Price of Admission: Recent Episodes
Tony Haberer
Perseverance stories from all phases of the journey, capturing critical confidence building moments that built character and teams.
Whitney McKoy! (soon to be Whitney Fabian) - a beacon of positivity and a true servant leader. From her roots in Kentucky to her new life in Florida, Whitney has navigated roles at Nielsen, Best Buy, managing a grocery facility, and more, always putting people first. An advocate for ethical fashion and just 8 days away from her wedding, Whitney shares how to tackle self doubt - “Learning to root for myself”, “How you respond”, and “It's not over when you fail, it's over when you quit."
*Fun Fact - Whitney’s fam had a chance to be on Family Feud. Pretty cool - Family Feud (May 17, 2016, 1 | #15_0185): Boudreaux/McKinney (PART 1/4)
Jim Bottomley, affectionately known as Jimbo, a Production Superintendent from Langston, Alabama with a life story that's nothing short of inspiring. From growing up in an abusive home to overcoming a life-threatening stroke at 21, Jimbo embodies resilience. He's navigated through a diverse range of jobs—from working death row in a maximum-security penitentiary to managing restaurants and now overseeing production at Jet Polymer. But what sets Jimbo apart is his unwavering commitment to helping others. Whether it's volunteering at his local campground or being a single parent to his daughters, Jimbo's “Price of Admission" is summed up in blood, sweat, and a whole lot of tears. This is an episode about never giving up, about making those who say you can’t, understand why you can… with a little bit of “respect that you’ve earned” and “sometimes you can be too dern nice.”
Rebekah Riordan - a multi-faceted individual who embodies resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of community. Rooted in a family-oriented background, with brothers that served in the Marine Corps. She's not just reflective, grappling with her own challenges like self-doubt and perfectionism, but also incredibly supportive, emphasizing the transformative power of a "tribe" in personal growth. Rebekah's empathetic nature allows her to resonate with others' struggles, while her encouraging spirit uplifts those around her. She advocates for the importance of genuine connection, suggesting that many societal issues, including addiction, can be traced back to a lack of it. A true team player, Rebekah acknowledges that success is a collective effort and is passionately committed to her own growth and that of others. Whether it's coaching, or personal development, Rebekah's passion shines through, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in pushing through adversity and finding their own tribe….with a little “Yup, that’s it right there” flare.
DOOMAN! Cliff Dooman… A master of his craft on getting SWOLE (and many others). Whether it be the details of proper lifting form, incremental goal step changes, good nutrition, and appropriate rest. At the end of the day, Cliff is a "sustaining the gains" type of individual.
Raised in Bolton, CT, and now residing in Arnold, Maryland, Cliff's journey from Ohio State University to becoming a strength coach at the United States Naval Academy spans over 23 years. Over these 23 years, he’s bee able to impact a large chunk of this podcast listener group for sure.
Cliff holds a BS in Health Fitness and an MS in Education and Exercise Science. Outside of his professional life, Cliff is an enthusiast of motorized hobbies, mountain biking, hunting, and more, while also dedicating time to his children's sports activities.
If approaching Cliff on the sidelines, tread carefully; Carl may come out with a fiery energy you've never seen before. This guy is a good dude.
Nick Charles! Our first Air Force Footballer. Class of ’10 - ’09 senior season. From San Antonio, TX. Now in Salesforce Enablement - Product Ownership and Change Management and doing some Stand Up Comedy.
Key themes in this conversation:
- Nick faced a challenging upbringing, primarily raised by a single mother.
- He witnessed drugs and violence during his early years.
- His friendship with Jordan Eddington and involvement in football were pivotal in keeping him on a positive path.
- He chose the Air Force Academy over other options due to unexpected turns in his life.
- After the military, Nick transitioned to coaching high school football in Texas.
- Nick later ventured into the Salesforce domain, discovering a passion for teaching and coaching in a corporate environment.
- Comedy has served as a therapeutic outlet for Nick.
- Throughout his story, themes of mentorship, risk-taking, and the importance of a strong mindset are evident.
Meet Ketric "Buff" Buffin, a man of many talents and an embodiment of resilience and heart. NFB senior of ’08. Class of ’09. Currently an Aircraft Maintenance officer in the USMC - still motivated by the camaraderie and fellowship of his Marines. Raised in the DFW…Texas. Ketric's journey has been marked by his tenacity both on and off the field. As a former cornerback known for his hard hits and confidence, he's overcome injuries and personal challenges with grace.
Whether it's his love for building, sports, audiobooks, or working out, Ketric's life is a testament to his belief that "There is no greater investment that we can make than in one another." “It’s the different seasons” and community.
