When I was 27, I applied for a position I knew I wasn’t qualified for – and I landed it.
It was my dream job.
This position was a lead role for a very large digital agency and one that I had always wanted to work for.
I had a phone interview on a Wednesday, a face-to-face that Friday and was made an offer that Sunday.
I even received my benefits package the same day.
They offered me $30K more than what I was currently making at the time, 4 weeks vacation and every other Friday off during summer.
Jackpot, right? Wrong!
That Monday, I received a call that the position was going to be eliminated due to lack of budget.
I was crushed.
But I was not defeated.
Shortly after, I was offered an even better position and life went on.
Moral of the story: #FailForward
Jacob Brown’s journey from the rigorous NFL fields to international stages is nothing short of inspiring. Today, as a seasoned entrepreneur, riveting speaker, and acclaimed writer, he stands as a testament to the power of resilience. Beyond his athletic achievements, Jacob co-founded Varlo—a premier brand specializing in cycling and triathlon apparel.
A three-time TEDx speaker, Jacob was distinguished as one of the ’40 Under 40′ in 2015. His insights and stories have graced the pages of Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and Good Morning America. Notable institutions and brand—including Intel, Meta, UPS, Stellantis, University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, and Central Michigan University—have been captivated by his talks.