The BRINK OF MIDNIGHT PODCAST with John Brenkus

Legendary 2-time All Pro NFL linebacker, Takeo Spikes, joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast.   Known to teammates as "TKO", "Bam Bam", and for the size of his neck (21 inches), Takeo Spikes has left a legacy both on and off the football field. He was team captain of 13 out of 15 of his NFL seasons and had a rare 219 starts in his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and San Diego Chargers.     Takeo is known for his incredible discipline, sense of creativity, and belief in teamwork, and he credits growing up in a small town in Georgia with building that foundation. Despite having a mother who was an educator, Takeo struggled in school and had difficulty with test-taking. He had to sacrifice at an early age to make sure he did whatever it took to take advantage of opportunity when it came. His life-changing moment came at 15 years old when his father gave him the VHS tape “How to Be a Champion” by Lou Holtz. He learned about putting priorities in order to set up a blueprint for success in life and it's this same blueprint that he reviews ever year. Takeo honed in on the word "ethos" and it led to becoming All State in high school, being called "Mr. Football" in Georgia, and to making a lasting mark at Auburn University, where he developed his sense of discipline, mindset and consistency.   In this conversation, we go deep on Takeo's life-changing moments and how he developed his character and consistency despite never making a playoff game in his 15 year career. He shares how he continues to develop his mindset, express his creativity, and commit to lifelong learning. That same struggling student became the kind of guy who went back to finish his bachelor’s, get his masters, take executive classes at Stanford University, find a love for photography, and write a book!     For full show notes, visit: www.brinkofmidnight.com | Contact: [email protected] | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Apolo Ohno, record 8x Winter Olympic Medalist joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast. This episode originally appeared last season as #11. In honor of the Winter Olympics, and Apolo's timeless wisdom, we knew we had to bring back this special conversation! Apolo Ohno, retired short track speed skater, has won a record eight Winter Olympics medals for the USA. He started breaking records at age 14, when he became the youngest US National Champion and the winning streak continued, but not without a devastating bump in the road and a rude awakening that nearly derailed him. You won't believe the one distinctive and pivotal moment that shaped the rest of his life. For full show notes, visit: www.brinkofmidnight.com | Contact:  | Connect on socials: @brinkofmidnight

Erik Schlopy, 3x Olympic Skier and former World Cup ski racer joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast.    Erik Schlopy is a walking miracle and may even be part super hero. "Schlopes" is a three-time Olympic alpine skier for Team USA, World Champion, 7-time National Champion, and last year, was inducted into the USA Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Considered an innovator for Team USA skiing, he helped establish Team USA's European training base in Austria with teammate Bode Miller and has been credited for advancing the "double stack" structure for ski bindings that allows ski racers to travel at greater speeds. He’s also married to one of our previous podcast guests, Olympic swimmer, Summer Sanders.    Erik is indestructible. He has not one, but several remarkable comeback stories. He made his second Olympic team cobbling together race wins and points after being ranked dead last in the world. He’s experienced crashes that will send chills down your spine, and has come back strong from an unthinkable list of injuries. He’s even survived a deadly avalanche in the famed Alaskan Chugach mountains...and that's only a few stories among many.   Erik's collection of accomplishments and comebacks will blow you away, but what is perhaps most striking are his abilities to never give up and to let instinct take over when it’s needed most.  In this conversation, we go on an unreal adventure exploring Erik's journey and hone in on what it takes to both survive and perform when the deck is stacked against you.  Sit back, listen, and enjoy the wild ride of Erik's life and hard-earned lessons. You just might leave this conversation feeling a little more like a super hero!   For full show notes, visit: www.brinkofmidnight.com | Contact: [email protected] | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Business titan and media icon, Barry Baker, joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast.   Barry Baker has played an instrumental part in pioneering nearly every facet of media and entertainment, and has collaborated with the likes of Rupert Murdoch, Bob Eiger, Barry Diller, and more. This episode is like having a front row seat in a master class for entrepreneurship and we chronicle Barry's rise from radio to TV, to cable networks and the rise of HBO, to dot.coms and new media models. You may know Barry best from running Sinclair Broadcasting Group (193 TV stations, 612 channels, 89 US markets) or USA Interactive (at the time: USA Network, Sci Fi Channel, HSN, Ticketmaster, USA Studios, Dick Wolf Productions - Law & Order, The Jerry Springer Show, The Sally Jesse Raphael Show, The Maury Povich Show, Citysearch, Hotels.com, Match.com). Becoming a force in media wasn't easy or without risk and Barry shares his most pivotal moments, all which depended on living outside his comfort zone.   Barry is a fighter and winner in every aspect of his life. He knows a thing or two about rises and falls, dramatic turns, and most of all comebacks - he’s had over a whopping 700 procedures on his throat and vocal chords after surviving throat cancer.    His collaborators and circle of friends includes some of the most powerful people in politics, business, sports, and entertainment and he is a true believer that rising tides raise all ships. That approach to life is evident in how Barry interacts with absolutely everyone he meets and how he continues to be fascinated by learning about new markets, research, and breakthroughs across entertainment, technology, medicine, and health care.   What’s so striking about Barry, is that despite all that he’s achieved, he’s still that same hungry kid who was hustling and building businesses at the age of 14. He hit the ground running - literally - for the subway in his tough Bronx childhood neighborhood and he hasn’t stopped yet.   For full show notes, visit: | Contact: | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, Instagram, Facebook)

