YNS Live with NFL Thread PIVOT Russell Shepard
Aug 03, 2022
Listen to a new episode of PIVOT, a show brought to you by YNS Live with NFL Thread recorded live on Fireside with hosts Juliet Hahn and Cynthia Zordich featuring special guests Russell Shepard.
Former NFL wide receiver and special teams ace, Russell Shepard - owner of Shep Boys Waste Management in Cypress, Texas. Shepard (Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants).
Follow Russell on Instagram and check out the Shep Boys Waste Management website, as well as their Instagram.
Remarkable Quotes
“When you do anything at the highest level - be it a surgeon, politician, a professional athlete - you devote all of your time to your craft. It’s hard to have conversations outside of the game like business opportunities and investments. But, I always pushed for that dialogue. Pushed myself - you know, how do you grow as a person? How do you evolve as a person? Be more than just… And you know? Many of my teammates got to know me and were open to these kinds of conversations.”
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Episode Transcription
Cynthia Zordich 00:02:24
Mhmm.
Juliet Hahn 00:02:25
such very aggressive music that's sometimes it goes real flowers sometimes it goes, like,
how it was.
Cynthia Zordich 00:02:27
I know.
Juliet Hahn 00:02:32
So welcome everyone to y a slide with Nfl thread.
pivot or new series, Juliet Han here with cynthia, and our guest
russell Shepherd. How are you guys doing?
Russell Shepard 00:02:42
Doing good. How you guys? Thanks
having remember, excited
Cynthia Zordich 00:02:47
Mhmm
so happy to have you.
Juliet Hahn 00:02:50
Yes. Very excited. Okay. So we're gonna
Cynthia Zordich 00:02:51
you know, it's really interesting because I had to... Yeah.
Go ahead.
Juliet Hahn 00:02:56
Is there delay? Last time I was on, I had a little delay and so I'm gonna be
aware
Cynthia Zordich 00:02:58
I think
Juliet Hahn 00:03:01
I... There's a delay. Something's going on with my phone.
okay So there's a delay.
So I'm gonna start
basically introducing the show and then we'll we'll i'll i'll pause, and we... There's no of laying in the
but there's the delay apparently when I'm when I'm talking, so
if you guys are not familiar with y live with Nfl thread,
pivot. This is the new series that Cynthia and I doing, I'm gonna let Cynthia kind of jump on and give a little
a little
snippet it as people are joining. We have a lot of people here right now in
live on Linkedin. So high Youtube, you Twitch and
Facebook. So welcome. Welcome. And anyone that is in the
audience and I know people are gonna be coming in. If you guys wanna click the two little
lines to the bottom left at the bottom, You can
click on those, and you can broadcast to the world. So you can send
a a text. You can send a mess
You know, an email, you can send it to other people on Fireside, You
also send it to other people on other social media apps.
so everyone wants to take a moment to do that, that is awesome because
people can actually listen in if they're not in Fireside, and that's what I love about Fireside
Cynthia Zordich 00:04:13
Mhmm.
Juliet Hahn 00:04:12
so much is that people can listen why i don't know that they're
like, there's a bunch of people actually saying hi this i'm Linkedin right now, which is really fun.
Cynthia Zordich 00:04:20
cool.
Juliet Hahn 00:04:21
So I'm gonna let send the
kind of
give a little
introduction to Russell, but also talk about, you know, why we wanted to start
pivot and why it's so important to us.
Cynthia Zordich 00:04:35
Perfect.
Hey, Russell. Thank you so much.
I had the pleasure of meeting, you know, Marion and Russell at the Nfl
business Academy in Michigan, the University of Michigan.
it was just such a great experience for all of us.
I was covering the event for Nfl legends. However,
Russell Marianne came in with
a purpose. And first of all, was to win, which they did.
they won the best new business and and pretty much promoting
the idea of chat boys.
which is now I can't wait to talk to russell more.
about what Shop boys waste management is all about.
but I wanted to have Russell on mostly say because
in working with transition so much in dealing with transition myself personally,
in writing when the clock runs out with the Lion in talking to former players,
about their transition. I'm so excited to
revisit this with a whole new generation and talking about
what is it like when you have to let go of the game?
and how do you go about it? Russell is unique in that
he started preparing for transition as a rookie.
And so we're gonna to talk about that russell. Thank you so much for coming on to talk about
how your transition was kind of altered by the fact that you were already
thinking you were being very proactive as a young player.
sound
thank you so much for coming today.
Russell Shepard 00:06:01
Well, thanks. Thank thanks have me, man. I'm excited.
you know that's all I was about. You know? And... The the the big thing with me when I was in a
locker rooms. I played seven seasons. I retired in my eight season and
always is one of the guys who talked about different things in the locker room
didn't talk about video games. I didn't talk about going out. I I wanna
talk about business opportunities, you know, things that are going on in the economy
you know, like sal I was able to grow up in the Nfl.
So I seen the the the need to figure out with the new
you know, how do you continue to grow?
Continue to just evolve as a person and be more than just
what they may us as and they just, you know, bottle,
I like
Juliet Hahn 00:06:42
So I would love to jump in on now
because I think that I was saying that to cynthia, I'm so fascinated with
you know, with entrepreneurs and people that think a little different and, you know, go get
and people that, you know, really are there not just
to live life, but to live life. You know what I mean? Like, really just do their best
Cynthia Zordich 00:07:00
Mhmm.
Juliet Hahn 00:07:01
So what do you think gave that to you? I mean, I've read a little bit about your parents or
only someone that's, you know, are very important in your life, but I would love for you just give a little back
grounds about kind of where you came from and how important your parents are and where you got that
for neuro, you know, go getting kind of spirit.
Russell Shepard 00:07:17
No. I. You right out of
that. You know, mom dad, you know, the kind of, you know, the vision, you know,
when that the only ones I've known seen their my
so Just kind wise them.
know grow their company. I i I always use the term scale
scale their family because, you know, they both were to just high school graduates
you know, And like I said, really to have two meter resources coming up.
but then working together.
you know, buying good pieces of real estate
as we grew and as they grown professions, my dad was a
entrepreneur himself. The owned his trucking company
throughout my childhood, he dealt with Ac repair,
meet dealt with a little bit of everything. He's Jacob Trades. I'm plumbing, not whatever you
was a blue collar thing. And he believed it having as many trays as you possibly can.
the counter, you know, stopped from having such up and down,
you know, find out financial resource throughout the year, You know, he he
parents spent early on with just being in one end the
tree, and know one thing got slow,
you would last creepy. I need to get another thing, so I kinda give him
you know, and he was kind of my inspiration, you know, when I was in Nfl,
to figure some outside and not allow that to be my only source of income
and just kinda meaning of just who I am and then
Then in mom, the very, you know, Corporate America, she she's high school grad as well, but she was able
just through hard work, networking and communication, you know,
been a good person, you know, she's a rock of our family. She's ever climbed the corporate America.
world and go from just being assistant
know, so, you know, really heads so she's head of home
of, you know, huge, you know, medical practices in on the houston area through my childhood, you know, over
Hr, business relations administration. So watching her climb in her in their
deal from when, you know,
she had me when I was seventeen and
obviously, you know, throughout my... By the time I was eighteen, you know mom to
trillion of beyond she was still in a thirties. So, you know, we kinda grew up together.
you know what I'm saying? So i was watching them both
kinda, you know, just kinda overcome their heroes and working together
and I'm kinda of building in their family put me in my brother in better environment, you know,
putting and day camps, athletic and both business, you know, can't like,
kinda, you know, you know, made me who I am today.
