From NFL to Coaching: Phil McGeoghan on Mindset, Resilience & Purpose
Release Date: 09/15/2025
From NFL to Coaching: Phil McGeoghan on Mindset, Resilience & Purpose
Connecting With Purpose
In the season finale of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin sits down with former NFL wide receiver and accomplished coach Phil McGeoghan for a powerful conversation on mindset, resilience, and finding purpose beyond sport. Phil’s journey is filled with defining “magic moments”—from his first varsity catch in high school, to breaking records at the University of Maine, to running out of the tunnel as a Denver Bronco. Each experience shaped his confidence, mental toughness, and ability to perform under pressure. But his story goes far deeper than highlight reels and game-day...
info_outline
Failing Forward: Jacob Brown's Journey of Resilience and Purpose
Connecting With Purpose
In this powerful episode of Connecting with Purpose, Jacob Brown shares his transformative life story of overcoming adversity and developing a "fail forward" mindset. From being cut from the NFL to battling personal challenges including alcoholism, Jacob demonstrates how resilience and intentional living can turn setbacks into stepping stones. Highlights include: —His emotional moment at 25 when his father first expressed love and pride —The life-changing decision to become sober on August 25, 2021 —Writing his book "Fail Forward" as a way to inspire others —The importance of...
info_outline
The Stories That Shape Us: Purpose, Perspective & Legacy with Don Yaeger
Connecting With Purpose
In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we’re joined by Don Yaeger—hailed as one of America’s best storytellers, a twelve-time New York Times bestselling author, nationally recognized keynote speaker, and host of the top-ranked Corporate Competitor Podcast, which I’ve been hooked on since hearing Don speak in person just two months ago. Don’s career spans decades of interviewing and working alongside extraordinary leaders and teams. From his time as Associate Editor at Sports Illustrated and Storyteller in Residence for National Geographic, to his current work as a coach helping...
info_outline
The Courage to Adapt & Elevate with John Register: Season 3, Episode 5
Connecting With Purpose
Today’s guest is all about inspiring people to rise above adversity and move beyond fear. He believes that when our truth outweighs our fear, we can commit to living a courageous life. John Register is a true example of resilience. A combat Army veteran and two-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the hurdles, John’s life changed forever after a traumatic misstep resulted in the loss of his left leg—ending both his Olympic dreams and military career. But through his own reckoning, revision, and renewal, John redefined what it means to be resilient. Since his amputation, John has gone on...
info_outline
Beyond the Scoreboards: Performance, Resilience & Growth with Gina Tucci
Connecting With Purpose
In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we’re joined by Gina Tucci, founder of Beyond the Scoreboards, licensed counselor, and mental performance coach. With a lifelong passion for sports and athletic competition, Gina helps athletes, coaches, executives, and teams overcome mental roadblocks and elevate their performance. Drawing from her background in sports psychology and mental health counseling, Gina creates customized programs that build resilience, shift mindsets, and enhance peak performance. She specializes in equipping high performers with mental fitness tools to manage...
info_outline
Purpose-Driven Leadership and Ethical AI with Dr. Adam Russell
Connecting With Purpose
In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we’re joined by Dr. Adam Russell, Chief Vision Officer for the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute and Director of the AI Division at USC’s Information Sciences Institute. With an impressive background spanning DARPA, IARPA, and ARPA-H, Adam shares his journey through groundbreaking research in AI, human behavior, and national security. Adam reveals how embracing failure, leaning into fear, and cultivating an explorer mindset have shaped his purpose-driven career. We also dive into his work building leaders, teams, partnerships, and...
info_outline
Competitive Greatness: Winning Life Through Purpose and Resilience with Carlette Patterson
Connecting With Purpose
Turning Challenges into Purpose and Winning Life Beyond the Game In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we’re joined by Carlette Patterson—CEO and Founder of Patterson Sports Ventures, where she pioneers Sports Life Coaching to help athletes and leaders navigate transitions with purpose and resilience. Inspired by her journey as a mother to three daughters, Carlette built a legacy of turning challenges into opportunities for growth, coaching, and purpose-driven impact. From the lessons of elite sports to embracing grief and self-discovery, Carlette reveals how staying...
info_outline
Navigating Change and Unlocking Potential: The Elite Athlete Opportunity with Digit Murphy
Connecting With Purpose
Pioneering Change and Opportunity in Women’s Sports In this episode of Connecting with Purpose, we sit down with Digit Murphy—a trailblazer in women’s sports and leadership. Digit’s career spans decades as a coach, executive, and advocate, dedicated to creating opportunities for women using sports as a leadership platform. From her transformative role as the first full-time women’s hockey coach at Brown University to co-founding the Pay It Forward Sports Foundation, Digit’s mission is clear: elevate women’s voices and amplify their impact. We explore her “Magic Moments,”...
info_outline
Building, Learning and Growing with Scott Lewis
Connecting With Purpose
is on a mission to improve lives through real estate. As co-founder and CEO, is living his purpose through Spartan. There are few people with as diverse a background as Scott, which had included teaching English in Thailand, various positions in sales, strategic and project management for the federal government culminating at the GS 15 level, and being on active duty in the US Army as an Infantry Officer, making him an Iraqi Freedom combat Vet. What’s the common theme through all of these? Scott’s desire to educate people and build them up so they can grow and thrive. That’s his...
info_outline
Building Trust and Embracing Failure with Michael Bearup
Connecting With Purpose
In this conversation, shares the insights from his 38 year long career with KPMG, within which he most recently held the following titles: Former Lead Partner for Culture at KPMG US, Lead Director KPMG US, Office Managing Partner KPMG Colorado. Michael Bearup's mission is to engage in conversations that bring out the untapped potential in individuals. He has discovered the key to this process and recognizes that a significant aspect of a high-quality life stems from the strength of your team. By prioritizing people and fostering trust through psychological safety, he creates an...
info_outlineIn the season finale of Connecting with Purpose, Mark Griffin sits down with former NFL wide receiver and accomplished coach Phil McGeoghan for a powerful conversation on mindset, resilience, and finding purpose beyond sport.
Phil’s journey is filled with defining “magic moments”—from his first varsity catch in high school, to breaking records at the University of Maine, to running out of the tunnel as a Denver Bronco. Each experience shaped his confidence, mental toughness, and ability to perform under pressure. But his story goes far deeper than highlight reels and game-day victories. After injury abruptly ended his playing career, Phil faced the same challenge many athletes encounter: the loss of identity and purpose.
He candidly reflects on the struggle of transition, the unhealthy coping mechanisms that often follow, and how discipline, community, and service helped him rebuild. That shift led him into coaching, where he discovered a new calling—developing others. From small programs to the NFL sidelines, Phil found meaning in lifting up athletes, mentoring underdogs, and helping players like Matt Mulligan reach their potential. His “purpose formula” comes alive in stories of passion, impact, and application rooted in service.
Today, Phil continues that mission through Turnkey Athlete Solutions, a “virtual locker room” designed to support athletes as they move beyond the field. By bridging gaps in identity, accountability, and community, the program helps student-athletes and professionals alike navigate life after sports with clarity and confidence.
This authentic and inspiring conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom, humor, and practical takeaways. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, leader, or anyone navigating change, Phil’s message will resonate: believe in yourself, surround yourself with people who pull you up, and when you climb higher—throw the ladder down for others.
Subscribe to Connecting with Purpose for more conversations that explore the moments that shape us, the clarity that guides us, and the purpose that fuels leaders, athletes, and change-makers.