“Really, I just feel like I’m above all things a creative,” 11-year NFL veteran Israel Idonije explained as he was describing his post-football business ventures.

Today, Idonije is truly stretching those his creative muscles on a lot of different ventures.

Israel is the founder of iF Charities, which has programs that have contributed to the lives of over 10,000 youth in Chicago, Winnipeg and West Africa. As an entrepreneur, Israel has started several successful business ventures. His company blessed stands as the industry leader in communion supplies, and ATHLiTACOMiCS develops custom comic content and properties. He also cofounded Crypto Key Stack and launched FBRK (fabric) Impact House, a 40,000 square-foot, first of its kind philanthropic hub in the heart of Chicago’s Loop.

But when he talks about it, one business really has his heart.

He opened RSTR, a gym in Chicago’s South Loop last year is focusing on building that community and the business’s future – yes, even during the pandemic.

This level and breadth of accomplishment didn’t come from nothing. Idonije’s family drilled the idea of goals into him.

“Growing up, we were very strict in our household, and as a part of our daily routine, we needed to journal,” Idonije recalled.

And in those journals at 13, he set himself on path that was close to where he ended up.

He wanted to play for the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan. What’s that saying? Shoot for the Bulls and you’ll end up among the Bears.

In this episode, you’ll hear about Idonije’s other childhood goals (and some of them might make you love him more) as well as his plans for retirement.

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