Rocket Motivation

In this episode, we learn the story of Rod versus the waterslide. Because of holiday scheduling, this week we had no guest for Rocket Motivation, and so I took the opportunity to talk about my experience of riding a waterslide – one that has a trap door you stand on that opens, allowing a free fall down a tube. I've always been an adrenaline junky, even with my profound physical disability. The wa...

In this episode, we learn the story of Manja Podratz. Manja was born and raised in East Germany, where she obtained a Ph. D. in Theory of Architecture and other degrees. She taught at the college level for multiple years. She moved to the United States with her husband and children and went through a traumatizing divorce where she was basically trapped in a foreign country unable to leave, unable...

    In this episode, we learn the story of Regina Cash . Regina became pregnant in high school, married, had two children, divorced, and living in a single-wide trailer at age 23. Regina was determined to improve her life and the lives of her children. By setting small goals, visualizing her success, and having tenacity, Regina accomplished her goal of becoming a lawyer. She graduated law school a...

In this episode, we learn the story of Larry Hartle. Larry had his dream job working for Richard Childress Racing as the gas man on a pit crew for several NASCAR drivers, including Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick. During a pit stop, a tire came loose and rolled into Larry's knee, injuring him to the degree he could no longer do his job. Following surgery and subsequent knee replacement, Larry took a...

In this episode, we learn the story of Derrick Dalton. Derrick grew up in a tough environment in which his father spent the majority of the time in prison for dealing drugs. Derrick persevered with the help of teachers and coaches, along with his internal strength, to become a talented high school and college athlete, but more importantly, he realized what he wanted to do with his life was to help...

In this episode, we learn the story of Sally Greene. In 2003, Sally was living what she will admit may have been a perfect life. She had a great marriage to her husband Eddie, a lawyer, with whom she had raised their three children, the youngest a senior in high school. Just before Thanksgiving, tragedy struck, and Sally's perfect life was shattered. While at a hunting camp, Eddie and Edward, Jr.,...

In this episode, we learn the story of Tim Battle. In 2003, Tim was the third-round draft pick of the New York Yankees. At 17, Tim was paid a $500,000 signing bonus, and his future seemed to be heading in only one direction – up. Shortly after reporting to rookie league, Tim was diagnosed with cancer. He battled back and had a successful minor league career. He never fulfilled his dream of making...

In this episode, we learn the story of Kyle Blassingame, a recent college graduate who, two years ago, was involved in a horrific automobile accident in which a kid stole a car, was being chased by the police, and struck the car Kyle was in at 100 mph. Kyle lost one of his best friends in the accident, was fortunate to have survived but ended up having his right leg amputated. Kyle talks about the...

Welcome to the first episode of Rocket Motivation with Rod Cate. On this episode, you will meet Rod Cate and hear his inspiration to start this podcast. Rod shares the story of his life-changing injury, his rehabilitation to learn to walk again, how he has built the life he loves, and what he learned from his journey from athlete to quadriplegic teenager to present-day lawyer, father, and husband....