The uber creative and animated media and business mogul, , joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast.    4x New York Times Bestselling Author. Wine entrepreneur. YouTube entrepreneur. Media and new media mastermind. Early investor (twitter, Uber, tumblr, Venmo). Publisher. Sports agent. On Forbes' "40 Under 40" List. Part of Apple's first original series "Planet of the Apps" (with Gwyneth Paltrow and Wil.i.am). You name it in business and media -- Gary has done it, and he has a visceral repulsion to complacency.    Reflecting on his early years, he proclaims that "90% of his childhood was business." Gary questioned the meaning of "success" early on. On the one hand, he was a "D" and "F" student, regularly receiving negative reinforcement from teachers and being told he was a loser. Yet, on the other hand, his hustle would earn him hundreds of dollars in various entrepreneurial pursuits. He would always find ways to win.    In this conversation, Gary turns back the clock to share how his winning mentality led to two of his most transformative moments: Overpaying for a baseball card table as a 13 year old and, how looking back on his life on his 30th birthday forced him to call out his own B.S. and make a change. Gary also shares with us something about his process that he's never mentioned publicly!  This conversation is for the hustlers and for those who don't know where or how to start their own hustle. Gary reminds us that we can start at 13, 30, or wherever you are today in your life. If you are willing to get really honest, do the work, learn as much as you can, and trust your gifts, you are ready to get going!   For full show notes, visit: | Contact: | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (, , )   Leave a Review

Welcome to Friday Findings, our short-form episode full of takeaways, tips, and great ideas to help you cultivate positive change in your life and in your community.   What a week in sports with an incredible Super Bowl, the rise of Philadelphia Eagles QB, Nick Foles, and beginning of the Winter Olympics! In this short episode, we talk about how we are all the underdog or "back up" at different points in our lives and what it means to truly be ready for our breakthrough moments when opportunity crosses our paths.   Happy Friday!   For all episode show notes, visit: | Contact: | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (, , )

Comedian, podcaster, and former MMA fighter, Brendan Schaub joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast.   You may know Brendan Schaub from his MMA days fighting heavyweight in the UFC, but you probably know him best from co-hosting the wildly successful "The Fighter and the Kid" podcast with Bryan Callen and from the stand up comedy world. Now, how could heavyweight MMA fighter and comedian possibly be used to describe the same person? In this conversation, we explore how Brendan, a Denver-based All Colorado athlete in football and lacrosse, was able to pursue his childhood dreams of being both a professional athlete and comedian using the dual traits of unwavering self-confidence and open-mindedness.   While Brendan made it to the Buffalo Bills training camp after a stand out football career at University of Colorado (as a walk on), he was forced to change course, and ended up fighting professionally for the UFC. And, while he had no connection to the entertainment world, his podcasting career took a turn into stand-up comedy, where he now regularly headlines places like The Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, and Hollywood Improv.   Brendan's ability to recognize and seize opportunity combined with the willingness to pivot has allowed him to live a life beyond his dreams. "Self-made", "all in", and "hustle" -- all phrases that capture "Big Brown" Brendan Schaub's mindset toward every endeavor. If you feel like there is no blueprint for what you want to pursue, tap into Brendan's approach to trying new things, walking down unlikely paths, and being flexible in the journey toward your goals. Like Brendan, you just might surprise yourself in the best possible way.   For full show notes, visit: | Contact: | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (, , )

Welcome to Friday Findings, our short-form episode full of takeaways, tips, and great ideas to help you cultivate positive change in your life and in your community. In honor of Super Bowl week, we turn to the sports world and wisdom of Vince Lombardi to reflect on how to seize the day, go for it, and make the most of this life. Have a thought on helping love keep center stage in your mindset and reactions? Let us know in the comments, on socials (, , ) or shoot us an email:   Happy Friday, change makers!

Super Bowl XLIII MVP and former NFL wide receiver, Santonio Holmes, joins The Brink of Midnight Podcast. Best known for his Super Bowl XLIII game winning catch with the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals, arguably one of the most powerful pieces of Super Bowl history, Santonio's story from very modest upbringing to being the ultimate teammate is nothing short of inspiring. Hailing from Belle Glade, the third poorest city in Florida, Santonio is a powerful example of what hard work and dedication can become, regardless of background. As a triple letterman in track, football, and basketball, he helped his high school track and football teams win multiple state championships. That streak continued in college football at Ohio State University, where he was part of the 2002 BCS National Championship team. In the NFL, Santonio played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, and New York Jets. Santonio is the first to credit teammates and the importance of teamwork in his success, and he knows more than a thing or two about caring for others. He started raising his three younger siblings, each from different fathers, at the tender age of eight years old. That care extended to his grandmother and to serving others when he chose to follow the path of faith at age 12. His devotion to family, friends, teammates, and strangers is the center of his life and he is deeply passionate about helping those with sickle cell disease, which his son has and the gene for which Santonio carries. He founded the Third and Long Foundation to provide financial support and treatment options for families affected by the disease. This conversation will bring you back to your roots, your center, and what is most important in life.  For full show notes, visit: www.brinkofmidnight.com | Contact: [email protected] | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)

Welcome to Friday Findings, our short-form episode full of takeaways, tips, and great ideas to help you cultivate positive change in your life and in your community. In this episode, John and Lizzie explore the tall order of loving your enemies and how to find room to choose good, kindness, and honesty when your instinct might be the opposite. Happy Friday, change makers! Show notes for all episodes: www.brink of midnight.com | Contact: [email protected] | Connect: @brinkofmidnight (twitter, instagram, Facebook)