On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Glenn Ellison, a man whose life story could fill a movie script. From growing up in poverty with six siblings and an alcoholic father, to channeling his pain and anger into football and earning a full scholarship to the University of Arkansas, Glenn's early journey is as inspiring as it is raw. He shares how an illegal hit and an unexpected twist in NCAA eligibility rules cut short his college career, but his determination led him to play for the Marine Corps team and ultimately earn a spot in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders under legendary coach John Madden.

But Glenn's story doesn’t stop on the football field. After his sports career, he faced more adversity and found purpose in helping others. For the past 24 years, Glenn has dedicated his life to restoring peace in families through The Parent Help Center, working with parents and at-risk youth to turn chaos into hope and healing. He opens up about how faith, hard lessons, and relentless work ethic shaped his mission to make an enduring impact.

This is a candid, powerful conversation about resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of believing in others, and yourself, even when the odds are stacked against you. Glenn’s journey reminds us that no matter where you start, it's never too late to change the game and make a difference.

Learn more about Glenn and his mission at theparenthelpcenter.com, and get ready to be inspired by a true comeback story.

About Glenn,

Glenn Ellison is a former NFL player, United States Marine, and now a certified Jon Gordon Trainer helping leaders and families create positive change. His inspiring journey took him from high school football star to being kicked out of college, from $35-a-game semi-pro leagues to the Marine Corps football program—where he became a two-time MVP. Against 10,000 to 1 odds, Glenn walked on to the NFL, proving that grit, faith, and perseverance open impossible doors.

Today, Glenn is the founder of a non-profit dedicated to building stronger families, the author of Tackling Life's Challenges, and the real-life inspiration behind the film Success Camp, which tells the story of struggling families finding hope. His life is proof that detours often lead to your true purpose—and that with commitment and belief, even the wildest dreams are within reach.

Here’s a few additional resources for you…

Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11

Order my new book 'The 7 Commitments of a Great Team' today!

Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.

Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.

Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!

In this episode, I talk about why commitment truly starts with the leader. If you want a committed team, it’s up to you, as the leader, to lead the way. I’ll share why your commitment is the catalyst for your team’s success, and how your example can ignite commitment in everyone around you. I’ll also give you a simple but powerful exercise to help you and your team reflect on your level of commitment and what it takes to get to a 10. Remember, when you commit first, your team will follow. Let’s choose to raise our level of commitment today and accomplish something great together. If these messages encourage you, share them with your team and others who want to grow. Let’s keep building stronger, more positive teams, one commitment at a time!

Here’s a few additional resources for you…

Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11

Order my new book 'The 7 Commitments of a Great Team' today!

Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.

Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.

Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!

Start your week with a boost of inspiration on Positive Mindset Monday. In this episode, I share the timeless story of the two dogs within us, one positive and uplifting, the other negative and discouraging. Drawing powerful lessons from this ancient wisdom, I explain why what you feed your mind each day shapes your attitude, outlook, and ultimately, your life. Discover practical ways to choose encouragement over criticism, tune in to the supportive voice inside you, and cultivate a spirit of kindness and optimism. By feeding your own positivity, you’ll not only transform your mindset but also have more to offer others. Share this message with someone who needs it, and make today the day you start feeding the positive dog within!

Here’s a few additional resources for you…

Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11

Order my new book 'The 7 Commitments of a Great Team' today!

Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.

Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.

Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!

On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Chad Busick, one of my top certified trainers who lives, breathes and shares the principles of championship teams. Chad interviews me as we do a deep dive into my latest book, The Seven Commitments of a Great Team, the journey that shaped it, and why these lessons matter for everyone looking to build something great together.

Chad leads me through an honest exploration of what a true “championship mindset” really means, why it’s not about chasing a trophy, but becoming the kind of teammate and leader who lifts up others and shows up with purpose, grit, and positivity, no matter the circumstances. I share parts of my personal journey, including the struggles with negativity that almost cost me my marriage and ultimately pushed me onto this path of teaching positive leadership.

We go behind the scenes on the writing of Seven Commitments, touching on the coaches and mentors who inspired me, like the unforgettable Coach Richie Moran (whose words “teammates are forever” are at the heart of this story). Together we break down why valuing each other is the foundation of any great team, how individual goals and a shared mission fuel real success, and why staying positive, together, matters most when adversity strikes.

You’ll hear why these commitments have already struck a chord with so many coaches and business leaders, how simple frameworks like LIGHT and VALUE can unlock stronger teams, and why I believe this might be my most meaningful work yet. There are practical takeaways and authentic stories for anyone who wants to lead, connect, and get better, whether you’re building a winning culture in sports, business, education, or at home.

Check out more from Chad! chadbusick.com

Here’s a few additional resources for you…

Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11

Order my new book 'The 7 Commitments of a Great Team' today!

Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.

Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.

Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!

In this episode of Positive Leadership Tip Wednesday, I dive into the heart of what truly makes a leader effective: the balance between principles and practices. I explain why simply having values and a vision isn’t enough, leaders need real tools and actionable steps to build, develop, and transform their teams. Join me as I break down how principles guide us, but practices are what actually drive growth and success. Tune in for straightforward, practical leadership tips that can help you and your team get better every week. If you find value here, share this episode and let's help everyone level up together.

Here’s a few additional resources for you…

Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11

Order my new book 'The 7 Commitments of a Great Team' today!

Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.

Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.

Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!

Start your week with a fresh perspective on Positive Mindset Monday. In this episode, I dive into the powerful shift from saying “have to” to embracing “get to.” Drawing from my experience and the lessons I shared in The No Complaining Rule, I reveal how this simple language change can turn everyday obligations into opportunities for gratitude. I open up about my own life, including the impact of losing my mom, to remind you (and myself) that every day is a gift, not a given. Join me as I share how choosing appreciation over complaint can energize your mindset and transform how you face each day. Let’s encourage each other to see life not as an obligation, but as an opportunity.

Here’s a few additional resources for you…

Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11

Order my new book 'The 7 Commitments of a Great Team' today!

Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.

Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.

Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!

In this episode for Positive Leadership Tip Wednesday, I dive into the No Complaining Rule: if you have a complaint, you also need to bring one or two possible solutions. This approach doesn’t just reduce negativity, it encourages everyone to think more proactively and be part of the answer. It’s a simple but powerful tip for leaders who want to create environments where ideas are heard, people feel empowered, and positive changes happen. Tune in to learn how embracing this mindset can turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation!

Here’s a few additional resources for you…

Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11

Order my new book 'The 7 Commitments of a Great Team' today!

Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.

Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.

Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!