Bruno Garcia is and has been manufacturing site Lean leader for more than the past few years. Watch how memories of Bruno (A mentor, highlighting his ability to instill confidence, diffuse awkward situations, and value every individual, irrespective of their role) connects to his continued leadership style today. Bruno's journey from a young dad to a leader in the manufacturing industry offers listeners valuable insights on embracing challenges, chasing opportunities, and leading with empathy and humility. This is an episode about resilience, growth, and the impact of nurturing relationships in personal and professional spaces.
After 53 episodes of the “Price of Admission”, the first guest returns. This person paved the way for conversations by setting the tone of what the “price of admission” could be. Almost all of the guests since the start of this podcast shared 3 themes - 1) sacrifice, 2) suffering, and 3) pain. You’ve been granted a beautiful gift. Don’t squander it. Take a drink from that glass every once in a while.
KC Middleton, a navy sprint football senior of ’09. USNA class of 2010. Marine. Now a project manager for new home construction. Known for his grit, strength, and uncompromising spirit. KC, who hails from Jacksonville, Florida, shared insightful anecdotes from his diverse career trajectory. Marine Corps logistics officer, afghan police advisor, maintenance management officer. KC’s journey is a testament to adaptability and resilience. His transition - military to civilian life -> while balancing multiple roles, this dude contributes significantly to everything he touches.
This episode reveals Middleton as a multi-faceted individual - a robust professional, an audacious risk-taker, a dedicated athlete, and a vibrant character full of unforgettable stories. Enjoying the ride.
Bakari Fucuals is an extraordinary leader of people and a mentor who has had a profound influence on me for years. His incredible journey in the manufacturing sector began from the ground up, although it’s not the primary source of his comprehensive understanding and ability to discern the ‘why’. The conversation starts off on an exceptional detailed view of how he grew up. A little bit of “just do the work” and bringing “impact that will positively affect people” from this “Fur Covered Axe”.
Born and Raised in Saches, TX (pronounced Saxie), Tim has returned to his stomping grounds today to raise the fam. A 4 year letter winner at Navy in kicking, ’99 NFB senior, class of 2000. “Scooby” is a flier of jets - FA-18s specifically. Tim’s been a flight instructor, the XO of CENTCOM’s Joint Ops Center in Tampa, FL. He then transitioned to the corporate world. What a great story. This one was particularly fun for me - talking through the highs and lows. Tim talks about the passing of his older brother, the impact of “Carry the Load”, and how the Navy Reserves have been good for him. Great reminders from Tim: 1) Always root for the underdog. 2) Life is bigger and more important than yourself. 3) Faith and Family first.
Short and sweet with this modest motivator. NFB ’09, class of ’10 with some D Line scrappy. Commissioned UMSC ground on to -> Air Support Control Officer -> Law School -> Law Firms Lawyering. One of my college roommates. Had to Get Bayard NONE on the air! Bayard lives in Albuquerque, NM with his wife Justine and Daughter Aurelia. Awesome dude, humble, hungry, and persistent.
Justin North is a fellow NAPSter of ’06 and USNA class of 2010. Justin played Linebacker at NAPS after serving as an enlisted Marine (one of the Mustang ballers!). After graduating, he keeps peddling to become a Marine Infantry Officer. Now a Lawyer, after graduating from Norte Dame Law School. Currently settled in Colorado, practicing law with his firm, but also serves as Principal and General Counsel & Compliance for Growth Vue Capital (https://www.thegrowthvue.com).
Other side hustle = Serving on the Executive Counsel of the Colorado Bar Association Military and Veteran Affairs section and is the Legislative liaison to the Colorado Legislature for veterans issues.
A little bit of “noway out but through” and “the price keeps going up”. SMART and tough-nosed example setter; a fire and forget, fair, and dedicated people leader.
Dexter contracted Congestive Heart Failure during the COVID Delta variant outbreak in December 2021 and it changed his life. A fun "blast from the past" conversation and one of my homies from hometown Liberty Hill, TX. Dex was a 3 sport stand out as the high school quarterback, had passion for basketball, and a quarter miler in track. Dexter was a football player and graduate of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, TX. Out of college, Dex took a job managing at Enterprise Rental Car and is now at Flooring Solutions managing commercial projects (Booming in Central Texas w/ all of the Californians flocking to better pastures). Side hustle = coaching and mentoring youth in flag football, other sports, and fishing as able. Thankful for his wife Logan in this join venture of LIFE raising Brock, Dane, and (soon to be) Hawke Walker Hanson.
