S5E3: The All-Consuming Nature of Professional Sports with Jonathan Levin

“If you want to be successful, you have to go from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” - Jonathan Levin

Are you ready for an unexpected truth? Imagine a professional athlete navigating the highs and lows of their career, only to realize that their greatest opponent is the fear of their own potential. Picture the inner battle between the love for the game and the daunting prospect of life after sports. Stay tuned to discover how a seasoned athlete confronts this inner conflict and finds the courage to embrace a new chapter.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• Mastering the Art of Overcoming Rejection: Uncover the mental strength and resilience needed to navigate rejection as a professional athlete.
• Prioritizing Mental Wellness for Peak Performance: Discover the crucial role mental health plays in sports and how it can elevate your athletic performance.
• Excelling in Post-Career Life: Unveil the strategies for a successful transition from sports to post-career life, ensuring a fulfilling and prosperous future.
• Harnessing the Power of Family Support: Explore the impact of family support on your athletic career and how it can be a game-changer for your success.
• Sustaining Focus and Motivation: Unlock the strategies for maintaining unwavering focus and motivation in sports, propelling you towards your peak performance.

My special guest is Jonathan Levin.

Jonathan Levin is a dedicated professional footballer, most recently with the Phoenix Rising Football Club, whose career reflects a deep commitment to discipline, positive attitudes, and mental health advocacy.

Jonathan recently joined the Arizona Monsoon after the Phoenix Rising. Consistently throughout his professional career, Levin has showcased his adaptability and perseverance on the field. Before joining the Phoenix Rising, Levin had impactful stints with the Las Vegas Lights FC in 2019 and 2020, appearing in 13 matches, and with FC Tulsa in 2017 and2018, where he appeared in 23 matches in two years. Previous to advancing his professional career into the USL Championship, he spent six years in the first division in Mexico with notable clubs like Pachuca, Jaguares, Veracruz, and Puebla. His skills as a versatile midfielder and central defender are marked by exceptional ball control, strategic playmaking, and a disciplined approach to the game, making him a valuable asset to any team.

He is a passionate advocate for mental health connecting with groups, pro athletes and followers to share his authentic life experiences and address life’s challenges while providing practical advice and encouragement. Through social media, media, and a speaking platform Jonathan is sharing his journey and experience with others to make a difference. He recently became a speaker for Greattly Increase a program that delivers life-based education for students to help set them up for success. The program equips high school students and youth through inspiring speakers that deliver financial education, personal and career development and mental wellness topics. Jonathan joins a short list of speakers that are mostly Pro Football Hall of Famers, and also other pro athletes, all gifted with the ability to inspire and uplift others.

Transcript:

00:00:03
Welcome to your next stop. Podcast.

00:00:08
Welcome back to your next stop. This is Juliet Hahn, and I am here with Jonathan Levin. How are you? I'm doing good. What about yourself?

00:00:16
Thank you so much for having me. Yes, I'm excited for this. I'm excited for, I always start my podcast with talking about how I love sharing people's stories. Stories connect us, and I really love how we connect with different people, different people from our worlds will, you know, reach out to me and say, I have someone for you. I think you're going to really enjoy it.

00:00:35
And so Vanessa from greatly said, I would really love for you to meet Jonathan. I think you guys would hit it off for many different reasons, but there's so many different things that, you know, now that we've been following each other a little bit on social media, the quotes that you put out there, I'm like, yes, yes, yes. Like, so I just love that she put us connected. But so just to give you a little background on Jonathan, he is a pro footballer, a midfielder, and his ig is j o n a levine. And that's levy and seven.

00:01:04
He is with the Phoenix rising right now. And he, as I said, is a midfielder. But you came, you were in Mexico City. Correct. And so I want to kind of, yeah, I want to take people back a little bit of your background, and then we'll get into the story, you know, of why we connected and why you're on your next stop.

00:01:24
So if you can give us a little background of where you grew up and some history. I grew up in Mexico City and I was the kid that was always with a long hair, hat bag in my ball, always going to like, recess and to school. And I've always wanted to be like a soccer player. So I decided to have a very serious talk with my family and said, hey, this is the path that I want to go. And we sat down and we decided that, okay, they're gonna support me.

00:01:53
They're gonna, like, help me pursue my dream. So I went and did a trial at IMG academies in Florida, Sarasota. I did a trial in Pachuca in Mexico City, and I ended up staying in both. But I decided to go that my closest route to go and achieve my dream was gonna go with the professional team. So I left homes as I was 1314 years old.

00:02:19
And yeah, I've been playing soccer ever since. I made my debut in first division, like 18 years old. And I played for Pachuca, Puebla, Jarez, Veracruz, then made the jump to the US like seven, six years ago here, and I've been here ever since. I love that now. Okay, so, you know, I mean, now that we've been following each other for a little while, and you might not know this, but my oldest son is a soccer player footballer, and he is super passionate about it.

00:02:53
He injured himself. He fractured both sides of his pelvis his sophomore and junior year. And so it really set him back. But he has worked his, like, worked so hard. And it's always been something that it's what he's good at.

00:03:06
It's his passion. He loves it so much. Always with the ball, like you said, you know, just. It was one of those things that we could see from an early age that he was successful. That's where he got a lot of his confidence.

00:03:16
He's going next. I mean, like, in a month, I won't talk about that because that's not about me getting emotional, but he's going to university d two to play soccer, and that's amazing. Well, that's kind of right. When Vanessa connected us, it was like when we were really almost in that journey of, like, him committing, getting, you know, recruited. And so it was really interesting because I was like, okay, I love this I have around me.

00:03:42
It's one of those things is I do a lot of stuff with the NFL. That's when Vanessa and I connected with stories. And then my dyslexic podcast is with an NHL. And we always laugh because, I mean, just sports is to me, it's so important. I played two sports at university, and I think there's such a background.

00:04:04
When you meet people that have that team aspect but also have that passion of working hard, there's just something. There's like this understanding that's a little different than someone else you would meet. So if you can kind of take us through, like, okay, you decided you wanted to do this. Your parents, you know, were like, okay, we're going to support us. But what.

00:04:23
What do you think gave you that drive? Like, where was it that, like, no, this is what I want to do, and I'm not going to stop until I succeed. If you can kind of take us through, like, where you think you got that grit a little bit or that work ethic from, you know, obviously everything. Starts with my dad. My dad always, uh, have pushed that factor of discipline, working so hard, you know, and believing myself.

