Purpose NIL
Purpose NIL is where personal branding meets impact. We help you define your Purpose as your NIL—your Name, Image, and Likeness—and show you how to align it with business opportunities that matter. Monetize Your Purpose NIL. Watch how Purpose NIL transforms the life of University of Oklahoma football player John Locke—showing how aligning purpose with identity can inspire your own journey. Whether you’re a student-athlete, CEO, celebrity, or creative entrepreneur, you’re already monetizing your identity. Now, let’s make sure it’s aligned with your deeper purpose.
Episodes

Wednesday May 28, 2025

Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Description
In this inspiring episode of Purpose NIL, hosts James M. Rink and John Locke take you behind the scenes of spring football training at the University of Oklahoma. John opens up about the pressure and anticipation surrounding the OU Crimson Combine, revealing the high-stakes environment is shaping his mindset and purpose.
Together, they unpack what it means to live with intention—connecting core feelings, and actions to create a life that influences others. John shares the people he’s passionate about impacting-Children, Men, Leaders, and his Family-as he works toward crafting a powerful purpose statement.
Special guest Dr. Maribeth Kuzmeski (aka “Dr. K’), NIL social media expert from Oklahoma State University, joins the conversation to talk all things personal branding. She shares the story behind the creation of OSU’s Brand Squad, explains the biggest social media mistakes college athletes make, and offers practical, game-changing tips for turning online presence into NIL potential.
Plus, John reflects on his experience with the Purpose of You Transformational Assessment and how living with purpose has already elevated his joy, focus, and leadership. Stay tuned for the next episode, whereJohn drafts his personal purpose statement.
Takeaways
John is excited yet nervous about the Crimson Combine.
Spring football training is intense and demanding.
Identifying core feelings helps in defining purpose.
Gratefulness can be found in small moments during practice.
John wants to inspire children to pursue their dreams.
Men face unique pressures that require supportive influences.
Silent leaders play a crucial role in team dynamics.
Family influence is important for John's future aspirations.
A personal purpose statement connects feelings, actions, and people.
Living one's purpose attracts NIL opportunities and followers.
Dr. K created Brand Squad to help athletes with NIL.
Brand Squad has 150 members helping athletes with deals.
Followers are crucial for business deals in NIL.
Social Media Content should go beyond just on-field activities.
Athletes should conduct a brand audit of their social media.
Cleaning up past social media posts is essential.
Social media should reflect the athlete's story.
Engagement rates matter more than just follower counts.
Businesses should consider the athlete's follower demographics.
Consistent and interesting content is key to growing followers.
Living your purpose can significantly enhance joy and happiness.
Quality of life improves when you align with your purpose.
Influencing others, especially children, is a vital aspect of John’s personal purpose.
The Purpose of You assessment helps identify transformative questions.
Personal growth is linked to understanding and living your purpose.
Engagement in meaningful work elevates performance and satisfaction.
Writing a purpose statement is a crucial step in self-discovery.
Sharing experiences can inspire others on their purpose journey.
The journey of purpose is ongoing and evolves over time.
Community and support play a key role in personal transformation.
Recorded on March 28, 2025
John Locke, Norman, OK
Maribeth Kuzmeski, PhD., Stillwater, OK
James M. Rink, Nashville, TN
Purpose NIL 003

Monday May 26, 2025

Wednesday May 21, 2025

Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
In this episode of Purpose NIL, host James M. Rink welcomes back John Locke, a football tight end from the University of Oklahoma, to discuss the journey of becoming NIL entrepreneurs for the greater good. Together, they explore how John’s core feelings, influenced by his parents, shape his passion for football and his future career in finance.
A major highlight includes developing a personal purpose statement by connecting core feelings to actions and people, using the formula: feelings plus actions plus people equal purpose. John shares insights into how passion, inspire, grateful, and invest are ways he lives through football. His passion for winning and his commitment to security are discussed through his role as a tight end.
They also touch on John's academic pursuits in economics and finance, framing his vision for a future in investment banking, and how his core feelings translate into this field. John shares his dreams, achievements, leadership roles, and how he's preparing for his summer internship.
Through anecdotes, such as his impactful trip on Southwest Airlines, John connects personal stories to enhance his NIL brand. The conversation embraces the ever-growing importance of purpose, personal branding, and mental health awareness for student-athletes amidst a global climate of change and uncertainty.
Join them in exploring the authentic journey of identifying core actions and feelings as John unveils pathways for his purpose-driven life, both on and off the field. Discover how to monetize your Purpose NIL.

Monday May 19, 2025

Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Welcome to Purpose NIL, where athletes like John Locke, a promising tight end, discover how to transform their college careers into purposeful NIL brands. This is how we monetize Purpose NIL.
Hosted by purpose coach James M. Rink, this episode delves into John's journey from San Antonio football fields to the University of Oklahoma, driven by family inspiration and personal purpose.
John shares how his family's legacy in football, especially his father and great-grandfather's influence, propelled him to pursue his Oklahoma dream. Despite the challenges of the transfer portal, his family's support, particularly from his mother, provided the security and passion he needed.
Throughout the episode, John explores the importance of understanding and defining purpose, not only in sports but in life. He discusses the role emotions like gratitude, love, and passion play in building his brand identity, and how he plans to inspire others while aligning with businesses sharing similar values.
Join us in this insightful conversation on how purpose can redefine success on and off the field, while also addressing the mental health challenges faced by college athletes in today's competitive environment.

Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
This episode delves into the inspiring journey of John Locke, a junior who committed to the University of Oklahoma in 2025. Following in his great-grandfather's footsteps, John discovered his passion in third grade, driven by a family legacy that connects him deeply to Oklahoma football. Positioned as a tight end, he is notable for his aggressive blocking skills. Now at the University of Oklahoma, John is also focused on enhancing his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Join us as we explore his impactful story on Purpose NIL and his determination to continue a rich family tradition.
Subscribe to "Purpose NIL" on James M. Rank's YouTube channel to catch weekly episodes and witness how legacy and purpose intertwine in Don Block's athletic journey.

Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Welcome to Purpose NIL, where college athletes are transformed into purposeful brands. In this episode, discover our simple yet powerful strategy to help players define their life's purpose and align it with like-minded businesses, creating a monetized NIL brand. Witness John Locke's journey and be inspired to pursue your dreams and purpose. Learn how everyone, whether a college athlete, student, influencer, or CEO, can build careers centered around their personal brands.Subscribe to James M. Brink's YouTube channel for weekly episodes of Purpose NIL. Join us and explore how your name, image, and likeness can become a powerful personal brand.

Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Discover the compelling journey of John Locke, a promising junior who has fulfilled a family legacy by joining the University of Oklahoma's football team. Inspired by his great-grandfather, a former Oklahoma player, John realized from a young age that playing for the Sooners was his true purpose. Now, as a tight end known for his formidable blocking skills, he is ready to make his mark both on the field and in the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Dive into this inspiring tale of tradition, passion, and pursuing dreams, and learn how Don is making his legacy profitable with Purpose NIL.