Jamy Bechler

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

Peaks and Valleys

“Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them.” (Winston Churchill)

This past summer, I went golfing with my wife and her parents. Now, this might seem like the opening line to a joke, but I assure you that they are nice people and I would never say a bad word about them – at least until they stop reading my articles. 

About halfway into the round, I finally birdied a hole and my father-in-law said “It’s about time. I’ve waited 10 years to see you get a birdie.”

I think I saw a playful smile on his face.

[Read more…]

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!!!

[Read more…]

Do The Right Thing

From 1923-1930, Bobby Jones won 13 major championships in golf. His record was unmatched until 1973 when it was finally broken by Jack Nicklaus. One time, in a championship match that he was playing in, Jones drove the ball into the woods. As he was looking for the ball, he accidentally nudged it. Although no one saw him move the ball, he penalized himself one stroke (according to the rules), which caused him to lose the match by that margin. Afterward, when reporters praised him for his integrity, he responded that they might as well praise him and congratulate him for not robbing a bank.

[Read more…]

Episode 080: PGA Caddie Paul Tesori

Paul Tesori is the caddie for professional golfer Webb Simpson. Paul was on the bag when Webb won the 2012 U.S. Open and 2018 THE PLAYERS Championship. In addition to Webb Simpson, Paul has caddied for some of the best golfers in the world including former #1 player Vijay Singh. In total, he has more than 20 wins as a PGA caddie. 

We caught up with Paul between THE PLAYERS and the Open Championship (to be held at Carnoustie, Scotland). The memories of the record-setting performance at THE PLAYERS was still fresh in his mind (especially since it is played at TPC Sawgrass, which is Paul’s home course). Webb led THE PLAYERS Championship from start to finish. Along the way, he equaled the course record with his 2nd-round 63, and also the 36-hole and 54-hole PLAYERS scoring records. With the win, Webb became just the 9th player to have won THE PLAYERS and a U.S. Open. The victory also made Webb World Golf Hall of Fame eligible in the future. 

Paul is a Florida native and attended the University of Florida. He grew up loving sports and played golf and baseball. He was such a good golfer that he even played 21 events on the PGA Tour himself. Paul and his wife Michelle run the Tesori Family Foundation, which was founded in 2009. The foundation helps supports various charities throughout the country with focuses ranging from childhood homelessness to battered women’s shelters, from children battling disease like cancer to animal rescue charities like the Jacksonville Humane Society. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Webb’s runaway win at the 2018 Players Championship
  • Why mental toughness is important in golf and life
  • What he says to a golfer during a round
  • Caddie-Golfer relationships, especially after breakups

[Read more…]

Episode 078: One Percent Better with Joe Ferraro

If you want to be better and choose success then today’s guest is your guy. Joe Ferraro is the host of the One Percent Better podcast. He has interviewed such high-level thought leaders as Seth Godin, Phil Jones, Chris Voss, and Daniel Pink. He is also a motivational speaker and co-host of the KWB Radio show with Kevin Wilson. Joe is was a NCAA baseball coach and player, who now coaches baseball at Bronxville HS in New York. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Coaches who say “I don’t discuss playing time with parents”
  • How he inspires kids on the ball fields and in the classroom
  • What leadership and life lessons he has learned through hosting his own podcast

[Read more…]

Episode 074: JJ Birden, Former NFL Wide Receiver

JJ Birden played 9 years in the NFL as a Wide Receiver after a stand out career as a star track athlete at the University of Oregon, which is known as “Tracktown, USA”.  A 5’10”, 157-pound wide receiver, JJ was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 1988 NFL Draft and played nine seasons (Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons). To play nine years in a profession where the average players career last an average of 3.2 years is something special. Two of those nine years was with Hall of Fame Quarterback Joe Montana. He certainly was not the biggest, strongest, or fastest guy on the field, but he knew how to seize his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and maximize his success through dedication and hard work.

He is now a motivational speaker and representative for the health and nutrition company Isagenix. He is an engaging communicator and a leading expert at helping individuals seize their opportunities in life. In his presentations, JJ shares lessons from his experience as a small man in a big man’s game. JJ’s time in the NFL helped shape the message that he now delivers to audiences around the world. After seeing the successes and failures of others at the highest level, he developed a set of principles that others could follow to achieve greatness, no matter how they defined it or what they’re pursuing.

JJ has also written a book entitled, “When Opportunity Knocks: 8 Surefire Ways to Take Advantage.” He and his wife Raina have 8 kids, including 5 that are adopted.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Catching footballs from Joe Montana
  • Playing 9 years in the NFL
  • Adopting 5 children
  • Staying positive in any situation
  • Whether this world-class sprinter ever got caught from behind

[Read more…]

Episode 001: Toronto Raptors Head Coach Dwane Casey

We couldn’t be more excited to have Dwane Casey as our first-ever guest. He has had a remarkable career that has spanned from the University of Kentucky to coaching the Japanese National Team to being a successful NBA coach. He is the all-time winningest coach in Toronto Raptors history.  The Raptors enter this season with high hopes as they are coming off of three straight 50 win seasons and last year finished tied for 2nd with the Cleveland Cavaliers just one game behind the Boston Celtics.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • His outlook on the upcoming season
  • Working in the coal mines growing up and the value of hard work
  • How being falsely accused of NCAA rule violations shaped his career
  • George Karl giving him his start in the NBA

[Read more…]

Episode 004: Orlando Magic Senior V.P. & Co-Founder Pat Williams

Pat Williams is a co-founder and the Senior Vice President of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. He is the father of 19 children, including 14 of whom are adopted. He has climbed Mt. Rainer and run more than 50 marathons. In 1996 he was named as one of the most influential people in NBA history. He played professional baseball before becoming an executive. In 1983, he won the NBA World Championship as the General Manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. Williams has authored more than 100 books, with his most recent book being “The Intersection of Success”.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • The secret of success
  • How to parent and raise kids in today’s culture
  • Why people don’t always live up to their potential
  • How he finishes at least 1 book per day

[Read more…]

Episode 003: Performance Coach Alan Stein, Jr.

Alan Stein, Jr. is a world-class performance coach that has trained some of the top stars in the NBA. He is now turning his attention to working with top CEO’s as an executive business coach. His popular Pure Sweat Basketball podcast has had such guests as Coach K, Tom Izzo, Kevin Durant, Jay Bilas, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Mark Cuban.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • His transition from world-class performance coach to executive business coach
  • What “success is a choice” means to him
  • His time with Jesse Itzler at his summer camp getaway for adults
  • What he has learned working with and interviewing some of the top players and coaches
  • …and plenty more!


Listen & Subscribe: iTunes | Soundcloud | Google Play | Stitcher

[Read more…]

Episode 015: Giant Worldwide Founder Jeremie Kubicek

Jeremie Kubicek is the co-founder of the GiANT companies (GiANT Worldwide, GiANT Partners, GiANT Capital, GiANT Impact).  Jeremie’s first book, Making Your Leadership Come Alive, became a Wall Street Journal best seller. In 2015, he and Steve Cockrum co-wrote the hit books, 5 Gears and the 5 Voices. Jeremie is also the former CEO over the brands, Leadercast, Catalyst and the John Maxwell training companies. He speaks regularly in organizations of all sizes in the US and Europe.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • How to get along with people even if they have a different personality
  • Communicating more effectively with others
  • Jeremie’s rise to lead one of the top leadership companies in the world
  • Who you should surround yourself with to build the best team

[Read more…]

Sign Up For Leadership Insights

Join Thousands Of Others Who Follow Jamy On These Platforms: