“I was 27 years old, 150 pounds, and I hadn’t played football in five years. And I decided that I wanted to go chase this dream [of joining the NFL]. Literally, people laughed at me. They said you have absolutely no chance - the odds are astronomically against you and you can’t do it.”
- Phil McConkey

Phil McConkey is the President of Academy Securities, our nation’s first and only post 9/11 military veteran and disabled veteran owned and operated investment bank and broker dealer. Phil has served in this capacity for the last 6 years. He started out at the Naval Academy, after which he served for five years as a Naval Aviator. After his military service, spent 6 years in the NFL, with the Packers, Cardinals, Chargers and the Giants - where he won the Super Bowl.

The top reason to listen to this episode is:

1. Resilience - Phil's first career was in the NFL, where he caught a pass for the winning team in the Super Bowl; he went on to start his own investment bank of which he is now president. He talks about being cut from the NFL multiple times and fighting his way back, about having the tenacity to pursue one's dream no matter what that is.
2. Finance - Phil's company, Academy Securities, employs many veterans through

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Selected Links

• Resources
  • Veterans on Wall Street - Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS) is an initiative dedicated to honoring former military personnel and employees currently in the National Guard and Reserve
  • 100,000 Jobs Mission - https://www.veteranjobsmission.com/
  • Man in the Arena - A speech that Phil kept with him at the NFL and has encouraged him to remain resilient through all adversities

Show Notes

• 2:35 - Phil’s background
• 3:40 - How Phil approached his decision to leave the military
• 15:10 - How Phil transitioned from the Navy to the NFL
• 19:45 - Phil’s advice to those pursuing professional sports or anything that seems like a farfetched dream
• 23:08 - How Phil started his second civilian career in the world of finance
• 25:52 - Phil’s advice to veterans seeking a career in finance
• 28:50 - Advice for veterans seeking to start their own company
• 37:45 - What life is like as President of Academy Securities
• 40:48 - Recommended resources
• 42:52 - What it’s like for a new veteran hire at Academy Securities
• 44:42 - Final words of wisdom