Juliet Hahn 00:09:41
I love that. And the thing that I also, I I find so fascinating. And I do
brought two things up the communication and your story. Like stories connect
- And that's why I love podcasting. I love it Cynthia and I are doing. I love to talk from Sarah.
Fireside because it lets us get our stories out. And when people hear
you know, you know, people can listen and people can hear. And I I teach actually
when you hear someone kind of like voice go up, and you can see their past
you're saying and you can hear their, you know, intent would, like, their voice could kind of get excited.
that's something that means something and when you were just talking about your parents and, you know, as I
I read a little bit about it, and I can feel the love
and the dedication they had because wasn't it you're and correct me if I'm wrong?
wasn't it your father that kind said to you, you know, you should think of something
that you can do because football not gonna always be there. Was he the one that kind of
stirred you in that direction. And then even as you said, you were always kinda
thinking too because that's the background they gave you Gave you. Can you give us a little information on that?
Russell Shepard 00:10:39
Yeah. So, you know, my rookie year, my first two years
while in Nfl, I stay with my parents. And you know, i
save I had a fiancee at the time, and we were saved up for a marriage
the wedding excuse me as well as a down payment and, you know, for home. So
can you, start stability in our communities. So
know, my first year in the house would do my office when my dad. He's like, man. That's
start something he say, you know, you gotta look as
know, saying said, you know, you saving me some money with staying with me and mom.
he says that's good don company. And, you know,
fires with death. So our family has about three decades of the
experience with down trucks and dumb,
pretty much. You know, these giant tr transport
you know, raw materials like sand Clay dirt,
we we we we have those
and we transported them too and the away from construction sites,
you know, development areas,
you know, things like that. So we that for about five
in about four years, and we start off one truck, my root year
And by about my fourth year year Nfl, we got up to about five trucks.
and we had that company we did really well. You know, my dad overseas
he was over oversee outside operations. My mom's was inside sales,
And in that company, I was more so
of of investor in just learning, you know, I kinda of went to school, and put me to school, i they they
send me all of, you know, daily reports. I went through obviously a
know, tax accounting things, operational things,
you know, when I was coming for off and so those four years kinda gave me
experience and running the company oversee the company while I was playing
And you know, my fourth year, I had... I I had a pretty good year. I knew, I was gonna make some money
from full Barbara going into the next season,
so I decided to just, you know, give a company to my mama day.
I made all the return on my investment, and my mom was
so good the good partners to me, and I'm i just
deserved that they they they
I gave them all echoing company. Not so figure some else out down the road.
Cynthia Zordich 00:12:43
what I love about that on the football side is
the fact that as a rupee, you know, you're investing into your future,
that's incredible in itself. And then your numbers, you know, I've read about your numbers and
as they were growing as you were early on in your career. So here you are.
proving yourself on the field, you know, special teams captain right away,
special teams, which I love special teams
My husband actually played with ron Wo.
in Arizona. He was, like, one of those early pioneers of the idea.
that you can be a professional
know all pro player
because of your special teams, you know, contribution and so
I always love special teams, and also as a wide receiver, So you're
you're proving yourself on the field.
no doubt about it, and then heading to Carolina
and God bless you, you know, coming from a free agent to have that
you know, amazing, like,
you know, career in contract let's Carolina.
then here you are still
carrying out your business, carrying out new businesses.
growing off the field as well.
What were your teammates saying about that? And, like, what kind of
conversations that you have with them, did they think you were, you know,
crazy. Did they think that this was something that they should be doing?
Russell Shepard 00:14:00
Well, you know, the thing about
to play at the highest level of anything with be your surgeon, you know, you're you're
high in politics, your professional athlete become a guy devote time,
you know, it it's always say you guys vote
to that that craft that that whatever the task is the job is
So, you know, it was always at times a little hard to find a conversation with my peers in a life
about investment opportunities, business plans,
you know, the things outside of, you know, being the best, you know,
No. I you know, you'd be surprised I was able to get some great conversations. I mean, Kurt calls
You know, he's one of my old as they say in the Nfl, you know,
I was with him on two teams of
simpler for many years, you know, and display leadership and what it was to be a pro pro.
so, you know, you always run across guys like that. How carried the guys who who
were both high on the field and off the field. So, you know, I was I was able to find those
type of guys and, you know, be able to, you know,
I'm Sharper I to have those conversations. But, you know, the the thing that
that really pushed me is that, you know, as the
I was able to have a pretty... You know, a long career compared to the average
you know, guys, that the two and a half three years. So
mean, being able to to grow in field and have some some
you know, have good luck with the first run company when my parents
after I kinda of, you know, gave over the company to them
for the next three four years, I went on information information binge
Cynthia Zordich 00:15:31
oh,
Russell Shepard 00:15:32
and every opportunity whether to Nfl, and office
I was just going and I was going to events, and I was just trying to figure out
what, you know, really, I don't like
what I really, you know, what... I do like and throughout,
trying to thinking and I wanna be a sports agent thinking and I wanna be a g
professional Gm, my hay codes, You know, I I was able to
kind make it my plan d
and being
Juliet Hahn 00:15:59
You know, And and I'm so I love there so many things
Russell Shepard 00:16:04
Bye
Juliet Hahn 00:16:03
here that I thought because there was something I think I read or heard that you said, hard work is hard work.
wherever you are. So, like, if... You know, your professional athlete,
you know hard work and and really in life, it's about consistency. It's about
showing up for whatever you wanna do if you are not consistent and you're not
you know, ready to work hard, whatever you're doing is not gonna... you know, not gonna go to that
level. So I love that and something that you were just saying,
just kinda struck a question in in my mind. And so and and you might let you like, no. I'm
I've never even thought about that. But
And since they, this will be interesting for you to think about too. Do you think because
you had something, you know, you were growing
a business. You were growing your Nfl career.
Do you think that
allowed you to stay in the Nfl longer because you didn't have that
stress. Of, like, oh my gosh. If I if I get hurt or
this happens. I'm not gonna have anything because I don't know what I want. So
kinda let you just be in play.
Does that make sense?
