Today, June 5, 2025, I’m heartbroken to share that my first football coach, Jay Hunsucker, lost his battle with cancer. I only learned of his condition less than a week ago, making this sudden news even harder to process. Jay wasn’t just a coach—he was a pivotal figure in my journey to live my best life, and I want to honor him by sharing how his influence shaped me.
Growing up on a farm in Indiana, life was simple but formative. My older brother and I were always challenging each other—whether it was football in the front yard, ‘home run derby’ (just the two of us), or shooting hoops in the barn. Back then, without internet, cell phones, or social media, those moments were our social media. Can anyone relate? That farm life, along with my family’s self-employed, independent spirit in farming and construction, instilled a foundation of hard work and grit.
I didn’t start playing organized football until 8th grade at Custer Baker Middle School, inspired by my basketball and baseball teammates. That’s when I met Coach Jay Hunsucker, a Franklin College football alum and our Phys Ed teacher. I’ll never forget one of our early practices when I was a complete rookie—no experience beyond the “Writt Bowl” on our farm. Jay pulled me aside and said, “I can’t believe how tenacious you are. I only told you one time what to do, and no one has yet been able to stop you.” Those words were like a spark to a starving junkyard dog catching the scent of a meaty bone. They ignited a fire in me that still burns today.
Jay also coached me in basketball that year, and his encouragement carried over. I became a defensive ball hawk and a great assist ‘disher’ (I wasn’t the best shooter, so I was happy to pass!). His belief in me taught me to set goals, never give up, and enjoy the journey—lessons that became the cornerstone of my core values: tenacity, discipline, and balance. These principles didn’t just apply to sports; they’ve guided me in every aspect of life, from my career in sales to my pursuit of hobbies like motorcycling, snow skiing, golf, and grilling.
Alongside Jay, my high school coach John Strickland also played a key role in shaping me. One might never know that John was an English teacher, bass player and an artist due to being an intimidating hulk of a man that taught me the power of visualization and how it enables the brain to overcome perceived obstacles. Together, they showed me how mentors can challenge us to be our best selves.
That’s what LivinBestLife.com is all about—finding the people and passions that inspire us to live authentically and joyfully.
Thank you, Jay, for sparking my journey to live my best life.
I’ll see you in heaven.
To my readers, I’d love to hear about the mentors who’ve inspired you. Share their stories here (forgive me as this is new to me and I have to finish setting up this blog site), and let’s build a community that celebrates living fully, every day.