Ep. 28 Keep Swinging the Axe: Israel Idonije

By Dr. Shante Bishop | October 28, 2015

“I actually wanted to play basketball and I wanted to be a child psychologist.”

10 year NFL Veteran, Israel Idonije never intended to be a football player. In fact, he was pretty emphatic about it. However, he learned that sometimes you have to walk through the doors that are open. The first Manitoban to play in the NFL, Israel Idonije spent a decade in professional sports winning in incredible ways. But it is his faith, OFF THE FIELD that really drives his success. In this episode, “Izzy” paints a picture of perseverance that will inspire you to Believe Bigger.

This episode is sponsored by the Israel Idonije Foundation. Join Izzy on Thursday October 29^th at The Godfrey Hotel, Compassion, Fashion and Coacktails to raise money for youth programs in the city of Chicago.

After listening to this episode, I invite you to tweet your feedback @DrShanteSays or leave a review on iTunes.

About the Guest, Israel Idonije

Israel Idonije is well known as a game changer both on and off the football field. He is an 11-year NFL veteran, playing 10 years for the Chicago Bears. He led the NFL in blocked punts/field goals in 2005, 2006, and 2007. He received the Ed Block Courage Award in 2009, was named to the USA Today All Joe Team in 2010 and 2012, and was a member of the Chicago Bears NFC Championship team, which played in the 2006 Super Bowl.

Israel is equally known –and admired — for the things he has done off the football field.

He is the founder of the Israel Idonije Foundation, which has served over 8,000 youth through its programs since 2007. Some of IIF’s core programs include its After-school Program, Youth Leaders Summer Internship, All-Star Football and Cheer Camps, Shop With a Cop Event and Project Africa. He has received numerous honors for his humanitarian efforts.

Israel is also an entrepreneur who started his own businesses — blessed Communion and Athlitacomics — before his retirement from the NFL. He recently co-founded Ask The Doctor to help people all over the globe get medical advice and help. He also opened The Bureau Chicago, a coworking, meeting and business event space in the South Loop, to offer a dynamic work environment for those with a passion for business.

About the Host, Dr. Shante Bishop

Dr. Shante is a nationally recognized brand strategist with a client portfolio that includes talent from Project Runway, HGTV, NBC Network, and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Her work has been featured in Forbes, JET Magazine, Fox Network, and WCIU Chicago.

She is also the CEO of Design Her Label where she equips entrepreneurs and influencers with the tools to build and believe BIGGER.

Episode Action Steps:

Keep Swinging the Axe
When things aren’t getting traction, have the wisdom to step back and re-evaluate
Understand that God’s Plan for Success is so much different than our idea of success
Don’t re-invent the wheel. Learn the formula of successful people

Top Quotes:

“I was on special teams for 4-5 years. I didn’t start until my 7^th year in the league ”
“Instead of complaining about how big the tree is, find out ONE THING you can do to take another swing of the axe…eventually the tree will fall”
“Even in our darkest times, we have to understand that God’s plan is perfect. “