#61 - Mike Colleluori: THE STORY OF NICK COLLELUORI, HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER –– AND THE HEADSTRONG FOUNDATION LEGACY HE LEFT BEHIND

Mike Colleluori is a Non-Profit Executive and Entrepreneur. In 2006, after the tragic passing of his brother, Nick, following a battle with Lymphoma––Mike and his family established the HEADStrong Foundation (which was a concept Nick had created shortly before his death). Over the past fifteen years, the Colleluoris have continued Nick’s legacy through HEADStrong’s mission to offer financial, residential, and emotional support to families affected by cancer. The Non-Profit raises millions of dollars annually and impacts the lives of so many brave individuals fighting back against the disease. In addition to his work with HEADStrong, Mike (along with former NFL All-Pro Defensive End, Trent Cole) is also the Co-Founder of ProVantage Solutions––a marketing, sponsorship, and business management agency for brands and athletes. For more information about The HEADStrong Foundation & how you can help, visit their website: https://headstrong.org/ ***TIMESTAMPS*** 6:50 - Mike tells a story about his former flow; PLL NLL, and the pro lacrosse leagues; Kids picking a main sport too early; How Mike got into lacrosse and got a scholarship to Hofstra 25:41 - The story behind Mike’s brother Nick’s battle against and untimely death from cancer; The medical costs of fighting cancer; Why Mike wonders if they’re really trying to cure cancer; Chemo, Radiation, & CAR-T Therapy 44:24 - The HEADStrong Foundation and what they do for cancer patients; Mike talks about Nick’s dying wish that the Colleluoris start HEADStrong; The stories behind why HEADStrong put a major focus on residential housing for cancer patients and their families 58:02 - That time Lance Armstrong & Livestrong tried to sue HEADStrong (lol); Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace and why you have to use your platform for good; Mike tells the story of meeting the man who would later become the Chairman of The HEADStrong Board; The heartbreak of having to bury your child 1:12:39 - The struggle of working on behalf of the disease that killed someone you loved; Mike shares what Nick’s last words to him were; “There isn’t a manual that tells you how to deal with death”; Perspective & Why we need to “Be Nice!” 1:27:56 - The problems with many Non-Profits and misappropriated funds; Why Mike thinks “People should run a Non-Profit like a For-Profit and a For-Profit like a Non-Profit” 1:37:16 - Revisiting cancer research, whether or not the objective truly is “a cure,” and the capitalism incentives Big Pharma companies have to create to attract medical talent; Mike talks about how he tells the story of HEADStrong’s patients; The importance of giving back 1:48:22 - Being present; Mike & Julian talk about their respective approaches to cell phone use; Kids and iPhones 2:01:14 - Mike talks about balancing HEADStrong with his company, ProVantage Solutions; Mike tells the story of how he and former NFL All-Pro, Trent Cole, became business partners; The deep conversations Mike and Trent have 2:10:43 - How bad people often take advantage of Professional Athletes; Athletes finding purpose in their second