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From coaching Western Michigan University Women's Basketball to becoming a pillar of the Kalamazoo real estate community, Jim Hess knows how to build winners.

In this episode, Coach Rodo sits down with his longtime friend Jim Hess to discuss the legendary "Breakfast of Champions" mentoring program. Jim breaks down his philosophy on why we must stop labeling kids as "at-risk" versus "talented" and instead treat them all as champions. He shares the strict rules of his program: dress for the job you want, take notes to get paid, and never be late.

The conversation features incredible stories, including a young man who ran from the North Side to Kalamazoo College in 10-degree weather just to make a meeting, and how Jim exposes local kids to global leaders like Jim Harbaugh and the President of Stryker. Jim also connects his coaching past to his real estate success, sharing why helping a homeless veteran buy a home was his greatest sale.

#Mentorship #YouthPrograms #JimHess #Kalamazoo #BreakfastOfChampions #WinningRegardless #CoachRodo #RealEstate #JimHarbaugh #CommunityService #Accountability

(01:30) - Coach to Realtor: Transitioning from WMU Women's Basketball to Real Estate.
(02:30) - The Hiring Strategy: Why real estate agencies hire ex-coaches and teachers.
(05:30) - Breakfast of Champions: The origin of the program and why "labels" damage kids.
(07:15) - The Rules: "Get up, show up, dress up." (Why the kids wear shirts and ties).
(08:45) - Getting Paid: Why Jim pays the students to take notes and talk to their parents.
(10:00) - Expanding Horizons: Taking inner-city kids to the "Big House" with Jim Harbaugh.
(13:30) - The 10-Degree Run: The incredible story of the student who snuck out and ran miles in the snow to not miss a meeting.
(16:45) - Dream Big: Jim Harbaugh's advice on dreaming so big that people laugh at you.
(18:30) - The Best Sale: Helping a veteran overcome homelessness to buy his first home.
(20:00) - Community Dialogue: Breaking down barriers in the steam room.

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It's the season of giving, but as Coach Rodo explains, your time is worth far more than your money.

In this heartwarming and challenging episode, Coach Rodo opens up about his company's work with the YMCA program at Lincoln Elementary—a school facing high poverty, homelessness, and 18 different spoken dialects. Rodo shares incredible stories of "sending the elevator back down," from filling a swimming pool with masks during COVID to the hilarity of bargaining with students at the school's "Secret Santa" shop.

Rodo issues a direct challenge to high school coaches: Get your athletes out of the gym and into the community. Whether it's reading to elementary kids or serving lunch, volunteering isn't just a time-passer; it is essential character development that teaches athletes gratitude, service, and empathy.

#Volunteering #CommunityService #YouthSports #CoachRodo #WinningRegardless #GivingBack #HighSchoolBasketball #LincolnElementary #Philanthropy #mentorship 
(02:50) - The Reality at Lincoln Elementary: 18 dialects, homelessness, and the "hygiene locker."
(04:30) - The Steve Dunning Legacy: Why Rodo chose this specific program to support.
(06:30) - The Secret Santa Shop: Watching kids pick their own presents and bargaining with tickets.
(09:00) - COVID Relief: Renting a U-Haul to fill a swimming pool with masks for families in need.
(12:00) - The Steve Dunning Room: How a room with Xbox and snacks dropped student referrals significantly.
(15:30) - Kids are Honest: The hilarity of volunteering (and the student who flips tables).
(20:00) - Reciprocation: Why children are the ultimate mirrors of energy (smile and they smile back).
(23:00) - The Coach's Challenge: Why you must take your high school team to volunteer at elementaries.
(26:00) - The Payment Plan: How Rodo handled tournament fees to ensure every kid could play regardless of money.
(29:00) - Service Over Self: Teaching athletes what it means to serve rather than be served.

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Are you living your missed dreams through your children?

In this essential episode, Coach Rodo confronts parents who live "vicariously" through their kids' sports careers, especially as the high school basketball season begins. Rodo argues that this behavior is not just about love; it’s about a parent’s own need for success, which often leads to poor coaching advice and emotional pressure.

