Nathan Winston: I'll never forget this before we ran out before the game to do our warmups I was like I was [00:00:05] scared.
I didn't wanna run out because I knew I had the limp and I started noticing that more and I was afraid to [00:00:10] run out there on the court and have everyone watch that. I almost didn't do it. I'm not [00:00:15] gonna lie, I almost talked, yeah, I almost let fear stop me. And it's crazy to think how my life would [00:00:20] be different if I did let that stop me.
[00:00:29] George Wright III: [00:00:25] All [00:00:30] right guys welcome back to the Daily Mastermind. George Wright III with your daily dose of inspiration [00:00:35] motivation and education. I'm really excited to have a guy on the podcast today I got a chance to meet and we've [00:00:40] been kinda looking to feature him and his story a little bit because he's got a great story, not just [00:00:45] inspirational, but in a business standpoint.
So Nathan Winston welcome to the show brother.
[00:00:49] Nathan Winston: Thank you [00:00:50] for having me
[00:00:52] George Wright III: I think that a lot of people are dealing with [00:00:55] obstacles and setbacks and things like that in their personal life and business right now so I think your story's gonna be great. [00:01:00] But let me give everybody a little bit of a background on you and why you're on the show [00:01:05] 'cause we have hundreds of people trying to get on the show and we kinda sorted through to really find some time with you.
[00:01:10] So guys if you're listening make sure that you hit that subscribe button. We've got some really good stuff [00:01:15] coming out. I want you to go check out dailymastermind.com. You'll see all that free resources that we have for you. [00:01:20] But Nathan is a former professional baseball player high school baseball [00:01:25] coach corrections officer motivational speaker founder of Next Level Mindset and he's [00:01:30] got a new memoir coming out kinda really excited about that and so we'll talk a little bit more about that.
He has [00:01:35] had a story that's really had him help individuals to [00:01:40] overcome setbacks and obstacles. And without kinda giving away a lot of that I would like Nathan I'd [00:01:45] love for you to just give us the background of where you came from and [00:01:50] what you've had to overcome.
[00:01:51] Nathan Winston: All right. Well, again, my name's Nathan Winston. I'm from Southern Ohio, [00:01:55] born and raised. Born in Cincinnati raised in a place called Toacoffee. I was born with a rare [00:02:00] birth defect PFFD which stands for proximal femoral focal deficiency. [00:02:05] So in my particular case my femur and the ball [00:02:10] and socket didn't form.
And so my left leg wasn't growing at the same speed [00:02:15] as my right leg. And so at the age of four they decided to amputate my leg. And so for me not [00:02:20] having the femur or the ball and socket I have a bad limp to my left because I don't have what they [00:02:25] call a gait to stop me. But other than from that I was still able to play basketball baseball [00:02:30] and football.
And like you said baseball professionally and so that helped me come up with the next level [00:02:35] mindset that we talked about. Just instead of finding reasons to quit, finding reasons to keep [00:02:40] moving forward and getting comfortable being uncomfortable until it gets [00:02:45] comfortable
[00:02:45] George Wright III: Yeah. I love this, and I wanna kinda back up a minute because I think a lot of people [00:02:50] are dealing with obstacles and situations but you were four years old and had your leg amputated. I [00:02:55] mean I gotta get a feel for what sorta helped you to develop your mindset so early on.
Was this you [00:03:00] know your parents? Like what what gave you the motivation or even that belief [00:03:05] that you could continue? Because the last thing you would normally think if somebody gets their leg amputated is they're [00:03:10] gonna go into sports. But you went right down that path and so what helped you to develop that [00:03:15] mindset early on in your life?
[00:03:17] Nathan Winston: As a kid, my mom told me I was always [00:03:20] active. So even when before the surgery, she said that I never had trouble moving [00:03:25] around. I just started like bear crawling around the house because obviously the older I got my leg was [00:03:30] shorter and she said I always just adapted. I never complained.
