Rory T. Edwards labels himself as a chief transformation officer, especially for athletes, and also as a wellness specialist.
Recently, he stopped by rolling out and explained what that looks like.
What do you specifically do?
We work on developing, like I said, the transformation plan. What does that plan look like? Understanding what your circle of influence looks like. Because we know that one of the biggest things in an athlete‘s journey is their circle of influence, or her circle of influence, and understanding how those people add to or break your kingdom.
So, I work on things like that. I work on your financial plan and how you develop lifelong goals, life insurance policies, things like that. Most people at this stage of the game don’t even think of this, but primarily, [I pose the question:] what does it look like? What does your vision look like in your life? We put that together for you, a plan of action and execution, that you can follow the steps and then celebrate these short-term goals to let your family and you live this life remaining.
What are the benefits of having someone guide you?
Athletes go through high school, there’s a group of people who go to college, we’re collectively with the people who we support and play with, and everything is done for us. Then, when you move on to the league, it starts to become a business. But if you’ve never been able to handle your business, how do you go about handling your business? What’s your circle of influence that’s telling you how to handle their business? If they don’t know how to handle their life business, how will someone tell you how to handle your life business? That process and transitioning from that phase to the next phase. We’ve got to let them know what’s important in their life.
When I work with people, we do an assessment of the nine stages and phases of wellness. We addressed those particular stages. And instead of starting from one particular point, we started with your weakest point, whether it’s occupational, mental, environmental, educational, financial, social media, spiritual apps or relationships.
You all meet them at nine stages and work with them based on their needs?
Each person’s plan of execution and action is different from other people. …I don’t come to you and provide the same plans for your brother, because you may have a different place where you are in this lane, versus maybe in his lane. So, everybody has a different individual plan, and we start from there. Once we start building from there, then you’ll see a domino effect for the other table.
What are three quick tips you have for athletes in the final years of their playing careers?
Trust the journey. Because that’s one of the things that’s going to be very important. Also, remember that you’ll be playing the game of life longer than you’ll be playing the game of sports. The third thing I would say is … [remember, it’s] confidence that empowers you to continue to live this life that you’ve achieved being a professional.
