Ball Club Newsletter

What's good Ball Club fam? 
Happy Monday! Thank you and welcome back for edition #23!

Here’s what’s on the menu today:  

• Quote of the Week

• The Q4 Game Plan by author Jon Finkel (shout-out to Jon Finkel for taking the time to write the game plan for us this week)

• Interview with Craig LeBlanc (very grateful for your time coach!)

• Ball Club fam fits from the cleanest people on the gram

• IG Captions from Bad Bunny’s new album

• Giveaway (scroll to the bottom)

• Sneak peak of some new Ball Club gear (actually, this is going on the next newsletter, tune in on the next newsletter to get a sneak peak)

Thanks again for reading. Wishing you all great week!

Let's keep growing together!

As always,

Blessings, peace, love, and good vibes

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR THE UNDERDOGS

Looking for a dose of inspiration? 
Check out ‘The Underdog Newsletter’ for some of the best underdog stories. Click subscribe below.

WHAT’S THE GAME PLAN?
Guest post by author Jon Finkel

For 5 months every Tuesday afternoon for 2 hours, I sat with Pittsburgh Steelers legend, 4x Super Bowl Champion and NFL icon Mean Joe Greene in his living room working on his autobiography.
We talked football, fatherhood, coaching, Red Auerbach, the NFL and more...

Here are 4 lessons on humility, heart & how to handle winning 
from a Hall of Famer ⬇️

1. SUCCESS CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE

Joe grew up in the small town of Temple, Texas. He was bullied. He stunk at football until he was a senior. No big schools recruited him. He never played in a college bowl game. But he never let anyone outplay or outwork him. Ever.

2.FAILURE IS ONLY A MOMENT IN TIME

99% of you remember “Mean” Joe Greene as a 4x Super Bowl winner but Pittsburgh was 1-13 Greene’s 1st year. He was miserable. He hated the cold, the steel smoke & losing. But he believed in his coach & team. He stuck it out... and won.

3. CREDIT OTHERS 1ST; YOURS LAST

In Joe's autobiography, he talks endlessly about the greatness of his coach, Chuck Noll. He talks about his college coach. His high school coaches. He talks about Jack Ham & Mel Blount & Franco Harris.
It's his book. But they come first.

4. ENJOY ACHIEVEMENT, THEN MOVE ON

“I enjoyed that first Super Bowl win all the way until the first day of training camp the next year.” – Joe Greene. There was no such thing as relaxing after a championship with the Steelers. Win. Celebrate. Work Harder. Repeat. Lesson there.

That’s it. That’s the game plan.
by author Jon Finkel

______________________________________________

My 4 thoughts after reading this game plan: 
1. Success is around the corner if you don’t give up.
2. Failure is inevitable; keep going.
3. Don’t forget to thank those who have helped you get to where you are. 4. Enjoy your achievements, but remember, the reward for great work is more work.

Thank you Jon for taking the time to share your game plan with us this week. If enjoyed today’s game plan you need to check out his newsletter (click here & subscribe).

Remember, 1% better every day, and small wins are WINS!

BALL CLUB FAM STAYS FLYYY

This is where we feature some of the flyest fits from the Ball Club community. Don’t forget you can submit your fits by tagging us on Instagram.

MEET CRAIG LEBLANC
FOLLOW CRAIG HERE: 2LIVECRAIG

Could you walk us through your journey to starting 2 Live Culture?
It really was built off out of love for the game & my passion to help keep my friends ready at all times. My role was to throw for WRs & TE’s in DFW, but God had a plan to use the platform forthings bigger than I could see initially!

What initially inspired you to follow a path in sports?
I’ve been an athlete my entire life, it was my first love & I’ve never stopped loving football & competition in general!

Looking back on your journey, what's one of your most memorable or rewarding experiences working with athletes?
One of the most memorable experiences was in Jacksonville, Fl when I was with Laquon Treadwell during 2021 Rookie mini camp, there was a storm brewing in my life as 2 Live was kicking off. I wasn’t sure which direction I was going to take it if at all. Tread took me to Jax with him to help him prepare for his tryout, which I realized later was more to help me get away to see things clearly. One day after practice we were on the beach reading the four agreements and I finally had my “see the light” moment, where I realized God was truly guiding my life and the direction of 2 Live Culture. My spiritual journey began that day, Tread changed my life and helped me find my relationship with God that day.

