Episode 38: Rob Vaka | Athlete Mentor – Helping NFL Players Tackle Life After Football
Episode 38: Rob Vaka | Athlete Mentor – Helping NFL Players Tackle Life After Football
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Rich Take On Sports
Show Notes:
- Rich Spotlight: Rob Vaka
- Grew up in New Jersey with 2 brothers and played all sports and gravitated towards soccer
- Playing soccer led to playing football as a kicker and had aspirations of kicking in college
- Interested in University of Florida however due to recruiting violations in the mid ’80’s the Gators were placed on probation
- Dad played college football in Ohio and Rob visited Ohio and fell in love with Wittenburg University
- Rob went on to play all 4 years at Wittenberg University and set several kicking records
- NFL aspirations were short-lived as his feels today that his mindset at that time wasn’t ready to compete at that level
- Moved into business with Mobile and eventually was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 31 in 1999
- After beating cancer, his perspective of positivity was only enhanced and now focuses on significance vs. success
- Views himself as a mentor to professional athletes and connector for career opportunities after their playing days are finished while focusing on giving back
- Words of Wisdom from Rob Vaka: “The Golden Rule… do unto others as you’d want done unto you.”
Social Media:
To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports
To Follow Rob Vaka on Twitter: @RobVaka
To Follow Rob Vaka on Instagram: @robvaka
To Learn More About Brink of Midnight Podcast: Brink of Midnight
To Learn More About 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry: 4:8 Principle
To Learn More About Tim Jennings’ Elite Sports Academy: Elite Sports Academy
Feature Image Photo Credit: Ray of Hope Foundation
About the author, Richmond Weaver
Richmond, a graduate of Clemson University has been involved with sports for most of his life and developed a passion for basketball and sports at an early age. He currently lives in Greenville, SC with his wife Karen, founder of Upstate Esthetics and their three kids.