Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your story and your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. What is something about you that would surprise people?

Freddie: I am super goofy and love to have fun. Most people have told me that I can be intimidating to approach because I look serious, but they are surprised once they realize I'm down to earth and like to have fun. Also I am a huge shrimp lover. If Forrest Gump was based on a true story then I guess you could call me bubba; BBQ shrimp, Buffalo shrimp, Fried shrimp, doesn't really matter I will eat it.

Adam: What is the most surprising thing about life in professional sports? What is something that would shock fans?

Freddie: The most surprising thing for me was the amount of free time we had. In college, after practices, you have so many other things to do before your day is over, so all the free time in the NFL was definitely something I had to adjust to. 

Adam: How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Freddie: I have failed a lot up to this point, but continuing to get back up and finding a way to continue believing in myself and what I am doing got me to this point. I definitely believe my experience in the NFL helped me grow most as an adult. Although I have been homeless before and have had to scramble for food at times, I was taught early on that hard work pays off and that is ultimately what afforded me the opportunity to play at the collegiate level and win and National Championship and then go on and play in the NFL. After my career in the NFL was cut short, I realized something new about life. If you completely commit to your goal and give everything that you have there is no way that you can lose. Even if you don't accomplish your goal the lessons that you learn along the way are priceless. I committed myself to the process and I thought that I would go on to play 10 plus years in the NFL but that didn't happen. My commitment to the process afforded me opportunities in this next chapter of my life that I would have never received if I had decided to cut corners or refused to commit because I was afraid of failure. The biggest thing it has taught me is that if you commit every part of you completely to your goal, even if you don't accomplish your goal in the end you will still come across something just as beautiful.

Adam: What do you hope readers take away from your new book?

Freddie: Nothing is impossible, and no matter what your circumstances look like you are never out of the fight. Life happens to everyone but the way we choose to respond is what separates great individuals from average individuals. You are in control of your life, when things go bad it is ultimately up to you to decide whether or not things get better or continue to get worse. Once I took back control of my life things began to get better for me, I hope my story helps readers realize that.

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Freddie: An effective leader is always able to empower others and bring the best out of them. A great leader not only challenges others to be at their best, they also challenge themselves as well and never settle for good when greatness is available; they realize that they don't have all the answers and are humble enough to take pointers from others so that they can become a better leader as well. An effective leader is really just someone that goes to great lengths to serve others.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives and civic leaders?

Freddie: Be passionate about what you do, have a vision, and believe in your vision. It will always be hard and initially it will seem like things won't get any better, but with time you will gain the wisdom and strength that you need to become successful along your journey and things will seem easier. It is important that you continue to believe and fight when things get hard because most people quit when things get hard and are never able to see the fruits of their labor. A successful entrepreneur isn't successful because of their genius although that plays a huge role, they are successful because they refuse to give up no matter how impossible the task seems, and they are completely committed to the cause no matter what.

Adam: What players and coaches did you learn the most from? What did you learn from them?

Freddie: I would have to say my college coach Jimbo Fisher. He always had two sayings that stick with me still till this day. The first one was, "the play doesn't care who makes it" when you think about life it is ultimately up to you what you decide to be, greatness lies in every single one of us, it isn't reserved for a special person it is yours for the taking. Russell Westbrook has a saying "Why Not?" Who says it can't be you? Why can't it be you? It can be you, you just had to believe and take action. The second saying was "your actions speak so loud I can't hear what you're saying" in life people like to talk a lot but the only thing that truly matters is the actions you go out and display, your actions are ultimately who people will believe you are. 

Adam: Who is the best teammate you ever had and why? What are the characteristics of a great teammate?

Freddie: Although I have had a lot of great teammates I would have to say Dalvin Cook. He came to work every day and brought the best out of others, and although he was a star player he was surprisingly unselfish, he always wanted to see guys get opportunities even if that meant he had to lessen his role.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received? Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share? 

Freddie: Never give up.


Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

Follow Adam on Instagram and Twitter at @adammendler and listen and subscribe to Thirty Minute Mentors on your favorite podcasting app.