The Game Goes On: Recent Episodes
Dominic Rufran
The Game Goes On is a show that talks with former athletes about their stories from playing competitive sports to transitioning into the real world. Their struggles, pain points, insecurities, and how they made the transition to become successful out side of playing sports.
Kenneth Scott is a former professional football athlete. Dedicating his college years as University of Utah's wide receiver, he was then drafted to be with the Los Angeles Rams. After being cut from the team, his determination and persistence to prove his abilities led him to the Montreal Alouettes. Now, Kenneth is a Sales Leader and a speaker who helps Athletes, Students, and Business Professionals maximize their windows of opportunity to achieve success.
Join Kenneth and I as we talk about the setbacks, the ups, and the downs of sports.
If you want to know more about Kenneth, you can connect with him on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kscott2/ (LinkedIn )- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kscott2/ https://www.instagram.com/kscott_2/?hl=en (Instagram) - @kscott_2
Stephen Lenz is a very talented multi-athlete focusing on cross country & track, ultimate frisbee, and bicycling. After experiencing several injuries, he tried his best to handle his transition to life after sports. Now, Stephen is a workplace and health safety specialist in Amazon.
In this episode, Stephen and I will be talking about the best ways for athletes to transition to life after sports, especially mentally.
If you'd like to reach Stephen, you can connect with him onhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephentracylenz/ ( LinkedIn:) https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephentracylenz
Archie Lewis was a Division 1 Football Student-Athlete from Boise State University. After taking his Master's in Sports Psychology, Archie is now helping to improve the performance of athletes, military, and business people by overcoming performance anxiety, stress management, energy management, return from injury, and career transition.
You can connect with Archie in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/archielewis/ (LinkedIn: )https://www.linkedin.com/in/archielewis https://www.instagram.com/whoalew/ (Instagram:) https://www.instagram.com/whoalew/
Shannon Stewart was a Division 1 soccer athlete and scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles. While having her head in the game, her heart is fully focused on what she really dreams of as a child, to be an Animal Trainer.
After almost two decades of doing something she loves, she finds another passion for being a School Garden Educator. Now, with Shannon's charisma for teaching, she is able to provide structured garden lessons in an outdoor classroom setting for Kindergarten through 5th grades.
In this episode, Shannon and I will be talking about how to find passion for whichever path you want to pursue in life and what to do after your love for the ball fizzles out.
You can http://linkedin.com/in/shannonstewartsandiego (connect with Shannon on LinkedIn): https://linkedin.com/in/shannonstewartsandiego
Jonathan Palmar was a former WWE wrestler. From having different careers like a certified fraud examiner and diving in the world of accountancy, Jonathan found his success in LinkedIn. In this episode, we talk about how to build confidence and knowing the right time to change your path.
You can connect with Jonathan through https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanpalmar/ (LinkedIn).
JJ Birden played 9 seasons as a wide receiver in the NFL. After earning a scholarship to the University of Oregon for track and field, JJ worked his way to be a part of the football team in his sophomore year. Despite being only 5'10 and smaller than most of the team, he proved that with his determination and resiliency, he can dominate the game.
Now, JJ is an engaging and passionate keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and best-selling author helping others to seize all the opportunities.
You can reach JJ at: https://www.facebook.com/jjbirdenonline (Facebook) http://www.instagram.com/jjbirden (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjbirden/ (LinkedIn) https://twitter.com/jjbirden (Twitter) https://www.jjbirden.com/ (Website)
Jesse Uwuji is one of the best NASCAR drivers of our time. Born and raised in Texas, he was an athlete in high school and excelled in both sports and school. From being a D1A college football player, his excellency brought him to be a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy.
Join Jesse and me on this episode as he shares how he pushed everything to go to the next level and achieve all of his goals by being unstoppable.
You can find Jesse https://www.instagram.com/jesse_iwuji/ (here).
Casey LeBlanc is a former slot receiver at San Jose State University. Being born a leader, from being a 2-year team captain, he is now the current president of the empire he built, New Venture Escrow where they specialize in simple and easy real estate closings.
In this episode, Casey shares his experience of self-discipline and how he managed to grow his company's $0 revenue to over 10M.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyleblanc/ (Connect with Casey on LinkedIn) to know more about him.
