Kon Apostolopoulos: “In many ways, I associate Greece with my home because it was where I spent my formative years–the years that helped me become who I am. Not sitting around and waiting, I decided to explore my boundaries and push beyond. I started traveling and working around the world. I've been thrust into roles that involved teaching, coaching or leading. I've thrived in those roles..
I find myself in the best years of my life being able to do so many of the things that I love.
My daughter started playing soccer when she was little. Hanging around the soccer field I got to know her coach. He recognized I had a passion for the game. I started working with the kids, combining my corporate coaching knowledge with my love for the game and that was very transformational for me.
I love teaching and coaching CEOs so it was a very natural progression working with these amazing kids, especially young girls and being a part of growing strong female leaders. Working with them has been fascinating for me.
When you treat people like champions, you really can get the best out of them no matter what level they're at.
For me, it's not about winning or losing. I want to make sure the kids are having fun. The biggest reward is when I see the older kids return to watch a game. They rush over to me, give me a big hug and say, ‘Hey Coach, I miss you! I still love the game because of you. I fondly remember our time together’. That to me is more rewarding than any win. There's nothing quite like it.
There are so many stories from working with the kids that I am able to bring to the executives I coach. Those stories are exactly what I need to break down some of the egos and walls they have developed. If a ten year old girl or a twelve year old boy can get it, they have no excuse, especially for those who had played sports as a kid. That's where I got the moniker of Coach Kon, because that's what the kids call me.”
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Have a listen as I interview my special guest Kon Apostolopoulos.
Find out how to grow, adapt, and have a meaningful impact in the world.