Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

Episode 115: Kaya Jones, Recording Artist

Kaya Jones was one of the singers for The Pussycat Dolls, which is one of the most popular girl groups in history having sold more than 15 million albums & 40 million singles worldwide. She was discovered and first signed to a deal by R. Kelly in 1999 (when she was 13 years old). Kaya has worked with Britney Spears, Mick Jagger, D12, R.Kelly, Dada Life, Calvin Harris, Backstreet Boys, Eminem & Katy Perry to name a few. Kaya has also developed the Hollywood Doll brand, which designs and manufactures a line of dolls, and fashion and beauty products for young girls. And, at the age of 26, Jones became the youngest female in history to start her own record label, HueMan Race Records. Kaya has brought her own sound to the masses and developed her career as a solo artist.

 

In 2017 her song “What The Heart Don’t Know” shot up the chart to #3 behind Taylor Swift and P!NK. She stopped the promos for the song in order to focus on raising money for Hurricane Harvey and was successful in raising almost 3 million dollars for the relief efforts. She also went to Houston to help feed and distribute clothing to churches and food to victims, as well as first responders. In 2017, Kaya became a very out-spoken supporter of President Trump. On October 1, 2017 she was in Las Vegas and on stage with Big and Rich one hour before the worst mass shooting in US history. She became an Ambassador for the NDC (National Diversity Coalition for President Trump) and also a Director for the URC (Urban Revitalization Coalition for President Trump. In 2018, Kaya had the honor of singing the National Anthem for the President and Vice President of the United States over the course of two days at CPAC.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Signing a recording contract as a 13-year old
  • The time spent with the musical group The Pussycat Dolls
  • Being part of a Grammy nominate country album
  • Her political and religious views
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 108: Phil Hellmuth, 15x World Series of Poker Champion

Nobody has won more World Series of Poker championships than Phil Hellmuth Jr.  He won his 15th WSOP Bracelet in the summer of 2018, which puts him far ahead of Phil Ivey, Johnny Chan, and Doyle Brunson (who all have 10 bracelets). Hellmuth also holds the record for most cash finishes and most final table appearances at the World Series of Poker. In 1989, the 24-year old Hellmuth became the youngest person ever to win the WSOP Main Event when he defeated legendary Johnny Chan. “The Poker” Brat as he is known for his colorful and competitive personality, was elected to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2007. He has also written a New York Times best-seller (“Play Poker Like the Pros”), as well as his autobiography (“Poker Brat”). Hellmuth also is very active in raising funds for charities. He has raised more than $50 million in his lifetime for charitable causes and organizations.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • What makes him so good
  • The process of writing his books
  • Qualities and principles of success and positivity
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 105: 2x Super Bowl Champion Gary Reasons


Gary Reasons spent nine years as a linebacker in the National Football League.  He was a fourth round draft pick in 1984 by the New York Giants and was instrumental in helping the team win two Championships, Super Bowl XXI & XXV.  As a team leader, he was elected by his teammates to the NFLPA Board of Directors and was further elected by the Board and served 6 years as Vice President on the NFLPA Executive Committee. He is also an inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Following his playing days, Gary has enjoyed a 23 year television broadcast career as a college football analyst with ABC Sports, ESPN, and FOX Sports. Concurrent to his broadcast work, Gary has utilized natural leadership, expert communication skills, and technology expertise to lead several prosperous businesses. Gary’s technology background includes solution strategy and development for global technology firms such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services and NTT Data. 

Reasons is now a motivational speaker and consultant to businesses. He is the Co-Founder of PRO ATHLETES TEAM, where he serves as President and oversees all aspects of the organization.  As a senior business executive, Gary has more than 20 years of experience within the IT industry and over 30 years of experience within the Sports, Media, and Entertainment industry.  

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Being a fellow linebacker with Lawrence Taylor
  • Whether he knew Bill Belichick would be a great head coach
  • The great athletes that have come out of his college
  • … and so much more!!!

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A Letter to My Freshman Self

Dear Freshman,

You should be proud. You are in select company. Not everyone can be a student-athlete. Not everyone will finish their four years as a student-athlete. It’s hard. It’s hard to find the balance between your studies and your sports. It’s hard to commit so much time to your sport, meet new people, make new friends, and take care of all of your responsibilities. It’s hard to challenge yourself every day and not take a second for granted. Here are a few pieces of simple, yet very important advice to help you out as you start out on this wonderful journey.

