Crusoe Gongbay is an athlete, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who uses his platform and resources to help different causes and organizations, especially those around Washington D.C. He is the CFO of Big Victories LLC and the founder of CK Investors, as well as an experienced stock trader, real estate investor, and business consultant.
Crusoe was born in Rockville, Maryland, and his mother notes that he always had a lot of talents and was a hard worker from a young age. He started playing sports like basketball, football, track, and soccer at an early age and also learned how to play the clarinet. In addition to his extracurriculars, he also worked at a pizza shop and would help fix his family’s computer or plumbing when there were issues.
An athlete, he always had a passion for sports and competition. He started playing soccer when he was younger. At 13 years old, a football coach saw his speed and decided to introduce him to football at an organized level, and Crusoe fell in love with the game. He played running back and safety in high school. When it came time for college, he had several scholarship offers but ultimately chose the University of New Mexico.
In 2017, Crusoe decided to put his talents and skills to use by establishing CK Investors, which offers courses on financial literacy, cryptocurrency, and real estate investing. The organization also lends money and provides credit usage to a small group of individuals.
Later on, he also began working with Big Victories LLC, a firm that provides marketing expertise and services to companies and individuals. They’ve also recently launched the Big Victories Podcast, where they interview athletes, business experts, and other inspiring people to tell their stories of triumph while also encouraging listeners to achieve their own goals.
Outside work, Crusoe enjoys going on new adventures and has traveled to over 46 different countries. As a result of his travels, he has acquired new skills and expertise, and while he enjoys going on new trips, he is always cautious to plan ahead and avoid compromising his job.
A devout Catholic, Crusoe is also very involved in his faith and does a lot of charitable work. He has also been working with Villa Therese Clinic, a non-profit health clinic in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The clinic provides free or low-cost healthcare to those in need, and Crusoe has been helping with the clinic’s marketing and fundraising efforts.
How did you develop a passion for sports?
I started playing soccer when I was young and I really enjoyed it. When I was thirteen, a football coach saw my speed and decided to introduce me to football. I loved the physicality of the sport and the feeling of scoring touchdowns. From then on, I knew that I wanted to be a professional football player.
What outside sources of inspiration do you have for your career?
I get a lot of my inspiration from my family and friends. They are always pushing me to be the best that I can be and to never give up on my dreams. I also get inspiration from other athletes who have overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. Their stories remind me that anything is possible if you work hard enough and never give up.
How have you dealt with injuries throughout your career?
I’ve had 3 major injuries in my career. One was to my foot while the other two were to my knees. Surgery and rehab can be tough, but I’ve always tried to stay positive and focused on coming back stronger than ever. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to overcome these injuries and continue playing the sport that I love.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment as an athlete?
My biggest accomplishment as an athlete was being drafted into the NFL. It was a dream come true and it showed me that all of my hard work had paid off. It was a moment that I will never forget.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the competition and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with playing football. I also enjoy playing with my teammates and representing my city and team. It’s a great feeling to know that you’re part of something bigger than yourself and that you’re helping to bring joy to other people.
In addition, I’m happy to know that I inspire others, whether it be through my football career or other work that I do like investing, podcasts, etc. It’s fulfilling to know that I can have a positive impact on other people’s lives.
How would you go about creating a game plan?
Before anything else, always remember to start by getting plenty of rest and hydration at night. This is the time when your body and mind recover from the day’s activities so you can be at your best for the game.
Creating a game plan is all about understanding your opponent and what they’re trying to do. You need to study film and look for tendencies so that you can be prepared for what they’re going to do. It’s also important to have a good understanding of your own team’s strengths and weaknesses so that you can put them in a position to succeed. Once you have all of this information, you can start to develop a plan of attack. It’s important to be flexible and make adjustments as needed because the game is always changing.
What would you say is your biggest strength as an athlete?
My biggest strength as an athlete is my determination. I’ve never been the biggest or strongest player, but I’ve always been one of the most determined. I’ve had to work hard for everything that I’ve achieved and I never give up. This has allowed me to overcome obstacles and continue achieving my goals.
