Alex Smith: Resilience, Adversity & the Courage to Keep Going

Flag Hunters Golf Podcast

Flag Hunters Golf Podcast
Alex Smith: Resilience, Adversity & the Courage to Keep Going
Sep 24, 2026 Jesse Perryman

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Alex Smith joins the Flag Hunters Golf Podcast for a deeply personal conversation about resilience, adversity, identity, and what it means to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go according to plan.

From the instability of his early years with the San Francisco 49ers, to losing his starting position while playing some of the best football of his career, to the devastating leg injury that threatened far more than his ability to play football, Alex’s journey is an extraordinary study in perseverance.

But this conversation goes beyond football.

We explore how Alex handled uncertainty, remained a teammate through disappointment, rebuilt trust in himself and his body, and discovered what adversity can teach us about character.

And through the lens of golf, we examine something every athlete—and every human being—eventually confronts: How do we respond when the outcome is no longer ours to control?

This is a conversation about competing, suffering, perspective, gratitude, and taking the next step—even when you can’t see where the road leads.

One play at a time. One shot at a time. One day at a time.

— Jesse Perryman
The Flag Hunters Golf Podcast


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To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, justin@elitegolfswing.com

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

Episode Artwork Alex Smith: Resilience, Adversity & the Courage to Keep Going 52:30 Episode Artwork Steve Young: What Super Bowl Pressure Can Teach You About The Mental Side of Golf 43:34 Episode Artwork Ball Striking Truth From Golf Swing Legends. In Conversation with John Erickson and Greg McHatton 1:22:59 Episode Artwork Mike Bender On Efficient Swings And Better Practice 1:03:01 Episode Artwork Quiet Confidence Wins Golf. In Conversation with Mark Immelman 1:01:49 Episode Artwork Finish First Golf Mindset. A conversation with Greg Jones 58:06 Episode Artwork Your Inner Critic Is A Tool If You Treat It Like One. In Conversation with Alex Rose 53:55 Episode Artwork Your Thoughts Can Show Up And You Can Still Play. In Conversation with Karl Morris 57:22 Episode Artwork How To Train Your Nervous System For Better Golf ! In Conversation with Dr. Callan Lichtenauer 49:30 Episode Artwork A Great Golf Swing Is Whatever Helps You Score. In Conversation with Marc Kawasoe 53:53 Episode Artwork From Swiss Winters To Stanford Titles To Pro Golf. In Conversation with Stanford alum and 2x National Champion Caroline Sturdza 46:09 Episode Artwork Training Your Nervous System for High Pressure. In Conversation with Tanya Oliver 1:19:52 Episode Artwork What If Your Hands Are The Missing Piece 1:02:00 Episode Artwork What If You Stopped Chasing Perfect Swings. A Talk with Henrik Lundqvist 54:42 Episode Artwork Stop Chasing The Perfect Swing ! In Conversation with Adam Young 56:05 Episode Artwork Learn To Play Your C Game And Still Win. In Conversation with Dan Abrahams 48:18 Episode Artwork How Grip Size And Weight Change Your Swing 46:41 Episode Artwork Are You Chasing A Better Swing Or A Better Score 1:08:43 Episode Artwork Charlie Beljan Explains How Better Decisions Lower Your Scores Fast 1:09:12 Episode Artwork Stop Chasing The Perfect Putting Stroke ! In Conversation With Bruce Rearick 1:12:17 Episode Artwork From OU Walk-On To Mo Norman Protege: Todd Graves On Consistency, Club Fitting, And Power 48:31 Episode Artwork From Singapore To The Asian Tour. In Conversation with James Leow 52:05 Episode Artwork Backs That Swing Free 51:16 Episode Artwork From Tour Wins To Teaching Mastery. A conversation with 3x Asian Tour winner Terry Pilkaderis 1:11:52 Episode Artwork How A 55-Year-Old Long Drive Champ Trains Power, Mobility, And Longevity 1:21:32