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Harrison Bernstein left a path in the NFL to build Soldiers To Sidelines, a nonprofit helping veterans, service members, military spouses, and Gold Star families find purpose and community through coaching.
But Harrison's story didn't start with the military.
Long before founding Soldiers To Sidelines, Harrison was a college football player whose identity was wrapped up in the game. When the clock ran out on his final college football game, he wasn't ready for it to end. Years later, after working in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and receiving another opportunity with the New York Jets, Harrison faced a different decision: keep chasing the NFL or build something that could impact thousands of lives.
He chose the latter.
In this episode of Not Special with Herb & Corrie Thompson, Harrison talks about football, coaching, identity, purpose, mental health, leadership, and why great coaches can change the trajectory of someone's life.
We talk about:
ā¢ The emotional final play of Harrison's college football career
ā¢ How losing the identity of "football player" affected him
ā¢ Getting hired by Joe Gibbs and working in the NFL
ā¢ The day Sean Taylor challenged him to a race
ā¢ Why Harrison ultimately walked away from an opportunity with the New York Jets
ā¢ How Soldiers To Sidelines started with six people at Walter Reed
ā¢ Helping veterans and military families become character-based sports coaches
ā¢ Depression, isolation, community, and finding purpose
ā¢ Why Harrison believes coaching can be an upstream solution
ā¢ NIL, college athletics, and tying identity to money and performance
ā¢ The role Harrison's wife, Laura, played in building Soldiers To Sidelines
ā¢ What makes a great coach on the field and in life
Today, Soldiers To Sidelines has trained thousands of coaches and continues creating pathways into youth, high school, college, and professional sports.
Harrison's story isn't really about football.
It's about what happens when something you've built your identity around ends and how finding a new way to contribute can change everything.
Not Special is a Liberty Speaks show hosted by Herb & Corrie Thompson.
Real people. Real stories. Real growth.
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