If anything in this episode resonates and you're struggling, please reach out.

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)

You don't have to overcome anything alone.

Bernard Quisumbing is a transformational coach. Approximately four weeks before this episode was recorded, his brother, David Quisumbing, died by suicide. Bernard sat down with Tommy for one of the most honest conversations ever shared on this show.

In this conversation:

• Who David was and the kindness lessons he left behind • Why mental illness is illness, not a choice • Bernard's own period of suicidal ideation in 2021 • 14 years of recovery from meth addiction • The Don't Quit Legacy Foundation, launched in David's memory • The two hands we all carry: vulnerability as strength • The daily non-negotiables that keep Bernard upright • Bitter, battered, or better: the choice after loss

Bernard Quisumbing is a transformational coach and founder of the Don't Quit Legacy Foundation, launched in memory of his brother David Quisumbing. Find Bernard at @BernardQuisumbing on all social platforms.

This episode is published during Men's Mental Health Awareness Month.

Subscribe to Take a Savvy Seat for new episodes every other Tuesday.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tommygucciardo

Follow Tommy: Website: https://tommygucciardo.com/ Instagram: @tommygucciardo Facebook: Tommy Gucciardo TikTok: @tommygucciardo YouTube: @tommygucciardo Savvy Experience Group:

Website: https://savvyexperiencegroup.com/ Instagram: @savvyexperiencegroup

Resources if you or someone you know is struggling:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) • Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)

SHOW NOTES:

WHAT WE COVER

• Bernard's last four days with David and the signs that something was wrong • Why David couldn't stop showing up for everyone • The Don't Quit Legacy Foundation and why mental illness is an illness, not a choice • Survival mode and what happens when the prefrontal cortex shuts down • Tommy and Bernard on the dark places men don't talk about • Bernard's wife's weekly women's support group • Anger at God and the answer Bernard received • David's kindness lessons: tipping, supporting service workers, and showing up for others • Two hands: vulnerability as strength • Bernard's daily non-negotiables • Bitter, battered, or better: the choice after loss

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Mental illness is an illness, not a choice.

If we wouldn't say someone "quit" because they died of cancer, we shouldn't say it about mental illness. This is the reframe the Don't Quit Legacy Foundation is built on.

1. We all carry two hands.

One says, "I need help." The other says, "I can help." Vulnerability isn't weakness. It's strength. The strongest people are often the ones willing to ask for support.

1. The choice after loss is yours.

Bitter, battered, or better. Better is the path that allows you to keep moving forward and help others along the way.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• David Quisumbing • Don't Quit Legacy Foundation • Bernard's wife and her weekly Wednesday women's support call • Bernard's brother Michael, his sister, and his late mother • Speedtin (David's business) • Mr. Q's BBQ Sauce (family business featuring David's tribute on the label) • Bar A and Porta

GUEST LINKS

Instagram: @BernardQuisumbing

ABOUT TAKE A SAVVY SEAT

Hosted by Tommy Gucciardo, founder of Savvy Experience Group, Take A Savvy Seat features conversations with founders, operators, entrepreneurs, athletes, and industry leaders across sports, hospitality, business, and live events.

RESOURCES

If you or someone you know is struggling:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) • Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)

You don't have to overcome anything alone.

Chris Hubbard spent 13 seasons in the NFL after going undrafted out of UAB.

From earning an opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers to navigating the pressures of success, battling depression, and finding purpose through fatherhood and mental health advocacy, Chris's story goes far beyond football.

In this conversation:

• Going undrafted and receiving the Pittsburgh Steelers call that changed everything • Choosing UAB over larger programs to stay close to family • Adapting to the size, speed, and business of the NFL • The pressure that followed his Cleveland Browns contract • Family expectations, marriage struggles, and hitting a breaking point • The call to Coach Kevin Stefanski that led him to therapy • How his son Creed became a reason to keep fighting • Why mental health conversations are still difficult inside NFL locker rooms • Building the Overcoming Together Foundation • The daily gratitude practice that keeps him grounded

Chris Hubbard is a former NFL offensive lineman who spent 13 seasons in the league with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions.

Learn more at overcomingtogether.org and follow Chris on Instagram @chubb74.

If anything in this episode resonates and you're struggling, reach out to a mental health professional or someone you trust. You don't have to overcome anything alone.

Subscribe to Take a Savvy Seat for new episodes every other Tuesday.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tommygucciardo

Follow Tommy: Website: https://tommygucciardo.com/ Instagram: @tommygucciardo Facebook: Tommy Gucciardo TikTok: @tommygucciardo YouTube: @tommygucciardo Savvy Experience Group:

Website: https://savvyexperiencegroup.com/ Instagram: @savvyexperiencegroup

SHOW NOTES

EPISODE #05: CHRIS HUBBARD

GUEST:

Chris Hubbard Former NFL Offensive Lineman Founder, Overcoming Together Foundation

WHAT WE COVER:

• Growing up in Columbus, Georgia, and choosing UAB • Going undrafted and receiving the call from the Pittsburgh Steelers • Learning to survive and thrive in the NFL • Adapting from 250 pounds to NFL size and strength • The pressure and expectations that came after signing with Cleveland • Family demands, marriage struggles, and depression • The dark days that led Chris to seek help • The conversation with Coach Stefanski that changed everything • Working with therapist Tiffany Rush • Fatherhood, purpose, and breaking generational trauma • Being cut by the 49ers and learning perspective • Building the Overcoming Together Foundation • Mental health inside NFL locker rooms • Gratitude, prayer, and daily habits for resilience

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Success doesn't eliminate struggle.

Chris achieved the dream of reaching the NFL, but still faced personal battles that required support, therapy, and a new perspective on life.

1. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

One honest conversation with a trusted coach changed the trajectory of Chris's life and mental health journey.

1. Gratitude is a daily discipline.

"I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know today I'm thankful."

The simple practice of gratitude became one of Chris's most important tools for resilience.

MENTIONED

• UAB Football • Carver High School (Columbus, Georgia) • Pittsburgh Steelers • Mike Tomlin • Cleveland Browns • Kevin Stefanski • San Francisco 49ers • Detroit Lions • Tiffany Rush • Marquise Pouncey • Ramon Foster • Marcus Gilbert • Overcoming Together Foundation • Men's Mental Health Month • Creed Hubbard

GUEST LINKS

Overcoming Together Foundation Instagram: @overcomingtogetherfoundation

Instagram: @chubb74

Jason Negron has been the in-arena host at MSG for 17 seasons. Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, and more. He says nothing compares to the Garden. This is for anyone who cares about live events, fan experience, and craft over hype.

In this conversation:

• The craft of in-arena hosting in the attention economy • The grind nobody sees, missed weddings, missed funerals, 17 years on the mic • Why this era of the WNBA hits different • What New York fans actually want from the watch party scene • The Liberty giveaway is dropping this week

Jason Negron hosts for the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, Giants, MSG events, and SEC Nation. Follow him on Instagram @jasonnegron .

Subscribe to Take a Savvy Seat for new episodes every other Tuesday. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tommygucciardo Follow Tommy: Website: https://tommygucciardo.com/ Instagram: @tommygucciardo Facebook: Tommy Gucciardo TikTok: @tommygucciardo YouTube: @tommygucciardo Savvy Experience Group:

Website: https://savvyexperiencegroup.com/ Instagram: @savvyexperiencegroup

Show Notes: EPISODE #04: Jason Negron GUEST: Jason Negron, In-arena host, NY Knicks / Rangers / Liberty / Giants / MSG events / SEC Nation WHAT WE COVER: • MSG energy this playoffs, why this year feels different • Plaza 33 watch parties and Garden of Dreams Foundation • What 17 seasons taught Jason about Madison Square Garden • How he built a 17-year career on the mic, from N1 mixtape tours to SEC Nation • The grind nobody sees, missed weddings, missed funerals • Why "attention is the new currency" is overrated when you have real talent • The 30th anniversary of the WNBA and the Liberty's fourth wave • Working with Reggie Miller, Shaq, and Larry Johnson • The Danny DeVito moment KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. Place is a brand. Jason's 17 years at MSG is a case study in what makes a venue's unmatched history, aura, and city all stacked. Hospitality buyers should pay attention. 2. Talent compounds. 21 years on the mic without the influencer playbook. "Anybody can be a clown, what are you doing after that?" 3. NY fan loyalty is a contract. If they rock with you, they rock with you for life. If they don't, every step into the city is hostile. Brands courting NY audiences need to earn the long-term, not the short-term. MENTIONED: • Madison Square Garden • Garden of Dreams Foundation • N1 Basketball mixtape tours • Larry Johnson, John Starks, Clyde Frazier • Reggie Miller, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith • Danny DeVito (yes, really) • Plaza 33 watch parties • SEC Nation • New York Liberty / WNBA 30th anniversary GUEST LINKS: • Instagram: @jasonnegron