This week, the SphereCast team interviews John Mark Nalocca, a former professional track and field athlete who is now an Attache of the Italian Embassy in Israel and an MBA candidate at IDC Herzliya. As a track and fielder, John Mark competed in both national and international competitions and was on the verge of qualifying for two rounds of Olympic games, were it not for back-to-back leg injuries. Nalocca is set to graduate with his MBA in Strategy and Business Development this year, in 2021.

John Mark’s story is a tale of resilience in the face of adversity, but more than anything, his story is the prime example of someone who has mastered the art of the pivot. When unfortunate events derailed his dreams, Nalocca did not hesitate to pinpoint an alternative path and start moving. On the podcast, John Mark lays out his entire story, speaks to the importance of being driven and passionate, and shares some helpful tips on gracefully pivoting towards a new career path.

Noteworthy Quotes:

"The first trick to achieving a career in a different field is being hungry."

"I knew that the best way to achieve some greater path towards the future was to move into something new... You have to begin with something you're passionate about."

"Athletes are seen like superheroes. At the end of the day, they are normal people. But normal people that are only a little bit more committed."

"Success in sports is just an instance of many good habits carried out consistently together."

"Currently, I don't have a specific answer as to what's next for me. But one thing that keeps on driving me and pushing me to go forward is curiosity, hunger, resilience, and achievement. I want to be successful and be an example to people."

"A little bit of training — for sure, no result. A lot of training — probably, result."

Bullet List of Resources – 

John Mark Nalocca

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Athlete Profile