what I want to talk to you guys about is I’m not gonna give you my life story
I’m not gonna give you my life story
I’m not gonna give you my life story right we can go to the bar and we could
right we can go to the bar and we could
right we can go to the bar and we could talk about that later all right but what
talk about that later all right but what
talk about that later all right but what I want to share with you guys is what it
I want to share with you guys is what it
I want to share with you guys is what it took for me to get to where I am because
took for me to get to where I am because
took for me to get to where I am because I can look at each and every one of you
I can look at each and every one of you
I can look at each and every one of you and tell you that I am the happiest that
and tell you that I am the happiest that
and tell you that I am the happiest that I have ever been at 38 years old now at
I have ever been at 38 years old now at
I have ever been at 38 years old now at 19 I was really happy then too right
19 I was really happy then too right
19 I was really happy then too right I was invincible alright I was
I was invincible alright I was
I was invincible alright I was invincible nothing bothered me the
invincible nothing bothered me the
invincible nothing bothered me the concept of change was I didn’t worry
concept of change was I didn’t worry
concept of change was I didn’t worry about it at all but the older I get the
about it at all but the older I get the
about it at all but the older I get the more it’s like change okay I’m fairly
more it’s like change okay I’m fairly
more it’s like change okay I’m fairly comfortable where I am now why would I
comfortable where I am now why would I
comfortable where I am now why would I want things to change
want things to change
want things to change right and this and it’s that that quote
right and this and it’s that that quote
right and this and it’s that that quote that you always come back to the only
that you always come back to the only
that you always come back to the only thing that’s constant in life is change
thing that’s constant in life is change
thing that’s constant in life is change you know and you’re like god that’s so
you know and you’re like god that’s so
you know and you’re like god that’s so cliche but it’s so true so what I’m
cliche but it’s so true so what I’m
cliche but it’s so true so what I’m gonna do is I’m gonna give you guys the
gonna do is I’m gonna give you guys the
gonna do is I’m gonna give you guys the the quick cliff notes of how I got to be
the quick cliff notes of how I got to be
the quick cliff notes of how I got to be talking to you and then when you guys
talking to you and then when you guys
talking to you and then when you guys are getting ready to leave out of here
are getting ready to leave out of here
are getting ready to leave out of here hopefully you will have learned
hopefully you will have learned
hopefully you will have learned something from me and gotten some stuff
something from me and gotten some stuff
something from me and gotten some stuff for me that will help you in your
for me that will help you in your
for me that will help you in your futures because before I say anything
futures because before I say anything
futures because before I say anything else the most important thing for me is
else the most important thing for me is
else the most important thing for me is that you guys are the future I have a
that you guys are the future I have a
that you guys are the future I have a four year old son you guys are the ones
four year old son you guys are the ones
four year old son you guys are the ones who are gonna be in charge when my kid
who are gonna be in charge when my kid
who are gonna be in charge when my kid is growing up and I want people in a
is growing up and I want people in a
is growing up and I want people in a position to be good to be knowledgeable
position to be good to be knowledgeable
position to be good to be knowledgeable to not fear things so when they asked me
to not fear things so when they asked me
to not fear things so when they asked me to talk to you I came up with this idea
to talk to you I came up with this idea
to talk to you I came up with this idea I’m gonna talk about change but you
I’m gonna talk about change but you
I’m gonna talk about change but you cannot talk about change unless you talk
cannot talk about change unless you talk
cannot talk about change unless you talk about two other things and one of them
about two other things and one of them
about two other things and one of them is overcoming adversity and the other
is overcoming adversity and the other
is overcoming adversity and the other one is fear so let’s roll back summer
one is fear so let’s roll back summer
one is fear so let’s roll back summer 2006 hippie Jeff long hair beard right I
2006 hippie Jeff long hair beard right I
2006 hippie Jeff long hair beard right I took showers kind of right I was a rock
took showers kind of right I was a rock
took showers kind of right I was a rock climber right I was doing all kinds of
climber right I was doing all kinds of
climber right I was doing all kinds of stuff but I was also in arguably the
stuff but I was also in arguably the
stuff but I was also in arguably the worst point in my life I woke up one
worst point in my life I woke up one
worst point in my life I woke up one morning after a night of extensive
morning after a night of extensive
morning after a night of extensive partying
partying
partying and I looked at myself in the mirror and
and I looked at myself in the mirror and
and I looked at myself in the mirror and I stopped and I looked at myself and I
I stopped and I looked at myself and I
I stopped and I looked at myself and I said if you don’t change something in
said if you don’t change something in
said if you don’t change something in your life you are either going to be
your life you are either going to be
your life you are either going to be dead or you are gonna end up in jail and
I am NOT a religious person right but
I am NOT a religious person right but later on in that day something happened
later on in that day something happened
later on in that day something happened to me which was I would I just want to
to me which was I would I just want to
to me which was I would I just want to call it spiritual I got a phone call
call it spiritual I got a phone call
call it spiritual I got a phone call from Poland okay I’m sitting at a bar
from Poland okay I’m sitting at a bar
from Poland okay I’m sitting at a bar again right big big life-changing
again right big big life-changing
again right big big life-changing experience looking in the mirror 45
experience looking in the mirror 45
experience looking in the mirror 45 minutes later my ass was back at the bar
minutes later my ass was back at the bar
minutes later my ass was back at the bar sitting in the same seat drinking the
sitting in the same seat drinking the
sitting in the same seat drinking the same drinks right I was watching the
same drinks right I was watching the
same drinks right I was watching the World Cup actually right Americans at a
World Cup actually right Americans at a
World Cup actually right Americans at a bar watching soccer right I was and then
bar watching soccer right I was and then
bar watching soccer right I was and then I got a phone call and it was my buddy
I got a phone call and it was my buddy
I got a phone call and it was my buddy Brian now I am best friends with Brian’s
Brian now I am best friends with Brian’s
Brian now I am best friends with Brian’s brother Chris we’ve been friends since
brother Chris we’ve been friends since
brother Chris we’ve been friends since we were in in junior high school and he
we were in in junior high school and he
we were in in junior high school and he called me up and said what are you doing
called me up and said what are you doing
called me up and said what are you doing so well drinking at a bar my life is
so well drinking at a bar my life is
so well drinking at a bar my life is going nowhere and I guess I’m pretty
going nowhere and I guess I’m pretty
going nowhere and I guess I’m pretty happy with this and he said no you’re
happy with this and he said no you’re
happy with this and he said no you’re not he said no you’re not
not he said no you’re not
not he said no you’re not he’s like I know you Jeff I’ve known you
he’s like I know you Jeff I’ve known you
he’s like I know you Jeff I’ve known you all your life he’s like here how about
all your life he’s like here how about
all your life he’s like here how about this I got a free place for you to stay
this I got a free place for you to stay
this I got a free place for you to stay why don’t you come here and see what
why don’t you come here and see what
why don’t you come here and see what happens
happens
happens now remember in the morning I looked at
now remember in the morning I looked at
now remember in the morning I looked at myself said dude if you don’t change
myself said dude if you don’t change
myself said dude if you don’t change something something’s Bad’s gonna happen
something something’s Bad’s gonna happen
something something’s Bad’s gonna happen and then this phone call comes is like
and then this phone call comes is like
and then this phone call comes is like all right now what did I know about
all right now what did I know about
all right now what did I know about Poland I grew up in New York so my town
Poland I grew up in New York so my town
Poland I grew up in New York so my town is half Italians right and then a nice
is half Italians right and then a nice
is half Italians right and then a nice easy mix of poles czechs russians and a
easy mix of poles czechs russians and a
easy mix of poles czechs russians and a little mix of everything else all right
little mix of everything else all right
little mix of everything else all right so what did I know about Poland I knew
so what did I know about Poland I knew
so what did I know about Poland I knew that Guam key was incredible right I
that Guam key was incredible right I
that Guam key was incredible right I knew that pierogies were good and they
knew that pierogies were good and they
knew that pierogies were good and they were cheap because I lived on them in
were cheap because I lived on them in
were cheap because I lived on them in college right and I knew how to say cube
college right and I knew how to say cube
college right and I knew how to say cube ASSA other than that I didn’t know that
ASSA other than that I didn’t know that
ASSA other than that I didn’t know that much now geographically I am not one of
much now geographically I am not one of
much now geographically I am not one of the Americans that didn’t know where
the Americans that didn’t know where
the Americans that didn’t know where Poland was like I knew where it was on
Poland was like I knew where it was on
Poland was like I knew where it was on the map I knew what Warsaw was and I
the map I knew what Warsaw was and I
the map I knew what Warsaw was and I understood the history of things and I
understood the history of things and I
understood the history of things and I figured you know what the hell now as
figured you know what the hell now as
figured you know what the hell now as luck would
luck would
luck would of it my girlfriend had dumped me a
of it my girlfriend had dumped me a
of it my girlfriend had dumped me a couple months before and I was living
couple months before and I was living
couple months before and I was living with a guy who worked for Delta Airlines
with a guy who worked for Delta Airlines
with a guy who worked for Delta Airlines so he hooked me up with a buddy pass so
so he hooked me up with a buddy pass so
so he hooked me up with a buddy pass so I show up and I get my buddy pass and I
I show up and I get my buddy pass and I
I show up and I get my buddy pass and I get on the airplane and they’re like oh
get on the airplane and they’re like oh
get on the airplane and they’re like oh you have a buddy pass I guess I do
you have a buddy pass I guess I do
you have a buddy pass I guess I do they’re like well you don’t sit there
they’re like well you don’t sit there
they’re like well you don’t sit there you come sit in first class right I have
you come sit in first class right I have
you come sit in first class right I have never done anything first class in my
never done anything first class in my
never done anything first class in my life okay but here they’re like you come
life okay but here they’re like you come
life okay but here they’re like you come up and you sit first class like all
up and you sit first class like all
up and you sit first class like all right this is it this is it this is a
right this is it this is it this is a
right this is it this is it this is a good start right this is a good start
good start right this is a good start
good start right this is a good start now he called me and it was ten days ten
now he called me and it was ten days ten
now he called me and it was ten days ten days in between the time I’m I made a
days in between the time I’m I made a
days in between the time I’m I made a decision that I was gonna go and the
decision that I was gonna go and the
decision that I was gonna go and the time that I left I left everything
time that I left I left everything
time that I left I left everything everything I still don’t even know where
everything I still don’t even know where
everything I still don’t even know where all of my stuff is right I I know I left
all of my stuff is right I I know I left
all of my stuff is right I I know I left it at my friend Steve’s house but I
it at my friend Steve’s house but I
it at my friend Steve’s house but I found out a couple years ago that his
found out a couple years ago that his
found out a couple years ago that his wife had passed away so I don’t even
wife had passed away so I don’t even
wife had passed away so I don’t even know if the house is there I don’t know
know if the house is there I don’t know
know if the house is there I don’t know where any of my stuff is I just left
where any of my stuff is I just left
where any of my stuff is I just left everything right I’d sold my brother’s
everything right I’d sold my brother’s
everything right I’d sold my brother’s truck right for about two thousand
truck right for about two thousand
truck right for about two thousand dollars and that’s what I came to Europe
dollars and that’s what I came to Europe
dollars and that’s what I came to Europe with two thousand dollars and two
with two thousand dollars and two
with two thousand dollars and two backpacks that was it but I did get to
backpacks that was it but I did get to
backpacks that was it but I did get to fly first class that was pretty nice so
fly first class that was pretty nice so
fly first class that was pretty nice so I landed you know landed in Germany cuz
I landed you know landed in Germany cuz
I landed you know landed in Germany cuz that’s as close as I could get right
that’s as close as I could get right
that’s as close as I could get right they didn’t fly any closer so I landed
they didn’t fly any closer so I landed
they didn’t fly any closer so I landed in Germany was like all right American
in Germany was like all right American
in Germany was like all right American in Europe here we go new life new start
in Europe here we go new life new start
in Europe here we go new life new start how do yer apenas travel alright let’s
how do yer apenas travel alright let’s
how do yer apenas travel alright let’s take a train right Europeans love trains
take a train right Europeans love trains
take a train right Europeans love trains let’s take trains so I go and I get to
let’s take trains so I go and I get to
let’s take trains so I go and I get to the lady and I’m like hello ma’am I’m
the lady and I’m like hello ma’am I’m
the lady and I’m like hello ma’am I’m like I need to go to blue ice Poland
what like blue ice GLI WIC igloo ice
what like blue ice GLI WIC igloo ice she’s like she’s like no it’sit’s glue
she’s like she’s like no it’sit’s glue
she’s like she’s like no it’sit’s glue visa it’s like oh shit here we go you
visa it’s like oh shit here we go you
visa it’s like oh shit here we go you know here we go I had literally been in
know here we go I had literally been in
know here we go I had literally been in Europe for less than five minutes and I
Europe for less than five minutes and I
Europe for less than five minutes and I was already making mistakes
was already making mistakes
was already making mistakes okay so sure enough you know she figures
okay so sure enough you know she figures
okay so sure enough you know she figures it out I I get on this train right and I
it out I I get on this train right and I
it out I I get on this train right and I sit down it’s one of those nice German
sit down it’s one of those nice German
sit down it’s one of those nice German trains right the ones that go from zero
trains right the ones that go from zero
trains right the ones that go from zero to Mach 7 in like eight second
to Mach 7 in like eight second
to Mach 7 in like eight second you know yeah and we’re gone okay so I’m
you know yeah and we’re gone okay so I’m
you know yeah and we’re gone okay so I’m sitting down and I’m watching this
sitting down and I’m watching this
sitting down and I’m watching this little ticker 234 kilometres an hour
little ticker 234 kilometres an hour
little ticker 234 kilometres an hour trying to do the math in my head going
trying to do the math in my head going
trying to do the math in my head going oh my god I can’t even know how fast
oh my god I can’t even know how fast
oh my god I can’t even know how fast we’re going right because we don’t have
we’re going right because we don’t have
we’re going right because we don’t have km/h to Isles per hour you know it’s
km/h to Isles per hour you know it’s
km/h to Isles per hour you know it’s like oh geez all right where do we go so
like oh geez all right where do we go so
like oh geez all right where do we go so we get to the Polish border I get off
we get to the Polish border I get off
we get to the Polish border I get off the superfast German train I walk
the superfast German train I walk
the superfast German train I walk underneath this tunnel that is just it’s
underneath this tunnel that is just it’s
underneath this tunnel that is just it’s scary it is like every communist movie
scary it is like every communist movie
scary it is like every communist movie you’ve ever seen like there’s spray
you’ve ever seen like there’s spray
you’ve ever seen like there’s spray paint on the walls right and there’s
paint on the walls right and there’s
paint on the walls right and there’s people just like standing in the corner
people just like standing in the corner
people just like standing in the corner because this is back when you could
because this is back when you could
because this is back when you could smoke anywhere right that was Europe
smoke anywhere right that was Europe
smoke anywhere right that was Europe right so I go and I get under this
right so I go and I get under this
right so I go and I get under this polish train right I am looking around
polish train right I am looking around
polish train right I am looking around at my okay they I don’t know where I’m
at my okay they I don’t know where I’m
at my okay they I don’t know where I’m going and I sit down and all of a sudden
going and I sit down and all of a sudden
going and I sit down and all of a sudden the train starts going and we start
the train starts going and we start
the train starts going and we start moving and I’m like is it broken cuz it
moving and I’m like is it broken cuz it
moving and I’m like is it broken cuz it was not really I’m like I could do it
was not really I’m like I could do it
was not really I’m like I could do it there were literally like little kids
there were literally like little kids
there were literally like little kids going hey you know like running faster
going hey you know like running faster
going hey you know like running faster than we were and so it’s like okay and I
than we were and so it’s like okay and I
than we were and so it’s like okay and I also had I was also in one of those
also had I was also in one of those
also had I was also in one of those trains were like you know it was it was
trains were like you know it was it was
trains were like you know it was it was it was the end of August so it was
it was the end of August so it was
it was the end of August so it was really hot and if any of you know like
really hot and if any of you know like
really hot and if any of you know like the old polish trains I went to pull
the old polish trains I went to pull
the old polish trains I went to pull down the window and the window went down
down the window and the window went down
down the window and the window went down and then as the train was going was
and then as the train was going was
and then as the train was going was going right and slowly bouncing back up
going right and slowly bouncing back up
going right and slowly bouncing back up so in first class in Delta they gave me
so in first class in Delta they gave me
so in first class in Delta they gave me this little bag and in this little bag
this little bag and in this little bag
this little bag and in this little bag was a pair of like disposable socks all
was a pair of like disposable socks all
was a pair of like disposable socks all right I don’t know who loses their socks
right I don’t know who loses their socks
right I don’t know who loses their socks in first class but hey right so I tied
in first class but hey right so I tied
in first class but hey right so I tied it down and I tied it down in the
it down and I tied it down in the
it down and I tied it down in the windows open and I’m going through and
windows open and I’m going through and
windows open and I’m going through and like alright I’m gonna be okay I’m gonna
like alright I’m gonna be okay I’m gonna
like alright I’m gonna be okay I’m gonna be alright alright now I had read on the
be alright alright now I had read on the
be alright alright now I had read on the internet never fall asleep in a Polish
internet never fall asleep in a Polish
internet never fall asleep in a Polish train you fall asleep you’re gonna lose
train you fall asleep you’re gonna lose
train you fall asleep you’re gonna lose your bags and a kidney all right here we
your bags and a kidney all right here we
your bags and a kidney all right here we go so I’m trying my best not to fall
go so I’m trying my best not to fall
go so I’m trying my best not to fall asleep now I had partied the night
asleep now I had partied the night
asleep now I had partied the night before I got on the airplane
before I got on the airplane
before I got on the airplane I didn’t sleep so I by that point I was
I didn’t sleep so I by that point I was
I didn’t sleep so I by that point I was pretty tired so I’m sitting there and
pretty tired so I’m sitting there and
pretty tired so I’m sitting there and yeah and all of a sudden the door slams
yeah and all of a sudden the door slams
yeah and all of a sudden the door slams open this woman’s like be let brochure
open this woman’s like be let brochure
open this woman’s like be let brochure right now bila I don’t know what be let
right now bila I don’t know what be let
right now bila I don’t know what be let well I thought she was saying like
well I thought she was saying like
well I thought she was saying like bullet you know so I kind of like duck
bullet you know so I kind of like duck
bullet you know so I kind of like duck down like what what what’s going on you
down like what what what’s going on you
down like what what what’s going on you know like I just scared the living shit
know like I just scared the living shit
know like I just scared the living shit out of me right I was sleeping right
out of me right I was sleeping right
out of me right I was sleeping right okay umm she’s like American yeah ticket
okay umm she’s like American yeah ticket
okay umm she’s like American yeah ticket okay you was supposed to be in second
okay you was supposed to be in second
