The Day a Champion Showed His True Strength: My John Cena Story

Not long ago, someone asked me to repost a story I had originally shared on Facebook a few years back. They told me it had stuck with them. That was reason enough for me to bring it here, to my blog, in case someone else needs to hear it too.

Because sometimes, the most meaningful stories are not the ones shouted from a stage, but the quiet ones shared in a small room full of heart.

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The other night, my wife and I were watching TV when a commercial for Hefty trash bags came on, and it featured none other than John Cena. That familiar face brought back a memory we both will never forget.

Years ago, in a previous role, I was the Director and Marketing Coordinator for a large Entertainment and Sports Center. One evening, we hosted a sold-out WWE show. I wasn’t the biggest wrestling fan, but I knew who John Cena was. At the time, he was WWE’s World Champion, though he hadn’t yet started acting.

Before the show began, WWE had arranged a private meet-and-greet for a group of children battling cancer. I was asked to help organize it and escort John to the room where the children and their families waited.

He had only one rule for me. No media. No cameras. The only photos allowed would be the ones taken by the children or their families. This moment wasn’t about headlines. It was about the kids.

I watched John walk into that room, drop to one knee, and immediately connect with every child there. He signed autographs, shared hugs, posed for pictures, and offered words of encouragement. The room was full of laughter and smiles. Parents stood back, many of them in tears. I’ll be honest, I was crying too.

One young boy, maybe six years old, proudly showed John his plastic WWE Championship belt. It was big and gold, clearly a toy, and worn with pride. John praised the belt, posed for photos, and made that little boy feel like a real champion.

Then John stood up, looked at me, and said, “Hold on, I’ll be right back.”

I asked if he needed anything. He smiled and said, “Na, I got this. Back in a minute.”

A few minutes later, he returned with the actual WWE Championship belt over his shoulder. He wanted the kids to see what the real one looked like. They were in awe, wide-eyed, silent for a moment as they took it all in. He let them hold it, touch it, admire it.

Then, just before leaving, John walked back over to that little boy with the plastic belt and handed him the real one. He told him to keep it.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Not the parents. Not mine. Not John’s.

That moment didn’t make the news. There was no spotlight, no fanfare. Just one man doing the right thing because his heart told him to.

I may not be the biggest wrestling fan, but from that day forward, I’ve been a John Cena fan for life.

And yes, the next time I need trash bags, I’m buying Hefty.

Because sometimes the strongest people are the ones who stop what they’re doing, take a knee, and make a child feel like a champion.

From Logo to Legacy: What It Takes to Build a Strong Brand

When it comes to higher education, and really just about any field, people often think branding is all about a logo. But it is not. A brand is so much more. It is the personality of your institution, the way people feel when they hear your name, and what you stand for at your core. It is your story, your mission, and the promise you make every time someone interacts with you.

Sure, a logo is important, as it is the face of your organization. But your brand is the full picture.

Your Brand Should Tell a Story

No matter what kind of organization you are part of, your brand needs to tell a clear, honest story. It should say who you are, what you believe in, and why that matters to the people you want to reach.

In 2020, our communications and marketing team led a full rebranding effort when Limestone transitioned from college to university status. We did not just swap out a logo. We took a hard look at everything: the colors we used, the fonts that showed up in emails and brochures, and how every department shared its message. We wanted to make sure the brand reflected who the institution really was, and where it wanted to go next.

That meant updating the look and making sure everything worked together smoothly. The new logo was just one part of a bigger plan to tell a stronger story.

Why a Brand System Is Key

Good branding is not random. It is about putting some guardrails in place so everything fits together nicely. Here are the basics every organization should nail down:

• Colors: Pick a few core colors to represent your brand and use them consistently. Secondary colors can add some variety, but they should never steal the spotlight.
• Typography: Choose fonts that fit your personality and stick with them. Using the same fonts everywhere helps people recognize your brand without even thinking about it.
• Logo rules: Your logo should be flexible enough to work in different places but always look right. That means clear rules on how big it can be, where it goes, and what backgrounds work best.
• Sub-brands: If you have departments or programs with their own identity, give them a way to feel unique but still connected to the main brand.

When these pieces come together, your brand feels familiar and trustworthy to everyone who encounters it.

Keeping Your Brand Strong

Making a brand is only half the battle. The other half is protecting it. That means giving people the right tools, explaining why consistency matters, and making sure everyone follows the guidelines.

