What do you do when the dream doesn’t go as planned?

In this episode of The Other Side of Success, Tyler Rutledge sits down with his good friend Blake Smith — a former Mississippi State relief pitcher whose story is packed with grit, humility, and lessons that go far beyond the baseball field.

Blake’s journey took him from small-town Alabama to junior college records, to walking on at Mississippi State, and ultimately standing on the mound in the SEC. Along the way, he faced rejection from his childhood dream school, battled through injury, and learned what it really means to trust God’s plan when life throws a curveball.

Now a successful State Farm agent, husband, and father of three, Blake shares how the highs and lows of baseball prepared him for business ownership, leadership, and family life.

We cover:

• Moving schools at 14 for a shot at college baseball — and the pressure that came with it

• Being told by Alabama coaches he “wasn’t good enough”… and proving otherwise

• Setting the ERA record at Shelton State and walking on at Mississippi State

• The torn UCL that ended his senior season — and how it turned him into a mentor instead of a player

• Why character outlasts talent, in sports and in business

• How Blake redefines success today as a husband, father, and leader

Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or someone chasing a dream in business, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success, resilience, and what truly lasts.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Blake Smith turned rejection, injury, and uncertainty into faith, perseverance, and leadership.

Show Sponsors and Links:

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