Russell Shepard 00:16:59
Oh,
no hundred percent. I definitely just saying. It definitely did. You know,
for example, with the and I at times a false sense of reality, when he
to financials. You know, like, say, if you make a million dollars, you know, Mean
you're gonna get it usually over course of this football season.
that's anywhere for four to five months, You know, six month dependent playoffs and super bowl
you know, where in the real world, you gave you up a course of twelve months
so you get in through, you know, quarterly paying, certain things like
that. So, you know, with me, you know, dry
to times, I I out drop my first.
off season when I realized, I didn't make any money, you know,
I was able I was happy that I had chef voice trucking because I was able
didn't make as much money. you know, as I made with the football and, you know, the the the
in that film contract. And times but like I said, it was still something while I was able to
saved I was able to invest. I was able to buy pieces of real estate
of able to reinvest it to my my vin company
was trucking. So, you know, being able like I said, watching my dad have so many
these trades and being able to weld and fun, but, you know, do
fun had a Cdl, and he was just a master people. He was really good with people.
you know And I was able to transfer that over to the football and be able to
Juliet Hahn 00:18:19
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:18:17
a captain. I was captain three years out of my seven years and in.
And like I said, it contributes to, you know, really big up
to my day because I watched and work rooms with people
he wasn't never the smartest, but he's always very
know very empathetic or sympathy towards people in the situations and
is able to gain leadership. So I knew if I can transfer that skill said over to business.
as well as, you know, I have the experience, you know, through right the company, which I was doing with
the first company. I knew once I found the next thing,
I knew I was gonna have some some success. I just knew I wanted to find it
out while I was still playing
so I can still use that shield in that Nfl brand.
as a way to kick down a lot of doors before it
you know, it it was all said and done.
Juliet Hahn 00:19:01
I love that. Someday, did you wanna add something?
Cynthia Zordich 00:19:06
Yes. I do. I... Well, first all, I love
that's all, you know, that I feel like everybody's pushing now is
that that shield that brand is going to open so many doors and
even for players who are active right now,
ask individuals to go to lunch
ask questions about what they do. Try to figure out nobody's going to say no to go to lunch
Juliet Hahn 00:19:27
Mhmm.
Cynthia Zordich 00:19:28
with an Nfl player who's just interested in what they do.
Right?
Russell Shepard 00:19:34
I.
Cynthia Zordich 00:19:33
But go ahead.
Russell Shepard 00:19:36
No I mean, and and and I experienced it with my not company. I know we'll talk more about it, but
like, with our now company share voice waste management.
so we're rental providers of of we we try transport transport of human waste.
as one as we... Where run provided a port of a toilet that's hand stations
waste tanks water, luxury restaurant trailers, We do are pumped out
anything dealing with a waste
liquid ways being human ways, Greece, It can do anything. We trans
for we call that we contain. So, you know, with that style company,
me coming from a Nfl background.
a lot of people
know, they won't tend to give me the time of day.
if I didn't have something interesting,
to create those those conversations and and in
create that. You know? Well, let me just give this you guy sound day.
and having that Nfl brand man. I've been able to
know, to really step into some big doors and, you know, just
associate with that. We've been able to accelerate. We believe we've been able
accelerate our brand, our company through, you know, using that that marketing tool
Like said, we have the fastest growing waste management company
in a state of Texas, Like Said,
will be two years old at the end of July.
and I would do a million dollars in revenue this year.
and we're looking to continue to double
and continue to grow as our kind grows. So we excitement, you know,
happy about it.
Juliet Hahn 00:21:00
Yeah. And you know what, I think this is like, a couple of different things Again, you touch
on, which I think is really cool. And I think people... I like, I teach my kids this
Sometimes you don't know what you wanna do.
Cynthia Zordich 00:21:11
Mhmm.
Juliet Hahn 00:21:12
but you know what you don't wanna do. And it's sometimes
so important to know what you don't wanna do so just try everything
research everything be curious because so many people are not
curious enough. They don't ask enough questions as you said, sit down when people ask questions, Hey,
what do you like about this read their body language see why they get excited as
those questions, like, why are you excited what? Because something is gonna spark
in you,
know when you're hearing someone else get excited, like, why are they excited and that's I teach
out all the time, and I I think it's so important and sometimes under eigenvalues because people don't really
you know, talk about it. You talked about the relationships you're dad made, and that is
so important. You don't have to be the smartest, but if you can
Cynthia Zordich 00:21:52
Mhmm.
Juliet Hahn 00:21:52
tap into people and written and talk to people and see their body language and know what to
sites and you can get into good conversations, which can just lead to other things so that
curious mind. I love that that's how you were raised. You know, I hope
you know, that my kids as they grow, they always remember mom. Always we said
ask questions, do things or something interesting you just try it. Like, don't be scared of failing because
Cynthia Zordich 00:22:13
Mhmm,
Juliet Hahn 00:22:13
you're gonna fail a million times in life, and that's when you learn
so I think that is something that I love that you you
said that somewhere, Like, sometimes you just knowing what you don't wanna do is gonna get you somewhere. And then
I love this piece that, you know, that was in the playbook.
that you said I was looking for a recession proof
And, you know, obviously, pandemic proof. You didn't know that at that time,
well we actually you did because that's when you were starting it. But, like, that's so
just... It's it's simple. But so smart.
you know what I mean? Like, it's so many people don't think of that. Like, I would love to do this, but
Okay. If life happens, is that something that's gonna
stain, you know, sustain me. So do you wanna touch a little bit on that? Because I... You know, again, that just like
as I was listening and reading that, I was like, how I need to ask about this because this is really interesting.
Russell Shepard 00:22:59
I right Right. You not excuse me too they they're cutting the line.
Juliet Hahn 00:23:03
Worry. Of course.
Russell Shepard 00:23:06
But so, you know, that was the process lean up to
you know, get into what we are now. The the biggest thing was fair out what I didn't wanna do.
And for two years, i I was
pretty much
throughout the off season and, you know,
few years. I was I was hurt and Enough you know, had us put an Ir. So I had
the time during the season.
so for two years, I was pretty much building my sports agency.
I thought that there was a a need for players represented
former of players represent current players
I I I did my research and for over
a year and I realized that there was
less than ten percent of the ages represent players, both
in any professional sport,
Cynthia Zordich 00:23:50
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:23:51
had any claim experience. And, like I said, it was less than fifty
send up and played even college balls. So
you know, Through talking to Nfl executives talking coach is talking to
you know, just players, I rely that it was a need for it. And, you know,
I was kind planted that, and so I had this whole plan.
talk in Nfl so, this whole thing on
create a firm, a sports Ac where players can
can
can can come and represent guys and place it invest interest because we know each other best and
they they believed in and they did. So with Did, what they help me create?
create a a a plan where I can go and use their resources
and pretty much learn about the agency. You know, the Nfl
office, the Nfl to have, you know, reps to have people
they oversee every contract that that that that goes through
my agent they have... Do they just have amazing resource
where I'm learning that a lot these age and
they they use the Nfl
resources to, you know, back their work. So
like I said through, you know, working with Nfl, They send me to Indianapolis.
Sent me to the con combine,
I was able to fit in on some executive means. I was able to
fit in on the players on the agent of annual meeting, and
you know, it was really throughout... It was really
that that piece when I went to the combine
And I'm just, you know, being around three hundred agents, unfair peers,
and I'm saying the people that I'd be surrounded by every day,
I just quickly realized that that was the type of person that I wanted to be
surrounded by, and what I didn't want... I even though I
still believe that a need for change and more players represent players.