At Limestone, we developed a clear and easy-to-follow guide explaining how and when to use the logo, which colors to apply, and the best fonts to maintain our visual identity. While we encouraged creativity in communications, it was important that everyone followed the guidelines closely to protect the integrity of the brand and build trust through consistency.

Why It All Matters

At the end of the day, people do not just pick a university or an organization based on facts or numbers. They pick it because it feels right. They want to feel connected, confident, and inspired. A clear, well-defined brand helps make that happen.

So yes, a logo grabs attention, but your brand makes people believe in you.

Your brand is more than what you say about yourself. It is what people remember long after the first impression. Getting that right is worth the effort.

 

Smart Strategies for Leading a Small but Mighty Marketing Team

When I served as Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Limestone University, I had the privilege of leading a small but exceptionally talented team that consistently exceeded expectations, tackled big goals with limited resources, and delivered results that rivaled much larger departments.

Those experiences continue to shape how I approach building and managing teams. At Limestone, I had the opportunity to work with six incredibly skilled professionals who brought energy, creativity, and focus to everything we did. Like many universities our size, we didn’t have sprawling departments or endless specialists. What we had was a team that was focused, adaptable, and aligned around a clear purpose.

Here’s what worked for us and what I believe can help others who are building or refining marketing teams.

1. Structure with Strategy in Mind
Our team was not organized by job titles but by what the institution needed most. We had:

• An Associate VP and Director of Creative Services who anchored our visual identity and drove collaboration across projects
• A Staff Writer who made sure our voice stayed consistent and compelling across channels
• A Graphic Designer who brought campaigns to life through digital and print
• A Departmental Assistant who kept our operations smooth and played a key role in social media content and planning
• A Website Developer and Manager who ensured our digital presence was accurate, accessible, and dynamic
• A Director of Digital Marketing and Recruitment who linked our brand to enrollment with measurable results

Each role had clear responsibilities, and everyone understood the bigger mission. That clarity made teamwork flow, especially when we were moving fast.

2. Hire for Versatility and Mindset
On a small team, people had to wear many hats without losing focus. I looked for teammates who were:

• Self-starters
• Curious about data and how it could guide better decisions
• Comfortable with change and shifting priorities
• Passionate about the mission

One of the things I valued most was how much our team made my job easier. Technical skills could be taught or refined, but mindset and team fit were much harder to develop. When people came to challenges with a positive attitude, embraced collaboration, and shared our values, it built trust and efficiency. This kind of culture not only delivered results but also made leading the team both rewarding and sustainable.

3. Build in Time for Strategy, Not Just Production
One of the biggest risks for small teams was becoming a “request shop” that only reacted to incoming tasks. We protected time to think strategically. Our weekly check-ins were more than just project updates. They provided opportunities to review campaigns, share insights, and plan ahead.

High-performing teams do more than react. They anticipate. That required space to think beyond the inbox.

4. Cross-Train for Continuity
We cross-trained intentionally. Our website manager understood email marketing basics, and our staff writer collaborated closely with design and video. This way, when someone was out or a deadline loomed, the team kept moving.

Cross-training also helped people grow professionally and kept morale strong by exposing them to different skills.

5. Celebrate the Wins, Big and Small
In a small shop, every success counted. We made it a point to reflect on what worked, share results, and recognize individual contributions. This practice kept a culture of purpose and pride alive in everything we did.

Leading with Purpose and Heart

Building and leading a great team takes time, patience, and a lot of care. No matter the size of your team, the real impact comes from investing in people, building trust, and celebrating every win along the way.

As leaders, we get to shape not just what gets done but how it gets done. When we focus on purpose and working together, we create teams that can handle anything and make a real difference. Keep believing in your team’s potential, and trust that consistent, thoughtful leadership will always move the work forward.

 

Why Your Organization Needs a Year-Long Marketing Calendar

Let’s be honest, marketing without a plan can feel like running on a treadmill. A lot of motion, but not much progress. No matter what kind of organization you’re in, having a year-long marketing calendar can help you stay focused, work smarter, and actually move the needle.

Give Your Work a Purpose, Not Just a Deadline

A marketing calendar isn’t just a list of tasks or dates. It’s a guide that helps connect your messaging with your goals and the people you’re trying to reach. It gives structure to your ideas and helps your team stay aligned on what matters most. That might mean raising awareness, increasing support, or simply making sure your message is heard in the right way at the right time.

One thing that really helps is breaking the year down into quarters. Planning in smaller chunks makes it easier to manage your workload and still stay on track with long-term goals. It also gives you built-in checkpoints to pause, look at what’s working, and make adjustments as you go.

