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“You’re never going to play here.” Jon Husted remembers hearing those words as a seventh-string running back at the University of Dayton. He went on to become an All-American and a national champion. U.S. Sen. Jon Husted joins Jim Tressel on “It’s All About the Team” to share the story behind his journey from foster care and adoption to college football and the U.S. Senate. Growing up in rural Ohio, Husted learns the value of hard work from his parents and finds coaches who help him pursue opportunities he never knew existed. He recalls the challenge of earning his place at Dayton, the decision to turn down a coaching opportunity with Nick Saban and the unexpected path that leads him into public service. Husted and Tressel discuss learning from losses, earning trust and surrounding yourself with people who make the team stronger. Husted also shares a message for anyone who feels overlooked or held back by earlier mistakes: “You’re not trapped by your past.” Watch the full conversation, share the lesson that stays with you and subscribe for more episodes of “It’s All About the Team.” #JonHusted #JimTressel #ItsAllAboutTheTeam

Former Ohio State football player Tyson Gentry joins Jim Tressel on a new episode of “It’s All About the Team” to discuss his journey as a Buckeye, the practice injury that left him paralyzed and the people who helped him move forward. Gentry reflects on earning a spot as a walk-on, competing for playing time and embracing changing roles within the team. He recounts the April 14, 2006, scrimmage in which he broke his neck and shares how a letter he had written to encourage rehabilitation patients found its way back to him during one of his most difficult moments. Through stories about his family, coaches, teammates and medical staff, Gentry explains how his understanding of teamwork grew after his injury. He also discusses the support of his wife, Megan, his foundation’s work helping families affected by spinal cord injuries and lessons from his book, “Once a Buckeye.” The conversation explores perseverance, sacrifice and the impact a teammate can make—even when life changes the role they expected to play.

Anthony Gonzalez’s journey is one of the most remarkable transformations in modern leadership — from catching touchdowns in the NFL, to shaping policy as a U.S. Congressman, to now leading in the business world as a CEO. In this powerful conversation with Jim Tressel, Gonzalez opens up about what he learned from Tony Dungy, how the locker room prepared him for the halls of Congress, and why leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about service, humility, and consistency. He reflects on lessons from his family’s Cuban immigrant roots, his time at Ohio State, and how those experiences shaped his mission to create impact beyond the game. Whether it’s leading in Washington or building companies that invest in people, Gonzalez shares the mindset that’s carried him through every chapter. This episode is packed with raw honesty, mentorship wisdom, and stories that will inspire anyone chasing purpose in life — on or off the field. Watch until the end for his candid thoughts on leadership, faith, and fatherhood in today’s hyperconnected world. #Leadership #NFL #AnthonyGonzalez #JimTressel #BackInTheHuddle #Congress #Motivation #CEO #OhioState #TonyDungy #Inspiration

🏈 From 4 Super Bowls to 4 Cancer Battles — Jim Kelly’s Story Will Inspire You In this powerful episode, Jim Kelly sits down with Jim Tressel to talk about football, family, faith, and what it really means to never give up. From growing up in East Brady, PA, to leading the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls, Jim Kelly knows what it takes to win — and lose — with grace. But his biggest victories came off the field: overcoming unimaginable loss and fighting cancer again and again with faith and courage. 💬 “It’s not about the four Super Bowls we lost… it’s about never giving up.” This conversation dives deep into leadership, resilience, and the mindset it takes to keep going when life hits the hardest. 🎧 Watch now and be reminded that real strength isn’t about trophies — it’s about heart. #JimKelly #BuffaloBills #Motivation #Faith #Leadership #Inspiration #JimTressel #ItsAllAboutTheTeam

