This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, our guest George Maxe shares his 30-year career path filled with unexpected twists and turns that led him to his current role as the president and CEO of The First Tee of Silicon Valley, where he’s been making a significant impact for the past 15 years.
Listen in to hear more about George’s inspiring journey. He recalls memorable moments playing golf and how golf transcends being just a sport into a powerful tool for character development and social inclusivity. He also emphasizes making golf accessible to children from all backgrounds and creating balanced environments where they can learn from each other’s experiences.
This episode is sponsored by:
In This Episode:
The Unexpected Journey
A Swing to Remember
From Berkeley to San Jose
Numbers Game
Golf: A Social Catalyst
Making Golf Accessible
Balancing Act
The Power Within
Unforgettable Encounters
Women and Golf
The Art of Mentorship
Volunteering
Building Rapport Through Humor
Golf Course Conversations
Quotations:
“There’s something magical that happens when two people click.” ~ George Maxe
“When you love competition, it’s gotta be so hard to let go of it when you think you have a chance to win again.” ~ George Maxe
“One of the great things about golf is that we’re using it as a vehicle for character development.” ~ George Maxe
Guest’s Bio:
George Maxe is a dedicated and visionary leader who has made a significant impact on youth development through his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of The First Tee of Silicon Valley. His journey with the organization began in 2008, when he assumed the position of Executive Director at The First Tee of San Jose. Over the years, his leadership and unwavering commitment have transformed the organization, leaving an indelible mark on the community, which revolves around nurturing young talent and enabling them to reach their fullest potential, allowing him to leverage his education, experience, expertise, and background to make a positive impact on young lives. Under his guidance, The First Tee of San Jose experienced remarkable growth and expansion. By early 2012, he had successfully extended the program’s reach to include not only San Jose but also Gilroy and East Palo Alto, effectively renaming it The First Tee of Silicon Valley. This strategic move broadened the organization’s service area, ensuring more young people had access to its valuable programs. He aims to serve 10,000 youth by 2020 and elevate that number to 18,000 by 2025.
Growing up in a segregated Alabama, Ralph Stokes never imagined he would play for the University of Alabama. But when his all-black high school closed down, he found himself in a predominantly white school, facing challenges of integration. Through perseverance, teamwork, and respect, Ralph became a trailblazing athlete, carving out a path for future generations. This episode explores the lessons learned from Ralph’s journey and how his experiences prepared him for life beyond football. Join us as we delve into the unexpected twists and turns of Ralph’s story and discover how he transformed adversity into opportunity.
This episode is sponsored by:
In this episode you’ll be able to:
Discover valuable lessons from a pioneering football player’s journey
Understand the crucial role of respect in fostering successful team dynamics
Learn how to rise above discrimination and setbacks through respectful dialogue
Uncover how to apply football-derived strategies to excel in business and entrepreneurship
Gain insight into effective goal setting and teamwork inspired by collegiate athletics
Key Moments:
00:03:12 – Ralph Stokes’ Career, Ralph Stokes talks about his current role as Vice President of Diversity Partnerships and Community Relations at the PGA Tour Tour Superstore, and his upcoming role as President of the Georgia State Golf Association.
00:06:16 – Ralph Stokes’ Experience with Integration, Ralph Stokes shares his experience with integration, starting from when he had to move to a different high school after his all-black high school was shut down, to playing football at a predominantly white school and leading integration his way.
00:11:15 – Football at Robert E. Lee High School, Ralph Stokes talks about his first day at Robert E. Lee High School, where he and other black players were outnumbered by white players and faced a giant Confederate flag in the gym. He shares how they were able to bring the team together and succeed in football.
00:15:28 – The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion, Ralph Stokes emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion, and how it benefits everyone, whether it’s in sports, business, or society. He shares his hope for a better future where people are judged by their character, not their skin color.
00:16:50 – Learning Respect for Each Other, Ralph Stokes shares a story about how he learned respect for his white teammates during his high school football career. He explains how this respect helped them build a strong team and emphasizes the importance of respect in any organization.
00:19:07 – Ralph’s College Recruitment, Ralph talks about his college recruitment process and the numerous scholarship offers he received from various schools, including Notre Dame, Southern Cal, and Alabama. He explains how he never wanted to play for Alabama due to their lack of black players and how his mother influenced his decision-making process.
00:25:13 – Meeting Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Ralph’s mother initially refused to let him play for Alabama due to Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s racist remarks. However, Coach Bryant went to Montgomery to meet Ralph’s family and apologize for his statements. Ralph’s mother asked tough questions, but ultimately allowed Ralph to play for Alabama.
00:32:27 – Coach Bryant’s Promise, Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant promised Ralph and his family that he would treat Ralph fairly and be like a father to him while he was away at college. Ralph emphasizes the importance of having someone to look up to and how Coach Bryant fulfilled his promise to him.
