The Daily Stoic NFL Cornerback Jeff Okudah on Achieving Greatness
Jul 17, 2021
NFL cornerback Jeff Okudah, known for his stellar time at Ohio State and his journey with the Detroit Lions, shares insights on managing expectations and overcoming the mental challenges of professional sports. He delves into the importance of reading and how it transforms one's perspective, emphasizing books like 'The Alchemist.' Okudah also discusses the significance of resilience, especially when facing injuries and criticism, and how he uses Stoic principles to navigate the pressures of being a top draft pick.
01:21:37
Early Reading Habits
- Jeff Okudah enjoyed reading as a child, motivated by a program that rewarded reading with pizza.
- This early habit instilled a love for books.
Reading Slump
- Okudah's reading habit faded during middle and high school due to sports and other activities.
- It was reignited in college when a teammate's book, "Dear Martin," caught his interest.
Finding Your Niche
- Start with books that align with your existing interests to rekindle a reading habit.
- Okudah's interest in "The Last Dance" led him to Phil Jackson's "Eleven Rings."
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Reflections on Time and Resilience
01:59 • 7min
Navigating the NFL Offseason: Balance and Adaptability
08:39 • 17min
The Balance of Perspective in Life and Sports
25:19 • 5min
Journey of Rediscovery: The Power of Reading
30:02 • 13min
Exploring Mental Resilience Through Sports Literature
43:26 • 6min
Mental Resilience in Sports
49:09 • 21min
The Filter Bubble and Radicalization
01:10:26 • 4min
Embracing the Hard Winter of Training
01:14:17 • 10min
Resilience and Growth in Life's Challenges
01:24:25 • 5min
Letters to a Young Athlete
Pat Riley
Chris Bosh
In 'Letters to a Young Athlete', Chris Bosh shares his journey from a young athlete to an NBA legend, offering insights into the inner game of success.
The book blends memoir elements with wisdom on life, drawing from experiences with basketball legends like LeBron, Kobe, and Coach K. It is a guide for young athletes and anyone seeking excellence, focusing on themes like purpose, teamwork, and resilience.
The education of a coach
David Halberstam
The Education of a Coach by David Halberstam provides an in-depth look at Bill Belichick's journey to becoming one of the NFL's most successful coaches.
The book highlights Belichick's early mentorship under his father, Steve Belichick, and his experiences working with notable coaches like Bill Parcells.
It offers insights into Belichick's coaching philosophy and his achievements with the New England Patriots.
What It Takes
The Way to the White House
Richard Ben Cramer
In this comprehensive and engaging book, Richard Ben Cramer provides an in-depth analysis of the 1988 U.S.
presidential election.
The book delves into the lives and campaigns of the major candidates, including George H.W.
Bush, Michael Dukakis, Joe Biden, Gary Hart, and others.
Cramer's narrative explores the personal and political aspects of each candidate, offering a rich and nuanced understanding of what it takes to run for the highest office in the United States.
Stillness is the Key
Ryan Holiday
In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more.
The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body.
Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life.
He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness.
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" is an allegorical novel that follows Santiago, a shepherd boy, on a journey to fulfill his Personal Legend.
The story blends elements of fantasy and realism, exploring themes of self-discovery, following one's dreams, and listening to one's intuition.
Along his journey, Santiago encounters various characters and challenges that teach him valuable lessons about life and the importance of perseverance.
The book's simple yet profound message has resonated with readers worldwide, inspiring them to pursue their passions and embrace the journey.
The Alchemist is a timeless tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of one's dreams.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
The book is divided into two parts.
The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945.
He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners.
The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure.
Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering).
The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.
Mastery
Robert Greene
In 'Mastery', Robert Greene argues that mastery is not an innate talent but a skill that can be developed through a rigorous process.
The book outlines several key stages: finding your life's task, undergoing an ideal apprenticeship, finding the right mentor, acquiring social intelligence, and fusing intuitive with rational thinking.
