Cooldown Conversations

Empathy and Servant Leadership: A Pro Player's Journey with Charlie Ruiz

On this episode of Cool Down Conversations, host Paxton Ballard interviews Charlie Ruiz, a former professional baseball player and current leadership performance coach. Charlie shares his story of how he went from playing baseball to becoming a coach and how he encourages others to share their stories and experiences to unlock potential. Charlie reflects on his experience of having his career taken away from him due to a shoulder injury, and how he went back to school to use his education money and spent the next six to seven years fumbling around Silicon Valley trying to get sales jobs. He talks about understanding how different people receive information differently, especially in the sales world, and the importance of empathy and servant leadership. [00:00:00] Athlete: Stand Your Ground. [00:04:06] Unconventional journey to success. [00:09:04] Close chapter on own terms. [00:14:52] Athletes: Sales Not Cookie Cutter [00:20:24] Athletic mindset leads to success. [00:24:34] Finding purpose through failure: Six words [00:28:14] Leadership development, success, support. [00:31:28] Fell in love with craft, shared story, helping others. [00:36:21] Merging worlds to coach executives. [00:40:20] Inspiring stories, bold action. Get in touch: https://www.clrconnection.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charleslruiz/?hl=en

Let My People Go: How We Can Choose Freedom in a World of Suffering with Raleigh Sadler

On this episode of Cool Down Conversations, Paxton Ballard speaks with Raleigh Sandler, the founder of Let My People Go and host of Mercycast. Raleigh recounts his experience of working with victims of sex trafficking and how he has learned that healing is possible, but it's often messy. Raleigh shares his story of how he drifted into becoming a pastor and his mission to help people understand the dangers of human trafficking and how public figures like, Andrew Tate, are part of the problem. He encourages listeners to choose freedom and to be a part of the solution. [00:00:00] Realize part in slavery, choose freedom over suffering. [00:04:37] Proclaim gospel, do justice, choose freedom. [00:08:04] Called to ministry: West Virginia roots. [00:11:33] Called to ministry, couldn't do anything else. [00:15:33] Fighting exploitation through consumption. [00:18:24] Empower local churches to fight trafficking: 6 words [00:22:11] Six words: Human trafficking: recruitment, force, fraud, exploitation. [00:25:09] Nonprofits raise money, help vulnerable neighbors. [00:28:45] Learning compassion through adversity. [00:32:50] Healing through stories of suffering. Learn More: https://www.lmpg.org/ [https://www.lmpg.org/] Follow Raleigh: https://www.instagram.com/raleighsadler/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/raleighsadler/?hl=en] MercyCast: https://www.mercycast.com/ [https://www.mercycast.com/]

Working for Liverpool Football Club: My Side Gig as a Hospitality Team Member

In this episode, Paxton Ballard talks about his humbling and clarifying experience pursuing his next football contract whilst on trial and taking on a modeling job to make ends meet in Liverpool. He eventually lands a job on the hospitality team at Liverpool Football Club's Anfield, working in the new main stand, where he gets to meet a lot of cool and not-so-cool people, including the families of footballers. Despite getting yelled at for sneaking away to watch the game, Paxton rates this odd job a seven out of ten for the experience. Timestamps: [00:00:00] Humbling trial in Liverpool: lesson learned. [00:00:24] "Modeling job saved me financially." [00:01:09] Model turned hospitality team member. [00:01:59] Find a job with Liverpool FC: Six words [00:03:13] Supporting Liverpool since youth. [00:04:04] Greeting fans in Liverpool's stadium. [00:04:23] Footballer's family VIP access ignored. [00:05:50] Flexibility, freedom, childhood team enthralled. [00:06:35] Best gig ever. [00:07:01] "Shoot your shot: Liverpool experience." Want to connect? Let's dive deeper: ⁠bio.site/paxton [bio.site/paxton]

Neuroscience for Productivity and Personal Growth: Nicole Vignola Cracks the Code on Plasticity

On this episode of Cooldown Conversations, host Paxton Ballard welcomes neuroscientist and public speaker Nicole Vignola as his guest. They discuss the concept of self-interruption and how our brains seek rewards from things like coffee and social media. Nicole shares her strategies for overcoming self-interruption and staying focused. They also talk about their first meeting and the power of connecting with strangers. Nicole dives into her background in neuroscience and how she uses her knowledge to make complex topics accessible to everyday people. Tune in for an engaging and informative conversation! [00:00:00] Rewarding brain with coffee, phone, Nicole Vignola [00:03:44] Nikki Vignola: neuroscience, psychology, social media success [00:08:18] Instagram blew up: success story. [00:13:18] Rewire ourselves to break patterns. [00:17:13] Brain plasticity: Moldable, changeable, reshape thinking. [00:21:54] Manage energy for focus: 6 words [00:25:31] Brain rhythms, focus, ninety minutes. [00:28:19] Slowing down: take time to read. [00:32:46] Hydrate, create habits, reduce social media. [00:37:00] Rebuilding life, buying land, resetting, cocooning. https://www.nicolesneuroscience.com/ Pre-order Rewire here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0241661838/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1684410756&sr=8-1

Behind the Scenes of Succession: Meeting Alan Ruck and Learning the Power of Patience

In this episode of Cooldown Conversations, Paxton Ballard recounts his time as an extra in Succession and meeting Alan Ruck. He shares Ruck's inspiring story of waiting 30 years for his dream role and encourages listeners to have faith and patience in their own pursuits. Don't miss this motivational conversation! [00:00:04] Extra in "Succession", met Alan Ruck. [00:00:31] "Extra in Alan Ruck's "Succession" scene." [00:00:57] Actor discovers big break. [00:01:16] Fanboy meets idol on Thanksgiving. [00:01:56] Waited thirty years for success. [00:02:33] Patience, persistence, dreams come true. [00:03:16] Humble success inspires hope. [00:03:32] God's plan will manifest. [00:03:58] Dreams take time: wait thirty years? [00:04:21] Love, learn, share: peace. Jimmy Kimmel interview with Alan Ruck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajgIfiuZcBw Tap in to connect further : bio.site/paxton [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbio.site%2Fpaxton&e=AT3TWtUgl0_eAAG_CAtchOl8AKoIH86m132nvtSiPSi5cHbebJcU5kCOKyXp3GxxAeoacysipO9yb7tGhKQq2-CcKJJYv_b4itRRUg]