Three Mindset Shifts from Fernando Mendoza on Competing at the Highest Level

At adidas, sport isn’t something we observe from a distance. It’s something we experience up close. It’s part of how we bring athletes, stories, and inspiration directly into the workplace.

During his recent visit to adidas North America headquarters in Portland, Oregon, as part of Pro Day, Fernando Mendoza, quarterback, National Champion in the first adidas vs. adidas College Football National Championship game, Heisman Trophy winner, and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft selected by the Las Vegas Raiders, spent time across campus as part of welcoming our newly signed NFL Draft rookie class into the adidas family. The visit included product feedback sessions, time in the newly renovated Innovation Lab, and opportunities to connect with teams across the business.

As part of the visit, Fernando also sat down with John Miller, President of adidas North America, in front of a small audience of employees for a conversation focused on mindset, preparation, and what it takes to compete at the highest level. For employees in the room, it was a rare opportunity to hear directly from an athlete stepping into the next level of his career.

Through that conversation, a few themes consistently came up. They reflected not only how Fernando approaches his craft, but also the mindset adidas believes in across sport and culture.

As adidas continues to build momentum in field sports, those principles start at the grassroots level and extend through culture, making athletes like Fernando an important part of that journey.

Three ideas stood out.

Protect the Work Before You Celebrate It

For Fernando, protecting the work comes long before the spotlight. It starts with how you approach your goals before they’re fully realized.

“There’s a false sense of accomplishment that comes with talking too much about your goals. People will even start congratulating you like you’ve already achieved it when you haven’t come close yet. I’d rather stay quiet, put in the work, and protect that vision until it’s real.”

That perspective carries into how he approaches goal setting, not as something abstract, but as something intentional and repeatable.

For employees in the room, it was a reminder that not all progress needs to be visible, and that the most meaningful work often happens long before anyone else sees it.

Stay Grounded, No Matter the Stage

Despite the accolades, Fernando’s mindset remains grounded in something simple: the people around you shape how you grow and who you become.

“The challenges are part of the journey but having a strong support system changes everything. My family, especially my mom, has been a huge influence on me, and it’s why I lead with humility, stay grounded, and always show respect to my coaches, teammates, and everyone I meet.”

That foundation shapes not only how he competes, but how he carries himself in every environment. It was that humility and authenticity that stood out most to employees in the room.

“I loved how humble, grounded and down to earth he is,” shared Paola Kennedy, Senior Finance Analyst. “I liked how he talked about living in the present but having goals for the future.”

“I loved hearing about the challenges he has overcome, how his family is an amazing support system, and how he leads his team with humility and kindness,” added Amanda Calderon, Specialist Store Allocation. “It was really nice to witness this conversation in person and see how genuine he is.”

Earn Your Place, Then Grow Within It

With the NFL ahead, Fernando spoke candidly about what it takes to compete at the next level, starting with how you show up in a new environment.

“I know stepping into an NFL locker room, I’ll be surrounded by guys who are older and more experienced. That’s a challenge I respect. I’m going to be myself, listen more than I talk, and earn that trust over time so I can lead the right way.”

That mindset isn’t just about individual success. It’s about understanding your role within a larger group and growing into it over time. During Pro Day, that perspective came to life as Fernando connected with fellow rookies all stepping into the same next chapter. 

“It’s an honor to be around so many incredible players joining the adidas family. A lot of these are guys I’ve competed against or watched on film but hadn't really met. So, being able to connect, spend time together, and chase our NFL dreams side by side is a special experience.”

For employees in the room, that balance between individual accountability and collective growth stood out. It reinforced the idea that earning your place is just the beginning, and how you grow within a team is what defines long-term success.

“I enjoyed hearing practical ways to improve my mindset and drive from someone that’s in their dream job,” said Shequana Leon, Analyst, Wholesale Go-to-Market Planning.

“Hearing him talk about focusing on yourself and tuning out opinions that don’t matter really stuck with me,” added Connor Buckley, Supply Chain Management Account Rep. “And the reminder that things will go wrong, and that’s okay.”

More Than a Moment

With a small group of employees selected to attend, the experience reflected something core to adidas culture: creating moments of access that connect employees directly to the athletes, stories, and perspectives that shape sport. It’s a reflection of how adidas creates meaningful moments that go beyond the day itself.

 “It was amazing to watch John and Fernando in such an intimate setting,” said Liza Rau, Senior Manager Wholesale Marketing. “Experiences like this make adidas feel special and unique as an employer.”

As adidas continues to invest in the future of field sports, moments like these reinforce the connection between athletes, culture, and the employees who help bring it all to life.

Now that the NFL Draft is behind him, Fernando’s message feels just as relevant:

Stay focused.

Stay grounded.

Put in the work.

The rest takes care of itself.