This podcast episode features an insightful conversation between Coach Hughes and Doug Flutie, a renowned athlete known for his remarkable football career and inspiring personal journey. Flutie’s story spans from his early days as an undersized quarterback to a celebrated career in both the NFL and CFL, demonstrating resilience, leadership, and motivation against the odds. The discussion explores his approach to leadership, the importance of discipline, mental preparation, and continuous learning, and how these principles helped him defy expectations throughout his 21-year career.

Beyond sports, Doug shares his profound experiences as a father to a son with autism, revealing how adversity shaped his purpose beyond football. He has channeled his drive into founding a successful autism foundation, which has raised millions and positively impacted many lives. The episode emphasizes themes of perseverance, humility, vulnerability, the power of teamwork, and self-care, making it a compelling narrative about overcoming challenges and striving to be the best version of oneself in all areas of life.

In this insightful episode of the Be Best You podcast, Coach Hughes interviews Bill Blum, founder and CEO of Alpine Business Systems, about the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact on business, education, healthcare, and society at large. Bill brings over 37 years of experience in business systems and technology integration, offering a grounded, practical perspective on how AI can be leveraged effectively by individuals and organizations, especially small and medium-sized businesses.

In this episode of the - Be Best You - podcast, Coach Hughes speaks with Jennifer Wallace, a bestselling author and founder of the Mattering Institute. Her book, *Never Enough*, addresses feelings of inadequacy in young people and the pressure to prove their worth. Her upcoming book, releasing in 2026, will focus on “mattering” — the need to feel valued and contribute to one's community.

They discuss how the lack of mattering causes anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in both youth and adults, particularly in competitive environments. Research shows that affluent, high-achieving youth are two to six times more likely to experience mental health issues because they base their self-worth on achievements rather than intrinsic value.

Jennifer emphasizes the importance of intrinsic values like kindness and personal growth. She introduces the “SAID” framework (Significant, Appreciated, Invested in, Depended on) as a way to foster a culture of mattering, which can help reduce burnout.

This episode features a rich and heartfelt conversation between Coach John Hughes and Charlie Morrison, the new COO of Jersey Mike’s, alongside insights from Patrick Lencioni, a renowned author and expert on organizational health and team dynamics. The dialogue centers on leadership, trust, vulnerability, and culture within organizations, with a particular focus on how these elements shape high-performing teams and foster personal growth within a business environment.

I'm excited to finally have the opportunity to chat with customer experience expert Dan Gingiss.

In our conversation, we explore the vital role that customer experience plays in today's business landscape. Dan's insightful book, *The Experience Maker*, serves as an excellent guide for anyone looking to create unforgettable customer interactions that set their business apart. This book is truly a treasure for those eager to enhance their strategies and make a unique mark in their industry.

During our podcast, Dan passionately emphasizes that customer experience isn’t just a part of marketing—it’s a powerful marketing tool in its own right! His valuable insights provide a fantastic blueprint for building loyalty and achieving success through extraordinary customer experiences.

Join us as we uncover how to cultivate meaningful connections that will drive your business forward!

To learn more about Dan visit www.dangingiss.com

Coach Hughes interviews TJ Schier, discussing leadership, employee recognition, and the evolution of workplace culture over two decades.

Highlights

• 🎙️ Coach Hughes welcomes TJ Schier, reminiscing about their 22-year friendship.
• 📚 Schier’s book “Send Flowers to the Living” emphasizes recognizing employees while they are still with the company.
• 🤝 Leadership involves creating a supportive culture and valuing employees’ contributions.
• 🌱 The importance of continuous learning and adapting in leadership roles is highlighted.
• 🏆 Recognition vs. appreciation: understanding the emotional impact on employees is crucial.
• 🏢 The restaurant industry must better communicate career paths to attract talent.
• 🔄 Personal growth comes from experiences, both successes and failures, in business.

