On the surface you may think this episode is just another excuse for me to selfishly bring another famous athlete into my office to talk sports, and I guess that's part of it, but Doug Baldwin is so much more than just a successful football player. His incredible determination that would eventually win him a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 was a hard-fought character trait forged through a lifetime of proving his worth to everyone around him. By his own admission it wasn't until long into his professional career, signing multi-million dollar contracts, that he thought, "Oh, maybe I do add value to this team." And though I was certainly aware of Doug Baldwin from his impressive football accolades, he ultimately sparked my interest as a potential guest on The Nordy Pod because of the amazing things he's been doing for the community of Seattle post football. Let me tell you, for someone who's been notoriously described by NFL commentators as angry, he sure seems like a really good guy. In our conversation we discuss Doug's early childhood struggle for validation, his reasons for retiring from the NFL and his motivation for building better communities wherever he goes. I am super grateful that Doug agreed to come in and share his story, and even if you know nothing about sports, this conversation is sure to inspire you in ways you did not expect. Thanks for tuning in to episode 39. We hope you enjoy it! Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation!