Episode 354: In memory of Jerry West: A Journey of Resilience, Basketball Excellence, and Leadership Wisdom

Habits and Hustle

What does it take to turn childhood struggles into a legendary career?

In memory of the man, the myth and the legend, Jerry West, I am publishing this episode of the Habits & Hustle podcast where I had the privilege of sitting down with Jerry for an inspiring conversation that talks deep into his tumultuous childhood, his rise to athletic greatness, and the enduring legacy he continues to build.

As we trace Jerry's path to athletic success, we talked about his reflections on leadership, emotional intelligence, and the importance of honesty and respect in all interactions and more! His candid discussion about his strongest and weakest traits offers a glimpse into the personal philosophy that has guided him throughout his life.

Tune in this episode to gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the icon and the lessons we can all learn from his extraordinary journey.

Jerry West was an American basketball player, coach, and general manager who spent four noteworthy decades with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). West is widely considered one of the sport’s greatest players and later was hugely influential as a coach and executive. Perhaps the greatest testament to his enduring impact on basketball is the fact that a photo of West serves as the model for the ubiquitous red, white, and blue NBA logo.

What we discuss:

(07:09) Perseverance and Mental Toughness

(11:49) Growing Pains and Finding Balance

(20:43) Talent vs Mindset in Sports

(28:03) Impact of Free Agency in Basketball

(33:03) Steve Ballmer

(37:26) Organization Transparency and Accountability

(51:02) The Power of Athlete Activism

(54:50) Learning From People, Leaders vs. Individuals

(01:00:55) Staying Grounded Amidst Fame

Thank you to our sponsor:

Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off

To learn more about Jerry West:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialjerrywest/

Find more from Jen:

Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/

Instagram: @therealjencohen

Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books

Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices