MVP 028 - Chris Osei-Kusi, Lawyer & Pro Football Player
In this episode, Chris Osei-Kusi shares his journey from the locker room to the courtroom. An aspiring lawyer who is never one to back down from a challenge, Chris’ story is one of tough choices, sacrifices, and a whole lot of hard work.
Dive into this conversation to meet another impressive athlete with an amazing career success story outside of the lines.
Episode Summary
Driven by the Fear of Regret
Chris Osei-Kusi's unwavering drive stems from his deep-seated fear of regret, a motivation that fuels his commitment to giving his all in every endeavor, whether it's on the football field or in the courtroom.
Clevland Browns Mini Camp
Having run the fastest 40-yard dash at the CFL combine, Chris caught the attention of pro scouts on both sides of the border. In his rookie season, he had an opportunity to join the NFL’s Cleveland Browns in training camp and that gave him all the confidence he needed to know that he belonged. When his time in Cleveland came to an end, he brought that confidence with him to the CFL.
Leaving Football to Study Law
Chris found himself faced with the tough decision of deferring his law school acceptance or deferring his CFL career. During his rookie season, it was looking like he might end up on the practice roster early on, so he shifted his focus away from football and enroled in law school. Coincidently, the CFL season was canceled in 2020 which allowed him to fast-track his studies, taking his part-time studies up to full-time. Then, once the world returned to normal, Chris made his comeback to football with a Juris Doctor next to his name.
Becoming a Junior Lawyer
Through the articling process, Chris gained firsthand experience in various areas of law. But before getting an opportunity to be an intern at a law office, Chris first had to pass a competitive interview process with over 1,000 candidates.
14-Hour Days!
Chris speaks on the demanding realities of Lawyering (yes, that’s a real word). But, he also dives into the hourly wages that lawyers are able to charge their clients, so we don’t really feel too bad for him.
High-Pressure Situations
Facing high-pressure situations as an athlete taught Chris the importance of remaining composed under stress. When he found himself in a clutch situation during his internship at the law office, he was able to remain cool, calm, and collected because of his experience dealing with high stakes. Yet another reason why organizations love to hire athletes - effective problem-solving skills and the ability to think on one's feet is crucial in every field.
Discipline, Not Motivation
Chris emphasizes the significance of discipline over motivation in achieving long-term success, stressing the importance of consistent effort and perseverance in pursuing one's goals, whether on the field or in the office.
Preparing Athletes for Life After Sports
Through Switch Mentality, Chris aims to prepare athletes for life beyond sports, offering mentorship and resources to help them transition into successful careers off the field, showcasing the importance of holistic support for athletes' personal and professional development.
Build Skills
Chris underscores the value of building transferable skills, emphasizing how qualities honed in sports, such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience, can be leveraged to excel in other domains, highlighting the versatility and adaptability of athletes in diverse career paths.
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