U.S. men’s soccer

Jozy Altidore and Sloane Stephens Made their Picks and It’s More than Just a First-Round Choice, But Also Passion at Its Best

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Not many job opportunities get live-streamed or broadcast for hours. But such is life for those in professional sports. This year’s NFL Draft is history with some teams still scrambling to finalize their training camp roster. If your fav team picked the player you hoped, then all’s well with your fantasy draft.

That might also be what Jozy Altidore and Sloane Stephens are thinking after announcing their engagement. In their words, each was the other’s first round pick to spend their lives together. Altidore the soccer star met Stephens the tennis pro many years ago. Now they’re headed to the marriage altar.

A marriage between player and team made in NFL draft picks or one made in life’s travels comes with a similar excitement and joy. Altidore has been doing big things in Major League Soccer and recently re-signed with the Toronto club. He’s also played on the U.S Men’s team as a leading goal scorer.

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Stephens made a name for herself in winning the 2017 U.S. Tennis Open. She’s seen in chocolate milk commercials selling it as an alternative sport drink of choice. Now she’s part of the squad showing U.S. star-power with her performance at the 2019 Fed Cup, which is the World Championship of Tennis.

No matter what’s your passion, hustle or what started out as your first love career-wise, these two give us a sense for passion rollout and work-life balance. Whether it’s being picked in the Draft or getting hired after graduation, sometimes it’s not only about having big stats, it might also be about having:

  1. Game

The top picks in the draft certainly know how to play the game. Altidore and Stephens have been playing their game for a long time. The professional game no matter the career isn’t always about being a high pick. It might also be about bringing something special to the game that could make you a double-threat.

  1. Smarts

Sometimes you’ll hear players described as having a high game IQ. They know the game and things you can’t teach in the game. They’re good at some of the intangibles of the game. They’re good at making-up for any shortfalls by drawing on the strengths of teammates to create windfalls in scoring.

  1. Fun

Altidore and Stephens might approach their games differently. But at the end of the day they know it’s important to have fun doing what you love. When the thrill is gone, fun might follow. Stephens says when she was injured, they were still able to make fun of things or fun of each other to keep the passion strong.

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  1. Soul

After knowing each other and losing touch as kids, they re-connected and began dating. Their roads crossed again and it’s as if their souls were waiting to re-unite. Sometimes that’s how it is professionally. Things might go off-course or dreams might get delayed, but the universe will re-unite passion and soul.

Some fans still wondering about picks made by their fav team. Even before the ink dried, there were player trades and team upgrades. Altidore and Stephens aren’t wondering anymore about their picks. Their hustle-love on the field and forever-love in life bring together heart, drive and soul to hustle hard.

Tip: Whether it’s from hustle-love on the field or forever-love in life, passion gives you an edge by having game-smarts and being a fun-soul.

Talkback: Who were some of the winners and losers at the recent NFL Draft?

Tracks: Johnny Gill – Soul of a Woman – https://youtu.be/qyvZqsRS50s

Ace Hood – Hustle Hard – https://youtu.be/r_dh16HQkqQ

Eminem and U.S. Soccer’s Christian Pulisic Bring Their Star Power and American Dream to a New Level of GB – ‘Game Bonafide’

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Wait, how’m I gonna start this blog? That’s a question that gets asked every week. With so much to write about in celebrity pop it’s a matter of bringing the right vibe. It makes sense then how Eminem would start his freestyle rap that way. For him it’s a case of lyrical content with the right touch of street cred.

When it comes to US Men’s Soccer star Christian Pulisic some say he’s got next. Not in the rap game but as the face of the game. It’s true, professional dreams in the biz world don’t all take rap skills or great foot-work. But there’s usually something that moves star power to a new level of GB – ‘Game Bonafide.’

That’s kinda what went down with Eminem’s rap cypher on the BET Awards. Some think he’s on a comeback after being off the radar for a minute. He’s not retired, he’s just re-wired. Maybe this says something about what happens when your flow gets bumped. Things either become a hit or take a hit.

In political terms it’s said that after a good debate performance a candidate is likely to get a ‘bump’ in their poll numbers. It usually means more people are feeling the message or the messenger. That happens in how they might make a strong point or deliver a wow-like performance.

Folks are raving on social media how Eminem did that. He brought strong points and a wow performance that left memorable moments. He even shows how to move your career track or biz dream forward by having a spinoff of your vision. Shady hasn’t let his mojo get stumped or his mass-appeal get dumped.

It’s interesting that his rap cypher is called ‘The Storm.’ That’s a metaphor of-course for the current political climate. But it might also be how Pulisic and his teammates are feeling after not qualifying for the soccer World Cup. If they could have even pulled-out a draw in the match they would have advanced.

Soccer federation honchos are probably looking at how they’ll ‘right the ship’ after the disappointment. It’s like when a biz dream or project team goes through some kind of setback. Who knows if it’s just a matter of taking care of the little things that has had Eminem staying low. But now he’s back for another go.

One of the biggest setbacks in my dream journey was while hosting a community radio show on a college station. It was in year five as things were coming together. Then one morning some dude shuts down the power while I’m on air. It was where I not only took a hit but decided I was no longer gonna take that..

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Pulisic might be having a similar ‘sick feeling’ right now. The sting of disappointment is sometimes felt for a while. But there’s something that happens in those down times that moves things from the brink to a place of clearer think. Plus, it’ll pave the way for Pulisic to bring more edge to his game as with Eminem.

In pro sports you hear players being sent down to the minor leagues or brought up from the practice squad. Those who’re sent back have things to work on while those brought up are ready for the big-times. But along the way you’ll either take a hit or become a hit especially when you put your dreams on the line.

Tip: As you upgrade the flow in your career or dreams you’ll either take a hit or become a hit.

Talkback: How’d you describe the edge that Eminem or Pulisic bring to make them ‘Game Bonafide?’

Tracks: Beyoncé ft Jay-Z – Upgrade U – https://youtu.be/6nr8hPnZfMU

Pitbull ft Flo Rida, LunchMoney Lewis – Greenlight – https://youtu.be/R7xbhKIiw4Y