What happens when you walk away from the NFL at your peak?

In this episode of the Intangible Podcast, we sit down with former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jelani Jenkins—team captain at the University of Florida, NFL starter, and a player who made the rare decision to retire at just 26 years old.

But this conversation goes way deeper than football.

Jelani opens up about the mindset his father instilled in him from a young age, the power of belief and affirmations, and how those intangibles carried him all the way to the NFL. He shares what it was like going head-to-head with Tom Brady, earning his starting spot, and navigating the pressure, injuries, and business side of the league.

Then comes the turning point.

We dive into the mental and emotional challenges that led Jelani to step away from the game—and how that decision forced him into a journey of self-discovery, financial awareness, and building a new identity beyond football.

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What does it take to thrive in the most pressure-packed position in football?

On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, former Alabama placekicker Gunnar Raborn joins Chris Spencer to break down the mindset required to succeed when the entire game comes down to one kick.

Growing up in Louisiana as a multi-sport athlete, Gunnar didn’t even start kicking until his junior year of high school. But that late start turned into a journey that took him to Alabama football, where a moment with Coach Nick Saban would permanently reshape how he viewed pressure and performance.

When Saban told him five simple words — “Pressure is a privilege.” — it changed everything.

In this conversation, Gunnar shares the lessons he learned competing in the SEC, transferring to McNeese State to chase playing time, and developing a mental approach that helped him achieve a 92% field goal percentage during his career.

But the conversation goes deeper than football.

We talk about how elite athletes manage pressure, why the best kickers often come from multi-sport backgrounds, and how the discipline learned in sports translates to success after the game — whether that’s coaching young athletes or building a career in business.

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On this episode of the Intangible Podcast, Chris Spencer sits down with Vanderbilt basketball standout Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda to unpack the mindset, resilience, and intangibles behind her journey from Sioux Falls to the SEC.

Ndjakalenga’s story is one every athlete should hear. From growing up in a sports-driven family with roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to becoming South Dakota Player of the Year, to competing at the highest level of college basketball at Texas and Vanderbilt, her path has been built on discipline, adaptability, and relentless work ethic.

She describes herself as a “Swiss Army knife” player—someone willing to do whatever the team needs to win. That mentality helped her navigate the ups and downs of college athletics, including moments when she barely saw the court and had to trust the process. Through faith, family support, and a commitment to the little things, she built a foundation strong enough to carry her through those difficult seasons.

For young athletes chasing big dreams, Ndjakalenga shares powerful lessons about patience, staying ready for opportunities, and why focusing on development—not attention—is the key to long-term success. She also opens up about the realities of the transfer portal, NIL decisions, and why finding the right fit matters more than chasing money.

This conversation is packed with wisdom on leadership, resilience, and the mindset it takes to succeed both on and off the court.

If you’re an athlete, parent, or coach trying to understand what truly separates great competitors, this episode is full of the intangibles that drive peak performance.

Subscribe for more conversations with elite athletes uncovering the mindset and habits behind success.

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