The consequence? Rodo explains how this parental drive can make a child feel like a **failure**—not to society, but to their parents—because they didn't fulfill the parent's unachieved dreams.

Learn to step back, become the narrator, not the main character, and stop dimming your child's success. Your job is to help them avoid *missteps*, not to force them into *your* footsteps.

#LivingVicariously #SportsParents #ParentingMistakes #CoachRodo #WinningRegardless #YouthSports #AthleteFailure #ParentingAdvice #HighSchoolSports #Mindset

(01:25) - What is Living Vicariously? Why parents project their unfulfilled dreams.
(02:20) - Love vs. Self-Love: When a child’s success becomes the parent’s success.
(03:00) - The Rodo Standard: "I f***ing hope so!" (Why your kid should be better than you).
(04:05) - Your Dream, Not Theirs: The danger of parents calling the coach about playing time.
(05:15) - The Failure Complex: How parents create a feeling of lifelong failure in their kids.
(06:20) - Wrong Advice: Telling a kid to run the play *your* way from the sidelines.
(08:35) - College Recruitment: Why parent behavior is often the #3 reason a kid isn't recruited.
(10:00) - Be the Narrator: How to truly help your child without being the "dimmer."
(11:05) - It’s Their Turn: Why your glory days are over.

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From getting kicked out of college twice to leading a school as a Principal, Darryl Blasingame is the definition of resilience.

In this powerful episode, Coach Rodo sits down with his friend of 30 years, Detroit Principal Darryl Blasingame. Darryl shares his raw testimony of growing up on the West Side of Detroit, losing his father at 11, and the academic struggles that led to him being dismissed from Western Michigan University. He reveals how coaching sparked a love for education that turned his life around.

The conversation goes deeper as Darryl opens up about his terrifying 5-year battle with rare nasal cancer. He discusses the moment he almost gave up, the strength he found in seeing a child fight the same battle, and how surviving taught him the ultimate freedom: minimizing the impact of other people's opinions.

#CancerSurvivor #Resilience #PrincipalLife #DetroitEducator #WinningRegardless #CoachRodo #OvercomingAdversity #WesternMichiganUniversity #LifeTestimony #DarrylBlasingame

(02:00) - The Mantra vs. The Crutch: Losing his father at 11 and his mother's tough love.
(06:45) - The Turnaround: Getting kicked out of college twice before finding his purpose in education.
(11:00) - The Diagnosis: Darryl opens up about his rare nasal cancer diagnosis five years ago.
(15:30) - The Breaking Point: Losing 27 pounds and almost giving up during radiation.
(17:45) - Perspective: How a 3-year-old cancer patient gave him the strength to finish treatment.
(20:00) - The Mirror Moment: Using empathy to discipline students by remembering his own mistakes.
(25:00) - True Freedom: Why his greatest accomplishment is freeing himself from the fear of judgment.
(35:00) - Perception Impacts Experience: Darryl's philosophy on defining your own wealth and happiness.

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High school basketball season is here, and Coach Rodo has a direct message for parents: **Stay off the sidelines!**

This episode tackles the massive issue of parents interfering during games, from sideline coaching to interrupting warmups for a hug or a dap. Rodo explains the damage this does, arguing that when an athlete prioritizes a parent's voice over the coach, they are signaling a lack of respect for authority—a huge red flag for college recruiters.

Rodo also challenges the notion that coaches intentionally bench their best players, reminding athletes that the **only thing they control is their effort**. Learn why you need to block out the outside noise and treat the court as the only arena that matters.

A critical listen for every sports parent, high school coach, and serious athlete.

#StopCoachingFromSidelines #YouthSportsParents #BasketballParents #CoachRodo #WinningRegardless #RespectTheCoach #CollegeRecruiting #SportsPsychology #HighSchoolBasketball #AthleteDiscipline

(01:50) - The Rule: You didn't apply for the job, so don't coach from the sidelines.
(02:50) - Parent Interference: When a kid looks at the parent instead of the coach.
(04:40) - Red Flag for Recruiters: Why college coaches are recruiting *parents* too.
(06:15) - Respect for Authority: What it means when a kid only listens to their parent.
(07:35) - The Parent Look: When a coach gives the parent the look to fix their kid.
(09:30) - Playing Time: Name me a coach who doesn't play their good players.
(11:30) - Referee Compliment: How to be the best parent in the stands.
(13:00) - Warmup Interruptions: The problem with parents giving dap and hugs during warmups.
(15:45) - The Car Ride: How to talk to your kid after a bad game (wait 20 minutes).
(18:35) - The Challenge: Why athletes need to ignore their parents' sideline shouts.

