The Victory Degree

Everything I learned from Michael Jordan’s book, I Can’t Accept Not Trying - his approach to success, fear, failure, discipline, and the courage to go after what you want. Buy I Can't Accept Not Trying By Michael Jordan: bit.ly/4zdkysl Connect with Nik:  Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/ Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Steph Curry:Spotify: bit.ly/4wwEfukKobe BryantSpotify: bit.ly/4bhUkfc

Nick Lowery was rejected 11 times by 8 NFL teams. He went on to become the Kansas City Chiefs’ all-time leading scorer, a record he still holds. In this conversation, Nick and I talk about: - The two words he said to himself before every pressure kick. - Why he believes confidence comes after you act, not before. - What a Pro Bowl locker room taught him about success. - The phone call that changed everything. Along the way he shares stories you won’t hear anywhere else, about Muhammad Ali, Joe Montana and Jack Lambert, plus a family secret he only uncovered at his father’s funeral. Connect with Nick:  Instagram: instagram.com/nicklowery88/ Buy "Naked & Alone With 80,000 People": nicklowerybook.com/ Champions For The Homeless: championsforthehomeless.org Connect with Nik:  Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/ Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

Tom Brady was slow and chunky as a kid, and usually the last one picked. Fourteen years later he couldn’t win the starting job on a freshman team that scored one touchdown all season. So how did he become the winningest player in NFL history? Lars Anderson, a longtime Sports Illustrated writer and the author of Brady: An American Story and the Price of Greatness, spent three years and more than 350 interviews trying to answer that. In this conversation he explains how Brady carried deep self-doubt and still projected total confidence, and he tells the stories from coaches, teammates and people on the fringes that never made the headlines. He also covers what Brady’s obsession cost him. We also get into: - The moment that convinced Lars to take on “the highest mountain of sports biographies” - How growing up in a house of star athletes shaped Brady’s leadership - Why it was never really about winning - A story every 49ers fan needs to hear - What it costs to be the best in the world, and whether it’s worth it Connect with Lars:  X: x.com/LarsAnderson71 Buy "Brady: An American Story & The Price of Greatness": bit.ly/47NNdJw Connect with Nik:  Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/ Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Michael Brockers played next to Aaron Donald, was a Rams captain, and played in a Super Bowl against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. In this episode he gets honest about what separates good players from great ones, including a hard look at his own career. We talk about: • What Aaron Donald did that Brockers wasn’t willing to do • What Sean McVay changed when he took over the Rams • What it’s like to play in a league where every year someone is drafted to take your job • The NFL politics fans never see • What he noticed about the Patriots the week before the Super Bowl • The advice he’d give his rookie self If you’re chasing something big, in sports or anywhere else, this one will make you ask yourself how badly you want it.Connect with Michael:  X: x.com/MichaelBrockers Instagram: instagram.com/mbrockers90/ Connect with Nik:  Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/ Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Five-time NBA All-Star Marques Johnson joins The Victory Degree to share stories and lessons from a lifetime in basketball—from his upbringing in Los Angeles and playing for John Wooden at UCLA to competing against Larry Bird and his connection to Michael Jordan.We discuss the influence of his parents, the coaches who shaped his career, and the preparation behind performing at the highest level. Marques reflects on confidence, perfectionism, teamwork, and what it takes to keep improving when your talent meets tougher competition. He also shares his perspective on Bill Walton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Russell Westbrook.Beyond basketball, Marques opens up about the challenges that success doesn’t always solve: self-doubt, comparison, and the feeling of never quite measuring up. We explore navigating adversity, recovery, and learning to appreciate the people who supported you along the way.Connect with Marques: X: x.com/olskool888Instagram: instagram.com/olskool888/Buy Marques' New Book: The Crenshaw Chronicles: bit.ly/4jgC8HPConnect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/ Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

What drove Michael Jordan, and what can we learn from the way he approached the game?In this episode of The Victory Degree Podcast, I break down my favorite quotes and stories from Jordan’s book, For the Love of the Game. We explore confidence, preparation, leadership, handling setbacks, and finding fulfillment beyond winning, with supporting insights from Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and other great athletes.Connect with Nik:  Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/ Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik Sources: Buy For The Love of The Game: bit.ly/47NlXukOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Steph Curry:Spotify: bit.ly/4wwEfukKobe BryantSpotify: bit.ly/4bhUkfc

What does it take to build real confidence and keep moving forward when life changes your plans? Former NBA player and entrepreneur Jonathan Bender joins me on The Victory Degree to discuss sacrifice, reinvention, and life beyond basketball. We explore lessons from Larry Bird and Reggie Miller, the work behind success, and the mindset that carries from the court into business. Connect with Jonathan:  Instagram: instagram.com/jonathanbender9/ Connect with Nik:  Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/ Twitter: x.com/victorywithnikOther Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

With 11 state championships, two undefeated 41–0 seasons, and induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, basketball coach Charles Smith joins The Victory Degree to discuss confidence, discipline, and what separates talent from fulfilled potential. From his upbringing in rural Louisiana to his experience coaching a young Kyrie Irving, we explore the lessons behind a lifetime in basketball, overcoming setbacks, and building success on and off the court.Connect with Coach Smith: Instagram: instagram.com/thecoachcharlessmith/Connect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/ Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik Other Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Ed Latimore has lived a life shaped by boxing, discipline, adversity, and a relentless curiosity about what makes people succeed. In this conversation, we explore the psychology behind resilience, fear, hard work, happiness, confidence, and what it actually takes to become someone you’re proud of. This is a wide-ranging conversation about navigating difficult seasons, using negative emotions productively, developing real confidence through preparation, and learning how to take action when most people hesitate.Connect with Ed: X: x.com/EdLatimoreInstagram: instagram.com/edlatimore/Buy Ed's Book: edlatimore.com/bookConnect with Nik: Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/ Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik Other Episodes You May Enjoy:Josh DobbsSpotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXuApple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVBGeorge MumfordSpotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaRApple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBRDr. Jim LoehrSpotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Ray Lewis’ journey was shaped by adversity, discipline, self-belief, and an relentless commitment to becoming better. In this episode, I break down 10 of the most powerful lessons, stories, and mindset principles from his life, from the experiences that shaped him as a kid to the mentality that helped him become one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. All quotes/stories are from Ray's book:  I Feel Like Going On This is a deeper look at the mindset behind the player, the struggles that fueled him, and the principles he carried throughout his career. Connect with Nik:  Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/  Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik  Sources:  Buy I Feel Like Going On: bit.ly/4wRfJ6R Other Episodes You May Enjoy: Steph Curry: Spotify: bit.ly/4wwEfuk Kobe Bryant Spotify: bit.ly/4bhUkfc