00:04:49
But also, it's not talked about it enough until the person is already having, like, a different type of career, already, like, retired and stuff. But that feeling of not feeling good enough, you know, like, whenever, throughout your whole life, you.

00:05:10
You reject it. You're told that you're not good enough. You just feel, like always in the outside, and I wanted to prove absolutely everybody wrong in myself that I was able to do it. And I can tell you, like, honestly, you know, up until this day, like, it's the same drive that sometimes you just don't feel like you're good enough, you know? Because that's that insecurity and that's the thing that's bred so, so hard in your heart that you just have that grit and that hard work that started my journey, you know, obviously, because I love the game, and it's like every kid wants to be a professional athlete, right?

00:05:49
But that whenever you go through the lows and the highs, and it's like, wow, is this worth it? You know? Like, and you come from crying and then you don't play and you don't. You don't perform good or whatever, you know? And it's like, okay.

00:06:00
Like, that is the little fire that just gets. Ignites so much. It's like, there is no way. Like, there is no way. Well, and it's interesting because now having, you know, I have three kids, and they're all very, very athletic, and now seeing people in different worlds, you know, families with different kids and.

00:06:21
And different ages, when you see those kids on the field, you're like, okay, that kid's gonna be really good. And you could see that kind of in your head, the path that could happen, right? Yes. And I think one of the things that you just mentioned, I think is really important because as I've now gotten to the age that I am and the experience that I've have, there's so much about mindset that, oh, Lord. Is sometimes even more important than the actual athleticism.

00:06:48
And. And I want you to talk on that a little bit. No, no. Yeah. Like, hundred percent.

00:06:53
Right. You know, like, I. When I went through, like, the academy runs, I was never the most talented player, you know? And I always saw people like, wow. Like, if I could have 5% of their skill, that would be like, wow.

00:07:08
But I've seen so many players that are great, quality, skillful, talented players never make it. And it's all about mindset and how you work with your mind and how hard you work on yourself, on being better. You know? Like, I've seen kids or parents that they push so much, but at the end of the day, the mind is a muscle. Like my dad always say, like, you work so hard on your physique and, like, your athleticism and your training, but if you're not feeding the mind, it's not gonna, you're not gonna reach your full potential.

00:07:43
So I think nowadays, where we've seen paces in olympic athletes that have committed suicide or just people that have gone through depression or severe anxiety and stuff like that, you know, like, just help them manage those emotions, that it's okay to talk about it and to talk about, like, as hard as you work in the field, as far as you're going to work on your mind, that's going to make you so much more stronger, and it's going to make you be able to take more and be able to fight harder. And, I mean, it's so true. And also the, as you said, bringing up the mental toughness in the mind. But also, you can see, right, as you said, you could see kids that are so talented, but they don't have that mindset, right? When it's really like, okay, the coach is hard on them or they go through something, you could see it broke them, and it's like, okay, that's interesting.

00:08:40
Or sometimes parents wanted a little bit more than the kid, right? The kids put the work and the parent can see, oh, my God, this kid has such talent, but that is not the kid's passion. And it's. It is nowadays. I mean, when I played, it was pretty intense, you know?

00:08:56
Yeah, but it is not like it is now. I mean, it is. There's times where I'm sitting on the sideline, like, oh, man, these parents are absolutely off their rocker. And it'll be interesting getting into conversations with them, like, oh, did you guys play? And it's always like, no.

00:09:13
And then you kind of are like, okay, I see they had an injury. They didn't make it to where they wanted, so now they're putting it on there on their children. And that pressure sometimes is a little too much. It's a little too much for a child that is just trying to process, okay, I want to do this, but there is that 1% that can kind of, even through whatever they've been through, they can kind of rise because of that mental toughness. But I think one of the things that you just said that's so important is that it's being talked about more and more now about kind of like the depression, the anxiety and all that things.

00:09:52
Because in professional athlete, you know, in the, in the professional sports world, it is one of those things. There's going to be a day that you don't play right it's just inedible. Like, it is inedible and it is not. It talks about enough. One of the reasons why I got into the stuff with the NFL, because when I was talking to Cynthia Zordich, I was like, you know what?

00:10:13
I can't even think about until now until I was able to bring my mind into it and thinking about, obviously, the interviews I do a lot are usually with the spouse, but being able to have the spouse be able to help and support their loved one, their professional athlete husband, that all of a sudden it's gone, it's done. And it's like that is going to mess with the strongest minded person. It doesn't matter. And it needs to be talked about more, and it needs to be okay. These are the feelings, or I've had a bad day, this is how I'm feeling.

00:10:46
Because you're right, there's been so much, you know, suicides and the rise of all of it because people aren't just not being able to handle it. So if you can kind of take us through, like, you know, what you've been doing around that and being able to talk about mental health and the. Importance of it, of course, I think you hit the nail pretty big because, like, I've dealt with my own issues with mental health. But at the end of the day, it's topic or it's a situation where because we are a product, you can say, and we are expected to be this top performer day in and day out and perform at our best every single weekend. And people have so much money riding on this type of thing, you know, like that they're not going to want to hire or put their effort or money or somebody that maybe broke it.

00:11:37
You know what I mean? Yeah. But at the end of the day, a lot of athletes start paying the bill, like whenever they're about to retire or in their own personal life or stuff like that. And it's just about giving the help that we all, we're all human, you know what I mean? We just have different demanding jobs and yeah, this job is what makes you identify with yourself.

00:12:05
You know, it's what it becomes you. It's like without it, like, and I can tell from experience, like whenever I've been in problems where I have issues where it's been hard to get team or just things are not going good, you feel like you have no value as a human being because that is just who you've been all your life and why you put your effort, your time, your sweat, your tears, the blood like, absolutely everything. So I think I holding space for athletes in this type of scenario, I think it would help a lot, and it would just help a lot of families and at the same time, a lot of human beings to deal with that side of the second effect that brings it with it. You know, there's a very big professional athlete that he. I don't know if you know a lot about soccer, but his name is Thierry Henry.

00:13:02
He played for France national team. He played for arsenal so many times. He played for Barcelona. He's like a legend. He retired, and then the first time he opened up, he said, I was going through.

00:13:18
I was depressed my whole career, and I was working to make my dad proud because he made me feel like I was never good enough and I was depressed every single game. And it's something that you don't see because he makes the money, he wins games, he wins championships, he does all these things, and people don't see that human side of the soccer player, and it affects absolutely everything around it. So holding space and just obviously, everybody having the interest of, like, okay, what am I feeling? Because at the beginning when, like, I deal with severe anxiety, right. And at the beginning, it's like, I don't.

