Chalk Talk Episode #9: NFL Pro and Life Literacy Coach Brandon Copeland Wants Us All to Start Normalizing Conversations Around Money and Meet New People. Here’s Why.

He doesn’t want anyone to go through the personal or professional pitfalls he has, so he’s developing a “blueprint to life” that you can follow. Check it out.

by Adam Petrus

October 06, 2022

I know we typically dive into the wide world of sports from a business and technology perspective on Chalk Talk. But, today, we want to focus in on the life of a professional athlete both on and off the field and, specifically, how athletes’ lives aren’t that much different from yours or mine.

Early last year, pro football player Brandon Copeland sat down with our colleague, Senior Director of External Communications, Therese Van Ryne, to talk about some of the lessons he’s learned since joining the NFL. You can check it out here if you missed it:

Beyond the Basics: NFL Pro Brandon Copeland Talks About What It Takes to Be a Winner, On and Off the Field

But one thing they didn’t discuss was the adversity that athletes face in their careers and lives. It’s easy for us to be envious of our favorite athletes, but just because they’ve “made it” doesn’t mean they always have it easy. Nor does it mean they don’t understand or appreciate the struggles that other people have. Most athletes are very young when they go pro – either still in or right out of school. They may not have a lot of life experience or certain life skills. They have to figure things out like the rest of us.

That’s why we invited Brandon onto Chalk Talk today. As my co-host Hale Hentges points out, Brandon’s famous. He’s successful. But he also works really hard to achieve and maintain financial freedom, overcome physical health issues, protect his mental health, and be of service to others. Hale was spot on when he said that no matter who you are or what you do, there is something you can learn from him.

So, grab your earbuds (or better yet, your friends, family or co-workers) and turn the volume up on this episode. You’re going to want to hear what Brandon has to say.

Chalk Talk Episode #8: Life 101 with Brandon Copeland

He talks about...

What it is really like entering the NFL as an undrafted player – and how it compares to being an intern in other career fields. (This is a shocker.)
How he ultimately proved he deserved to be in the NFL and earned a play-calling role on teams.
What has helped him grow – and grow up – on and off the field.
Why he wants you to leverage every opportunity given to you, even if it isn’t the opportunity you think you want.

Why he’s a firm believer that “everything happens for a reason” despite the tough situations he’s found himself in throughout life.
Why (the original) Space Jam movie is such a great representation of what it’s like for professional athletes to play with injuries.
Why we all need to figure out what our “do not disturb” setting looks like and turn it on often.
What motivated him to become a life literacy coach and help others gain financial freedom.
Why everyone needs business acumen no matter what they do in life.

Why it’s so important to normalize the conversation around money. (And why you should check out “Professor Cope’s” Life 101 course and share it with your kids like I did).
How exposure to people and places “beyond your block” will totally change your perspective on life – and the kindness, suffering and intentions of other people. (He shares a story that will have you saying “wow!”)
What it has been like being on equal footing with real estate bosses from Redfin, the Corcoran Group and more on the new Netflix show “Buy My House.”
What he’s doing to help young people – and those young at heart – chase their dreams, find new opportunities to grow and live the life of wealth they deserve. (And how he wants to connect with and help you, too.)

TUNE IN NOW

If you want to learn more about the good work Brandon and team are doing with the nonprofit Beyond the Basics – or you want to volunteer or make a donation – visit his website. You can also check out Brandon's financial lessons and eCourse online at life101.io.

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CATCH UP ON PAST CHALK TALK EPISODES NOW:

Chalk Talk Episode #8: Legendary Sportscaster David Kap Kaplan Just Wants Us All to Get Along and Live Life All In and He Has Some Ideas (and a Tattoo) to Inspire Us
Chalk Talk Podcast Episode #7: NFL Legend and Football Operations Executive, Troy Vincent, Says Data Will Change What Players, Coaches, Officials and Scouts Do This Season. Find Out How.
Chalk Talk Episode #6: Former NFL Coach Sean Payton Talks about His New Team, as Well as What Excites and Frightens Him about the Next Chapter of His Movie-Worthy Story
Chalk Talk Episode #5: The 2022 NFL Draft Was Proof That Anything Can Happen in Vegas
Chalk Talk Episode #4: Chalk Talk Episode #4: It’s NFL Draft Time, and We Have Some Thoughts on How Things Will Play Out

Chalk Talk Episode #3: NFL Pros Dwayne Johnson, Jr. and Chris Streveler Just Spent Three Weeks Working at Zebra. Find Out Why (and What It Was Like).
Chalk Talk Episode #2: Did You Know RFID Technology Was Used to Track Player Movements During 2022 NFL Combine Drills? Find Out What That Means for This Year’s Recruits (and Future Scouting Decisions).
Chalk Talk Episode #1: Not Sure Who to Cheer for During Super Bowl LVI? These Next Gen Stats May Help with Your Decision.

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Adam Petrus

Adam Petrus is currently the Client Services Project Manager within Zebra Sports at Zebra Technologies where he is responsible for co-managing the game day operation of the NFL’s Next Gen Stats program. Adam has more than 10 years of experience within the sports and technology industry and has been working with Next Gen Stats since 2015. Previously, he worked in the front office of an NFL Football Club and then the United States Intelligence Community supporting business operations.