FFP44: How has Elijah McAllister remained humble in his journey from New Jersey to Nashville?

How has Elijah McAllister remained humble in his journey from New Jersey to Nashville?

College sports today are simply big business. National exposure often comes in the high school recruiting process. Now, social media and NIL opportunities are making some high school athletes into celebrities before they get to college. It might seem quite rare to find an elite college athlete that is humble and service-driven as they pursue success. However, these young people exist and persevere without much fanfare. 

My guest on this episode, Elijah McAllister, is a redshirt senior captain of the Vanderbilt University football team. Elijah starred for a state football power in his home state of New Jersey. His dedication to athletic and personal development led him to attend a prestigious academic institution in the most prestigious athletic conference in the country, the SEC. As you will learn, Elijah is quite humble and prioritizes helping others.

In Episode 44, Elijah discusses how he developed into a mature young man with the help of his trusted coaches. His high school coaches were critical to preparing Elijah for the move to Nashville. Elijah also shares about the challenges he faced in the transition from high school to college. Finally, he discusses his mission to serve young people through his All 41, 1 for All Foundation.

So, what was your biggest takeaway from my conversation with Elijah McAllister?

For me, it’s that we often put young athletes on a pedestal based on performance. Yet, we don’t really know them as people. I noticed this at times during Elijah’s football career at Rumson-Fair Haven High School, which is just down the street from my home. 

Elijah demonstrates that there is so much more to young athletes than meets the eye. He is a young man of service and character that developed into a quality human being through hard work, coaching, and most of all, humility.

My suggestion to young athletes is to think about what your purpose in life is beyond athletics. Having a larger purpose often allows us to have the humility required to grow and develop as a person. Doing so can also take the pressure off of a young athlete by not measuring their worth by athletic performance.

I want to thank Elijah for his kind generosity and the wisdom he shared with The Freshman Foundation Community.

You can learn more about Elijah on Instagram @e_mcallister1 and his foundation at @all41oneforall.

To learn how mental performance coaching can help your mind work FOR you rather than AGAINST you, visit https://michaelvhuber.com.

Thank you for listening. We’ll see you back soon for Episode 45!