Community
Steven Griffith: From Chicago’s Streets to Coaching Elite
Steven Griffith’s story is a captivating blend of resilience, athletic prowess, and influential coaching, unfolding from the streets of Chicago to the sunny shores of Newport Beach, California. His journey, marked by early adversities and triumphant achievements, is a testament to the unyielding spirit of a man who turned life’s challenges into stepping stones for success.
Early Life of Steven Griffith
Born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago, Steven faced a childhood marked by the departure of his father and financial struggles. These early challenges were not mere obstacles but lessons in resilience and determination. Steven’s childhood experiences laid a foundation of grit and perseverance that would later define his approach to life and coaching.
As a high school athlete, Steven played baseball, basketball, and football, displaying a natural talent and passion for sports. His athletic journey continued as a D1 college football player, but it was in the boxing ring where Steven truly excelled. Influenced by his boxing coach, Tom Delaney, he achieved remarkable feats, including becoming a two-time Golden Glove finalist and the Illinois state heavyweight boxing champion. This period of his life was not just about sports; it was a time of life lessons- building mental fortitude and discipline.
Steven Griffith’s Journey As a Coach
In 1990 after graduating from college, Steven stepped into a new role as a coach, driven by a profound realization of his ability to impact lives positively. This calling led him to establish his high-performance coaching company in 2000, which he later rebranded as A-Game Coaching in 2020. Steven’s coaching style is both direct and compassionate. His approach involves identifying the root causes of poor performance, understanding your purpose, aligning personal values, and restructuring time to achieve success. This method has been honed over 25,000 hours of coaching executives, entrepreneurs, organizations and athletes from high school to the professional ranks of the NBA, MLB, NHL, and over 40 current NFL players, Olympic medalists, and Hall of Fame athletes.
Steven’s most innovative contribution to coaching and personal development is the concept of “Timefulness®,”-Being present, aware and intentional with your time – a term he coined to enhance mindfulness in relation to time management. This groundbreaking idea is the centerpiece of his book, “The Time Cleanse,” which reflects his 25-plus years of high-performance coaching. The book’s success as a number one new release on Amazon highlights its impact in the field of time management and personal development. His creative and inclusive approach to coaching and personal development also lead him to be one of the first to teach mindfulness to the Military at Walter Reed Medical Center and create the first all-women’s college boxing course for credit.
Steven’s life philosophy, shaped by the values instilled by his mother and his boxing coach, revolves around hard work, grit, resilience, and a compassionate direct approach to coaching. Residing in Newport Beach, California, he enjoys activities like stand-up paddleboarding, meditating, and spending time with his beloved shorty bulldog, Mana. His current projects, including the A-Game TV show and a pre-combine NFL mindset training program, showcase his ongoing commitment to inspire and guide others.
Steven’s advice for those pursuing their goals is grounded in his life experiences: There is only one time it’s “NOW” and there is only one direction it’s “FORWARD.” “Don’t wait, start now, as momentum creates more momentum.” This mantra reflects his belief in the power of immediate action and the cumulative effect of small, consistent improvements.
Conclusion
Steven Griffith’s life story, from his challenging upbringing in Chicago to his achievements as a coach and author, is a powerful narrative of overcoming adversity, embracing one’s strengths, and making a significant impact in the fields of sports and personal development. His journey illustrates the transformative power of resilience, the importance of mentorship, and the profound influence one can have by dedicating oneself to the betterment of others.
Follow Steven on Instagram: