In this powerful episode of The Inspiration Podcast, host Stan Gibson sits down with Alex Molden — former first-round NFL draft pick, speaker, author, and leadership coach — to talk about life beyond the field, discovering identity after success, and how to lead with influence and integrity.

Alex's story is one of grit, humility, and transformation. From being the #11 overall draft pick in the 1996 NFL Draft to facing career-ending injuries, he learned firsthand that even at the top, your job is never truly secure. Through the highs of playing for the Saints and Chargers to the humbling moments of rebuilding life after football, Alex discovered that true leadership is not about fame or titles — it's about influence, self-awareness, and consistency.

He shares how one mentor taught him the three principles that changed everything: ➡️ Assignment — Know your role and the roles of those around you. ➡️ Alignment — Position yourself precisely for success — in life, relationships, and work. ➡️ Adjustment — Be ready to adapt when things don't go as planned.

These lessons not only helped him excel on the field but also shaped his approach to leadership, parenting, and coaching others. Alex opens up about a painful post-NFL job interview that brought him to tears — a moment that forced him to ask, "Who am I without football?" That awakening led to years of personal growth and the creation of his book, "Breaking on the Ball of Life."

Whether you're leading a business, a team, or a family, this episode will inspire you to build your own framework for success — one grounded in awareness, purpose, and character.

"When you have something of value, you don't need to dress it up. You already shine." — Alex Molden

Links:

• FREE GIFTS FOR LEADERS: https://leadwithstan.com

• MORE INFO: https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 — Welcome and introduction to Alex Molden
• 02:00 — Being recruited by Oregon and the early college years
• 05:00 — Getting drafted and the transition to the NFL
• 07:00 — What free agency taught him about business and humility
• 09:00 — The hard truth: your job is never safe in professional sports
• 12:00 — Facing injury, doubt, and the business side of the NFL
• 14:00 — The "Assignment, Alignment, Adjustment" framework that changed his life
• 18:00 — Applying those lessons to leadership and coaching
• 22:00 — Writing Breaking on the Ball of Life and redefining success
• 26:00 — The humbling story that forced him to rediscover his identity
• 31:00 — Rebuilding faith, priorities, and alignment after football
• 33:00 — How he teaches leaders to stay grounded in values and purpose
• 37:00 — Coaching others through honesty, culture, and influence
• 41:00 — The Junior Seau "Rolex" story — a lesson in humility and value
• 46:00 — What present-day Alex would tell his younger self
• 48:00 — Understanding leadership as influence
• 49:00 — How to connect with Alex Molden and learn more about his work