by Jason Kelce’s Off-Set Hours
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As the center for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jason Kelce plays a pivotal role in one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses. However, what many fans may not realize is just how demanding his schedule is both on and off the field. With early morning practices, afternoon meetings, evening games, travel, and film study, Kelce devotes most of his waking hours to his profession. Yet despite this grueling schedule, he still finds ways to pursue his passions and maintain a balanced life during his limited off-set hours.
Pursuing His Passions
Podcasting
One of Kelce’s main passions outside of football is podcasting. In 2018, he teamed up with his brother Travis, a former Eagles linebacker, to launch “New Heights.” The podcast has become hugely popular, averaging over 100,000 downloads per episode. On it, the Kelce brothers cover a wide variety of topics, from breaking down X’s and O’s of recent NFL games, to sharing stories from their childhood, to weighing in on current events.
Producing quality podcasts is a major time commitment. Each episode requires researching topics, preparing questions, recording for 1-2 hours, and editing. However, Kelce makes it a priority. He treats it like a second job, dedicating 5-10 hours per week to “New Heights.” The podcast allows Kelce to stay connected to fans, explore interests outside of football, and bond with his brother over their shared passion.
Writing
In addition to podcasting, Kelce enjoys writing and has contributed several articles to The Players’ Tribune over the years. In one piece, he gave readers an inside look at his NFL journey and the challenges of making it from an undrafted free agent to a Super Bowl champion. In another, he reflected on the importance of mental health awareness for athletes. Kelce puts considerable effort into crafting thoughtful, well-written pieces that provide valuable perspective on life in the NFL.
Acting
When he has downtime in the offseason, Kelce has also pursued acting. He’s had small cameo roles in popular TV shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Mindy Project, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Kelce finds the experience fun and sees it as a creative outlet. He’s also been in a few movies, including Philly native Kevin Smith’s Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. Acting challenges Kelce in new ways and allows him to network with people outside of football.
Maintaining a Balanced Life
Family Time
While pursuing his creative passions, Kelce’s top priority is his family – wife Kylie and their three young children. He attends as many of his kids’ sporting events, school activities, and birthday parties as his schedule allows. On off days, Kelce focuses on quality time at home, from cooking family dinners to playing outside with the kids. He’s also very hands-on with childcare duties like bath time, bedtime stories, and school pickups and drop-offs.
Staying deeply involved in his family’s day-to-day life helps Kelce maintain balance and perspective outside of football. His wife and kids provide motivation, grounding, and an escape from the pressures of his high-profile career. Kelce recognizes the fleeting nature of his NFL tenure and wants to make the most of the time he has with his loved ones now.
Hobbies
When he gets a rare day completely free of responsibilities, Kelce enjoys relaxing hobbies like golfing, fishing, and cooking elaborate meals. Golf is a great stress reliever that allows him to spend time outside with friends. As an avid fisherman, Kelce will often take early morning trips out on the water before the sun rises. And in the kitchen, Kelce has developed quite the repertoire of recipes, from gourmet pastas to homemade pizzas.
These low-key activities provide Kelce with a much-needed break from football. They allow his mind to unwind while giving him a sense of accomplishment. Hobbies are also a way for Kelce to connect with family and friends outside the tight-knit football circle. Maintaining well-rounded interests helps him avoid burning out on the sport.
Community Involvement
In addition to family time and hobbies, Kelce is passionate about giving back to Philadelphia through community service. He’s involved with multiple local charities and organizations, like sponsoring an annual bowling fundraiser for the Eagles Autism Foundation. Kelce also started his own Jason Kelce Foundation to support children and families in need.
Whether it’s visiting patients at hospitals, reading to elementary school kids, or assisting with food drives, Kelce makes the effort. He recognizes the platform the NFL has provided him and wants to use it to positively impact others. Community service allows Kelce to stay grounded in what really matters beyond football statistics and contracts. It provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment outside of his day job.
Time Management Strategies
To make the most of his precious off-set hours, Kelce employs strategic time management techniques. Here are a few of his most effective strategies:
Prioritizing Tasks
With competing demands on his schedule, Kelce has to be selective about where he allocates his energy. He identifies the two or three most important tasks each day and focuses solely on completing them first before moving on to less pressing matters. This ensures he doesn’t get sidetracked or overwhelmed.
Delegating Responsibilities
As a busy professional athlete and family man, Kelce can’t do it all alone. He delegates non-essential tasks to others whenever feasible. For example, Kelce outsources things like home repairs, lawn care, and meal prep to free up more time for family, hobbies, and volunteer work. Delegation is key for maximizing efficiency.
Setting Boundaries
It’s all too easy for work to creep into Kelce’s personal life given his high-profile career. To maintain a healthy separation, he sets clear boundaries, like avoiding any football-related calls or emails during evenings and weekends. Kelce is strict about honoring these boundaries to avoid burnout.
Leveraging Technology
In today’s digital world, technology plays a huge role in streamlining Kelce’s schedule. He relies on calendar apps, to-do lists, and project management tools to stay organized across domains. Social media also helps Kelce connect efficiently with fans, teammates, and causes important to him. Technology optimization is critical for productivity.
Benefits of Optimizing Off-Set Hours
By thoughtfully managing his limited off-set hours, Kelce reaps considerable rewards that extend well beyond football:
Increased Productivity
With a laser focus on the most pressing tasks, Kelce is able to accomplish more meaningful work in less time. This allows him to stay engaged in multiple passions simultaneously.
Improved Work-Life Balance
By maintaining clear boundaries and prioritizing family, Kelce avoids the burnout that plagues many elite athletes. He remains mentally and physically healthy long-term.
Personal Fulfillment
Pursuing varied interests provides Kelce with well-rounded fulfillment that counters the narrow focus required for professional sports. This enrichment improves his quality of life.
Positive Role Model
Kelce demonstrates the importance of balancing a demanding career with relationships, hobbies, and service. His example inspires teammates and fans to prioritize well-being over short-term gains.
In closing, through strategic time management, Jason Kelce is able to pursue his diverse passions, stay engaged with loved ones, give back to others, and avoid burnout – all while performing at an elite level on the football field. His approach shows how optimizing limited off-set hours can enhance productivity, health, and life satisfaction far beyond any game stats. Kelce proves it is possible to excel professionally while maintaining balance in other critical life domains.
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