Josh Griffis is a defensive end whose football journey spans nearly two decades of elite competition, including at the high school and collegiate levels. From national recognition at IMG Academy to championship success at the Division I level, he has built a reputation for a relentless work ethic, physical dominance, and leadership on and off the field. With All-Conference honors and a top 50 national ranking at his position, Josh Griffis continues to pursue his ultimate goal of earning an NFL Draft selection while strengthening his professional brand and long-term career foundation.
Josh Griffis began playing football at just five years old, developing the fundamentals of the game through Little League and middle school competition. His early physical maturity and advanced football instincts allowed him to lead his high school team in sacks as a freshman, setting the stage for a rapid rise through the recruiting ranks.
He began his collegiate career at Florida State University, where he earned playing time as a true freshman at the Power Five level. Competing against elite national talent accelerated his physical and technical development, sharpening his speed, strength, and game awareness.
Mr. Griffis reached a new level of production at Tarleton State University during the 2023 season. There, he led the team in both sacks and forced turnovers, earning All-Conference honors for his performance.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
A typical day for me starts early. I like having quiet time before the world wakes up so I can map out what I want to accomplish. I focus on physical training and recovery first because taking care of my body keeps everything else in my life running smoothly. After that, I set clear priorities for the day and tackle the hardest tasks first. I stay productive by keeping my goals in front of me, whether that’s improving my craft, networking, or working on long-term opportunities. When I stay disciplined with my routine, the rest of the day falls into place.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by breaking them down into simple, actionable steps. For me, execution is everything. I start by getting the idea out of my head and onto paper so I can see the full picture. Then I look at what resources I have, what skills I need, and who I should involve. Once I start moving, even small progress creates momentum. I’m a big believer in learning by doing; ideas become real when you take that first imperfect step.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited by the growing trend of athletes turning themselves into full brands. With social media and digital platforms, players have more control than ever over their image, opportunities, and career direction. It’s changing the landscape—not just in sports, but in entrepreneurship. Athletes can build businesses, partnerships, and revenue streams that go far beyond the field, and that inspires me.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
The habit that helps me most is creating structure even when life gets chaotic. Whether it’s a workout, a study session, or a business task, I schedule it and stick to it. That consistency keeps me focused, especially during transitions. It’s easy to lose momentum when your environment changes, but discipline fills the gaps when motivation dips.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell my younger self that adversity is not the end of the path—it’s part of the process. I’d remind myself that setbacks are not failures and pressure is a privilege. If I had known earlier how much growth comes from difficult situations, I would’ve embraced challenges with more confidence instead of frustration. Everything you go through ends up shaping you.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe that raw passion can be just as valuable as talent. People like to say talent is everything, but I’ve seen players with unbelievable skill waste their potential because they didn’t have heart. Passion makes you work harder, stay later, and push through injuries, stress, and doubt. To me, passion is the real competitive edge—more than natural ability.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I constantly revisit my goals, even the long-term ones. I think everyone should do the same. When you regularly check in with yourself, you catch mistakes early, you see progress you might’ve otherwise ignored, and you adjust your direction before you drift too far off path. It’s like recalibrating your GPS—if you don’t do it, you end up lost without knowing when it happened.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed, I step away and reset. Usually, I go for a walk, hit a quick workout, or put on music to clear my mind. Once I pull myself out of that state, I come back and break the problem down into the smallest possible tasks. Overwhelm usually comes from thinking too far ahead, so I bring myself back to what I can control right now.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
The strategy that changed everything for me was building real relationships—not just connections. When I take the time to understand people, show up for them, and add value first, opportunities naturally follow. The sports and business world both run on trust, and I’ve grown by focusing more on relationships than transactions.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One failure I experienced was assuming that hard work alone would guarantee the exact outcome I wanted. When things didn’t go as planned, it hit hard. I had to accept that results aren’t always immediate and sometimes not in your control. I overcame it by shifting my mindset to focus on the parts I can control: my effort, my preparation, and my growth. The lesson I took away is that failure isn’t final unless you stop showing up.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A strong business idea is a subscription-based digital training and mentorship platform for young athletes. It would combine personalized workout plans, video breakdowns, mindset coaching, and career guidance, all from current or former athletes who’ve lived the process. Parents are already searching for trustworthy guidance, and players want real insight from people who understand their goals. It’s scalable, needed, and community driven.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I rely heavily on Google Calendar. It sounds simple, but it keeps my entire life organized. I use it to block my day, set reminders, and color-code my schedule so I can see what my week really looks like. It helps me avoid overcommitting and makes sure I stay consistent with both training and professional responsibilities.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I spent recently was on recovery tools like massage balls and mobility gear. It might not seem exciting, but investing in recovery makes a huge difference in performance and longevity. That small purchase pays off every time I train, feeling loose, strong, and pain-free.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
A podcast I get a lot of value from is The Pivot. The conversations are honest, raw, and motivational. They talk about careers, life after sports, challenges, and personal growth. Hearing athletes and leaders open up about their journey gives me perspective and reminds me that everyone faces battles behind closed doors.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Recently, I enjoyed Last Chance U. As someone who’s lived the grind of football, the stories hit hard. It shows the pressure, the passion, and the struggle behind the scenes that most people never see. I respect how real and unfiltered it is, and it motivates me every time I watch it.
Key learnings
- Discipline and structure create long-term success, even during unpredictable periods.
- Passion and mindset can outperform natural talent when combined with consistent effort.
- Building strong relationships opens more opportunities than traditional networking.
- Failure becomes a valuable teacher when approached with adaptability and resilience.
- Breaking big goals into smaller actions helps transform ideas into reality.