00:13:58
I thought it was just, like, a normal feeling. I just don't understand what is it or what it is until, like, I had a very bad injury, and then I started talking to a therapist, and then I seeked help from my family, and I had situations in my life where it's like, okay, things are not going right. Like, why? You know, and you start digging deep, digging, ding, ding, dip. And you just start, like, getting tools to identify, and it's gonna give you more peace in your personal life and also make you enjoy more the game because it's so high the stakes and so high the pressure that it comes a point where you just, like, not enjoying it anymore if you're not 100% here.

00:14:42
So, yes, it becomes, like, not dreadful, but it's like, you suffer through it instead of, like, wow, I'm happy. I'm enjoying it, instead of like, oh, my gosh, this hurts, or this, this. And you're in your mind all the time, so I think it's something that it needs to be talked about. And it's a lot of things where a lot of teammates, ex teammates, have come to me, they talk to me, and they open up. And you'll be surprised how many people and how many athletes feel that way, that they feel like they cannot open up or they don't.

00:15:16
They feel alone or they just don't understand what's going on with them. Well, and I think the important thing is, you said, like, holding space and making it okay. And, you know. You know, I'm obviously a woman, but having, you know, men in. In sports, it's like, you guys are supposed to be tough, right?

00:15:33
You're supposed to be able to endure everything. That's just like society, how we always, you know, have always done. I remember when the boys were little, because I have two boys, and then my daughter, and, you know, my boys were. And most people that I talk to, their boys are more sensitive than their girls when they're young. They're so sensitive, and so.

00:15:50
And it's like, society is like, if you fall, don't cry, don't do this and don't do that. And I remember working so hard to be like, it is okay. You need to talk about it. I'm. And I talk about this on all my podcasts.

00:16:02
I talk about this often, is you can't stuff. If you have emotions and you stuff them, they're gonna come out somewhere. I mean, it's gonna come out. It can come out in ten years. It could come out the next day, come out in 20 years.

00:16:13
But it's a good ball 100%. And it's not gonna be good. There's nothing that's gonna be good. You're gonna feel worse. And sometimes people don't even realize they're stuffing.

00:16:21
They kind of, like, push it back. It's not like that. They are waking up every day with anxiety, like, oh, my God, I'm. You know, I'm stuffing this thing that happened. But there's other people that sometimes forget about it, or they're just like, okay, this is, as you said, this is just normal.

00:16:35
I'm just living with it. I should be feeling better. I should be happy, because I'm living a dream that so many people would want to do. But making it okay to say no, I, you know, I'm not okay. Because if you think about a professional athlete, your.

00:16:50
You know, this is your. Your livelihood, right? You know, the money, all of these different things, not letting people down, having a team, having a coach. There's gonna be, you know, days I've. And the number of athletes that I've talked to, a lot of them say, like, I never really felt like I made it.

00:17:05
I always, you know, you have to make sure that I have play the best, because if you don't, someone's gonna take your position. You can never actually relax. Never ever relax. Ever. Right.

00:17:16
And I. If you just think that and say it like, that makes me anxious. Right. That makes me be like, oh, my God. Like, you know, you have to, like, make sure, like, the day that everything that you're eating right, you're doing everything all the time.

00:17:29
And I see this with my son. Yeah. And it's. And, you know, he is a routine kid. He knew that this is what he wanted to do.

00:17:36
And, you know, now going off to university, where he has a month, and he's, you know, built himself back. He doesn't eat sugar. He doesn't do this. I mean, he is the most. And he's 18.

00:17:44
I think it's fascinating because when I was 18, even though I played college sports, I was not as disciplined as he was. Yeah. But I can feel there's times where it's like, I'm like, honey, just breathe. Right? Just breathe.

00:17:58
Because there's the things that. And I want you to kind of take us through a little bit of some of the. Maybe the practices that you do that have helped you be able to kind of. And again, as you said, like, there's never a day that you're like, oh, yeah, okay, I got this. Because you never know.

00:18:12
But when you're feeling really, really anxious or you feel like you're spinning, what are some things that you have learned through your journey that have really helped you? So. Yeah. Like, talking on that point, that competitiveness inside of you is like, I want more. I want more.

00:18:31
You know? Like, you're always. You're only as good as the last game you played. You know what I mean? It doesn't matter how well you did last season.

00:18:38
The season doesn't matter anymore, you know? And like you said, you have somebody pushing behind you that's, want to take your spot. There's no friends here. There's no friendships. At the end of days, between you and me, I'm gonna pick myself every time, regardless if I go to dinner with you.

00:18:53
And I know your family and, I don't know, like, kids play to get, like, it's me against you. I like. And ten out of ten, I'm gonna go 100%. That's me. Regardless if you're gonna play or not.

00:19:08
And that's it. And the practices and the tools that I've learned, it took me a while to, like, first can put a name on it and identify what I was actually feeling because I was a kind of kid, that it was just normal. You know what I mean? It's like, oh, you have to suck it up this. You have to, like, let this step on you, you know, you have to, like, make yourself small.

00:19:35
You have to, like, go through these hoops or let people, like, mistreat in some ways to keep advancing or to keep being on the team or to do this or to do that. And you just. You just, like, start doing like this, you know what I mean? And that is not okay. And then one day, maybe, like you said, you don't realize right now, but one day it's gonna explode.

00:19:57
And for me, like, talking to my family, like, having that support where I been able to, and it took a long time, you know, like, I was not always very forthcoming, more open about my feelings with my family and stuff like that, until, like, they made me feel like. And they hold a safe space for me. No judgment, no nothing, regardless of what it is and what it's not. And always talking to a professional, like, somebody that can hold space where has no clue who you are, has no suede, and you play, you know, they don't care. And always, also, like, generally, journaling helps a lot.

00:20:35
You know, positive affirmations and meditating, you know, like, that has helped me a lot where it just helps you deal with those intrusive thoughts in your mind and just let it through, you know, like, sometimes we get so stuck up in situations, ideas, or feelings that, like you said, you don't feel. You don't want to feel them, but if you don't feel them, you're not dealing with them and they're just getting stored. So if you, like, literally feel it, cry, get angry, whatever it is, then you just, like, let it go through your body and let it go through your mind, you deal with it. But if not, you just, like, it's one on top of another. And upon then you see you have a skyrise of 50 feelings, and then how are you gonna deal with 50 different type of feelings, you know?

00:21:23
Yeah, no, it's so true. And it is. It's the holding the space, it's acknowledging it. But it's so interesting because as many interviews that I've done, 500 more, it is. And everyone comes back to the journaling or the meditation or different things.

00:21:41
And there's times in our lives where maybe we're like, no, I don't want to do that. We fight it because we're like, I don't want to do that. It doesn't work for me. I've been in times in my life, and I've recently, in the last year, have found yoga, which in the past, when I used to do yoga, I'm like, I love heavy lifting and doing things hard and going fast, and I don't like to slow down, but there's a lot of times I didn't like to slow down because I didn't feel like dealing with whatever was there to deal with. And so it is like, you know, and I always would be like, I can't.

00:22:14
I have to move to meditate. And I really do. I do. I do my best thinking when I'm moving. So, like, walking really helps me.

00:22:20
But I think when you're talking about all the different tools that you picked up, one of the things that I like to kind of discuss with people is finding what works for you. Not. And not pooh poohing what other people say time and time again. We know these things work. There's research.

00:22:38
It works. So when someone's listening to this and they might be like, yeah, but I don't feel like doing that. You have to take those little steps to start doing things that will make you feel good. So one of the things, like, with meditating and remember when I, like, the first time someone was like, meditate, and I, like, you know, got the app, I sat down and I was like, okay, this is. I'm, like, thinking of the laundry.

00:22:58
I'm thinking all these different things, and I'm sitting, and I remember, like, just don't think of anything. And I would ask people, I'm like, okay, when my brain never shuts off, I mean, that's my. Indeed, the same. Ever, ever. I always have a thought in my mind, and sometimes it's just like, oh, the sky looks so nice.

00:23:16
Or, oh, look at that bird. Or, oh, look at the bunny that just ran across the street. It is never blank. I mean, it's a. It doesn't have to be, like, complex things, but it is not blank.

00:23:26
So I had to do a lot of work to find. And then, like, I had someone one time explain to me, it's not that you have to think nothing. Because then. Then I was like, okay, when I'm thinking nothing, I'm actually saying to myself, think nothing. Think nothing.

00:23:39
You're doing something. Yes. And I'm like, I'm still thinking, this sucks. I hate this. Right?

00:23:44
I was like. I mean, it could have been, like, a very funny little clip of watching me try to do this meditation. Cause I'm like, this is not working. However, what someone said to me that was really, really helpful is like, okay, if you're in yoga or if you're somewhere where you're trying to meditate, thinking of your breathing. So actually focus and be like, okay, breathe in.

00:24:03
One, two, three. Breathe out. They're like, you're clearing your mind. I was like, oh, I literally was thinking that you had to think nothing. And that's impossible for me, right?

00:24:13
It's impossible. So can you, for someone that's maybe sitting here listening to this going, okay, I've heard of all these things, right? I don't like to journal. I do voice journaling because of my dyslexia, and I can't spell anything, and it frustrates me more to write, and then I get pissed off, so it's, like, easier. So I do voice journaling, but I still am getting out my emotions.

00:24:33
I do podcasting. It's actually crazy. But that is so therapeutic for me because I can talk about things. I mean, that's one of the things that is, like, a therapeutic. So I have found things that are a little different, but it's still the same concept, right?

00:24:46
It's still the same. It's the same result at the end. Yeah. So if someone's, like, listening, were there times in your life that, like, you were able to do it and was like, okay, this is great, or where were the bumps that you had to kind of adjust yourself? So I've had the same, you know, like, I'm not a.

00:25:03
I cannot sit still and read a book because I read a page, and then I forget like this, and I need to hear it to actually retain it. Right. It's like I said, like this with journaling, I've, like, my therapist told me, whenever you tape record yourself or you do a video one, you can see actually the progress in your voice, in your facial expressions, in everything. And in meditation, I the same, you know, like, at the beginning, I was like, oh, my gosh, like, come on. Like, seriously, like, no.

00:25:34
And I got into a point in my life where I was just so desperate for help and so desperate to, like, if you want some different results, you need to be willing to do different things. And what I learned with the meditation is like, yeah, you control the breathing, but it's like, with everything, if you just hold the thought or hold the feeling, you're not letting it pass. So it's like, if something comes here, you need to just think it's fine. You just let it go through, and you just get better at it. You know what I mean?

00:26:10
And it's about all consistency. Maybe there are days that you're able to give 60, and that is your 100. And maybe there are days that you're able to give ten and that is your 100, but not every day. It's. You're not.

00:26:23
Like my dad always used to say, you're not the best player if you score two goals, and you're not the worst player if you make a mistake. It's about being able to deal with the highs and the lows and start. Try to be as consistent as possible and always try to have grace and love for yourself. You know, like we. It's like this, you know, like, I.

00:26:47
I'm so hard on myself and I deal with so much. I have a lot of trouble with self love, but whenever it comes to other people, I can hold space and I can listen to them and I can give them the best possible advice. When it comes to myself, I am the hardest, meanest critics of all. So it's about, what would you say to somebody else that why you're not telling it to yourself?

00:27:15
So it's about managing. If today I'm able to give 40, then give the 40. You don't have to give 100. Maybe today your hundred is 40. And just absolutely be patient and graceful with yourself and try to find what works for you.

00:27:32
Like, it's about, like, trying different things. It's like, okay, what kind of ice cream do you like? You know, like, oh, I don't like vanilla, but I love chocolate mint. How do you know that? Because you tried something.

00:27:43
And it's about actually, like, trying and being humble enough to, like, I need help or I need. I need an outlet and I'm open to identify things or why is it too hard for me to, like, go inside myself whenever I'm meditating? Maybe I don't feel safe with my own thoughts. Maybe I'm avoiding something. You know, like, maybe, like, I don't want to acknowledge something that is very deep inside and it's triggering, you know?

00:28:09
So it's about actually being willing to put in. It's hard work. You know, it's not like, oh, I'm going to go, and it's easier to go have a workout and a hot yoga class that you suffer through it than do, like, a mental thing like this, you know? So it's just about trying different things and figuring out what works for you and doing with consistency. I love that.

00:28:35
So I want to pose this because this is something that I've talked about often on things. So I think that everyone is built different, right? I mean, there could be. And whether you believe in, like, astrology or times of like, you know, your birth order or all these different things where you grew up, what your parents, you know, were, all of these different things. But I do believe there are people that are born with more, like innate confidence or more innate self love.

00:29:04
Yes. And then they maybe have, like, a parental match. And so that, like, that. That parent really lifts them up as well. Or they have, like, you know, a community or an environment.