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High school tryouts are over, and in this episode, Coach Rodo talks straight to the athletes who got cut. He unpacks the difference between disappointing your parents and disappointing yourself, arguing that the only real disappointment comes from a lack of effort.

Rodo challenges the common parent response of comforting the child, insisting that the best response is to ask, "What are you going to do with that disappointment?"

This is a must-listen for coaches, parents, and young athletes. Rodo emphasizes that being cut hurts, but it's a powerful lesson in problem-solving and self-accountability that translates directly into life. Learn how to transform that feeling of failure into a relentless pursuit of improvement for next year.

#GettingCut #AthleteDisappointment #CoachingAdvice #YouthSports #WinningRegardless #EffortOverTalent #Accountability #Tryouts

01:10) - Disappointing Your Parents: Why kids try out for the wrong reason.
(02:30) - The Only Disappointment: Why your lack of effort is the only thing that should disappoint you.
(04:45) - The Next Step: What do you do with that disappointment? (The "Go to the Y" response).
(06:05) - Quitting Isn't Allowed: The way you do anything is the way you do everything.
(08:30) - Old School Work Ethic: Why kids don't play 21 and pick-up games anymore.
(10:40) - The Senior Cut: Why a coach cuts a senior who hasn't gotten better.
(13:20) - Parent Mistake: Why making your child feel better doesn't help them grow.
(15:30) - The Coach’s Joy: Watching a cut kid use problem-solving skills to make the team next year.

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Coach Rodo tackles the life-altering importance of **Respect**—a cornerstone of his culture and coaching philosophy. Starting with a powerful personal story about being corrected for saying "What?" to his grandmother, Rodo discusses how respect has become dangerously transactional.

He challenges parents and coaches: **Respect is earned, but it must also be given.** Rodo shares his practice of thanking his athletes for their time and the critical lesson of allowing children to tell their side of the story to authoritative figures like teachers.

The most vital message is that **Acknowledgement is the highest form of respect**, especially between men in the community. Rodo explains why a simple "What's up, brother?" in passing is a crucial step to de-escalating tension, highlighting tragic stories of violence that began over perceived disrespect. The episode closes with a call for self-respect as the ultimate foundation.

#Respect #Acknowledgement #BlackCulture #CoachingAdvice #SelfRespect #WinningRegardless #Community #LifeLessons

(00:55) - The First Lesson: Getting hit for saying "What?" to Grandma.
(02:30) - Quitting & Disrespect: Why allowing kids to quit is disrespectful to their potential.
(04:40) - The Team Rule: How Rodo got his players to stop saying "What, Coach?"
(06:50) - Respect Must Be Given: Why coaches must thank players for their time.
(09:30) - The Church’s Role: How institutions lose respect when they stop serving the community.
(13:55) - Respecting Your Kids: Giving your child a chance to tell their side of the story to a teacher.
(18:00) - Acknowledgement: Why looking a brother in the eye and speaking is vital.
(20:30) - Disrespect Kills: Tragic stories of life sentences over minor bumps and perceived disrespect.
(24:45) - Final Challenge: **Self-Respect** as the foundation for respecting others.

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Coach Rodo shares why simple words of motivation can be the difference between an athlete quitting and becoming a champion. This episode is built around a powerful story from Rodo’s paramilitary-style training for Kalamazoo Central High School athletes.

He highlights a freshman girl who struggled with every drill but refused to quit. Rodo uses her resilience to discuss why coaches often neglect the "last place" kid, and why it's critical to coach them up to the "middle of the pack."