I just didn't want my peers or my circle
and be that type of
person. I just didn't see a heavy
you know, emphasis on
morally good moral people
in that field. So
know like I said, I just kind of
this that cab
my second Day was down there for five days. My second day down there, I called my wife I said, baby.
so I think I need i wanna find some mount El.
and, you know,
This is really plan because I first, again,
I thought the truck and thing was gonna be my thing.
But
Cynthia Zordich 00:26:04
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:26:06
took me a few years realize that that wasn't really what I wanted to do
for the rest of my life. And that's part reason why
gave it to my family because it was really a good dream. I just help
Cynthia Zordich 00:26:16
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:26:16
kind of funded in in in in learn from it. And then like I said, the sports Aged thing
I spent two years on that
and I i was very passionate about that being a player
now form a player at something that I really
I really wanted to admit going to the combine combined with the last piece before I really started
Cynthia Zordich 00:26:33
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:26:34
thirty four month my my my test and really kinda go after
build my firm, you know? And that hurt me that I got
to the last leg, and it I know that's not what I wanna do, You know, even
you know, dealing with the the the a player
you know, they don't really want as an agent I work for you.
you know, So a lot of times, you you don't get to
tell them what's real, you know, what they really need to hear
because, again, you're the client get
very your client and you it's a working in relationships. So you gotta protect their relationship
and a lot of young players need some... They need to hear things they on here. So
Cynthia Zordich 00:27:08
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:27:10
I just realized just the nature of the the the business
how was going? It wasn't for me. So I have one contacting in the waste industry.
my wife
you know, the power of relationships and partnerships and just everything or completing their work
she had a guy who started a company back where we both went off to high school,
And on his was John Following, he started theaters
And on Leaders was fairness is a a nationally
waste brokers company, and let's say you all sent the
porta Party company in Hawaii. And said, Julia, you own online to florida
own one in Texas,
he reaches out to people out of the country and say, hey, let me help so you sell your stuff.
I'll push it.
pay you for your stuff. I'll pull the extra top for me and we're
will have a a beautiful relationship and he managed that mass
that model over a ten year period from two thousand and nine.
so two thousand twenty two were we had now, and now he has, you know, the fastest
that's go waste company in the the country
Yeah. Three hundred plus employees. So
line is on my wife since go, that company. I reached out to me. He told me hey, Russell.
people, people poop in and piss every day.
or by companies.
That's kinda
Juliet Hahn 00:28:21
We just like the buck. When, you know, it isn't everyone poop.
like, my kids read that.
Cynthia Zordich 00:28:23
Goodness. I wanna definitely
Russell Shepard 00:28:28
Right.
Cynthia Zordich 00:28:28
Right. Everyone
Juliet Hahn 00:28:27
Good and then.
Cynthia Zordich 00:28:30
Exactly. I definitely wanna chime in
Wanna go backwards a little bit. Because for me, this is
this is so important to me.
that period of time
when you were at the con combine,
you had done so much work in prep
so much research. You you're building this firm
You call Marianne.
and you realize
this is not what you wanna do. Now this to me is the most
important part of transition.
because, you know, you had mentioned
I believe it might have been in the playbook that
you realize
and a lot of players don't realize that
just because you try something
and decide that it isn't for you.
doesn't mean that you failed.
it means that it wasn't the right fit.
Juliet Hahn 00:29:16
Mhmm.
Cynthia Zordich 00:29:17
And that's where I feel a lot of players and wives
don't understand that when the... When guys are trying those new things,
And I wanna know
what was going on inside like your heart
at that time... You know? Because now you're you're just, like, starting all over again. Right?
What were you feeling?
at that time.
Russell Shepard 00:29:33
What
Was I was time broken, obviously, I was taught broken because
you know, that was something I had after a lot
I was... I won't say I'm still more passionate about that.
then I am about what I'm doing now. You know, so so it was it was a day it was an... It was
her because again, I was looking to sense a out of
my peers, their served, guys, I went to school away, you know,
Justin Jefferson, for example, he was a guy that was coming out of the Nfl
around the time. I was thinking about starting my firm. And, you know, Justin
Justin Jefferson as the younger brother or Joy Jefferson
Joy Jefferson was my quarterback back at She. So I've been going Justin Jefferson since he was
Cynthia Zordich 00:30:15
the wire.
Russell Shepard 00:30:14
ten eleven years old. So, you know, that... I... You know, obviously, when you play with guys,
they have to have siblings. They have kids, and I just wanted to really just touch my
circle. So, you know, that that really hurt me when that i received that. Okay. This
space is not ready for a personality a guy like me.
So like I said,
the thing about by me is like I said, I I I I rely heavily on my spouse
my wife. You know, she's my best friend. She's my business partner and she's my everything. So
even though she's nighttime tongues, knowledge by certain things that I'm doing gonna wanna do.
you know, some a lot of things that just comes off which just instincts and just
just good morals and values. So when I told her
And i and I said, baby, like, I'm just not... I'm not getting that that since the purpose down here.
she said, just come on. She said said finish out and start with you
start finished when you started, say come on and we evaluate.
when I came home, you know, like I say that the
I had an Idea
Because when I came home, I came home to Manhattan, and we went out to eat that night.
and then we talked a little bit, and you know, we left the restaurant it was the night before
trash. And after leaving a restaurant, I've seen a sea of trash
I never seen anything like that being, you know, in a just
just never seen it. And I had to come back to the city the next morning for a doctor visit
when I went back to the city, all the trash was completely gone.
So, you know, I had... You know, it was kind of a short thing by twelve my wife I said minute,
I have to... You remind me to talk to John, You know what??
oh because I know somebody's paid for moving of trash.
you know, obviously, I had that idea sparked from Cnn And Trash and one night
when I came home, she said, I said, baby, Do you have John's number?
sound from Call I called John and
know, John, I telling John what I was thinking I said, Gentlemen, I'm getting brian out on ball. Look
for some different direction. I say, I know you've had some some success we
now Companies veterans
I said just give me some direction, man. And john say, hey,
start a fortified the company. He gave me the funny line. People's
poop shane and impatient every day. I I took it a my job, like,
you know I got a pretty business monitoring and i've done some things that like give me some more and more complicated
some more, And and he said look. So you gotta think about these I work with about five thousand come
nationally. You said I deal with them from a financial standpoint,
says those companies do best they any company I've ever done.
he said their recession proof,
he says it it never goes anywhere. He said you can touch all different type of markets. You can
span. You can do different things. And says, you know, if you go by brand new equipment,
he says if you you know, utilize your brand you hire Right?
he says, I'll allow you to use my now company veterans
he says, and i'm hope you accelerate the growth of your company.
says we use about seven companies in the Houston market and he says if you do all these things I said,
you use just you
accelerate your growth. And that's that's what we did. So took up about six months to get the
company up and going. We got started in February. We got the company up
late July, August, and, you know, we open the company
in a month at the month negotiating with John, we got a price agreement and
voice is was gone Who's open to go
Juliet Hahn 00:33:29
I love that. Oh, okay.
Cynthia Zordich 00:33:30
question. Where did the business academy fit in?
