#949 Nathan Winston: ⚾ When Quitting Isn’t an Option

WEBVTT
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:01.199
Nathan Winston.
00:00:02.080 --> 00:00:02.399
Wow.
00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:04.799
What a story of uh inspiration.
00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:10.320
Nathan was born with PFFD, one of his femurs that did not develop at all.
00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:14.880
So at the age of four, his parents made the decision to amputate his leg.
00:00:15.279 --> 00:00:19.679
Do you think it stopped him from being an athlete and doing the things he wanted to do?
00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:26.320
Is it possible he still played basketball and football and became a professional baseball player?
00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:27.120
It is.
00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:28.879
His story is incredible.
00:00:29.359 --> 00:00:31.280
Not once did he feel sorry for himself.
00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:44.159
Stories of his prosthetic leg, he had to unscrew it and use duct tape, and just the it's incredible, absolutely incredible the stories he has and what he does and why he's and he didn't talk about it for the longest time and now he is.
00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:46.159
Why do you think he's talking about it now?
00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:50.560
Winston, I thank you, and I thank everyone else for watching and for listening.
00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:52.719
Hi, I'm Joey Pitts.
00:00:52.880 --> 00:01:01.200
After starting my business in the 90s, I just worked too much and neglected my health and reached about 340 pounds.
00:01:01.439 --> 00:01:05.760
My doctor told me that if I didn't lose the weight, I might not see my daughter graduate.
00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:09.439
Over the next seven months, I lost about 130 pounds.
00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:11.519
People ask me for the secret.
00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:14.480
Came down to one word: discipline.
00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:16.079
I'm not the king of discipline.
00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:17.040
I'm still learning.
00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:25.760
Every Wednesday, I sit down with fascinating people to explore their turning points, what life taught them, and how discipline helped them move forward.
00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:31.439
Together, we learn how to better ourselves and society with the experience of others.
00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:36.239
If that speaks to you, subscribe and join the conversation.
00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:51.519
Um, I like to relax.
00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:53.519
Um, I love food.
00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:55.120
So that's a big thing.
00:01:55.200 --> 00:01:56.319
Um I love to watch my.
00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:07.280
If I could just travel around and eat, I would do that for sure.
00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:12.080
Um watching my kids' um sporting events, just uh spending time with them.
00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:14.000
We like to video game together.
00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:16.319
Um they're pretty active.
00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:21.039
Um got one of my son and a club soccer team.
00:02:21.280 --> 00:02:24.560
Um another son just made an AAU basketball team.
00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:30.639
Um my daughter, one daughter has uh been invited to play travel softball.
00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:34.639
And then my other daughter is a real good, she's real good at dance.
00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:38.879
She um just got four solos on her dance team.
00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:39.680
So yeah, man.
00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:40.240
Wow.
00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:41.039
It's going good.
00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:42.159
They're keeping me busy.
00:02:42.719 --> 00:02:44.879
And and your favorite thing to cook?
00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:47.199
My favorite thing to cook now.
00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:49.680
Uh me and my kids are kind of on an Asian kick.
00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:53.439
They like Asian food, so I'll like make different types of Raymond noodles for them.
00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:54.400
I love it.
00:02:54.479 --> 00:03:00.639
So I'll get the different Raymond, I'll see different recipes on TikTok or whatever, and I'll make it for them.
00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:04.560
What are you more passionate about, Nathan?
00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:08.159
Playing sports, watching sports, or analyzing them?
00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:12.960
When I play, I'm extremely competitive.
00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:15.439
So I'm out there to win.
00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:17.599
Even if we're playing for fun, pick up basketball.
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:18.960
I'm out there to win.
00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:22.879
It's same thing when I coach, we're we're out there to win.
00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:35.039
I love um trying to think, I love um my favorite part about coaching is having a team that maybe not be as great and seeing them like build up.
00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:36.400
I'm that type of coach.
00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:38.080
I like to see like the improvements.
00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:42.000
I don't like to I don't want to be on a team that's already winning and everything.
00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:47.360
I want to be on a team that's on the bottom and see that progress because you can build put more into those kids, you know?
00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:49.680
And so I don't know.
00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:56.560
I guess now that I'm older, coaching, I have more passion for coaching and putting back into the youth what I've learned and everything.
00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:04.960
Nathan, would you rather be on a team and play and start that's middle or below average?
00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:12.000
Or would you rather be on a team that you don't start but you do get some playing time that's the best that that's gonna that may win it all?
00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:16.959
That's a tough one.
00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:21.199
Like I said, I'm competitor because I want to win, but I also want to be a part of it, you know.
00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:28.319
Um I guess the team in the middle and play a lot because um you can always build.
00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:32.000
It'll be fun trying to take that team off the top, you know what I mean?
00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:38.879
So being a part of something that you build up to finally hopefully take that, you know, that team that is on top down.
00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:40.160
I like the work.
00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:41.360
Like the work in.
00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:42.079
Me too.
00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:43.519
I think that's my answer as well.
00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:46.800
Which team or athlete could you talk about all day?
00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:52.240
My favorite baseball player of all time that got me into baseball is King Griffey Jr.
00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:57.040
Um, and then my favorite pitcher is Pedro Martinez.
00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:04.079
Um but my favorite athlete all time that I could talk to, talk about for days is Kobe Bryant.
00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:04.720
That's my goat.
00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:05.199
Really?
00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:06.240
Yeah.
00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:10.879
He has a mental toughness, that Mambo mentality.
00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:11.279
Yeah.
00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:11.920
Yeah.
00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:12.560
Yeah.
00:05:12.720 --> 00:05:26.720
I actually uh was in Los Angeles with a with a friend, and he uh and he walked past us when we were going to a game, and you know, he spent seven years in Italy because his father played in Italy, and I said to him, I said, Kobe, buongiorno, because I you know I know Italian.
00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:33.120
And he looked at me and he said, Buongiorno tu and we just you know spoke for maybe 30 seconds, but one of the highlights of my life.
00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:34.639
Oh, for sure.
00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:38.480
Yeah, that's my favorite Pedro Martinez.
00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:41.040
Boy, there was uh quite I'm a Yankees fan, right?
00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:48.720
So you would see, you know, I would see him a lot, and uh boy, he did not like when you uh when you had to wait for him to pitch, right?
00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:53.040
When you pitched him back a little bit, he he did not like that, but he was a competitor.
00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:55.519
He does a great job commentating now.
00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:57.680
No, yeah, I've always loved Pedro.
00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:00.160
That's actually what got me liking the Red Sox.
00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:01.600
That's why I said the Reds.
00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:06.319
I was born since I the Reds obviously are my team, but of course, they're not winners.
00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:09.279
It gets tiring watching them lose all the time.
00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:12.879
So still when I was a kid, George Foster.
00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:19.519
I mean, of course, uh um Rose, people no, Peter's was Philly, but but he was at Cincinnati first.
