Tommy Short is a former NCAA Division I men’s basketball official who built an impressive career working across multiple conferences before making the rare decision to step away in his mid-30s — not because he was “done,” but because he was crystal clear on his priorities.

In this in-person sit-down in Times Square, Tommy rewinds the story from his early days getting started at 18, the mentors who shaped him (including John Adams), and the moment he realized he didn’t want to become a “FaceTime dad.” He shares why walking away at the peak of his officiating trajectory was one of the hardest — and best — decisions he’s ever made.

In this episode, we cover:

A year without a cell phone — why he did it, what it taught him, and how it changed his relationship with presence
Internal stillness — what it is, why officials need it, and how to develop it under pressure
Decisiveness + leadership — owning calls and making hard decisions when everything’s loud
Tough conversations — feedback, accountability, and how elite crews communicate
The “boring” habits that create excellence — sleep, preparation, discipline, and consistency
The book + key takeaways — what he wants you to do with these lessons starting now

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times square