask the team he was drafted to. “I go, by the way, who is this? They go, it’s New Jersey. They didn’t have a team name yet… hadn’t even picked a team name."

Another one of Daneyko’s favorite memories in life was winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in 1995. “First five years, our team was a bottom feeder. We were terrible. So to still be on the team and turn the corner in ’88, that was a huge moment,” says Daneyko, while explaining why it was such a defining moment in his life.

This Ukrainian-Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman played his entire twenty-season career with the New Jersey Devils. The Devils were, and still are, very much a part of Daneyko’s life. Sharing details about how the administration stuck with him even during his worst times, he says “I’m grateful because I had the right people in my organization that believed in me… I care for them because they cared for me.” After struggling with substance abuse throughout his career, Ken was able to resurrect his mental health with the support of many, including the New Jersey Devils.

Ken Daneyko’s journey through life is one we can all admire. He is truly an icon and New Jersey royalty. Give the podcast episode with him a listen to hear his full story.

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