Cole Leonida - Baseball, Faith and Financial Generosity: A Winning Combination

In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, Rob Brown welcomes former professional baseball player turned financial planner, Cole Leonida, for an inspiring conversation about aligning purpose, faith, and financial planning. As a Certified Kingdom Advisor and private wealth advisor at John Moore Associates, Cole shares how his journey from the diamond to the desk has shaped his approach to serving clients with intentionality and authenticity. His dedication to fostering generosity is a testament to leading a purpose-focused practice.

Key Takeaways:

• The Transition from Baseball to Financial Planning (01:18): Cole shares the challenges of redefining himself beyond "Cole the baseball player" and finding purpose in helping others as a financial planner.
• Authenticity in Client Relationships (11:44): "You can’t turn authenticity on and off. Being your true self attracts the right clients and builds stronger relationships."
• Generosity as a Core Metric (22:01): At JMA, generosity is a KPI. The firm celebrates helping clients give away millions of dollars annually to make an impact in their communities.
• Simple Questions to Spark Generosity (46:59): Cole’s game-changing questions—“What’s your giving strategy?” and “What are you passionate about?”—can transform client conversations.
• Intentionality in Life and Work (09:28): Cole emphasizes prioritizing physical, emotional, and spiritual health as the foundation for professional success.

 

Cole Leonida: "I believe maintenance is a myth. You're either moving forward or moving backward; there’s no such thing as staying the same."

Rob Brown: "When you live out your purpose and align your work with your values, you naturally attract the kind of clients who make your work more fulfilling."

About Cole Leonida: Cole Leonida is a former professional baseball player turned financial planner in Scottsdale Arizona. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Certified Private Wealth Advisor, and Certified Kingdom Advisor. Cole is passionate about simplifying complex financial decisions by looking at the whole picture and serving our clients through a Biblical lens. He is always searching for ways to help clients utilize their wealth to make a meaningful impact on their communities. Prior to his career coaching people on their finances, Cole spent six years playing professional baseball and continues to have a lifelong love of the sport. Outside of the office, you’ll find him golfing, working out, and spending time with his wife and sons.

Connect with Cole Leonida: 

Website: http://www.johnmoore.com/

Email: [e-mail]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-leonida/

Kingdom Advisors: https://kingdomadvisors.com/

National Christian Foundation: https://www.ncfgiving.com/

Episode R