It's #FeatureFriday! This week's spotlight is on Paul Tearson, graduate of College of the Holy Cross. While at Holy Cross, Paul competed in both football and soccer - an incredibly difficult and impressive feat! Paul has some awesome insights to share about his experiences playing college athletics. Prospective college athletes, take notes!
GamePlan: If you could sum up your college athletic experience in one word, what would it be?
Paul: Rewarding.
GamePlan: What is your favorite memory from playing college sports?
Paul: Pre-season, road trips, and the few hours before game time. We all want a sense of belonging and when you are part of a tribe, all those moments are very special to you. Because of those moments, you will have brothers or sisters for a lifetime.
GamePlan: What is one of the hardest moments you had to get through while playing college sports? Paul: My sophomore year, I tore my ACL and I was out for the rest of the season. I had always been a starter and now taking the back seat and not being able to help my teammates go to battle every week was pretty hard.
GamePlan: What is a lesson(s) you learned while playing college athletics? Paul: Looking back, I now understand the importance of discipline and grit; which can help anyone go the distance in the real world. Most people fail once and quit but only a few are willing to keep going. One of the lessons I will forever cherish is that when life gets tough, our coach would say, "Don't look at it as an obstacle, but rather an opportunity for growth and a step closer to excellence." We all remember those 5am runs and 10pm lights out; it almost seemed as if we were in "prison" but now those habits will forever be with us and they have helped me develop my own financial firm in Austin. There are times when something doesn't go our way at the firm and I think of my coach and what he used to tell us while running sprints- it makes me laugh it off and then, after a few minutes, I attack the "obstacle" head on.
GamePlan: What is one of the hardest moments you had to get through while going through the recruiting process? Paul: I was very fortunate to play for a club that had parents willing to help me with all the recruiting process so the process was pretty easy. The assistant coach at Holy Cross also facilitated all the paperwork for us so that helped. If I had to pick one thing out of the process, I'd say the acceptance interview at Holy Cross was pretty hard. It was two hours long and I was not prepared for most of those questions.
GamePlan: What advice do you have for student-athletes who are trying to play at the collegiate level? Paul: I believe that being prepared will take you there and discipline will keep you there. As a student-athlete we all know that time management is key and you not only have to perform inside the white lines but in the classroom as well. If you are able to set your goals, write a plan on how to get there, and stick to it no matter what, you will be a successful student-athlete.
GamePlan: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything? If so, what would you do differently? Paul: If I could go back, I would make myself fall in love with the process and have a more defined strategy on how to reach my goals. (Two great books I would recommend for student-athletes are "Chop Wood Carry Water" and "Relentless"). I don't think I was in love with the process at the time and I didn't get a chance to live in the moment. I was always thinking about graduating and going pro after college that I didn't take the time slow down and smell the roses once in a while.
GamePlan: What are you up to now?
Paul: I am now the founder of Tearson Financial Group, LLC, a financial planning firm located in Austin, TX. Over the last five years I have had a great opportunity to meet some really cool people. The great thing about Austin is that it's a very active city and pretty much anyone you meet is an athlete so you get to build relationships that will last a lifetime. When I'm not working, I'm usually traveling, playing sand volleyball, golfing, or reading at home. Next year, I will start my CFP designation through The University of Texas and maybe run another marathon before I turn 30!
GamePlan: What role did athletics play in helping you get to where you are now? Paul: If it weren't for athletics, I don't think I'd be where I am today. I believe athletics sparked an infinite desire to be successful in whatever it is that I am going after. Without athletics I don't think I would have the same passion, dedication, and willingness to do the things most people don't want to do.
🙌Thank you, Paul! Amazing info. Tune in next week!
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