Keep It Flexible, But Keep It Focused

Things change. New opportunities come up, priorities shift, and sometimes you have to pivot quickly. That’s why your marketing calendar should be a living document, something you actually use and update, not a binder that collects dust.

And don’t forget to look back as you move forward. Regularly reviewing how your marketing is performing is just as important as the planning itself. What kind of reach or response are you seeing? Are people engaging with what you’re putting out there? Even if the channels and tactics vary, tracking performance helps you make better decisions and fine-tune your approach over time.

It’s Not Just a Calendar, It’s a Strategy

When you take the time to build a solid marketing calendar, you give your team a clear direction. You reduce last-minute scrambles, cut down on confusion, and create space for more intentional, creative work.

Whether your organization is big or small, new or well-established, planning your marketing by the quarter and checking in on your results can help you do more than just stay busy. It helps you make an impact, and that’s what good marketing is all about.

A strategic marketing calendar is more than just structure. It gives you room to dream bigger, share your story with purpose, and build momentum. When you plan with intention and stay open to growth, your marketing reflects your mission, values, and the difference you want to make.

 

Why Government Relations Matter in Communications & Marketing

In the fields of communications and marketing, we often focus on branding, messaging, and public engagement. These areas are critical, but they are only part of a successful strategy. For organizations that operate in the public sphere, strong government relations are just as essential. Whether at the local, state, or federal level, maintaining positive relationships with government stakeholders is key to long-term impact and credibility.

Throughout my career in higher education, local government, and journalism, I’ve seen how important these relationships are in supporting communication goals. While serving as Vice President for Communications & Marketing at Limestone University, one of my key responsibilities was serving as the primary liaison between the university and government officials at all levels. I built personal and professional relationships with city and county leaders, state legislators, and federal representatives. These connections helped us advocate for the university’s priorities, stay current on policy developments, and ensure our messaging aligned with the broader public landscape.

I wasn’t just writing statements or delivering updates. I was sitting down with elected officials, listening to their perspectives, and ensuring they understood the value of the university to their communities. These relationships, built on trust and consistency, became a valuable part of our overall communication strategy.

Earlier in my career, I held an executive role within county government, managing one of the largest tourism and entertainment venues in the region. That position required close collaboration with local and state officials, business leaders, and regional partners to promote growth and drive economic development. It was a hands-on role that reinforced the importance of clear communication and mutual respect when working with public stakeholders.

Before stepping into leadership roles, I worked as a journalist, often covering politics and public policy. That experience gave me a strong foundation in translating complex topics into accessible messages and taught me how decisions are shaped behind the scenes. It also deepened my appreciation for accuracy, clarity, and timely communication, which are all essential skills when working with government audiences.

Here’s why government relations should be a priority for communications and marketing professionals:

• Public policy affects strategy. No matter the industry, every organization operates within a set of policy guidelines and regulations. Understanding that environment helps communicators anticipate changes, adapt messaging, and respond with clarity and confidence.
• Elected officials are key allies. Strong, respectful relationships with government leaders open the door to collaboration and advocacy. When officials understand your mission, they are more likely to support your work.
• Reputation is shaped by public alignment. A brand’s credibility is influenced not just by marketing messages, but by how well it aligns with community needs and public expectations.
• Trust is built over time. Government relations is not a one-time meeting or campaign. It is a long-term investment in listening, engaging, and showing up consistently.

In the end, communications is about connection, and that includes connection with those who shape the laws, policies, and public narratives that impact your organization. Strategic communicators understand that government relations is not separate from their work. It is a core part of it.

Strong communication builds bridges. And when those bridges extend to government partners, the results are more informed decisions, stronger communities, and shared success.

 

The Best Leaders Lift, Not Limit

In most workplaces, being likable, emotionally intelligent, and great at building relationships is a huge plus. But what happens when those very qualities make someone in charge feel uncomfortable?

Here’s a truth you need to hear: you don’t have to shrink just to keep someone else comfortable.

The phrase, “No one will attack your character more than someone who thinks you’re more popular than them,” might sound like high school drama, but it plays out just as often in professional settings. I’ve seen it time and again. What starts as a little tension can grow into passive-aggressive digs, being left out, or even straight-up character attacks, especially when the person feeling threatened is the one calling the shots.

Let’s be real, it’s rarely about actual popularity. It’s about presence. When someone is genuine, respected, and naturally connects with others, it can trigger insecurity in those who don’t have those skills or confidence.

