LaVaughn Kelley | From Naval Officer to Sports Mentor: LaVaughn Talks Leadership and Faith

Summary

Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged – Episode Featuring LaVaughn Kelley

Title: From Naval Officer to Sports Mentor: LaVaughn Talks Leadership and Faith
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: LaVaughn Kelley
Release Date: December 23, 2024

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Mick Unplugged," host Mick Hunt engages in a profound conversation with LaVaughn Kelley, a distinguished former U.S. Naval Officer, football player, and founder of Divine Sports Entertainment. LaVaughn shares his transformative journey from military service to sports mentorship, delving into themes of leadership, faith, purpose, and the evolving landscape of athletics.

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Discovering His 'Because' – Purpose and Motivation

Early in the conversation, LaVaughn articulates his core motivation:

[00:34] LaVaughn Kelley: "My purpose is to walk this earth, to be able to have my daughter as a parent, right? To have my daughter look at me and say, hey, my dad was somebody."

This 'Because' underscores LaVaughn's dedication to personal legacy and the profound impact he wishes to have on his daughter's life.

Mick Hunt relates this to his own experience, emphasizing how personal promises evolve into broader commitments impacting loved ones and communities.

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Background and Military Service

LaVaughn narrates his decision to join the U.S. Naval Academy, detailing the influence of his mentor, Wayne Blair:

[04:21] LaVaughn Kelley: "One of my biggest mentors, Wayne Blair, was probably my biggest supporter to drive me in that era."

He reflects on the challenges of transitioning from a South Florida upbringing to the disciplined environment of the Naval Academy, highlighting the initial hardships and eventual triumphs, including transforming the football program despite a rocky start.

His military career spanned 20 years, during which he balanced his passion for football with his responsibilities as a Naval Officer, ultimately leading to leadership roles that honed his skills in team management and strategic decision-making.

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Founding Divine Sports Entertainment

Transitioning from military service, LaVaughn co-founded Divine Sports Entertainment, a faith-based agency aimed at supporting athletes and entertainers. He explains the evolution of the company's mission:

[16:59] LaVaughn Kelley: "It's evolved a little bit, I would say initially, we still are faith based, right? That doesn't change... we want to be an extension of family."

Divine Sports focuses on building meaningful relationships beyond transactional interactions, incorporating weekly Bible studies and fostering an environment where clients can develop both professionally and personally. LaVaughn emphasizes authenticity and living by example as cornerstone principles of the agency.

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Leadership Principles and Military Influence

LaVaughn draws heavily from his military background to inform his leadership style within Divine Sports. He outlines key principles:

1. Structured Implementation: Establishing clear programs with milestones to ensure efficiency.
2. Adaptability: Adjusting strategies based on evolving circumstances, akin to military intelligence operations.
3. Honest Mentorship: Acting as a "devil's advocate" to provide balanced perspectives, helping clients evaluate risks and make informed decisions.

[18:43] LaVaughn Kelley: "We move forward without second guessing, take that, move that in the right direction and then we go."

These principles foster a disciplined yet flexible environment, allowing Divine Sports to navigate the dynamic sports industry effectively.

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The Power of Mentorship

A significant portion of the discussion centers on mentorship. LaVaughn emphasizes its critical role in personal and professional growth:

[21:13] LaVaughn Kelley: "Success leaves clues. I don't think I have to go and reinvent the wheel all the time."

He advises seeking mentors who have achieved the goals you aspire to, valuing both their methodologies and the lessons learned from their experiences. Additionally, LaVaughn highlights the importance of having mentors from diverse backgrounds to gain fresh perspectives and avoid tunnel vision.

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Challenges for Modern Athletes and Entertainers

LaVaughn addresses contemporary issues faced by athletes and entertainers, particularly the necessity of branding and financial literacy in the age of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness):

[24:24] LaVaughn Kelley: "You are a brand, you are your own business. So technically, once you graduate, you become a CEO whether you want to or not, with no skills, no knowledge or anything, that title is on you."

He discusses the importance of educating clients on managing their finances, understanding tax implications, and building sustainable careers beyond their athletic or entertainment endeavors. LaVaughn underscores the need for early intervention and education to prepare athletes for the financial realities of their professions.

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Handling Distractions in the Digital Age

Addressing the omnipresence of social media, LaVaughn offers strategies to maintain focus and discipline:

[26:54] LaVaughn Kelley: "I ask them... does that little time... is that playbook time? Is that another workout?... If you miss a beat or you don't hit a mark, I'm always going to be like, was there any other time and space that we could have done in that."

He encourages athletes to evaluate the cost of distractions, advocating for mindful usage of social media to ensure it doesn't impede their training and performance. LaVaughn's approach is rooted in accountability and making deliberate choices that prioritize long-term goals over immediate gratifications.

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Rapid-Fire Segment

In a lighthearted rapid-fire segment, LaVaughn shares personal preferences:

• Favorite Holiday:

  [32:01] LaVaughn: "Fourth of July... fireworks... family time."

