Alex Peavey’s Ripple Effect: How NFL Star Russell Wilson’s Former Coach Is Inspiring Others Through The Power Of Presence

Peavey’s outlook is both simple and profound: be fully present, take life one moment at a time, and direct your energy toward the things within your control.

In regard to Peavey’s lasting influence, recalling the lessons he learned from his former coach long before his professional football career began, Wilson said, “I think great coaches are actually great teachers. And ironically, he was probably one of the best teachers I’ve ever had.”

Wilson continued, “Coach Peavy put life into me. He taught me how to think. He taught me how to write. He taught me how to lay out a story with a dream big.

“He was that guy who always believed in me.”

Wilson admitted to being a firm believer in mindfulness.

The former professional football quarterback who played 14 seasons in the NFL described being mindful as the “ability to realign and to be okay with the tough stuff, the challenges, and to reconnect.”

“I think so many of us, we get fearful of this word mindfulness, and what does this mean and everything else. It just means that the ability to realign with the moment over and over and over and over again,” Wilson continued.

“And I think that’s, that can be when you’re fighting cancer, that can be in the middle of a football game or basketball game. That can be in the middle of, you know, a tough day at work or a great day at work. ”

Coach Mike Thompson’s life has also been deeply influenced by Peavey, and he described that impact with a vivid analogy.

RELATED: How Former NFL Star Russell Wilson’s Coach Alex Peavey Uses Mindfulness To Reframe Cancer Pain: ‘I Have Control Over This Moment, Not Tomorrow’

“You drop a pebble in a pond, you never know how far that ripple is going to reach. How he lives his life is different than most people … and I’m drawn to that because I’m a coach, and I’ve got two kids, and I’ve got a family, and life has this tendency to get faster and faster and faster,” Thompson told SurvivorNet.

He explained further, “When you understand how important it is to be able to take a deep breath and lock in on the present moment and to be nonjudgmental about the day-to-day events, there’s great freedom in that, and it slows you down, and it allows you to access yourself in a very authentic way.”

According to Thompson, Peavey’s gift isn’t just coaching—it’s giving people his full attention and listening with intention.

“When you talk to Alex, you get this sense that he’s genuinely listening and he’s not just formulating his response while you’re talking,” Thompson said.

“You know, when you think about legacy, he’s a guy that has changed a lot of lives. There’s young kids that are learning this stuff at a really young age during a time in our lives when anxiety and depression and lack of connection is at an all-time high.”

Thompson then emphasized that the goal is to build a “rock solid” mentality rooted in what he calls “bulletproof confidence” — a mindset defined by staying composed under pressure, communicating with poise, and avoiding emotional highs and lows.

He said true mental strength comes from staying grounded, focused, and fully present in the moment — a mindset that Peavey continues to embody.

The Power of Gratitude: How Cancer Survivors Find Strength in Appreciation

Many cancer survivors who’ve shared their journeys with SurvivorNet speak not only of resilience, but of gratitude. In the face of life-altering diagnoses and grueling treatments, they consistently point to the people, moments, and simple joys that bring light into their lives.

Gratitude—the practice of acknowledging and appreciating the good that remains—can serve as a powerful source of support during the uncertainty of cancer. SurvivorNet experts emphasize that cultivating gratitude may help patients and their families find emotional balance, resilience, and a greater sense of connection throughout their journey.

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has observed the powerful role this mindset can play in helping patients cope with the challenges of treatment.

“The patients who do well with cancer live life with gratitude—not for the disease itself, but for the clarity it brings,” he tells SurvivorNet.

“They’re grateful for the opportunity to understand that life is finite, and that every moment matters.”

As per the National Alliance on Mental Illness, multiple studies show that cultivating gratitude can lead to increased happiness and reduced stress—two critical factors in supporting mental health during treatment.

Practicing gratitude doesn’t require grand gestures. It can be as simple as pausing each day to reflect on what brings you joy or jotting down a few things you’re thankful for in a journal. These small acts can help reframe even the most difficult days, offering a sense of control, hope, and emotional grounding.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

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