Get inspiration straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

podcastwithmolly

Episode 108- Jay Bilas on How to Develop Toughness

Jay Bilas has been called one of The 10 Most Powerful Voices in Sports Media by The Hollywood Reporter and one of The 25 Most…

Episode 108- Jay Bilas on How to Develop Toughness

Jay Bilas has been called one of The 10 Most Powerful Voices in Sports Media by The Hollywood Reporter and one of The 25 Most…

Jay Bilas has been called one of The 10 Most Powerful Voices in Sports Media by The Hollywood Reporter and one of The 25 Most Powerful People in College Sports by Forbes. Both a lawyer and talent for ESPN, Jay brings a unique perspective to the world of sports. A four-year starter on the basketball team at Duke, Jay played professionally overseas before returning to Duke to join the coaching staff and earn his law degree. Since 1995, he’s worked for ESPN covering college basketball, the NBA draft and sports business. In our conversation, we dig into the future of college sports, his book Toughness, and the lessons he learned playing for Coach K.

Follow Jay: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Show Notes

  • Building a versatile career: from coach to lawyer to broadcaster (1:59)
  • How Jay’s mom encouraged him to get out of his comfort zone (4:08)
  • Why he traded his legal career for broadcasting (7:25)
  • Never say no to an opportunity (9:23)
  • Why he isn’t afraid to use his platform to criticize NCAA policies (11:08)
  • The changes he thinks need to happen in college sports (12:40)
  • What he thinks the college sports landscape will look like in 5-10 years (14:30)
  • Jay’s thoughts on name, image and likeness (18:10)
  • His approach to receiving feedback or criticism (20:24)
  • How he defines toughness (24:51)
  • The toughest player Jay ever faced (28:40)
  • How to develop toughness (31:59)
  • What makes Coach K special (35:17)
  • The characteristics of an ideal teammate / colleague (39:12)
  • The most memorable event he’s covered (43:25)

Resources / People Mentioned

Recommended For You

Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:

Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app and leave a rating or review!

Share This Post

Get Molly’s Free 5-Minute Morning Routine to Build Better Relationships

LATEST BOOK

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success
“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

Robin Sharma,

#1 Worldwide Bestselling Author of
"The Wealth Money Can't Buy" + "The 5am Club"

A #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success
In a world fixated on fleeting success, a bold framework for pursuing your goals unapologetically without compromising what matters most. This isn’t just another self-help theory: Dynamic Drive is your practical guide to unlocking your true potential. Through her decades of experience working with top athletes and peak performers across industries, renowned keynote speaker and leadership expert Molly Fletcher has created a proven formula backed by research that outlines the seven keys to sustainable success. The truth is fulfillment doesn’t come from setting and accomplishing goals in isolation. It comes from Dynamic Drive—a holistic approach that connects all parts of you with your purpose and allows you to engage in meaningful growth, both personally and professionally. Unlike traditional approaches that dilute drive into a mere means to an end, which can lead to burnout, Dynamic Drive is a way of life, a mindset. It’s about figuring out the parts of your life where you are playing small or safe or are dissatisfied. Dynamic Drive is the process by which we implement and sustain intentional change. The greatest reward isn’t in what you achieve, but who you become in the process. Your path to sustained high performance in all areas of your life begins here. This is your manual for an aligned, joyful, and relentless pursuit of a better you.
“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

Robin Sharma,

#1 Worldwide Bestselling Author of
"The Wealth Money Can't Buy" + "The 5am Club"

Recent Episodes

Kim Perell

Everyone wants the highlight reel. Almost no one talks about the messy middle. Kim Perell is a nine-time founder, investor, and bestselling author of Mistakes That Made Me a Millionaire. She’s built her entire career by learning faster from failure, and in this conversation, she shares the mistakes that shaped...

Emily Harrington

What if fear isn’t a stop sign, but an invitation to discover what you’re capable of? Pro climber and adventurer Emily Harrington has spent her life proving that on some of the world’s biggest adventures. She’s summited Everest, skied 8,000-meter peaks, and became the first woman to free climb the...

Buzz Williams

Great cultures aren’t built in big moments. They’re built in the consistent behaviors you repeat every day. In this episode, I sit down with University of Maryland men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams, a leader known for transforming programs through his relentless commitment to culture, character, and daily habits. Buzz shares...

Jen Hatmaker

What do you do when the life you built completely falls apart? That’s the question New York Times bestselling author and podcast host Jen Hatmaker faced after her 26-year marriage ended and shattered everything she thought she knew. In the months that followed, she went from a shiny, successful leader...

Brian Kelly, The Points Guy

Think you’re booking travel the smart way? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with The Points Guy Brian Kelly—the travel insider who’s helped millions make smarter decisions every time they book a trip. Brian shares the secrets airlines don’t want you to know, including how to make your...

Dr. Tasha Eurich

What if everything you’ve been taught about resilience is wrong? We’ve been told it’s the secret to navigating life’s toughest moments, but what if that belief is actually holding us back? Organizational psychologist and Shatterproof author Dr. Tasha Eurich shares groundbreaking research that challenges how high achievers handle adversity. In...

Search by Topics

Search by Guests

Matthew McConaughey
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
podcast-popular
Savannah Guthrie
podcast popular
Steven A. Smith
Simon Sinek