Jonathan Misura is a dedicated student-athlete from Milltown, New Jersey. He grew up playing baseball, practicing karate, and exploring the outdoors. Now, as a student at East Stroudsburg University, he is balancing academics and athletics while continuing to improve as a pitcher. This summer, he will take on a new challenge, playing for the Syracuse Salt Cats in the New York Collegiate Baseball League. In addition to baseball, Jonathan is an avid snowboarder, certified deep-sea diver, and fisherman. His disciplined approach to life has shaped him into a focused and determined individual, always striving to be his best.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early. I usually wake up around 6:30 AM, eat a solid breakfast, and then head to class. I take my academics seriously, so I make sure to stay engaged and get my assignments done on time. After classes, I head straight to practice or training. I train six days a week, whether it’s throwing, weightlifting, or conditioning. Evenings are usually for studying, reviewing film, and sometimes unwinding with a little fishing if I have the time. Productivity comes from routine. If you stick to a schedule, you won’t waste time wondering what to do next.
How do you bring ideas to life?
For me, everything starts with a plan. Whether it’s a new pitch I’m working on or a strategy for a game, I break it down step by step. I believe in trial and error. You have to test things out, see what works, and adjust. The same applies to school—if I don’t understand something right away, I’ll work at it until I do.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The increasing use of data in sports. Analytics in baseball have changed the way pitchers train and compete. Things like spin rate, release angle, and biomechanics were barely talked about when I was a kid. Now, they’re game-changers. Having access to that kind of information helps me improve in ways that weren’t possible before.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Consistency. Whether it’s studying, training, or even something like diet and sleep, sticking to a routine makes all the difference. If you show up every day and put in the work, you’ll see results.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid of failure. As a pitcher, you learn quickly that failure is part of the game. What matters is how you respond. Instead of getting frustrated, take every mistake as a lesson. The sooner you adopt that mindset, the better.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think too many people focus on talent and not enough on effort. I’ve seen players with incredible natural ability who never reached their full potential because they didn’t put in the work. At the same time, I’ve seen guys who weren’t the most talented but worked harder than anyone and became great. I’ll always bet on work ethic over talent.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Take care of your body. Whether you’re an athlete or not, eating right, staying active, and getting enough sleep will improve every part of your life. It’s not just about performance—it’s about feeling good and staying healthy.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take a step back and reset. If I’m stressed, I’ll go fishing, go for a run, or even just take a few minutes to breathe and clear my head. I’ve learned that trying to power through when your mind isn’t in the right place usually makes things worse. Sometimes, taking a break helps you come back stronger.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Listening to feedback. Whether it’s from a coach, professor, or teammate, I always try to learn from what others see in me. Sometimes, we don’t recognize our own strengths and weaknesses until someone else points them out.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I’ve had games where I completely lost control on the mound. It’s one of the worst feelings as a pitcher. The key is to move on and learn from it. After a bad game, I analyze what went wrong, fix what I can, and then let it go. You can’t dwell on the past if you want to improve.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A personalized data-driven training app for athletes. It could use AI to track progress, suggest workouts, and analyze performance. We already have tools like this, but a fully customizable version for athletes of all levels would be useful.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use video analysis software to study my pitching mechanics. Breaking down your motion frame by frame helps catch small details you wouldn’t notice in real time. It’s like having a personal coach 24/7.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant. Even though it’s about basketball, his mindset applies to everything—sports, work, and life. He was obsessed with improvement, and that’s something I try to apply to my own life.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently rewatched Moneyball. It’s about baseball, but more importantly, it’s about seeing things differently and finding new ways to win. I like stories where people go against the norm and succeed by thinking outside the box.
Key learnings
- Work Ethic Matters More Than Talent – Jonathan believes that putting in consistent effort will always lead to success, even if you’re not the most naturally gifted.
- Failure is a Learning Opportunity – Every mistake is a chance to improve. Instead of dwelling on losses, focus on what can be learned and applied next time.
- Routine and Discipline Lead to Success – Whether in academics, sports, or personal growth, sticking to a plan and staying consistent is the key to making progress.