Brock Fortner is a former Baseball Athlete at Middle Tennessee State State University. He was very dedicated to the playing field until he decided to dive in headfirst into the financial world. Brock is one of the most financially brilliant minds I’ve ever met. In this episode, we will be talking about how to move past your first plan and proceed to things that will make you the best version of yourself.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brockfortner/ (Connect with Brock on Linkedin) to know more about him.
Denis Champagne has spent his life towards excellency - not just in sports but also with everything he does. Denis is a man of wisdom. He is a multi-athlete with six bronze medals at the Canadian Track Cycling Championships and currently into weightlifting. In this episode, Denis shares his experiences and how he manages to lift himself from his own “underground prison” by concentrating on serving and helping others. Focusing on the human value of an individual, he is able to find solutions for other people’s sales businesses. You can check Denis out at the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denis-champagne-47419a2/ (Linkedin) https://lotuscomm.com/ (Website)
Devrin Young is a former division one football player at the University of Tennessee. Devrin is one of the most prolific athletes to ever walk this earth. His athletic ability gave him the potential of being one of the best football players of all time. Through his college journey he faced some adversity that changed his career path slightly and now has made a career change from football to rugby and getting time with team USA.
Matthew Wells is an inspirational human being. He is an amazing husband, father, and man of faith. On top of that, he is one of the funniest guys you will ever hear from. He was a multi-sport athlete who had dreams of being the next MJ. You will hear how he made a successful transition from having dreams of playing in the NBA to now being extremely successful in the sales world and in his personal life. Connect with him on Linkedin to see some hilarious content and hear more about his journey.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew--wells/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew--wells/)
Travis Lacner is a former division one hockey athlete at the University of CSU. He is now an extremely successful Multimedia Producer and is a podcast host of an extremely successful and impactful show. His experience in life during and after sports is transformational and is extremely insightful. Connect with Travis below at LinkedIn to hear more about his story.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travislachner/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/travislachner/)
Tom Brown has a passion for helping people from all spectrums to become fully prepared to effectively compete in the interview process in hopes that they land themselves their dream job. He is driven to help his clients be fully prepared for any job interview! You can find more about Thomas Here: https://www.instagram.com/interviewcoachingsolutions/ (https://www.instagram.com/interviewcoachingsolutions/) https://www.facebook.com/InterviewCoachingSolutions/notifications/ (https://www.facebook.com/InterviewCoachingSolutions/notifications/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-brown-9750471/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-brown-9750471/) https://www.interviewcoachingsolutions.com/ (https://www.interviewcoachingsolutions.com/) Jarod Kehl is a former Collegiate SEC Swimmer and team captain at the University of Kentucky. Jarod has an amazing spirit and is driven to make an impact like he did while competing in college. He has so many skills and talents that have transferred over to life after sports as you will see.
Ben White is a former collegiate Soccer and Rugby athlete who is extremely competitive. Through his years of playing sports, he learned so many skills that have now helped him in his success in life after sports. Ben leads a high performing team of recruiters who are passionate about finding their clients the best talent they didn’t know was available. With ten years in recruiting and three years of people management, he is growth-focused and driven to constantly improve. Most importantly he has a passion for serving and building relationships.
Tyler Skinner is a former division one High Jumper at the University of Wyoming. He also went to Canada on a mission trip and had to learn to take a leap of faith while then learning to face rejection in the middle of his athletic career. Tyler is passionate about helping people become better versions of themselves and is an incredible human. Tyler has dealt with depression in the past and here he talks about his journey dealing with it through sports and life after.
Chris Bonner is a former NFL quarterback for the Carolina Panthers and the NewOrleans Saints. Before his time in the NFL he played Quarterback at the University of CSU Pueblo. There he became a national champion as he won the first championship in school history. Being part of a winning culture while playing, Chris shares how he made a transition into keeping the same winning mindset for himself after athletics as he is now an extremely successful Loan officer.
Shamiel Gary is an Ex-NFL Athlete and Speaker who helps business professionals, students, and athletes unleash the elite performer within. His passion has been helping people reach their full potential and taking their lives to another level. His goal is to unleash the ELITE PERFORMER within people through his 4 M’s Mission, Mindset, Mastery, and Maintenance. Shamiel played for the Bills, Dolphins, and New England Patriots where he is going to share with us here how to live a life of Game time Excellence!
