Meet Élon Paige

We were lucky to catch up with Élon Paige recently and have shared our conversation below.

Élon, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I believe that when we truly find our life purpose the function isn’t reserved for our own benefit, but becomes impactful and significant in its utility to uplift others. Thus, at a young age I recognized that simply living to indulge and fulfill personal desire would never amount to me reaching my full potential as the leader that my parents raised me to be. We can often get in our own way when God is trying to direct us towards His plan that will help many more people vs. solely satisfying ‘me’. Football was my life and my ultimate pursuit. I was blessed with a father who played 10 years in the NFL; there was an inner expectation and longing to be like him. I believed it was I born to do and I just copied whatever I saw him do. While I may have enjoyed success within the sport I realized that the end goal wasn’t to play the game at a high level while gaining fame, notoriety, or wealth, but to utilize the space as a ministry and become a counselor, mentor, and faith-centered asset for to alter hearts within locker rooms, coaching offices, families, and beyond. Through the exceptional guidance of my parents I was able to procure an awareness of my gifts to serve and provide practical and nonmaterial solutions to others. As early as middle school I began to recognize how teammates, friends, teachers, and coaches were drawn to my optimistic demeanor, joyfulness, kindness, and willingness to engage in insightful dialogue. Those seeds were watered daily as I was being molded for something bigger than myself. Voluntarily walking away from the sport allowed me to become what God purposed and needed me to be vs. what I wanted and selfishly desired. While difficult at first I fully found my purpose when I allowed humility and obedience within my faith to lead the way over self-interest. My purpose in life is to show others how to walk into theirs. I believe God blessed me with a gift to bridge the improbable and exercise communication skills to invite helpful perspective to the world. No matter the socio-economic background, skin color, religion/non-religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal attachments and constructs – I will always see and interact with people with love in their pure humanity as God sees them. The position of where I am today in terms of serving others and being an asset for positivity and growth is confirmation that such a purpose is fulfilled.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’ve been blessed to have an amazing upbringing and life journey under the guidance of my parents and so many great role-models. I am a product of that God-centered environment and I always have prioritized my faith into every aspect of my being. I haven’t objectively struggled in life and I understand the importance of abstaining from complaint. There are people in this world who are subject to deep poverty, severe trauma, life-threatening medical ailments, and other adverse circumstances; who am I to speak as if my life is even close to as bad as theirs. I recognize the privilege and good will that I am chanced to have experienced. With favor comes a responsibility to assist those who do not share the same life conditions. I recognized the privilege of being the son of a professional athlete; I understand the access to resources, experiences, intimate insight, and platforms that many may not have. I understand that I am second and not above anyone. I watched my father sign autographs for fans hours after a game. I watched him visit kids in hospitals and attend many charity events. I grew up having a mom take my siblings and I down to the homeless shelter to interact with and serve the citizens. My parents raised me to use what I have been blessed with to be a blessing to others. I wasn’t ever taught to be intolerant, to dismiss, to shame, to harshly judge, or to blame people for the complex societal plagues that they endure – all I have been instructed to do in my life is to love, to serve, to plant, and to assertively inject my agency where assistance is needed. That premise foundationally established who I am today.

Growing up in Kansas City was amazing and I have many great memories. That introduction at a young age of watching my father and his team inspired me to have the dream of playing professionally one day. I have always been self-motivated and detail-oriented (which transfers great to entrepreneurship) and through middle school and high school I put forth my best effort to be great on and off the field. I prioritized academics with the knowing that a sports scholarship wasn’t ever guaranteed. I stayed out of trouble behaviorally and selected like-minded peers to build great friendships. On the field I was a late-bloomer due to being a year younger than everyone (I graduated at 17), but once the physicality caught up I began to assume the role of a standout. I thankfully endured the joys of being recruited by a plethora of division one colleges. I ultimately decided to play football on scholarship at Sacramento State where one of my father’s college teammates was the coach – I felt really comfortable there. Unfortunately, he was let go my sophomore year. Due to not being one of the new coaches players my opportunities to play dwindled and upon graduation I decided to transfer with one season remaining. Playing at Southwest Baptist in tiny Bolivar, Missouri was the best 4 months I ever enjoyed in sports. The coaches, players, and community were all amazing and it was a family there.

The experience of enduring through the highs and lows of sports definitely provided a great testimony to pass along to future mentees who decided to pursue the same path of college and professional sports. I think one of the most powerful tools we can develop as individuals is the ability to lose in life and be content. It’s that confidence and inner peace that allows us to focus on the forthcoming response. I also learned through sports that just because you are good in something or possess a great talent that doesn’t mean that is your endpoint. More often than not that skill creates a channel towards something even greater than you can imagine.