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Episode 100: Jon Gordon, New York Times Best-Selling Author

Jon Gordon is a best-selling author, motivational coach and motivational speaker.  His books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sports teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits. He is the author of 16 books including six best-sellers: “The Energy Bus,” “The Carpenter,” “Training Camp,” “You Win in the Locker Room First,” “The Power of Positive Leadership,” and “The Power of a Positive Team.” Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, The Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Los Angeles Dodgers, The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Dell, Publix, Southwest Airlines, LA Rams, Miami Heat, Pittsburgh Pirates, BB&T Bank, Clemson Football, Northwestern Mutual, Bayer, West Point Academy, and more.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Getting rejected by more than 30 publishers
  • Writing a book in 3 weeks
  • Being positive in the world today
  • Working with high-level sports teams
  • … and so much more!!!

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Will You Reach for the Summitt with Your Legacy?

photo credit: Patrick Murphy-Racey

(originally posted on June 28, 2016)

Today is a sad day not only in Tennessee, but across the nation.

I first wrote those words in April of 2012, when she left coaching at the too young age of 59 after a legendary and unprecedented career and I proclaimed that she was the best ever.

This morning we lost one of the greatest leaders as Pat Summitt her battle with Alzheimer’s type dementia.

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Episode 97: Eric Platte, Atlanta Hawks Vice-President

Eric Platte is the Vice President of Ticket Sales for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. He has been with the Hawks since 2010 when he graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Supply Chain Management. Eric is highly regarded for his innovative ideas for workplace culture and leadership training.  Eric believes that leaders drive culture, culture drives people, and people drives business. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • His journey and career advice for others looking to get into professional sports
  • Creative ways to motivate employees and team members
  • On-boarding and training of employees
  • How leadership is important in the sales business

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Episode 096: Toronto Raptors Guard Lorenzo Brown

Lorenzo Brown was the NBA’s 2018 G-League Most Valuable Player and is a member of the Toronto Raptors. He also played with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, and Phoenix Suns. The six-foot-five combo guard played college basketball at NC State. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in assists as a junior before leaving early to enter the NBA Draft. He was drafted 52nd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2013 NBA draft.

During Brown’s MVP season, he helped lead the Raptors 905 to the G-League Finals while averaging 18.8 PPG, 8.8 APG, and 5.2 RPG. On  January 12, 2018, Brown became the first player to score in both a G-League game and an NBA game on the same day. He had 24 points and 12 assists for the 905s earlier in the day and then suited up that night against the Lebron James-led Cleveland Cavs on national TV. Brown would play 19 minutes in the 34-point blowout win, scoring 6 points and dishing out 5 assists.

Brown initially attended Centennial High School in his native Roswell, Georgia, where he averaged 20.8 points as a senior and was named a fourth-team Parade All-American and the Georgia 5A player of the Year. He would eventually spend a post-graduate year at Hargrave Military Academy. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • His basketball journey and lessons he’s learned
  • What he’s learned from Demar Derozan and Kyle Lowry
  • What makes Toronto’s “Bench Mob” so valuable
  • How he embraces his role on the team
  • Qualities of a great coach
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 092: Jerod Ward, Former Pro Basketball Player

Jerod Ward was the #1 high school basketball player in the country in 1994. As the top recruit, he could choose to play college ball anywhere and he chose The University of Michigan. Multiple knee surgeries kept him from achieving his NBA dream but he still had a solid four year career for the Wolverines helping them beat Duke three straight years, win the National Invitational Tournament and the Big Ten Tournament. Jerod then went on to have a long career playing professional basketball worldwide. Jerod now travels across the country as a professional speaker. He has even been on stage for a Tedx Talk presenting on the topic of EATing Adversity. Even though he is retired from playing basketball, Jerod still stays close to the game he loves as he works as a college basketball analyst with networks including ESPN, FOX Sports. Jerod lives in Sarasota, Florida with his wife Tricia and daughter Violet.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • His decision to attend college and not turn pro out of high school
  • What it was like being the best high school player in the nation
  • The Lebron James vs. Michael Jordan debate
  • Playing professional basketball for 14 years
  • How we can overcome adversity we face in life

[Read more…]

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