Jordan Noblitt is a former division one basketball player at the University of California State Northridge. He struggled with anxiety through out his career and after sports as well. He points back to his child hood for reasons why he struggled with anxiety. Jordan is now an expert in dealing and coping with anxiety. In this episode he gives so many practical steps on how you can deal with your anxiety on a day to day basis.
Jordan has started a movement called Athletes With Anxiety to bring awareness to athletes struggling with anxiety like he did. You can hear more about his story and connect with him there at athleteswithanxiety.com
Tim Kamana is a Former University of Wyoming Safety. He is from Hawaii and has always had the dream of making his island proud by making it to the NFL. His family and island were his why to keep him pushing and overcoming adversity. Although he fell short of making the NFL his grit and never ending push to never quit created something better, a man of greatness. Tim now uses his adversities form football to chase the same dream of making his family proud but now using a different platform besides football. I am excited for you to hear all of his life lessons. Enjoy.
Keenan Montgomery is a former University of Wyoming Wide Receiver. Keenan chose to turn down other opportunities to walk on to the football team to play division 1. After years of hard work, grit, and perseverance he earned himself a scholarship. Although he achieved the goal of playing division one and getting a scholarship he fell short of his dream of always wanting to play in the NFL. But luckily for him he was a man of other skills and value and is now climbing the ladder of becoming one of the most known artist in our generation. Enjoy this episode with the man the myth the legend Keenan the First.
Ericka Patten was a swimmer before she could even walk. Swimming was in her blood and she prided herself in being a swimmer. After two years in college she got an unexpected turn of events. She went from being identified as a swimmer to now having to let it all go and lead and mentor the same woman she competed against. After dealing with many internal battles she found true joy and happiness through life after sports. I am excited for you to hear her journey to accepting that the Game Goes On.
Matt Vonk is a former Canadian Football Player. He was a five year starter as an offensive lineman. After his career ended early due to injury he has now taken the skills from one profession to the next. His new profession after football has now became a new competitive playing field for him. Along with that he has found some other hobbies to feel that void and competitiveness he had while playing football. He has some amazing stores and I am excited for you to hear them!
Kyle Taylor is a destined real estate mogul who's super power is communication. He is on point with his articulation and the way he explains how to take the skills you learn from sports to transfer over to a professional career outside of sports. Kyle hung up the cleats his senior year in high school to avoid major injuries and concussions. His wisdom is beyond his age and you are going to get so much practical advice from such an impressive individual.
Ben Hunter is a former Cross Country Runner at Mesa University. He is now a successful agency owner helping business's with their benefits. But to get to that point he had to go through some extreme adversity and had to make it work even when no one else besides himself would give him a chance.
This episode is a little different. This episode is myself being on the JK Experience Podcast. This episode goes a little deeper into my story and my journey and mindset to get to where I am today.
Josh Kalinowski is a former MLB pitcher for the Rockies. He went from small town hero to being on a platform in front of millions. He went from having the world and losing his soul and hitting rock bottom to truly finding his purpose and passion. His wisdom and expertise in business, a leader, and a man will truly inspire you to be the best version of yourself. I hope his story inspires you like it did me.
Josh Prater is a former collegiate baseball player at Concordia University. He is now a baseball coach for a local high school while also focusing on research and high quality science. Josh's Success and transition points back to one thing and that is his faith. I am excited for you to hear how someone uses their faith to help them over come the hardship of leaving athletics.
Ever wondered what it was like to go from chasing the dreams of playing in the NFL to then running a multi billion dollar company? Well in this episode you will hear from a man who did just that.
His name is Jordan Ellis, he played Full Back at the University of Wyoming and had very successful career to helping the pokes to one of the best seasons they had in over a decade. After his successful career with football he moved to Louisiana to take over his grandfathers business. I hope you enjoy as you take away the value of hard work, persistence, and also learn from the trials and tribulations he had to deal with to get there.
My Name is Dominic Rufran and I devoted my entire life to chasing the NFL. After playing division one football at the University of Wyoming, breaking records, and getting a taste of the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons I had to hang up the cleats and pursue something outside of football. During that transition I struggled with depression, anxiety and finding who I was without football. Filling that void of football was impossible at first. This transition wasn't something that I only had to deal with but what every athlete has had to deal with. I hope you enjoy a glimpse into my story and why this whole podcast started.