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Reaching the pinnacle in your sport or profession is an amazing achievement, but to do it in two separate ones is truly remarkable! How many former NFL athletes do YOU know who also happen to be internationally acclaimed opera singers? Well, until today, likely none. Here\\u2019s your chance to hear the incredible story of my guest today, Ta\\u2019u Pupu\\u2019a, on the Make Your Mark podcast. You will hear about the challenges, hurdles, and ultimately, successes that Ta\\u2019u went through to be where he is today.

\\u201cThere are a lot of times when you\\u2019re on that stage, and you\'re singing with other artists but you feel alone, because in football you play as a family, as a team, but in opera what I\'ve noticed is everyone wants to be the quarterback, everyone wants to throw that touchdown pass, \\xa0everyone wants to be in the spotlight. But luckily I\\u2019m 6\\u20195\\u201d. In my mind I look at the opera as a family, as a unit, and I look at the conductor as the coach making sure the plays are all running smoothly.\\u201d

If you\\u2019ve been following this podcast, you know that a common thread throughout is the story of the transition from either the playing field, court, rink, or even battlefield into a venture creating a lasting and positive impact, and Ta\\u2019u fits perfectly into that mold. It took a full year of being depressed and without direction for him to answer the calling of being a singer, and taking a giant leap of faith towards NYC.

\\u201cAfter the injury I struggled. I made the decision to go home, and driving from Baltimore to Utah was a two day drive. \\xa0I had a lot to think about. What was I going to do? What was my life going to be? I was depressed for about a year, I couldn\'t watch football, couldn\\u2019t watch my teammates be out there playing while I was sitting at home. I thought about \\xa0what was my true calling in life, and I remember looking outside, and said step left, move forward, and go and sing. I thought, this is crazy, I\\u2019ve been playing football since I was 10, and now I\\u2019m going to go sing. I decided to do that, so I packed my one suitcase and moved to New York.\\u201d

Ta\\u2019u is such a positive guy, with commitment, drive, perseverance all rolled up into a 6\\u20195\\u201d body that can belt out an aria with the best of them. You will be inspired by the his determination to succeed on two big stages, performing at the top of his game, and leaving any doubters behind. Happy listening!

\\u201cHow do you meet people in the music industry? I got a job across from the Metropolitan Music Hall, the greatest opera house. I walked into this restaurant and said \\u201cHey I\\u2019d like to work here\\u201d, and soon enough became the maitre d\\u2019! I picked that location because I knew that all the opera singers would cross the street to eat there, and Julliard was also across the street, and that\'s how I met my current colleagues! All these big opera singers would come into the restaurant, and I learned a lot by just watching. The same method applied to football, you learn by watching, and you go out and do it. You learn by examples - good examples.\\u201d

\\u201cFor me I had to go back to God and believe that things are going to work out no matter what. And that\\u2019s when that voice popped into my head to keep going, but that we\\u2019re going to go into a different chapter in my life.\\u201d

Some Topics we talk about in this episode:

• Introduction - 0:40
• The Move to America - 3:50
• A Football Star on the Rise - 5:35
• I just had to show up and Deliver - 8:25
• 6\\u20195\\u201d, 290 lb and Killing it - 9:30
• Polynesian Pioneers - 12:10
• A Different Kind of Treatment - 14:15
• Behind the Curtain - 15:25
• The Baltimore Ravens - 18:45
• A Serious Injury - 20:00
• A Life-Changing Decision - 20:30
• One Suitcase and I was On My Way to New York. - 24:25
• Hustling in the City - 25:25
• You Learn By Watching - 26:30
• Strong Ties Between Opera and Football - 28:30
• Breaking The Mold - 31:00
• What it Takes to be an Incredible Opera Singer - 34:25
• \\u201cYou have a God-given talent.\\u201d - 36:45
• Amazing Benefits of being Bilingual - 40:00
• For Me I\\u2019m just Ta\\u2019u from Tonga - 43:15
• Our Body is our Instrument - 44:25
• When Injuries Hit You in the NFL, It\\u2019s a \\u201cTough Luck\\u201d Type of Deal - 48:30
• Hit Your Mark - 54:10

How to get involved

• Be sure to connect with me on Social Media @MarkMoyerCoach and go to my website, www.markmoyer.com to get access to the tips and strategies that my coaching clients get directly.
• If you\\u2019re looking for ways to Make Your Mark, send me an email Mark@MarkMoyer.com and I\\u2019ll get you going right away on your path to success!

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