• Favorite NFL Team:

  [32:20] LaVaughn: "Tampa Bay Buccaneers."

• Favorite College Basketball Team:

  [32:44] LaVaughn: "Hurricanes all day."

• All-Time Favorite Athlete:

  [33:05] LaVaughn: "Bo Jackson, with fond memories of the All Stars cartoon."

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Upcoming Plans and Professional Development

LaVaughn discusses his ongoing commitment to professional growth and Divine Sports' future endeavors:

[33:54] LaVaughn Kelley: "We're continuing to keep recruiting and getting ready to close some deals and bring some clients on the board for this next draft class... I'm applying for the Harvard Business School executive leadership course in June."

His dedication to continual learning and expanding Divine Sports reflects his unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership within the industry.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mick Hunt wraps up the conversation by expressing gratitude for LaVaughn's service and insights, emphasizing the valuable lessons shared on leadership, purpose, and mentorship. LaVaughn reciprocates the appreciation, highlighting the mutual respect and the intention to continue meaningful dialogues in future episodes.

[36:18] LaVaughn Kelley: "Thank you for tuning in to Mick Unplugged. Keep pushing your limits, embracing your purpose, and chasing greatness."

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Connect with LaVaughn Kelley

For listeners interested in following LaVaughn Kelley’s journey and Divine Sports Entertainment, he can be found on:

• Instagram: @lavaughnkelly
• Twitter: @lavaughnkelly

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Key Takeaways:

1. Purpose-Driven Leadership: LaVaughn’s 'Because' centers on leaving a meaningful legacy for his daughter, guiding his professional and personal endeavors.
2. Mentorship Importance: Leveraging mentorship for growth, emphasizing learning from those who have achieved similar goals.
3. Adaptability and Structure: Balancing disciplined strategies with flexibility to navigate the ever-changing sports industry.
4. Navigating Modern Challenges: Educating athletes on branding, financial literacy, and managing digital distractions to ensure sustainable success.
5. Continuous Growth: Commitment to professional development and fostering an environment of learning and improvement within Divine Sports.

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This episode of "Mick Unplugged" offers invaluable insights into the intersection of leadership, faith, and modern sports management, presented through LaVaughn Kelley’s inspiring journey. It's a must-listen for leaders, mentors, athletes, and anyone striving to create a purposeful impact in their respective fields.

Transcript

[Lavon Kelly]

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[Mick]

Lifestyle, visit stayingsharp.org Bro, what's your. Because, what's that thing? What's your purpose? What would that answer be?

[Lavon Kelly]

My purpose is to walk this earth, to be able to have my daughter as a parent, right? To have my daughter look at me and say, hey, my dad was somebody.

[Mick]

U.S. naval Academy, played sports there. What was your decision in saying I want to join the Navy? What was that like?

[Lavon Kelly]

Oh, that was a hard decision. Leave it to my own guidance. I would have never went to the academy. One of my biggest mentors, Wayne Blair, was probably my biggest supporter to drive me in that era.

[Mick]

The mission of Divine Sport now is, is it the same mission as when you first started it or when you joined the company?

[Lavon Kelly]

It's evolved a little bit, I would say initially we still are faith based, right? That doesn't change. I think our driving point was that we knew as agents, right, that we're faith based. So we want like mind and we try to expand it as much as we can. Welcome to Mick Unplugged where we ignite potential and fuel purpose. Get ready for raw insights, bold moves and game changing conversations. Buckle up. Here's Mick.

[Mick]

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of Mick Unplugged. And today's guest is a dynamic leader who has made waves in both sports, sports and entertainment. With a background that spans from playing football for the U.S. naval Academy to founding Divine Sports Entertainment, he has proven himself as a visionary in creating opportunities for athletes and entertainers alike. From the football field to the boardroom, his journey is one of determination, discipline and innovation. Please join me in welcoming the passionate, the driven, the visionary and and the comedian, Mr. Lavon Kelly. Lavon, how you doing today, brother?

[Lavon Kelly]

I'm doing well, how you doing? How you doing today?

[Mick]

I'm doing great, man. You know, I was telling you offline, like we have some mutual friends and I've heard a lot about Lavon and so I'm truly excited and honored to spend some time with you. But before we even get started, man, I just personally wanted to thank you for your service and all the things that you've done for this country. Because without people like you doing the things that you do that go unseen we couldn't have the freedoms that we have today. So I wanted to personally thank you, brother.

[Lavon Kelly]

I truly appreciate it and happy to do it.

[Mick]

Always. Always. So, Lavon, man, like, we're gonna do the PG13 version today, okay? We'll give some folks after hours. Levon later, man. But on Make Unplugged, we like to go into your. Because that thing that's deeper than your why that thing that really makes you do what you do and become the person that you become.

[Lavon Kelly]

So.

[Mick]

So if I were to ask Lavon Kelly, bro, what's your. Because what's that thing? What's your purpose? What would that answer be?

