April 17, 2025 • 16 mins
Mitch Lyons, founder of Mitch Lyons Wealth and former Michigan State/NFL tight end, joins the show to discuss how prospects are preparing for the NFL Draft, how they can be smart with their career earnings, and how NIL has affected college athletics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
One week from today, the Commissioner, Roger Goodell will stand
on stage, fake it and hug with a lot of
players for the first time, walking them to the NFL
Fraternity in Green Bay, Wisconsin at lambeau Field where they
will hold the NFL Draft. Mitch Lyons knows what that's like.
In nineteen ninety three, he was a draft pick of
(00:21):
the Atlanta Falcons, and he joins us here on exis
and Bros. Mitch Hawaiia good.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Man, that's a long time ago. It's making me feel old,
Matt No.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
I mean, look, it's I don't care how long you play.
I don't care you get drafted to the greatest league
in the world. There's something to be said about that.
What are a lot of these kids going through in
a week build up to the NFL Draft?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
You know, just it's so uncertain. I just the feeling
I remember is just you know, your whole life's been
predicated on this dream of you know, playing pro football, right,
and now it's coming down. You're down to this last
last few days before and you don't know. I mean,
from my case, I didn't know if I was going
to get drafted and know if I'd be a rookie
free agent, you'll even make a team. Right, There's all
these uncertainties and your whole life is let's take the
(01:07):
seminal moment of your life. Is this is this continuing?
Or is football over? Right? For me? That's that's what
I was feeling. Now. If I was the first round pick,
I'd probably be more worried about where I was going,
but I was just happy to have a chance to go.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
How close do you get with other players within your
draft class? Not those who played in Michigan, say you
were a second team All Big Ten selection playing at MSU,
but overall in that draft class, is there a connection
there and if so, how long does that last?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Yeah? I think you know, there's there's some guys I
connected with, Like down at the Combine, I I roomed
with Tony McGee, who actually foks from Michigan, right, So
that was kind of weird. But uh, you know, but
I got to know Frank Wycheck pretty well, who played
for the Titan for a number of years, and you know,
we had the same agent, so uh, you know, it's
kind of kind of knew him throughout my career. But
(01:55):
you know, nobody that I'm still in touch with now.
But yeah, you certainly, you know, you certainly make that
connection and after a game and stuff, you know, you're
giving them the bro hug and whatnot and keeping a
touch that way.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
So you were talking about the combine and and sure
it's still a relatively big deal. I think it's probably
a bigger deal for NFL network than it is the NFL.
Everybody's having these private workouts. Right, where do you think
that has gone? And how do you like the direction
of that rather than the combine in general?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
You know, I don't know, I mean, I would think
from an NFL I think on the individual workoffs. Guy,
you know, scouts can see maybe maybe some things that
they want to see and specifically you know, you think
talking about in a quarterback on and I want to
see him throw more of certain throws and whatnot, and
and you know the kids are they're going to be
more comfortable. They're throwing to their own receivers and stuff
like that. So hey, let's see them in a comfort zone.
(02:46):
But then then again there's there's there's strengthen or validation
and knowing a kid gaining important can perform when he's
not comfortable, right, because a big part of being an
NFL quarterbacks being in uncomfortable situations and being able to accept. Also,
you know, I I think you know, listen, the bottom
line is, you know, that's a great place to get metrics.
(03:07):
But as I always say, the film doesn't lie. I
mean there's a lot of all combine you know, all America,
combine all Americans that can't play football role.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Well, yeah, it's a great point. Mitch Lions joins us
here on Exus and Bros. He's the founder of Mitch
Lion's Wealth. You can find his website Mitch Lionswealth dot com.
And I think that's important to bring up because there
is a little bit of a misnomer out there that
these guys get into the NFL, they start spending their
money and there is no guidance from the league at all,
(03:35):
which is untrue. Every league tries to help these guys along.
What's the advice you give young athletes that are venturing
into a professional career financially.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah. No, I was on a zoom yesterday with an
agent and then some of his guys that he's that
he's representing, right, And I'll tell I'll tell the audience
the same thing. I told them, don't get caught up
in the fact that you're making you know, rookie them
now is nine hundred grand. It was one hundred grand
when I was a rookie at fifteen ninety three. Right,
So it's it's crazy and it's a lot of money.