How have the characteristics that you developed as an athlete helped you in your entrepreneurial career?
I think the biggest thing that I’ve taken from my athletic career is the importance of hard work. I’ve always been willing to put in the extra work to be successful. Whether it’s working out, studying film, or networking, I’m always willing to do what it takes to be successful. I think this work ethic has helped me a lot in my entrepreneurial career.
Another thing that I’ve taken from my athletic career is the importance of teamwork. In football, you can’t win without a good team. I’ve tried to build strong teams in my businesses and it’s been a key to my success. I think that the ability to work well with others is something that has helped me a lot in my career.
Do athletes and entrepreneurs deal with failures the same way? How so?
I think athletes and entrepreneurs deal with failures differently because they have different mindsets. Athletes are used to dealing with failure because it’s a part of the game. They know that they can’t win every game or every competition, so they’re used to dealing with disappointment. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, often have a different mindset. They’re often driven by the desire to be successful and they don’t always deal with failure well. I think it’s important for entrepreneurs to learn from their failures so that they can improve and become successful.
What do athletes need to know about the business world in order to be successful?
I think athletes need to understand that the business world is different than the world of sports. They need to be willing to learn new things and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of business. They also need to build strong relationships and always be networking. If they can do these things, I think they’ll be successful in business.
How do you think athletes can use their competitive nature to succeed in business?
I think athletes can use their competitive nature to succeed in business by always striving to be the best. They need to set high standards for themselves and always be working to improve. They also need to be willing to put in the extra work to be successful. If they can do these things, I think they’ll be successful in business.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment as an entrepreneur?
My biggest accomplishment as an entrepreneur is building a successful business from scratch. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s been very rewarding to see the company grow and succeed. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and I’m excited about the future.
What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?
I love the challenge of being an entrepreneur. I’m always looking for new ways to grow and improve my businesses. I also enjoy the freedom that comes with being an entrepreneur. I can make my own decisions and set my own schedule. It’s a great feeling to be in control of my own destiny.
As an athlete who has made the transition to entrepreneurship, what piece of advice would you give to other athletes who are looking to do the same?
I would advise other athletes to be prepared for a lot of hard work. It’s not easy to build a successful business from scratch. You need to be willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen. I would also advise athletes to surround themselves with a good team of people who can help them achieve their goals. Having a strong support system is important for any entrepreneur.
Is creating a game plan for your business career as important as creating a game plan for your athletic career? How so?
I think creating a game plan is just as important for your business career as it is for your athletic career. You need to know what you want to achieve and how you’re going to achieve it. Without a game plan, it’s easy to get off track and lose sight of your goals. Having a plan gives you a roadmap to success and keeps you focused on what’s important.
Did you have the same motivation in sports and in business?
No, I would say that my motivation has changed over time. When I was playing sports, my motivation was to win and be the best player that I could be. Now, as an entrepreneur, my motivation is to build a successful business and make a positive impact on the world. I’m still competitive and I want to be successful, but my motivation has shifted from winning to making a difference.
What are your future goals?
My future goal is to continue to have a successful football career and to help others. I want to continue to invest in businesses and create opportunities for others. I also want to continue to grow our podcast and use it as a platform to inspire and motivate other people. Lastly, I want to continue to give back to my community through my work with the Villa Therese Catholic Clinic and the Boys & Girls Club.
As for my goals for traveling, I want to see as much of the world as possible. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit some amazing places, but there are still so many more that I want to see. I think it’s important to experience different cultures and learn about different people and their way of life. Travel has always been a huge passion of mine and I hope to continue doing it for many years to come.
What is your favorite quote?
“The Lord is my savior.” This quote is important to me because it reminds me that no matter what happens in life, God is always there for me. It gives me strength and comfort knowing that I am never alone. This quote has helped me through some tough times and I hope it can help others who are going through tough times as well.