[Lavon Kelly]

My purpose is to walk this earth, to be able to have my daughter as a parent, right? To have my daughter look at me and say, hey, my dad was somebody, right? The overall theme of everything I try to do, I try to make sure that when she looks at me or hears my name or my name is spoken, she has a sense of pride in her as well as I have when I see her.

[Mick]

That's it, man. That's truly amazing because, you know, for me, very similar, but the opposite way. Like I was at 10 years old, I made a promise to my mom to, like, change lives and to specifically change her life. And so that promise is what drives me to this day. And then as you get older, that promise then goes to your kids, right? And to the people that you love. And so I see Lavon as a man who just lives a promise and a purpose every day, bro.

[Lavon Kelly]

Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.

[Mick]

Yes, sir. So let's talk to us a little bit about your story, your background. So, you know, U.S. naval Academy, played sports there. What was your decision in saying, I want to join the Navy? What was that like?

[Lavon Kelly]

Oh, that was a hard decision. Leave it to my own guidance. I would have never went to the academy. My mentors, one of my biggest mentors, Wayne Blair, was probably my biggest supporter to drive me in that era. Coming from South Florida, I mean, I'm a Miami Hurricanes fan, right? So growing up, I mean, I'm Afro, I'm blurry, the back, everything, you know? So to see me transform and getting that first haircut, cut my hair all off to go to that realm. My dad was in the air force for 23 years, so I caught the back end of his service in time, so never really saw, like, the deployments and away from home, kind of trying to drive from him, but had a little bit of what military was about, Right. Not how it interacts. Right. And I never really had that exposure. So taking that ride was never on my. Never on my radar. Even when they came to school, offer letters, I put them in the shoebox and threw them to the side. Never really paid attention to it. But as time went on, like I said, I was definitely a Hurricane fan. They didn't come around. Right. I wasn't at that caliber yet. Right. I was small. Right. I was always that underdog, trying to try to drive up and get that eye. Right. Trying to prove my. Should I say. But my mentor, he went to Tulane, so he knew the kind of rigor, morose of going to be a collegiate student. Played for the CFL for a little while as well. So, you know, Florida, big football. So, yeah, I want to go to the league, too. You know, that was always something in the back of my mind to kind of keep going. But he saw the bigger picture than I never saw it. Right. And he wanted to make sure that I was in that place. And my parents, of course, they were driving. They want me to be happy wherever I went. Right. So we took some school visits. Ucf, FIU was getting a new program, was getting prominent. So they was offering us and kind of talking our way through. But, I mean, my mother really left it to me to kind of figure that piece out. So with him in prayer, a whole lot of prayer, I was able to make that decision. Went to the prep school first. I went to Rhode Island. Never been to Rhode island in my life. Right. It's snowing in October. I'm a Florida, right? Yeah. So I'm. Listen, I'm in orange dickey shorts, some Nikes, and watching this snow come down in October. Didn't know what I was doing. Right. Didn't know what to do other than stay inside. Right. Stay warm. But got through that first year and then really had to make a decision. Okay, now, hey, now it's on to Naval Academy. And it's from the guys that I met there, the football team at the nucleus. We started to build. And we were winning. We did pretty well for ourselves. So we knew that we could go in as a unit and change the program. And that was our expectation. So we did it. We went on our first year was courses still rough. We didn't win any games our freshman year. Right. So that was something new to me. I'm from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida. So I'm used to winning. I'm used to looking.

[Mick]

You just showed up and you won, right?

[Lavon Kelly]

Used to looking up and saying, yeah, because many teams just say, hey, we just playing for second. You know, that's how I kind of really boiled too. But looking in the stands, looking for my parents, always trying to find a noticeable face, it wasn't there. Right. So I had to really dig deep. And football really became a heavy, heavy factor for me to just to maintain my college career. I think if they would have took football away from me, I probably had to reevaluate some things personally just to kind of stay put. But it kept me there and it allowed me to flourish and allowed me to be great as a. As a midshipman, then commission as a naval officer. There was opportunities that we were trying to seek, a couple classmates to try to go play professional. But 9, 11 actually happened on our freshman year. So the nation was at war. So at that time, it was very, very difficult for anyone to allow us to go on to play professionally. So got stationed down in Virginia, was there for a couple years. There was a couple semi pro teams. I kind of just stayed around football. So I played a little bit and then I was on a ship. So we went out on deployment. So now I'm across the globe touring the world, defending the country and just kind of having that security. So that football of playing. I had to hang those cleats up at that point. Right. Took on other responsibilities. And it was the men and women that are Navy, my division, my department, those I had to lead at that point, took them on and was able to complete 20 years of service. So I was able to come home every time I took away, you know, and bring my guys back too. So it's definitely a blessing. My mom has always been my cornerstone of my rock. My dad was giving me guidance as some of the military aspect as well. And then the family and friends that I actually met through the military, I wouldn't change it for the world. Right. And I knew as I transitioned out, I still wanted to do something. I coached when I was at short duty. So when I had opportunities, I was able to coach at two different high schools. Also trained a couple guys and watched them go from high school to college to NFL. Right. So I watched those phases of progression to go out, and I was able to be a part of it, to help mentor. Right. Wasn't my ability by any means. Right. And I wasn't trying to live through them, but I just wanted to give them what I necessarily didn't receive as I was going through that process. And I think it proved to be great dividends for them. And they did well. And now some of them actually back Coaching high school. So I actually attend some of those practices sometimes just sit fly on the wall. Right. Never wanted true by any means. And they ask me questions like, coach, was I like that. Like, yeah, that was you back then too. You know, it happened that way. But I'm happy they're embracing it and they're figuring out ways to lead their guys too. Right. And motivate them to get them to do what needs to be done. And I'll also give them a platform to be successful well after football. So I definitely appreciate and love those guys as they continue to do that.