00:29:15
So, you know. Cause I would. I would love to talk about the fact that you're so hard on yourself. Like, where do you think. Do you think you were born hard on yourself?

00:29:23
Or do you think that as you kind of. Because this is something that's interesting, is like, when you think of the kid that is like that safe little kid, when you look at little kids and you're like, oh, my God, they have no care in the world. There's no racism. There's no anxiety. There's nothing.

00:29:39
Right. It's like just this pure joy of happiness when a child has even just sometimes it doesn't have to have the best life. It's just they're safe and they're loved and they're fed. Right. And it sometimes can be minimum.

00:29:53
It doesn't matter. But you see that innocence. And then you kind of see when that child, like, when the innocence starts breaking, right? And you can see that evolution. And it's heartbreaking sometimes.

00:30:06
It's fascinating, sometimes, if it's not too harsh, but you could see these things, you know, as a parent, I remember, I think when all three of my kids, I remember, like, when they realized, oh, wait, mom is a real person. A human like that makes mistakes, you know? And it was like, before I was like this God that could do no wrong. And, you know, and it was like, oh, they see that I am not perfect, and I'm far from perfect, but each kid and each human kind of evolves in a different way with that. And some, again, it's the environment, some it's just who they were.

00:30:37
But do you think something is more innately kind of born that way and then the environment helps it? Or do you think it is more just like the outer, the environment that kind of puts that pressure on people? And so, like, where do you think your hardness on yourself kind of stems from? That's a very interesting question, and I love that because I feel like it comes from the type of information and environment you surround yourself with. Yes.

00:31:12
A lot is parents and family, and a lot is the type of kids in school, school or outside school you surround yourself with. I, my family's been. It's very, like, old school cookie cutter like this, right? Like, my family hates long hair. They hate long hair on me, even to this day, every time I see them.

00:31:32
So when are you gonna cut your hair that's too long, you know, like, every time. And it was an issue with my mom, with my dad so long. And I. They were very disciplined on myself. I was told no a lot of times.

00:31:46
There are a lot of fun things that I wanted to do, and they were like, very, we want the best for you. And as a kid, you're like, oh, my gosh. Is this super sturdy, disciplined parent that is telling you no to everything? And you just get, like her. You throw a fit, you get mad, you get frustrated.

00:32:07
And then when the years start, like, passing through, you're like, wow, I am so thankful that my family acted that way and told me no so many times. But the to responding, your question is, I've been rejected so many times in my personal life and in my professional life. Right? And whenever you are being told you're not good enough, oh, he's better, or no, thank you, or you're on the bench or this and that. And you can see that, yes, there are players that a hundred percent, they're more talented than me, but there's something that I bring to tip, but nobody else will.

00:32:50
I will run my ass to death on the field for anybody, like, for anybody, you know? And you, like I said, whenever you feel like you're not good enough, you know, like, you just want to be better and better. And you realize that in some stages of your life, whenever you're, like, going through the academy rants, you're competing against somebody else, right? And then it comes a point when you realize that now you have to compete against you from yesterday, and it just becomes harder and harder, you know, because the peak just gets deeper and steeper and steeper. Not there's.

00:33:29
The competition is insane. So wanting to become a soccer player, wanting to reach that professional environment, I had to sacrifice so many things. I had to hurt so many times that we don't want you, you're not good enough. We're looking for something different, or we would have you. And then you work so hard, and then they put the friend of the friend, or they just.

00:33:54
You just feel so out of the circle and so rejected. And it's something that in sports, what 60% is rejection, and it's how well you manage going from rejection to rejection. You know, like, if you think that it's gonna be all social rainbows 90% of the time. That is completely wrong, you know? But my dad always picked me up whenever I was on my lows, you know, my mom, my family, like, they never let me fall, you know?

00:34:23
Like, they would always, like, cheer me on. They will, like, push me. Like, whenever I was doing something wrong, they would clearly, like, tell me, like, hey, you're doing wrong this disease. But whenever I was, like, doing good and stuff, they will, like, push me up. So I think that's one of the things that I really struggle into this day.

00:34:44
You know? Like, whenever you're, like, transitioning from, like, adolescent to young adult to young adult to, like, 30 year old, something, like, you start seeing, like, wow, I've been living my life since I was 1314 years old, the same right, as I'm a 30 year old now. You know what I mean? And he's about to manage that type of environments and still being honest with yourself and feel like, wow, I am abandoning myself in so many situations because of this, because of this, because of this. And I have to be true to myself and speak, spoke or speak my truth to myself, you know, like, realizing.

00:35:20
And it's like, hey, you are good enough. You know? Like, your value is so determined by the media, by social media, by coaches, by fans, by, if you play, if you don't play, like, if you don't play, you feel like you're nothing. And if you play, you feel like you're the best. So it's about having a balance and knowing, actually knowing your worth, that you're doing it for yourself.

00:35:51
You're not doing it for the coach, you're not doing it for anybody, for your family. But at the end of the day, it's like, if you play, if you don't play, that does not determine the value of a human being that you are. And that the sad truth is that so many of us feel that way sometimes that is hard to not feel that way, that it's personal. It's like, why I've put so much effort and so much sacrifice to not play. And maybe you don't feel like you're not good enough because the other guy is playing.

00:36:17
So what do I need to do? Work harder than him. And that feeling of not feeling good enough every week and day in and day out, it's filled with, like, that fuel of, like, I'm not gonna let that guy run hard on me. It's like, I'm gonna be the best. I'm gonna be first one in, last one out in the runs.

00:36:36
I'm gonna be always first. If somebody's trying to beat me, I'm not gonna let him beat me. It's that competitive side inside that pushes you, you know? And maybe not for a lot, but for another bunch. Is that not feeling good enough?

00:36:55
So it's about knowing that self love, that it doesn't matter. You play, you don't play. Like, if you have somebody to go home at night or not, if the media talk trash about you, like, you have to know your word as a human being that you're worthy of love and you're worthy of good things, regardless if you play or not. Because you're living the dream that so many people want and are working, and you're. One day you ask for that dream, and we don't realize that.

00:37:26
Wow. Like, I have it. You know what I mean? It's like whenever you buy a car, oh, I want. Now I have a.

00:37:32
I don't know, a Volkswagen, right? Let's say now I want a BMW or Mercedes. Whenever you have a BMW, Mercedes, you want something better. And you will realize that what you have is what you once wanted. So it's about actually thinking that, okay, where am I standing, being so grateful with life and waking up a day to do what you love?