00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:21.199
No, Peter's in Cincinnati.
00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:23.040
He went to Red, yeah.
00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:26.000
Yeah, he was world won a World Series that's right.
00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:29.120
Um the red machine, red monster, whatever they called him in the 90 or 91.
00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:31.519
Red legs, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:34.959
Yeah, great, great, yeah, great, great team.
00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:36.560
Yeah, when I went when I was younger.
00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:41.519
What have your children taught you, Nathan, about confidence and perseverance?
00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:44.879
About conf my kids, yeah.
00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:45.920
Hmm.
00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:49.040
Oh man, my kids are just goofy.
00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:53.439
I don't know, it's just fun watching them grow.
00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:59.519
Um it's just fun like seeing a little me out there on the well, not soccer field.
00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:07.759
I never played soccer, I don't know where soccer came from, but he's somehow he's real good at it, so I don't know, me or his mom.
00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:14.480
No one in either one of our families plays soccer, but somehow he found a love for it, and so yeah, but no, that's nice.
00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:18.959
And then uh my other son in basketball, and it's just nice watching.
00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:28.000
I was kind of worried that I wasn't gonna have a kid through baseball or softball, but uh my youngest daughter, she she came in, she came in got right.
00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:30.879
Yeah, she's yeah, she's doing real good.
00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:34.319
I mean you but you you you know team sports.
00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:44.399
I'm sure you could start to see soccer and how it develops in the lines and the forward, midfield, and defense, and the the strategy there, and uh yeah, at least they're doing something.
00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:45.839
That's the important thing, right?
00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:48.319
I think I know everything about soccer now.
00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:50.079
I know everything, yeah.
00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:52.079
Because the World Cup was this summer.
00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:53.519
Yeah, I watched it too.
00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:54.720
Yeah, it was wonderful.
00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:55.759
Yeah, yeah.
00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:59.680
When Nathan, when life becomes heavy, what helps you to reset?
00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:02.720
Just having time to myself.
00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:05.040
Um I just like to relax.
00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:05.839
I'm a simple guy.
00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:17.439
I can sit outside, I can sit on the back porch outside if it's a nice day and just relax, listen to music, hang out, um, have a beer with friends, you know, or even by myself.
00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:19.439
Just I like to just relax.
00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:23.199
I'm a real chill, down-to-earth guy, you know.
00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:24.879
Kind of a homebody.
00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:26.160
Yeah, now.
00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:26.560
Yeah.
00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:28.480
Yeah, now you are, yeah, right, right.
00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:36.159
I've had my friends treat you differently, Nathan, because you're now publicly sharing your story that you once kind of avoided.
00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:43.600
Uh, they're actually proud of me because like I've had a couple of my best friends tell me, like, man, they never I never really knew what was wrong or anything.
00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:50.159
We just it was never talked about because I just like I said, I just never really brought it up.
00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:56.480
Um I was always upset or just like annoyed by it, I guess, when I was growing up.
00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:59.519
Um, I'll get mad when people would ask me about it.
00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:04.240
So no one really knew, so I guess still regarded people just like, all right, well, whatever.
00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:06.399
See, I've had a few people like, man, I never knew that.
00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:07.279
I never knew that.
00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:14.080
It's like a lot of stories I tell or stories that people didn't know, it was just stuff that I kind of handled by myself.
00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:14.639
Hmm.
00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:18.799
Do you want to connect with business leaders and engage consumers who take action?
00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:26.240
The Joey Pins Podcast delivers high-impact conversations to an audience of decision makers, entrepreneurs, and professionals across multiple industries.
00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:30.879
A fast-growing audience of highly engaged listeners, both B2B and B2C.
00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:35.519
Millions of listens and views across YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:40.159
Brands that sponsor us see real engagement, conversations, and brand loyalty.
00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:49.919
Whether you're looking to sell a service, promote a product, or establish thought leadership, our sponsorships offer premium ad placements, exclusive episode sponsorships, full season branding and event partnerships.
00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:52.240
Don't just advertise, become part of the conversation.
00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:57.840
Visit us at joeypins.com slash sponsor to get started or email us at sales at joypins.com.
00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:01.440
Joey Pins Podcast, where thought leaders, brands, connect.
00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:02.399
So let's go.
00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:04.799
Let's go back before the age of 18.
00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:11.200
What have your parents told you about the decision to, you know, amputate your leg when you were four years old?
00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:12.960
What was that like for them?
00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:16.159
So my mom tell me, um, dad a few choice.
00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:22.879
So when I was born, they noticed that something was wrong because obviously when you're born, your legs are curled up.
00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:27.279
And so they said they pulled my left leg and it like curled back up automatically.
00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:29.519
Like that's they knew something was wrong or whatever.
00:10:30.000 --> 00:11:14.000
And so um they were gonna try to stretch it, which they did at before they've done that, but I have my case is a severe form of PFFD, so the um joint didn't grow in at all, so the femur, full absence of femur in that um hip joint, so none of it formed, so that's why I have a limp when I walk because I don't have anything to catch me, and so um the options were to either wait until I was nine and like do some type of thing where they like turn my foot backwards or something like break it and fit me in a prosthetic, but like even at the age of four, like you see pictures, it was noticeably different.
00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:18.480
So if they would have waited until I was nine, basically I would have just went my whole life with my leg.
00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:24.559
Basically, my left leg basically would have been up to my knee and I would have until I was nine.
00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:29.440
Um, so that was one they didn't want to do that because they set it up, I would have lost too much.
00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:35.600
Um, another option was they go in and they put screws in my leg, like in between the bones and everything.
00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:41.679
And so every time I grew, they would have to go in and um heighten it basically.
00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:44.879
Adjust, yeah, adjust it to fit my length, whatever.
00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:51.840
And then I obviously I wouldn't be able to do anything with that because anytime I even had any bit of little contact, it could shatter or break.
00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:53.679
So there's that.
00:11:53.919 --> 00:12:06.080
And then um they didn't like any of those ideas, so they took me to Shriner's in Lexington, Kentucky, and that's where they um came up with or told them about um amputating my leg.
00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:15.759
Um because one of the first things um the doctor said to him was like I would be able to play sports, like the goal is basically just to have me have as normal as a life as possible.
00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:24.159
And so uh they think thankfully they went with the option to amputate it because the other options didn't really seem too great at all.
00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:31.840
PFFD is uh proximal for moral focal deficiency.
00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:40.240
I said mine was uh severe one, so the complete absence of femur and a joint socket, whatever.
00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:44.559
And the other leg perfectly fine, full femur and everything.
00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:49.360
Femur the largest bone in the body, of course, and wow.
00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:53.360
And so you were encouraged to play sports, or did they have to convince you?
00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:54.799
No, it's funny.
