Ray brings a ton of energy to the show and we talk about living your dream, doing the opposite, and injecting fun into your work day.   Introduction: Hey everyone and welcome to the All-Star Leader Podcast, where together we learn about leadership from the best and brightest, and keep it fun by connecting it to our passion for sports! Today we are joined by Ray Matz, an entrepreneur, author, speaker, coach and hockey player. In fact his is a three-time World Champion in the sport of Roller Hockey. You can see his work, including a podcast of his own, over at gamechangingdads.com This is Ray Matz. Hey Ray thanks for coming on the show!erview Questions: First off why don’t you share a little about yourself and what you’re up to. Started gamechangingdads two years ago after attending the Dan Miller leadership seminar Loves pouring into fathers and husbands and coaching them through life You were a hockey player in college and your early years; talk to us about that experience and how it has impacted who you are today. Born/raised in Kensington, PA The Philadelphia Flyers were on their way to winning the Stanley Cup, and it was a beacon of positivity among difficult circumstances Hockey was always in him. Played junior A hockey up in Canada, and realized the hard work/talent of those teams were incredible. Seven years later, high school friend called him and asked him to play roller hockey. Enjoyed the sport immediately and then made the US championship team Gave him the opportunity to train teams in other countries And you’ve since coached kids as an instructor at the Team USA Hockey Clinics; what has that experience been like and what leadership skills or techniques do you tend to use with the kids that carries over into the other areas of your life? Peter Dale was a teammate, and he asked Ray to help Great experience to give back Important to lead by example; coaches and kids are looking up at him You owned a landscaping business for many years; what was that like and what did you discover then about how to lead people? Started his first business at 19; always encouraged by parents to do their own thing Got into real estate in Vegas Then vending company Just walking through and learning Then got involved with a network marketing company and was pushed toward growing in his leadership through books by John Maxwell and Robert Kiwosaki (what about risk taking?) He and mom had a talk, and she told him he would be criticized and people would say he’s crazy. Mom would affirm him then when this happened. The more criticism you get the more successful you’ll be Girlfriend didn’t want him driving her around in his truck since it had his name on it We’re getting too comfortable like in a lazy river at the water park The older he gets, the more inspired he is to go do stuff! Parenting is something we touch on now and again on this show. I know you both teach and speak on parenting, and are raising three kids of your own. What advice do you have for those of us who are raising kids in 2017? Gamechangingdads came from a deep root created when he was a kid Dad was always working hard, so not a deep relationship Knew he wanted to have the relationship with his kids that he had with his mom Don’t miss time with your kids! Would not do anything different, even though there have been tough financial years by trying to build businesses and do it from home. (easy to fall into comparison trap) – count your blessings; pray for others; transparency/honesty is a key to avoiding these traps You’ve spoken about how to make time for fun during the work day. What can you share with us about that? Big fan of doing the complete opposite of what everyone else is doing in order to be successful (a la George Costanza!) Everyone checking their phone at the park with kids? Jump in and play! Vegas partner at the park example; just making time to have fun and relax Get your blood flowing/exercise/stretching if you’re stuck in an office all day Does podcast standing up and it gives him more energy and better tonality What does it mean to love the job you have? Follow your passion/dream, and if something isn’t right, time to go Life goes way too fast Figure out how to serve others During an interview with ESPN you removed your teeth upon request; it was a funny moment, but there’s a deeper lesson about taking immediate action isn’t there? Link to the interview! Opportunities will come and you have to be willing to say yes and take action Five rapid fire questions Name one trait or characteristic you want to see in a colleague. Handshake is good enough What habit has been key to your success? Staying in the fight Most important app or productivity tool? Podcasts Most influential leader you’ve personally been around? Robert Kiyosaki – Rich Dad/Poor Dad One sentence of advice for the leaders in our audience? Enjoy the valleys; things will be tough, but learn and move on Where can people connect with you and learn about masterminds? gamechangingdads.com Facebook: Ray Matz Thank Yous/Acknowledgements: Antioch Live/Clear Day Media Group – music More here. Jonathan Davis – production Clint Musslewhite – voice over