Nathan Whitaker: Small Encounters, Big Impact

Orlando Business Podcast with Eric English

Nathan Whitaker: Small Encounters, Big Impact

It would be easy to assume that being intimately acquainted with big names like Tony Dungy and Tim Tebow would either make a guy proud and cocky or it would have the opposite effect and make him feel small and insignificant. So it seems like a pretty special case when the guy is level-headed, inspired, and inspiring all at the same time.

You may already know the name Nathan Whitaker. He co-authored Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life with Tony Dungy and then Through My Eyes, co-authored with Tim Tebow.

But Nathan didn’t start out as an author. He was a two-sport college athlete in college, then studied law, and eventually he found himself working in Tampa for the Buccaneers on legal, salary cap, and scouting matters. It was there that he got to know Dungy, who would later remark that if ever a biography were to be written about him, it would be authored by Whitaker. But Whitaker wasn’t even a writer then!

Still, the idea fell on fertile ground. The project took three years for Nathan to complete, and along the way, he lost his job with the Buccaneers and worried he wouldn’t be able to provide for his family.

In today’s episode, Nathan reflects on his journey to authorship and motivational speaker. He believes that what some might call “coincidences” are actually Divine Appointments that God uses to steer, instruct, and encourage us.

Nathan shares stories about both Dungy and Tebow. We discuss the self-doubt and questions he faced at various twists and turns of his life.

Nathan shares some powerful thoughts about impact. When we look back on our own lives and think of the people who have helped us get to where we are today, we rarely credit star athletes or “influencers” for our success. No, it’s parents, siblings, extended relatives, friends, colleagues, coaches, etc. who have had the greatest impact on our lives.

So Nathan exhorts us to strive to make “small” impacts on the lives of those we encounter daily as those “small” interactions tend to be the most impactful ones.

Quotes:

“Often, some of the greatest opportunities and most exciting things come when you change up things.” – Nathan Whitaker

“And Tony said, ‘Nathan, I can’t help but think that there are times when God wants there to be a circus so that people can see how we behave, that we believe in something bigger.’” – Nathan Whitaker

“There are a lot of God-ordained moments, and we don’t often realize those.” – Nathan Whitaker

“We underestimate the small interactions.” – Nathan Whitaker

“A lot of times we’re not where we want to be, but I’ve learned to try to own the role that I’m in.” – Nathan Whitaker

“I’ve been more intentional about doing small things that are in the direction that I want to go, and those have made outsized impacts on me.” – Nathan Whitaker

“If I can impact the person next door or the people under my roof, that’s really my purpose, and that’s where I’m supposed to be having an impact.” – Nathan Whitaker

Some Questions I Ask:

• When thinking about practicing gratitude, who would you want to thank for your success today? (03:11)
• What can the listeners and I learn from your “changed careers”? (04:44)
• Share about the process of enduring through tough times while hoping for something better. (06:30)
• Tell me about your various degrees and how they relate to the three years of darkness you mentioned previously. (11:23)
• How did you meet and grow your relationship with Tony Dungy? (13:57)
• What do feel – or what are you reminded of – when you’re in Tony’s presence? (17:43)
• Would you consider Coach Dungy a mentor? If so, why are mentors crucial? (18:58)
• Tell about your work with Tim Tebow. (22:31)
• Do you believe in coincidences? (27:30)
• What type of groups do you like to speak to? (29:42)
• Why is having an impact important? (34:13)
• Why is practicing gratitude important? (40:32)
• What are you looking forward to? (43:05)
• What’s one weird thing that most people don’t know about you? (46:24)
• Is there a belief, behavior, or habit that has improved your life? (48:28)
• Besides working in the yard, where do you find peace in life? (50:11)
• What do you believe to be your purpose? (51:33)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Why change can be hard but can also bring opportunities (05:06)
• Why “all things working for your good” won’t necessarily look attractive (7:21)
• How persistence paid off for Nathan (08:16)
• About Nathan’s background (11:53)
• How Tony Dungy was in inspiration to Nathan (4:05)
• The value of mentors (20:24)
• About Nathan’s relationship with Tim Tebow (24:29)
• About the groups Nathan speaks to and what he speaks about (30:09)
• About the impact everyday interactions can have (35:30)
• About the importance of living in the now (39:08)
• How being grateful can change your perspective (41:12)

Connect with Nathan Whitaker:

• NathanWhitaker.com
• Nathan’s books
• Nathan on Twitter

Also Mentioned on This Show:

• Romans 8:28
• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear