On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Glenn Ellison, a man whose life story could fill a movie script. From growing up in poverty with six siblings and an alcoholic father, to channeling his pain and anger into football and earning a full scholarship to the University of Arkansas, Glenn's early journey is as inspiring as it is raw. He shares how an illegal hit and an unexpected twist in NCAA eligibility rules cut short his college career, but his determination led him to play for the Marine Corps team and ultimately earn a spot in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders under legendary coach John Madden.

But Glenn's story doesn’t stop on the football field. After his sports career, he faced more adversity and found purpose in helping others. For the past 24 years, Glenn has dedicated his life to restoring peace in families through The Parent Help Center, working with parents and at-risk youth to turn chaos into hope and healing. He opens up about how faith, hard lessons, and relentless work ethic shaped his mission to make an enduring impact.

This is a candid, powerful conversation about resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of believing in others, and yourself, even when the odds are stacked against you. Glenn’s journey reminds us that no matter where you start, it's never too late to change the game and make a difference. 

Learn more about Glenn and his mission at theparenthelpcenter.com, and get ready to be inspired by a true comeback story.

 

About Glenn,

Glenn Ellison is a former NFL player, United States Marine, and now a certified Jon Gordon Trainer helping leaders and families create positive change. His inspiring journey took him from high school football star to being kicked out of college, from $35-a-game semi-pro leagues to the Marine Corps football program—where he became a two-time MVP. Against 10,000 to 1 odds, Glenn walked on to the NFL, proving that grit, faith, and perseverance open impossible doors.

Today, Glenn is the founder of a non-profit dedicated to building stronger families, the author of Tackling Life's Challenges, and the real-life inspiration behind the film Success Camp, which tells the story of struggling families finding hope. His life is proof that detours often lead to your true purpose—and that with commitment and belief, even the wildest dreams are within reach.

 

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