Transition from Professional Football to Venture Capital: Challenges and Realizations

Stew Bradley is a former linebacker in the National Football League and played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos. Following a successful NFL career he joined Goldman Sachs and then found his way into co-founding the early stage venture firm El Cap Holdings. He's also a husband and the father of two kids. In today's conversation we discussed: 

* His unique career path in navigating from professional football to finance and investing

* His earliest memories and emotions around becoming a Dad

* The Fallacy of Control as a parent

* What it's like raising an autistic child and what he and his wife did to understand and learn

* Negotiating parenting with both neurotypical and neurodivergent kids

* His framework and approach around "putting in the reps" both professionally and personally

* The differences in a successful career and being successful as a parent

* How he recharges his batteries amidst the chaos of parenting

Listen or watch Startup Dad on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and Overcast.

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Where to find Stew Bradley

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stew/

- Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/stewbradley

- El Cap Holdings: https://elcap.xyz/

Where to find Adam Fishman

- Newsletter: startupdadpod.substack.com

- Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:51] Welcome Stew!

[2:20] His childhood

[3:39] Stew’s unique career path

[9:44] All about his wife & kids

[11:04] Decision making for Stew’s wife to be full-time mom

[12:47] Earliest memories of becoming a dad

[14:06] Emotions around becoming a dad

[15:24] The Fallacy of Control

[19:00] Advice for younger Stew

[21:09] Raising a child with Autism

[24:38] What did you do to understand Autism?

[27:27] Negotiating parenting neurotypical and neurodivergent

[32:44] Favorite book to read to the kids?

[34:03] Frameworks and “putting in the reps”

[40:03] Where he and his wife don’t always align

[43:58] Success in career vs. parenting

[45:56] What did you give up to be a dad?

[48:02] What is a mistake you made as a dad?

[50:56] How do you recharge your batteries?

[54:03] How to follow along with his journey

[54:50] Rapid fire

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Show references:

The Tao of Steve: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234853/

Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman: https://www.amazon.com/Neurotribes-Legacy-Autism-Future-Neurodiversity/dp/0399185615

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida: https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Jump-Inner-Thirteen-Year-Old-Autism/dp/081298515X/

El Cap Holdings: https://elcap.xyz/

Goldman Sachs: https://www.goldmansachs.com/

Philadelphia Eagles: https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/

Denver Broncos: https://www.denverbroncos.com/

Arizona Cardinals: https://www.azcardinals.com/

Steadfast: https://www.steadfastequity.com/

Goonies: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/

How To Train Your Dragon: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892769/

Baby Shark: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcdwLMPsaU2ezNSJU1nFoBQ

Magic Eraser: https://www.mrclean.com/en-us/shop-products/magic-erasers/magic-eraser-original/

Training Potty Seat: https://www.amazon.com/000-NextStep2-Training-Slow-Close-Removable/dp/B07ZQT2R9N

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For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.

For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com 

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com