"Life Lessons to Share" with Tom

Hi, welcome to Life Lessons to Share. I'm so glad you're here. Today's guest is a guy I've known for a long time, and many of you know as well. I couldn't be more excited to have him on the show. Ryan Bowen is the ultimate homegrown guy from the great town of Millbury, Ohio. He's a small business entrepreneur, husband to his high school sweetheart, and a dad to two incredible young men. Yes, Ryan has a story full of life lessons, but his true story is more than just his own life lessons. When we see Ryan, he is definitely always the life of the party. But what I love most about Ryan is his passion, his heart, and the way he always has shown up for his family. 

The goal of this podcast is getting to know a person better once they tell their story. I think you're going to agree with me, there is more to Ryan's story than just that jovial smile you see whenever he enters the room...

Here now is guest number 26 to the podcast, the one and only ,Ryan Bowen.

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Today's episode is a big one. My guest today, our 25th to the podcast, has spent his entire life in the "419" of Ohio. Absolutely, one of the most respected leaders in Ohio high school basketball. 

I've known John Cahill for nearly 30 years as a rival,  as an official, and a friend. From building a powerhouse at Clyde, to raising a family of champions, to giving everything he has to the kids of Fremont Ross today, his story is one of loyalty,  toughness, and heart.

Sit back and enjoy today's episode, a story of A Lifelong Coaching Journey with John Cahill .

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Thanks for showing up for today's incredible episode. If you're looking for a politically correct episode that stays on the fence in the middle, you've come to the wrong place. My guest today is direct, honest, and unapologetic about the 24/7/365 commitment he has given his elite high school softball program the past 25 years as head coach.

He's a leader who has a gift in balancing grit and discipline with love and compassion. He's adapted his style to effectively lead his players, an ever-changing generation of today's athletes. Make no mistake, he is a Springfield Blue Devil through and through.  A 2023 Ohio Coaches Hall of Famer who just celebrated his 500th career win this season.

Over his 25 years as head coach, Rob has built a culture of fierce loyalty, capturing 12 NLL league titles, four state Final Four appearances, reaching the state final game in 2022 and 2025, while also sending 77 players to the college level.  He's a winner, a culture builder, and a legendary coach. 

Welcome to episode 34 of Life Lessons To Share with me, your host, Tom, and my 24th guest, my friend, Rob Gwozdz. 

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Hi, welcome to today's episode. I'm so glad you're here... 

This podcast is built on the idea that everyone has a story and the events inside that story help us really get to know that person. Today's episode is proof of that. 

I actually taught for years right alongside today's guest's wife, yet I knew very little about the man himself. That is, until he reached out to me directly and asked if he could come on the show to share his own story of life lessons. And you know what? You never know unless you ask. At first I thought, "I barely know this guy." But then it occurred to me that is exactly what this podcast is all about, people sharing their story and us getting to know them. And that's what my guest today did. He shared his story of family, leadership, and more. 

Here now is my 23rd guest to the podcast, Darren Cable.

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My guest today is Coach Bob Bergman, architect of one of the very elite high school wrestling programs in the state of Ohio. Bob just completed his 16th season as head coach. His teams have won 4 state titles in Ohio, 11 league titles and 386 dual meets. He has led his individual wrestlers to 69 league championships. He's had 54 state qualifiers, 34 state placers, and 16 state champs. 

Ingrained in all those championships is a story of a coach and a program that develops, not just great wrestlers, but great competitors and great young men. Sit down and hold on, because when Bob starts talking about his wrestlers, his coaches and his family, he's off to the races with his drive and passion. He's a student of the sport and also a student of people and the process that goes into leading young boys toward becoming young men. 

My goal was to try to get Bobby to paint a picture of what truly is involved putting together and sustaining an elite top level program. He was really good doing this, but it wasn't easy for him. It is incredibly hard for him to use the words "I" and "me".  He's more at ease using the words "we" and "us". Here now is the 22nd guest to the podcast, Head Coach Bob Bergman 

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Welcome back! I am so glad you are here...

This is part two of my conversation with Jerry Snodgrass. Jerry is the 21st guest to the podcast and brings so much experience and insight. He has spent nearly 50 years in the world of high school athletics as a Coach, Athletic Director and former Executive Director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

If you haven't listened to part one yet, don't worry. You can go back and listen whenever you have time.  

