Game-Time Mentality: Football Foundations for Leadership | Dr. Kofi Smith
Download MP3Former college football athlete turned powerhouse leader, Kofi Smith joins the Badass Leaders Podcast to share his journey from the field to the front office. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Kofi unpacks how discipline, resilience, and teamwork shaped his leadership style. He dives deep into the power of authenticity, conflict resolution, mental health, and the importance of embracing vulnerability. From overcoming rejection to building a legacy, this episode is a masterclass in turning adversity into fuel—and leading with purpose, heart, and hustle.
Learn more about Kofi at:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drkofismith43
Instagram: dr._kksmith
Mentioned this episode:
The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins: https://buff.ly/xd5CeEQ
Columbus War Dogs football team: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Wardogs
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson: https://buff.ly/87CLRXB
AATC: https://aatc.org/
Georgia Tech Black Alumni Association: https://www.instagram.com/gtbao_/?hl=en
Daniel Steere’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-work-not-suck/id1745439676
Scott Wozniak’s episode: https://youtu.be/YJ05Ewazics?si=_NtXaPffWAGNVEYJ
Angela's triatholon blog post: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/my-triathlon-days/
A-Team blog post: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/ep-021-building-your-a-team-who-you-need-in-your-corner-for-leadership-success/
Angela’s story of abuse as a child: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/from-survival-to-strength-my-journey/
The SPEED of Trust by Stephen M .R. Covey: https://buff.ly/0wBld3t
Produced by: The AGN Group, Host: Angela Gill Nelms, Producer: Katie Hart
Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.
Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.
Social Media Channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2
Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@badassleaderspodcast.com
@AngelaGillNelms @georgiatech @GeorgiaTechCoE
Learn more about Kofi at:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drkofismith43
Instagram: dr._kksmith
Mentioned this episode:
The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins: https://buff.ly/xd5CeEQ
Columbus War Dogs football team: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Wardogs
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson: https://buff.ly/87CLRXB
AATC: https://aatc.org/
Georgia Tech Black Alumni Association: https://www.instagram.com/gtbao_/?hl=en
Daniel Steere’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-work-not-suck/id1745439676
Scott Wozniak’s episode: https://youtu.be/YJ05Ewazics?si=_NtXaPffWAGNVEYJ
Angela's triatholon blog post: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/my-triathlon-days/
A-Team blog post: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/ep-021-building-your-a-team-who-you-need-in-your-corner-for-leadership-success/
Angela’s story of abuse as a child: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/from-survival-to-strength-my-journey/
The SPEED of Trust by Stephen M .R. Covey: https://buff.ly/0wBld3t
Produced by: The AGN Group, Host: Angela Gill Nelms, Producer: Katie Hart
Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.
Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.
Social Media Channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2
Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@badassleaderspodcast.com
@AngelaGillNelms @georgiatech @GeorgiaTechCoE
Creators and Guests
Host
Angela Gill Nelms
Angela Gill Nelms is a founder, board leader, podcaster, and award-winning entrepreneur with a career spanning SaaS, medical devices, biotech, and clinical research. She builds high-impact teams and organizations rooted in culture, resilience, and strategic execution—helping innovators move ideas from lab to market and leaders grow with intention. She hosts three podcasts that reflect her mission to elevate leadership and accelerate biomedical innovation: Badass Leaders Podcast, Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow, and Recovery Advocate Network: Coffee & Conversation. Across each show, Angela creates space for honest conversations that drive impact, reduce stigma, and shape the future of leadership and health. A Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Alumni honoree and INC 500 award recipient, Angela serves on multiple boards across innovation and mental health ecosystems. Outside of work, she’s beekeeping, blacksmithing, turning wood, or training—6× IRONMAN and lifelong advocate for humans being human.
Producer
Katie Hart
Katie Hart is the Senior Client Relations Manager and Executive Podcast Producer at The AGN Group, where she leads podcast production, brand strategy, and client experience from concept to launch. Equal parts creative and operational powerhouse, she guides clients through branding, recording, and distribution while ensuring every detail runs seamlessly. Known as a customer experience magician, Katie is passionate about making every client and guest feel seen, supported, and celebrated—delivering a five-star experience that amplifies bold stories and builds meaningful impact.