🌟 Ep. 56 | Lee Thomas, Bill Summers, & Mark Summers 🌟 What do sports, brotherhood, and leadership have in common? Everything. In this powerful episode of It’s All About the Team, Coach Jim Tressel sits down with Lee Thomas, Bill Summers, and Mark Summers to talk about lessons that go beyond the field: ✅ How teamwork and accountability shape your future ✅ The importance of mentors and learning from mistakes ✅ Fraternity bonds that last a lifetime and drive success ✅ Why culture always beats strategy in sports, business, and life ✅ The true meaning of brotherhood, family, and resilience From football fields to boardrooms, this episode proves that success is built on trust, culture, and the people you surround yourself with. 👉 Watch now and discover how to build stronger teams, better leaders, and lasting success. #Leadership #Teamwork #JimTressel #ItsAllAboutTheTeam #Brotherhood #culture

What does it really take to build a winning culture — on the field, in business, and in life? 🏆 In this powerful conversation between Jim Tressel and bestselling author Andy Andrews, you’ll hear stories that will change the way you think about leadership, resilience, and success. From living under a pier after losing both parents at 19, to writing a book rejected by 51 publishers before becoming one of the “5 Books You Should Read in Your Lifetime” on Good Morning America… Andy’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. 🚨 Key Moments You’ll Hear: 🔥 “You are who you hang around — and you become what you read.” 🔥 “The wrong question kept Bob Beamon from ever breaking his record again.” 🔥 “You’re going to try? No — you have to decide.” 🔥 “Don’t get mesmerized by the résumé — culture always wins.” 🔥 “True culture wins all the time — and you can’t fake culture.” Whether you’re an athlete, leader, entrepreneur, or parent, these lessons will inspire you to push past average, stop settling for “great,” and relentlessly pursue the best. 👉 If you’re ready to learn how to compete with culture, think differently, and lead at the highest level, this episode is for you. ✨ Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes of It’s All About the Team. #Leadership #Teamwork #Motivation #JimTressel #AndyAndrews #CultureWins

In this episode of "It's All About the Team," we're joined by two of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of football, Mike Tomczak and Bernie Kosar. They share incredible stories and life lessons from their time in the NFL, discussing championship teams, impactful teammates, and the importance of perseverance. 00:00:00 - Introductions 00:02:38 - The Chicago Bears Championship Team 00:05:26 - The Dallas Cowboys & Life Lessons 00:16:43 - Teammates Who Made a Difference 00:18:54 - Leadership from the 1993 Super Bowl Team 00:20:00 - The 1984 Big Ten Championship Team 00:22:43 - A Teammate from the 1983 National Championship 00:34:21 - Life Lessons from Football 00:44:21 - Mentorship & The Importance of Body Language 01:05:10 - Mount Rushmore of Quarterbacks 01:08:18 - Final Remarks #NFL #Football #podcast #sports #quarterback #footballpodcast #nflpodcast #footballlegends #Bears #BearsNation #DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #Cowboys #GoBucks #BuckeyeNation #OhioState #MiamiHurricanes

🔥 Back in the Huddle: The ULTIMATE Team-Building Playbook! 🔥 Ever wonder what makes a truly great team? We're diving back into the best of "It's All About the Team" to bring you 4 game-changing strategies that will revolutionize how you build and lead! In this power-packed episode, you'll discover: The #1 Key to Success: Why hiring the RIGHT staff is non-negotiable for ANY organization, big or small. (Hint: It's not just about expertise! ) The "How You Do Anything" Mindset: Learn why excellence in one area spills over into EVERYTHING you do – and how to apply it to your team! The Power of Words: Uncover how your words can build or break team culture, and why positive communication is more crucial than ever. Get Them In Early! The secret to fostering a lifelong team mentality by engaging people from a young age. Featuring wisdom from coaching legends like Trent Dilfer, PJ Fleck, and Sherry Hare, plus insights from business leaders like Drew Sparrow (Sia) and Rick Blaze, this episode is a masterclass in leadership and team dynamics. Don't miss these essential takeaways that have resonated with so many! If you're ready to build an unstoppable team, hit play NOW! #TeamBuilding #Leadership #Motivation #Success #Culture #Hiring #SportsPsychology #BusinessGrowth #ItsAllAboutTheTeam #PodcastHighlights