(04:07):
But you know, it's not guaranteed for you know, any lan,
it's not guaranteed at all. Whatever you got on a
signing bonus is all you're guaranteed. So typically for you know,
for a rookie guy, unless your first round pick and stuff.
But you know, don't get caught up and spending the
money and say you live on a live in a
reasonable amount. You're coming out of college. You're not used
to having any money anyway. Well that's changing a little
(04:28):
bit a little bit too. Yeah, but you know, hey,
I always looked at it, and this is the advice
I give kids, is, hey, always assume it's your last year, right,
because eventually you're going to be right. And I was fortunate,
you know, I say, hey, I was I was fortunate,
you know, for guys that make a team at all
the averages three and a half years, right, I was
able to double that. I played seven years and I
retired if you will, at age twenty nine, and I
(04:50):
just tell them, you know, there's a heck of a
lot more life after football than before. For God willing, Uh,
you know, you're gonna have a lot more life after football.
So you know, save save some pennies and don't get
used to living on a high lifestyle because eventually that
gravy trains is going to stop. And you know, there's
not a lot of jobs out there that kids are
going to step right into and make nine hundred thousand
(05:11):
dollars or more.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
How uncomfortable can the conversations get about people who are
I call them hangers on, people who are around these
guys only because they are athletes. You know what it's like,
they're around you because you're athletes and because you're about
to make some money and they want a piece of
that proverbial pie. How uncomfortable is that conversation with some
(05:34):
of these guys, And what is the advice in that regard?
Speaker 2 (05:39):
I think I think they just have to take a
real hard look. You know, have a few true and
blues that you can count on that you you know,
you know, I mean, let's be honest, there's only so many,
so much room for really good friends, right, yeah, And
if they're not going to be at your funeral, then
then you know, don't be hanging out with them and
giving them taking advice from people, right, They're not going
(06:00):
to be there the whole way with you. And you know,
it's it is a you know. And the other thing
I see is, you know, guys that are maybe a
rookie for agent or a late round draft pick, and
they come into the league and they're in there, who
do they hang out with? Well, they hang out with
the other rookies, right, And some of those rookies are
first and second rounders that have a lot more money,
and yet they're trying to live the same lifestyle going
out and hanging out with those guys who have you know,
(06:20):
a lot more bills in the wallert than they have.
And they're trying to keep up with the Joneses, which
is which is a problem. And I saw that a
lot in my plan days.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Mitch Lion's joining us here on ex'es and bros. He
of course the founder of Mitch Lion's Wealth Mitch Lionswealth
dot com. The nil is out of control. There's no
question there are two portals. So I don't know if
people realize this. There are two chances where you can transfer.
I could actually have Mitch Lions on my team in
(06:48):
December January, and then in March lose him. This just
happened to the University of Wisconsin with the tight end.
I don't bring that up because you were a former
tight end, but I bring it up because it's fact
they are moving on. They move on. How does the
NC double A get some guard rails about nil not
saying that players shouldn't be paid because college athletes, you
(07:09):
know better than I do, college athletes. It's it's a
hell of a dedication. But it has gotten out of
control and there are no guardrails whatsoever. How does it
get reeled in? Do you think?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I don't know. I mean, the genie's out of the lamp,
and I don't know how you get back in. I mean,
it's you know, it's it's like once you give something,
it's really hard to take it back right, And I
don't know. It's insane. It's changed the game for me
as a fan. I mean, it's just it's more fluid
than pro football because you don't have kids signing two three, four,
year deals. You don't even know that. You know, you've
(07:42):
got right at four different schools in four years, which
is insanity, right, And do I think they should be
able to transfer it and not sit out a year
like the old days? Yeah? Absolutely? Do I think they
should be able to just go every year. No, But again,
I don't know how they're changing that. And it's interesting.
I mean it's yeah, that's kind that, you know, a
kid could be on a you know, hey, I'm gonna
stick here, and then all of a sudden, you know,
(08:04):
by spring, all these somewhere else. Right. It's just I
can't wrap my arms around it. And I give these
coaches that are dealing with it a lot of credit.
