Key Points, Top Takeaways and Memorable Quotes -
“From there, just talk about being resilient and just really trying to continue to press forward and not be like the people that we hung out with. I didn’t want to be in that lifestyle the rest of my life, so that’s kinda how I started pulling myself out of the pit.” 3:22
“This looks like it’s going in the right direction, and they were supportive. They weren’t shoving stuff down my throat. They weren’t telling me, you know, it was really weird because it was more positive reinforcement instead of negative, it wasn't about punishment, it was about, ‘hey look, if you do this, look at what this will lead to.’” 14:33
“Listen, if it’s not life or death, it really isn't life or death, right. Don’t make it life or death.” 21:05
“Just go do what you want to do and really don’t ask us to approve it because we want you to do what you want to do. But if you’re gonna pick, you better give it 100% effort, what we’ve been telling you since little league days.” 26:39
“That’s what I tell kids when I’m talking to them. Be proud of what you’re going through because you’re learning so much and you’re so battle tested. The things that get some of these kids upset today, it’s not going to upset you because you've gone down the rabbit hole deep, and you’ve survived.” 29:43
“I tell all these guys the same thing; make each other better. You’re going to have ups and downs and it’s just a matter of working through them. You chose to marry each other for a reason, don’t forget that reason!” 35:15
Guest Bio -
Kurt Varricchio redefines the meaning of a difficult childhood in his intimate memoir, Behind in the Count: My Journey from Juvenile Delinquent to Baseball Agent. Whether it was trying to fill his empty stomach with one last scoop of Ovaltine, getting tied to a tree, being punished with a wrench, or sleeping on the rooftops of local strip malls, Kurt’s survival is nothing short of miraculous. After losing his father at two-years-old, his childhood commenced in a dilapidated home where physical and emotional abuse ran rampant. So, Kurt did what he had to do to survive: run. And steal. After several trips to juvenile hall and group homes across the state of Florida, law officials, prison guards, and even his own family thought his fate was sealed—right behind those impenetrable bars. Kurt was ultimately removed from his family and placed in Florida’s Foster Care System just before his 12th birthday.It would’ve been easy to quit, but this isn’t Kurt. Even as a child, he knew he didn’t want his broken past to define him. He persevered, focusing on his academic and emotional development. After graduating from high school with a 4.0 grade point average, Kurt received a full ride to Florida State University, then continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a Master’s in Education. In search of a “new normal”, Kurt understood that education was paramount. Eventually, Kurt obtained his law degree and has been working in professional sports since 1995, first in the NFL and MLB, then as a sports agent. Providing a first-hand glimpse of what it takes to transform a chronic juvenile delinquent into a productive member of society, Kurt reflects on his childhood with a poignant examination of the hard work required to battle when the odds are against you. No matter how behind you are in the count, Kurt reminds us that you can always mold yourself into the person you want to be.
Show Notes -
0:00 - What I Meant to Say Podcast Intro
0:23 - Introducing Kurt Varricchio
0:50 - Welcome to Kurt
2:06 - Take Us to Your Roots and Early Life
3:37 - How Old Were You When You First Went to Juvenile Hall?
5:09 - How Do You Have Such a Sharp Memory of Traumatic Stories?
6:46 - Concept of Community and Bonding Wherever You Are
9:35 - Youngest of Four Brothers
11:43 - I Met My Foster Mother at the Age of 12
13:28 - How Long Did it Take You to Feel Safe?
15:20 - Were There Other Kids in the House?
16:58 - How Did Sports and Theater Lead to Baseball?
18:57 - What Did You Learn from the Ability to Perform?
19:45 - Reflecting on Childhood Chaos Vs. Safe and Loving Environment
22:09 - How Did Your Childhood Shape How You Parent Today?
25:11 - Where Are Your Sons Today?
27:57 - BB Commercial
28:05 - Irony of Ending Up in the Field of Law
31:45 - Executive to Sports Agent
33:48 - How Has Your Background Shaped Your Relationships and Marriage?
35:44 - How Many Baseball Players Are You Representing? When Did KVA Sports Start?
36:19 - Branching Out to Beach Volleyball: Character and Commitment
39:40 - What Are Some of the Challenges Facing Beach Volleyball?
45:27 - Principles of Relationships While Learning Through Challenges
51:01 - What Things Are the Most Important When Starting Your Own Business?
54:32 - How Do You Get Your Message Out There?
56:53 - Thank You For Being Here Today
57:46 - WIMTS Podcast Closing
Links & Where to Find Kurt -
IG - @kurtvarricchio @kvasportsllc
CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates
Book: Behind in the Count
www.behindinthecount.com or available on Amazon