okay you was supposed to be in second class this is first class like hey come
class this is first class like hey come
class this is first class like hey come on
on
on they they they upgraded me on the
they they they upgraded me on the
they they they upgraded me on the airplane like what can’t just upgrade me
airplane like what can’t just upgrade me
airplane like what can’t just upgrade me here right and I was in first class and
here right and I was in first class and
here right and I was in first class and I’m thinking this is first class all
I’m thinking this is first class all
I’m thinking this is first class all right you know so anyway I finally
right you know so anyway I finally
right you know so anyway I finally eventually the woman was cool and she
eventually the woman was cool and she
eventually the woman was cool and she got me through and then something very
got me through and then something very
got me through and then something very strange happened automatically I had to
strange happened automatically I had to
strange happened automatically I had to rely on the help of strangers I had to
rely on the help of strangers I had to
rely on the help of strangers I had to there was his dude I don’t know who he
there was his dude I don’t know who he
there was his dude I don’t know who he was III don’t remember he had dreadlocks
was III don’t remember he had dreadlocks
was III don’t remember he had dreadlocks right I had a carton of American
right I had a carton of American
right I had a carton of American cigarettes and this guy I’m like dude I
cigarettes and this guy I’m like dude I
cigarettes and this guy I’m like dude I don’t know where I’m going all right I
don’t know where I’m going all right I
don’t know where I’m going all right I don’t know where I’m going I started off
don’t know where I’m going I started off
don’t know where I’m going I started off in like I was in like girl eats and I
in like I was in like girl eats and I
in like I was in like girl eats and I had to go to broad swabbin I had to
had to go to broad swabbin I had to
had to go to broad swabbin I had to change trains and then I had to go down
change trains and then I had to go down
change trains and then I had to go down and this guy’s like man don’t worry
and this guy’s like man don’t worry
and this guy’s like man don’t worry don’t worry I’ll help you right I gave
don’t worry I’ll help you right I gave
don’t worry I’ll help you right I gave him a pack of smokes and he’s like don’t
him a pack of smokes and he’s like don’t
him a pack of smokes and he’s like don’t worry I’ll make sure you get off where
worry I’ll make sure you get off where
worry I’ll make sure you get off where you’re supposed to to get off and sure
you’re supposed to to get off and sure
you’re supposed to to get off and sure enough this guy had to help me I’ll and
enough this guy had to help me I’ll and
enough this guy had to help me I’ll and in glue beats uh it’s one o’clock in the
in glue beats uh it’s one o’clock in the
in glue beats uh it’s one o’clock in the morning at the train station exactly the
morning at the train station exactly the
morning at the train station exactly the place I wanted to be all right
place I wanted to be all right
place I wanted to be all right I speak zero polish but before they left
I speak zero polish but before they left
I speak zero polish but before they left all my friends at the bar got me a
all my friends at the bar got me a
all my friends at the bar got me a dictionary so I was like okay hotel and
dictionary so I was like okay hotel and
dictionary so I was like okay hotel and I’m flipping through thinking’s gonna be
I’m flipping through thinking’s gonna be
I’m flipping through thinking’s gonna be something really complicated Oh hotel
something really complicated Oh hotel
something really complicated Oh hotel great so I end up going and getting a
great so I end up going and getting a
great so I end up going and getting a hotel and my friends meet me the next
hotel and my friends meet me the next
hotel and my friends meet me the next day and and then things started to go
day and and then things started to go
day and and then things started to go and immediately I started to meet people
and immediately I started to meet people
and immediately I started to meet people I saw I have a friend Agathe who’s in
I saw I have a friend Agathe who’s in
I saw I have a friend Agathe who’s in here I got to and her her boyfriend
here I got to and her her boyfriend
here I got to and her her boyfriend Marcin were two of the first people to
Marcin were two of the first people to
Marcin were two of the first people to be very very good to me while I was here
be very very good to me while I was here
be very very good to me while I was here I second night I was here I got to play
I second night I was here I got to play
I second night I was here I got to play a concert using Martin’s guitar we’re
a concert using Martin’s guitar we’re
a concert using Martin’s guitar we’re still friends since March and write
still friends since March and write
still friends since March and write songs for my band now and they’re very
songs for my band now and they’re very
songs for my band now and they’re very very good people to me and one of the
very good people to me and one of the
very good people to me and one of the things that
things that
things that that immediately jumped out to me was
that immediately jumped out to me was
that immediately jumped out to me was the fact that back home I was very
the fact that back home I was very
the fact that back home I was very comfortable with what I had I was very
comfortable with what I had I was very
comfortable with what I had I was very comfortable with meeting people because
comfortable with meeting people because
comfortable with meeting people because we were all speaking the same language
we were all speaking the same language
we were all speaking the same language and usually you’re around people who
and usually you’re around people who
and usually you’re around people who you’re you know you have common
you’re you know you have common
you’re you know you have common interests with and things like that but
interests with and things like that but
interests with and things like that but I was 6,000 miles away from anything
I was 6,000 miles away from anything
I was 6,000 miles away from anything that looked familiar
that looked familiar
that looked familiar everything looked strange to me
everything looked strange to me
everything looked strange to me everything was different right after the
everything was different right after the
everything was different right after the first night of partying in Poland I woke
first night of partying in Poland I woke
first night of partying in Poland I woke up with a massive hangover I was so
up with a massive hangover I was so
up with a massive hangover I was so thirsty I went downstairs I went to
thirsty I went downstairs I went to
thirsty I went downstairs I went to pluse right but back when it was like
pluse right but back when it was like
pluse right but back when it was like pluse and be a drunk and all this stuff
pluse and be a drunk and all this stuff
pluse and be a drunk and all this stuff and III had very little money and I was
and III had very little money and I was
and III had very little money and I was like I need water and I went and just
like I need water and I went and just
like I need water and I went and just the first ball of water I saw I bought
the first ball of water I saw I bought
the first ball of water I saw I bought went outside went to drink it spit it
went outside went to drink it spit it
went outside went to drink it spit it all out it was gospel vana right I’m
all out it was gospel vana right I’m
all out it was gospel vana right I’m like you have got to be kidding me I am
like you have got to be kidding me I am
like you have got to be kidding me I am a grown-ass man and I can’t buy water
a grown-ass man and I can’t buy water
a grown-ass man and I can’t buy water right I was so frustrated with the
right I was so frustrated with the
right I was so frustrated with the entire situation right there were
entire situation right there were
entire situation right there were moments when I went back into Brian’s
moments when I went back into Brian’s
moments when I went back into Brian’s room right next to the train station no
room right next to the train station no
room right next to the train station no mind you sure my friend gave me
mind you sure my friend gave me
mind you sure my friend gave me directions to go to some weird place he
directions to go to some weird place he
directions to go to some weird place he lived right across the street from the
lived right across the street from the
lived right across the street from the train station but didn’t tell me right
train station but didn’t tell me right
train station but didn’t tell me right so you know he’s like you got to go down
so you know he’s like you got to go down
so you know he’s like you got to go down for Chancellor you got to turn left you
for Chancellor you got to turn left you
for Chancellor you got to turn left you got to go to this bar we’re gonna meet
got to go to this bar we’re gonna meet
got to go to this bar we’re gonna meet here okay but we live right across the
here okay but we live right across the
here okay but we live right across the street from the train station one window
street from the train station one window
street from the train station one window not facing any wind direction was hot as
not facing any wind direction was hot as
not facing any wind direction was hot as hell it was hungover and I started to
hell it was hungover and I started to
hell it was hungover and I started to cry all right I did it was like what are
cry all right I did it was like what are
cry all right I did it was like what are you doing here Schiffman what are you
you doing here Schiffman what are you
you doing here Schiffman what are you doing and then it came one of those
doing and then it came one of those
doing and then it came one of those moments where I had to face the fact
moments where I had to face the fact
moments where I had to face the fact that I wasn’t in Kansas anymore
that I wasn’t in Kansas anymore
that I wasn’t in Kansas anymore right that this was a decision that I
right that this was a decision that I
right that this was a decision that I made nobody forced me to be there right
made nobody forced me to be there right
made nobody forced me to be there right I did this I did this to myself and one
I did this I did this to myself and one
I did this I did this to myself and one of the things that changed was back in
of the things that changed was back in
of the things that changed was back in the states I found a lot of reasons to
the states I found a lot of reasons to
the states I found a lot of reasons to not take responsibility for my actions
not take responsibility for my actions
not take responsibility for my actions right I didn’t do it somebody else did
right I didn’t do it somebody else did
right I didn’t do it somebody else did right oh that wasn’t me that was those
right oh that wasn’t me that was those
right oh that wasn’t me that was those Jager bombs we drank right but here I
Jager bombs we drank right but here I
Jager bombs we drank right but here I was like no dude you can’t run away from
was like no dude you can’t run away from
was like no dude you can’t run away from this stuff you made the decision to come
this stuff you made the decision to come
this stuff you made the decision to come here you’re here
here you’re here
here you’re here every decision that you make is
every decision that you make is
every decision that you make is important so kind of pick myself up and
important so kind of pick myself up and
important so kind of pick myself up and you know and met some good people who
you know and met some good people who
you know and met some good people who hooked me up and I ended up getting a
hooked me up and I ended up getting a
hooked me up and I ended up getting a job I ended up getting to teach English
job I ended up getting to teach English
job I ended up getting to teach English now I had taught theater and things like
now I had taught theater and things like
now I had taught theater and things like that when I was in the United States but
that when I was in the United States but
that when I was in the United States but I never actually really taught English
I never actually really taught English
I never actually really taught English before you know and it turned out to be
before you know and it turned out to be
before you know and it turned out to be a great decision I used to ask all my
a great decision I used to ask all my
a great decision I used to ask all my students after the weekend so what’d you
students after the weekend so what’d you
students after the weekend so what’d you do this weekend all right
do this weekend all right
do this weekend all right oh well you know nothing nothing normal
oh well you know nothing nothing normal
oh well you know nothing nothing normal and with my bob shoes right
and with my bob shoes right
and with my bob shoes right but then one day I was in class and I
but then one day I was in class and I
but then one day I was in class and I was like dude would you do for over the
was like dude would you do for over the
was like dude would you do for over the weekend it’s like oh it’s like I I had
weekend it’s like oh it’s like I I had
weekend it’s like oh it’s like I I had football practice ma check come on man
football practice ma check come on man
football practice ma check come on man this is English class you don’t say
this is English class you don’t say
this is English class you don’t say football practice you say soccer
football practice you say soccer
football practice you say soccer practice no no no really
practice no no no really
practice no no no really American football practice what you got
American football practice what you got
American football practice what you got you got American football here oh yeah
you got American football here oh yeah
you got American football here oh yeah really yeah there’s like a league in
really yeah there’s like a league in
really yeah there’s like a league in everything like no way right because I’m
everything like no way right because I’m
everything like no way right because I’m one of those people where I need to be
one of those people where I need to be
one of those people where I need to be involved in something if left to my own
involved in something if left to my own
involved in something if left to my own devices bad things happen right so I I
devices bad things happen right so I I
devices bad things happen right so I I went and I I went to a practice and I
went and I I went to a practice and I
went and I I went to a practice and I saw these guys play all right now I was
saw these guys play all right now I was
saw these guys play all right now I was 27 years old at the time I played
27 years old at the time I played
27 years old at the time I played football from the time I was in junior
football from the time I was in junior
football from the time I was in junior high in school into high school and then
high in school into high school and then
high in school into high school and then one and a half years in college but I
one and a half years in college but I
one and a half years in college but I hadn’t played ball in like eight years
hadn’t played ball in like eight years
hadn’t played ball in like eight years okay you kind of you know get a little
okay you kind of you know get a little
okay you kind of you know get a little rusty so I still I threw the ball the
rusty so I still I threw the ball the
rusty so I still I threw the ball the first time it went through this kids
first time it went through this kids
first time it went through this kids hands and hit him right in the nose he
hands and hit him right in the nose he
hands and hit him right in the nose he started to bleed these kids are like wow
started to bleed these kids are like wow
started to bleed these kids are like wow you want to play for us like all right
you want to play for us like all right
you want to play for us like all right wait a minute 27 years old I haven’t
wait a minute 27 years old I haven’t
wait a minute 27 years old I haven’t done anything in a long time sure what
done anything in a long time sure what
done anything in a long time sure what the hell right so we ended up playing
the hell right so we ended up playing
the hell right so we ended up playing and then unbeknownst to me one of my one
and then unbeknownst to me one of my one
and then unbeknownst to me one of my one of my truly my best friends are right
of my truly my best friends are right
of my truly my best friends are right there right the big guy right we ended
there right the big guy right we ended
there right the big guy right we ended up we ended up getting to play together
up we ended up getting to play together
up we ended up getting to play together we ended up actually playing football
we ended up actually playing football
we ended up actually playing football together dude’s a monster okay yeah big
together dude’s a monster okay yeah big
together dude’s a monster okay yeah big a little tiny quarterback behind the big
a little tiny quarterback behind the big
a little tiny quarterback behind the big guy right but we ended up playing and
guy right but we ended up playing and
guy right but we ended up playing and then that first year first game right
then that first year first game right
then that first year first game right yeah I’m ready to play blew out my knee
yeah I’m ready to play blew out my knee
yeah I’m ready to play blew out my knee right right in the fourth quarter run
right right in the fourth quarter run
right right in the fourth quarter run and run and run in down done right so I
and run and run in down done right so I
and run and run in down done right so I couldn’t play anymore what do I do
couldn’t play anymore what do I do
couldn’t play anymore what do I do right what do I do these guys were very
right what do I do these guys were very
right what do I do these guys were very important to me very very special right
important to me very very special right
important to me very very special right so you got a fast forward real quick two
so you got a fast forward real quick two
so you got a fast forward real quick two years because I’m running out of time
years because I’m running out of time
years because I’m running out of time right you fast forward two years 2009
right you fast forward two years 2009
right you fast forward two years 2009 these guys come up to me and say Jeff we
these guys come up to me and say Jeff we
these guys come up to me and say Jeff we need a coach we know you can’t play
need a coach we know you can’t play
need a coach we know you can’t play anymore but we need a coach and I told
anymore but we need a coach and I told
anymore but we need a coach and I told him I said if I coach you you are not
him I said if I coach you you are not
him I said if I coach you you are not gonna like me you are not gonna like
gonna like me you are not gonna like
gonna like me you are not gonna like what’s going to happen but you will like
what’s going to happen but you will like
what’s going to happen but you will like the outcome do you agree
the outcome do you agree
the outcome do you agree yeah yeah yeah sure you really sure yeah
yeah yeah yeah sure you really sure yeah
yeah yeah yeah sure you really sure yeah we’re really sure okay first practice
we’re really sure okay first practice
we’re really sure okay first practice squad of 50 people right half of the
squad of 50 people right half of the
squad of 50 people right half of the team puking on the sidelines because we
team puking on the sidelines because we
team puking on the sidelines because we ran so hard I worked these kids worked
ran so hard I worked these kids worked
ran so hard I worked these kids worked we pushed and pushed and pushed in 2009
we pushed and pushed and pushed in 2009
we pushed and pushed and pushed in 2009 I believe there were seven teams in the
I believe there were seven teams in the
I believe there were seven teams in the very top league right we were the only
very top league right we were the only
very top league right we were the only team in the country made up of only
team in the country made up of only
team in the country made up of only polish players you could have foreigners
polish players you could have foreigners
polish players you could have foreigners come from America and teams like in
come from America and teams like in
come from America and teams like in varrock suave which are the dominant
varrock suave which are the dominant
varrock suave which are the dominant club right now one of the best American
club right now one of the best American
club right now one of the best American football teams in all of Europe right is
football teams in all of Europe right is
football teams in all of Europe right is from Poland but these guys would bring
from Poland but these guys would bring
from Poland but these guys would bring in American players right guys like Aki
in American players right guys like Aki
in American players right guys like Aki Jones who passed away a while ago but
Jones who passed away a while ago but
Jones who passed away a while ago but played ball for the Washington Redskins
played ball for the Washington Redskins
played ball for the Washington Redskins mark Filmore played for Northwestern
mark Filmore played for Northwestern
mark Filmore played for Northwestern right and I got guys who have started
right and I got guys who have started
right and I got guys who have started playing football two years ago right
playing football two years ago right
playing football two years ago right playing against guys this big who had
playing against guys this big who had
playing against guys this big who had NFL experience why is this important
NFL experience why is this important
NFL experience why is this important this is all about adversity these guys
this is all about adversity these guys
this is all about adversity these guys pushed and pushed and pushed and we
pushed and pushed and pushed and we
pushed and pushed and pushed and we fought and we fought and during that
fought and we fought and during that
fought and we fought and during that season the hardest time of my life
season the hardest time of my life
season the hardest time of my life happened I was the closest to my
happened I was the closest to my
happened I was the closest to my grandparents and my grandmother had
grandparents and my grandmother had
grandparents and my grandmother had passed away before and my grandpa had
passed away before and my grandpa had
passed away before and my grandpa had been really sick in 2009 and eventually
been really sick in 2009 and eventually
been really sick in 2009 and eventually I got the phone call that my grandfather
I got the phone call that my grandfather
I got the phone call that my grandfather had passed on a Monday and we had a game
had passed on a Monday and we had a game
had passed on a Monday and we had a game in Warsaw on Saturday didn’t tell my
in Warsaw on Saturday didn’t tell my
in Warsaw on Saturday didn’t tell my guys only told the assistant coach and
guys only told the assistant coach and
guys only told the assistant coach and we went to Warsaw and we got our asses
we went to Warsaw and we got our asses
we went to Warsaw and we got our asses kicked
kicked
kicked quite quite hand
quite quite hand
quite quite hand Lee actually I told the guys on the bus
Lee actually I told the guys on the bus
Lee actually I told the guys on the bus afterwards that I had to go home because
afterwards that I had to go home because
afterwards that I had to go home because I had to bury my grandfather but I’ve
I had to bury my grandfather but I’ve
I had to bury my grandfather but I’ve told them that you can feel for me but
told them that you can feel for me but
told them that you can feel for me but what I want for you guys is I want you
what I want for you guys is I want you
what I want for you guys is I want you to stay focused I want you to fight I