I mean, there's a good reason why Nick Saban's not
on the sideline of Alabama. I can't imagine, you know,
had a whole lot of fun in the Nile area.
And and honestly, a guy that I know doesn't like
it is o tom Is. Though. You know, I'm shocked
(08:25):
that he's he's hanging on and dealing with this because
I know he doesn't like it.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Yeah, I know, but in fairness, he won last year
without really dipping deep into it. Just a couple, right,
Zapala and Fiddler were the only UH transfer Poort guys
that that he picked up, although they'll they'll probably go
a little bit deeper into it. You recently speaking of
MSU and which it's close to your heart and for
good reason. You're involved with Kirk Gibson's foundation. You gave
(08:52):
a sizeable donation. You're really instrumental in helping him move
his UH new project forward Farmington Hills, Michigan, helping those
who are suffering from the same the disease that he's
afflicted with. We both love him because he's one of
the best teammates you've ever had. I just I miss
doing games with him so much. Why was that important
(09:14):
to you to get involved in the Gibbe Foundation?
Speaker 2 (09:17):
You no, man, it was a perfect point of where
passion meets purpose. You know, I give you it was
a childhood hero mine. I'm sitting in my way room
right now looking at a picture give you on the
wall hitting the eighty four homer Off Gossage, right yeah,
and he gives me I got hair, stand up my arms.
That's what the guy means to me, all right. I
just you know MSU. You know MSU hero I mean
(09:38):
I heard all the you know, the stories of his work,
ethic and stuff when I was at Michigan State, and
you know, his legend was, you know, remain and to
grow up watching him, and you know, listening in the
games on the West becaust I'd set my alarm. I'd
go to bed early as a kid, set my alarm
so I could listen to Ernie and Paul call the
games on the West coast, right, so I was Tiger fan.
Gibby was the central figure and all that. And to
(09:59):
see him be afflicted with this terrible disease, Parkinson's disease,
and a lot of my you know, Coach Perlis suffered
from the same thing. You know a number of people
I know have been afflicted with it. So when the
opportunity came to help support Gibbey and his center for
Parkinson's Wellness that will open up in the fall and
in Farmington Hills, I just I thought it was a
great opportunity. And you know it's it's and he is
(10:21):
passionate about this thing. He's trying to create a locker
room culture down there where people can go for free.
Mind you go in free with a caregiver. And get
get moving, because that's the key to battling combating Parkinson's
just keep moving your body and give you the admitted.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Yeah, good for you. And he's got such a strong
support staff, not just there with the foundation, but of
course Joanne and his family and the number of people
that call him friends, and he's just got a massive
amount there and for good reason. He has changed, without doubt,
from his playing days at Michigan State with the Tigers
as well to who he is now. Oftentimes athletes, there
(10:59):
is a come to Jesus moment to a certain extent,
did you ever change well from your hard ass attitude
on the football field, you had to have it too.
Now you in the in the business office and the
founder of Mitchelin's wealth. How did you change him? When
did it a?
Speaker 2 (11:14):
You know what? I think it's always still in there, right.
And sometimes my wife says, hey, you're not in the
on the field right because I was a guy. I
wasn't overly athletic, right. I mean I played to the
echo of the whistle, as we say, and I had
a little chip on my shoulder throughout my career. And
I think it's stunned from me having an older brother
that was four and a half years older, right, So
I was always competing against his buddies and him. So
(11:34):
I always had that chip and and I kind of
have the same attitude in life, but that give me
still has that right He's he's taken the fight to
the Parkinson's and he and he wants to help others,
and uh, you know, but yeah, sometimes you know you
always have that in your your inner athlete self. But
you know, typically your you can't unleash it. Maybe you know,
I can't play to the echo of the whistle literally,
(11:55):
you know, in in a in a office setting. But uh,
you know, I think it's who I am. I don't
think he can change that completely.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Hey, real quick, I'm sure with his foundation. You met
Steven near Oh, Steve So Steve Steve. He's a great dude.