00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:58.480
Like I said, they tell me I wouldn't be able to play so I wouldn't be able to play sports.
00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:02.799
I had a surgery at four, and the first time I was in a basketball tournament when I was five.
00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:03.600
Wow.
00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:09.840
Um and then I got in a baseball coach pitch seven or eight years old.
00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:12.559
And then uh football is actually a funny story.
00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:16.240
I had to I was always told I couldn't play football.
00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:19.279
Um obviously because they were afraid of what would happen.
00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:33.120
Um if I got hit in my um stump, um it would bre it could break because the rod in that keeps my um stump straight could s uh break and I wouldn't be able to put have a prosthetic.
00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:38.879
So um I actually snuck to football um eighth grade year.
00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:41.840
Um you want me to tell the stories now?
00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.720
Please, please.
00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:43.360
All right, all right.
00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:44.480
So it's great.
00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:47.039
Um I would always try to play football.
00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:50.080
I'll try to talk my mom into it, I'll try to talk my doctor into it.
00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:54.080
They're all against it saying no, it's too much of a um risk.
00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.200
Too much could happen.
00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:59.840
Like I could legit ruin every like my leg and not be able to wear a prosthetic.
00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:06.799
And um, so I just went for years trying, and I would always go to my friends' practices and everything.
00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:10.399
And um I just decided eighth grade year um I was gonna play.
00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:31.919
So uh my would ride there with my friends and their mom, who I called Aunt Sue, um, and I would practice with them during the summer, eighth grade year, and my mom thought I was just going to practice, but she would pick me up every morning and I would be out there practicing with them, and then it finally got to the time where we needed a parent signature, and um I tried to get her to sign it for me, and that's how just figure it out.
00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:35.200
And but she wouldn't so she wouldn't sign it, obviously.
00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:49.039
So um it finally came to time I had to tell my mom, and um, she just had ACU had me tell my mom to come outside, and she came out, she just told her like, Yeah, your son's been practicing, he made it to you, he's gonna be playing this position, and he did real good, and whatever.
00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:51.360
And so my mom was like upset off.
00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:59.200
She was like, I knew you were practicing, I knew you were doing it, and I was so took some convincing still after that, and she finally gave in and let me play.
00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:01.919
So I ended up playing eighth grade and ninth grade.
00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:09.200
I played defensive end and tight end, eighth grade, and then freshman year I played defensive end and I played some quarterback.
00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:25.039
Um but yeah, so um basically my next level mindset, I just tell like everyone saw me play football, basketball, and baseball, but no one really knows what was happening in between the lines, like me having to fix my leg, or like my leg was never 100%.
00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:29.519
It was broke like it was broke like 90% of the time.
00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:48.799
I was either using duct tape to tape up parts, and I ain't gonna lie, there's a couple times I was hitting a socket where my socket did split, like I could feel it on my stomach, like I could feel it, and I was oh, that is that's all I understood, but um basketball and football seasons, they were real rough on my body.
00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:57.360
Um there's a lot of physical pain because I obviously had a lot of pressures using on my right side, and so um to compensate for your left.
00:15:57.519 --> 00:16:08.720
Yeah, to compensate, and so like my right leg, I actually tore my meniscus um junior basketball, and I had 10 nites in my knee, which I already figured because of all the wear and tear and everything.
00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:18.879
But like my leg would go stiff, Herbie Dice, I couldn't even roll out of bed, I'd be so like in so much pain, pinched nerves, I would just my body would just shut down.
00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:21.440
Like I feel like I wouldn't have strength or energy.
00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:24.799
Um, but so I quit playing football after my freshman year.
00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:30.799
I was just happy I got to play and I got to quit on my own terms, you know, and I have someone tell me what I couldn't couldn't do.
00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.480
Because I was I hated that.
00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:39.279
If you told me I couldn't do something, right, I was gonna do everything I could to try and make it happen.
00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.960
Um I don't know.
00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:46.480
I just I was just I guess I was blessed with that mindset instead of just like giving up and feeling sorry for myself.
00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:48.480
I wanted to go out there and compete.
00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:56.000
I would spend hours outside by myself, juggling basketballs, working on how to jump off my left, because obviously I can't jump off my left.
00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:59.759
So I'd work on how to fix it, always get back to my right side.
00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:03.519
I had to work on how to defensive defense a slide to the left.
00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:07.759
I had to work on how to maneuver my leg around because like obviously I don't have a lot of control of it.
00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:11.759
It's just like I have a stump in there, so I have to maneuver with it all.
00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:22.480
But you know, pitching against the wall, just working on balance, because you know I have to land on my left leg when I pitch, so I had to work on being able to balance on my prosthetic, um, just different things.
00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:24.480
Um but yeah.
00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:28.240
You describe yourself as an angry, hard-headed kid.
00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.039
Do I have that right?
00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.799
What was beneath that anger?
00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:39.680
Um I mean, you knew I you start realizing you're different, and then especially at a time where my leg was always breaking.
00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:43.359
Like when I was a kid on the prosthetics, they were so terrible.
00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.319
So terrible.
00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:52.480
I had these cotton sock liners when I first started, when I first got in and started playing, um, anytime you sweat, they would slip off.
00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:54.240
So I was in a made for sports.
00:17:54.400 --> 00:18:00.319
It's literally just like a thick cotton sock, I'd pull up on my stump and just put my leg in, and that's literally the only thing that would hold it on.
00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:02.480
And so there's plenty of times it would slip.
00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:08.720
There's plenty of times I'd be on the basketball court having to literally hold my leg on while I ran because it would just be sliding off.
00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:17.039
Um so I'd be trying to in a full game of basketball, trying to play with my leg sliding off, jumping in the air.
00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:21.359
There's a couple times I jumped and my leg didn't come with me, so I was just like, ooh, wow.
00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:22.880
Because it was just so sweaty.
00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:36.640
I would have to go in the bathroom at halftime um and like dump the sweat off my leg, wipe it down, either change my sock or ring out, like wring it out and try to dry it off as much as I could.
00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:42.880
Um there are times where um my leg would break and I would just go.
00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:45.039
Um I got a basketball story.
00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:52.319
Um I was on JV basketball and um it was on a Saturday.
00:18:52.480 --> 00:19:02.240
Um versity was away out of showcase, and so we were home, which is lucky because if they were there, they would have been in the locker room at this time getting ready for air game.
00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.519
So it was just JV there.
00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:17.680
I was in, I went up for a rebound, and um I remember I went up to grab it, I got hit in the air, and so like my body kind of went sideways, and I remember I hit the ground and my leg like hung in the air and it just like smacked the ground hard like late.
00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:29.599
And I remember I heard like a loose chain sound, and I just remember I got up a little bit and I looked down and I saw a screw, so I grabbed it, put it on my sock real quick, and I went and tried to get back down court for defense or whatever.
00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:33.599
When I went to take off, my leg was like a little wobbly, like it was unstable.
