#549. From Walk-On to NFL: How Setbacks Build Resilience | Facing Fears & More with Todd Anderson

The BluePrint with Dr. Erik Korem

What does it take to transform from a doubted walk-on player to an NFL athlete? Todd Anderson, co-founder of Dream Performance Recovery and former Michigan State football star, reveals how the harshest setbacks shaped his greatest comebacks.

In this powerful conversation, Todd shares his journey from making life decisions based on potential regrets to overcoming career-threatening injuries and eventually reaching the NFL. Drawing from his experiences as an athlete and entrepreneur, he offers unique insights into building genuine resilience and finding purpose beyond sports.

Learn:

• Why your biggest setbacks might be preparing you for future success
• How one decision-making framework can transform your biggest life choices
• The counterintuitive truth about vulnerability and building resilience
• What elite athletes often misunderstand about transitioning to normal life

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Quotable moments:

"Fear is a mile wide and an inch deep." - Todd Anderson

"The most successful people don't excel because they know more. They excel because of who they are." - Todd Anderson

"You can't skip steps in life. Hardships are just preparing you for whatever goal you want in the future." - Todd Anderson

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ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST:

The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals. Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself.

On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense.

Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, the #1 pickleball health and performance app that helps pickleball players win more, recovery faster, and prevent pain and injury.

SUPPORT & CONNECT

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-korem-phd-19991734/

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Website - https://www.erikkorem.com/

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