I always found reasons to keep going. [00:03:35] And like I said, I had the surgery when I was four. We were told I would never be able to play sports but at the age of [00:03:40] five I was playing basketball and then I ended up playing baseball and then football. And so just [00:03:45] having that next level mindset to not quit I feel like it came at a young age just me finding [00:03:50] ways to get around the house myself.
Like I said, my mom said I would just find ways to get around. She was worried [00:03:55] at first, but she said I would just take off.
[00:03:57] George Wright III: Isn't it crazy how when you don't know all these negative [00:04:00] thoughts you actually don't think about it? Like you're so you're growing up you're young. A lot of times right now we've [00:04:05] had so many failures in our lives as you get older that you've got all these obstacles and you didn't have that.
[00:04:10] You obviously had encouraging parents. But were there some points when you were young where you're like 'cause [00:04:15] you do have a next level mindset now, but there had to be points when you were like Look man I don't know. I don't know if I can [00:04:20] compete like the other kids. I don't know if I can do this."
[00:04:22] Nathan Winston: Oh, yeah. When I was a kid, when I first started playing [00:04:25] basketball we had these sock liners so it's just a cotton sock and one issue I dealt [00:04:30] with a lot was I sweat a lot. I would try antiperspirants to put in it [00:04:35] but nothing worked. So I would play basketball or I'd be playing with friends and it would just [00:04:40] come off easily.
I would be playing basketball games as a kid where I had to like would run down the court but [00:04:45] I'd have to like hold my leg and literally like hold it on while I'm running down the court. Or at halftime [00:04:50] I'd go to the bathroom and have to take my leg off dump the sweat out of it [00:04:55] get a paper towel wipe it out change the sock out or just like try to squeeze all the...
'cause there'd be times like [00:05:00] all my socks were just a mess 'cause I was always active so I'd have to squeeze it. And so that was a mess. [00:05:05] I had to deal with that. It was constantly sweating. I was always having to come out, dry out, dry it off, [00:05:10] whatever. And then, um, they went to the pin and lock socket which [00:05:15] is so there's a hole in your leg the pin goes in and that's what keeps it in.
Thought it would be better but [00:05:20] again from all the sweat same thing. Sweat would just build into it or it would get [00:05:25] rusted. So my leg would either sometimes not go all the way in or like I couldn't get [00:05:30] it off from all the sweating in it. I'd literally-- my sister would have to come in my room when we were kids and she would have to like pull it [00:05:35] while I was trying to push it off because of all the sweat that got into it.
So I
[00:05:39] George Wright III: [00:05:40] It's like you don't you don't have enough issues trying to figure out how to compete. You're also trying to figure out how to even stay [00:05:45] up to par. Did you have injuries and things you had to deal with as well along the way?
[00:05:49] Nathan Winston: Oh yeah [00:05:50] so especially getting older especially when I got into playing basketball and football. I didn't play [00:05:55] football until eighth grade 'cause I was always told I couldn't play from everyone. The fear was [00:06:00] that if I got hit in the socket I wouldn't be able to wear a prosthetic 'cause it could break my stump, [00:06:05] like the rod that's in, it could break and I wouldn't be able to wear a prosthetic.
So I actually had to lie and sneak [00:06:10] to play football for the first time. I played my eighth grade and freshman year but I had to [00:06:15] stop because I was doing basketball baseball and football.
There was days I couldn't even get out of bed. [00:06:20] Like my right leg would feel so heavy sometimes and I couldn't lift it because I was putting so much pressure on it. [00:06:25] So I had to make a choice. I was happy I was able to play football,
but I had to make a choice. I [00:06:30] could feel it affecting my body, so I had to stop playing football.