00:34:39 – Priorities Beyond Football, Ralph Stokes shares how his mother’s priority wasn’t just about football, but about her son’s future. She asked legitimate questions and allowed Coach Paul Bear Bryant to answer. They found common ground with respect and had a conversation.
00:36:51 – Coach Bryant’s Response, Coach Bryant responded positively to every issue that addressed the four questions Ralph Stokes had. He was an outstanding coach, but an even greater man.
00:39:46 – Business School, Ralph Stokes wanted to go to business school but was denied. He insisted he wanted to go, and they told him he had to talk to Coach Bryant. Coach Bryant allowed him to go to business school after listening to his reasons. Stokes graduated in four years and later served on the board of directors and was honored as one of the outstanding alums.
00:44:23 – Blessed with a Brain, Ralph Stokes felt blessed to have a brain and wanted to challenge himself to use it to do the best he could. His mother instilled the importance of education, and he and his siblings were driven by a set of parents that valued education.
00:48:16 – Responsibility of Results, Ralph Stokes talks about the importance of taking responsibility for the results of your actions. He uses golf and the stock market as examples of places where results are based on actions and not discrimination. His mom instilled the value of education, which she believed was the road to their future.
00:50:49 – Background and Decision Making, Ralph Stokes talks about his decision not to accept the scholarship offered to him by legendary coach Paul Bear Bryant and his reasons for taking a break from school. He also talks about his friends’ decisions to go to law school and play football.
00:52:49 – Paul Bear Bryant’s Legacy, Ralph shares his memories of the day of Paul Bear Bryant’s passing, the huge impact the coach had on the state of Alabama and the outpouring of support from former players and fans. He also talks about attending Bryant’s funeral.
00:54:11 – The Procession, Ralph describes the procession from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham for Paul Bear Bryant’s burial. He talks about the incredible turnout of people and how it felt like the passing of a president.
00:55:30 – Future Episodes, Gary asks Ralph to come back for future episodes to talk about his business life and college football. Ralph agrees and teases stories about his experiences in insurance sales and presenting to the Klu Klux Klan.
00:56:38 – Closing Remarks, Gary and Ralph thank each other for the conversation and Ralph expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to share his story. They look forward to future episodes together.
Bio:
Ralph Stokes, a former University of Alabama running back who made history as part of the first black recruiting class. His incredible personal journey serves as a testament to the power of determination, integrity, and the unwavering drive to succeed against all odds. From his early days playing football at Booker T. Washington High School in Montgomery, Alabama, to joining the historically white Robert E. Lee High School, Ralph’s story showcases the lessons learned on and off the field that continue to inspire countless others. As a respected executive in the golf industry, Ralph demonstrates that with resilience and dedication, anything is possible.
Check out Ralph Stokes’ book One of the First and consider sharing it with others. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-stokes-01b73526/ https://www.amazon.com/One-First-Overcoming-Challenges-Integration-ebook/dp/B098LP8QJY
If you’re feeling frustrated and unfulfilled because you’ve been tirelessly pursuing your dreams with purpose, but nothing seems to be working out, and you’re constantly facing setbacks and roadblocks, then you are not alone!
This week’s guest is Gold Medalist Jason Richardson. After a catastrophic injury, he defied the odds and returned to his passion of racing. But what led him to become a psychologist and expert in sports performance? Join us as Jason shares his journey of soul searching, overcoming obstacles, and discovering the keys to success. But just when it seems like he’s found the answer, a shocking twist leaves him facing a difficult choice. Don’t miss this gripping story of resilience and determination.
In this episode:
Tackling hurdles head-on and paving a path toward true accomplishment
Igniting your inner fire and taking calculated leaps toward your dreams
Fostering an optimistic lifestyle and implementing restorative wellness strategies
Examining your core beliefs and determining your authentic ambitions
Embracing minimalist techniques to reach your objectives and prevent standing still
Meet Jason Richardson, a gold medalist in BMX racing at the Pan Am Games, who has transformed his life after a life-changing injury. With an MBA under his belt and a thriving career in sports psychology, Jason is passionate about helping others find their true desires and cultivate personal growth. As an author of “More, Better, Happier,” he shares his insights on overcoming challenges and embracing life’s opportunities. As a guest on the Gary Scott Thomas Show, Jason’s energy and enthusiasm is infectious, making him a friend you’d want to have by your side in your journey of self-discovery.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
Check out Dr. Jason Richardson’s book It’s All BS! We’re All Wrong, And You’re All Right! for tips on improving mental health.
Consider seeking out a sports psychologist, like Dr. Richardson, for help with improving performance and mental health.