In case people don't know, one leg amputated early in
life at eleven years old because of the disease, but
does not let anything slow him down. He's going to
climb Mount kiliman Jarrel this summer. He plays golf on
(12:23):
Saturday mornings with one leg, doesn't use a prosthetic one leg.
You talk about inspiration, that's what I mean, you inspire
young people in your wealth business. Gibbee inspires people. He
surrounded himself with a lot of inspirational people.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Steve is an amazing guy CEO of the Kirk Gibson
Foundation and moving mountains for Parkinson's is his his you know,
he's raise of money. Just get to climb the mountain
this fall and people could go to Kirk Gibson Center
dot org to check out that and then donate every
dollar helps. I mean, go in there, man, and help
help these people. They are doing great things for not
only in Farmington, but they'll have online opportunities for people
(12:59):
to join it. And it's all about being something bigger
than yourself, right, You got to have that team around you,
and certainly when you're battling that disease like that, and
that's what Gibb's trying to foster. And I just say,
you know, I was just down and talking to him
Monday or Tuesday, excuse me, and you know he's just
passionate about this. I mean, he is his team. He's
building his team. You know, that's kind of how the
(13:19):
mindset he has and it's awesome to see.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Yeah, I just love the guy. One more before I
let you go. I started the show this morning with
the Red Wings win in New Jersey last night, and
even though they're out of the playoffs, they won three
in a row and they played Toronto tonight, and I
read a quote from one of their assistant coaches and
some of their younger players and how you're trying to
develop good habit. It's harder to develop good habits than
get rid of bad ones, is what Trent Yonnie, the
(13:44):
assistant coach said. And I'm wondering how that resonates with
you as a former athlete and businessman and decision maker
in Michigan state of making sure you're creating good habits
and helping other people create good habits. What do you
think is the most important thing in that regard?
Speaker 2 (14:06):
You know, I go back a lot, I repeat you know,
you have coaches that impact You're right, and then things
that were said that just never leave you. And coach
kow Er at Pittsburgh he would always say, guys, it's
a mindset. No matter where you were in the season, right,
whether you're on a three game winning streak a three
game losing streak, you'd always say, it's a mindset. Have
the mindset, you know, And the mind is a powerful thing.
(14:27):
You know, It's not a muscle, but man, you can
exercise it, and you can and you can strengthen it.
And I think when it comes to creating good habits,
it's about number one, laying it out and making making
that first step of doing it the first day right,
and then making it habitual right and just doing it
so that and the same thing I told these guys
on the Zoom yesterday, the young guys prep up for
the draft and make it so it's just a reaction
(14:48):
so you don't have to think about it anymore. You
run down every play, getting downfield, chipping people up the
file because that's just what you do. That's who you are,
not because you had to think about doing it right.
You need to. You need to, you know, train yoursel
else to just react to that. It becomes a fabric
of who you are and how you how you play,
or how you go about life or how you help people.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Hey, real quick, are you still a goal setter? I
mean even later on in your successful life. And obviously
you set goals when you're an athlete, but are you
still a short and long term goal setter? And how
how much do you encourage people to do that.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
I think you have I mean not not only have goals.
I mean I think it's important to have goals. But
a goal without a plan to get there is just
a dream, right, And you've got to have the action steps.
You got to have the action steps to get those goals.
So yeah, those short intermediate goals. You know, everyone you know,
I think if you don't have a big dream, you're
living for and it changes certainly over the course of
your lifetime. It's a lot different for me now than
you know when I was twenty years old. But sure,
(15:43):
you know, you've got to have that goal. But more importantly,
you've got to lay out the action stuff and write
it down, put it in your mirror, you know, think it,
you know, talk to yourself positive self talk. That's a
huge thing. I'm huge on this. You know, build yourself
up in your own mind. You know, others aren't going
to think about well about you if you can't think
well about yourself, right, So love yourself first, putting good
positive thoughts in your mind. Garbage in, garbage out, So
(16:05):
fill it.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
With good stuff, words to live by. That's why you're successful.
It's Mitch Lions your best game plan to protect and
grow for your retirement. He's the founder of Mitch Lion's Wealth,
former NFL player for seven years, former draft pick of
the Atlanta Falcons. Joining us here on exis and Bros.