[00:06:33] George Wright III: Yeah,
[00:06:34] Nathan Winston: I was
[00:06:34] George Wright III: [00:06:35] You played basically every sport so it's it's like you were you were definitely driven for [00:06:40] sure. Let's talk a little bit about Next Level Mindset. You talk about getting comfortable being [00:06:45] uncomfortable until you get comfortable. So talk to me about that
[00:06:48] Nathan Winston: So with that being [00:06:50] said people let comfortability just have them settle where they're at instead [00:06:55] of pushing themself or like people let the fear of failure prevent them from being what [00:07:00] they could reach in life. And so I get that mindset. I made the seventh grade basketball team and so [00:07:05] our gym was set up the middle, like half court line was where the door was that come out the locker [00:07:10] room and stuff for our warmups. We would run a circle around the gym into the layup line or [00:07:15] whatever. So like at practices I was comfortable I was just with the I was with my friends or whatever.
We're playing basketball. But [00:07:20] like middle school the first game I remember I was nervous because obviously [00:07:25] you start noticing girls there's girls in the stands watching parents are right there watching. And I'll never forget this [00:07:30] before we ran out before the game to do our warmups I was like I was scared.
I didn't [00:07:35] wanna run out because I knew I had the limp and I started noticing that more and I was afraid to run out there on the [00:07:40] court and have everyone watch that. I almost didn't do it. I'm not gonna lie, I almost [00:07:45] talked, yeah, I almost let fear stop me. And it's crazy to think how my life would be different if I did [00:07:50] let that stop me.
But I forced myself. I was just in my head like You got this just go out there and do [00:07:55] it. Just do it. And so I remember I was watching the kids run out my [00:08:00] team ran out in front of me one by one and it was my turn and I just forced myself. I just ran out and did it. And [00:08:05] like away games every game I just keep forcing myself to do it over and over again and just [00:08:10] slowly blocking everything out just put myself out there until I got comfortable.
So that's kinda where I got that [00:08:15] mindset from
[00:08:16] George Wright III: Yeah. It's interesting that you you say that 'cause a lot of times we talk about [00:08:20] the more you can live outside your comfort zone, the more you're gonna grow the more you're gonna succeed do what you need to do [00:08:25] because that's where all your best version of you is outside your comfort zone.
When we were talking earlier you kind of talked [00:08:30] about mindset patterns that kind of keep people stuck. I meant to kind of like really dig into that a little [00:08:35] bit. What are some of these mindset patterns that you think keep people stuck right now, even when they [00:08:40] they, they actually have the ability to do stuff?
[00:08:42] Nathan Winston: I feel like people let the fear of [00:08:45] failure stop them. In my mind, and that's, that's normal, but in my head, as [00:08:50] long as I do everything I can and I put everything I can into it, even if I don't get the [00:08:55] job after I apply for it, if I did everything I could, that's success to me. You know? I [00:09:00] mean, you didn't get it, but maybe that'll give you the confidence to apply another position [00:09:05] or just keep pushing forward.
You just gotta take that step out there and not be afraid of failure and not be afraid to [00:09:10] be uncomfortable
[00:09:11] George Wright III: Mindset patterns that keep you stuck are just that. They're in your mind. And a [00:09:15] lot of times you think a certain way and really the solution is just to reframe [00:09:20] how you're viewing something or how you view like you just said success and failure.
I had a, [00:09:25] a mentor of mine a while back he really wanted more failure than success [00:09:30] and most people are the opposite of that right? And that's because that's what took him where he needed to be. What do you [00:09:35] think is the real difference between someone has like a genuine limitation [00:09:40] versus one that they've just kind of accepted as a belief?
How do you kinda know the [00:09:45] difference whether or not it's something that you really just don't have the ability to do or, you just [00:09:50] kinda have these beliefs? 'Cause most people don't recognize those beliefs, right?
[00:09:53] Nathan Winston: I think sometimes you also have to have [00:09:55] a realization, like when I was on playing baseball after the surgeries and everything, I used [00:10:00] to think of it like, "Man, I didn't make it. I'm a failure." But instead I was like, "Man, look what I've accomplished and was able to get to [00:10:05] through everything."
I've succeeded to me, you know? Like I said, just because you didn't get to the point you [00:10:10] want to go to, that doesn't mean you weren't successful. You put yourself out there, you tried, you did everything you [00:10:15] could. But like you were saying, some people have more like [00:10:20] sports for instance some people are more athletic than others.