00:37:53
I've seen so many people stay on the path of bad choices and bad decisions and say, I should have done this, or if what ifs, and this is like, no, no, I'm waking up every day to do what I love, and it's somebody that millions of people want. So I need to treat it with respect, with love, and have fun like it's a game. And sometimes we lose that part because we get paid. We get so much attention or fame or media or whatever, and we need to remember that whenever we go out and we need to have fun. So that's, like, a part of me that I've struggled, you know?

00:38:37
And I can tell you the same thing today. Like, there are times where I go out of the game, it's like, I felt like a thing. Good. But I feel like I could have done better. And my opinion of myself is so much different than somebody else.

00:38:51
You know what I mean? Because you're your worst critic, but it's about you need to be the best supporter and your best cheerleader instead of your worst critic. Yes. No. Delusional.

00:39:02
You know, but yes, right. No, it's very true. And it's. And again, it's a very interesting. You know, the human.

00:39:09
Humans are so complex. I mean, we really are complex people. And when you have different levels of, just, as you said, like, you know, whatever your career is, and everyone has a career, everyone has stress and all these different things, but it's the tools and the how you handle them. But when you're in the spotlight, you're out there and you're doing something, as you said, since you were 13, you know, it's been a dream of yours. Have you ever.

00:39:36
And I don't think it's a silly question, but it might be a silly question and not silly meaning, like, because I think all questions are good, but it might seem simple. But I actually. I'm curious about this. Has there ever been a time in your life where you were like, okay, I'm done, and I'm okay with that, and then you get, like, picked up, like, yeah, okay. No, like, I love what I do.

00:40:01
I love what I do. And it took me a long time to be able to have a conversation with myself and say it out loud where it's like, okay, what's gonna come after soccer or what? Like, I was like, I don't want to have that conversation. It will give me anxiety, is, like, whenever that comes, I'll cross that bridge. Like, recently, like, the past couple years have been hard, but at the end of the day, like, you just sometimes feel like your soul is tired, but, like, sometimes you just keep having this firewall.

00:40:31
Like, I'm not done. Like, I have so much more to give because I am so lucky to have this job, you know? Like, it doesn't matter where you play. It doesn't matter. Europe here, they're like, soccer flips this fast.

00:40:45
One day you can be playing and you can do it so bad, and then one day, oh, you're on top. You're the best player, you're in the best team, you, great opportunity, great money wise, great city, just everything. So it's a. My dad always said, success, you have to go from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. And a lot of people lose it and lose that spark in that light where one failure becomes three, those three become six, and those six become twelve, and those twelve become 20.

00:41:18
But you don't know that in the 22, you're gonna hit the jackpot, you know? So. No, like, even to this day, you know, like, I feel like, wow. Like, what am I gonna do? Well, like, whenever the time comes, because it's something that.

00:41:33
It's been so ingrained in me. Yeah. So, yeah, no, no. So to follow up on that, I mean, one of the things that I think is interesting and it is. It's same.

00:41:42
And as being an entrepreneur, it's like, okay, the times are hard. It's up and, and downs, and a lot of people quit before it's actually their time. And, I mean, that's something I talk about all the time. You're going to have those ups and downs. And, you know, being an entrepreneur, like, there's a day that, as you said, it could be the best day, you had the best wind, you got the best client, and the next day can not even, the next day, the next hour, the next two minutes, it could be the worst.

00:42:09
And then you're like, oh, my God. And it's how you manage them. I, and I'm going to equate this to a conversation I had with a, a woman that was a very, very successful entrepreneur, and she's four kids, you know, did not plan on being an entrepreneur. Created a product that actually ended up just taking off and, like, pottery barn wanted it, like, right when she created it and was like, oh, my gosh. Yeah, really, really cool.

00:42:31
But again, had no, you know, this is not what she thought she was going to be doing. And I said to her, how do you handle the ups and downs? Because that's one of the things. And it was at a time in my career that there was a lot of ups and downs. And I loved the ups, but the downs, I was like, oh, and I am an emotional person.

00:42:48
So, like, when I'm happy, I'm happy. When I'm sad, I'm sad. Like, you know what it get. But I was like, I need to, I want to be able to manage this a little bit. I am also very all or nothing.

00:42:57
So I also realistically knew, okay, maybe I can change it a slight bit, but I know my personality and I know them all or nothing. So I just have to ride it. Right? I need to ride both. And what she said was that you can't live in the ups too high long and you can't live in the lows too long.

00:43:13
You can sit with it for a moment, but then you have to turn it back off and get back to work. And I think that's very similar in, you know, a professional athlete. It's the same. You can't sit in those highs. You just have to do your job and do it the best every day.

00:43:27
You can't relaxed, you can't get overzealous. Right. It's, you have to try to stay in that middle part. Can you talk to us a little bit about that? Because that, to me, is very difficult.

00:43:36
Oh, my gosh. No. Like, even for me. Like, you know, like, it's something that I've struggled in the past. That's where you make a mistake.

00:43:44
You know, a mistake that, wow, we cost you the game, or a mistake on training because you want to impress the coach because your job is on the line and this and that, and it's like, I messed it up, you know, and it just reminisce in your head, and reminisce in your head, and then it's like a quicksand. The more you try to get out, the more you sink. So it's actually like not being afraid, making mistakes, that's the one skill or what's the one? How could you say the thing that all successful people, entrepreneurs, athletes, they have no fear of? Keep trying.

00:44:25
I'm like, because, like, okay, I messed up. I'm gonna keep trying. I'm gonna keep asking the ball. You know, you can see, like, in a game or something, like, whatever you make, one, two, three mistakes, he's not gonna ask for the ball anymore. You know, like, like, their confidence, you're like, yep.

00:44:39
And it's like, no, like, you see in the interviews for big coaches and they say about great players, like, either from the academy or already, like, selling professional stages, like, they are fearless of making a mistake. You make a mistake, you turn around. It's about making a mistake from mistake to mistake to get it better, and it becomes muscle memory. Yeah. And again, all comes from.

00:45:10
From self love and actually not being afraid of making mistakes. Whenever you do that, you tap into something that nobody else can take away from you because then you're not. You're a hundred percent open to express yourself because it's like an arthem, you know, like professional sports. He's like, okay, like being a quarterback or playing in NHL or being a running back or being a soccer player. Like, they all have their things of how you are expressing yourself through your craft, but whenever you're afraid of making a mistake, you're not allowed.