Mitch have a great weekend. Thanks for the time today, man,
appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
You betman, and I hope those Lions can get us
some pass rushers on that draft. Let's go
One week from today, the Commissioner, Roger Goodell will stand
on stage, fake it and hug with a lot of
players for the first time, walking them to the NFL
Fraternity in Green Bay, Wisconsin at lambeau Field where they
will hold the NFL Draft. Mitch Lyons knows what that's like.
In nineteen ninety three, he was a draft pick of
(00:21):
the Atlanta Falcons, and he joins us here on exis
and Bros. Mitch Hawaiia good.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Man, that's a long time ago. It's making me feel old,
Matt No.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
I mean, look, it's I don't care how long you play.
I don't care you get drafted to the greatest league
in the world. There's something to be said about that.
What are a lot of these kids going through in
a week build up to the NFL Draft?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
You know, just it's so uncertain. I just the feeling
I remember is just you know, your whole life's been
predicated on this dream of you know, playing pro football, right,
and now it's coming down. You're down to this last
last few days before and you don't know. I mean,
from my case, I didn't know if I was going
to get drafted and know if I'd be a rookie
free agent, you'll even make a team. Right, There's all
these uncertainties and your whole life is let's take the
(01:07):
seminal moment of your life. Is this is this continuing?
Or is football over? Right? For me? That's that's what
I was feeling. Now. If I was the first round pick,
I'd probably be more worried about where I was going,
but I was just happy to have a chance to go.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
How close do you get with other players within your
draft class? Not those who played in Michigan, say you
were a second team All Big Ten selection playing at MSU,
but overall in that draft class, is there a connection
there and if so, how long does that last?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Yeah? I think you know, there's there's some guys I
connected with, Like down at the Combine, I I roomed
with Tony McGee, who actually foks from Michigan, right, So
that was kind of weird. But uh, you know, but
I got to know Frank Wycheck pretty well, who played
for the Titan for a number of years, and you know,
we had the same agent, so uh, you know, it's
kind of kind of knew him throughout my career. But
(01:55):
you know, nobody that I'm still in touch with now.
But yeah, you certainly, you know, you certainly make that
connection and after a game and stuff, you know, you're
giving them the bro hug and whatnot and keeping a
touch that way.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
So you were talking about the combine and and sure
it's still a relatively big deal. I think it's probably
a bigger deal for NFL network than it is the NFL.
Everybody's having these private workouts. Right, where do you think
that has gone? And how do you like the direction
of that rather than the combine in general?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
You know, I don't know, I mean, I would think
from an NFL I think on the individual workoffs. Guy,
you know, scouts can see maybe maybe some things that
they want to see and specifically you know, you think
talking about in a quarterback on and I want to
see him throw more of certain throws and whatnot, and
and you know the kids are they're going to be
more comfortable. They're throwing to their own receivers and stuff
like that. So hey, let's see them in a comfort zone.
(02:46):
But then then again there's there's there's strengthen or validation
and knowing a kid gaining important can perform when he's
not comfortable, right, because a big part of being an
NFL quarterbacks being in uncomfortable situations and being able to accept. Also,
you know, I I think you know, listen, the bottom
line is, you know, that's a great place to get metrics.
(03:07):
But as I always say, the film doesn't lie. I
mean there's a lot of all combine you know, all America,
combine all Americans that can't play football role.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Well, yeah, it's a great point. Mitch Lions joins us
here on Exus and Bros. He's the founder of Mitch
Lion's Wealth. You can find his website Mitch Lionswealth dot com.
And I think that's important to bring up because there
is a little bit of a misnomer out there that
these guys get into the NFL, they start spending their
money and there is no guidance from the league at all,
(03:35):
which is untrue. Every league tries to help these guys along.
What's the advice you give young athletes that are venturing
into a professional career financially.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah. No, I was on a zoom yesterday with an
agent and then some of his guys that he's that
he's representing, right, And I'll tell I'll tell the audience
the same thing. I told them, don't get caught up
in the fact that you're making you know, rookie them
now is nine hundred grand. It was one hundred grand
when I was a rookie at fifteen ninety three. Right,
So it's it's crazy and it's a lot of money.