And here’s something else to watch for: the leader who feels threatened often doesn’t look insecure at first glance. In fact, they’re usually charismatic on the outside. Smooth, polished, personable. But that charm often covers up a deeper insecurity and a lack of true leadership ability. Their charisma becomes a mask, one that hides their discomfort with others’ strengths and their own limitations as a leader.

When Leadership Feels Threatened

We usually expect leaders to help us grow, mentor us, and cheer on the team’s success. But sometimes, the very person who’s supposed to lead can quietly hold you back.

An insecure leader might:
• Brush off your ideas in meetings only to present them later as their own
• Block chances for you to advance or get noticed
• Control communication so you have less influence
• Spin how others see you with subtle critiques or selective framing

Most of this stems from a deep sense of insecurity, often driven by the fear of being overshadowed, outshined, or unfavorably compared. When a leader feels threatened by your authenticity and ability to connect, they might try to dim your presence instead of raising their own game.

How to Navigate It

1. Recognize what’s really going on
   It’s easy to take these actions personally. Don’t. More often than not, it’s their insecurity talking, not your shortcomings.
2. Track patterns, not just one-off moments
   Repeated behavior tells a clearer story. Keep a professional record so you stay clear-headed and prepared.
3. Stay steady and professional
   Keep showing up with integrity and consistency. That helps others see who’s truly adding value and who’s causing problems.
4. Find your quiet support system
   Look for colleagues or mentors who can give you honest feedback and keep your confidence up. You don’t need a crowd, just a few trusted voices.
5. Know when it’s time to move on
   Sometimes the healthiest choice is to leave a toxic or limiting situation. That’s not losing. Instead, it protects your peace, your growth, and your career.

Real Leadership Shows in How You Treat Talent

If you’re in charge, this is your chance to lead with kindness and confidence. Strong leaders don’t feel threatened by talented people on their teams. They lift them up because a rising star doesn’t dim anyone else’s light.

When someone brings energy, fresh ideas, and genuine connection, lean into that. Help them grow and lead where they shine. Talented team members aren’t competition.

They are the secret to making the whole group better.

Jealousy has no place in leadership. Instead, lead with humility. Celebrate your people. Trust comes when you show you value them for who they are, not just what they produce.

Final Thought

We often think of jealousy and social games as teenage stuff. But insecurity doesn’t just disappear with age. It just gets sneakier, with higher stakes and trickier power dynamics.

Remember: you don’t have to shrink to make someone else comfortable. Lead with confidence, not comparison. The strongest teams are built by people who support each other, not those competing for credit.

Website Innovation Is a Critical Marketing and Recruitment Tool

For higher education institutions and organizations focused on advancing their mission and expanding their impact, a website is often the first point of contact and first impression for prospective students, customers, or stakeholders. When thoughtfully designed and managed, it can be a powerful driver of engagement and conversion.

Years of collaborating with communications, marketing, and enrollment teams have shown me that website innovation is not just a technical upgrade. It requires strategic partnership and purposeful planning to truly serve your audience.

• Align design with audience needs. Your website should be attractive, easy to navigate, and focused on providing the information that matters most, whether that is academic programs, admissions steps, financial aid, or product and service details.

• Integrate intelligent tools. Features like AI-powered chatbots offer 24/7 support, help generate leads, and create personalized user experiences that boost engagement.

• Ensure messaging is clear and consistent. The website is an extension of your brand, so every page should reinforce your organization’s story and value proposition.

• Focus on usability and accessibility. A seamless user experience ensures visitors can find what they need quickly and without frustration, improving the chances they take the next step.

• Collaborate cross-functionally. Communications & Marketing, IT, and leadership teams must work together to align technology, content, and strategy for maximum impact.

• Use data to guide ongoing improvements. Insights from analytics and user feedback help ensure the website remains relevant, effective, and aligned with audience needs.

• Communications & Marketing Must Lead Website Strategy. In higher education in particular, the website should be strategically led and managed by Communications & Marketing to ensure alignment with branding, messaging, and recruitment goals. While collaboration with IT is essential for technical support and infrastructure, Communications and Marketing must lead the overall vision and content direction to effectively engage target audiences.

Your website is more than just a digital presence. It is a strategic platform that shapes perceptions, builds trust, and drives meaningful connections. When Communications & Marketing lead with vision and innovation, they empower their organization to not only meet the needs of today’s audiences but also confidently shape the future.