The Power of Showing Up: A Conversation with David Raih

The Jon Gordon Podcast

Jon Gordon

Leadership, Teamwork, Success, Positiveuniversity, Jongordon, Health & Fitness, Positivity, Education, Positiveu, Happiness, Teambuilding

4.8 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 16 May 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I’m joined by my good friend David Raih—football coach, motivator, and one of the best examples I know of what it means to truly go after your purpose. David’s journey is powerful. He left a great job, walked away from comfort, and took a risk, just to follow his passion for football and people.

We talk about what happens when you’re willing to show up even when you’re scared. From chasing down Rick Neuheisel at UCLA—literally showing up at his press conference—to flying to Texas Tech to meet Cliff Kingsbury who had no idea he was coming, David’s story reminds us that our path isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

We discuss what it’s like to start from the bottom, battle through setbacks, build real relationships, and keep moving forward with faith and positivity. David shares so much wisdom about the power of action, the importance of mentors, and what it means to serve others, on and off the field.

If you’re searching for your purpose, or maybe you’re facing a tough moment, you’ll want to hear David’s story. I loved this conversation. I know you will too. Let’s get started. Your vision. Your purpose. Your life. It’s time to show up.

About David,

David Raih is an American professional football coach who is the tight ends coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a quarterback for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Raih entered coaching as an intern at UCLA in 2008 and has also coached with the Hawkeyes, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Vanderbilt Commodores of the NCAA and the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to the John Gordon podcast, where we share John's interviews with guests as well as key strategies and lessons from his keynotes, coaching, and more.
0:07.4	We want to encourage you to check out John Gordoncertified.com if you're interested in growing as a leader, coach, speaker, or trainer.
0:13.6	When you get certified, you'll be able to teach, coach, and train others on John's most impactful mindset, leadership, and teamwork principles.
0:20.1	For more information, visit John gordoncertified.com.
0:23.6	That's j-on-gordoncertified.com.
0:26.5	Now let's jump into today's episode.
0:29.6	Hey, this is John Gordon with the John Gordon podcast.
0:32.9	And today my guest is David Rye.
0:35.5	How you doing, David?
0:37.0	Awesome.
0:39.0	John, honor to be on here, man.
0:40.8	Fired up to have you.
0:43.8	I can't wait for people to hear your story.
0:50.5	Because when I heard your story, when I was up there with the Washington commanders and meeting you, man, I was just blown away.
0:51.7	And I just love the story.
0:52.6	So take us back.
0:56.3	You have been a football player most of your life leading up to you playing at Iowa. Talk about that. That's right. I mean, my my number one
1:02.4	passion when I was growing up was football. And it's a common thing. You know, you're on this,
1:08.1	this regiment. And I'm talking from like fourth grade all the way until you're 22, 23 years old when
1:14.2	I finished at the University of Iowa, which is a great program.
1:18.3	And at that point, I had studied finance and journalism.
1:22.6	Kirk Ferrence, the head coach, he actually said to me, said, David, do you, you know, I just had a thought,
	...

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