Join us in this candid and insightful interview with former NFL star Rod Gardner, where he shares his journey from being a first-round draft pick to becoming a successful entrepreneur. In this first part of the interview, Rod discusses his transition from the NFL to real estate development, overcoming financial challenges, and navigating the complexities of managing wealth after professional sports. His story is a testament to resilience, strategic thinking, and the importance of building long-term success after a sports career. Stay tuned for part two as we dive deeper into Rod's entrepreneurial ventures!

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👉 Follow Rod Gardner on Instagram @rodgardner87
👉 Follow Tim T. Mercer on Instagram @timtmercer

Topics Covered:

0:00-1:05: Introduction to the financial challenges after the 2008 real estate crash.
1:06-2:05: Introduction of Rod Gardner as a guest, former NFL player and entrepreneur.
2:06-3:10: Rod's early football career, transition from playing quarterback to wide receiver.
3:11-4:00: Rod’s recruitment to Clemson University and his transition to the NFL.
4:01-5:00: Experience of being drafted in the first round of the NFL.
5:01-6:10: The challenges of transitioning from an NFL player to managing wealth.
6:11-7:15: Rod’s post-NFL journey and learning about business.
7:16-9:30: Challenges of managing wealth, financial responsibilities, and the realities of NFL contracts.
9:31-11:00: The impact of the 2008 financial crash on his real estate investments.
11:01-12:20: Pivoting from real estate to technology and business consulting.
12:21-13:30: The importance of learning about money management and investment strategies and the challenges of finding trustworthy advisors.
13:31-14:50: Discussion on taxes, agents, and financial management within the NFL, highlighting the gaps in financial education for athletes.
14:51-16:10: Rod's entry into real estate development, scaling from small home flips to large-scale subdivision projects.
16:11-17:20: Partnering with financial institutions like Wachovia to support real estate development projects.
17:21-18:45: How the 2008 market crash impacted Rod’s real estate projects and his financial outlook.
18:46-20:00: Realizing the need to pivot from real estate to other business opportunities after the financial crisis.
20:01-21:10: Rod's foray into the technology sector and how relationships played a key role in his success.
21:11-22:00: The role of golf in business networking and how Rod used it to build connections that led to business opportunities.
22:01-23:00: Collaborating with business partners and the power of trust in securing deals, specifically regarding a government contract.
23:01-23:30: Closing remarks and a teaser for part two of the interview, focusing on Rod’s current ventures and plans.

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