[Mick]

That's awesome. One of the things I know about you, Lavon, and what I hear is you tell your story. And I never say leaders are born naturally. Right. Like, you can have leadership tendencies, but those are skills that you have to continue to develop. Right. Like I tell people all the time, just because you're 7 foot doesn't mean you can dominate in basketball. There's skills that you have to develop. But I do think that you had qualities to obviously be the best leader among leaders. And so what was it like for you when you realized that you were on that path of being a leader, Being the person that people looked up to, people counted on, people depended on. And the second part of that question is, what did it feel like? Because as a leader myself. Right. Like there are a lot of times when people don't understand the responsibility that true leaders have. And that thing that we feel that sometimes you can't articulate. Right. It's like when you're in that moment and. And you know you're in that moment, like there's a thing that happens on the inside for most, like true leaders. What was it like for Lavon? Like, one, realizing that that's you, and then two, those moments where it's like the decisions I make are about to change lives. Like, what is that like?

[Lavon Kelly]

For Levon, aging is inevitable, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on the activities you enjoy. Explore AARP Staying Sharp, an award winning program about brain health designed to help you build healthy habits as you age. With delicious whole food recipes, exercise videos, challenges, and a cognitive assessment. For more information about tools and activities to help you create a well balanced lifestyle, visit stayingsharp.org hi, I'm Jordan and.

[Mick]

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[Jordan]

One of your programs, but.

[Lavon Kelly]

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[Jordan]

Is right for you or a loved.

[Lavon Kelly]

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[Jordan]

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[Lavon Kelly]

So I would say probably the first time I could probably say I felt a glimpse of that was once I graduated. They allowed us to go back to the prep school to coach. So that was my first experience of something that I love with football. And I was able to teach high school students how to play the game, like how to play my positions. I was a DB coach and special teams coach. So watching them in a high school atmosphere, like, right. Is what they come from and bringing those guys to jail them together. And they're looking to me, right? I'm their pathway at this point, right? I have to lead them is learning that playbook and being able to play it four years ago when I played. But when I had to teach it two different things, right? That's two different things. And if I would have actually probably learned and knew what I was teaching at that point four years ago, I'd have been a totally different player. I would have definitely had better insights. So I think at that point, when I started to watch them, and then when I say, hey, when they've arrived, they've seen some of these things, they learned the tendencies, they're doing the drills correctly, they're being coachable, right? And they're doing those things that you ask of them. And then you have to find out a way to motivate them. Every person is not the same. And that was another factor is that I had to be adaptable and I had to be able to do it quickly in order to keep everybody on the same level because I couldn't focus on one person all the time because I would leave the rest of the group behind. So I had to figure that person out real quick, right? What makes them tick, right? And how do I get them to be motivated to continue to go on and do and go on and go forward to do great. So that was probably my initial clips, what it felt like. I think the biggest feeling was when I was in the military, I was at my second command, so I was at a staff group. So after the ship, I went to a staff unit. And at that time, the staff construct is our commodore at the time, he's ahead of multiple ships. So I answered up to him. He was the head for the most part, but it was other captains on each ship that owned their own ship and their personnel. So I was like an overseer for the most part. Well, I reported to him, but certain units reported to me. Now, mind you, they're not always in the same place. So when I give certain directions or get certain reports, I have to be able to be very clear and concise when that happens. So I had to work on how I speak, I had to work on how I deliver messages, had to work on how I convey things. Because how I'm hearing it in my mind may not be how they receive it on the other end. So I had to figure that out. Once I figured that out, I think I was golden, right? Because I knew once I put something out, it was clear what I taught it. To train them to be in a better place and then watch them go on and do it and execute it far beyond what I imagined. It felt great, right? Because now I'm like, okay, I might know a little something, right? But they're executing it, and whatever innovative ways they may have added to it, they've actually made it better. So I learned from them, right. When they came back with certain things, I learned from. And I just was able to sponge. Right. Take some of that in and apply it to the next phase. Right. And I just continue. It's a continuous cycle, right. It's always learning, always some professional development to happen. So I appreciated it. And it was a great feeling at that time.