I'm sorry. The business academy was in March. So is this
sitting right in between that. And what did you take away from the Academy?
Russell Shepard 00:33:41
Yes. So that's this is very interesting you say this. So I got the idea
asked i... I got the idea after the football in January.
I went to combine in February
I went to the business of imagine me in March.
and that's soul
Juliet Hahn 00:33:55
Wow,
Russell Shepard 00:33:57
both the idea. Me, my wife's both I idea
and we was like, look, we're thinking about doing this. We did that
And then after I left the business academy, and we won,
Cynthia Zordich 00:34:06
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:34:07
because Like can said, we put together a a business plan within life
you know, a couple days, and on we one
then I went back to i came back home. I saw the business plans to my mom and dad.
And within two weeks, there, they sold their company
we started building shut boys
Cynthia Zordich 00:34:28
incredible.
Juliet Hahn 00:34:27
that that is so. I mean, so fascinating. And and the thing that's so, again,
you brought up so many different points, but it's was about
like, everything that keeps coming back to me is your curiosity.
you just didn't wanna be. Right? You wanted something more you
and and so many people don't do it. There's so many people out there that would went
to the columbia. And been, like, okay. I put all
the in. I don't wanna disappoint everyone. I'm just gonna continue that. And
be miserable the rest of my life, but I'll I'll make it work. Right? I'll make it work. I'll get happy because I'll
find it. But you knew no. I'm not going to, and then you had the supportive of way
Cynthia Zordich 00:34:59
Mhmm.
Juliet Hahn 00:35:02
Marion. I mean, I've heard, you know, you talk about her so much. And I I do wanna it because I know you guys high school sweetheart
which my sister and her husband are. So I love that.
But that's what... You know, there's so many different things that you
touched on that are so important that people sometimes overlook
over overpass because they're just trying to get through life or just trying to move forward and not
stopping and being like, okay, What do I want? What do
you know, let these images let these thoughts and I am a really big component
of day dreaming. Some people call meditating. I call it day dreaming because I can't sit and meditate. I have to walk
and move, and that's when I like, daydream about things, and that's when I come up with ideas. That's how it came up with my pod
cast and so many people don't do that, but you were looking around. You weren't just like, sitting there.
in the car being like, you were like, wow. And I lived in New York City. So
I know what the draft day looks like. You know? And so you allowed that
to... You were like, okay. This is interesting. I'm gonna go with this feeling. I'm gonna go with this
Cynthia Zordich 00:36:00
Mhmm.
Juliet Hahn 00:35:58
thought, and that's what so many people don't do, and that's what
you know, I so many things in this podcast that
teaching and and and people listening like,
one of the things I want them to take away when you're walking or you see something and you get a little
trust you're like, what is that?
don't just stuff it.
Cynthia Zordich 00:36:16
Mhmm.
Juliet Hahn 00:36:15
right, explore it. Think about it. Like, you know,
ask questions about it. Like you did. Hey, Marianne... I wanna talk
John about this because this is coming in my brain. It's not just coming once and that's what so many people do
an idea will come a come and, you know, since The this, you know, whether you believe in the universe
or god. I believe in god, but we all have a path. I really believe we all born for a
path and not all of us find it because we don't let ourselves
kind of be there and think and and and and kind of watch what God is doing and putting
of us and so many times when you have these things keep coming up. I mean, you had
such a timeline like, when you were putting that timeline, my mind was just gone
Wow. Wow. Yes. I mean, it was really someone speaking to you being like,
okay. This is what you need to do. This should be the next move. This is an idea. So
I just love all of that. And
and that's when when Cynthia said, you know, I want Russell to come on pivot.
and I was like, there's so many pivots here, which I just find so fascinating, but
one of the ones that I read and correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you a
quarter back in high school and then pivoted even your position.
Russell Shepard 00:37:18
Right. Right. I have was a big thing for me with high
with the college with a lot of, you know, you know,
potential a lot of height. And like I said, you know, by the end of my car's career,
I was a special team guy. You know, I was no more quarter
in the country when I, it entered She supposed to be bring them
banks and ask championship and do all these things and, you know, life pivot,
as you said, and things change and you have to death, and you have to figure out other ways
of of thriving in your environment your situation and
you know, being able to
it was a humbling thing going from being a quarterback to a specialty guy in college.
not knowing that it was the best thing happened for me once I got to the next
level.
because those guys tend to have the longer careers because they the Jack of all trades, the
not... You know, it just how goes, you know, so if you
can be a quality deaf guy, and then you can contribute to special teams.
told that you can have a pretty successful career, and there was something that bought
and I did in my way. So, you know, pivoting just
Juliet Hahn 00:38:24
so
Russell Shepard 00:38:22
you know, it's a big thing in the waste industry, you know, things crazy
stuff happen all. And what we do
no we we're open seven days a week.
we started at, you know,
we're I'm up at three forty five to four o'clock every day, and I don't get home.
eight or nine
So like I said, it's it's everyday adjusting process, but
so my... I heard this this guy say this one thing, and I'm not gonna be long with the
you know, life doesn't happen to you. Life happens for you.
Juliet Hahn 00:38:49
Yep.
Russell Shepard 00:38:49
And that's the big thing to to... You know, for me, You gotta
now if you do what you need to do,
things don't happen. How you how you expect a one happens.
is not because you failed or whatever's because it wasn't supposed to happen.
you know, you can got trust the process and understand this just wasn't meant for me.
and let me on remove figure all this out and still maintain the grow as a person.
still you know, look out and be the best person for others as that can be
it's something I've always applied to myself and just who I am in my
my family as we go.
Cynthia Zordich 00:39:22
beautiful.
Juliet Hahn 00:39:19
Well, and that's I
Cynthia Zordich 00:39:23
and love it
Juliet Hahn 00:39:22
I think that's one of the things like, you said, you know, you
you you pivoted, But, again, and this is, again, just the thought
came came in mind when you just said you were the jack of all trades and who was the jack of all trades in your life?
your dad. So you watched your dad do all that. You knew, okay. I was this
quarterback, which we we all know. You know, if you you watch football that's the guy
Right, Everyone talks. And so he... As you said, it was humbling. So
I would like to get a little and them I do wanna talk to about Marianne, but since you just talked about this,
I wanna get a little vulnerable, like,
you can take us through because there's so many
guys out there that I'm sure, you know, okay, Your position gets
changed where they have to take the emotions out. And as you said, think about what
best for the team and also, you know,
you know, the situation. So how did you
Cynthia Zordich 00:40:06
for.
Juliet Hahn 00:40:11
you know, how were you able to kind of really pivot there and
Russell Shepard 00:40:11
Now were you able kinda really there
and gonna go the next
Juliet Hahn 00:40:15
take all your life and and kind of go to that next
Russell Shepard 00:40:19
step and clear.
Juliet Hahn 00:40:18
step in in your career.
Russell Shepard 00:40:21
You know what? You know, the the the color thing was a
extremely hard, obviously, because I... I was younger at age and i
at that point, I just wanted to be the best football one player of all time.