to stay focused I want you to fight I
to stay focused I want you to fight I want you to work harder than you’ve
want you to work harder than you’ve
want you to work harder than you’ve worked before when I’m not here because
worked before when I’m not here because
worked before when I’m not here because we just lost this game but we weren’t
we just lost this game but we weren’t
we just lost this game but we weren’t out of the playoffs so I end up coming
out of the playoffs so I end up coming
out of the playoffs so I end up coming back and make a long story short a team
back and make a long story short a team
back and make a long story short a team of only polish players who had at most
of only polish players who had at most
of only polish players who had at most at most five years of playing experience
at most five years of playing experience
at most five years of playing experience we were the national champions in this
we were the national champions in this
we were the national champions in this country we overcame every obstacle we
country we overcame every obstacle we
country we overcame every obstacle we overcame everybody saying that we
overcame everybody saying that we
overcame everybody saying that we couldn’t do it that it was impossible
couldn’t do it that it was impossible
couldn’t do it that it was impossible for us to do it it’s a very popular word
for us to do it it’s a very popular word
for us to do it it’s a very popular word in Polish sometimes these Nimmo’s Liva
in Polish sometimes these Nimmo’s Liva
in Polish sometimes these Nimmo’s Liva leave it right absolutely not
leave it right absolutely not
leave it right absolutely not that is a word which I wish they would
that is a word which I wish they would
that is a word which I wish they would absolutely erase from the dictionary
absolutely erase from the dictionary
absolutely erase from the dictionary because all it does is it limits your
because all it does is it limits your
because all it does is it limits your possibilities and it limits your
possibilities and it limits your
possibilities and it limits your possibilities to do things great every
possibilities to do things great every
possibilities to do things great every single one of us and it doesn’t matter
single one of us and it doesn’t matter
single one of us and it doesn’t matter if you are the most successful person or
if you are the most successful person or
if you are the most successful person or somebody who struggles in everything
somebody who struggles in everything
somebody who struggles in everything every single one of us has infinite
every single one of us has infinite
every single one of us has infinite potential to be great not just good but
potential to be great not just good but
potential to be great not just good but to be great now when I was a kid I
to be great now when I was a kid I
to be great now when I was a kid I thought I was gonna be the starting
thought I was gonna be the starting
thought I was gonna be the starting centerfielder for the New York Yankees
centerfielder for the New York Yankees
centerfielder for the New York Yankees okay obviously that’s not going to
okay obviously that’s not going to
okay obviously that’s not going to happen I was a good baseball player but
happen I was a good baseball player but
happen I was a good baseball player but apparently I wasn’t great
apparently I wasn’t great
apparently I wasn’t great we all strive for greatness we all
we all strive for greatness we all
we all strive for greatness we all strive for perfection but a lot of times
strive for perfection but a lot of times
strive for perfection but a lot of times the thing that stands in our way is
the thing that stands in our way is
the thing that stands in our way is ourselves the greatest part about this
ourselves the greatest part about this
ourselves the greatest part about this change of coming here was that for the
change of coming here was that for the
change of coming here was that for the first time in my life I had to really
first time in my life I had to really
first time in my life I had to really look at myself and really look I had a
look at myself and really look I had a
look at myself and really look I had a chance to reinvent who I was remembering
chance to reinvent who I was remembering
chance to reinvent who I was remembering the positive things about me but never
the positive things about me but never
the positive things about me but never ever forgetting the negative things the
ever forgetting the negative things the
ever forgetting the negative things the things that I did not want to do when I
things that I did not want to do when I
things that I did not want to do when I came here this was my
came here this was my
came here this was my I was scared to death to come here but
I was scared to death to come here but
I was scared to death to come here but like they always say every great journey
like they always say every great journey
like they always say every great journey begins with a single step right and it’s
begins with a single step right and it’s
begins with a single step right and it’s very very true it’s very very true where
very very true it’s very very true where
very very true it’s very very true where I’m at right now because of that
I’m at right now because of that
I’m at right now because of that decision to go because of that decision
decision to go because of that decision
decision to go because of that decision to come here right III have an
to come here right III have an
to come here right III have an absolutely beautiful wife I have a child
absolutely beautiful wife I have a child
absolutely beautiful wife I have a child which is absolutely the joy of my life
which is absolutely the joy of my life
which is absolutely the joy of my life and none of this would I could have
and none of this would I could have
and none of this would I could have another wife and I could have had
another wife and I could have had
another wife and I could have had another baby somewhere else but it would
another baby somewhere else but it would
another baby somewhere else but it would not be Henry and it wouldn’t be Sylvia I
not be Henry and it wouldn’t be Sylvia I
not be Henry and it wouldn’t be Sylvia I wouldn’t be here talking to you right I
wouldn’t be here talking to you right I
wouldn’t be here talking to you right I wouldn’t be a part of the band that I
wouldn’t be a part of the band that I
wouldn’t be a part of the band that I play in right now right mixed of people
play in right now right mixed of people
play in right now right mixed of people from England and into Silesian guys
from England and into Silesian guys
from England and into Silesian guys right getting to play music festivals
right getting to play music festivals
right getting to play music festivals not only just in Poland but in in
not only just in Poland but in in
not only just in Poland but in in checking and in other places as well
checking and in other places as well
checking and in other places as well right the overcoming of my fear the fear
right the overcoming of my fear the fear
right the overcoming of my fear the fear of change right was was infinitely
of change right was was infinitely
of change right was was infinitely important and my grandfather used to say
important and my grandfather used to say
important and my grandfather used to say this to me and I don’t know where he got
this to me and I don’t know where he got
this to me and I don’t know where he got it from so I’m sure I don’t know if I’m
it from so I’m sure I don’t know if I’m
it from so I’m sure I don’t know if I’m stealing it from somebody or if I’m just
stealing it from somebody or if I’m just
stealing it from somebody or if I’m just passing it on but one of the greatest
passing it on but one of the greatest
passing it on but one of the greatest things that my grandfather told me was
things that my grandfather told me was
things that my grandfather told me was that courage is not the absence of fear
that courage is not the absence of fear
