Thursday June 5th, Jeffrey Mosher was on the road, as the Lansing Economic Club event on Thursday, June 5, at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. This impactful program featured a powerful panel discussion with former MSU Assistant Coach and Champions of the Heart founder Michael Garland and MSU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tom Izzo, moderated by WILX News Anchor Ann Emmerich.
Watch Coach Izzo and Coach Garland inspire while at Lansing Econ Club, sharing CPR mission, resilience, and lessons from AGOGE. #ChampionsOfTheHeart in the YouTube video shared below:
This video conversation focused on Coach Garland’s incredible story of survival after cardiac arrest in 2022, the founding of his nonprofit Champions of the Heart, and the leadership insights from his new book, AGOGE. Coach Izzo share his reflections on Garland’s journey and their shared experience building Spartan excellence through resilience, purpose, and discipline, along with support of the Champions of the Heart project.
The video occurred during a Media Availability that took place in the Red Cedar Room, just before the Econ Lunch event in Big Ten Room.
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Lansing Economic Club Host Panel with Coaches Michael Garland and Tom Izzo
June 5 Event Features Powerful Conversation on Leadership, Survival, and Lifesaving Purpose
LANSING, Mich. — The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce was proud to host a powerful panel discussion at the 2024-25 season finale of the June Lansing Economic Club, featuring former MSU Assistant Coach and Champions of the Heart founder Michael Garland and Michigan State University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tom Izzo.
The event took place on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center and was moderated by Ann Emmerich, Anchor at WILX News 10.
This impactful conversation explored themes of leadership, adversity, and purpose. Garland shared his life-altering experience of surviving cardiac arrest in 2022, thanks to two brave passersby who administered CPR and helped save his life. That moment inspired him to launch Champions of the Heart, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding hands-only CPR training, access to CPR manikins, and AEDs throughout communities.
Coach Tom Izzo joined the discussion to reflect on Garland’s journey, their shared legacy at MSU, and the principles behind the Spartan training philosophy—a discipline explored in Garland’s new book, AGOGE. Together, the coaches offered insights on high performance, resilience, and what it truly means to lead with heart.
“This panel embodied what the Lansing Economic Club is all about—bringing people together to share stories that motivate and spark impact,” said Tim Daman, President & CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We were honored to host Champions of the Heart Founder Mike Garland and MSU Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo for what proved to be an emotional and unforgettable program.”
“I wouldn’t be here today without two people who knew CPR,” said Coach Michael Garland. “Now it’s my mission to make sure every community is equipped to save lives. This conversation was a chance to spread that message and celebrate the power of preparation and purpose.”
“Mike Garland is not just a survivor—he’s a servant leader,” said Coach Tom Izzo. “What he’s doing with Champions of the Heart is bigger than basketball. I was proud to sit beside him and help amplify this life-saving message.”
Event Details:
• Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
• Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing, MI
• Book Signing & Sales: Immediately following the program, Coach Garland’s book
AGOGE will be available for purchase and signing in Big Ten Room C
About Champions of the Heart
Champions of the Heart was founded by Coach Michael Garland to empower individuals and
communities through hands-only CPR training, CPR manikins, and AED access. Visit
thechampionsoftheheart.org for more.
About the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
For 124 years, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce has worked relentlessly to help
businesses connect, grow, and thrive. Learn more at lansingchamber.org and follow us on
Facebook, Instagram (@lansingregionalchamber), Twitter (@lansingchamber), and LinkedIn.