You've truly built an amazing community of athletes. How can someone build a community like you have with 2 Live Culture?
I think for me it was being intentional in my walk with God but also finding what made me ALIVE MORE THAN ANYTHING!

Fitness is more than just the physical. How do you maintain emotional and mental fitness, in yourself and in the athletes you work with?
I love meditation and intentional prayer, I stay in my bible & we have scripture we share together often. It’s a whole brotherhood of believers with the same goals & passion, our purpose is to encourage each other, uplift one another, and Elevate together!

What advice do you have for aspiring trainers or individuals wanting to grow in the field of athlete development?
Find your purpose then chase it with enthusiasm unknown to mankind, but pray often and let God lead you!

What's next for 2 Live Culture, what's your vision for the future?
We have some beautiful opportunities to continue growing the community, we have a facility in the works as well as a very unique NFL pre draft program, youth, high school & College camps, combines & showcases! We always want to help our free agent guys too, always trying to find ways to get guys open doors & opportunities!

One final question, imagine you're drawing up a 'game plan' for someone to chase their dreams; what's the most essential play or strategy you'd give?
BE INTENTIONAL! Know what you want and WHY, There has to be purpose, because motivation can be fleeting, but the why is what will keep you going when everything else goes against the plan... Which is inevitable. My Faith has been my rock when I thought there was nothing left! God always finds a way to remind me I have a REASON to do what his plan is, and Im so Thankful!

BEST IG CAPTIONS FROM BAD BUNNY’S ‘nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana’ ALBUM
Bad Bunny gave us some hard captions to use for IG with this album. Check it out and let me know which ones you think I missed!

1. Spanish: Haciendo chavo' mientra' tú comenta'
   English: Making money while you comment

2. Spanish: Veterano y rookie, yo mismo me doy consejo'

   English: Veteran and rookie, I give advice to myself

3. Spanish: Desde que yo estoy e' un orgullo ser el do'

   English: Since I arrived, there's pride in being second

4. Spanish: Ya no estoy en mi peak, ahora estoy en mi prime

   English: I'm no longer at my peak, now I'm in my prime

5. Spanish: Frío donde quiera que pise, pa' mí to' el año e' winter

   English: Cold wherever I step, for me, the whole year is winter

6. Spanish: Llevo cinco año' en la cima como Tim Duncan, postea'o

   English: I've been at the top for five years, likе Tim Duncan, I post up

7. Spanish: Soy una obra de arte, Mona Lisa, Última Cena

   English: I'm a work of art, Mona Lisa, Last Supper

8. Spanish: Dejen de comparar, saben que soy aparte

   English: Stop comparing, you know I'm different

9. Spanish: Yo un campeón, Rocky Marciano, Rocky Balboa, Rocky Maivia

   English: I'm a champion, Rocky Marciano, Rocky Balboa, Rocky Maivia

10. Spanish: Bebiendo mucha champaña, nunca estamos seco'

    English: Drinking a lot of champagne, we're never thirsty

11. Spanish: Por eso tu opinión me importa cero Por eso tú estás 101 en el top 100 y yo estoy primero

    English: That's why I don't care about your opinion That's why you're 101 in the top 100, and I'm first

12. Spanish: El signo del dinero, ese e' mi nuevo zodiaco

    English: The sign of money, that's my new zodiac sign

13. Spanish: A ti no te conocen ni en tu barrio

    English: Nobody knows you, not even in your neighborhood

14. Spanish: Que me odie el que me odie, que me quiera el que me quiera

    English: Let those who hate me hate me, let those who love me love me

15. Spanish: Haciendo plata estamo' busy

    English: Making money, we're busy

16. Spanish: Y de ahora en adelante, todas las decisione' de mi vida las voy a hacer pensando en mí y solamente en mí porque al final nunca va' a poder complacerlo' a todo' Siempre alguien te va a amar y siempre alguien te va a odiar

    English: And from now on, all the decisions in my life will be made thinking of me and only me because in the end you will never be able to please everyone Someone will always love you and someone will always hate you

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