00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:35.279
So I was like, man, I knew something was wrong.
00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:37.920
So I remember I looked at the clock, there's like four minutes.
00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.839
It's like, all right, just make this work, whatever.
00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:43.599
So there's a foul out the end of the luckily there's a foul at the end of the court, and I got subbed out.
00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:50.720
So I remember coming out, there's like three minutes of some change left, and I asked my coach, like, hey, it's almost halftime, I gotta use my stomach, I'm gonna use the restroom.
00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:52.240
He's like, whatever, go ahead.
00:19:52.400 --> 00:20:00.480
So I went into a locker room, and um, I always had like a little string bag, and I always kept duct tape and allen wrenches in it.
00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:11.039
That's how often my leg was breaking when I was playing sports, and I remember I got it out my locker, I got the screw out my sock, I took my leg off, I had it on my lap, and I was just like putting everything back together.
00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:15.599
I put well I got the screw out, I put the screw back in, put my leg back on.
00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:19.279
I wanted to go, and I noticed it was still a little like unstable.
00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:24.720
And so I sat back down and I noticed just like cracked somewhere, like something muscles missing or it's cracked.
00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:30.799
And so I took the duct tape and I just started wrapping it around as fast as I could, and I remember I put it back on, and it was stable enough.
00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:33.920
I remember testing it out up and down the locker room, and then I was like, all right, bet.
00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:36.160
So I went back out and there's like a few seconds left.
00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:39.920
I was just sitting there though, and I just remember thinking, like, man, I don't want them to come in and see me.
00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:43.200
Like, obviously, you're a high school kid, you don't want them to come in.
00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:47.839
Obviously, everyone knew how to prosthetic, but like I was still self-conscious about it.
00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:56.480
Like, I still thought about it, like even still playing basketball even though I was out there, like I still in the back of my head was still subconsciously thinking about it, you know?
00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:00.319
And so um I just remember it was like me against the clock.
00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:05.200
I only had a three minutes and change to get it to get it fixed before they came in, or my coach came in and saw it.
00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:09.359
Because I hear I felt like I was already not playing as much because of that.
00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:18.240
Like felt like I was basically just assumed that I couldn't do certain things, and so I didn't want to give him any more of a reason to not play me.
00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:26.480
So I just you know, I just try to keep stuff like that to myself because I just wanted to play and I didn't want there to be any excuses for me to not play.
00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:30.000
That goes to your character, Nathan, right?
00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:35.680
Because there are some that would just kind of constantly use it perhaps as an excuse, but you didn't do that at all.
00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.799
Right, yeah.
00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:39.440
And that's where that mindset that I'm trying to build come from.
00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:43.119
Instead of finding excuses to quit, you find reasons to keep moving forward.
00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:52.880
So, like I could have just I mean, which a lot of people and I wouldn't blame you, obviously in this situation, your leg breaking on a court, but I didn't want to quit, you know, I just wanted to keep playing.
00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:59.759
I love sports, I love what I was doing, and it was to me, it was my way of feeling normal, I guess, for say being out there and being able to play.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:03.759
So I want to do everything I could to continue to play.
00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:11.279
Your brand deserves to be in front of the right audience decision makers, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are ready to take action.
00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:14.000
That's exactly who listens to the Joey Pins Podcast.
00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:17.519
Thousands of engaged business leaders and consumers tune in every week.
00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:21.440
Millions of views and listens across YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:26.799
Sponsors see real impact, higher engagement, brand trust, and conversations.
00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:35.680
We offer strategic partnerships tailored to your goals, including targeted ad placements, branded guest appearances, multi-episode and event sponsorships.
00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.440
Make your brand part of the conversation.
00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.160
Let's grow together.
00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:45.759
Visit JoeyPins.com slash sponsor to explore sponsorship opportunities or email us at sales at joeypins.com.
00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:50.000
The Joey Pins Podcast, where brands and thought leaders connect.
00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:54.000
What did baseball give you Nathan that the other sports didn't?
00:22:55.519 --> 00:23:03.119
Baseball was like my saving grace because I always felt like baseball I was always good at from a young age when I first started from coach pitch.
00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.960
I started on first.
00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:08.000
My first year being able to pitch, I was a pitcher.
00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:09.359
I always threw hard.
00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:26.480
So to me, baseball was always a sport I felt like no one could ever really take from here tell me that I couldn't do because I felt like I, you know, um proved myself that I could play at a pretty high level um throughout the years growing up.
00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:29.680
Um we were in the Little League World Series.
00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:32.640
Um that was like.
00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:38.480
Yeah, so um in my Little League, we were um part of the Little League World Series, it was in South Point.
00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.319
I actually pitched the first game.
00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.839
Um it was a f we won.
00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:49.920
It was the first time a team from where I'm from had ever won a game in the qualifications for the Little League, so it was to qualify to see who would represent Ohio.
00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:53.039
Um we lost we won the first two games.
00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:59.519
I pitched a third game, we lost, and then we lost the fourth, but we ended up getting like sixth place in all of Ohio to represent.
00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:01.200
So uh what do they call it?
00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:07.279
Sixth runner up or something, whatever it's called to represent Ohio for Little League World Series.
00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:09.200
So I was fun.
00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:14.799
And then um high school, I was on JV my um freshman year.
00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:21.039
We actually won the league title championship when I defeated in the league my freshman year as on JV.
00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:25.759
And then I was put on varsity sophomore junior and senior year.
00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.519
Race ball.
00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.880
What was your pitch?
00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.880
What was your favorite pitch?
00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:35.039
Um probably my curveball, curveball slider.
00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.240
You're right-handed.
00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.759
Curveball, right?
00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:47.279
So you like those uh those righty bat batters, you can get it right out of the zone there, right?
00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.000
Oh yeah.
00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:52.559
My favorite's to throw it at him, make it look like it's about to hit them, and then it just ducks out.
00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.519
Yeah.
00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:57.599
Your feelings on the uh electronic uh strikes calls?
00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.440
I don't know.
00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:02.960
I feel like human error, trial and error is part of the game, you know.
00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:10.160
I'm cool with challenging, being able to challenge, but I mean, gonna have some error and like keeps the game going.
00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:18.480
I guess it's just uh, I don't know, touchy filly, just like you always want to get the call right, yeah, but I don't know, human error is just part of it.
00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:25.440
And how did the scouts, teammates, opponents respond to you when they saw you play?
00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:30.240
Oh, I'd go to tryouts and obviously people look at me and be like, what is this?
00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:51.839
Like when I was traveling around um doing indie ball, um when I would go to tryouts, um, obviously coaches that are players, uh, it was always just like you have to mentally prepare I would have to always mentally prepare myself because I'm about to step out here in a different state, different city, people who've never seen me, and of course, you know, you get judged right away.