00:45:45
You're not allowing yourself to tap into your, like, a hundred percent potential, so. And it's crazy. Like, once you see it, it's like, it's like a drugs. Like whenever you go to the gym, you expect to be all shredded and, like, ripped. Like, in two weeks.

00:45:58
No, but once you start going to three, two, three months, like, wow, it becomes an addiction and you get better at it. And you get so much more comfortable with making mistakes. Yeah, no, it's so true. And taking it back to, like, even youth sports, even seeing, and I'm thinking of, like, my son that, my middle son that plays basketball and watching players on his team when they have, like, a couple mistakes and you could just see their, their game goes in the shitter. I mean, it's, it's done.

00:46:28
And I know, and it's, it's interesting seeing at the ages that it happens. And one of the things about my middle child is that when he makes mistakes, he actually works harder. And that's something that is just innate in him. And it's fascinating because you see those, these things in, as you say, in players, as in people. One of the things that I think you brought up that's really important.

00:46:52
Um, and I had a really interesting conversation with a rookie NFL player, and he wasn't on a team yet. He actually got injured and then never, you know, it was like he played one game and then was out. And, you know, it was a really interesting conversation, but he kept, you know, people kept saying to him, okay, well, if you don't make it, what are you going to do? What are you going to do? And he was like, if I think about what I'm going to do, I'm not going to actually play well.

00:47:17
I can't think about what I'm going to do. I need to be in the moment. And I think that is something that's really important because I think it's, there's such a narrative. I know what I do. There's such a narrative about making sure players have a plan afterwards.

00:47:31
So then when they leave the league, it's not like just full on, you know, depression, even though there's going to be moments. But it, it brings a really good point of there's some personalities and some people that if they think about what's next, it's going to actually derail them. And so they can't do it. And so you brought that up. What are, like, some advice for people that are going, you know, either they want to be a professional athlete or they're, like, ready to dive into this.

00:47:58
And it's like people keep telling them, well, you got to think about it. Like, how do you mentally kind of prepare? And you said, you're like, I'm not even thinking of it. Like, but how do you do that? It's so funny because a long time ago, when I started playing like a really good seasoned player that I started playing with, he was like, if you have, if you don't think that you can beat me, and you were like, okay, what happened if I no, no, no.

00:48:25
Your mind is already programmed that, like, little inch. You already give it away. Yep. You already give it away, you know? Like, if not, if it doesn't happen, then you cross that bridge when it comes.

00:48:37
Obviously, there are different situations with everybody's life and different this and that, but at the end of the day, if you manifest and you put absolutely everything into plan a, if it doesn't work out or if it happens or whatever it is, you figure it out as you go. But absolutely everything. I've heard my heart into my career. Like, yes, I've gone to college, and I have a degree, and I've submerged into, like, the entrepreneurship world and all that stuff, but. But it's.

00:49:09
It's a topic that was so hard for me. Like, whenever my family tried to talk to me about it, it's like, I don't want to talk about it. Like, I don't want to talk about it. Like, no. Like, you will give me anxiety.

00:49:22
Like, it's not like whenever it comes, it comes, you know? Because it's like, you more a part of yourself that has to die. You know, it's been there for 20 plus years or whatever, and the love of your life is gonna disappear from one day to another. You're gonna be like, where you went, you know, you got to wake up and play with the ball and get that, like, jitterness and get that, like, adrenaline pump and that camaraderie or friendships with the teammates and going to the training grounds and going to the games and to the stadiums and all of stuff, and one day to another, just, it's not there. It's who you've been all your life.

00:50:07
So it's hard. But you have to know that if you want to succeed and you want to make it in such a high, demanding sport or any type of business, you need to give your 150%. Like, it doesn't matter what you have going on, like, outside, whatever. Like, you have to be willing to absolutely risk it all. You have to be willing to risk loose side of shore to actually get the biscuit, you know what I mean?

00:50:40
And again, for me, sometimes it's hard because, like, it's like a snowball. So it's like, okay, now who am I gonna, who's Jonathan gonna be without soccer? Who, like, anhejdehe up until today, I don't, I still don't know yet. It's a hard conversation where I'm, like, day in and day out, trying, like, okay, I'm gonna be okay with waking up like that. You know, like, there are times where I.

00:51:07
There was a season where I was without a team for a couple of months and I hit a really bad depression. And it was so hard, so hard to wake up in the mornings and go to training because it's very easy whenever you have somebody clapping for you and telling you what to do and having, like, a routine and having, like, endeavors, but whenever nobody's watching, that is what is the hardest part. So you have to surround yourself with the right type of people that are going to help you cross that bridge when it comes, you know, and make you feel safe and make you feel that you're not going to be alone. Because people don't realize that this can break light. Like, human, like, humans don't want to leave anymore because of this, you know, and they don't realize that people that have just regular jobs, they can do it their whole lives.

00:52:06
And then they're retired. And then whenever we retired, we are a complete different person at 37, 40. Like, like, you have, like, you feel like you're not good enough for absolutely anything but this. So you have to learn new stuff, go prepare yourself with something else and figure out what you like and what you don't like. So it's, again, having the right type of people around you to help you through the process.

00:52:36
It's really. That's a really smart thing. And, you know, that, I think, is something that's really important for people to listen to because, again, I got into this because of the stories and the connection. And just, like, if you really think about it and you think when someone loves something so much and, you know, there's people that, you know, you have businesses and careers and all that, and you love it. I mean, I love what I do, but I know I can morph into it.

00:53:00
But when you are a professional athlete and you, like, just eat, sleep, live and die for that, there's gonna be stuff, right? But if you're prepared for, like, okay, when it happens, I know there's gonna be stuff. And as you said, surrounding yourself with the right people is so important just to be there and give you space to be able to heal, because you're right, you're a different person. It's the routines. The routines are so important.

00:53:31
And when you're told where to be, when to wake up, what to do, what to eat, and then all of a sudden that's all taken away, it is an adjustment. Taking little steps is important. But as you said, like, you can't take yourself. You're in it. Like, you're in it and you're, you need to stay in it.

00:53:50
And that is also good to acknowledge and say to the people because there's, there are people's personalities that can. I was talking to one professional football player, and he said the season that all of a sudden he started thinking about what was next. He realized it was time, and he was like, okay, there's something in me that has changed this season. I'm going to finish this season out, but I'm really going to think about and think about. And it was other things that he was just curious about.

00:54:18
And he said it was really weird because it was like, where did. I don't want to think about this. Why am I thinking about this? This is coming out of nowhere. But it was coming up on his end, you know, on the end of his career.

