In this week’s episode of The InPowered Life Podcast, Rudi Riekstins sits down with former NFL player, motivational speaker, and bestselling author Shawn Harper to explore the winning mindset that leads to success in sports, business, and life.

From his journey as a young dreamer to making it to the NFL and later transitioning into a motivational speaker and business strategist, Sean shares powerful insights on resilience, discipline, and the importance of coaching.

Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or simply striving for greatness in your personal life, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons on persistence, preparation, and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

 

The Mindset of a Champion

• The transition from dreaming to goal-setting: "One day or day one – you decide!"
• How intention, discipline, and mental toughness separate top achievers from the rest.
• The power of preparation and strategy in high-performance environments.
  
   

From NFL to Business Success

• Lessons from the NFL: Every great player has a team of coaches—who are yours?
• Why mentors, accountability partners, and personal coaches are essential for success.
• How Shawn applied football strategies to corporate success, helping others build winning businesses.
  
   

The Power of Persistence

• "Persistence through resistance" – why pushing forward in tough times is the secret to long-term success.
• How top athletes like Tom Brady & LeBron James invest in themselves for a competitive edge.
• The importance of failure as tuition: "Every setback is a setup for a comeback!"

Navigating Identity Shifts & Major Life Transitions

• How Shawn transitioned from NFL athlete to motivational speaker and author.
• The emotional challenges of losing an identity and rebuilding a new purpose.
• Why having a strong support system, faith, and self-reflection is crucial during life changes.
  
   

Life Philosophy: "Live, Give, Forgive"

• Live in the present – enjoy the moments and build momentum.
• Give generously – investing in others will always bring abundance back to you.
• Forgive and unhinge from the past – resentment and bitterness hold you back from success.
  
  
   

Quotes:

 

• "If you can look up, you can get up." – Shawn Harper
• "People at the highest levels don’t just rely on talent, they have teams of coaches pushing them forward." – Rudi Riekstins

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com

Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/

Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins

Shawn Harper’s Links:

Website: https://www.shawnharperwins.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnharperspeaker

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawnharperspeaks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnspeaks75

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnharper75/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShawnHarperSpeaks
Get a FREE Copy of Shawn’s eBook: www.shawnharper.co   

More from Shawn: https://www.shawnharperwins.com/products 


Chapters:
00:00 - Intro: Welcome to The Empowered Life Podcast

00:30 - Meet Shawn Harper: From NFL to Motivational Speaker

02:50 - The Mental & Physical Discipline of the NFL

07:21 - The Shift from Dreaming to Doing – Day One Mindset

11:49 - The Reality of Making It in the NFL (And What Comes After)

18:32 - The Power of Coaching & Having a Winning Team

23:14 - How to Handle Stress & Fear in High-Performance Environments

25:40 - The Hardest Transition: Life After Football

32:45 - The 3 Words That Lead to Success: Live, Give, Forgive

37:20 - Advice for Anyone Pursuing Greatness

39:32 - Closing Thoughts: How to Win in Life Like a Pro