Grit and Growth E83 | They Didn’t Quit: Leadership, Grit, and Recovery with Rod Pedersen (Part 1)
Jan 6, 2026
Rod Pedersen, a Hall of Fame broadcaster and mentor, dives into leadership and resilience. He highlights the critical trait of top leaders: they don’t quit. Sharing his personal experiences with addiction and recovery, Rod emphasizes how these shaped his view of success. He discusses the vital role of mentors and coaches in instilling discipline and professionalism. Moreover, Rod stresses the importance of early intervention for young people, providing them with skills to navigate today’s pressures, including social media.
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Persistence Trumps Talent
- The defining trait of top leaders is that they don't quit.
- Rod Pedersen says persistence often outweighs natural talent in long-term success.
Bus Talk That Revealed Team Pressure
- A Pats player told Rod he was thinking of quitting because he wasn't getting ice time.
- Another player joked he'd take that ice time, showing how peers can push someone toward quitting.
Reconnecting With A Former Coach
- Perry Shockey reconnected with Rod after years and they now speak weekly.
- Rod apologized for not understanding Shockey's old-school discipline until he was older.
