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Fueled By ‘Mental Toughness, Former NFL Player Roy Hall Jr.Turns to Motivational Speaking

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4 years ago

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Roy Hall, Jr., a former NFL player with the Lions, Saints, and Colts painfully accepted that after four years in the NFL, he had to move on. In 2007, Hall’s rookie season came to a rough ending after a violent head-to-head collision during a routine kickoff, with Cedric Killings of the Houston Texans. “I ended up with a third-degree shoulder separation, and Cedric unfortunately suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck,” Hall shared in a previous interview with Disrupt Magazine.

While Killings went on to retire, Hall had a different, challenging pathway ahead of him on his journey towards recovery, which began in 2008. “I had a knee scope and had complications that kept me out for 12 games, followed by a microfracture surgery the following year, which forced me to miss the entire season,” he told Big Time Daily.

In 2010, Hall was released by the Saints after tearing muscles in his hip, ultimately ending his professional career in the NFL. “For three seasons, I watched how people reacted when I told them I was hurt, or exposed teams to my injury history. I watched how players reacted to their own rehab,” noticing how some worked extremely hard, while others were trapped in depression.

“Life is 10-percent what happens to you, and 90-percent of how you respond to it,” Hall told Big Time Daily. “There are things in life that happen in which you have no control over, but what you can control is your response when things don’t go your way. When adversity strikes, if you respond the right way, adversity can give you an advantage. Some people call it a chip on your shoulder. I just think it gives you stronger shoulders to hold up more weight that’s trying to push you down.”

Hall, an Ohio-native and the co-founder and Executive Director of the Driven Foundation, now spends his time taking those tough lessons and translating them for a corporate audience to help companies of all sizes across the country motivate and train their people.

“Today’s climate has really inspired me to do my best to be a light,” he emphasized. “Tough conversations have to be had. Tough meetings need to be had.  Companies across the country bring me in to speak to their employees and executive teams about diversity and inclusion, and provide perspective. They hire me to motivate and inspire – translating the toughest lessons from my football career to drive employees in a corporate environment. I’m more inspired than ever to speak and train professionals to just be better people.”

Hall revealed that during his time in the NFL, the organization taught him “how to leverage [his] platform for something greater than [himself],” turning to motivational speaking and community empowerment. The former NFL player regularly speaks in cities like Las Vegas with a room full of professionals.

“I’m the middle man. I’m the connector. I introduce privilege to poverty. I get people to serve that have more to give than most. What you have can either be taken away, or given away. It’s much better to give than to have something taken from you. Purpose is service.”

And that service continues to flow into his community.  Hall started the Driven Foundation back in 2008 with his former Ohio State teammate, Antonio Smith, to provide families with basic needs to combat poverty and promote independence.

Over the last 12 years, Hall and Smith have distributed over 1.25 million pounds of free food to over 9,000 Ohio families. They have also created their own leadership and character building curriculum, called Youth Leadership, which is another component to the Driven Foundation. The curriculum is tailored to students in 5th-12th grade, where both Hall and Smith work with over 30 middle-schools and high-schools throughout Ohio.

“Each year we also distribute over 500 backpacks filled with school supplies, while donating 100 winter coats to students in need. Whatever we didn’t have as kids, we do our best to lighten that load for families in Ohio.”

Hall’s favorite topics as part of the Youth Leadership curriculum are those that involve “improving your attitude so that you feel like a winner every day” and “how to respond maturely when things don’t go your way.”

“…these are lessons that they can not only use to help them academically but will help them for the rest of their lives. Having former NFL players and local executives take on the roles as ‘coaches’ for these students is huge. Not only are they getting the information, but they are hearing from people that have done or are doing what their dreams are.”

To Hall’s point, individuals must be trained on how to respond to different situations, specifically when it comes to responding to challenges that aren’t always expected.

“For perspective there are 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States and 40,521 nonprofits in just Ohio! The organizations doing the good in communities and for humanity are all competing against one another. However, Hall’s belief is that “…giving to others is how you get ahead. It’s also how you give people opportunities for them to get back on their feet.”