[Mick]

I love it. I love it. So that part of your journey kind of, I don't want to say ends. It evolves into you creating and finding Divine Sports Entertainment. Tell me a little bit about your vision for why you wanted to start Divine Sports Entertainment. And then what. What that mission initially was.

[Lavon Kelly]

Gotcha. So with Divine Sports, so I didn't necessarily find it. It was two founders prior to me. They brought me on with them. Right. One of them actually mentored while he was at the Naval Academy, actually 2014 graduate. So from their nucleus and then finding a way. Because we both played football. Right. So it was always a pathway. The biggest thing for us first is Savers Academies, Right. Trying to find a way to the league. You still want that. Some. Some still have those dreams and aspirations. Even though we know we have to go and serve. And there's a commitment once we graduate to serving the armed forces, there's always that slight chance at that hope that you say, I may have an opportunity to go forward. And that was always something we wanted to be able to tap into. It still is, right? Still a desire of ours as we continue to work through this. But we faith based, right? We always understand what it took for us, and we knew how many times we had to fall on our knees to make sure that next day was to come, right? And we were prepared for it. We believe everyone has a purpose because we have our own purpose. We, we learned through the Naval Academy, coming from boys to men, right? How that changes those sacrifices in life. And then getting to the fleet, right? Or to the, to the military or to the Navy, whichever commission you actually received at that point, as you got developed, your purpose began to come a little bit more refined, right? And you learned some tools and you got some assets to actually get us to a place. And that allowed us to be there at that point. So we appreciated at that point.

[Mick]

That's awesome. So the mission of Divine Sport, now, is it the same mission as when you first started it or when you joined the company?

[Lavon Kelly]

It's evolved a little bit, I would say, initially, we still are faith based, right? That doesn't change. I think our driving point was that we knew as agents, right, that we're faith based. So we want, like minds and we try to expand it as much as we can, but then we kind of figure out, like, it's not just the athletes, right? Like we want the family, you want the nucleus drive. We want to be an extension of family. As that comes about, the transactional pieces that happens in the business of the sports industry, we do our best to shy away from, right? We want to be able to build those relationships, to be a part of that. We even started a Bible study that we have as an agency every Wednesday, right? So anyone that's affiliated in the sports industry, industry that we have either a reach to or we can touch, we invite them, right? And we go through books, we go through certain passages in the Bible every Wednesday for the men. And we know that we have to kind of walk that walk, right? You just can't be out here just preaching it. And you're not living in what you live, your creed, right? So we do our best to not only be that example that others can emulate, right? But we try to pass on those tools because you never know when somebody's paying attention, right? And when they do what they take from you right? Now, I'm not trying to say that I'm perfect by any means, right? I know I'm no saint, and I know where my shortcomings lie. But at the same time, I do know that I'm on a path that I try to instill in myself and in those around me a better way forward. And if I can touch one to just kind of be motivated to do that, then I think I've done my job.

[Mick]

That's amazing, man. That's why, again, I love the human that you are above anything else. So inside Divine Sport, what are some of the principles from your military background that you were able to apply into what you do at Devine?

[Lavon Kelly]

I'm saying structure a structured piece as far as how we implement certain programs, how we have certain milestones and checkpoints to make sure everything is running accordingly and efficiently, right? We know everything is not cookie cutter. We try to apply it, and we got to be adaptable. So we every day there may be a change, right? But we always say, as intel, right, the enemy has a factor in this decision process, right? So what we do do depends on the enemy, right? So we just can't go out and just run A through Z. It's not how that works, right? So the enemy always has a play in that decision. And I think the next piece, when it comes to development, the mentor piece, I'm not the yes man, right? I haven't been that person. I don't know if I ever was that person. So I can't be with a client and be in my own person if I don't really give them the pros and cons, right? Pluses and minuses, the risk that maybe they have to be able to live with, right? With any decision that they make. As a prior, as an intel officer, my career, so I was always looking at the adversary courses of action as to how do we defeat this. Whatever the issue was, I tried to find a way to defeat it. But I got to understand what the issue is, and I got to bring that. And a lot of people consider that to be the devil's advocate piece and think I'm the negative person. But I'm just like, I want you to be able to think every manner in which this may play out, and then whichever one is best for you, that's fine. And then let's look at the risk that we got to take on it. We probably can't buy down the risk all the way to zero, right? So any form of fashion, whatever that May be if we can just buy it down to somewhat because we thought about some of these processes that actually have to take place, then it may become an acceptable risk. And that's part of the military too, Right. Collateral damage, should I say? Right. Things of that nature. But if it gets to a point where you're acceptable and you know what it is and you're able to swallow that, then okay, if that's what you want to do, then we move forward. But we move forward without second guessing, right? We take that, move that in the right direction and then we go. Right. And then if something else arises that we weren't prepared for, that we hate, we got a break point and then we just got to adjust, adapt, and we keep moving on.