(04:07):
But you know, it's not guaranteed for you know, any lan,
it's not guaranteed at all. Whatever you got on a
signing bonus is all you're guaranteed. So typically for you know,
for a rookie guy, unless your first round pick and stuff.
But you know, don't get caught up and spending the
money and say you live on a live in a
reasonable amount. You're coming out of college. You're not used
to having any money anyway. Well that's changing a little
(04:28):
bit a little bit too. Yeah, but you know, hey,
I always looked at it, and this is the advice
I give kids, is, hey, always assume it's your last year, right,
because eventually you're going to be right. And I was fortunate,
you know, I say, hey, I was I was fortunate,
you know, for guys that make a team at all
the averages three and a half years, right, I was
able to double that. I played seven years and I
retired if you will, at age twenty nine, and I
(04:50):
just tell them, you know, there's a heck of a
lot more life after football than before. For God willing, Uh,
you know, you're gonna have a lot more life after football.
So you know, save save some pennies and don't get
used to living on a high lifestyle because eventually that
gravy trains is going to stop. And you know, there's
not a lot of jobs out there that kids are
going to step right into and make nine hundred thousand
(05:11):
dollars or more.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
How uncomfortable can the conversations get about people who are
I call them hangers on, people who are around these
guys only because they are athletes. You know what it's like,
they're around you because you're athletes and because you're about
to make some money and they want a piece of
that proverbial pie. How uncomfortable is that conversation with some
(05:34):
of these guys, And what is the advice in that regard?
Speaker 2 (05:39):
I think I think they just have to take a
real hard look. You know, have a few true and
blues that you can count on that you you know,
you know, I mean, let's be honest, there's only so many,
so much room for really good friends, right, yeah, And
if they're not going to be at your funeral, then
then you know, don't be hanging out with them and
giving them taking advice from people, right, They're not going
(06:00):
to be there the whole way with you. And you know,
it's it is a you know. And the other thing
I see is, you know, guys that are maybe a
rookie for agent or a late round draft pick, and
they come into the league and they're in there, who
do they hang out with? Well, they hang out with
the other rookies, right, And some of those rookies are
first and second rounders that have a lot more money,
and yet they're trying to live the same lifestyle going
out and hanging out with those guys who have you know,
(06:20):
a lot more bills in the wallert than they have.
And they're trying to keep up with the Joneses, which
is which is a problem. And I saw that a
lot in my plan days.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Mitch Lion's joining us here on ex'es and bros. He
of course the founder of Mitch Lion's Wealth Mitch Lionswealth
dot com. The nil is out of control. There's no
question there are two portals. So I don't know if
people realize this. There are two chances where you can transfer.
I could actually have Mitch Lions on my team in
(06:48):
December January, and then in March lose him. This just
happened to the University of Wisconsin with the tight end.
I don't bring that up because you were a former
tight end, but I bring it up because it's fact
they are moving on. They move on. How does the
NC double A get some guard rails about nil not
saying that players shouldn't be paid because college athletes, you
(07:09):
know better than I do, college athletes. It's it's a
hell of a dedication. But it has gotten out of
control and there are no guardrails whatsoever. How does it
get reeled in? Do you think?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I don't know. I mean, the genie's out of the lamp,
and I don't know how you get back in. I mean,
it's you know, it's it's like once you give something,
it's really hard to take it back right, And I
don't know. It's insane. It's changed the game for me
as a fan. I mean, it's just it's more fluid
than pro football because you don't have kids signing two three, four,
year deals. You don't even know that. You know, you've
(07:42):
got right at four different schools in four years, which
is insanity, right, And do I think they should be
able to transfer it and not sit out a year
like the old days? Yeah? Absolutely? Do I think they
should be able to just go every year. No, But again,
I don't know how they're changing that. And it's interesting.
I mean it's yeah, that's kind that, you know, a
kid could be on a you know, hey, I'm gonna
stick here, and then all of a sudden, you know,
(08:04):
by spring, all these somewhere else. Right. It's just I
can't wrap my arms around it. And I give these
coaches that are dealing with it a lot of credit.