After a solid final college year on the field I decided to sign with an agent and enter the 2010 NFL draft. I moved back to my hometown of Fresno, CA and trained with Ricky Manning Jr. who was a Chicago Bears defensive back at the time. I had a great pro day in front of the NFL, but the likelihood of being signed was extremely low due to me not having much college production. After the draft I signed with a professional arena league team in Washington and had some success there. I also played in San Jose and finally in Nebraska where I decided to make a life change and fully pursue the life God wanted for me.

Upon walking away from the game of football in my mid 20’s and immersing into my company, Purpose Field, which I had legally formed while still playing professionally. All I had was a vision – serve people with kindness, lead with integrity, and create other leaders who will expand the ministry that I started. I began my journey in the athletic space as an unpaid volunteer coach at a local high school. A few of the players took a liking to my positive demeanor and faith-based approach and inquired about physical training and mentorship. Those were the first two official mentees of our program. I was able to acquire access to an athletic space where we could hold our personal counseling sessions and unpack the daily dealings of life and performance. My goal was to build trust and establish personal relationships that produce growth. I aimed to establish myself as a prime role-model in the lives of every athlete I connected with. There are so many different emotions, tasks, and expectations that we place on ourselves as athletes on and off the field of play. My role is to teach mentees how to manage through life challenges and find balance that leads to great outcomes. My role it to be a present voice of reason. My role is to provide honest counsel via a combination of faith-based and practical principles.

From the first two mentees back in 2013 the expansion has been exceptional to witness. We currently mentor and serve over 200 athletes ranging from various sports and professional, collegiate, and highs school/youth divisions. One of the greatest feelings is to see our mentees empowering their own circles in the same way that Purpose Field empowered them. Purpose Field is a family of leaders who place character at the forefront. While accolades and accomplishments are great we understand that using our gifts to change the world is priority. We engage in various community service projects, speaking engagements, youth events, sports camps, and club sports. To be known as a Purpose Field mentee is to be held in high esteem, honor, and distinguishment.

One of the biggest keys I stress to our mentees is utilizing our platform to spread positivity. In a world where filth, conflict, and negativity gets pushed to the forefront of the algorithms I challenge myself and others to be counters and offer a genuine, life-giving stream of ideas and inspiration. Content creation is a primary method that we use to inspire, uplift, and share great wisdom to help the general public find peace and direction. We constantly share posts on all mediums to plant seeds into hearts and influence growth. We have a recurring segment called Ministry Moments where our mentees share personal stories of overcoming adversity and offer their support towards others. I believe harnessing media to tell authentic stories can be a growth-inducing device for so many individuals. I am humbly in request regularly to speak at churches, local businesses, and schools where I provide messages of positivity and perspective.

We are grateful to have such a wonderful group of families in our program and we seek to serve many more in the future as we hire great mentors to keep up with the heavy demand for our services. As growth continues we seek to build a new facility to serve as functional space for sports development/therapy, academic productivity, podcasting/content creation, concerts, youth conferences, and more.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Serve with integrity. It’s not about gaining monetarily. It’s not about views or the limelight. It’s not about winning. It’s not about you. Prioritize people and you will walk into your purpose.

Listen with intent. When we actively listen we allow our perspective, assumptions, and biases to have a seat. I cannot truly serve someone if I am contained to how I feel. Acquiring the true nature of an individual’s position offers me a chance to understand and thus become an asset for change.

Patience wins the day. Nothing in life gained quickly is worth much value. Endurance and perseverance are great builders of faith and provide future counters for adversity.

To improve in these areas:

Integrity – practice setting goals where the outcome doesn’t always elevate self

Listening – practice silence and affirmation over response and compulsion

Patience – practice being still (not being in control) and disengage from anxiety and worry

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Per my faith the Bible has been my strongest asset to lean on whether in school, sports, business, or personal relationships:

“Your faith will be put to the test. You know that when that happens it will produce in you the strength to continue.” – James 1:3

This verse was taped on my college locker. It gave me an inner peace to know that no matter what goes on in life there is a molding process that is taking place. As long as I am in God’s hands I am structured to finish the race.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

In a world where ‘good’ may not be as celebrated or often seen I must observe the masses and do the opposite. It’s easy to look to the left or right and see the shiny nature of not following God’s will. It’s easy to get discouraged because it feels like you are always out of place. Know that the harvest is coming and good seeds will produce great fruit.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10

This is my life command. In all that I do and with all that I have work to be a blessing and light in the world.

I hold myself accountable to these principles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.purposefield.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purposefield
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1PurposeField1
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/purpose_field
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/elonpaige