Practice avoiding the four things that rob you of energy: comparing, complaining, complicating, and worrying.
Focus on feeling your emotions and finding ways to be productive and helpful to yourself and others.
Seek help for clinical issues from professionals in the field.
Quotations:
“Having the intention of racing actually sped up and gave me great not just motivation, but a great intention to heal and get better and push myself.” ~Jason Richardson
“Gratitude is one of the biggest things that can help you not only get over a hump but actually take stock of where you are.” ~Jason Richardson
“If you are truly not happy with where you are or even who you are, what is the opposite of that?” ~Jason Richardson
“Comparing, complaining, complicating, and worrying, those are the four things that just suck energy out of us.” ~Jason Richardson
Get ready, science lovers! (and even non-science lovers) This episode is about to blow your mind. Dr. Thomas Sheahen joined Gary to talk about the relativity of time, how science always points to God, and much more!
In this episode:
Consciousness, the higher functions of mankind
Our view of time vs God’s view of time
The comprehension of total time
False gods
How religion and science can both be right
The possible existence of UFOs & aliens
How the moon affects us
There’s a great intelligence behind “coincidences”
Constraints humans impose upon God
Possible realities of different versions of Hell
Quantum Mechanics
Quotations:
“The appearance or the publicity surrounding the idea that scientists or atheists is really mistaken and very misleading. Everyone who really looks carefully into science at a very high level. Finds that the upper reaches of research and so forth are pointing again and again and again to the fact that God created science; he invented it, he thought it up, and it is his accomplishment that we, as scientists, are studying.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“An awful lot of science is very similar in that we think we’ve accomplished something wonderful, and we have made real accomplishments–look at medical science, for example; it has been wonderful, but we do appreciate what a huge gulf there is between what we can do and what God has already done in creating nature.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“Any scientific theory is always subject to revision. There’s no such thing as final when you’re talking about science.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“Human beings are indeed capable of consciousness, understanding, thought of will, and of love. And to direct that love back to God is the intention of creation.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“What I’m preaching here with this book to everyone is to be humble. Be appreciative of the fact that God is smarter than us. And he is better than us, and he can do things that we can’t even comprehend.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“Time is the falsest god of all.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“When they think that God is limited in time, when God is subordinate to time, then they have placed a false God before God, which is forbidden by the commandments.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“All the people who insist on six-day creationism, they don’t understand relativity. They’ve got no concept of time dilation or different timeframes. And it’s a real shame that that very brilliant idea has escaped the attention of so many people.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“I think our space exploration is going to be done with robots for many, many years to come.
“I have to, again, underline my own limitations that I see things through the eyes of a person from the 20th and 21st century. And that’s limited.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“There’s a big difference between my science and the science of the future.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“Accept your human limitations. Don’t try to tell God what to do because we’re on a much lower plane of intelligence than God is.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“There is a real Hell, and we need to think at a higher level in order to learn about it because we’re not getting there by just ordinary human imagination.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
”I encourage you to keep exploring and keep thinking and keep dreaming up new ideas yourself.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
“Why are we here? What is life all about and so forth? You will not find the answer by thinking at an ordinary human level. You’ve gotta think at a higher level; you gotta reach your thinking in the direction of God in order to understand what it’s all about. But in every case, science is gonna point us toward God. And that’s really, really important.” ~Dr. Thomas Sheahen
Guest’s Bio:
Dr. Thomas P. Sheahen is vice president of the Science and Environment Policy Project (SEPP), Director of the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology (ITEST), and president/CEO of Western Technology, Inc., an independent consulting firm specializing in energy technology issues with business implications,
From 2005 – 2009, Dr. Sheahen served as a Senior Analyst in the Systems Integration Office of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. From 1993 – 2002 he was a senior scientist in the Energy Systems Group for Science Applications International Corporation, where he led a team of evaluators in selecting renewable energy projects for support by NREL. He previously held positions with Argonne National Laboratory, Energy Research Advisory Board to the Department of Energy, SRI International (Stanford Research Institute), Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, National Bureau of Standards, and Bell Telephone Laboratories.
Dr. Sheahen is the author of Introduction to High-Temperature Superconductivity (Plenum Press: 1994). His research papers have appeared in many peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Physical Review, Applied Optics, Journal of Technology Transfer, Reviews of Modern Physics, Energy the International Journal, Strategic Planning, and Energy Management, and The Science Teacher.
Dr. Sheahen has co-authored numerous reports on topics including rocket re-entry instrumentation (Bell Labs), industrial instrumentation and analysis of measurement economics (Industrial Nucleonics), research program plans (National Bureau of Standards), industrial energy conservation (Office of Technology Assessment), national energy policy planning (DOE), and renewable energy technology (SAIC).
Dr. Sheahen holds B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
