Coach Rod Ray has spent 25 years building more than a tennis program at Wofford College—he's built people. From raising a son with autism to shaping young athletes into future leaders, this episode dives into how Hard Comes First—and why the reward is always deeper than the scoreboard. This conversation will move you, challenge you, and make you think about your own definition of greatness.
What happens when a driven competitor is faced with something he can’t fix?
Coach Rod Ray has coached at Wofford College for over two decades, leading Division I tennis players to success on and off the court. But what’s shaped him even more than competition is something far deeper— raising a son with autism, building resilience through difficulty, and learning to love people where they are.
In this episode, Dr. Chris Huff sits down with Coach Rod to talk about:
This is an episode for every parent, leader, coach, and dreamer who’s ever wondered if it’s worth staying in the hard.
Spoiler: It is.
Rod Ray is a bestselling author and active Division 1 college coach whose message is flipping the script on what it means to compete.
With over 25 years on the frontlines of college athletics, Rod continues to shape athletes and leaders with a unique philosophy: that the strongest competitors are the ones who care the most.
His work invites us to reimagine success, not as a solo grind, but as a purpose-driven path rooted in love, courage, and connection. Whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or just someone trying to become more of who you were meant to be—Rod’s message will move you to lead differently.
📘 Book: Hard Comes First
🔗 Website: hardcomesfirst.com
📸 Instagram: @rod_r_ray
🐦 Twitter: @Rod_R_Ray
📩 Blog: Join the Winning Team (sign up at hardcomesfirst.com)
Books:
Past Show Mentioned:
Stats Shared:
Organizations Mentioned:
Work with me: Premier Cardiovascular Health
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.huff.9480
Instagram: @hufcm