[Mick]

I love it. I love it. So you've mentioned several times something I believe in, which is the power of mentorship. Like I have, I have multiple mentors that are skilled in different facets of life. And so they become resources for me and I think especially for leaders, but also for, for everyone. If you don't have a mentor or two or three, you definitely need to make sure you're finding them. So I love to ask Lavon, right, for you, I'm going to go for you personally and then I'll have a follow up. So for you personally, what do you look for in mentors?

[Lavon Kelly]

I'm very, very keen. I'm a strong proponent, advocate that success leaves clues. I don't think I have to go and reinvent the wheel all the time. Change. Right? So you innovative ways do come across, but the methodologies don't really steer too far from it. Right. History repeats itself. So I look for, well, who? Whatever I'm trying to do, if I'm trying to get to a certain goal, well, who's completed that goal? Right. Then I do some research. Well, how do they get it done? Does this apply to me? Is this a timely manner? And the time that it took them is that, do I have that time and space to do that? If I do, okay, well, I might start marking it. If I don't, then I got to figure out how do I speed that up? If I speed, speed that up, what am I losing? Right? What is the value that I'm going to miss out? Right. I may miss out on a learning tool or I may be so far ahead that I've missed out on a production. So it may get me there faster, but then I can't sustain it. Right. And that's not where I want to be at either. Right. So you got to find that balance when it comes to that. And I think that other than success itself, you got to understand that just kind of what you said, your mentors may not always be in the industry that you're in, right? So I love to have out of the box thinkers, someone that has nothing, a fresh pair of eyes because when you're in the thick of it, you kind of get tunnel vision sometimes and it's hard to step away when you're in the problem. But if I can go to someone who has no bias, right, no dog in the fight whatsoever, but just honorable person, someone that just has some forethought, that can kind of take things and just give me that honest opinion and evaluation, I'm all about it.

[Jordan]

Over the holidays, while enjoying time with your families, take a moment to discover the benefits of AARP staying strong. Explore articles on staying healthy and active. Try recipes that are rich in brain boosting nutrients. Relax and recharge with meditation videos and unwind with fun games and puzzles. Visit stayingsharp.org for more information and content about brain health challenges, brain friendly recipes, activities and articles about general health and wellness.

[Lavon Kelly]

Hi, I'm Jordan and I know you're.

[Mick]

In the middle of one of your.

[Lavon Kelly]

Programs, but finding out if Cascali ribociclib.

[Jordan]

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[Lavon Kelly]

Loved one means more than you know. So hit pause and visit k I.

[Jordan]

S q a l I.com family time and get togethers are where memories are made, like when Gayle and Ed whooped everyone at the card table. But RSV can lead them out of the game, especially if they're 75 or over 60 with certain health conditions. So let's keep the party going and make sure they don't miss out. Help them get this season's vaccines so they'll be there for the moments that matter most. Risk less, do more. Get [e-mail] paid for by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services.

[Mick]

Mm. That's wonderful. That's wonderful. And so now the second part of that question is for you as a mentor, what are some of the things that you're seeing with athletes, entertainers that are coming to divine? That's like, okay, I know that I'm going to need to be a mentor in this aspect of their life. Like, what would you say some of the common aspects are that you're seeing with, I don't want to say this newer athlete or entertainer, but this different generation of athletes and entertainers?

[Lavon Kelly]

I think the different generation, probably the Biggest thing is that they have to understand that they themselves now are no longer really a football player by itself. Right. You're not just a player as you transition to the professional side. That's a profession, right. So you got to understand that, right? Being a profession now, you got to understand that you are brand, you are your own business. So technically, once you graduate, you become a CEO whether you want to or not, with no skills, no knowledge or anything, that title is on you. And for them to grasp that, some of them do, right? Especially with nil, when it comes into place, if the proper education is given to them, I think they understand that and that transition is a little bit easier, but some don't. And it's a rags to riches kind of deal. And those are the other things for just responsibility, being financial, like literacy, understanding how that works, how money works, how it can work for you. Small things, things that we're accustomed to now as I'm older, right. But I know no one was talking about that to me when I was younger, Right. I think NIL brings an open platform and a space for us to start having those conversations a little bit earlier, especially now in the high schools, right. As they go to college. So with the collective deals, those are the things that you have to have taxes, right. Some of them just. It's just not aware, right. And they may not be thinking about it until you bring it up. Then they'd be like, oh, you know what? You're right. You know, and those are things you just kind of got to pull on. But I think once they see that you're trying to open them up to things that they should be aware of, maybe they're not, but it's going to allow them to be better. They're very much more receptive. So it's not always a fight, Right. It's not always a bad thing. I just. Some of them just don't know what they don't know, Right. And they receive it as. As you come with it and as you being authentic. Right. And transparent. There's nothing that you're kind of hiding on the back scene. It's very, very much more receptive than anything else.

