Be Intentional: Interview with Former Professional Soccer Player Jesse Bradley
I recently went one on one with former professional soccer player Jesse Bradley. Jesse was a goalkeeper in the U.S., Scotland, and Zimbabwe, and as a pastor, he currently works with the Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Stars.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Jesse: I graduated from Dartmouth College and played professional soccer overseas. My childhood dream came true. While playing as a goalkeeper in Africa, I took a prescribed medication weekly to prevent malaria. After a season, it built up toxic levels in my system. Fighting for my life for a year, it took ten years to fully recover. This tragic illness included many physical symptoms, including severe issues with my heart as well as psychological effects like waves of depression and panic attacks. Sometimes life is going one direction, and then suddenly, out of your control, it is not going that way anymore and never will again. It was brutal.
During this low point in my life, I discovered a hope that is greater than my challenges. My identity shifted and was no longer performance-based, which is a rollercoaster ride of pride and shame. A gritty gratitude became part of my daily routine, as I found ten things every day to be thankful for regardless of the circumstances. I charted my progress for months and celebrated milestones like being able to walk 20 minutes instead of 15 minutes. I decided to let people I trusted into the pain instead of denying or trying to carry it all myself. I found strength and healing in an authentic relationship with God who landed my house on the rock instead of sand. The best experiences in life can emerge from the worst situations.
Pain fueled and forged a new passion and purpose in my life. Because I know what it's like to feel hopeless, I began to spread hope to individual people and to countless millions of people globally. Being a speaker, author, pastor, syndicated radio host, content creator, and leader are simply ways to connect with people and see more lives transformed.
Adam: What is the most surprising thing about life in professional soccer? What is something that would shock fans?
Jesse: Living in Zimbabwe, my heart broke for the suffering that I saw. I had heard about drought, poverty, lack of job opportunities, and AIDS, but it was different to experience it firsthand. At the same time, the people there inspired me with their generosity, joy, and hospitality. We tutored students at a Youth Contact Center in our free time and learned so much from the students. All this to say, I think many people forget how human professional athletes are, how deeply we feel, and how we are growing too, on and off the field. For example, I still have many plays from back in the day, especially goals that I should have saved, come into my mind, even in dreams. I had to learn to give myself a break and move on from the "coulda-woulda-shoulda" downward cycle. Underneath the uniform and the accomplishments, there's a vulnerable warrior. Many professional athletes are not sure what to do when their career ends and how to fill the void. It's a major life transition.
Adam: What are the best lessons you have learned through your career in soccer that are applicable to those of us who will never earn a living playing pro ball?
Jesse: Soccer is truly a platform and classroom to learn about life. Here are some major themes from my career: 1) Collaboration - "we" had to be more important than "me" in all the years and teams we won championships. 2) Clear Communication - If I didn't talk as a goalie, our defense would lose its shape and the other team would score far more goals. 3) Common Goals - everyone needs to be running in the same direction and share a passion and commitment together. It is worth the sacrifices that are necessary. 4) Community - The teams that are special have a bond on the field, in the locker room and in homes too. It's a culture where you bring out the best in each other, hold each other accountable, and laugh often.
Adam: Who is the best teammate you ever had and why? What are the characteristics of a great teammate?
Jesse: Tommy Clark and I played college and professional soccer together. His love for the game was contagious. His attitude was unwavering, and he had a complete dedication that would include whatever actions it took to get the job done well. He woke up every day with a drive that was palpable. It was the extra effort to cultivate new skills, improve fitness, watch videos, and put in the time before and after practices to hone his craft. Equally enjoyable were our discussions, analyzing the game and sharing insights together. Our friendship is a lifelong connection, and we pick up right where we left off every time we talk. We have journeyed from boys to men and that shared experience is unforgettable. There is a deep mutual respect. He continues to serve Africa through his programs to combine soccer and AIDS prevention.
Adam: Who are the greatest leaders you have played for and with and why? What do you believe are the defining qualities of a great leader?
Jesse: Coach Bobby Clark has had an immense impact on my life. He is a Scottish legend and former international goalkeeper. He could have coached the biggest clubs in Europe (he is close friends with Alex Ferguson from Manchester United, for example) but in humility he invested his life into college students in America. He built a family with every one of his teams. He often spoke about the "wee things" which meant when you do all of the small things with excellence, then the big things will fall into place. He always had an open door at his office and would talk about any subject with me. He was a father figure. It always felt like our relationship was more important than the game. He knew players and timing and what each one needed. There's an art to leadership and an intuitive component.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to leaders and aspiring leaders?
Jesse: That’s a good question, and it could be a full conversation. Here’s a quick list of some lessons that stand out to me:
Be intentional. Be clear. Be a life-long learner. It is hard to steer a parked car, so take the next step forward. Relationships are risks, and it's primarily about relationships. Identify and develop your strengths. Your character is more significant than your competency. Let people give you feedback because you have blind spots, and their words will help you grow. Solve problems and serve other people really well. Don't forsake your family for your career. The people closest to you should be most grateful for you. Choosing your team is your biggest decision. The culture you have is more important than the strategy. Define success. Have a global vision that blesses people from all nations.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Jesse: Forgive everyone fully. There are going to be so many people who undermine you, disappoint you, gossip and slander, misunderstand, hurt, and fail you. How will you respond? Healing takes time but forgiveness is a decision you can make now. I spent over a decade carrying resentment. When I started a relationship with Jesus later in life, I knew my sins were forgiven. My heart was changed, and I finally let go of the bitterness I was carrying for so long. Revenge is not good to pursue and unforgiveness is a poison inside of you. You can step out of the jail and experience a new health and freedom. I make sure before I go to bed each day that I have forgiven everyone fully. It's such a great way to live. This doesn't mean that what they did was fine. Forgiveness does not rationalize or justify their actions. Forgiveness does not mean we become friends too; space might be necessary. It does mean that I will not hold on to bitterness. I often pray for that person and say aloud, " I forgive them". This will be helpful for you with your family, friends and in your workplace.
Adam: What can anyone do to pay it forward?
Jesse: Empower the next generation. Be a mentor. Pass on what you have learned with people who are hungry to grow. Your impact will be multiplied through them. You will have a legacy far beyond your own efforts. Start with one person. Encourage them, listen to them, equip them, and guide them. You can impress people from a distance, but the greatest influence happens when you are close. As you have capacity, find a dozen people and pour your life into them. Each relationship is different. Make time in your schedule for that. You have more to offer than you realize. Down the road they will probably do the same thing because of what they received. You will learn so much from them too. We need each other. There is a multiplication that is exponential and powerful.
Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Jesse: I believe we are intellectual, emotional, relational, physical, and spiritual beings. For a big part of my life I ignored the spiritual. I couldn't figure out with all of the other boxes checked why I wasn't happier. There are two stories in our lives. The outside story that people see, and the image we project on social media. the inside story is the more important story, and many people don't know you on that level. My outside story was successful, but something was missing on the inside. I know there are many leaders and driven people who are hearing this interview. Consider the holistic viewpoint beyond career goals. My spiritual life has become the most significant part of my life. Thanks for our conversation and for everyone who joined in as well. I would be glad to connect with anyone who wants to discuss more on these topics together. Keep spreading hope!
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.
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