coach Archives - The Travel Wins

Jake Zweig – Navy SEAL and Football

Jake Zweig is my guest on today’s podcast. Jake is an ex-Navy SEAL and D1 Football Coach. This episode is a two part episode. Part 1 gives us background of Jake and his mindset. Part 2 we talk about his time traveling internationally while he was a Navy SEAL. He speaks about his time working on the television shows and I also ask Jake how he prepares his student/athletes to schedule their time while playing football at the University of Illinois. His response is one for every coach on most levels.

Jake is man who has accomplished a tremendous amount in a short time and is just now hitting his prime. Jake attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he played football and wrestled. He graduated as a commissioned officer receiving his degree in computer science.

“My smart phone probably makes me 40% more efficient”

He served for two years before reporting for Navy SEAL training where he was named the SEAL class leader. Following his SEAL training, Jake reported to SEAL Team 8 in Little Creek, VA and attained the rank of Lieutenant.

He then went on to earn his MBA from the University of Michigan.

Jake began his coaching career in 2005 when he joined the University of Maryland staff as a graduate assistant working with the Terrapin wide receivers. He has since worked as an assistant coach at several colleges and is now working at the University of Illinois as their Special Teams Analyst.

His off the clock activities keep him equally busy. He co-hosted the Discovery Channel series called “Dude You’re Screwed” and competed on History Channels show “Top Shot” against law enforcement officers, military snipers and professional shooters. He still goes scuba diving and parachutes to raise awareness for veteran’s charities and just for fun.

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John Bonaventura – CFL scout and Dad

This podcast is with western regional scout for the CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers football team, John Bonaventura. John has worked in the football industry for over 30 years as a player, coach, scout and administrator. He has worked at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football. In addition to coaching, John has 9 years of professional football as an NFL college Area Scout, CFL pro scout and consultant, NFL combine director and XFL football administrator.

“What they don’t understand is the travel, the ins and outs of hotels, rental cars and the numerous hours spent away from your family”

A husband and father of two boys makes juggling life on the road a struggle at times and he has found ways to incorporate his family life with his professional life, a struggle most of us business travelers have experienced. Let me know what you think of this episode.

Darci Smith – from Athlete to Career

Today’s podcast is with Darci Smith. Darci was a college athlete playing soccer at South Carolina State. She now helps college athletes prepare for life after college as a career coach.

“One of our conference games, we drove a team bus from South Carolina to Utah, which took us away from school for quite some time”

College athletes compete at a high level for their schools but are sometimes unable to take heavy workloads or take on internship opportunities due to their demanding athletic schedules. Some feel inadequate entering the job market after graduation. The company Darci works for, Athletes to Careers, helps these athletes with their resumes, interview skills and reminds them that what made them successful in sports are the same characteristics that many companies are looking for. Darci travels to colleges thru out California meeting coaches and athletes to help them. A young millennial woman working hard, traveling the roads in Southern California trying to help others with their careers is inspiring.

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