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Drew Sparacia from GBX Group, as he reveals the incredible work of revitalizing commercial historic buildings across the nation! In this eye-opening episode, discover how GBX Group has successfully transformed over 200 properties, preserving history and breathing new life into urban centers. From identifying and acquiring to rehabilitating and preserving, learn about the unique philosophy and powerful impact behind their projects in 25 states across the United States. If you're fascinated by architectural restoration, urban development, or simply love a good success story, this episode is a must-watch! #GBXGroup #DrewSparacia #HistoricPreservation #CommercialRealEstate #UrbanRenewal #BuildingRestoration #RealEstateDevelopment #Podcast #Interview #Viral #Architecture #History #CommunityImpact

Join us for an incredible episode of "It's All About the Team" featuring Esther Buschau, a true force in the world of commercial real estate! ✨ Discover the fascinating story behind The Cafaro Company, one of the nation's largest privately held shopping center developers with 30 million sq ft across 14 states! Esther reveals how her unique upbringing – from learning hospitality with "an extra empty plate" at dinner to her parents turning an old liquor store into a parish feeding the community – shaped her incredible leadership style and understanding of teamwork. In this must-watch episode, you'll learn: What it really takes to lead a massive enterprise and foster a thriving team culture. The surprising lessons from childhood that built a foundation for success. Why "the mission" always comes first and how it unites a team. The power of continuous communication in keeping everyone on the same page. Plus, a hilarious story about a sudden job offer and a challenging drive! Esther Buschau embodies true dedication and community spirit. If you're passionate about leadership, company culture, or just love inspiring success stories, this episode is for you! #TheCafaroCompany #EstherBuschau #Leadership #Teamwork #RealEstate #ShoppingCenterDevelopment #ItsAllAboutTheTeam #Podcast #BusinessInsights #Community #Inspiration #ViralPodcast

Join us for an electrifying new episode of "It's All About the Team" with legendary Coach Cheri Harrer, the winningest coach in Ohio Athletic Conference history! 🏆 Get ready for unforgettable insights as Coach Harrer reveals her secrets to building championship teams – on and off the court. Learn why "How you do anything is how you do everything" is her core philosophy and how it applies to your life! We dive deep into: The surprising early lessons from a farm that shaped a coaching dynasty. Her non-negotiables for recruiting not just talented players, but great teammates! Why today's athletes need to be coached, not sugarcoated, and how that builds resilience. The evolution of women's basketball and the "Caitlin Clark effect"! Behind-the-scenes stories of fostering deep team connection and making every player feel valued. This isn't just about sports; it's about leadership, sacrifice, and the power of true teamwork that can transform any organization, business, or family. Don't miss this masterclass from a true legend! #CoachCheriHarrer #Teamwork #Leadership #Basketball #WinningMindset #Podcast #ItsAllAboutTheTeam #BaldwinWallace #OhioAthleticConference #Motivation

NEW EPISODE with TRENT DILFER! Get ready for an EXPLOSIVE conversation with NFL legend & UAB head coach Trent Dilfer! From heartfelt parenting wisdom to gritty coaching truths (“Best players, hardest workers!” ), Trent drops game-changing insights on leadership, family, and turning teams around. Hear how he transformed a struggling program, trained confidence, and learned from icons like Ray Lewis & Brian Billick. Don’t miss the “Choices, Decisions, Consequences” mantra that’ll rethink your life! 00:00:35 - 00:01:40 | Welcome to UAB: Trent Dilfer’s Journey 00:04:03 - 00:06:51 | Parenting with Unconditional Love & First Time Obedience 00:08:04 - 00:09:40 | “You’re Awesome, But” Parenting Philosophy 00:10:00 - 00:13:06 | The Birth of “Coach’s Hat” 00:18:13 - 00:22:14 | Best Players Must Be Hardest Workers 00:25:17 - 00:27:00 | Jim Sweeney’s Tough Love & Prop 48 Success 00:37:01 - 00:38:47 | Choices, Decisions, Consequences 00:41:17 - 00:44:28 | Managing Personalities with Brian Billick 00:50:52 - 00:53:17 | Romeo Crennel’s Hiring Lesson 01:13:39 - 01:15:39 | Transforming a Soft Player into the Toughest 01:17:05 - 01:18:10 | Confidence is Trainable 01:19:22 - 01:20:19 | Living Bigger Than Yourself