I mean, there's a good reason why Nick Saban's not
on the sideline of Alabama. I can't imagine, you know,
had a whole lot of fun in the Nile area.
And and honestly, a guy that I know doesn't like
it is o tom Is. Though. You know, I'm shocked
(08:25):
that he's he's hanging on and dealing with this because
I know he doesn't like it.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Yeah, I know, but in fairness, he won last year
without really dipping deep into it. Just a couple, right,
Zapala and Fiddler were the only UH transfer Poort guys
that that he picked up, although they'll they'll probably go
a little bit deeper into it. You recently speaking of
MSU and which it's close to your heart and for
good reason. You're involved with Kirk Gibson's foundation. You gave
(08:52):
a sizeable donation. You're really instrumental in helping him move
his UH new project forward Farmington Hills, Michigan, helping those
who are suffering from the same the disease that he's
afflicted with. We both love him because he's one of
the best teammates you've ever had. I just I miss
doing games with him so much. Why was that important
(09:14):
to you to get involved in the Gibbe Foundation?
Speaker 2 (09:17):
You no, man, it was a perfect point of where
passion meets purpose. You know, I give you it was
a childhood hero mine. I'm sitting in my way room
right now looking at a picture give you on the
wall hitting the eighty four homer Off Gossage, right yeah,
and he gives me I got hair, stand up my arms.
That's what the guy means to me, all right. I
just you know MSU. You know MSU hero I mean
(09:38):
I heard all the you know, the stories of his work,
ethic and stuff when I was at Michigan State, and
you know, his legend was, you know, remain and to
grow up watching him, and you know, listening in the
games on the West becaust I'd set my alarm. I'd
go to bed early as a kid, set my alarm
so I could listen to Ernie and Paul call the
games on the West coast, right, so I was Tiger fan.
Gibby was the central figure and all that. And to
(09:59):
see him be afflicted with this terrible disease, Parkinson's disease,
and a lot of my you know, Coach Perlis suffered
from the same thing. You know a number of people
I know have been afflicted with it. So when the
opportunity came to help support Gibbey and his center for
Parkinson's Wellness that will open up in the fall and
in Farmington Hills, I just I thought it was a
great opportunity. And you know it's it's and he is
(10:21):
passionate about this thing. He's trying to create a locker
room culture down there where people can go for free.
Mind you go in free with a caregiver. And get
get moving, because that's the key to battling combating Parkinson's
just keep moving your body and give you the admitted.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Yeah, good for you. And he's got such a strong
support staff, not just there with the foundation, but of
course Joanne and his family and the number of people
that call him friends, and he's just got a massive
amount there and for good reason. He has changed, without doubt,
from his playing days at Michigan State with the Tigers
as well to who he is now. Oftentimes athletes, there
(10:59):
is a come to Jesus moment to a certain extent,
did you ever change well from your hard ass attitude
on the football field, you had to have it too.
Now you in the in the business office and the
founder of Mitchelin's wealth. How did you change him? When
did it a?
Speaker 2 (11:14):
You know what? I think it's always still in there, right.
And sometimes my wife says, hey, you're not in the
on the field right because I was a guy. I
wasn't overly athletic, right. I mean I played to the
echo of the whistle, as we say, and I had
a little chip on my shoulder throughout my career. And
I think it's stunned from me having an older brother
that was four and a half years older, right, So
I was always competing against his buddies and him. So
(11:34):
I always had that chip and and I kind of
have the same attitude in life, but that give me
still has that right He's he's taken the fight to
the Parkinson's and he and he wants to help others,
and uh, you know, but yeah, sometimes you know you
always have that in your your inner athlete self. But
you know, typically your you can't unleash it. Maybe you know,
I can't play to the echo of the whistle literally,
(11:55):
you know, in in a in a office setting. But uh,
you know, I think it's who I am. I don't
think he can change that completely.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Hey, real quick, I'm sure with his foundation. You met
Steven near Oh, Steve So Steve Steve. He's a great dude.
In case people don't know, one leg amputated early in
life at eleven years old because of the disease, but
does not let anything slow him down. He's going to
climb Mount kiliman Jarrel this summer. He plays golf on
(12:23):
Saturday mornings with one leg, doesn't use a prosthetic one leg.
