I am thankful for so much, including a career that’s allowed me to share wonderful stories about fascinating people. I’m grateful to have been able to compile many of those experiences into a book.  Amid the digital daze and holiday craze, it’s nice to hold something of substance, with timeless stories and colorful pictures. One on One: My Journey with Hall of Famers, Fan Favorites and Rising Stars is perfect for sports fans, biography buffs, budding journalists or anyone curious about life behind the scenes of some spectacular athletes. One on One Store

The stories (and back stories) of some 40 baseball and football players known throughout the nation remind us about following our dreams, turning obstacles into opportunities, achieving goals, and often doing “good” with their high-profile platform.

The stories of the icons and popular athletes are timeless because their journeys cannot be altered. Sadly, some have passed, including Tony Gwynn, Jerry Coleman, Junior Seau and Ted Williams, which is all the more reason to celebrate and learn from their lives. Others continued to make their marks in different ways. Tim Flannery helped the San Francisco Giants capture three World Series championships as their third-base coach before retiring in 2014. David Wells in 2012 returned to his alma mater, Point Loma High School, as its pitching coach before being named varsity coach in 2014. Trevor Hoffman’s name appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot — Class of 2016 — for the first time.

My hope is that when someone reads any of these stories, or even my journey, that they will not only learn something, but be inspired to live and enjoy their OWN journey.

To order, visit the One on One store

Or contact me with inquiries at Hello@JaneMitchellOneOnOne.com

The post One on One Jane: Giving thanks: Timeless stories for any day appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

Say “Sports Legend” in San Diego, and Junior Seau is high on that list. His name, image and iconic stature reach well beyond San Diego and now into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. Sadly, this man with a bigger-than-life  personality on and off the football field, with a huge heart for philanthropy and making people feel special, was gone sooner than anyone  expected. Junior Seau took his own life in 2012. Later, a study showed he suffered brain injuries which could help explain why things happened.

Even in light of the tragedy, and the important conversation it ignited surrounding sports injuries and adjustments after the game,  it is Junior Seau’s life that is still so vibrant and rich with stories and lessons. It’s important we remember and share  — with younger people who’ve heard of this “Legend” — what he learned and what he taught along the way of his remarkable journey.

Thankfully, we had featured Junior a few times during the 15 years of the original One on One series on Channel 4:  in 1999, the first Charger featured, and the most in-depth interview with him to date; and in 2003, as San Diego was about to host the Super Bowl and we presented stories of local icons. In this special Legends edition, editor Dan Roper and I meld the interviews and add in new information about his passing, charity work, and the public memorial service at the stadium he called home.

Personally, I’m honored to call Junior a friend albeit mostly in the context of interviews, story telling, and teaming up for charitable endeavors. He didn’t call me Buddy, but rather “Jane Mitchell” or “Jane Mitchell One on One” always greeting me with joy and respect. He graciously made comments for my book which features a chapter on him. Our last conversation was at his final golf gala in 2012 where we chatted about getting together later that spring about some new and creative business ideas. With a hug and smile, like he would do for so many others too, I just expected to see him again. How sad we all were when that was not to be.

So this One on One Legends edition is an opportunity to remember the qualities he had and shared, among them his unique way of talking and putting things in perspective. My favorite part of the whole sit-down interview is at the end, when he talks about the rings of life.

Junior wasn’t perfect, and he shared publicly what he wanted to share, but even so that was usually humility, faith, motivating stories, and his big and generous heart. His rhythm of life — even if he sang off key a bit, or had fears or flaws we may never truly understand  — set a  great example for all ages. What his family and friends say about him echoes how he tried to honor his parents and “make happy.” You don’t have to be an athlete or even a big sports fan to appreciate what he did with his platform to help and inspire others.

Enjoy… and please share.

The post One on One Legend: Junior Seau Show and backstory appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

(2012)
My heart is breaking for Junior Seau’s family and our community. I met Junior in 1999. He was the first NFL player featured for my show One on One. Naturally, the first had to be Junior: a player who not only electrified the team, but embraced his hometown and his platform to DO good… and not just at a small event here and there, or showing up for autographs. He set the bar so high for what one person can do to change the world, one person at a time.

