Overcoming Adversity…
…the title of a podcast I recorded during the worst of Covid.
I am intrigued by certain individuals' drive and resilience as they rise to great heights, despite being challenged with immense hurdles.
In that podcast (listen here), I spoke with two athletes: Asante Cleveland, a former NFL tight-end who played with the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and the San Diego Chargers, and with Lindsey Dare Shoop, an Olympic gold medalist in rowing, world champion, coach, speaker, and author.
Asante's career came to an early conclusion as a result of injury. I was impressed by his drive to achieve, his story of making it to the Patriots, and the subsequent inner strength he demonstrated post-injury.
If a young man in his mid-20’s could hold his head high after a career ending injury, I certainly could manage a career transition after age 50.
The Mind Of A Champion - A Family Affair
In this episode, I speak with Asante's parents (Javetta and Allen). I was interested in discussing the elements of nature versus nurture. To find out at what point they knew he had exceptional athletic talent. To ask, "Did they prepare and/or push him toward athletics, or did he naturally gravitate to sport and football?"
(Lindsey's story will be told in a forthcoming episode).
On the nature side of the equation, although both father and son wanted to play college basketball, they played college football, and each eventually made it to the National Football League (NFL).
Asante’s mother let me know that NFL also stands for “Not For Long” and that she was intent on doing whatever she could to prepare him for life after the league.
The senior Mr. Cleveland played for the Dallas Cowboys and roomed briefly with Tony Dorsett during the Tom Landry coaching era.
The son huddled with Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and was coached by Bill Belichick.
In this episode, you will hear one family's story of pulling together to achieve goals, never forgetting that what is most important is to excel in school, remain humble, loyal to family, and always act with integrity and purpose.
About The Author And Podcast Host
Following a 25 year career in capital markets, Tom Levine founded Zero Hour Group in 2014.
The Los Angeles, California-based firm provides consulting, strategic analysis, and real estate services.
Services are offered nationwide and across a variety of sectors. The firm's clients range from family offices and high net worth individuals to institutions and professional investors.
Real Estate related transactions are brokered through our subsidary firms, Native Angelino Real Estate and WEHO Realtor.
Tom Levine is a Native Angelino and graduate of USC Marshall School of Business, Claremont Colleges, and spent a term at the London School of Economics. Additionally, he is a certified Short Sale Specialist under the National Association of Realtors.
Podcast
The Native Angelino Podcast is underwritten and produced in conjunction with the Zero Hour Group, a consulting and strategy firm, parent to 1929, Native Angelino Real Estate, and associated real estate assets.
Native Angelino description found on iTunes:
“From a vantage point within sight of the Hollywood Sign, seated beneath a palm tree, Tom Levine takes you on a twisted, exploratory tour of popular thought, the upside-down theories of classical economics, politics, and other strange things.
Tom talks all things Los Angeles, bright new ideas, and complex topics of interest to creative thinkers and discerning skeptics.
L.A. locals state with pride, "You can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon." Well, if you get a really early start, it's true. Sometimes.
Los Angeles is the City of the Angels, and Tom Levine is a Native Angelino.
The Mind Of A Champion - Nature Versus Nurture