Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Schuessler.
Nick, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It’s hard to imagine what your life will be like 10-years from this moment. You make plans and then you change them. You make more plans, life happens, and then you end up changing those. It’s a never-ending cycle. I stopped making plans a long time ago, but when I was 15, I thought I had a plan. A plan that looks nothing like my life now.
My journey started in Gwinnett County, Georgia, where it is every kid’s dream to play in the NFL. At the age of 15, I was no different. As a 2/3-star recruit, there was a huge disconnect between the dreams I had and the actual reality of my life. My dreams were crazy until somehow, they weren’t. Everything changed for me one summer afternoon when I was awarded a scholarship to play football at Clemson University. As much as I wanted to take credit for it, God’s hand was all in it. By the time I left Clemson, I was a National Champion (2016) and had earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. And, in 2017, I had the opportunity to fulfill my life-long dream of playing Quarterback in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers. My 10-year plan was right on track and was exactly as I had imagined.
However, God is a comedian at heart…
Just when I thought I had finally accomplished the greatest feat of my life, God decided He had other plans for me. Unfortunately, my NFL career ended and this “ending” actually marked the beginning of the real journey. The end of my career was a defining moment in my life because for the first time ever I was forced to see and experience life beyond the game. Who was I without football? It is tough to describe the emotions I felt, but every athlete knows that this moment in their life is inevitable. As disappointed as I was, I knew there was another chapter in my book. I took some personal time to reflect and pray and then transitioned into a position at Deloitte in Atlanta. While at Deloitte, I spent time traveling and working with various real estate and healthcare companies. Over the next year, I seemed to find my groove and I enjoyed the new challenge the work at Deloitte provided, but if I was being honest with myself, something was missing. There was an empty void in my life that I could not seem to fill. It would take a seemingly random conversation, turned God-ordained appointment, for me to realize exactly what I was missing.
My friend, who had just been selected in the NFL draft, called to ask if I would be his Financial Advisor because there was “no-one he trusted more.” I was definitely caught off guard because I was not even employed in this industry, but hearing those words sparked something inside of me and gave me the push I needed. You see, in my world, the sports world, trust is everything. And in that moment, I knew that God was writing a new chapter in my book.
Shortly after this conversation, I left Deloitte and took on a leadership role as the Director of Private Wealth Management – Professional Athletes Division at Sugarloaf Wealth Management where I am currently employed. Now, instead of being the quarterback of a team, I am the quarterback for my client’s investment portfolios. I work closely with athletes and coaches to construct/manage their investments and create financial plans that align with their unique lifestyles. I am honored to represent some of the top athletes and coaches in the game, and grateful that they have chosen to trust Sugarloaf Wealth Management with their finances. Through these relationships, I have also been afforded the opportunity to return to my alma matter, Clemson, and teach a financial literacy and investment course to the football program. A full circle journey that ends right where it all started.
Even though you never truly know what lies ahead, what doors can open, or what opportunities await, I am incredibly optimistic about the future as this new decade begins. Football is ingrained into my DNA and a huge part of who I am. No matter where my career takes me, the game of football will always be a part of my life, just in new, different ways. I am so grateful that God’s plans are always bigger and better than my own. And if I have learned one thing thus far, it is that the best is always yet to come.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
By far the toughest part of my journey was the transition to life after football. For my entire life, my identity was found in what I did on the football field. I believed that what people thought about me, for better or worse, was defined by my performance on the field. So, what do you do when you can no longer play the sport that made you who you are? Who was I without the game? It was during this time in my life that I was forced to have real conversations with myself… tough, humbling conversations that were necessary so I could move on to what awaited me. This was the most difficult time of my journey, and to be fully transparent, I wondered if there was anything else out there that I could be good at besides football.
After a time of reflection, prayer and soul-searching, I reached a turning point and was ready to turn the page. I realized football was just a game. (I cringe saying that, but it’s the truth). Football was something I did, but it is not who I am. Do not get me wrong, I still have such a deep love for the game, but at the end of the day, it does not define who I am. No player is defined by their sport, and every single player is more than just an athlete (s/o LeBron). When I finally came to this realization and understood that God calls us all to something bigger than ourselves, everything started falling into place.
So, is business always smooth sailing? Nope. Is it tough? Sometimes. But every struggle is an opportunity for growth. And no great vision has ever come without great opposition.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sugarloaf Wealth Management – what should we know?
Sugarloaf Wealth Management, LLC, is a fee-based U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment advisory firm. Sugarloaf Wealth Management represents a wide-variety of different types of high-net worth clientele, while our sports division, SWM Sports, focuses on professional athletes and coaches. It is our goal to preserve and grow our client’s wealth so that it extends far beyond their playing and coaching careers. We understand that our clients have needs that extend beyond their portfolios and we are structured to meet each of these unique demands. Our family-oriented approach allows us to provide personalized and comprehensive financial solutions for every situation. We are committed to your success and promise to always stay invested in you.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Nobody ever makes it to where they are in life without the help of others, and I am no different. I have been incredibly fortunate to have a team of people around me who have invested and supported me my entire life.
Besides my family, perhaps the most influential person in my life has been Coach Swinney, and I am confident all of his former players would say the same. You will not find a more caring, energetic, or positive leader in the nation than Coach Swinney. I am so thankful that he cared about my growth not only as a player but also as a young man. I admire him because his words have always been followed with positive actions even in the face of criticism and adversity. His example embodies what it means to live a life of honor, respect, and integrity. For these life lessons, I will forever be indebted to him. Playing football under his leadership was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
To my friends/teammates who trusted me enough to be my first clients, I too, am indebted to you. (You know who you are.) Your confidence and faith in my abilities mean more to me than words can describe. It is an absolute honor and privilege to represent and work with you. It brings me no greater joy than to witness your success on Sunday afternoons, and to know that I still get to play a small role on the ‘team.’
Contact Info:
- Website: www.swmllc.com/sports-management
- Phone: (770) 985-5473
- Email: nschuessler@swmllc.com
- Instagram: @nickschuessler
- Twitter: @nickschuessler
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