D.R. King has 9 kids! Drexel and Johnna have an outstanding story of opening up their home, the joint effort it takes, how to balance, and bringing order and peace to the chaos. they’ve set out on. Drex was a NFB defensive back - senior season ’08, class of ’09. As a big face in the Marine Corp (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyQKeDz0leY), he represented himself - Level headed, always seemed to have a plan, had a sureness about himself, was fundamentally sound with strong conviction. Today building community through entrepreneurship, discipleship, and extending grace. Likely this one “steers you in the right way”. Check out his latest venture King & Co LLC. here: https://kingandcompany.substack.com/ and kick start a conversation.
Here is a powerful and "motivated" dude, as we reflect on the Thanksgiving holiday. Andy cares - & you can't teach caring. A few lessons that Andy shares today; 1. Do the little things right.... 2. You don't need to know everything, just know who to ask.... 3. Don't take your immediate support group for granted.... 4. Never forget your 5th amendment rights!
This one is personal for me. Lots of raw and REAL material in here to learn from and get better. This dude is respected, still grinding, building his street credibility taking care of his Marines and the family, balancing the load everyday.
Fill the quota Alota - ’97 Navy Football defensive team captain. #2 all time tackles. Commanding Officer of 3 ships in the Navy. Turned around a ship after a previous CO was relieved. Winner of the tv show “Fear Factor”. Judo mixed martial arts fighter. Now serving as the Navy's Digital Ambassador. An all around inspiring and electric leader. Gervy expresses the importance of getting the little wins, leading by example, and putting PEOPLE first - always.
Turning it off and on and off like a light switch - when it's GO time, it's GO time. This wood grain gripping, Astros fan describes the Price of Admission around sacrifice of expression and how that shape his perspectives. Now swinging away in Sales, getting the wins. The key to Curtis’s grind today is built on trust and relationships, unlocking purpose and fulfillment.
JERZY SON! From Sicklerville, NJ to NAPS, Annapolis, UMass, the Cincinnati Bengals then the Baltimore Ravens, Jeromy's journey runs the gamut of transition and insightful decision making. Then he makes moves in the real estate game and onward to owning his own niche business. Jeromy offers some insightful perspective on each transition and what he learned along the way. Check out his restaurant and lounge "SoulBaila" in Hartford, Connecticut the next time you're passing through town.
From ABILENE, TX! Ryan Kennedy shares some insight in to dealing with injury, investment banking, and upstream oil field ops. One of the key players in the NAPS defensive back wrecking crew. Today - navigating the course of being the best dad and husband he can be. Ryan is committed to working on reaching his daily peak with focus on his entrepreneurial journey and taking risks.
“If you ain’t first, you’re last.” Jesse’s journey takes him from the gridiron to the drag strip. Obsessed with passion for racing, Jesse outlines his entrepreneurial, never give up mindset and how that has helped him weather a few storms. Building his battlefield, Jesse has built a team, partnering with Emmitt Smith, chasing a dream to be the best in NASCAR.
Carrying a heavy hit stick. Follow this servant leader, full of selflessness and humility, on his roadmap to success. Extremely intelligent dude and submariner that has a headhunter mindset. Glad leaders like Craig Schaefer are patrolling our oceans so we can sleep at night.
Have a vision for yourself. With the best intentions. Be the best version of yourself. From living in his best friends basement, to an engineering subject matter expert. A price has to be paid or the door is not worth walking through for you. Now a successful financial advisor, Irv keeps leading with grace.
As the youngest Mathews brother of the Navy Football Mathews tribe, Mike describes his path. Loyal to a fault, Mike Mathews digs deep in to his Price of Admission - "Continuing to say yes", getting shot in the backside, and grabbing the last of the string cheese. This one's going to be awesome, so just buckle up.
A "Prince" of Ghana, Houston native, 2009 Navy offensive team captain, and an OG. Osei Asante talks about quiet confidence and his quest to be a better husband and father.
From being on America's most wanted list, making rap CDs, to finding the best interest of the team. Supermanned that O-line of Notre Dame. An individual rooted in versatility & timing.
Still breathing out of his neck - Jordan Stephens give his perspective on navigation, setting priorities, and the Price of Admission.
The epitome of "leaders never have a bad day" with early injury (2 torn groins), 400 meter sprinter, 2009 Navy defensive captain, and 2 tattoos later. "Everything you're learning - WILL be applied". Even on the other side of the world...
From the SoCal sun to Rhode Island blizzards - Matt can't stop giving it 100%, influencing outsider perspective and breaking barriers of conventional thinking
A high body mass to collision impact ratio, Clint lays it down from his 9 year USNA career to the USMC as a logistician
Jeff describes his journey FROM weighing in at a bruising 320 lbs down TO 231 lbs today. Eating that humble pie (as he says) has helped transform his life.
“Perseverance journeys, capturing confidence building moments that built character and teams”