00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:59.440
Like usually obviously trials like this professional sports, they judge you right out the door, you're how you look, um, make sure you're healthy and everything.
00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:04.240
And then here I come with his limp, and it's like, all right, well, well, is he hurt?
00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:04.880
Like, what's wrong?
00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:06.240
So it's already a disadvantage.
00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:08.799
Like, I always told myself I couldn't just be as good.
00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:18.559
I always had to show I was like the clear favorite because obviously if you have two guys, me and another guy um who doesn't have a prosthetic, that's at the same level.
00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.079
I mean, who's gonna get picked?
00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:23.359
So I couldn't just be good, I had to be better.
00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:27.519
I felt so that always pushed me too to always want to do better.
00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:35.119
The Yankees had a pitcher, I I see his face, I can't remember his name, but he didn't have uh he didn't have a hand and he pitched a no-hitter.
00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.720
I can't remember his name.
00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:39.200
He would always reverse the glove and put it on.
00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:52.000
Um yeah, um I I I I can't I I can't remember, but I mean I don't so you started playing professionally, correct?
00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:55.359
And how and how did that uh tell me about that?
00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:57.200
I mean, that was exciting.
00:26:57.680 --> 00:27:02.720
Yeah, just uh that's all um story in itself.
00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:07.279
Um the journey to get there was a lot.
00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:13.039
Um I'm actually writing a memoir called Next Level Mindset, where I have all of it in.
00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:16.240
Um but the baseball journey, there's a lot to it.
00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.440
Um a lot of failures.
00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:21.039
Like it wasn't just a straight, oh, I went to college and whatever.
00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:26.559
It was a lot of things happened on that road to get to where I was at.
00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:28.319
Um it was bumpy.
00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:30.480
Um but you know, we made it.
00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:44.559
And uh, you know, it's just about being about persevering, you know, not letting the word know stop you, finding ways to make things happen instead of giving up, not settling, you know, knowing your worth.
00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.920
Um I'm big on that.
00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:48.720
Like when I coach now baseball, I always teach the mental aspect.
00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:51.279
I tell them all the time, baseball is like 90% mental.
00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:53.119
You gotta have a short-term memory.
00:27:53.279 --> 00:28:01.279
You can't take your strike out onto the field and try to pitch after you just struck out, because obviously in high school, you some of your best hitters usually your ace.
00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:07.279
Um, you can't go out there and strike out and then think you're gonna go to the mountain mad and think you're gonna go out there and strike everyone out.
00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.799
That's usually not how it works.
00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:11.039
You know, if you're in your head, you're gonna have a bad inning.
00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:14.400
Or if you go out to the field, there's almost guarantee that ball's gonna get hit to you.
00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:19.279
And if you're still thinking about that strikeout, you're probably gonna make an error on the field.
00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:23.039
So just having that short-term memory, being able to control your mind, you know?
00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.960
That's kind of what I'm preaching.
00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:25.839
People don't realize.
00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:34.880
I think you have a lot more control of your mental than people think, and just being able to push yourself and get yourself to that point, that's a that's a big thing.
00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.640
There's a great story.
00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:38.160
I I I want to believe it's true.
00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.720
Who knows?
00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:53.680
Mickey Mantle was on his way out, Roger Maris was coming in, of course, and you know, Mantle was mentoring Maris, and Maris is at the plate, and he strikes out, and he gets in the dugout and he kicks the water bottle, he throws his helmet down, he's like, Mickey, I can't hit the ball.
00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.880
I don't know how to hit.
00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:59.920
You gotta show me how to hit and swears and punches and you know makes a big fuss.
00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:04.799
And and Mickey Mantle says, Well, before you learn how to hit, you gotta learn how to strike out.
00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.119
That's deep.
00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.319
Yeah.
00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:11.839
I like that.
00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.119
I like that.
00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.960
Who knows if it's true, but it's great.
00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.599
It's great.
00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:17.519
I can picture it anyway.
00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:18.319
Yeah.
00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:22.240
What do people don't know about professional baseball?
00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.920
That some misconceptions.
00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:25.920
I mean, can you paint the picture?
00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:32.720
Well, especially in like the minors and any leagues, you're not getting paid really much anything.
00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:37.599
It's uh you gotta really love the game to be out there chasing this dream.
00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:44.720
Um, I've been in traveling to trials, I've been in hotels with six other grown men just trying to like at trials, you know.
00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:49.759
It's a different world out there when you have love for your game, but you know, you just keep pushing.
00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:54.079
You have a set of people that um I was with basically.
00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:57.599
I was with um called the Black Sox Pro Baseball.
00:29:57.680 --> 00:30:00.000
I was with them for a little bit, and they helped a lot.
00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:05.039
Um, but no, you it's really just you gotta really love it.
00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:14.319
I don't think people realize that the big difference between the major league MLB and um the minors and indie leagues, it's a complete different world.
00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:16.880
Or this how easy you can get replaced.
00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:20.319
You have one bad game, you can be right, you're out that door that same day.
00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:32.000
That actually happened to me when I was um well, not I got hurt, but I mean I got hurt, and my plane ticket was the next next day.
00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:39.519
But yeah, it's just a cutthroat world out there, and I don't think people realize and like the mental aspect of it definitely is just extremely tough.
00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:45.039
It is a very, very tough cold world in the professional sports industry.
00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:49.839
And that's why those athletes that are there you have to really, really admire.
00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:52.799
I mean, they've gone through a lot, especially in baseball.
00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:55.519
Baseball's got a really long road.
00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:57.759
Yeah, very long road.
00:30:58.000 --> 00:31:00.960
And I feel like, especially pitching, it's hard to stay healthy.
00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:01.440
I don't know.
00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:06.960
That's another thing people don't realize that throwing motion isn't a natural throwing motion at all.
00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:08.000
So it's hard.
00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:12.400
You can do everything right, but wear and tear on your arm is gonna happen.
00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:15.759
And I don't think a lot of people realize that's another thing people don't realize.
00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:20.319
Pitching isn't just throwing, it's not just your arm, it's a full body workout every pitch.
00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:22.240
You have to have your whole body trained.
00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:24.319
It's your abs, your hips, everything.
00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:27.039
People think you, oh, you just throw with your arm so hard.
00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:29.200
No, it's a full body.
00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:31.920
I don't think people realize what all goes into it.
00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:35.359
Yeah, and Tommy John just passed, right?
00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:38.799
And he's the you know, they named the surgery after him, right?
00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:51.200
He was the I think he was the first to get it, but yeah, and do they still have it now, Nathan, where like even like 12-year-olds can't throw curveballs or 10-year-olds to have it with some it's changes so much now.
00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:58.000
I've I think the latest thing I've heard was no, it's not curveballs that are hurting elbows, it's overuse of fastballs, and people are now trying to see it.
00:31:58.160 --> 00:32:02.319
So it's it's crazy, it's uh fun to see how things change throughout the years.