Not everyone's gonna make it to the NBA, but if your goal is to make it to the [00:10:25] NBA, even if you did everything you could, if you believed in yourself, then be proud of it.
[00:10:29] George Wright III: I agree with [00:10:30] that. So, you know, look, you've, you've experienced a lot of setbacks, a lot of limitations. [00:10:35] What are some of the practical things you do, like on a daily ritual basis or are there [00:10:40] things that you do to condition yourself not just physically but mentally on an [00:10:45] ongoing daily ritual type basis that you feel has helped you to kind of get where you need to be or where you [00:10:50] are now mindset-wise?
[00:10:51] Nathan Winston: one big thing I've always lived with is instead of finding a reason to quit or to [00:10:55] stop I just always find a reason to keep going have that positive mindset especially when I coach I teach the [00:11:00] kids baseball is 90% mental. You take yourself out of the game mentally [00:11:05] or if you're pitching and you strike out and you take that strike out to the mound, you're gonna struggle on the mound.
We [00:11:10] actually had a game on a Saturday and I think I was playing basketball or something on a Friday and I broke my [00:11:15] foot,
[00:11:15] George Wright III: Oh man
[00:11:16] Nathan Winston: in like splint. And so I was, I was actually supposed to start [00:11:20] on the mound on Saturday. I called Dave. Me and Dave had each other's numbers because my [00:11:25] leg was always breaking.
So he couldn't get me in, it was a Friday afternoon, and [00:11:30] so I was in my room, and I had Allen wrenches, and I had duct tape. I found like a little [00:11:35] flat splint, put it on the foot, and I just wrapped duct tape around it. And I would go outside, and I would try to [00:11:40] test it.
I would work on pitching and everything. I was back and forth in and out the house just, like, trying to tape [00:11:45] it, trying to get it right over and over. And I finally got to a point where I could at least put a little, like, [00:11:50] pressure on it. And I couldn't really run, so I figured as long as I don't have to, like, cover first or anything, then I'm [00:11:55] good.
So I got it stable enough, went to the game Saturday. I was still able [00:12:00] to pitch and
[00:12:01] George Wright III: You know, it's, it's interesting 'cause you just view things [00:12:05] differently because, a lot of times people are focused on problems. I always say, you know focus on solutions and you're gonna find [00:12:10] solutions. You focus on the problem, you're gonna be focused on the wrong thing. But it seems like you're very much [00:12:15] focused on solutions.
And we've had a lot of other stories and things that have come up just because of the [00:12:20] setbacks. But I gotta ask you this. Do you feel like because you're now, you know, I mean, you're [00:12:25] coaching as well, and you're talking with a lot of individuals, you know, as a speaker, coach, author what do [00:12:30] you feel is the thing that you focus on the most when you're trying to help people to [00:12:35] overcome these limiting beliefs?
Where do you start with people that you're working with?[00:12:40]
[00:12:40] Nathan Winston: The first thing to start with is yourself because again, you can be your own biggest enemy. So [00:12:45] if you don't believe in yourself or you don't think you can do anything, then you're not going to be able to do it, [00:12:50] you know? That's what I tell my team. I can believe you can win this game, every other coach can believe you can win [00:12:55] this game, but if you guys don't believe it, it doesn't matter.
So the first thing I do is believe in yourself, [00:13:00] and you gotta get that confidence in yourself
[00:13:02] George Wright III: Plus I know you've, probably just like most successful people [00:13:05] surrounded yourself with the right people as well. How critical is that when it comes to it? You've played a lot of team [00:13:10] sports, but how critical is it the people you surround yourself with?