Join us for an epic episode of It’s All About the Team featuring NFL veteran Teddy Ginn Jr. and legendary Coach Darrell Hazell! From heartfelt lessons learned at home in Cinnaminson, NJ, to the gritty brotherhood of Ohio State and the high-stakes NFL, these two share unforgettable stories of sacrifice, leadership, and team-building that will inspire you! Hear about Teddy’s hilarious cheerleader collision and Coach Hazell’s wild charcoal grill mishap! Discover the secrets to building unstoppable teams, from youth football to the Super Bowl. Don’t miss the raw, real, and motivating moments that make this a must-watch! #Teamwork #NFLStories #Motivation Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more epic sports stories! #Football #Inspiration #OhioState #nfl 00:00:00 - Intro: Welcome to the Team 00:00:41 - Sacrifice at Home 00:02:27 - Teddy’s Mascot Days 00:04:16 - First Lessons in Organized Sports 00:06:03 - Teddy’s Youth Football Insights 00:08:40 - Best High School Teammate 00:09:05 - Teddy as the Ultimate Teammate 00:10:31 - Coach Hazell’s Journey to Muskingum 00:13:00 - Building Team Unity at Muskingum 00:15:50 - Teddy’s Ohio State Transition 00:17:55 - Cheerleader Collision Chaos 00:23:30 - Learning to Lose with the Dolphins 00:34:59 - Charcoal Grill Mishap 00:39:12 - Everything Matters at Penn 00:43:38 - Carolina’s Brotherhood 00:55:09 - Minneapolis Miracle Memory 01:00:05 - Fake Punt Return Glory 01:01:51 - Final Wisdom: Empower Your Team

🔥 New Episode with Coach P.J. Fleck — One of the Most Passionate Leaders in College Football! 🛶🏈 In this powerful and inspiring episode, P.J. Fleck opens up about his journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming the head coach at the University of Minnesota. He shares the struggles, setbacks, and lessons that shaped him along the way — and how every moment prepared him to lead at the highest level. You’ll hear the emotional and powerful story behind “Row the Boat,” a philosophy born from personal tragedy that has transformed his teams, his culture, and the entire Minnesota football program. Coach Fleck also reflects on the influence of Jim Tressel, whom he deeply admires and credits for much of his leadership style and personal growth. 💡 If you want to learn about purpose-driven leadership, team culture, and relentless positivity — this episode is a must-watch. 👇 Watch now and drop your biggest takeaway in the comments! #PJFleck #RowTheBoat #MinnesotaFootball #JimTressel #Leadership #TeamCulture #CollegeFootball #CoachingJourney #PurposeDriven #viralpodcast 00:00:00 - Introduction: Welcome to Team Talk (00:00:00 - 00:00:32:08) 00:00:32:08 - Power of Prayer and Purpose (00:00:32:08 - 00:00:44:16) 00:00:58:00 - Row the Boat Philosophy Unveiled (00:00:58:00 - 00:01:04:10) 00:01:12:23 - Empathy and Gratitude Build Teams (00:01:12:23 - 00:01:16:04) 00:02:53:05 - The Origin of Row the Boat (00:02:53:05 - 00:03:54:19) 00:03:54:21 - Impacting Communities Beyond Football (00:03:54:21 - 00:05:27:02) 00:07:07:03 - Lessons from a Young Athlete (00:07:07:03 - 00:08:27:20) 00:08:47:19 - Overcoming the Odds in College (00:08:47:19 - 00:10:08:19) 00:10:44:20 - NFL Dreams and Misspelled Names (00:10:44:20 - 00:11:20:05) 00:14:20:07 - Building Trust Through Transparency (00:14:20:07 - 00:15:56:11) 00:19:10:23 - From Player to Coach: A Fateful Call (00:19:10:23 - 00:22:22:04) 00:23:04:03 - National Championship Lessons (00:23:04:03 - 00:25:49:20) 00:28:14:01 - Building a Coaching Farm System (00:28:14:01 - 00:29:52:12) 00:30:13:20 - From Boy to Man with Schiano (00:30:13:20 - 00:34:41:00) 00:36:22:15 - College vs. NFL Team Building (00:36:22:15 - 00:37:48:16) 00:40:01:14 - Taking the Leap at Western Michigan (00:40:01:14 - 00:43:24:00) 00:44:19:05 - Rebuilding Minnesota’s Team (00:44:19:05 - 00:48:12:17) 00:50:03:21 - Masonic Children’s Hospital Impact (00:50:03:21 - 00:54:16:11) 00:55:17:23 - The 2025 Gophers’ Values (00:55:17:23 - 00:56:43:21) 00:57:42:22 - Closing Gratitude and Team Love (00:57:42:22 - 00:58:13:04)

