Searching for Meaning

Paul Sunkyu Bin is from Seoul, South Korea and Amar Sejdic is of Bosnian descent and grew up in Kentucky. Paul and Amar played together at Real Salt Lake’s academy up until their time at Maryland, where we teamed up. Paul currently is finishing up his senior year at Maryland, while Amar just wrapped up his first season as a professional footballer for Montreal Impact of the MLS. In this episode, we discuss our time at Maryland and how we formed a beautiful friendship and brotherhood. Paul talks about his battle with depression and the support he received from his mother, psychiatrist, Amar, myself, Coach Sasho Cirovski, and so many others from Maryland. He dives into the impossible journey of going from a man suffering from severe depression to becoming a national champion a year later. Amar and I give our insight on how hard it was for us seeing Paul suffer, but how proud we are of how far he has come. Amar talks about going to the Netherlands at a very young age by himself to pursue his dream of being in a professional football environment. He joined Vitesse’s youth side and earned his spot as a starter there. He ultimately had visa problems and had to come to the United States to continue his career. Now he plays for Thierry Henry at Montreal Impact. Paul and Amar dive deep into their short and long term goals as well! This is a must listen for everything football, brotherhood, mental health, strength, love, and perseverance! UNFILTERED, UNCENSORED, RAW!!!!

“It (winning the national championship) was definitely stuff of dreams”

“There is banter and goofiness that relieves you from the mental side of the game. That is why I wanted Paul to come back so badly”

“He attracts laughter and good energy”

“I honestly didn’t know what was going on. There were days I didn’t eat or sleep. Until one day I lied to the coach and told him I was sick. He got me a hotel room, and at that point I was on the balcony considering killing myself”

“I stray away from all the recognition because I know I couldn’t have done this alone”

“Seeing Eryk Williamson play Venezuela in the U20 World Cup was the final step

“Paul, if you come back, I don’t want you to just be a body. I want you to come play a significant role on the field”

“My mom literally didn’t sleep for the whole year I was in Korea”

“Everyone in that room had individual personalities that intrigued one another”

“He (Henry) understands the game at such a high level”

Cedric Dean is a political and public affairs consultant. He was born in Charlotte, N.C., to a single-parent mother. At 13-years-old, he was re-birthed into a new world of crime, drugs, guns, and violence. At 16, he was given LIFE plus 5 years in prison. When in prison, Mr. Dean taught himself how to write properly, writing 20 books, helping hundreds of inmates get their GED’s, and fighting for his right to be released when the 2010 crack versus cocaine Fair Sentencing Act was passed. Mr. Dean was invited to the 2019 State of the Union address by US Representative Alma Adams as part of her commitment to raise awareness for the flaws in the criminal justice system. Only three years out of prison, Cedric Dean has his own house, his own multimedia company, a sports bar/ lounge, and his own non-profit program helping kids become “job ready” rather than “jail ready.” In this episode, Mr. Dean and I discuss mental health in the criminal justice system, the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine, and the things he learned while he was in prison. He also talks about his life today as an advocate, mentor, and influential trailblazer in the criminal justice system and in lower income neighborhoods around the country.

Chris Odoi-Atsem is a professional soccer player for DC United in the MLS. In 2018, Chris was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, putting his life and soccer career on hold. In this episode with Chris, we dive into the idea of neutrality with whatever life may throw at us. We also talk about who inspires and motivates him to be the best man he possibly can. Chris is also a big advocate of the vegan diet, meditation, and discipline in sports and life. He talks about the many people that were essential in his recovery from cancer, and the importance of never giving up on your goal.

Podcast Quotes

“Things don’t happen to me; they happen for me.”

“The number one thing I can do now is give back, especially to the kids.”

“The power of neutrality. Nothing is really good or bad. We label them as good or bad.”

Dayne St. Claire is from Pickering, Ontario and Jake Rohzansky is from Germantown, Maryland. Dayne currently plays in America, while Jake took his talents to Israel to play professionally. In this episode, they discuss the challenges they face as men and as athletes. We dive deep into living their childhood dreams, mental health in sports, and the trials and tribulations they have faced on and off the field. I love these guys dearly and I think you will too! Enjoy!