[00:13:13] Nathan Winston: Very [00:13:15] critical because if you're the only positive person in a room full of 10 negative people, that's gonna make you [00:13:20] negative. You know? You gotta set yourself around people that have the same mindset of you, the [00:13:25] same people that want the same success, the same people that want the same thing as you
[00:13:28] George Wright III: Yeah. I'm [00:13:30] curious if you have kind of a story of when maybe you've had one of these setbacks [00:13:35] and it just hasn't gone your way. Like it really didn't turn out the way you thought it would, and it was a real, [00:13:40] like, double setback
[00:13:41] Nathan Winston: I went through a period, basketball and football season especially, like I [00:13:45] said, my leg was breaking. I was in and out of Hanger three to four times a [00:13:50] week.
There was actually a time where my insurance approved me to have two prosthetics, so [00:13:55] we ordered the same leg that I had before, so I had two of the same leg. So whenever I broke [00:14:00] one on this leg, we would just take one off of that leg, put it on, and then send the other one piece to get, [00:14:05] um, repaired. And there was a couple times where I broke both pieces, like, within three days, [00:14:10] because like I said, football I'm getting hit, basketball is contact, so it was constantly breaking.
And there [00:14:15] were a couple weekends it was a couple Fridays where my leg was broken. I couldn't fix it. Like, duct [00:14:20] tape, Allen wrenches, I couldn't fix it, and I couldn't go in to see Dave. And so I had plans that [00:14:25] week with friends, and I was like, "Oh, can't do that 'cause I can't even walk." Like, I can't put pressure on my leg, whatever.[00:14:30]
And so there were definitely setbacks. So I'm not gonna sit here and act like everything was perfect.
I definitely had some mental [00:14:35] moments where I had weakness, but I was able to pull myself out of it and just keep pushing forward
[00:14:39] George Wright III: Yeah I know [00:14:40] so many authors, celebrities, experts that, that are that same way. I know people look at them from the outside and [00:14:45] they think everything's, you know, working and running and great. I mean, you've got next level [00:14:50] mindset. That certainly doesn't mean that there are not setbacks that there are not down times there are not cycles.
It's just [00:14:55] it's not about what happens, it's about what you do about it, right? So yeah, that's good. , I guess [00:15:00] before we take off here, what motivated you to work on your memoir? Why is it that you are doing this [00:15:05] now? What are you hoping to accomplish?
[00:15:06] Nathan Winston: I've had people tell me that I should share my story, but [00:15:10] like I said, growing up I was a hardheaded, I was kind of an angry kid, and I just kinda wanted to [00:15:15] live a normal life, you know? To me I wasn't doing this extraordinary thing. [00:15:20] I was just living my life, you know? I just wanted to live as normal as life as possible.
The older I got the [00:15:25] more mature I got I realized I was kinda being selfish because I do have a story and me [00:15:30] keeping it to myself when I could help somebody else is being selfish of me. So the more I [00:15:35] matured and stopped feeling sorry for myself and then it worked out.
God's willing, I [00:15:40] ended up getting hurt at work on the job, and I've been out, and so that made me start writing my [00:15:45] memoir and reaching out, and here I am.
[00:15:48] George Wright III: Wow, that's awesome, [00:15:50] man. I really appreciate you sharing your story. I think you've got a lot to be able to help to inspire [00:15:55] people.
It's not just about the obstacles, it's the setbacks. A lot of times a setup for a comeback, right? [00:16:00] So I think this is the type of message a lot of people really benefit from, which is why I wanted to have you on the show. So [00:16:05] thank you so much for being here today, man. I really appreciate it
[00:16:07] Nathan Winston: Yeah, appreciate you having me. [00:16:10] Appreciate that
[00:16:10] George Wright III: Yeah. So listen guys, if you're listening to this, I want you to do me a favor. Share this episode. [00:16:15] Let me know what you're working on, what you're struggling with. We wanna be able to help you. Also, what you're winning at. We wanna celebrate [00:16:20] some wins. And don't forget, over on dailymastermind.com, we got the prosperity report starting to come out every [00:16:25] week, and so you get a lot of the insights and strategies and links.
We appreciate you being here with us [00:16:30] today. Once again, you've been spending time with George Wright III and Nathan Winston. We'll talk with you [00:16:35] soon. Have a great day.[00:16:40] [00:16:45] [00:16:50]
