In this powerful episode of The Inspiration Podcast, host Stan Gibson sits down with Alex Molden — former first-round NFL draft pick, speaker, author, and leadership coach — to talk about life beyond the field, discovering identity after success, and how to lead with influence and integrity.

Alex's story is one of grit, humility, and transformation. From being the #11 overall draft pick in the 1996 NFL Draft to facing career-ending injuries, he learned firsthand that even at the top, your job is never truly secure. Through the highs of playing for the Saints and Chargers to the humbling moments of rebuilding life after football, Alex discovered that true leadership is not about fame or titles — it's about influence, self-awareness, and consistency.

He shares how one mentor taught him the three principles that changed everything:
➡️ Assignment — Know your role and the roles of those around you.
➡️ Alignment — Position yourself precisely for success — in life, relationships, and work.
➡️ Adjustment — Be ready to adapt when things don't go as planned.

These lessons not only helped him excel on the field but also shaped his approach to leadership, parenting, and coaching others. Alex opens up about a painful post-NFL job interview that brought him to tears — a moment that forced him to ask, "Who am I without football?" That awakening led to years of personal growth and the creation of his book, "Breaking on the Ball of Life."

Whether you're leading a business, a team, or a family, this episode will inspire you to build your own framework for success — one grounded in awareness, purpose, and character.

"When you have something of value, you don't need to dress it up. You already shine." — Alex Molden

Links:

• FREE GIFTS FOR LEADERS: https://leadwithstan.com

• MORE INFO: https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 — Welcome and introduction to Alex Molden
• 02:00 — Being recruited by Oregon and the early college years
• 05:00 — Getting drafted and the transition to the NFL
• 07:00 — What free agency taught him about business and humility
• 09:00 — The hard truth: your job is never safe in professional sports
• 12:00 — Facing injury, doubt, and the business side of the NFL
• 14:00 — The "Assignment, Alignment, Adjustment" framework that changed his life
• 18:00 — Applying those lessons to leadership and coaching
• 22:00 — Writing Breaking on the Ball of Life and redefining success
• 26:00 — The humbling story that forced him to rediscover his identity
• 31:00 — Rebuilding faith, priorities, and alignment after football
• 33:00 — How he teaches leaders to stay grounded in values and purpose
• 37:00 — Coaching others through honesty, culture, and influence
• 41:00 — The Junior Seau "Rolex" story — a lesson in humility and value
• 46:00 — What present-day Alex would tell his younger self
• 48:00 — Understanding leadership as influence
• 49:00 — How to connect with Alex Molden and learn more about his work

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Stan sits down with Executive Teen Coach Jheri South, whose personal journey through ADHD and parenting seven neurodivergent children has shaped her life's mission: to empower kids and parents to thrive together.

Jheri opens up about growing up undiagnosed with ADHD and how that shaped her understanding of resilience, self-awareness, and emotional health. Today, she helps families uncover the root causes behind their struggles — from impulsivity and overwhelm to emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity (RSD). With compassion and deep understanding, she teaches that ADHD and autism aren't disorders to be "fixed," but neurological differences to be understood and worked with.

Together, Stan and Jheri explore the connection between awareness and healing, how early diagnosis and understanding can change the trajectory of a child's confidence, and the role parents play in modeling emotional regulation. They discuss how parents can support neurodivergent kids by focusing on consistency, communication, and curiosity instead of correction — and how grace, empathy, and understanding lead to real transformation inside the home.

From managing RSD to creating healthy routines and helping kids understand their emotions, this conversation is a must-listen for parents, leaders, and anyone navigating neurodivergence. As Jheri says, "You're not broken — your brain just works differently. Once you understand it, anything is possible."

If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to support your child (or yourself) through ADHD or autism, this episode will inspire you to see neurodiversity not as a barrier, but as a beautiful part of human design.

Links:

• FREE GIFTS FOR LEADERS: https://leadwithstan.com
• MORE INFO: https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com
  

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 — Welcome and intro to Jheri South
• 02:00 — What neurodiversity really means
• 05:00 — ADHD vs. ADD: What's changed in the DSM
• 07:00 — Jheri's late diagnosis and family story
• 09:00 — How ADHD is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed
• 12:00 — Why treatment is about understanding, not just medication
• 14:00 — Jheri's story: single motherhood, resilience, and emotional struggle
• 16:00 — Understanding RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria)
• 18:00 — How self-awareness helps reframe emotional pain
• 21:00 — Mind management and reframing thoughts
• 25:00 — Parenting with awareness: consistency over perfection
• 28:00 — The "85% Good Stan" rule and giving yourself grace
• 30:00 — How ADHD shows up differently in every child
• 33:00 — Why early diagnosis matters
• 35:00 — The need for better teacher training on neurodiversity
• 37:00 — Self-confidence, school struggles, and missed diagnoses
• 40:00 — Real-life client stories of transformation
• 46:00 — What leaders and managers need to know about ADHD
• 50:00 — Embracing neurodivergent strengths in the workplace
• 51:00 — Jheri's mission and programs to support families
• 53:00 — How to connect with Jheri South

In this solo episode, Stan dives deep into one of his favorite leadership topics — Transformational Identity — and how changing your being changes everything. Drawing from neuroscience, leadership coaching, and his own faith journey, Stan unpacks how you can break free from limiting beliefs, reshape your mindset, and start living as the person you were created to become.

Broadcasting from sunny Florida, Stan shares insights from his recent session with emerging leaders of all generations — from Gen Z to Boomers — on how small, daily improvements compound into transformation. He calls this the 1% Growth Rule, where marginal gains over time build lasting success. Drawing inspiration from the British cycling team's story and David Brailsford's philosophy, Stan emphasizes that excellence begins with small details — because how you do anything is how you do everything.

From there, he breaks down two key systems of the brain — neuroplasticity and the reticular activating system (RAS) — and how they allow us to literally rewire our beliefs. By choosing what to focus on, we teach our minds to see opportunity instead of limitation. This awareness, paired with intentional practice, leads to transformational identity: a life designed by purpose, not default.

Stan also shares tools and practices you can start today:

• Daily "I am" affirmations
• Voice memos to reinforce mindset shifts
• Visualization and mental rehearsal
• Scripture, quotes, or evidence stacking for belief building
• Creating an alter ego that embodies your best self (inspired by The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman)

Finally, Stan highlights one of his favorite books — Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz — and reminds listeners that true change happens from the inside out. When we transform our inner self-image, our external world follows.

"Once you have better self-awareness and you choose how you want to show up… the magic starts." — Stan Gibson

If this episode resonates, you'll love the free tools and resources available at LeadWithStan.com — where you can also learn more about Stan's Resilient Leadership Mastermind.

Links:

• FREE GIFTS FOR LEADERS: https://leadwithstan.com
• MORE INFO: https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 — Welcome from Florida 🌴
• 01:00 — What is Transformational Identity?
• 03:00 — Incremental Growth: The 1% Rule
• 05:00 — The British Cycling Team Example
• 08:00 — Rewiring Your Brain: Neuroplasticity
• 09:30 — The Reticular Activating System (RAS)
• 11:30 — How to Train Your Mind to See Opportunities
• 12:30 — Identity Work & Evidence Stacking
• 13:30 — Creating an Alter Ego (feat. Cam F. Awesome)
• 16:00 — "I Am" Statements & Daily Habits
• 18:00 — Insights from Psycho-Cybernetics
• 20:00 — Visualization, Feedback & Forgiveness
• 21:30 — Designing Your Future with Intention
• 22:30 — Free Tools & Resources at LeadWithStan.com
• 23:00 — Closing Encouragement: Live a Rich and Intentional Life