When Success Slips Away … How Clint Hurdle Rewrote His Leadership Playbook

What does it take to transform talent, grit, and setbacks into lasting leadership? This week, Jon Goehring, Coach Jim Johnson, and Dr. Rehnuma Karim welcome Clint Hurdle — former MLB player and manager, author of Hurdle-isms, and inspirational coach — for an uplifting conversation about resilience, identity, and leadership.

Clint shares how a natural gift for sports was honed through hard work, sacrifice, and relentless practice, illustrating the importance of perseverance through highs and lows — from gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated at 20 to facing demotions in the minor leagues.

He opens up about navigating intense pressure, self-imposed anxiety, and the struggle to maintain confidence amid enormous expectations, underscoring the vital role of mentors and self-awareness in leadership growth.

Diving into his coaching career, Clint reveals how he rebuilt a struggling prep school football culture by leading with love, accountability, and clear vision — even hiring a player with nonverbal cerebral palsy who became a cornerstone of the team’s success.

From learning to delegate and empower to balancing the demands of family, faith, and personal wellness, Clint provides practical and heartfelt lessons for young and emerging leaders.

Whether on the field or in the boardroom, this episode inspires you to embrace your identity, rise above failure, and lead with unstoppable heart.

Resources Mentioned:

Clint Hurdle’s book Hurdle-isms — available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hurdle-isms-Wit-Wisdom-Lifetime-Baseball/dp/139429204X

Learn more and connect: clinthurdle.com