[Mick]

Yeah. So another question with this, the modern agent that's coming out, the modern athlete, something you didn't have to deal with, right. So when you were. And I'm not calling you Old Lavon by any stretch, imagination, we're. I'm a little bit older than you, but, like, we didn't have to deal with social media and all that, right. Like we didn't have to deal with as many distractions today. Not just athletes, but just everybody in the world has distractions in front of them 24 7. How do you handle that? And what's some advice that you have, again, not just for athletes, but for the everyday listener out there of how to stay focused and not be so easily distracted?

[Lavon Kelly]

Yeah, yeah. Social media, Facebook started when we were in school. Matter of fact, it was still so fresh while we were in school. When you went to sign up, you had to have a school email address, right? The Naval Academy handle was not even in there. You had to put it in there, right? To be added. So that was funny. But to manage the distractions, I mean, you really just had to tell them just, I need you to be mature about this, right? You got to be here for the long game, the short game. The distractions today will definitely affect you Two, three years down the road. And you don't want to look back and say, hey, four years ago or two years ago, if I would have been here. But you took that time to do certain things. Players may go to training. I'll give you an example. Training, right? Getting ready for the season or getting ready for their pro day combine, anything, right? And social media is very heavy, right? They're on their downtime, they're probably on social media following whatever have you. But when they're posting their training or their after training, they want to post it in the gym. That's great. Like, acknowledge document. That's all well and good, but then all I do is I ask, I say, let me ask this question. The time that you took out to go get your phone to go, to go position yourself to sit up here to show that, hey, you worked in the gym and you worked out and you want to flex, right? Because, like, what else could you have been doing, right? Because I'm asking you this, does that little time, right? If you add them all up collectively, it's going to get a couple hours in your life. Is that playbook time? Is that another workout? Is that another rep? Is that another set, right? Is that something that's going to propel you on the field? If you look at your phone, no phones on the field. Ain't no phones in between the white lines, right? So that aspect of your training is nowhere to be found and it can't be trans. You can't translate it from that little moment in time, and it's going to make you a better football player. So I simply ask the question, I put it on them, right? I Don't. I don't. I'm not the parent for them. Right. I just make sure they're aware what they're doing. Again, I let you know the risk, right? That's the risk that you run into. As much as time as you put into that. If you miss a beat or you don't hit a mark, I'm always going to be like, was there any other time and space that we could have done in that. In that time frame that could. We could have probably got there. Now, if you tell me you've done everything and the social media wasn't. I don't know. Right. We'll see. But I can tell you that the person who's put the phone down, who's taken the time to sacrifice whatever time that is to focus on their craft, I'm always going to say they're going to be the better player. That would be my bet. Hands down.

[Mick]

I do the same thing when I talk to business leaders and salespeople, right? It's like, there's somebody who's not doing that right now. Your competition, there's somebody that's closing a million dollar deal because they're focused on the million dollar deal. There's some leader that's making the ultimate business decision that's going to move their company forward because they're focused on that business decision. They're not distracted by the phone or trying to see what my buddy's doing or, oh, my God. Did you see this on TikTok? I can't tell you. I shouldn't say this out loud, but I'm going to say it because I'm talking to Levon. So I work with a few Fortune 500 companies. You would be surprised at how many Fortune 500 CEOs are, like, amazed at what's happening on TikTok. When they should be focused on this crazy, dynamic business decision that they should be making or that their team is going through. They're goofing off my words. They're goofing off on social media. And I'm like, yeah, you're not gonna be the CEO of this company in a couple of years because the decision that you're not making right now is also very telling. Right? Like decision and indecision or in the same family.

[Lavon Kelly]

Listen, how you do anything is how you do everything.

[Mick]

Hey. Exactly. I have the saying, how you do small things is how you do all things. Right? And that's it, man. So, Levon, I wanna go rapid fire. Just a few questions.

[Lavon Kelly]

Okay, let's go.

[Mick]

So my Best friend in the world, Darren Vermost. Shout out. Darren, I know he's listening, is an army guy, right?

[Lavon Kelly]

Okay.

[Mick]

He wants me to ask you this question.

[Lavon Kelly]

Yes, we're going to win.

[Mick]

How bad is Navy going to be on? How bad is Navy going to lose to army in the game?

[Lavon Kelly]

Well, I would say, Darren, every time I've touched the field, I've never lost the army, so I don't know how that feels or how that even happens. So if I'm a betting man, I say that I'm going to give us, I'm going to give us 10 points. I think we got a 10 point win. I know Coach Monkin. Coach Monkin was coaching at the Navy when I was there. So I love Coach Monkin. I mean, Coach Monkin, he's a dog. He would listen. If he can go out and win and get in scratch and dig, he'll put his foot on your throat. Right? 100% like. And I love that. Right? He see it, he goes for the kill. But I really do think that we have a team that can definitely, that can match up. And I'm looking forward to the game. I'll be there, of course. So I can't wait.