Rodo issues a challenge to all coaches: motivate the struggling athlete the same way you motivate your star, and understand that being a student-athlete is a demanding, full-time job. He emphasizes the "no man left behind" military mindset applied to coaching.

#AthleteMotivation #CoachingAdvice #YouthSports #LastPlaceAthlete #WinningRegardless #KalamazooCentral

(01:00) - The Training: Working with Kalamazoo Central High School athletes in paramilitary drills.
(02:30) - The Freshman Who Wouldn't Quit: Her struggles prove that effort cannot be taught.
(04:45) - Corner Cutting: Why cutting corners hurts your teammates, not just yourself.
(07:20) - The Breakthrough: How simple words of encouragement instantly fixed her technique.
(09:05) - Coach Rodo’s Philosophy: Why you must motivate the last-place athlete.
(10:45) - Student-Athlete Life: Why being a student athlete is a job.
(12:30) - No Man Left Behind: Applying the military mindset to coaching every single kid.
(15:40) - The Coach’s Impact: Choosing to make an athlete, never to break them.

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In this raw and deeply personal episode—which Coach Rodo calls his own "therapy session"—he opens up about the 13-year anniversary of losing his best friend and brother, Lorenzo Donnell Marshall.

Rodo challenges common clichés about grief, rejecting the idea that "time heals all wounds" or that a lost loved one is simply "in a better place." He offers profound advice on how to live with the pain of loss, discussing the difference between moving "forward" (forgetting) and moving "ahead" (carrying on).

The episode gives listeners a critical lesson in resilience, vulnerability, and remembrance: the importance of saying their name so they don't die twice. Rodo shares how his own children saw him cry, emphasizing that it's okay for men and fathers to be vulnerable. This conversation is dedicated to anyone who needs a session of real human emotion.

#Grief #Loss #MentalHealth #MensMentalHealth #Brotherhood #Vulnerability #WinningRegardless

(01:30) - Rejecting Clichés: Why Rodo rejected the "better place" narrative at his brother's funeral.
(03:00) - Core Grief Advice: You don't "get over it" with time; you learn how to live with the pain.
(04:00) - The Equalizer Lesson: "If you don't say that person's name, then they die twice."
(05:00) - Validation: A Pastor validates Rodo's raw human emotion about loss.
(07:20) - Moving Ahead vs. Forward: The difference between forgetting and carrying on.
(08:00) - Family Connection: How his brother's passing brought him closer to his nephew and nieces.
(09:30) - Happiness in Grief: Why not all grief is bad; sometimes it's happiness at the memory of them.
(11:00) - Vulnerability: It's okay for men and fathers to cry and be vulnerable.
(12:30) - Conclusion: This is Rodo's "therapy session."

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Coach Rodo discusses the incredible resolution to the Kalamazoo Central (KC) football incident that captured national attention.

He first commends the KC community and students who organized a massive protest and walk-out—forcing the Superintendent to reinstate the suspended player after the Principal's decision was overridden.

Rodo then details the powerful, unpublicized meeting: the two players and their fathers came together for breakfast. He praises the father of the injured Lakeshore player for bringing his son to the community to accept the apology, show grace, and reject the racist and hostile narratives pushed by social media and national news.

This episode is a powerful message on media bias, the taboo of forgiveness, and how young kids and community action showed adults how to heal division. It also addresses the false rumors about the suspended player's father, who was proudly standing by his son.

#KalamazooFootball #Forgiveness #MediaBias #YouthSports #CommunityAction #WinningRegardless

(01:54) - The Community Action: Students organize a protest/walk-out after the Superintendent kicked the player out.
(03:40) - The Victory: The students successfully pressured the school to reinstate the player.
(04:47) - The Healing: The two players and their fathers meet for breakfast.
(07:10) - Commending the Lakeshore Father: He brought his son to the community to allow grace and forgive.
(09:30) - Media Bias: Why national news ignored the powerful act of forgiveness and healing.
(10:50) - Local News Critique: The struggle to get local media (News 3) to correct wrongs.
(14:38) - The Lesson: Grownups got it f*cked up; the 15-year-old kids showed us how to forgive.
(17:35) - Final Commendation: The power of a community systematically holding leadership accountable.

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