#131: Dr. Magie Cook — CEO of Magie Cook International, Founder of Maggie’s Salsa, Fmr. Mexico National Basketball Team Member, Board Member at the University of Charleston, Nobel Prize Recipient

Bring It In | The Future of Work, Jobs, and Education

We’ve had a lot of impressive guests on the podcast, many who have overcome some real challenges in their lives to build something great, but today’s guest has an especially impressive story.

Dr. Magie Cook began her life with 68 brothers and sisters in an orphanage in Mexico. Battling abuse, hunger, and poverty, during her high school years she earned a spot on the Mexican Women's National Basketball team, but broke her collarbone before she could fully commit. Despite the injury, the University of Charleston in West Virginia recruited her to their basketball program, and Magie was able to come to the United States.

After graduating, Magie struggled to find a job, and slept out of her car until the engine exploded. Staff from the University Charleston vouched for her to stay on campus until she could get back on her feet, which came in the most unlikely of forms: a salsa making competition.

Fast forward a decade, and Maggie’s Salsa was sold to Campbell’s Soup for $213 million. On top of that, Magie helped rescue dozens of childrens from the grasp of the Mexican cartels, became a board member at the University of Charleston with an honorary Doctorate in Laws in 2022, and so, so, much more.

We caught up with Magie to talk with her about resiliency, team building, and how to be a leader that can inspire a team to go the extra mile. This is an inspiring episode you’re not going to want to miss, so with that…let’s bring it in!