Gian Paul Gonzalez

Gian Paul Gonzalez is widely recognized for inspiring the New York Giants to their 2012 Super Bowl victory with the phrase “All In”.

Gonzalez, a high school teacher in Union City, N.J., was asked to lead a chapel service for members of the New York Giants team the night before the team’s Christmas Eve 2011 game against the New York Jets. To illustrate the concept of commitment, Gonzalez handed each football player a poker chip. Instructing the players to write their number on one side of the chip and write what they wanted to be committed to on the other side. He then shared with the team the meaning behind the poker phrase “All In”. Gian Paul inspired them to be committed and put all their “chips” on the table. He went on to urge players to fully commit to anything they take on, whether as a father, husband, son or even, a football player. The team went on to win every game, up to and including Super Bowl XLVI, where they beat the New England Patriots 21-17.

Gian Paul Gonzalez is himself an inspiration. He was a former NCAA First Team All-American forward from Montclair State University scoring nearly 1,400 points in his 3 year career. Played in the NBA Summer League in 2007 and was offered a few professional basketball contracts, yet he turned them down in order to continue his work with at-risk youth. He is a gifted motivational speaker and is the founder of Hope + Future. This organization is dedicated to using athletics & physical fitness to share a message of hope and striving for excellence in inner-city public schools and juvenile jails. The Hope + Future Foundation provides opportunities for youth to proactively become empowered members of their community. Hope + Future uses extracurricular activities, events and programming to provide health, and wellness education while bridging the gaps between individual growth and improving families. This unifies communities around a common core belief that there is a hope for each child personally, academically, socially, and economically.

“ALL IN’ is not a slogan, it’s a LIFEstyle.

He has been featured on ESPN as well as had notable appearances on Fox News and CNN. His inspirational talks have made him an internationally renowned speaker for NBA, NFL, English Premiere League & Fortune 500 organizations.

Challenge to Live Life ALL IN: Importance of being ALL IN TODAY In Order To Be Get To/Be Ready For the Future

Discover the power of choosing to live “ALL IN” today, because the future you’re hoping for starts with the commitments you make right now. This session unpacks how daily decisions build long-term impact, using the “chip” as a symbol of the risks worth taking when you’re fully invested.

Resiliency: How to Live ALL IN and Overcome Obstacles

Resilience isn’t just about staying afloat; it’s about growing stronger through life’s toughest moments. Like shark teeth, which constantly regenerate and withstand immense pressure, being ALL IN means facing challenges head-on, learning from setbacks, and coming back sharper every time. With increasing awareness of student well-being, this session also addresses emotional wellness, stress management, and the importance of building mental toughness to navigate anxiety and other emotional challenges

Gratitude: How to Handle Success and be ALL IN for Your People Who Helped You Achieve Your Goals

Behind every success story is someone who helped make the jump possible. This session focuses on honoring the mentors, friends, and supporters who “packed your parachute” —the ones who believed in you, prepared you, and caught you when it mattered most. Living ALL IN means not just achieving your goals but showing deep gratitude to those who helped you get there. It also creates space to reflect on the power of kindness and empathy, promoting a culture of respect and bullying prevention in schools.

IMPACT Community: What Being ALL IN for Your Local Community Can Do to Transform Lives

One person fully committed can spark a movement. This session looks at how being ALL IN for your local community creates ripple effects of hope, healing, and transformation, just like a meteorite leaves a lasting impact wherever it lands

Teamwork: Why ALL IN Requires Every Individual to bring Their Strengths to the Table.

True teamwork happens when every person brings their energy and gifts to the table. This interactive session shows how collaboration fuels connection, using the energy stick as a reminder that unity and trust create unstoppable momentum.

Leadership: Why ALL IN Requires “Learning > The Changes You Experience in Your Environment

Every leader has a “lentil field,” a space that represents what matters most—family, values, and purpose. Being ALL IN means knowing what you’re willing to fight for, even when it’s tough. It also means growing through change by fueling yourself with habits and mindsets that strengthen you and those you lead. This session helps students develop goal-setting skills, self-leadership, and perseverance, equipping them to overcome adversity and strive for personal and academic success.