Greene draws on the lives of historical and contemporary masters such as Mozart, Einstein, and Temple Grandin to illustrate his points.
He emphasizes the importance of deep practice, self-directed learning, and the ability to read and navigate social dynamics.
The book challenges the conventional notion of genius as a genetic gift and offers practical steps for anyone to achieve mastery in their chosen field.
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.
Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature.
Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
The Way of Baseball
Finding Stillness at 95 mph
Shawn Green
Gordon McAlpine
In 'The Way of Baseball', Shawn Green shares his journey of finding stillness and focus both on and off the field.
Drawing from his baseball experiences, he illustrates how Eastern philosophies enhanced his career and life.
The book offers insights into the mental aspects of hitting and how these principles can apply to life beyond baseball.
The Inner Game of Tennis
Timothy Gallwey
This book, first published in 1974, focuses on the 'Inner Game' played within the mind of the player, against obstacles such as self-doubt, nervousness, and lapses in concentration.
Gallwey introduces the concept of two selves: Self 1, the thinking brain that analyzes and judges, and Self 2, the 'feeling and doing' brain that can master skills naturally if not interfered with by Self 1.
The book provides strategies for achieving 'relaxed concentration' and overcoming internal mental and emotional obstacles, making it relevant not only to tennis but also to other areas of life such as music, writing, work, and personal relationships.
Deep Work
Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Cal Newport
In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill.
These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'.
Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.
The Choice
Edith Eager
Chop Wood Carry Water
Joshua Medcalf
The book follows a young boy's journey as he learns valuable lessons from his sensei, Sensei Akira, about the importance of doing simple tasks over a long period.
The phrase 'chop wood, carry water' symbolizes the daily efforts necessary to build a strong foundation for success.
The book offers practical strategies and emphasizes the significance of consistent good habits, daily tasks, and embracing the process to achieve long-term goals.
Eleven Rings
The Soul of Success
Phil Jackson
In 'Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success,' Phil Jackson shares insights from his illustrious career as a coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.
The book delves into Jackson's unique approach to leadership, which emphasizes mindfulness, team chemistry, and selfless teamwork.
It recounts his experiences in managing legendary players such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dennis Rodman, and how he transformed them into cohesive and championship-winning teams.
The book is not just a sports memoir but also a guide on leadership, motivation, and the importance of creating a unified team culture.
Dear Martin
Nic Stone
In 'Dear Martin', Nic Stone tells the story of Justyce McAllister, an Ivy League-bound African American student who becomes a victim of racial profiling.
After a violent encounter with a police officer, Justyce starts a journal to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., seeking to understand and apply King's teachings in the modern world.
The novel explores themes of racism, police brutality, and the struggles of adolescence, particularly for black youths in predominantly white environments.
Justyce's journey involves navigating his relationships, confronting micro-aggressions, and dealing with the aftermath of a tragic incident involving his best friend, Manny.
The book is praised for its realistic portrayal of contemporary issues and its impactful exploration of systemic racism and personal resilience.
Floyd Patterson
Jack Newcombe
This book provides an in-depth look at Floyd Patterson's life, from his early days to his rise as a heavyweight champion.
It explores his journey through boxing, including his amateur career and his achievements in the professional ring.
The book offers insights into Patterson's personal struggles and triumphs, making it a compelling read for fans of boxing history.
Things that make white people uncomfortable
Michael Bennett
Dave Zirin
On today’s episode of the podcast Ryan talks to NFL cornerback Jeff Okudah about how to manage high expectations and criticism, how to recover from injury and over-training, why reading is so important and how books can change your life, and more.
Jeff Okudah is an American football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the NFL. He played college football at Ohio State, where he was named a unanimous All-American and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2019 before being selected by the Lions third overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Get the books mentioned in this show: The Alchemist, Mastery, Letters To A Young Athlete
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