00:54:28
And so he made the choice the next season to walk away. And he said it was a really great. It was a really great. And then I've talked to the players, you know, that have had an injury and they didn't have a choice, or it was like, you got cut and no one ever picked you back up and you don't know what's gonna happen until it happens. And the most important thing, I think that people can really listen, you know, not, I mean, one of the most important things is surrounding yourself with those people and being okay to be like, I'm sad, I'm angry, I'm hurt, I'm scared.

00:55:01
I feel lost. I feel lost. Exactly. And having that space to do it and, and sitting in it 100%, I. Feel like, and I've encountered this with a lot of, like, ecstasy and stuff that they were like, I'm just, I'm tired, you know, I have a family, I have kids, I have a wife, or I'm just, I'm tired.

00:55:22
I love what I do, but my body just cannot take it anymore. And that's fine. Like, that is completely fine. Like you said, there's very different personalities, you know, to this thing. I have that type of personality where, um, I have to be in it a hundred percent.

00:55:40
Like, I love what I do. I love what I do, and it's what I breathe every single day. And I've tried to get better every single day of my career. But the most important thing is having the people, the right people around you, you know, to give you advice, to full space for you and to say, okay, it's okay to not want it anymore. You know, like, it's okay because people are.

00:56:08
You're scared. Like, you lose. How can you say it? A version of yourself that is never gonna exist anymore, you know? And it's about being humble enough to, like, we.

00:56:23
Sometimes we talk from the ego. You know what I mean? It's like, wow, I'm not gonna get that attention. I'm not gonna go then I'm not gonna have that. And then it's about being okay with absolutely everything and saying, like, look, it's okay not to want it, look, you know, like, you can let go.

00:56:41
Yeah. And I think also being okay with saying, I'm gonna miss this part of it. I'm gonna miss the fame, I'm gonna miss this. And, like, being okay with saying it and not feeling like you're.

00:56:57
That, you know, that you're bragging or whatever, like, I'm gonna miss. I loved this part of the game. I mean, we all have things that we love, and saying, this is what I'm gonna miss. I'm gonna. I'm gonna miss this.

00:57:07
I'm gonna miss that. I'm not gonna miss certain parts, right? There's gonna be certain parts that you're like, okay, I'm not gonna miss that. But being honest and open about it all and being true to yourself is, you know, is what I'm hearing from you. And I think that's such a beautiful sediment, really, just talking about it on so many different levels.

00:57:26
Yeah. Like, I feel like whenever you. You can lie to people, right? You cannot lie to yourself. Right?

00:57:36
Right. You gotta. You lay the head in the pillow every single night, and you can be giving interviews or telling people or acting like you don't want to give it up. But you go to bed saying, like, I'm tired. Like, I'm done.

00:57:51
You know what I mean? Like, inside something, when he clicks, he clicks. But you need to be have those hard conversations with yourself, and it's like, okay, we're gonna keep going. You need to commit a hundred percent. There's no half asset.

00:58:05
There's no 20 plague. No, no. You commit every single day. If you don't want to do it, that is okay, too. You know?

00:58:13
And I. My family has tried to have those type of talks with me is like, hey, I'm not ready. Like, I'm ready. I feel like I have so much. And they tell me, like, look, if we felt like you were done, we would told you.

00:58:28
And if we feel like you still have it, you know? So it's about having that peace. Because whenever you start growing and go through your career, you play for different things, you know, like, first you're reaching a goal. You're so hyper focused on to, like, making your debut or being a starting level or making this amount of money or this getting to this team, and then I want to have fun. I want to enjoy the game, you know, like, kind of like the intro, not an interest, but the short term goals start changing inside the game.

00:59:05
So it's about what. How do you want to enjoy it? If you want to keep having it, then you go all in. If you don't, that is okay, too, you know, like, I've had player people. Like, it's like, like, are you okay with this decision?

00:59:20
Like, because I would be, like, terrified, you know, like, in the past two years or something. Like, two really good friends of mine retired, and I was like, wow, like, how you feel? I get like, he's okay. I'm. And they were like, this is the best decision that I made.

00:59:33
I feel like I'm doing good, you know? Like, do I miss it? Yes, but I I'm okay. And it's just about gathering information from other people and talking to people that have gone through the process of, like, wow. It helps you through those hard conversations you need to have with yourself or with your family, and it's like, okay, like, why'd you make this decision?

00:59:57
Like, why is it, like, why you feel like you're ready? Why you feel like you're ready to stop playing, to give it up? Because, oh, I want to have more time with friends. I want to have more time with my kids. I want to have more time with my wife, whatever.

01:00:10
Like, so you just have to, again, surround yourself with the right type of people that can guide you through any type of process, and you're willing to go through it, either staying or making decision. I want something different. Yeah, well, I love that. I know that I could sit and talk with you all day long, but is there anything that you kind of want to leave anyone with? What, you know, what are some of the things?

01:00:36
What are your plans? You know, what's happening in the next couple months? What are you doing? If you can give us a little bit of that as we kind of end the show. Sure.

01:00:45
Again, I keep playing. I love what I do, and I'm gonna keep doing it. Right now, I am on this mental health tour that I'm very excited about to promote it and to reach and help people in that way where it's okay and people don't feel alone in that way just to be able to talk about it and reach or just. Just feel okay with themselves. Feeling those feelings and having the right people around them.

01:01:14
And I am developing like, a product that is going to come out in the next couple of months with soccer that I'm really excited and yeah, that's pretty much it. I love it. I love it. Well, thank you so much for joining your next stop. And you guys, again, you can find Jonathan on Instagram also tick tock and on.

01:01:37
I still call it Twitter.

01:01:42
I'm of the generation where it was Twitter, so I'm calling it Twitter. But it's Jonathan seven and you are with Phoenix rising midfielder Jonathan Levin. Thank you so much for joining your next stop. Thank you. You guys know what to do, like rate, review and share.

01:01:59
You might have listened to this episode and said, great, I love this story. You don't know who needs to hear it. You don't know who in your world needs to hear what Jonathan was literally just talking about because there's so many things in life that that literally can be exactly what he's talking about. It doesn't have to be because he's a professional athlete. It doesn't have to be because someone's an entrepreneur, but it's real life.

01:02:20
And we need to discuss this because right now there is a mental health crisis that no one really knows what to do. And I think being open and talking is what we need to do. So share this episode and again, thank you so much. Jonathan, oh, my gosh. I thank you so much for having me and for the time.

01:02:36
And I'm excited to keep watching and see where you go with the podcast and all your episodes. Thank you.