So at that point in time, you know, my support, you know,
system being about my my
girlfriend wife now, girlfriend from that time marrying.
you know, I'm having her. She was at school with me.
so she was there me. She you know, having conversation healthy conversations.
picking me up when I put myself down, I'm gonna have him a mom and dad, you know, that's a
poor system, and then my my, you know, you build a support system if as you make
you know you you meet morally sound and you choose that have healthy relationships
around you yourself you go other healthier relationships in the support
as you go, and that was able to build that throughout my Time.
that they carried me through my journey. And then like I said, once I got
my end of my Journey
And like I said, once I I didn't go in the first round, I was
free agent
But when I was inter free agent,
you know, how... You know, I was able to pick my team instead of going to
team that wasn't for me and
find the right coaching personality and find the right player, you know, just
I was able to start my field journey of
which is very pivotal very important when you talk about having a
career career spend does not long, you know, where you started and how you start this very important. So
like I said, going on drive to be pick my team and
being able to give with the right situation, and everything was just making sense I went, you know,
and. So I just think a big thing with me is like I say, this
the point system allowed me to still go. And if you just go
and just still do those right things, even when you're not having the results that you wanted to have.
I could say this success is gonna... It's gonna it's gonna come bit string of good luck is gonna come.
know saying so that's what my support system. My wife, my mom, my dad,
and this the the good friends the healthy relationships I've built along right way with team teammates
you know, trainers, you know, business men with
drop my my community and and where i played
you know, having those people, I and and they will need to just continue to go.
Yeah.
Juliet Hahn 00:42:29
And i you muted?
Russell Shepard 00:42:31
and.
you continued grow as on i i'm mean.
Cynthia Zordich 00:42:36
and continue to grow is what I said. As far as I'm you
but I love it you said,
Russell Shepard 00:42:42
take you when you put yourself down. And I think
Cynthia Zordich 00:42:42
the individuals that pick you up when you put yourself down.
Russell Shepard 00:42:47
that happens from many times so I think, especially with players.
Cynthia Zordich 00:42:46
And I think that that happened so many times, I think, especially with players.
especially in transition.
Russell Shepard 00:42:51
especially in two.
Cynthia Zordich 00:42:52
for some reason, they
Russell Shepard 00:42:54
we forget with it.
Cynthia Zordich 00:42:54
i forget all the amazing things they did and who they are and what they accomplished.
Russell Shepard 00:42:58
and
Cynthia Zordich 00:42:59
and they feel like they're at ground zero when they're not at ground zero.
and they're here. And what is your take on that?
for young players that are gone
going to go to transition.
Russell Shepard 00:43:09
I always tell guys you guys. You gotta take the the mindset of mixed play
in in in the real world. And, you know, the thing about is this
the thing that makes the federal so unique compared to a lot of other sports.
and just really sports in general, but especially Nfl,
because you only have so many games, sixteen games compared the
eighty two and a hundred in this, and that if that
they expect us to be perfect.
within an imperfect game. And, you know, it's it's like
as players as you play in field, I had a guy
tell me in my Nfl career
said, hey, don't take. Don't take this too serious. And I ain't get it because I'm
Rookie, I'm trying to make a team, create a family create a a life like, why would not
this bad violence and as I got older,
understood what he meant is like, as you prepare and if you, genuinely care about the
situation, opportunity you're present, you know, don't beat yourself up when it
go how you wanted it to go. So like I said, that's why I encourage guys to
change your conversations within the locker rooms within your peers and go from talking about
you know, partying and and in video games in this
talk about things that makes they they're uncomfortable things you don't know about
and then throughout talking to these uncomfortable situations and learning from your peers and they're
and resources, you know, you you will figure out what you don't like, what you like,
and what you're gonna do and that's all I did. I had no no thought
no process of
being this
big businessman or, you know, being this guy who had, you know, the serial on
entrepreneur and it's guy who build these companies and exit at the. Like
Didn't I just wanted to be more than what just people said I would
I wanted to create more for me. And like I said, from my dad,
being a Jack ball trace and just curious god to my mom,
being a strategic
being a person that's very organized as a person that
that that is she would the person knows was put me in business camps.
to a person asked she the person that was dead say, hey, we need to start your non prophecy.
we need to do this in the Llc. And, you know, she runs my mom's head up inside up
for me.
no She's bitch you from business administrations to to to to
taxes, accounting, my mom,
to we would die.
company wise without having a person like my mom. So
like I said, I mean, I think the biggest thing is just
continue to try and get uncomfortable change the the things that that you seek
And like I said, you'll see some things that just kinda unfold.
Mean, we've we've been... And, again, with some lack of no spare experience in our industry,
we've been approached three times in in the
Juliet Hahn 00:45:46
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:45:45
the almost two years we've been open about being acquired.
you know? And and this is just us. Again, we we're we're figuring this stuff out still as we go
you know, we can't relationship it. There's a lot of luck involved business.
Yeah.
Cynthia Zordich 00:45:57
and a lot of work.
what I love about you is that
Russell Shepard 00:46:03
in pandemic
Cynthia Zordich 00:46:03
in the pandemic where most of the world was using as an opportunity to lay back
Russell Shepard 00:46:05
actually
Cynthia Zordich 00:46:08
you actually said that it gave you more time to research
Russell Shepard 00:46:10
more time to research
Cynthia Zordich 00:46:12
into more more time to look into things and then
instead Of opening your company six months later, you open six
Russell Shepard 00:46:16
definitively your company six the slavery open and takes because
Cynthia Zordich 00:46:19
months early because of the pandemic. I think that's you.
And I think that says a lot about you as a person and
Russell Shepard 00:46:21
I think that's and I think
Cynthia Zordich 00:46:25
how you erase.
Russell Shepard 00:46:27
Appreciate that. I mean, that was something that was being on this. You know?
we looked at the pandemic differently. We want to test
the market. We wanted to test the industry that we want to test what we about to give our life to.
So we said, why and I started doing one of the the the the the most unique
the the most tough times that our world not a economy young world has ever seen.
and not only able were to start it
we we we thrive and, you know, we were able we still have some numbers that we did
within then the first six months of the company that we we we still don't even do
and we're almost two years open. So
like I say, we do well when times are good in our industry,
we do really well in time to bank. Like I said, you know, when you have natural disasters
you have on things that are occur both in your market.
you have natural disasters and neighboring markets being a a city like New Orleans and
place like, you know, Florida you can travel. You can
you know, be, you know, we're
we're we're very important when it comes to to world and in in in in
you know, natural is asked to problems, and then also, to
from the Chemical plan industrial thing, Like I said, so
we can touch a lot of markets and allow different things what we do, and just
is very exciting because there's no it's different for me.
Yeah. Curious
Juliet Hahn 00:47:44
Yeah. And and and you were curious and you thought about it.
And I think that's what's really cool.
Russell Shepard 00:47:47
and I
you
Juliet Hahn 00:47:50
And there's, like... Then... Are you guys hearing the weird feedback?
Cynthia Zordich 00:47:51
Yeah. That's okay.
Juliet Hahn 00:47:54
Yeah. Again, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't just me.
