In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Matt is joined by Rod Ray, a developmental coach with over 25 years of experience in college athletics. Rod shares his philosophy on adapting to change and living in the present, emphasizing the pressures that young people face in today’s rapidly evolving world, particularly in college sports. He discusses the importance of focusing on personal and team development and the ways modern coaching methods, such as heart rate monitoring, can enhance performance. Rod also opens up about the value of giving selflessly—offering the best of oneself without expecting anything in return—as a key principle for building stronger teams and relationships.
Rod delves deep into the concept of mental toughness, viewing it as the ability to perform under stress and pressure, and he believes it’s a skill anyone can develop. He talks about techniques, such as controlled breathing exercises and using a calm tone to manage stress. Ray also highlights how adversity builds resilience, using examples from top athletes to illustrate how challenges can be transformative. Through his recruiting experience, Rod emphasizes that determination and drive often matter more than natural talent, making adversity a valuable opportunity for growth in both sports and life.
In reflecting on his personal journey, including a life-altering experience with a student’s collapse on the court, Rod explains how struggles fuel success. He encourages listeners to take action on their ambitions and to avoid the “tax of unmet potential.” The episode wraps up with a focus on the importance of building meaningful relationships and finding purpose, urging financial advisors and professionals alike to invest in these aspects to achieve both personal and professional growth.
Timestamps From This Episode
[13:42] Coaching to align asset management with personal purpose.
[18:34] Workplace trend: Transition back to office highlights importance of teamwork and collective engagement.
[21:47] Developing shared family purposes builds teamwork and enhances mental resilience.
[31:00] Rethink and evolve industry practices in a changing world.
[33:58] Committed to developing a strong team environment, valuing people development more than worrying about player departures.
Bridging the Gap is a financial podcast hosted by CEO Matt Reiner focused on bringing together leaders from the finance and the technology industries to focus on innovating the financial services industry.
Host
Matt Reiner, CFA, CFP®
Guest
Rod Ray, Tennis Coach at Wofford College, Author- Hardcomesfirst.com, Speaker, Autism Advocate
Over his 24 years, the team has recorded 192 victories overall and 72 wins in Southern Conference Play. Sixteen players have earned a total of 25 All-Southern Conference honors. In addition, 13 players have been named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team, including the 2007 Freshman of the Year George Kernoodle.
One of Ray’s most successful players, Andrew Stubbs, finished his career in 2008 with four straight All-Southern Conference accolades. Stubbs was the first Terrier men’s player to earn league honors more than once. He joined former women’s player, Ellen Rogers ’06, as the only Wofford tennis players in school history to receive All-SoCon honors all four years. Stubbs was inducted to the Wofford Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.
Academically, the squad has been honored multiple times as an ITA All-Academic Team.
Ray came to Wofford from the Topspin Racquet and Swim Club in Lexington, S.C., where he served as the tennis director for nearly 10 years. He has been a prominent fixture in South Carolina tennis, serving as coach for the South Carolina Junior Davis/Federation Cup Team, USTA Junior Player Development Program, Zonal Coach, and as president of the South Carolina Tennis Professional Association. In 1998, Ray was named South Carolina Tennis Association Professional of the Year. Certified by the USPTA, he has obtained a Professional 1 rating. Each summer he runs the Rod Ray Tennis Camp at Wofford, bringing in youth from across the Southeast. In 2022 he received a USTA South Carolina Coach of the Year Award,
Ray earned a bachelor of science degree in political science and a masters degree in political science from East Tennessee State in 1987, where he played on the Buccaneer tennis team in 1984 and 1985. He went on to earn his MBA from Colorado State in May of 2013. He and his wife, Merritt, have two sons, Cole and Ashe. Cole runs cross country at Gardner-Webb University and Ashe played tennis at Wofford.