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Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

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Lifestyle

How Magic Moment Resort Became the Pioneer of a New Era: The First-Ever Dazzler Select by Wyndham

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1 week ago

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November 25, 2025

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In Central Florida’s packed landscape of family hotels and theme park lodgings, a unique kind of property has emerged. Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club in Orlando is earning attention from traveling families for a simple reason. It delivers joy, warmth, and convenience at a smart value that keeps Disney dreams accessible rather than overwhelming.

By joining Wyndham, Magic Moment Resort unlocks the strength of a global powerhouse, gaining worldwide visibility, advanced technology, and access to Wyndham Rewards, the largest hotel loyalty program on the planet. This strategic move expands its reach, builds guest trust, and amplifies its impact, all while preserving the unique identity that sets it apart.

Just a short drive from the gates of Walt Disney World, the resort sits along the palm-framed stretch of West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. The location has long been known for its tourism bustle, yet Magic Moment has carved out a softer identity. It feels playful and colorful, but also intentional. It is designed by a family for other families, and that perspective shapes every experience on the property.

A Philosophy Rooted in Family Connection 

Magic Moment Resort was built with a belief often forgotten in today’s tourism industry. Family vacations should feel uplifting instead of stressful, and affordability should not come at the expense of comfort or creativity.

Check-in feels more personal than transactional. Parents arrive with strollers, snacks, and tired children. The staff seems to understand this rhythm instinctively. The energy is warm, the pace is easy, and the tone is set long before anyone even enters the room.

Unlike competing hotels that charge a steep premium for proximity to the parks, Magic Moment focuses on smart value without compromise. Its pricing strategy is refreshingly straightforward. Families can stay five minutes from Disney without draining their travel budgets. For many guests, that difference helps shift resources from hotel costs to experiences. It means more character breakfasts, more souvenirs, and more freedom to enjoy the parks without financial tension following every decision.

Spaces Designed for Children and Considerate of Parents

Magic Moment is filled with color, but nothing feels overstimulating. Instead, the resort offers a sense of wonder scaled to a child’s imagination.

The themed family rooms are a highlight. Children step into rooms that feel lighthearted and whimsical, yet parents appreciate that they are also functional and comfortable. It is the atmosphere of a themed suite without the theme park price.

Its Kids Club and Teens Club reflect that same thoughtful balance. These spaces invite exploration and creativity for children and provide a nurturing level of supervision. Parents can enjoy an hour by the heated pool, relax in a shaded cabana, or simply take a quiet moment while knowing their children are safe and engaged.

The resort’s grounds encourage slow mornings and gentle afternoons.There’s a 30,000 sqf outdoor playground as well as peaceful corners for parents. Importantly, families are not asked to pay additional fees to enjoy them. Magic Moment’s amenities feel generous rather than transactional.

Unforgettable Days at the Parks

For families navigating a Disney vacation, convenience is often the true luxury. Magic Moment delivers this with a complimentary delicious hot breakfast that encourages everyone to sit and enjoy the start of the day rather than rush through it.

Transportation to the parks is included, which removes one of the most common stress points for visiting families. There is no parking lot maze and no long lines at the toll booths. Guests simply board the shuttle and begin their day with ease.

When the sun sets and everyone returns from a day of rides and parades, the resort becomes a place to unwind. Children head straight for the pool. Parents sip Starbucks coffee. The atmosphere is relaxed and bright, and the resort feels like an extension of the Disney experience rather than a pause from it.

A Value That Resonates with Families

What truly elevates Magic Moment is the balance it achieves between smart value and experience. The resort has cultivated a loyal following because guests feel they receive more than they pay for. More thoughtful design. More space for connection. More comfort without excess.

Affordability here does not signal minimalism. Instead, it allows families to breathe. It creates space for shared moments that are often overlooked in the rush of theme-park vacations. Children play freely. Parents unwind without guilt. Families spend more time together and less time navigating logistics.

A Resort Built with Heart

Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club stands out in a region overflowing with hospitality options. Its charm is not rooted in extravagance. It is grounded in sincerity. It reflects the belief that family travel should feel joyful, accessible, and full of color.

For families planning a Disney visit, it represents more than a place to sleep. It is a retreat where memories can form in the quiet moments as much as in the thrilling ones.

At Magic Moment, the greatest luxury is not an amenity. It is the feeling of being exactly where you are meant to be, together.

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