We recently connected with Jeff Heggie and have shared our conversation below.


Jeff, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from a lifetime of competing and closely working with athletes. In the world of sports, setbacks, challenges and failures are guaranteed. Every athlete I know has faced their own challenges, where they feel they’ve hit rock bottom. But here’s the thing – it’s at this point that I’ve seen some of the most remarkable transformations.

I’ve watched athletes fall apart during these low points and never recover. But I’ve also seen others use it as a springboard to accomplish things they wouldn’t have if they didn’t first face the adversity.

It’s the belief in the possibility of rising again, no matter what we have to go through, that fuels my optimism.

As a coach and through The Confident Athlete Program (www.ConfidentAthleteProgram.com), I’ve had the privilege of being part of many of these journeys. Each story of an athlete overcoming adversity and beating the odds, adds to my belief that there’s always a path.

Challenger Deep

​Challenger Deep is the deepest part of the ocean – therefore the lowest point on earth, more than 36,000 feet below the ocean’s surface. You physically can’t get any lower. The beautiful thing about being at your lowest point is there is nowhere to go but up. In these moments of adversity, we must stop and look up and focus on the little bit of light that’s peeking through. In some instances, you may not be able to see any sort of light, but the belief that you soon will, can be your salvation during these times. Tami Matheny and I have a new book called, “Challenger Deep: Athletes Rising From Adversity” (Available HERE) where we share stories of real-life athletes – most of who were among the best in their fields – and their lessons on rising above adversity to inspire and motivate you to new heights.


Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Absolutely, I’m happy to share my story and current focus. My professional journey is rooted in a blend of athletics, entrepreneurship, and personal development. I’m an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and a success coach, primarily working with athletes and entrepreneurs.

What I do revolves around helping individuals realize their full potential, both in sports and in business. Through The Confident Athlete Program (www.ConfidentAthleteProgram.com), I work closely with athletes to enhance their mental game, which is often the key differentiator in high-level sports. This program is designed to build mental toughness, resilience, and confidence, which are essential components for success in any competitive field.

In my coaching practice for entrepreneurs, I focus on helping them achieve not just business success but also personal fulfillment. I believe that a successful entrepreneur is not just about profits and business growth, but also about personal well-being and fulfillment.

In addition to my work with athletes and entrepreneurs, I also work with a lifelong friend, Travis Tollestrup, in a real estate investing and coaching business. Here, I guide real estate investors through every step of their journey. We teach how to find a property, fund it, fix it up, and then decide on the best strategy moving forward – whether that’s flipping it for a profit or holding onto it for passive income. This comprehensive approach ensures that investors are well-equipped with the knowledge and strategies needed for success in the real estate market.
What’s most exciting about my work is witnessing the transformation in people – seeing an athlete or an entrepreneur overcome their barriers and achieve something they once thought was out of reach. That’s a truly rewarding experience.

As for my brand, it’s centered around the philosophy of continuous growth and resilience. Whether it’s in sports, business, or personal life, I advocate for a mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for growth.

In terms of new developments, I am excited about the upcoming release of a new book (02/27/24)  titled “Challenger Deep: Athletes Rising From Adversity,” (https://www.confidentathleteprogram.com/challengerdeep) co-authored with my partner in The Confident Athlete Program, Tami Matheny. This book is particularly special as it delves into the stories of real-life athletes, their challenges, and how they rose above adversity. It’s designed to inspire and motivate not just athletes, but anyone looking to overcome their own ‘Challenger Deep’ moments.

I’m also continually evolving my coaching programs, integrating new insights and techniques to better serve athletes and entrepreneurs. The goal is always to offer more comprehensive and effective strategies for personal and professional growth.

My journey is about inspiring and empowering others to unlock their potential, and every new project or expansion is a step towards that goal.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
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Reflecting on my journey, I’d say the three most impactful qualities that have shaped my path are resilience, continuous learning, and the ability to build relationships.

First, resilience. In both sports and business, I’ve faced numerous challenges and setbacks. What made the difference was not avoiding these challenges, but learning to face them head-on and bounce back stronger. For those early in their journey, my advice is to view setbacks as opportunities for growth. Embrace challenges, learn from them, and use them to build mental toughness.

Second, the importance of continuous learning cannot be overstated. Whether it was mastering new coaching techniques, understanding the intricacies of real estate investment, or staying abreast of business trends, continually expanding my knowledge base has been crucial. For those starting out, I recommend adopting a mindset of lifelong learning. Be curious, seek out new information, and always be open to new ideas and perspectives.

Lastly, the ability to build and nurture relationships has been instrumental. Success is rarely a solo endeavor; it’s about the connections you make and the networks you build. Whether it’s mentors, peers, or clients, the relationships I’ve developed have provided support, insight, and opportunities. For newcomers, my advice is to invest time in building strong, authentic relationships. Network actively, but also focus on how you can add value to others. Remember, it’s not just about who you know, but also about who knows you and what they know you for.

In summary, focus on building resilience, commit to lifelong learning, and cultivate meaningful relationships. These are the pillars that can support and propel you forward in any endeavor, whether in sports, business, or any other field.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely, when I look back at my journey, one of the key elements that stands out is the power of networking. It’s not just about making connections, but about building genuine relationships that can open doors, offer new perspectives, and provide mutual support. In my role, both as a coach and an entrepreneur, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial networking is in driving success.

For instance, in The Confident Athlete Program, we’re currently seeking Affiliate Partners. This opportunity is perfect for those who are passionate about sports, mental toughness, and helping athletes achieve their full potential. It’s an exciting chance to be part of a program that makes a real difference in athletes’ lives, while being financially compensated for sharing it. Interested individuals can register to become affiliates HERE. This initiative exemplifies how networking can lead to new opportunities, not just for personal growth but also for contributing to a larger community.

Similarly, in The Entrepreneur Coaching Group, networking is a focal point. We emphasize building relationships that are not only beneficial in terms of business growth but also in terms of personal development. Networking in this space allows entrepreneurs to share experiences, learn from one another, and find collaboration opportunities. It’s about creating a community where everyone can grow together.

Additionally, we are in the process of building a new business with highly motivated entrepreneurs. So if there are any entrepreneurial minded readers, who are good leaders and would like to take on a new challenge either full time or part time, I’d love to have them reach out to me, or go to https://www.JeffHeggie.com/leader
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