00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:06.559
Because I I remember growing up here and I'm like, no, you don't throw a curveball till high school or whatever.
00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:13.279
Right, till high school, and now you hear like, no, it's not curveballs, it's you're overthrowing fastballs, overuse of fastballs, whatever.
00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:15.359
So it's just I don't know.
00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:20.640
Like I said, it's hard to stay completely healthy with baseball.
00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:22.960
I don't think a lot of people really realize that.
00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:29.519
Not impossible, obviously you can, but and injuries happen everywhere, but especially on your arm, your shoulder.
00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:36.880
Like I'm pretty sure I have arthritis in both my shoulders, both of your so yeah, it's yeah.
00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:40.640
One thing that I it it it bothers me a little bit.
00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:43.680
I mean, I don't stay up at night, is the whole aluminum bat thing.
00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:49.359
How college still has that, and uh I guess it just really comes down to money.
00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:52.480
There's contracts for these bat companies, I believe.
00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:54.000
Thoughts on that?
00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:55.920
Uh I don't know.
00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.200
I watched some colors games.
00:32:57.279 --> 00:33:02.559
I'm like, man, these dudes are bigger than some of the MLB players hitting the ball, hitting the ball 500 feet.
00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:04.240
Someone's gonna get killed out there.
00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:14.319
But I mean, like you said, people want to see far hits, people want to see the deep flies and people celebrating pimping bats, you know, they're trying to get people back into baseball.
00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:19.440
So I don't see that ever changing as long as people are hitting 600-foot home runs.
00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:23.759
I'm surprised, I'm surprised they haven't put in an MLB yet with everything going on, honestly.
00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:26.079
Yeah, you wonder, you wonder, yeah.
00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:33.519
I uh I'm from the Northeast and I would go see some Cape Cod games, and uh, you know, they they used wooden bats there.
00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:37.039
And um, yeah, I I I don't know.
00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:40.559
And um just the the bounce back to the pitcher, right?
00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.680
Some of the some of them have math.
00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:48.160
I know in women's softball, they have the the guards, uh the pitchers have them, which is uh really important too.
00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:55.119
So you end up leaving the pros and you you you go into corrections, correct?
00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:57.359
I played five years.
00:33:57.519 --> 00:34:03.279
Um I had a couple arm surgeries, and like I said, my body was just done, so I stopped.
00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.960
Um I did a few things.
00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:12.880
I um I was doing I've always done um like I worked in a behavioral unit um in a middle school for a few years.
00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:17.360
Um I was a social service worker for three or four years.
00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:25.599
Um I did a few things and then I got into corrections, so now I'm a correction officer at a youth facility.
00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:30.639
Does it change your your understanding of accountability?
00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:34.639
No, my big thing is everyone deserves a chance.
00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:38.559
I mean, obviously people, you know, I mean, people do different things.
00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:39.440
I'm not there to judge.
00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.880
That's why I like being around Matt.
00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:44.639
I just want to let these kids know, like, it's not too late, like you're young.
00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:47.360
Um go out there and hopefully change.
00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:54.320
But that's another thing is like an all these kids don't really have anywhere to go when they get out or they didn't have anything before.
00:34:54.559 --> 00:35:00.639
Um a lot of them I've noticed was to try to stay there because they don't really have any other where to go.
00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:04.000
I mean they're there, they get they get fed three times.
00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:08.000
Plus next, you know, they know they're gonna have a place to sleep, and it's sad.
00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:09.519
Um, I don't know.
00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:13.199
I feel like we kind of need to do more to help these kids, you know.
00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:14.239
No one should feel that way.
00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:18.239
No one should feel I'm gonna stay in prison because I feel safe and I'm gonna get fed.
00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:23.440
I feel like everyone deserves to have um that safety.
00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:30.559
Um, regardless, you know, regardless, and like regardless of what they did, they're doing their time, they're giving their time well to them, you know.
00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:39.679
And I don't think anyone should have to leave prison or whatever and have to worry about how they're gonna eat, how they're gonna take care of themselves, you know.
00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:41.519
Um, so that's why I like being there.
00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:46.400
Hopefully I can make some type of difference there and help these kids somehow.
00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:51.360
Um obviously, well I take that back because I kind of can't love it.
00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:52.400
Well, sorry.
00:35:53.039 --> 00:36:02.559
I just want to be at some point in my life, I want to be able to do something more to like help not just kids but other adults because there are a lot of people, that's another thing with my jobs I've noticed.
00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:06.719
Um mental health is a bigger issue.
00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:17.679
I've actually worked out of a shelter and realized like a lot of people that are homeless have a lot of mental health issues, and there's not really a lot of places or facilities for them to go.
00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:20.960
Um that actually helps them, you know.
00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:29.280
Um they can go to the hospital, get pink slipped, they're there for like a couple days and release, they get sent somewhere, they're there for like a week, get released, whatever, and it's right back.
00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:38.880
And I've noticed when I was doing a line of work, you just kind of do the same thing over and over again, and when you try to do something different, it kind of you kind of it's hard, you know, you kind of hit a standstill.
00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:45.360
So I kind of want to do something to help those people, give them a safe place to be, and you know, actually try to help them.
00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:48.559
Got lots of gratitude, Nathan.
00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:49.840
It's it's wonderful.
00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:53.360
Tell what it what exactly is the next level mindset?
00:36:56.000 --> 00:37:02.719
Next level mindset, um, like I said from telling a story is finding instead of finding excuses to quit, you find reasons to keep going.
00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:09.119
Um wanting better for yourself, you know, not letting um trial stop you.
00:37:09.280 --> 00:37:14.159
Like I said, I feel like people get content in what they do, they get comfortable just being okay.
00:37:14.239 --> 00:37:16.880
I don't have to worry about hearing no, I don't have to worry about whatever.
00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:18.079
I'm here, I'm content.
00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:20.480
I feel like that stops people from reaching a lot of goals.
00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:29.760
And so I kind of just from personal experiences of my life show where I've been um resilient and I've showed that next level mindset um, like in baseball.
00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:34.559
I saw another story or sports story, um baseball.
00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:42.480
It was a Friday, I think I was playing basketball, and um my foot broke, so I couldn't something I couldn't put pressure on it at all.
00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:45.840
And we had a game on Saturday, and I was supposed to start on the mountain.
00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:55.519
This was in high school, and I I had my um doctor's number on, we had each other's numbers because that's how often I was breaking my leg, and so I uh tried to get in.
00:37:55.679 --> 00:38:03.119
It was like Friday evening, and he couldn't get me in because he was um going on a fishing trip early in the morning, and I was like, crap.
00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:17.840
So I remember I got home and I found like this little splint, metal splint, and um, you know, I had duct tape, and I put it under my put the splint like under my foot, and I just wrapped duct tape all around it, and I would go outside and I'll test it.