that courage is not the absence of fear it’s knowing that you are afraid but you
it’s knowing that you are afraid but you
it’s knowing that you are afraid but you go anyway and the older I get the more
go anyway and the older I get the more
go anyway and the older I get the more that I realized that that statement in
that I realized that that statement in
that I realized that that statement in itself is what keeps me going and if you
itself is what keeps me going and if you
itself is what keeps me going and if you guys take anything from that speech it
guys take anything from that speech it
guys take anything from that speech it said I want you to remember that the
said I want you to remember that the
said I want you to remember that the courage is not the absence of fear it’s
courage is not the absence of fear it’s
courage is not the absence of fear it’s knowing that you are afraid but you go
knowing that you are afraid but you go
knowing that you are afraid but you go anyway because every single one of you
anyway because every single one of you
anyway because every single one of you is gonna face that fear at some point
is gonna face that fear at some point
is gonna face that fear at some point either in your academic career your
either in your academic career your
either in your academic career your personal life your professional life
personal life your professional life
personal life your professional life every one of you is gonna go I don’t
every one of you is gonna go I don’t
every one of you is gonna go I don’t want to get up and do this speech right
want to get up and do this speech right
want to get up and do this speech right or I’m afraid to go here or I’m afraid
or I’m afraid to go here or I’m afraid
or I’m afraid to go here or I’m afraid to go and do this but all of you are
to go and do this but all of you are
to go and do this but all of you are courageous you don’t have to be
courageous you don’t have to be
courageous you don’t have to be a war hero or or a fireman or anything
a war hero or or a fireman or anything
a war hero or or a fireman or anything like this to be to be courageous what to
like this to be to be courageous what to
like this to be to be courageous what to be courageous is when you know you’re
be courageous is when you know you’re
be courageous is when you know you’re afraid of something when you know that
afraid of something when you know that
afraid of something when you know that there is a chance that it might not go
there is a chance that it might not go
there is a chance that it might not go the way you thought it was gonna go but
the way you thought it was gonna go but
the way you thought it was gonna go but you go anyway and when you take that
you go anyway and when you take that
you go anyway and when you take that first step and when you realize that you
first step and when you realize that you
first step and when you realize that you every one of you has infinite potential
every one of you has infinite potential
every one of you has infinite potential to influence positive change on the
to influence positive change on the
to influence positive change on the world because the world is a scary dark
world because the world is a scary dark
world because the world is a scary dark mean place right now full of hatred full
mean place right now full of hatred full
mean place right now full of hatred full of distrust and I’m quite frankly I’m
of distrust and I’m quite frankly I’m
of distrust and I’m quite frankly I’m tired of it I refuse to live that way I
tired of it I refuse to live that way I
tired of it I refuse to live that way I refuse to let my child grow up in a
refuse to let my child grow up in a
refuse to let my child grow up in a world like that and what I’m gonna do is
world like that and what I’m gonna do is
world like that and what I’m gonna do is by hopefully influencing the people that
by hopefully influencing the people that
by hopefully influencing the people that are close to me by going out and being
are close to me by going out and being
are close to me by going out and being brave being honorable by doing the right
brave being honorable by doing the right
brave being honorable by doing the right thing when nobody is looking at you
thing when nobody is looking at you
thing when nobody is looking at you having the courage to take that first
having the courage to take that first
having the courage to take that first step alright I promise you I promise you
step alright I promise you I promise you
step alright I promise you I promise you that you will go through hell in your
that you will go through hell in your
that you will go through hell in your life you will have moments of extreme
life you will have moments of extreme
life you will have moments of extreme sadness you will go through change that
sadness you will go through change that
sadness you will go through change that is unnecessary its unwanted I don’t want
is unnecessary its unwanted I don’t want
is unnecessary its unwanted I don’t want this but every change that you will go
this but every change that you will go
this but every change that you will go through has infinite possibilities if
through has infinite possibilities if
through has infinite possibilities if you keep your head about you alright
you keep your head about you alright
you keep your head about you alright keep your head on a swivel right you see
keep your head on a swivel right you see
keep your head on a swivel right you see what’s coming from the left from the
what’s coming from the left from the
what’s coming from the left from the right if you do that and you try and you
right if you do that and you try and you
right if you do that and you try and you overcome the odds when people tell you
overcome the odds when people tell you
overcome the odds when people tell you that you can’t prove them wrong when
that you can’t prove them wrong when
that you can’t prove them wrong when people tell you that it’s impossible say
people tell you that it’s impossible say
people tell you that it’s impossible say that word does not exist in my
that word does not exist in my
that word does not exist in my vocabulary right whenever you are afraid
vocabulary right whenever you are afraid
vocabulary right whenever you are afraid remember that true courage is in you the
remember that true courage is in you the
remember that true courage is in you the ability to accept the fact that you
ability to accept the fact that you
ability to accept the fact that you don’t know what’s going to happen but
don’t know what’s going to happen but
don’t know what’s going to happen but you go anyway you are the future you are
you go anyway you are the future you are
you go anyway you are the future you are the future and we can make this world a
the future and we can make this world a
the future and we can make this world a much better place if we are not
much better place if we are not
much better place if we are not afraid to take that first step trust in
afraid to take that first step trust in
afraid to take that first step trust in our fellow man help with your parents
our fellow man help with your parents
our fellow man help with your parents your friends the kindness of strangers
your friends the kindness of strangers
your friends the kindness of strangers if you do all of these things you change
if you do all of these things you change
if you do all of these things you change your mentality right I promise you I
your mentality right I promise you I
your mentality right I promise you I promise you the world will be a better
promise you the world will be a better
promise you the world will be a better place tomorrow than it is today thank
place tomorrow than it is today thank
place tomorrow than it is today thank you guys very very much for your time
you guys very very much for your time
you guys very very much for your time have a fantastic weekend
have a fantastic weekend
have a fantastic weekend all right and thanks for coming thank
all right and thanks for coming thank
all right and thanks for coming thank you
”
Be First to Comment