Today, Jerry and I go deeper into Life Lessons of leadership, loyalty, trust, change, and the Do It for 19 Foundation, which Jerry is heavily involved in. 

This is a Story of Triumph over Adversity.

So settle in. This is part two of my conversation with Jerry Snodgrass ...

Master Class segments at:

(2:30) When implementing change… people will accept change, but “people don’t like to BE change”

(3:45) Loyalty from assistants, whether in coaching or in business, especially during challenging times, is essential 

(13:15) Leadership, Ethics, Academic Success 

(16:00) Developing your team - and, not just sports team - building trust and love

(22:40) The future of high school sports… some possible concerns

(29:20) Have the athletes of today changed over time? (not really)

(32:05) The best coaches and teachers…

(33:22) Handling adversity and the “Do It For 19” Foundation 

(37:17) What did we learn doing this episode together?

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Welcome... I'm so glad you're here! This Episode 31 (Part 1) is one that I think is going to hit close to home for you in so many ways. 

My guest today is Jerry Snodgrass, former Executive Director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Jerry has spent nearly 50 years in the world of high school athletics. As a coach, an athletic director and as a mentor to countless young people along the way. He's a passionate and compassionate soul who has a gift for building relationships with people that last a lifetime.

I really wanted Jerry to delve deep into his own story and let it be okay to talk about himself. He delivered in true Jerry form. He shares his story and gives us a chance to get to know him a little better, while also sharing many valuable life lessons. 

Jerry still stays very busy, even in retirement, yet was kind enough to accept my invitation to be a guest on my podcast. But for those of you who know Jerry, you're not surprised at all he said yes, because you know Jerry always says yes. We talk about adversity and failure along with growth and triumph. We also explore some thoughts and various aspects of what good leadership looks like. But more than any title or role that Jerry's held, what defines this guy is his belief that the best lessons in life come from "Turning Adversity Into Triumph".

I hope you enjoy Part One of my conversation with Jerry as much as I did. His passion and love for people literally is infectious. 

In Part Two, Jerry talks more about his personal story and the life lessons he's learned along the way. That episode will be coming up very soon and you're going to love it... Thanks for listening!

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This episode is one you don't want to miss. Today, I talk with Steve Boehle, the 20th guest to the podcast. He's a former multi-sport, high school athlete turned marketing executive. 

It was a moment in a school cafeteria, sitting across from a young boy who told Steve, "school was the only place I get any food to eat". That changed everything for Steve. That experience motivated him to sell his marketing company. And, ultimately, led him to be the founder of Academy 48, a tuition free, nonprofit sports academy here in Arizona.  

I wanted to learn the story of how this ultra-successful businessman came to have such a passion for teaching young people life lessons that only sports can provide. As you listen to Steve tell his story, you'll really start to understand why the title of this episode is, "School Sports, The Most Important Classroom".

Thanks for being here. Thanks for just showing up. It means more to me than you know.

******************************

For more information about Academy 48, go to www.academy48.org

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Today's episode is about "coming full circle" and "unfinished business". My unfinished business is reconnecting with Mike Vicars. It's been 15 years since we last talked. What's most important is not why it's been 15 years. What's most important is how we got here, today.

We both reached out, we both showed up and we both hope you enjoy the life lessons inside our story.

Remember, you are never alone and there is always hope!

Master Class segments at:

(8:35) Showing encouraging moments by the coach

(9:33) Learning to coach with love and trust to earn their respect 

(12:50) As the leader, it’s your job to build that family with unconditional love and trust

(17:13) Learning the lesson of humility in both victory and defeat

(20:20) The fundamental foundation stones you need to build a program

(23:10) The strength in saying “I’m sorry” and circumstances that put us in awkward situations

(38:35) The importance of always trying to inspire and lift them up by being genuine and passionate

(41:55) What did we learn doing this episode together?

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Hi, thanks for being here. Today, I look back on an episode I did one year ago, "Life Changing Decisions to Make". As you know, this is my audio diary. If you ever get a chance, it's a great idea to make an audio diary or just simply journal. To be able to sit down and reflect on life as it's unfolded and that journey is really a cool experience. Something I've enjoyed in every single episode.

Remember, you're never alone and there's always hope. 

Thanks for being here... now onto the episode. 

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