00:38:17.920 --> 00:38:24.239
Like I'll balance on it, try to push off on it, and I had to do that about five, I had to do a few times before I finally got it stable enough.
00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:24.559
Wow.
00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:28.719
I couldn't get it to where I could run, but I got it to where I could put enough pressure on it.
00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:37.760
But another issue with that is like when you have a prosthetic, especially anytime it sucks because anytime there's any type of adjustment, you can feel it.
00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:38.480
You know what I mean?
00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:42.800
Like anytime I'll get a new knee or something replaced, it would never feel the same.
00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:44.559
So it's like you have to keep adjusting.
00:38:44.639 --> 00:38:47.280
So that's another thing with the next level mindset with having this.
00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:56.719
There'll be times where I was just now getting my new leg or getting it fixed the day I had a game, and I wasn't used to um I'm jumping, I'm jumping around.
00:38:56.880 --> 00:38:59.039
Sorry, let's go back to the baseball story.
00:38:59.280 --> 00:39:13.760
Um but so I remember thinking, like, alright, I remember thinking like, alright, I got it to where um I can land on it and pitch, but I can't run.
00:39:13.920 --> 00:39:16.320
I could like jog and put a little pressure on it.
00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:25.840
But also from the duct tape being so uneven, I was like off balance because the tape, like it was like uneven, so it was like off balance, you know, it felt weird when I stepped.
00:39:26.159 --> 00:39:32.320
But I just remember getting to the game the next day and I was like, as long as I don't have to cover first base or anything, I'll be fine.
00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:37.519
So I obviously I didn't, like I said, I never told anyone or I didn't say anything to my coach or anything this was going on.
00:39:37.679 --> 00:39:46.239
I just I had my bag with me just in case with duct tape and stuff in it, and like a couple of things I could probably maybe like used to kind of hold my foot together just in case it didn't hold.
00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:57.280
And so I just remember I was on the mound thinking every pitch, like every time I would pitch, I'd be like, all right, I'd have to like mentally talk to myself, like you're fine, like you made it this, you made it this far, you made it through this, and then like just because it's hard.
00:39:57.360 --> 00:40:11.840
Obviously, you have to mentally stay focused to pitch, but you also uh on the back of my head, I was thinking, man, if I land and this breaks, like I'm going down in front of all these people, and I'm just like it's you know, so I had that on the back of my head or thinking, like, if it's hit the first, I can't run over there.
00:40:11.920 --> 00:40:16.320
I'm at like a slow jog, and if I put too much pressure on this, it's gonna break.
00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:34.960
So I just remember having to keep talking to myself and like keep calming myself down, like just relax, like you're fine, it's not gonna be like you're and I'm not I don't remember how long I just remember I made it through the game, however long I was in, um, pitched just the same, and it worked out, and I was able to get in the next week to get it fixed.
00:40:35.119 --> 00:40:42.000
But I have multiple stories like that that I have in my memoir and that um I'll share, but just stories like that show the next level of mindset.
00:40:42.159 --> 00:40:44.960
Just like I never found an excuse.
00:40:45.119 --> 00:40:51.039
And like I tell people all the time, I probably could have just been on disability and just you know, I don't have to work be a corrections officer.
00:40:51.119 --> 00:40:55.599
I'm sure I could find something easier, but that's not what I want, you know.
00:40:55.760 --> 00:40:59.679
I just want to continue to push myself and do what I know I'm able to do.
00:41:00.320 --> 00:41:03.119
Looking for a powerful way to reach business leaders and engage consumers?
00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:08.639
The Joey Pence Podcast connects brands like yours with an audience that listens, engages, and takes action.
00:41:08.800 --> 00:41:12.159
High impact exposure with a fast-growing loyal audience.
00:41:12.400 --> 00:41:15.119
Millions of views and listens across major platforms.
00:41:15.360 --> 00:41:18.719
Sponsors see increased brand awareness, trust, and conversations.
00:41:18.880 --> 00:41:24.000
We make sponsorship simple and effective with custom ad placements that fit your brand.
00:41:24.159 --> 00:41:30.639
Deep audience engagement through authentic conversations, long-term exposure across podcast platforms and social media.
00:41:30.800 --> 00:41:33.440
Don't miss the opportunity to connect with your ideal customers.
00:41:33.599 --> 00:41:37.840
Visit JoeyPins.com slash sponsor to secure your sponsorship today.
00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:40.559
Or you can email us at sales at joeypins.com.
00:41:40.719 --> 00:41:44.960
The Joey Pins Podcast, where conversations drive results.
00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:51.519
Nathan, why the phrase get comfortable being uncomfortable until you get comfortable?
00:41:52.239 --> 00:41:58.079
Because sometimes you just gotta put yourself in uncomfortable positions until positions until it gets comfortable.
00:41:58.239 --> 00:42:01.039
And that's kind of where your I guess your busting is.
00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:16.239
You know, some people don't get that some people don't reach their full potential because they're afraid to put themselves in uncomfortable positions or they're per they're afraid that someone's gonna tell them no, they're afraid to get turned down, and it's all about not being afraid to hear no.
00:42:16.559 --> 00:42:23.280
Instead of letting no put you down, let no push you to like do better or want better, you know what I mean?
00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:26.239
If you turn in for promotion, you don't get it, cool.
00:42:26.400 --> 00:42:27.039
What's next?
00:42:27.119 --> 00:42:27.760
You know what I mean?
00:42:27.920 --> 00:42:32.400
That what's next mindset instead of uh quitting, you find reasons.
00:42:32.559 --> 00:42:40.480
It's just like when I was uh seventh grade basketball, when I finally um I kind of started noticing more, especially middle school.
00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:42.800
That you know, you had the girls up there watching and everything.
00:42:42.960 --> 00:42:49.840
Our first game, I'd like forced myself to run out on the court because obviously I knew I noticed my limp, I knew there's a lot of fans, whatever.
00:42:50.000 --> 00:42:53.360
There's another team there, girls are in the stands watching whatever.
00:42:53.440 --> 00:42:56.880
So I legit had to force myself because I almost didn't do it.
00:42:56.960 --> 00:43:01.679
I almost talked myself out of running out on that court, but I had to say, look, like you're fine.
00:43:01.760 --> 00:43:25.519
I've always been in my head, you had to, you know, you just gotta speak life into yourself, basically, instead of speaking negativity, because your thought process really can have a big effect on your life, and so like every game I would have to like make myself force myself to run out on that court for games because we would do a lap around the gym and then into the layup lines, and I just remember keep my head down and just force myself out there just running.
00:43:25.679 --> 00:43:29.199
I knew people were watching me, I knew people were watching seeing my limp.
00:43:29.360 --> 00:43:33.280
Like some away games, I'd have some of the students yelling at me, hey number 32, why happened to your leg?
