Episode 42
A CONVERSATION WITH CHAD LEWIS
CHAD LEWIS’ JOURNEY FROM THE SIDELINES TO THE SPOTLIGHT
Sometimes we hear an idea or a phrase that touches our soul and inspires us to do great things, and this Chinese proverb was one of those phrases for my good friend Chad Lewis—who told me he would hear it often during his LDS mission to Taiwan.
Many years later, Chad found himself at a crazy pivotal moment in his life: He had played football at BYU and had found success. He wanted to go into the NFL, but didn’t get drafted. So instead he was preparing to sign up as a free agent, which brought a lot of uncertainty and doubt with his future in football. He didn’t know if he would be good enough to play.
But with support from his mentors and friends, Chad went off to play in the NFL and decided that he wasn’t going to fear the refiners fire. It didn’t matter how hard he would have to work or how many days he would want to quit—he was going to leave it all on the field.
What came next was an incredibly successful career in football for Chad. I think this story is just incredible because it’s a prime example that when we choose faith over fear, we’ll ultimately succeed in the end.
“True gold does not fear the refiners fire.”
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BIGGEST TAKEAWAY:
Have you surrounded yourself with great mentors?
During my conversation with Chad Lewis on my podcast, we talked about some of the most influential people in our lives. For Chad, one of the biggest was the football legend Steve Young.
Steve had connected with Chad during his time playing for BYU, and Chad had the opportunity to practice with him a few times and even lift weights with him. Even though Steve was a decade older, Chad was shocked at how fast he moved and how relentlessly he worked. It inspired him to do more.
During a pivotal moment in his life, Chad was getting ready to be a free agent in the NFL, which brough a lot of uncertainty. During that moment Steve gave him this advice:
“Now is the time that you’re going to put all of your faith to the test. Put your faith on the line—all of it—and go for it!”
That motivation helped Chad push through his fear, and he went on to have a great career in the NFL.
Our conversation reminded me of how crucial it is to have great mentors and coaches in your life. The right person at the right time can help you do things you couldn’t even dream of—so find them, learn from them, and be grateful for them.