I am  honored Junior opened up to me for the two shows featuring him, my book, and any time I asked for an interview. Honored, partly as a colleague and friend, but more so because my work about his story and thoughts would be shared with fans: Chargers fans, football fans, and people of all ages who could learn and be moved by hearing about his journey. I spoke with Junior this spring  about my efforts for continuing One on One’s mission to tell the Good Sports Story.  He seemed eager to discuss those ideas.  He thrived on such things, always had great ideas, and was a master at seeing them through. While not perfect, we can all learn so much from him and how he made the most of his gifts and talents.

That it would end this way, on May 2, 2012, is tragic. Why it happened may never be known. There was still so much ahead that will never be. But I will remember him for his life, for his love and for his passion.

I wrote this paragraph in January around the Super Bowl… and quote him from an interview back in 2003 that’s included in my book (page 256.)

After having been to one Super Bowl with the Chargers, and the Super Bowl was in San Diego in 2003, Junior sat down with me for a One on One and offered some perspective. He couldn’t know he would return another time with the 2007 Patriots, or that he would face another tough loss, that time to the New York Giants. But as the Championship game was coming to his hometown, and as we sat in his living room, with lights and cameras, I asked a sentimental Seau: “Is that Super Bowl ring still pulling you? Is that the ultimate for you?” He told me: “I have rings in life.” He listed accomplishments including family, friends, and his foundation’s community work. “I’m proud of those rings. So for me to say that I’m going to give all that up for a Super Bowl? You know what? I’ll take my rings of life. So, am I after one? Yes. But I already won.”

RIP #55. RIP.

For more on Junior’s story and Jane’s experience with him, get her book on KINDLE or at the One on One STORE  on this site.

The post Remembering Junior Seau 1 year later 2013 appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

His efforts – both business and charitable – were inclusive. He invited and encouraged his colleagues, business owners, fans, friends, and family to partner with him to make a difference. At many of his Teammates Luncheons he was the most creative and colorful auctioneer – upping the price of items with a sense of humor and a sense of mission: to raise more money to help and inspire more kids. He knew how important it was to give young people hope. After all, even with all the love and faith in his family, growing up in a big family and a small house in Oceanside didn’t offer some of the advantages others had. His grit and determination to play hard and work hard carried him a long way. And he never forgot where he came from. He never forgot to give back to his hometown, and the larger city that fell in love with him.

I am  honored Junior opened up to me for the two shows featuring him, my book, and any time I asked for an interview. Honored, partly as a colleague and friend, but more so because my work about his story and thoughts would be shared with fans: Chargers fans, football fans, and people of all ages who could learn and be moved by hearing about his journey. I spoke with Junior this spring  about my efforts for continuing One on One’s mission to tell the Good Sports Story.  He seemed eager to discuss those ideas.  He thrived on such things, always had great ideas, and was a master at seeing them through. While not perfect, we can all learn so much from him and how he made the most of his gifts and talents. 

That it would end this way, on May 2, 2012, is tragic. Why it happened may never be known. There was still so much ahead that will never be. But I will remember him for his life, for his love and for his passion.

 I wrote this paragraph in January around the Super Bowl… and quote him from an interview back in 2003 that’s included in my book (page 256.)

After having been to one Super Bowl with the Chargers, and the Super Bowl was in San Diego in 2003, Junior sat down with me for a One on One and offered some perspective. He couldn’t know he would return another time with the 2007 Patriots, or that he would face another tough loss, that time to the New York Giants. But as the Championship game was coming to his hometown, and as we sat in his living room, with lights and cameras, I asked a sentimental Seau: “Is that Super Bowl ring still pulling you? Is that the ultimate for you?” He told me: “I have rings in life.” He listed accomplishments including family, friends, and his foundation’s community work. “I’m proud of those rings. So for me to say that I’m going to give all that up for a Super Bowl? You know what? I’ll take my rings of life. So, am I after one? Yes. But I already won.”  

RIP #55. RIP. 

For more on Junior’s story and Jane’s experience with him, get her book on KINDLE or at the One on One STORE  on this site.

The post One on One Jane: A Tribute to Junior Seau: A Sad Ending to truly, a Good Sports Story appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.