The Journey with Clayton Nelson

Join me as I share the unfiltered stories behind my podcasting journey. When a friend calls for advice and says he admires the “professionalism” of my podcast, I couldn’t help but laugh. I open up about the messy beginnings, where 15 of my first 20 episodes were anything but smooth. In this episode, I open up about the importance of just starting, even when it's far from perfect, and embracin...

Join me for an awesome episode as I sit down with my own mother for a personal interview. We'll dive into her adventurous past, unpack the profound moments of her parenting journey, and explore the wisdom distilled from her many life experiences. Tune in for stories of travel, love, challenges, and the countless joys and trials of motherhood.  Direct Message Me: (DM is always open!) Instagram...

In this episode, I reflect on the conversation with my friend, Patrick Walker, as we navigated through stories of perseverance, and future aspirations. I discuss how observing our parents tackle life’s hardships empowered our own perseverance during tough times. I reflect on the driving force of thinking about my future family and how I use this to benefit me. I talk about a recent question I was...

I sit down with Patrick Walker, an old friend with a story of unwavering resilience and positive outlook. Walk with us through Patrick’s journey from high school athlete to his role as a coach at Kennesaw State. Listen to his firsthand account of handling adversity with unwavering optimism, a lesson ingrained from observing and learning from his parents, and how these experiences we face now will...

In this episode we explore the power of conversation and being present for others. We’ll talk about the stress and overwhelm many of us face, and how turning our attention to helping others can bring us peace and clarity. I tell a story about one of my favorite parts of my day and how it helps me.  Learn about the importance of truly listening and focusing on others, and how it helps clear our own...

Meet Caleb in this episode, a friend with a powerful story to share. Caleb, a former football star, finds himself at a crossroads, ready to follow a new dream but unsure of the path ahead. Caleb opens up about the struggles of finding his true purpose beyond the field, and the awakening moment that revealed his newfound passion for helping others and making a meaningful impact.  Together, we dive...

In this episode, I talk about how Maddy's journey impacted me, from her early highs to challenging lows. I talk about the conversations I had with friends about the influence of our surroundings and the friends we choose. Discover why making decisions is crucial, how fear and pride can hold us back, and the power of stepping out of our comfort zone. Every path is unique; let's learn toge...

In today's episode, I sit down with Maddy Koepke, a standout softball player who went from high school fame to playing at Auburn. But then, she made a bold choice that impacted more than just her: she stepped away from softball. We dig into the ups and downs of her journey, especially how she felt after leaving the sport she sacrificed so much for. We talk about what it's really like to...

Ever feel stuck because you're worried about what people think? You're not alone. In this episode, I share my own struggles with caring too much about other people's opinions. But here's the thing: what you believe about yourself is what really counts. God doesn't give us dreams for no reason. So don't let anyone else's doubts stop you. Tune in to find out why yo...

In this episode, we're joined by Evan Thompson, an athlete turned social media influencer who has been on an incredible journey of self-discovery and resilience. From being a committed football and golf player at Florida Tech to facing the crushing news of his football program being discontinued, Evan's story is a compelling lesson in navigating life's curveballs.   But it doesn&apo...

In a world consumed by the pursuit of financial success, have you ever paused to ask, "What would I work towards if money wasn't an issue?" In this episode, I unravel the underlying mission that drives my life. Money may be a powerful tool, but it is not what I desire. Here, we dive into my own reason for launching this podcast and what I want to do with it moving foward.  Join me a...

I sit down with Tommy Beuglas, a former top high school linebacker who seemed destined for a prominent football career at Furman University, but life had other plans. Facing unexpected adversity, Tommy made the difficult decision to walk away from the game he loved. But quitting football was just the beginning of a new chapter in his life.  From the highs of being a state-recognized athlete to nav...

Ever heard the saying "Trust the Process" and wondered what it really means?  What does it look like to genuinely love and enjoy the journey towards your goals, especially when you're nowhere near where you want to be?  Rusty challenges us to consider what we are actually prepared for now and what we're not—painting a vivid picture that sometimes, not having what we think we wa...

In this thought provoking episode, we dive deep into an often-overlooked aspect of success—the emotional and mental journey that comes after achieving a significant goal.  Joined by Dalton Goodman, who recently completed the rigorous '75 Hard Challenge,' we explore the highs, lows, and existential questions that surface when the applause dies down. Dalton talks about his purpose and soci...

Today, I'm talking about something close to my heart: the incredible story of Derrian Brown.  What makes Derrian so special that an entire town rallies behind him? It's his unwavering commitment to serving others and living by the golden rule: "Treat people how you want to be treated." His kindness and humility have touched lives in numerous ways—from mentoring young people to...

In this powerful episode, I share an inspiring conversation with my  friend Derrian Brown. His journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Derrian's high school football career was nothing short of remarkable, as he stood out as a top running back in the nation. Beyond his athletic ability, he radiated kindness and inclusivity. Winning prom king and dedicating his time to the...

After my conversation with Cade, I found myself  in deep reflection, questioning recent actions with my parents. Why, even after understanding their sacrifices and the importance of our moments together, do I sometimes take them for granted? In today's episode, I share how Cade's powerful narrative prompted me to scrutinize my own interactions and recognize the need for genuine presence...

Join me in this heartfelt episode as I sit down with my friend Cade Radam. Cade's journey has been marked by both triumphs and tribulations, and his resilience shines as a beacon of inspiration. At just 14, Cade faced a heart-wrenching loss – his mother's battle with cancer came to an end. Despite this immense challenge, Cade channeled his emotions into a successful high school football...

In this episode, I'm excited to reflect on my time with my friend Sam Maxwell. His energy is contagious, and his journey from delinquent to thriving entrepreneur is truly inspiring. Yet, what stood out the most was the universal lesson of getting started. Sam's journey taught me that waiting for the "perfect time" only holds us back. He shared how his desire for success drove h...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Sam Maxwell, a young and successful entrepreneur who has overcome incredible challenges to achieve the life he leads today as a founder of The Cold Life. But it wasn't an easy road for Sam. From a delinquent child with a history of getting into trouble, Sam's parents sent him to a military school during high school to try and correct his behav...

During the podcast recap, I reflect on Bobby's decision to walk away from basketball during his freshman year.  I talk about how Bobby didn't let that define him; and took it as an opportunity for self-discovery. Unlike his basketball days with a team and coach holding him accountable, Bobby now relied on a greater purpose—his family. He has the word "Family" written in his bat...

Bobby used to be all about basketball, star of the team and started as a freshman. Life hits hard and he decides to step away from the game. That left him with a lot of free time, and he had to figure out what to do next. Bobby found a new passion in running! It started as a way to fill the void, but it became so much more. Running gave him a sense of freedom and purpose. Of course, it wasn't...

Over the past week, I've listened to Austin Blake's interview multiple times, and his words have left a profound impact on me. Today, I'm going to share with you the key takeaways from our conversation and how it has reshaped my perspective.  I thought I knew the main challenges he had to overcome after being physically paralyzed. However, I soon realized that the real battle was th...

In a powerful and inspiring podcast episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with my close friend Austin Blake to discuss his extraordinary journey from playing football to facing a life-altering diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). The podcast delves deep into Austin's personal experiences, his remarkable resilience, and the unwavering determination that brought him back to the fo...

In the introductory episode "Finding Purpose in Sharing: My Mission Behind This Podcast," I want to open up and share my personal journey with you. Creating this podcast has recently been a driving force in my life, and I'm excited to take you along this transformative path. I want to make it clear that this podcast is not about telling you how to live your life. Instead, it's...