Set Big Goals If You Have Big Dreams | How Alexander (A.J.) Johnson Paved His Way to the NFL

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Alexander (A.J.) Johnson.

A.J. is one of Tennessee's greatest linebackers of all time, is a member of Gainesville’s Hall of Fame, and is a professional football player in the NFL.

Manny and A.J. discuss how A.J. set clear expectations for himself from a young age. As you’ll hear, A.J. believes that in order to reach your dreams in life, you have to set your goals, and set them high.

A.J. shares how the support of his mother, and the community he lived in, helped to mold him into the person he is today, and how his mother’s support in his dreams helped build the belief he already had for himself.

In this episode, Manny and A.J. also discuss A.J.’s plans for life after football ends, and the real estate portfolio that A.J. has slowly been building during his time in the NFL.

If you have big dreams, this episode is for you – Alexander Johnson is a testament to the mental toughness that it takes to overcome the obstacles that are bound to present themselves when you’re chasing after what you desire most.

Some of these obstacles have included false accusations against Alexander Johnson, which left him out of the NFL for 4 years before he was acquitted, as well as a torn pectoral muscle, and most recently an achilles injury.

Despite all of this, A.J. is still working towards his comeback and plans to play another 4 years.

There’s so much to take from this man, so please enjoy this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua.

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Podcast: At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

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Time stamps:

0:00 - Set Your Goals and Set them High Intro

1:56 - A.J.’s Upbringing, Influences, and Setting Goals From a Young Age

7:28 - Mental Toughness is Built From Life Experiences

9:15 - High School Football at Gainesville (Deshaun Watson, Blake Simms)

12:28 - Getting Inducted into the Gainesville HOF

13:30 - Impact of High School Team and Brotherhood

18:07 - Getting Recruited to NCAA Schools and Choosing Tennessee

21:18 - Expecting to Be Great and Setting Your Goals

21:50 - Eric Berry

23:20 - Advice for Student Athletes

25:32 - Leading Tennessee in Rushing Touchdowns

27:33 - NFL Draft and False Allegations

32:30 - Getting Picked Up By Broncos After 4 Years

38:00 - Playing For Broncos and Great Teammates

39:30 - Fighting Back From Injuries

44:23 - Life After Football and Building a Real Estate Portfolio

46:30 - What Does He Want His Kids to Know About Him

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