00:43:33.519 --> 00:43:34.719
Like, why are you running like that?
00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:38.880
But I just you know, you just tune it out, and I wasn't comfortable at first.
00:43:38.960 --> 00:43:40.480
Me doing this, sharing my story.
00:43:40.559 --> 00:43:41.840
I've never been comfortable doing this.
00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:44.960
I've always hit it, I've always been embarrassed or ashamed of it.
00:43:45.039 --> 00:43:53.519
Uh, me doing uh what I'm doing now is helping me kind of heal, and hopefully, I'm helping other people um heal as well with my stories.
00:43:54.079 --> 00:43:55.440
Yeah, and I thank you for it.
00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:59.760
What's one small uncomfortable action somebody could do to really?
00:44:00.320 --> 00:44:01.840
kind of keep them humble.
00:44:04.239 --> 00:44:04.880
Hmm.
00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:07.599
I'm sure there's a lot of things.
00:44:07.679 --> 00:44:09.679
Um just kind of depends on you.
00:44:09.840 --> 00:44:12.800
Um you just kind of put yourself out there.
00:44:12.960 --> 00:44:20.239
Um figure out what you want to do in life and put yourself out there, you know?
00:44:21.280 --> 00:44:22.880
You can do anything, honestly.
00:44:23.039 --> 00:44:26.559
Anything that um trying to think.
00:44:26.800 --> 00:44:27.920
Something specific.
00:44:28.800 --> 00:44:38.320
I I remember James Gandelfini, uh, the actor with the Sopranos once had an interview and he and he had a scene where he was going to be real angry and obstinate.
00:44:38.480 --> 00:44:47.119
So he purposely in the morning put a big rock in his shoe so he was uncomfortable the whole day before the scene just to get him angry.
00:44:47.840 --> 00:44:52.559
So some people kind of need that little extra uh it just came to mind.
00:44:52.880 --> 00:45:27.119
Oh all right yeah um something I would do personally like when I knew I had a tryout I would show up early like I'd be the first one there you know what I mean so I could get myself comfortable and get my surroundings you know together instead of being last and just walking up so that's one thing I would do to kind of try to help that fear I would show up early um get myself together so I was already together and get my head together and comfortable before people would show up even if I was just sitting in the parking lot you know just me being in that area helped me a lot.
00:45:27.440 --> 00:45:39.039
So something like that you can show up early um just to get comfortable see your surroundings so you can get a little familiar with the area and surroundings and the people are going to be around that's one way to do it.
00:45:40.559 --> 00:45:57.920
A lot of things that I would do was I would talk to myself people might think I'm crazy but like I said I really believe that you can speak life into yourself and so me having those little conversations with myself telling me oh you can do it like it's fine everything's gonna be alright that was a big big thing for me.
00:45:58.400 --> 00:46:08.480
Nathan what was it that made you want to start talking about this you're saying it's a recent kind of you know revelation for yourself was there a particular incident what why are you doing this now?
00:46:09.840 --> 00:46:28.719
I used to not want to I used like I said I did not want to share I just wanted to be left alone and I just did because in my eyes what I was doing wasn't big it was just another day because that's how I wanted it to be and that's how I felt like it was normal to me and I didn't want to be want it to be made a big deal.
00:46:28.960 --> 00:47:03.360
As I got older and my mom had planned talks to me about it as I got older I realized that you know I what I did kind of was a big deal not kind of was a big deal and um it's kind of selfish of me to not share my story because I have a story where I could help other people and me keeping it in um you know it's kind of selfish because I feel like I really do have a story that I can help other people and I have feel like I have a calling where I can and me kind of still hiding it um I felt like was selfish in me.
00:47:03.440 --> 00:47:36.639
And like I said as I got older and matured I kind of realized more like all right yeah and so it worked out um I actually got hurt at work um doing my job and so I've been out for a couple months while I've been out I started writing a memoir and started reaching out and um just trying to gauge interest and it's been working out you know and like I said I've been hailing telling my story it's been nice finally not having to hold this in for the 34 years I've been alive and you know it's nice it's refreshing.
00:47:36.800 --> 00:48:08.800
How do you like the writing process I'm not I'm not a writer I'll say that much so that's kind of been the hardest but I mean I've been easing into it um like I said uh I've been working on trying to get a following and gauge interest and I've been getting a lot of good feedback and so I've been slowly writing on it uh or yeah working on it not writing on it um so yeah like I said I'm just hoping that I can help at least one person touch one person you know if you've done what you're supposed to do.
00:48:10.079 --> 00:51:55.199
Nathan is there a question you wished more people asked you hmm I'm not sure because I remember growing up I've never really been big on questions but I guess uh the more I think about it um I don't know I guess I wish more people would have asked if I was alright I guess people just felt like I was always just this hard person because I always had a mean look on the outside I don't think people really understood like the mental or the pain I kind of had inside um I don't know I just kind of wish people would have realized that but I mean like I said it's hard for people to realize that when I keep everything to myself right is there a belief that you hold Nathan that that many people would disagree with one second sorry the kids are coming in I thought they were gonna be saying again is there a belief that you hold that that most people would disagree with that is a mental I feel like you can have a lot of control over your life just with your mental aspect of it I don't think people realize that they have control over their life and that's one thing I believe is there something you believe firmly Nathan like 10 years ago that you no longer believe um I guess I didn't have a story I never believed that I really did but I'm starting to realize that I do yeah yeah that you definitely have one I I wonder if you'll indulge me just for a moment Nathan I started my business back in the 90s I was working way too hard not paying attention to myself I've been an athlete my whole life not eating well anyway I get in front of the doctor she tells me I'm at 340 pounds so I had gained all this terrible amount of weight she says to me if you don't lose this weight you're not gonna see your daughter graduate my daughter was just born scared the life out of me took six seven months lost about 130 pounds and I kept it off you know you can't look at it as a finishing line and when I tell people this they always say well what's your secret what you do I just say discipline that's how I got it off how does discipline play a role in your life Nathan to swatting better for yourself and I wonder given your extraordinary background uh did discipline play a large role in your life oh yeah um especially being mental you gotta be mentally able to um I'm sorry I lost right but yeah discipline played a huge role um you kind of gotta condition yourself to not care about what other people say or think so you gotta be disciplined and then believing in yourself and not letting the words of others kind of stop you so just condition yourself to not have your little pity parts or feel bad for yourself and believing in yourself and knowing your work more yeah absolutely Nathan thank you so much for your time it's great talking to you today I really appreciate anybody watching or listening what's the best way to get in touch with you my Instagram is um great underscore nate oh eight um my Facebook's just my first last name Nathan Winston and then my email is NathanWinston54 at gml dot com Nathan I thank you so much for your time next time I'm in the uh Cincinnati area maybe we'll get a cup of tea oh yeah for sure just let me thank you so much I really appreciate it thank you