You talk about inspiration, that's what I mean, you inspire
young people in your wealth business. Gibbee inspires people. He
surrounded himself with a lot of inspirational people.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Steve is an amazing guy CEO of the Kirk Gibson
Foundation and moving mountains for Parkinson's is his his you know,
he's raise of money. Just get to climb the mountain
this fall and people could go to Kirk Gibson Center
dot org to check out that and then donate every
dollar helps. I mean, go in there, man, and help
help these people. They are doing great things for not
only in Farmington, but they'll have online opportunities for people
(12:59):
to join it. And it's all about being something bigger
than yourself, right, You got to have that team around you,
and certainly when you're battling that disease like that, and
that's what Gibb's trying to foster. And I just say,
you know, I was just down and talking to him
Monday or Tuesday, excuse me, and you know he's just
passionate about this. I mean, he is his team. He's
building his team. You know, that's kind of how the
(13:19):
mindset he has and it's awesome to see.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Yeah, I just love the guy. One more before I
let you go. I started the show this morning with
the Red Wings win in New Jersey last night, and
even though they're out of the playoffs, they won three
in a row and they played Toronto tonight, and I
read a quote from one of their assistant coaches and
some of their younger players and how you're trying to
develop good habit. It's harder to develop good habits than
get rid of bad ones, is what Trent Yonnie, the
(13:44):
assistant coach said. And I'm wondering how that resonates with
you as a former athlete and businessman and decision maker
in Michigan state of making sure you're creating good habits
and helping other people create good habits. What do you
think is the most important thing in that regard?
Speaker 2 (14:06):
You know, I go back a lot, I repeat you know,
you have coaches that impact You're right, and then things
that were said that just never leave you. And coach
kow Er at Pittsburgh he would always say, guys, it's
a mindset. No matter where you were in the season, right,
whether you're on a three game winning streak a three
game losing streak, you'd always say, it's a mindset. Have
the mindset, you know, And the mind is a powerful thing.
(14:27):
You know, It's not a muscle, but man, you can
exercise it, and you can and you can strengthen it.
And I think when it comes to creating good habits,
it's about number one, laying it out and making making
that first step of doing it the first day right,
and then making it habitual right and just doing it
so that and the same thing I told these guys
on the Zoom yesterday, the young guys prep up for
the draft and make it so it's just a reaction
(14:48):
so you don't have to think about it anymore. You
run down every play, getting downfield, chipping people up the
file because that's just what you do. That's who you are,
not because you had to think about doing it right.
You need to. You need to, you know, train yoursel
else to just react to that. It becomes a fabric
of who you are and how you how you play,
or how you go about life or how you help people.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Hey, real quick, are you still a goal setter? I
mean even later on in your successful life. And obviously
you set goals when you're an athlete, but are you
still a short and long term goal setter? And how
how much do you encourage people to do that.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
I think you have I mean not not only have goals.
I mean I think it's important to have goals. But
a goal without a plan to get there is just
a dream, right, And you've got to have the action steps.
You got to have the action steps to get those goals.
So yeah, those short intermediate goals. You know, everyone you know,
I think if you don't have a big dream, you're
living for and it changes certainly over the course of
your lifetime. It's a lot different for me now than
you know when I was twenty years old. But sure,
(15:43):
you know, you've got to have that goal. But more importantly,
you've got to lay out the action stuff and write
it down, put it in your mirror, you know, think it,
you know, talk to yourself positive self talk. That's a
huge thing. I'm huge on this. You know, build yourself
up in your own mind. You know, others aren't going
to think about well about you if you can't think
well about yourself, right, So love yourself first, putting good
positive thoughts in your mind. Garbage in, garbage out, So
(16:05):
fill it.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
With good stuff, words to live by. That's why you're successful.
It's Mitch Lions your best game plan to protect and
grow for your retirement. He's the founder of Mitch Lion's Wealth,
former NFL player for seven years, former draft pick of
the Atlanta Falcons. Joining us here on exis and Bros.
Mitch have a great weekend. Thanks for the time today, man,
appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
You betman, and I hope those Lions can get us
some pass rushers on that draft. Let's go
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