[Mick]

Darren, I think that's a challenge. Von said he's going to be at the game. I don't know if you're going to be watching on the couch with, with Mel and, and everybody else. So we'll see. But Darren, that was a, that was a challenge right there. All right, next question. Man. So what's your favorite holiday?

[Lavon Kelly]

Fourth of July. Fourth of July in Florida. Yeah, we were, we were big on fireworks. I love fireworks. In Virginia, you really can't do them. So we go to the parks when they kind of set them off with it through the city. But yeah, we've always been with fireworks. Family time.

[Mick]

So.

[Lavon Kelly]

Yeah, I love bedtime frame.

[Mick]

Okay. Favorite NFL team?

[Lavon Kelly]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

[Mick]

No, I said your favorite NFL team.

[Lavon Kelly]

Like a couple years. Super bowl winners. Yeah. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

[Mick]

Love it, love it. College sport. What's your favorite college basketball team and why is it my alma mater? At the University of North Carolina?

[Lavon Kelly]

I'm Hurricanes all day, so that won't change. I'm still gonna be a Hurricane fan.

[Mick]

You keep missing what I'm asking.

[Lavon Kelly]

I know what you're asking. I just can't give you what. I can't give you what you want right now. College basketball, Carolina blue. I love it. Hey, look, I'll wear a couple Jordans. I'll do that for you. That's about it.

[Mick]

There you go. There you go. All time favorite athlete.

[Lavon Kelly]

It's a lot of them. It's tough to choose one. I mean growing up, I mean Deion is always as my position always been. But I will say I know I was growing up Bo Jackson. I had the cartoon. Remember the cartoon? All stars.

[Mick]

Absolutely.

[Lavon Kelly]

So that was to get up. I used to have a little raider pajama set, the bed set spread and everything. Yeah. Bo is on the map for me.

[Mick]

That's it. So Bo, you said my three are probably if we go football. Bo, Barry and Deion. Barry Sanders was my guy. But Bo Jackson was a different breed. Was a different breed. Cool, man. So. So what all do you have going on? What do you want folks to know like what's upcoming for for Levant right now?

[Lavon Kelly]

I mean it's kind of the grind season for us as we continue to keep recruiting and getting ready to close some deals and bring some clients on the board for this next draft class. So we're still here trying to better ourselves. I'm actually so like professional development. We always trying to learn. Right. There's actually Harvard Business Business School has this executive leadership course in June. So I just applied for that. Hopefully I get in. So pray for me. Whoever's out there to praying the praying folks, please pray for them. I can get into that course and just to be better at my craft now that I'm retired, like I'm just all I want to do. I don't want to do anything else. I don't. I want to do the corporate job and do an agent on the side. Like I'm a full time agent. So I don't I wake up and do this weekends. Anything. Right. It don't matter. Like I said for Thanksgiving. So my high school here in St. Thomas we practice on Thanksgiving. Like Tippett and the playoffs. I flew home. So I flew to Florida to go to practice, go to Thanksgiving. Saw my dad, went to the game Friday, flew out Saturday. Now I'm in Texas visiting my mom right now. And then I fly back to Virginia tomorrow. So.

[Mick]

So okay.

[Lavon Kelly]

All for the work. But I love it and she knows that. She loves it too. So that support factor and I would say that when you have a good circle to support you, that's one of the best things in the world. You really can't put any value on that piece. And I'm talking about just from parents for those parents are still around that can still push you not just as a student now but as a professional and let you just kind of grow and cultivate on your own space. I would trade it in for the world.

[Mick]

That's amazing man. So where can people follow and find you? And I'll make sure we have links to everything in the show, notes in the description.

[Lavon Kelly]

I make it very simple. Instagram and Twitter. It's just my full name, Lavon Kelly. So it's Lavon L A V A U G H N Kelly K E L L E Y There it is.

[Mick]

Simple enough. Lavon brother, I appreciate you being on. We're gonna do this again so we can go into some of these stories because they didn't get to see the comedian that I know you are as well too. So thank you brother. I know you're busy. Just it meant the world to have you on. And again, thank you so much for your service.

[Lavon Kelly]

I appreciate it man. Definitely, definitely. I thank you for this opportunity. I wish you all the best and continued success for you as well. And I'm looking forward to doing this again with you.

[Mick]

You got it. And to all the listeners and viewers, remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.

[Lavon Kelly]

Thank you for tuning in to MC Unplugged. Keep pushing your limits, embracing your purpose and chasing greatness.

[Mick]

Until next time, stay unstoppable over the.

[Jordan]

Holidays while enjoying time with your families. Take a moment to discover the benefits of AARP staying sharp. Explore articles on staying healthy and active. Try recipes that are rich in brain boosting nutrients. Relax and recharge with meditation videos and unwind with with fun games and puzzles. Visit stayingsharp.org for more information and content about brain health challenges, brain friendly recipes, activities and articles about general health and wellness.