Key Insights

• 🎯 Recognition vs. Appreciation: Recognizing employees with awards or bonuses is different from making them feel valued emotionally. Leaders need to balance both to foster loyalty.
• 🤔 Culture Matters: A strong workplace culture is essential for retaining employees and improving performance. Leaders must actively shape this culture rather than just focusing on incentives.
• 📈 Career Paths in Hospitality: The hospitality industry often fails to illustrate clear career advancement opportunities, leading to high turnover. Providing visible career paths can enhance recruitment and retention.
• 🧠 Learning from Experience: Personal and professional growth comes from experiences, including mistakes. Leaders should embrace their journeys as invaluable learning opportunities.
• 🔄 Listening as a Leader: Great leaders prioritize listening over speaking in meetings, allowing diverse opinions to shape decisions. This builds trust and promotes collaboration.
• 🌍 Generational Work Ethic: Today’s younger workforce is often misunderstood regarding their work ethic. Leaders should recognize their potential and value contributions to the company.
• 🔍 Consulting Value: Consultants can offer essential shortcuts and insights, helping companies avoid pitfalls and accelerate growth. Their experience can guide leaders in making informed decisions.

What a pleasure it was to have an amazing conversation with an incredible young lady that "WILL" be making a name for herself sooner than later. Watch Out. Thank You Jennifer!

SUMMARY:

Jennifer and I discuss her 1st book called Puzzle Progress where she "Maps Out" steps to become the best version of ourselves. Jennifer shares her journey from a young employee at Jersey Mike’s to becoming a marketing coordinator and author, inspiring others to find their career direction.

Wait til you hear her insight into how to Be BEST You. Look out world here comes Jennifer Kottman...WOW

KEY INSIGHTS:

• 🌱 Early Experience Matters: Starting young in the workforce can build essential skills and shape career aspirations. Jennifer’s journey highlights how initial roles can influence future opportunities.

• 🤔 Asking Questions is Key: Emphasizing curiosity and inquiry can lead to personal and professional growth, helping individuals find clarity in their goals and paths.

• 🎯 Intentional Career Direction: Setting clear intentions and goals is crucial for fulfillment, as it allows individuals to map their steps backward from their desired future.

• 🔄 Failure as Growth: Redefining failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback encourages individuals to take risks and explore new avenues.

• 📊 Holistic Approach: The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of personal goals, finances, and networking, creating a comprehensive guide for career preparation.

• 💬 Value of Connections: Building genuine relationships in professional settings enhances growth opportunities and creates a supportive network for career advancement.

• 🧩 Personalized Learning: The workbook format encourages readers to engage actively, making the process of career exploration manageable and less overwhelming.

Some Additional HIGHLIGHTS:

• 🌟 Jennifer began working at Jersey Mike’s at 15, fostering her passion for customer service.

• 📚 She created a workbook to help others navigate career uncertainties.

• 🔗 Networking is about genuine connections, not manipulation.

• 🧩 The book uses puzzles as a metaphor for building a fulfilling career.

• 💡 Mindset and self-efficacy are crucial for career success.

• 🎓 The book is designed to be user-friendly and actionable for readers.

• 🏷️ Available on Amazon, it aims to guide individuals through career preparation.

In this episode, Coach Hughes teams up with his friend and work colleague, Mookie Golden, to have an engaging conversation with Will Guidara, an American restaurateur and best-selling author of the book "Unreasonable Hospitality."

• Importance of Intentionality: Leaders must be intentional about their actions and relationships, fostering a culture of openness and support. This builds trust within teams.
• 🤝 Mentorship Dynamics: Effective mentorship involves both teaching and learning. Leaders should seek mentors while mentoring others to create a balanced growth environment.
• 🌱 Personal Growth for Leaders: Leaders must prioritize their own well-being and personal development to effectively support their teams, ensuring they lead by example.
• ✍️ Journaling as a Tool: Journaling aids in reflection and capturing inspiration, helping leaders articulate their thoughts and improve decision-making.
• 🚀 Embracing Vulnerability: Authentic leadership involves being vulnerable, allowing teams to relate and connect with leaders on a personal level, fostering a supportive culture.
• 💪 Community and Connection: Building a community around shared values and goals enhances collaboration and motivates individuals to strive for excellence.
• 🎯 Adapting Leadership Styles: Leadership styles must evolve with changing circumstances and personal growth, requiring flexibility and openness to new approaches.