There were no cell phones or whistles present on today’s show, as I sat down with Tommy Short, a former Division 1 and Team USA basketball referee and now motivational speaker, author, and founder of Think Better Perform Better, who shares his transformative journey of living without a cell phone for an entire year.

Tommy discusses the drive behind his decision, which stemmed from a career traveling as a college basketball referee and the realization that his priorities were misaligned.

Highlighting the psychological and practical lessons learned during this period, Tommy emphasizes the importance of intentionality, presence, and reconnection with oneself and others.

He also touches on many of his professional experiences, including officiating for Team USA Basketball during two Olympic runs, and the value of failures in shaping one's future.

This episode also gets into the broader implications of cell phone dependency and addiction and offers actionable insights for listeners to cultivate meaningful connections and prioritize their time effectively.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. 

You are going to learn about:

• Tommy’s Experiences as a College Basketball and Team USA Referee

• The Benefits of Living Without a Cell Phone for a Year

• Implications of Cell Phone Dependency

Thank you to our partners:
NCW
Huse Culinary

Check out these great clips from the show:
01:18 Guest Introduction: Tommy Short, Think Better Perform Better
02:40 Tommy's Refereeing Journey
05:40 Lessons from Officiating
13:22 Team USA Experience
22:48 The Decision to Quit Officiating
29:25 The Decision to Go Phone-Free
29:49 Planning and Preparation
30:57 Starting the Journey
33:11 Media and Publicity
36:11 Challenges and Reflections
40:18 Life Without a Phone
42:50 The Impact of Writing
58:06 The Role of Silence
01:02:28 Reflecting on Grandmother's Stories
01:03:30 The Art of Asking Questions
01:06:30 Impactful Lessons from a Year Without a Phone
01:09:55 The Importance of Being Present
01:11:37 Indiana Pride and Rapid Fire Questions