What happens when a driven competitor is faced with something he can’t fix?

Coach Rod Ray has coached at Wofford College for over two decades, leading Division I tennis players to success on and off the court. But what’s shaped him even more than competition is something far deeper— raising a son with autism, building resilience through difficulty, and learning to love people where they are.

In this episode, Dr. Chris Huff sits down with Coach Rod to talk about:

• How sports and mentorship paved his way from childhood to a 25-year coaching career
• What it’s like raising a neurodiverse child—and how that changed his coaching and his heart
• His definition of greatness (hint: it’s not the scoreboard)
• The mindset shift from “fixing” to “growing through” challenges
• How loss, failure, and letting go are the greatest tools for transformation
• College sports in the NIL era and how coaches must now adapt to evolving values
• Why love, consistency, and grit matter more than raw talent

This is an episode for every parent, leader, coach, and dreamer who’s ever wondered if it’s worth staying in the hard.

Spoiler: It is.

Rod Ray is a bestselling author and active Division 1 college coach whose message is flipping the script on what it means to compete.

With over 25 years on the frontlines of college athletics, Rod continues to shape athletes and leaders with a unique philosophy: that the strongest competitors are the ones who care the most.

His work invites us to reimagine success, not as a solo grind, but as a purpose-driven path rooted in love, courage, and connection. Whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or just someone trying to become more of who you were meant to be—Rod’s message will move you to lead differently.

📘 Book: Hard Comes First

🔗 Website: hardcomesfirst.com

📸 Instagram: @rod_r_ray

🐦 Twitter: @Rod_R_Ray

📩 Blog: Join the Winning Team (sign up at hardcomesfirst.com)

• Stop trying to fix the unfixable. True growth starts when we adapt rather than control.
• Coach the person they can become—not the one in front of you. Vision is everything.
• Resilience is built through losing well. Practice responding with grace. That’s the win.

Books:

• Hard Comes First by Rod Ray
• Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller

Past Show Mentioned:

• Episode with Dr. Tommy Martin
• Coach Mason’s interview on developing grit and long-game potential

Stats Shared:

• Over 80% of college graduates with autism are unemployed
• Divorce rates for families with children on the spectrum are double the average

Organizations Mentioned:

• Wofford College
• Duke University Medical (referenced during player cardiac arrest story)

Work with me: Premier Cardiovascular Health

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.huff.9480

Instagram: @hufcm

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or medical treatment.

Some people chase success. Others earn it the hard way.

In this episode, Dr. Chris Huff sits down with Dr. Tommy Martin—a man whose life has been anything but easy, but who continues to show up with grit, empathy, and a relentless desire to help others thrive.

They talk about:

• What it was like growing up poor in a tiny town, watching his parents battle addiction.
• How football became his lifeline—and how one coach’s harsh words lit a fire in him.
• The unexpected, divine moment that changed his path from coach to physician.
• What it's like raising a son with a rare genetic condition, and why advocacy has become his mission.
• Why he’s made it his job to fight health misinformation—one video at a time.

And then there’s the athletic stuff:

• Running a marathon with a 40-pound vest.
• Running a 5K under 6-minute pace while pushing a double stroller.
• Training for Ironmans before sunrise.

But here’s what makes Tommy really special:

He doesn’t do any of this for applause. He does it because he believes in showing up for people—especially when they’re struggling.

This conversation is full of heart, humor, and straight talk about life, medicine, parenting, and what it takes to become the kind of person your younger self would be proud of.

Dr. Tommy Martin is a dual board-certified Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician, currently serving as a hospitalist at Boston Children's Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. A graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine, he completed his residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Beyond his clinical roles, Dr. Martin is a passionate advocate for health education, leveraging his platform to disseminate evidence-based medical information and combat misinformation. His efforts have been recognized by organizations such as the World Health Organization, where he has served as a keynote speaker. Balancing his professional life, Dr. Martin is also an accomplished Ironman triathlete and devoted family man.

📱 TikTok: @dr.tommymartin

📸 Instagram: @dr.tommymartin

📘 Facebook: facebook.com/Dr.TommyMartin

▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@Dr.TommyMartin

🎥 Clapper: @dr.tommymartin

📕 Children’s Book: MD for Kids: Pediatrics (on Amazon)

• Empathy comes from experience – and it’s one of the most powerful tools in healthcare (and life).
• Consistency beats talent – whether you’re training for a marathon or trying to show up for your family.
• We need more truth-tellers – especially in healthcare. Don’t be afraid to speak up, even if your voice shakes.

Work with me: Premier Cardiovascular Health

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.huff.9480

Instagram: @hufcm

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or medical treatment.

Ever wonder what an interventional cardiologist actually does to stay healthy?

In this episode, Dr. Chris Huff answers the most frequent question he gets from patients and followers alike: “What do you do?” Not hypothetically. Not generically. But meal-by-meal, workout-by-workout—he walks us through what a typical day (and week) looks like in his life.

From starting every day with protein-packed overnight oats to running up a bridge for hill sprints, Dr. Huff shares how he balances his love for exercise with the real-life demands as a physician, father, and business owner. He explains the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet, how to combine high intensity and low intensity aerobic exercise to optimize fitness, and which supplements he believes everyone should consider.

But the real heart of this episode is his mission: preventing the disease he treats every day in the cardiac catheterization lab. Through Premier Cardiovascular Health & Performance, Dr. Huff is helping people lower cholesterol, lose weight, and increase VO₂ max—without cookie-cutter plans or unrealistic expectations.

This episode is a masterclass in sustainable, intentional living from someone who practices what he preaches.

• Discipline Beats Motivation – Motivation will wax and wane. Discipline drives consistency, which yields results.
• Don’t over train – Combine high intensity workouts with zone 2 training to improve mitochondrial health and boost endurance without burnout.
• Invest Early in Prevention – You don’t need meds—until you do. Make changes now to help prevent this.

Work with me: Premier Cardiovascular Health

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.huff.9480

Instagram: @hufcm

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or medical treatment.