Russell Shepard 00:47:56
Yeah. I of snakes.
Juliet Hahn 00:47:59
So I would love because I know, you know, we told you we're gonna have your career here
Russell Shepard 00:47:59
I
Juliet Hahn 00:48:02
for an hour, but I would love for you to talk about
Russell Shepard 00:48:02
very for an hour, but I would love for you tackle about.
Juliet Hahn 00:48:05
you're beloved to Marry. And, and, you know, you guys met in high school.
and just take us through the journey. Do remember the first day you met and you knew that this is gonna be the person
Russell Shepard 00:48:08
and just take that you can do be
Juliet Hahn 00:48:12
in or was it, you know, a longer court? Could just give give us a little juice.
Russell Shepard 00:48:14
check
So you know, wife, Marion very
you know, obviously, my wife was two years all than me. So
when I was a sophomore high school, she was a senior.
and she went to a neighbor in high school and, you know,
we have some mutual friends, and We able just to connect through, you know, some friends that would
school and me that were friends with prepare. And you know what happened was that interest of my wife.
which is very interesting to my journey of the, you know, my wife with Shoes to you
for me. And at this point in time, you know, I wanted to go to Texas. I was in Texas kid.
We've had, you know, I was already a year two with them my high school
experience. So I was already getting a lot of... You know,
you know, college, you know, attention. So, you know, she had her. You know, she was
six months for one school, which she met me. She's already
know had her dorm and they had everything situated and
is, you know, almost fresh, You know?
sixteen year old come out of nowhere the god attention.
know when she went off to Ls shoe,
Know she still decided to maintain a relationship with me, which I was a lucky one.
obviously still been in high school, and I'm being done
freshman in college. That's felt so cool. But
you know, oh what happened was me, I said, i had a lot of attention in to high school,
I had a a really good high school career, and I had the opportunity getting going
where I wanted to go, and I'll gonna clap it up for her. Right?
I said what happened was is for two years
why she's the ls shoe
I was going up there and going to visit her.
and I'll drop my time going up there.
I was mean the coaches. I would mean the players, the guy on the team,
because everybody kinda of knew who I was at that point.
And, like I said, it's kinda fell the culture in the school
so when he came down and peak,
two years and
in a relationship, and I was in love.
And like I said, I'm really, you know, the my my look
and this is another thing for two years straight.
my wife took the greyhound
down to every game, my junior year.
which was her freshman year.
and you know, Ella Baron Rouge to Houston four hours on the Greyhound, bus
it's seven hours because you're gonna stop with every town.
so for... I had eleven games that year, and she took the Greyhound helm
ten weeks straight, and she came to every high school game.
of my, her freshman year
when Shoes was just a year off national championship,
So like I said, I know or early on that that was somebody that did be cared about me.
And like I said, I just you know, I really taste love.
and kinda made myself believe that Ellis shoes was with the place that I needed to go.
I
Juliet Hahn 00:50:58
I got the chills. I love that so much.
Russell Shepard 00:51:00
So much
Cynthia Zordich 00:51:01
Yeah. All the recreating coaches how to love that.
and love Marion for that.
Russell Shepard 00:51:03
just
you know, he's a crew and brother next to the next year. You know,
it makes you work for the school for three years, and then toilets my last year college.
decided to change their career, but i'll do my own thing. But, yeah, she was a room gracie.
the best crew Grandma long time.
Cynthia Zordich 00:51:21
I love it. That's great.
Russell Shepard 00:51:25
in excited for you with your beautiful family too.
Cynthia Zordich 00:51:24
And then how about the kids I'm so excited for you if you're beautiful
family, your little boy, a little girl, and now went on the way,
Russell Shepard 00:51:29
And thank you they're doing good. Don't good so they're grown.
we have a third on the way. We have Moses, Moses Shepherd be
six years old. You stock first great this year.
big for him coming off, Covid and all those type of things for that sort of, you know, the young kids
Oh I all the kids, and then Ramsey is four. She be a big sister soon.
Cynthia Zordich 00:51:50
Oh.
Russell Shepard 00:51:50
we have respecting in know October,
on my wife has this thing where she likes to have the kids at the house in the tub.
natural home.
Juliet Hahn 00:52:00
I love that.
Cynthia Zordich 00:51:59
Nice.
Russell Shepard 00:52:00
Right. Yeah. Right. She's of home. So
we're gonna extract that and just
The is
Juliet Hahn 00:52:07
Oh, that's amazing. And
what great ages. And as you said, the pandemic, I mean, it's hard on
all kids. But I... You know, my kids are teens, and I feel like they knew what
Russell Shepard 00:52:14
my kids.
experience
Juliet Hahn 00:52:17
school was. And so, yeah, It was an adjustment, but I think about the younger ones that never really
experience school and how hard that has to be as a family.
Cynthia Zordich 00:52:27
Yeah.
Russell Shepard 00:52:25
stating the to sunscreen screen and get experience.
Juliet Hahn 00:52:24
So exciting that he's going into first grade and gets the experience
Cynthia Zordich 00:52:28
Right.
Juliet Hahn 00:52:29
school, you know, in in in in a normal normal world.
Russell Shepard 00:52:32
what. Right. Right. Good confidence is good
and social environment. Like I said, you know, kids need to be around the kids.
Juliet Hahn 00:52:36
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:52:39
in social and have experienced this a weeks
Cynthia Zordich 00:52:43
Exactly. And I'd like to say that
Russell Shepard 00:52:43
and I like to save it?
Cynthia Zordich 00:52:45
the energy that you and Mary have and
Russell Shepard 00:52:46
that you. I have so.
academy.
Cynthia Zordich 00:52:48
I have several photographs from the business Academy.
Russell Shepard 00:52:52
you together.
Cynthia Zordich 00:52:51
where you guys are working together
deep discussions, excitement, planning, like, like, just as
Russell Shepard 00:52:55
discussion
Cynthia Zordich 00:52:59
team, like that you had. It was... It was... Both came and you both came with the
Russell Shepard 00:53:02
together. I'm
Cynthia Zordich 00:53:04
purpose and working together, I was really excited to find out that you were
actually a married couple that were working on this project together. And
Russell Shepard 00:53:10
this project together, and I imagine how do you guys do everything?
Cynthia Zordich 00:53:12
Imagine that's how you guys do everything.
mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:53:15
Oh, yeah. Everything I made from the household, you know,
to business affairs
the process of working with banks as we continue to scale a company and
be able to to to go to different markets and
know to take that next level in business, you have to have strong banking relationships
and my wife is as big as a as. My mom is for the company in what she
does on a daily operational
standpoint, My wife is being from putting together presentations being able the
Cynthia Zordich 00:53:43
Mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:53:43
the company market the company, and she's really helping us
kinda get the resources we need to continue to scale and
those are the next levels so. You know, every saw hands on day and you're right sent you.
I wouldn't be, you know, here without her today. And, you know,
you know, she's my my, you know, yeah You know, she's everything
Cynthia Zordich 00:54:00
beautiful.
Beautiful.
