Undefeated Podcast

Growing up in the tough streets of Miami Gardens, Randy and so many of his friends used football as a way to escape the streets. By the time Randy was a sophomore at Miami Carrol City High School, the scholarships started pouring in. He ended up with over 50 scholarships to play Division 1 football. On signing day he decided to stay close to home and play for the Florida Gators. During a routine pre-participation physical, an EKG showed an abnormality in Randy's heart. After further testing, Randy was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a condition that thickens the walls of his heart and restricts blood flow to the body's most vital organ. The risks include the heart valves closing, which could lead to an instant cardiac arrest. It signaled an immediate medical disqualification. Randy's dream of playing for the Gators before it began. I sat down with Randy to talk about how through all his pain and disappointment, his faith and purpose in life remains Undefeated.

Growing up in Pittsburg, Pa was anything but easy for then 19 year-old Leon Ford. Spending most of his life in the housing projects, Leon was no stranger to police brutality and the tension between the police force and his community. In fact, he'd seen a number of instances where police took advantage of their power and inflicted harm on individuals he knew. However, on November 11, 2012, his life changed when he went from witnessing acts of violence by the police to being a victim of police brutality. While driving to a friends house that night, Leon was pulled over by police. During the 20 minute traffic stop, police kept accusing Leon of lying about his identity. Insisting he was Lamont Ford, a violent gang member, and not Leon Ford. Although, Leon provided a license, registration, and insurance papers that all identified him as Leon Ford. When police tried to pull Leon out of the car, he got scared and pulled off. Less than ten seconds later, Leon's body was riddled with bullet holes as he took what he thought were his last breaths. Devon sits down with Leon to find out how he was able to forgive the cops who altered his life and weren't charged. Also, how his faith brought him out of a dark place.

Child Abuse is a serious, often unspoken topic. It is something that impacts a lot of peoples lives. Aleesha Barlow was sexually abused by her maternal grandfather for years, with her earliest memory being at 6 years old. When she first told her aunt and mom about her grandfather, both of them covered it up and told Aleesha she had to keep it a secret. For years, the secret would eat Aleesha up inside and caused her to spiral out of control. Until one day she got the courage to tell somebody.P

Signs of child abuse according to mayoclinic.org:

• Withdrawal from friends or usual activities
• Changes in behavior — such as aggression, anger, hostility or hyperactivity — or changes in school performance
• Depression, anxiety or unusual fears, or a sudden loss of self-confidence
• An apparent lack of supervision
• Frequent absences from school
• Reluctance to leave school activities, as if he or she doesn't want to go home
• Attempts at running away
• Rebellious or defiant behavior
• Self-harm or attempts at suicide

If there was a real life Cinderella Story, the life story of Beauty Bakerie CEO, Cashmere Nicole, would be it. Raised in South Bend, Indiana, she became a teenage mom at the young age of 16. Struggling to make it as a single parent, Cashmere, found herself on food stamps and section at housing. In 2011, Cashmere decided she wanted more out of life so she launched a cosmetic line called Beauty Bakerie out of her living room. While juggling parenthood, a full time nursing career, and her new company, Cashmere was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite every obstacle that tried to break her, she remained Undefeated by beating cancer and turning her cosmetic line into a multimillion dollar beauty empire. 

On December 14, 2012, the unimaginable happened when a 20 year-old gunman shot and killed 20 first graders and 6 employees at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. One of the lives lost that day belonged to 6 and a half year-old Ana Grace. Ana's mom, Nelba, shares why it's okay to experience grief (or being in the middle as she refers to it) and how faith, love, and compassion can help you become Undefeated.

From the moment Rob Long stepped on Syracuse University's Campus, he had immediate success. He was named to the Freshman All-America Team by Sporting News and College Sports Report. After becoming a 3-time All Big East Selection, he went into his senior year as one of the top punters in college football and a sureshot for the 2011 NFL Draft. All he had to do was stay healthy. But after his last college game he was diagnosed with grade 3 terminal brain cancer (anaplastic astrocytoma). Listen as Devon sits down with Rob to find out how he was able beat TERMINAL brain cancer and step back out of the football field.

Curtis"Wall Street" Carroll grew up in what can be considered ground zero of the crack epidemic; Oakland, California. His dad was absent for most of his life while his mom was addicted to crack cocaine. Without any guidance, Wall Street got caught up in California's gang life at the young age of 12. That lifestyle led to him going multiple sentences in juvenile detention centers and eventually led him to being sentenced to 54 years to life at the age of 17 for 1st degree murder and armed robbery. Wall Street has spent the last 20 years of his life behind bars with the past 5 being at San Quentin Prison, the toughest prison in the US. Despite his life sentence, his desire to change his circumstances forced him to educate himself and at the same time awakened a conscious he long ago buried under multiple rap sheets as a youth. Wall Street now dedicates his life and spends his time teaching financial literacy to the masses. His Ted Talk has over 2 million views and his F.E.E.L Program ( Financial Empowerment Emotional Literacy) has been featured on CNN.

Matt Hoffman is one of the few people in the world to complete the Race Across America, a 3,000 mile bike marathon going from California to Maryland. After years of living a double life, Matt Hoffman's life came crashing down which led to thoughts of committing suicide. To get him out of this dark place, he decided to challenge himself to the marathon to see what he had deep down inside. Crossing the finish line after riding for 11 straight days, proved to him he had the will to overcome any challenge in his life. Listens as Devon sits down with Matt to find out what takeaways he has after putting himself to the ultimate challenge.

Retired Marine Staff Sergeant Jose Luis Sanchez didn't set out to be a role model. He started working out just so he could feel like himself again after he stepped on an IED during a tour in Afghanistan in 2011 left him with an amputated left leg and injured right calf and hamstring. Seven years later, after battling depression, anxiety and even thoughts of death, he is inspiring millions after completing the Boston Marathon not once, but twice. He shares his inspirational story of how and why he is still standing.

Devon sits down with Brandon Novak, a professional skateboarder, New York Times Bestseller and Tv star, to talk about the lessons he's learned from his battle with heroin, why success on paper doesn't mean success internally, and how you can overcome addiction. By the age of 15, Brandon was one of the most popular athletes in the world. He was the youngest skateboarder to sign to gatorade, he traveled the world with Tony Hawk, and even did commercials with Michael Jordan. His story of overcoming addiction is truly inspirational. He also discusses his New York Times Bestselling book, "Dreamseller: An Addiction Memoir," in which he shares the heartbreak drugs brought him and his family and how God helped him through.