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In this episode of the Win the Day Podcast Becky chats with the energetic Jake Kelfer. Jake is a “lifestyle entrepreneur, a life elevator and a coach to ambitious entrepreneurs and freedom seekers, helping people to create impactful and profitable businesses.”. He is the bestselling author of the books Elevate Beyond and Elevate Your Network.
Kelfer is also the founder of the Professional Basketball Combine. The combine helps NBA draft prospects get recognition and time in front of scouts on their journey to trying to play professional basketball. Jake and his work have been featured in Forbes, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN among other media outlets.
Finding His Place
Jake grew up in Southern California focusing on the trifecta of family, academics and athletics. At the age of 5 Jake started playing on his local youth basketball team, the Lakers, which would spark his dream of one day playing for the real Los Angeles Lakers. Even with encouraging and supportive parents, reality eventually set in and Jake realized it was unlikely he would make it to the NBA.
Jake then decided that if he couldn’t be on the court as a player, he wanted to be on the court as an agent, representing the players. He would go on to study sports management and business administration at University of Southern California. Nearing graduation time, Jake had a job lined up at a sports agency, but then the company had a hiring freeze, and Jake was out of a job. Not long after, the LA Lakers offered him a job to work in their corporate partnerships division as a corporate partnerships assistant. He accepted the offer and would begin his career in LA.
Importance of Relationships & Intentionality
From a young age Jake’s parents taught him the importance of individuality and owning your personality. Embracing who you are as a person often allows others to do the same which can forge a path to deeper connection. Jake notes that strong relationships are often critical to leveling up professional success and are also one of the biggest indicators of lifelong happiness. Cultivating these relationships is best done in a genuine way, by being authentic to who you really are and appreciating the other person for what they bring to the table as well.
Jake shares that nearly all humans want the same basic things. People want to be loved, heard, valued and feel a sense of belonging. Knowing that our words and actions can affect the way others feel, Jake stresses that we should be more intentional in society when interacting with other people.
If we know others’ desires and have the power to positively move the needle on some of those desires for others with our words and actions, we should do so. This in turn, will move the needle for ourselves, making us feel good. This all starts with being in the present moment and realizing we always have a choice in regard to words and actions.
“The only way to have a great life is to have a lot of great days. Win the day and make it great.”
To end the episode Jake explains about his morning and “wind down” routines followed by an epic story from his time at the Los Angeles Lakers. Check out the full episodes to catch all the other great insight Jake shares.
To learn more about Jake connect on his Instagram (@jakekelfer) or website (Jakekelfer.com).
About the Books
Elevate Your Network: Focuses on building relationships and success in business.
Elevate Beyond: Focuses on standing out in the job market while finding your passion.