Ever wondered how to turn a struggling startup into a retail empire? Join us in Episode 45 as we sit down with Rick Blase, the mastermind behind Rick’s Boot Factory! Starting with just 72 pairs of boots and 500 empty boxes in Youngstown, Ohio, Rick faced crushing lows—like selling everything but his house to survive the rise of online shopping. Yet, through grit, teamwork, and a bold pivot to manufacturing, he built a thriving business with 8 locations from Nashville to Las Vegas! What You’ll Learn: The #1 secret to surviving business ups and downs: “Success isn’t linear!” Why valuing and paying your team MORE can save your business. How Rick’s “never say I” philosophy turned employees into loyal teammates. Insider tips for picking winning locations in tourist hotspots like Pigeon Forge and Orlando. The power of giving back—how Rick supports Youngstown State and the Boys and Girls Club. Why Watch? Rick’s story is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and community impact. From nearly going broke to owning a Nashville landmark, his journey will inspire entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers alike. Plus, hear his take on the Cleveland Browns’ glory days and why teamwork makes the dream work—on and off the field! Subscribe for more inspiring stories of teamwork and triumph! Hit the Bell to never miss an episode of It’s All About the Team! Comment Below: What’s YOUR biggest business lesson? Share your story! 00:00:00 - Intro: Welcome to It’s All About the Team 00:00:31 - Rick Blaze’s Entrepreneurial Journey Begins 00:03:09 - Early Struggles and First Lessons 00:04:00 - Facing the Internet Threat 00:05:27 - The Manufacturing Pivot That Saved the Business 00:06:24 - Building a Team-First Culture 00:08:33 - Valuing Employees: The Key to Retention 00:09:57 - Expanding to Tourist Hotspots 00:11:34 - Hiring the Right Team Members 00:14:31 - Paying More to Build a Loyal Workforce 00:15:57 - Workforce Challenges in Ohio 00:19:19 - Empowering Young Employees 00:21:13 - Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork 00:22:12 - The Courage to Persevere 00:25:15 - Strategic Location Choices: Nashville and Beyond 00:29:14 - Building Teams Across Regions 00:32:24 - Leadership and Learning from Mistakes 00:34:50 - Sports and Teamwork: Cleveland Cavaliers Insights 00:36:49 - Cleveland Browns Nostalgia 00:40:27 - Giving Back: Youngstown State Foundation 00:42:45 - Community Impact Beyond Business 00:45:06 - Key Takeaways: Value and Compensate Your Team 00:46:05 - Outro: Rick’s Legacy and Community Impact