Juliet Hahn 00:54:00
I love that. So as we kinda come to a close
I would love to know
if you can give the Nfl community that not and not
Russell Shepard 00:54:08
and not just
Juliet Hahn 00:54:10
just the Nfl community, but you young players, but even people out
Russell Shepard 00:54:12
even people have there because your story is they're old so many people.
Juliet Hahn 00:54:13
there because your story is so relatable to so many people. They're
Russell Shepard 00:54:17
many different things that you touched on.
Juliet Hahn 00:54:17
so many different things that you touched on throughout this that
Russell Shepard 00:54:20
you know got and just.
Juliet Hahn 00:54:20
is just, you know, got me excited and just... You know, there's people out there that are like,
I need to be better.
Russell Shepard 00:54:24
need better.
I am three five continue like
Juliet Hahn 00:54:26
I need to do better. I have one life. I need to do something big. So can you give, like,
your two top tips that you would say to someone that's struggling
Russell Shepard 00:54:31
two tips that you would say.
Juliet Hahn 00:54:35
someone's like me and and ready to pivot their life.
Russell Shepard 00:54:34
struggling take me i need to visit their life.
Juliet Hahn 00:54:39
mhmm.
Russell Shepard 00:54:38
you know, seek uncomfortable moments.
seek seek things that that
you know, that you you tend to not, you know, you don't do where things that you you been run at from.
whether it is is is it's trauma, you know, from from things that you grow
running from the grandma overcome and you gotta cut on antagonist those or
there's insecurity or things that you've kind of goes and put on yourself.
through through throughout go to life. You know? Like I said I always tell people, you know,
seek uncomfortable moments because that's ten it's when you tend to grow the moles.
you know, that's what you have just the most and you push yourself and, you know,
even if you don't try, you try to live the most conservative life.
you know, a comfortable moment and situations are gonna find you. So you might as well find them
they found you. So Like I say, seek those
And, you know, my last thing is embrace failures. You know, you have to you have
you know, failure your away to success. And like I said, you know, it's
as beautiful as the company sounds and, you know, good as it goes. I
every day is struggle. Like I said, you know, you know,
being one wanting to be, you know, my purpose wasn't to really
I thought my purpose was to make it to Nfl. And know once I got to Nfl,
it kinda scaring me and pushed me to figure out what my purpose really was.
because I figured out that it couldn't be my purpose. It was so short lived. It was
I was only thirty, twenty nine years old the time i revise. So
I felt that it if
made me go figure something else something else out. And
through that, I feel realized my purpose was coming back to my community and provide
opportunity. That was my purpose was, and that's what I was, you know,
needed and wanted to do. So, you know, through that,
I was able to just continue to keep going, and like say that, you know,
like I say, is it's coming together because like I said, regardless, whatever I'm doing it right?
of doing it wrong. I'm working in my purpose and like, you said, the universe god,
know that's what i a little luck of that Cardinal come from when you
you worked for the right reasons and the right, the right people,
it's why mean you get a little blessed gonna look little lucky because
like I say, statistically odds
like I say, we're not supposed to be here.
you got a monk who had a a a son at seventeen
a dad who was, you know, coming from the streets
never had a college degree
and then you had a kid to all he knew was football. And like I said for us, so
start, you know, know what we started and was scaling the way we skeleton.
this is not just being for me and my mom. This is day for, you know, the community.
because we're gonna take on and we're gonna help people do a lot of things.
still people your.
Juliet Hahn 00:57:15
and you're gonna show people your story. It doesn't your story.
doesn't make you who you are. It helps you grow as you said, and I everything you just said, I was like, oh hey. You
Russell Shepard 00:57:19
make you helps just
Juliet Hahn 00:57:23
such my people. Like, this is what I talk about all the time because it's
so important. It's so important. And
Russell Shepard 00:57:27
It's so
Juliet Hahn 00:57:30
people don't always talk about it. And so thank you so much.
Russell Shepard 00:57:31
it and so
Juliet Hahn 00:57:33
for joining Y live with Kinda nfl friend pivot. Also, I mean, it's
such a pleasure to have met you. I I I I need to meet your your your other half
as well and you know, good luck with the kids in the business and I can't wait to you know, just watch you
Russell Shepard 00:57:42
I your
Juliet Hahn 00:57:45
also grow and do what you're doing because you're inspiring people with your
Cynthia Zordich 00:57:49
Yep.
Russell Shepard 00:57:49
weird.
Juliet Hahn 00:57:49
story and your beautiful family down to your parents. It's
it's really one of those things that just
Russell Shepard 00:57:56
and you stay out here. You need to share it.
Juliet Hahn 00:57:56
If you're listening out here everywhere. Anywhere you are, you need to share it because there's
Cynthia Zordich 00:58:00
Right.
Juliet Hahn 00:58:00
people out there that need to listen to this. And you might listen to this and say, oh, that's so cool. That's great.
Russell Shepard 00:58:04
but you don't know your name your.
Juliet Hahn 00:58:04
but you don't know what your neighbor, your cousin your mom, you're dad, and your aunt uncle, sister brother,
Cynthia Zordich 00:58:11
Right.
Russell Shepard 00:58:09
you're actually to hear
Juliet Hahn 00:58:09
who in your life actually needs to hear this story because they're in a
Russell Shepard 00:58:12
they don't know what to do.
Juliet Hahn 00:58:13
spot that they don't know what to do. And as you heard,
It's scary.
Russell Shepard 00:58:16
steering.
Juliet Hahn 00:58:18
but that's where you learn to grow.
Cynthia Zordich 00:58:23
yeah.
Russell Shepard 00:58:22
so thank you so much.
Juliet Hahn 00:58:20
in those uncomfortable moments, that's where you grow. So
Russell Shepard 00:58:25
you're
Juliet Hahn 00:58:23
Russell. Thank you so much for joining. Cannot thank you enough.
Cynthia Zordich 00:58:27
Me too.
Russell Shepard 00:58:27
Thank you, guys. I appreciate many great people, man. Anytime I come on. Let me know.
Cynthia Zordich 00:58:31
You got it.
Juliet Hahn 00:58:32
Yes, Please. You got a lot of teach to do. I I'm telling you you you you
Cynthia Zordich 00:58:35
Yeah.
Juliet Hahn 00:58:36
of lot of wisdom
Cynthia Zordich 00:58:38
God bless.
Russell Shepard 00:58:36
Thank you, guys.
Juliet Hahn 00:58:40
And thank you as always, Cynthia.
Russell Shepard 00:58:43
Thank you
Cynthia Zordich 00:58:43
Thank you, Juliet.
by the,
Juliet Hahn 00:58:43
Alright, guys. Again,
know where you are sharing this If you're on whatever platform, share it,
get it out there because people need to hear the story, and thank you again for joining
hawaiian live within a felt around pivot.
My focus is entirely on helping you follow your passion, even when you feel like you've got stuck in crazy town. There is a way out, its me helping you. You don't have to ditch everything in your life that is making you feel overwhelmed and stuck, you just need some help to navigate it.
WHEN YOU FOLLOW YOUR PASSION YOU WILL NATURALLY ENRICH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
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