Ep. 156: Damon Lembi - A Swing of Defeat, A Home Run of Success
Sep 6, 2024
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Damon Lembi, a former professional baseball player turned CEO of Learn It, shares his incredible journey of resilience. He discusses losing his father and the family business during the Great Recession, shaping his perspective on perseverance. Damon emphasizes the value of failure as a learning opportunity and how deliberate practice fosters skill development. He reflects on combating imposter syndrome and the lessons learned from starting at the receptionist level, highlighting the importance of empathetic leadership and adaptability in the face of adversity.
Damon Lembi's journey illustrates that success stems not solely from achievements, but from resilience and perseverance in adversity.
The significance of confronting and overcoming imposter syndrome is highlighted as a vital step in personal and professional growth.
Damon's experience with family business collapse teaches invaluable lessons on adaptability and maintaining a positive mindset during life's challenges.
Deep dives
Connections Through Sports and Challenges
The episode features an engaging discussion with Damon Limby, focusing on their shared connections through sports, particularly baseball, and the challenges they faced in their professional and personal lives. Damon shares his journey of being drafted by Major League Baseball teams like the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees, which didn’t lead to a professional career, highlighting the unpredictability of athletic dreams. Furthermore, the conversation touches on how both sports and leadership require resilience in the face of setbacks. Damon's approach exemplifies the idea that handling challenges gracefully is essential to personal growth.
Transition from Podcast to Television
In a significant announcement, the host reveals plans to transition from the podcast format to a television show, titled Jeff Stroker Ministries, aimed at empowering lives and inspiring faith. This move comes after three successful years of the podcast, where the host engaged with various guests on topics from personal development to leadership. The new television channel will be accessible online, allowing a broader audience to engage with the impactful content and continue fostering community. The host expresses gratitude for the audience’s support and hopes to carry forward the learnings into this new phase.
Overcoming Failure and Imposter Syndrome
Damon candidly discusses his struggles with imposter syndrome during his time at Pepperdine, despite being a promising athlete and high school All-American. After being told by his coach that he lacked what it took to succeed at the Division One level, he faced a turning point that required deep self-reflection and a commitment to put in relentless effort. Through deliberate practice and hard work, he overcame personal doubts and improved his performance on the baseball field, ultimately leading to a successful college career. Damon emphasizes that everyone, regardless of their background, may encounter self-doubt and the importance of confronting and overcoming these feelings.
Lessons from Personal and Professional Setbacks
The episode addresses the reality of facing significant family and business setbacks, including the collapse of Damon’s family's multi-billion-dollar business during the economic downturn. Damon reflects on how the experience was humbling and taught him about resilience and adaptability in times of crisis. The discussion highlights the importance of remaining grateful for past experiences and the need to forge ahead, even when faced with failure. This narrative serves as a reminder that both personal and professional challenges can provide invaluable growth opportunities.
Adapting to Change Amidst Health Challenges
Damon shares his ongoing struggle with a progressive eye condition that has impacted his vision and daily activities, yet he emphasizes a powerful approach to adversity. Instead of succumbing to despair, he focuses on making the best out of his situation and chooses to live within the constraints of his condition. His positive mindset and dedication to not being a victim serve as an inspiration, not only to his family but also to those who face their own challenges. Through his story, Damon encourages listeners to realize their control over how they respond to life’s difficulties, advocating for resilience and determination.
Imagine losing your dad to cancer, and watching your family's multi-billion dollar real estate business crumble during the Great Recession. It's a devastating combination that would shake anyone's foundation. But for Damon Lembi, this was just the beginning of his journey. From the diamond to the boardroom, Damon Lembi's journey is one of unlikely twists and turns. A former pro baseball player turned CEO of Learn It, he's learned that success is not just about achieving your dreams, but about persevering through failures and setbacks.
In this conversation, Damon shares his unorthodox path, from battling imposter syndrome to embracing hard work and deliberate practice. He'll also discuss the importance of transferable skills, leadership, and resilience - and how these lessons can be applied to any field or situation.
You’ll hear:
How to handle challenges with resilience and determination.
Why failure is a valuable learning opportunity.
He shares his unorthodox path, from battling imposter syndrome to embracing hard work and deliberate practice.
Damon discusses the humbling experience of starting at the receptionist level in his family's company and the valuable lessons he learned from it.
