Mind Mapping a Comeback: John Diggs’ Big-Ass Box Breakthrough

On this episode of Life-Changing Challengers, host Brad Minus sits down with former NFL wide-receiver–turned–mortgage-tech entrepreneur John Diggs to unpack the technique that rescued his life when everything collapsed: mind mapping. Diggs traces his journey from a Pacoima childhood and pro-football glory to building one of Southern California’s largest mortgage brokerages—then losing it all in the 2008 meltdown, along with his home, marriage and savings. 

At rock bottom and sleeping at his mother’s house, Diggs discovered a dusty copy of The Mind Map Book by the late Tony Buzan. Three months of feverish “map-engineering” helped him clarify who he was, what he wanted and how to rebuild. That clarity landed a six-figure software-implementation role, 10 published books, a TEDx talk and a new mission: teaching athletes, students and executives to “love life outside the box” through mind mapping. 

Timeline Highlights

• [00:40] Brad introduces John Diggs—speaker, author and former NFL Raider/Oiler. 
• [03:15] Growing up in Pacoima and falling in love with street football.
• [10:30] NFL career ends; Diggs pivots early into real-estate and mortgages.
• [17:45] Building (and enjoying) an eight-figure mortgage empire.
• [24:10] Mortgage crisis wipes out the business—and his family life.
• [32:05] “Big-ass box” moment on the apartment floor; decision to reinvent.
• [38:50] Mind mapping every classic self-help book sparks the I AM map.
• [46:20] Re-emergence as a top Encompass mortgage-tech consultant and map-engineering mentor.

Key Takeaways

1. Map-engineering turns chaos into clarity. Visual thinking surfaces options traditional lists miss. 
2. Identity first, strategy second. Diggs’ “I AM” map aligned decisions with authentic values.
3. Big wins start on paper. Athletes and CEOs alike benefit from pre-visualising “the perfect play.”
4. Crisis can be a reset. Losing everything forced Diggs to design the life he actually wanted.
5. Love life outside the box. Mind mapping trains the brain to see possibility, not limitation.

If John’s comeback story lit a spark, rate, follow and share Life-Changing Challengers so others can map their own breakthroughs.

Links & Resources

• JohnDiggs.com – courses, speaking, coaching
• TEDx Talk: “What’s in Your Big-Ass Box?”
• Books by John Diggs
  • I AM: The Power of Knowing Who You Are
  • Big-Play Power (for student-athletes)
  • Map-Engineering Your College Years
  • Love Life & Blessed and Grateful
• The Mind Map Book by T

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