Kevin Carroll is one of those responsible for Nike, a company started by a runner and his coach. Theirs was a vision for better athletic footwear, and was started for just $1000.

Famous for the Swoosh logo, Nike products are sold in 140 countries worldwide. So it is a good thing that Kevin Carroll speaks 5 languages in addition to English! With an undergrad degree in speech communication, and master's studies in sports medicine, he was a high school health educator before becoming head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent 10 years as an Air Force translator, and is now known as Nike's Katalyst - nurturing the company, provoking new ways of thinking, and motivating and inspiring the entire organization. He travels around the world promoting the culture and spirit of Nike, and has developed a deep understanding of team dynamics and interpersonal communication.

As a "Katalyst" for Nike, it's Kevin Carroll's job to nurture and care for the company's inner spirit, provoke new ways of thinking, and motivate and inspire - the entire organization. It's a mighty tall order, but Carroll's got game. "I'm the conscience, the voice, and the connector of the company," he explains. "I travel around the world to promote the culture and the spirit of Nike." With unparalleled enthusiasm and dynamic charm, Carroll illuminates his journey toward understanding his "personal magic," and shows how to maximize your possibilities and discover a holistic approach to developing human potential.

Carroll provokes significant change and interaction. His job is never to be in his office, but to be out and about interacting with people inside and outside the company in order to come up with creative, innovative ideas.
Prior to Nike, Carroll's careers were diverse and rewarding. He spent 10 years as an Air Force translator where languages like Croatian, Russian, German, Czechoslovakian and Serbian became as fluent and familiar as English. Carroll was also a high school health educator and eventually landed a dream position as head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers.

While advising professional basketball players, Carroll made good use of his undergraduate degree in speech communication and master's studies in sports medicine. Carroll's varied career background on the whole, allowed him to develop a deep understanding about team dynamics and interpersonal communication.

Carroll's experience and unique ideas and approach to training were noticed by top executives at Nike, who especially liked his dynamic ability to effectively explain what pro players wanted in their athletic shoes and gear. Blown away with his charisma, Nike offered him a position. In his current role, there is no "job description" which doesn't faze Carroll. He sees this as an opportunity to go beyond new shoes or vented sports clothing. He sees it as a prime opportunity to broaden the definition of "play."---a subject Carroll is passionate about---and spread the message to a much larger and diverse audience.

Carroll feels we should all be advocates for "play." We also need to gain a better understanding of its nature and its importance in achieving our best human potential. It's not just about exercising and sport. According to Carroll, "It's about understanding the movement of your body, how it literally makes you feel better."