Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey: Recent Episodes

Rob Finkelstein | Founder of Alumni Direct

'Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey' is a podcast where we speak with former college and professional athletes from all over the world as they share the joys, successes, failures and lessons on their entrepreneurial journey. Hosted by Rob Finkelstein of Alumni Direct, the number one network for alumni worldwide.

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Stepping away from the game is one of the toughest transitions an athlete can face. The routine changes, the identity shifts, and suddenly — the question becomes: who am I beyond the sport?

In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein, Founder and CEO of Alumni Direct, sits down with Linda Martindale — a former college basketball player, certified mental fitness coach, professor, keynote speaker, and founder of Martindale Coaching — to explore how athletes can strengthen their mental fitness, expand their networks, and redefine success after sports.

Linda brings a powerful combination of experience and empathy — as both a former athlete and parent to four collegiate athletes. She opens up about the mental and emotional challenges athletes face when the cheers fade and the structure of sports disappears. Together, Rob and Linda dive deep into the connection between mental health, NIL opportunities, and personal development, showing how today’s athletes can turn their competitive mindset into a foundation for lifelong growth.

Together, Rob and Linda unpack:

  • How sports build a competitive spirit that can fuel success beyond the game

  • Why mental fitness is just as critical as physical fitness

  • The impact of NIL on athlete entrepreneurship and personal branding

  • How networking early can open doors for post-sports careers

  • The power of alumni mentorship in supporting the next generation of athletes

  • Why identity and purpose matter most when the playing days end

If you’re an athlete (or know one) navigating what comes next, this episode will remind you that your strength doesn’t stop when the game ends — it just shifts to a new arena.

🔗 Connect with Linda Martindale

🎧 Hosted by Rob Finkelstein, Founder & CEO of Alumni Direct

Connect with Alumni Direct:

Discover how mental fitness, connection, and community can empower athletes to build their next chapter with purpose and confidence.

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Making the transition from professional sports to life after the game isn’t easy. The questions are real: What’s next? Where do I channel my drive, discipline, and competitiveness?

In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein, Founder and CEO of Alumni Direct, sits down with Robert Haar — an award-winning franchise consultant and Top 10 broker nationwide — to explore why franchising is becoming a powerful option for athletes stepping into their next chapter.

Robert brings over 25 years of experience as a business owner and franchise executive. From running restaurants to navigating corporate America, he’s lived the entrepreneurial journey and now helps professionals align with the right franchise opportunities.

Together, Rob and Robert unpack:

  • The real challenges athletes face when leaving sports — from financial literacy to mental health.

  • Why franchising provides structure, support, and proven systems for athletes starting fresh.

  • The competitive edge athletes bring to business ownership: discipline, resilience, teamwork.

  • How networking and mentorship accelerate success off the field.

  • The step-by-step process of selecting a franchise that fits your goals and lifestyle.

If you’re an athlete (or know one) who’s ready to write the next playbook for success, this episode shows how franchising can open the door to long-term business ownership.

🔗 Connect with Robert Haar

🎧 Hosted by Rob Finkelstein, Founder & CEO of Alumni Direct

Connect with Alumni Direct:

Website: [alumnidirect.com]

Instagram: [@alumnidirect]

Facebook: [Alumni Direct]

LinkedIn: [Alumni Direct](https://linkedin.com/company/alumnidirect

Explore franchising as a career path after sports. Connect with experts like Robert Haar to build a trusted path to your next win

AthletesToEntrepreneurs #FranchisePlaybook #RobertHaar #BusinessAfterSports #AthleteEntrepreneurship #FranchiseSuccess #CareerTransition #FromAthleteToOwner #SportsBusiness #WinningMindse

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ben Utecht—a 6’7” Super Bowl Champion tight end, Chief Culture Officer, entrepreneur, award-winning speaker, author, and singer—to explore how athletes can embrace their identity beyond sports and design a meaningful second chapter of life.

Ben reflects on his journey from playing at the University of Minnesota and in the NFL with the Colts and Bengals to building a multifaceted career in leadership, culture development, music, and entrepreneurship. Recipient of the prestigious Uncommon Leader Award from NFL Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, Ben has inspired Fortune 500 companies as a subject matter expert on building high-performing organizational culture. Today, he serves as Chief Culture Officer for True North Private Equity, a franchisor for Conquer Ninja Gyms, culture and brand ambassador for Realty Group, and partner at Behavioral Essentials.

Beyond business, Ben shares his powerful personal story as a brain injury survivor. His career was cut short by concussions, leading him to become a national spokesperson for the American Academy of Neurology and author of Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away, a moving account of his journey with memory loss and family life. His philanthropic work continues to raise awareness about brain health and the long-term effects of concussions.

Ben is also the author of The Champions Creed – Transform Your Culture through the Power of Belief!, where he draws on his football, business, and leadership experiences to provide a blueprint for designing winning cultures in both life and work.

An accomplished singer, Ben has recorded six albums, performed for two U.S. presidents, collaborated with world-renowned symphonies, and even serenaded Muhammad Ali. His viral song “You Will Always Be My Girls” further showcased his heart as a husband and father of four daughters.

Through this wide-ranging conversation, Ben and Rob explore the challenges athletes face during transition—mental health, financial literacy, and identity loss—and the importance of mentorship, alumni engagement, and continuous learning in preparing for life after sports. Ben also shares the story behind his entrepreneurial venture, SoleCare RX, an antibacterial and antifungal shower sock created to protect athletes’ health.

Ben’s journey is a reminder that culture is always created—by design or by default. His mission: to empower athletes and organizations alike to design cultures of inspiration, resilience, and growth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why identity beyond athletics is key to a fulfilling life after sports
  • How concussions shaped Ben’s career, philanthropy, and advocacy work
  • The importance of continuous learning, mentorship, and networking in athlete transitions
  • How discipline, perseverance, and empathy translate from sports to leadership
  • Why culture is always “by design or by default”—and how to design it well
  • Ben’s entrepreneurial journey with SoleCare RX and health innovation
  • The role of storytelling in inspiring athletes and organizations alike
  • How music, leadership, and family fuel Ben’s purpose-driven life
  • Insights from Ben’s book The Champions Creed – Transform Your Culture through the Power of Belief!

Connect with Ben Utecht:

Facebook: Ben Utecht
X (formerly Twitter): @benutecht
Instagram: @benutecht
LinkedIn: Ben Utecht
Website: benutecht.com

Connect with Alumni Direct:

Website: alumnidirect.com
Instagram: @alumnidirect
X (formerly Twitter): @alumnidirect
Facebook: Alumni Direct
LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

If you’re ready to start building your network, connecting with fellow athletes, and unlocking resources to help you thrive beyond the game, visit alumnidirect.com today. Join a community that’s here to support you every step of the way.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Darrell Teat—a husband, father, corporate board member, and CEO of CxORE—to explore the realities of athlete transition and how networking, mentorship, and leadership can guide athletes toward lasting success beyond the game.Darrell reflects on his own journey as a former athlete who transitioned from the court to the corporate world, navigating the challenges of leaving sports behind while finding his path in executive leadership. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships, engaging with alumni networks, and seeking mentorship to prepare for life after athletics. Through his experiences, Darrell highlights how the skills athletes develop—discipline, teamwork, and resilience—are invaluable in business, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.Beyond his career, Darrell’s story is about more than professional success—it’s about purpose, family, and creating opportunities for others. As CEO of CxORE, he helps businesses find executive solutions while staying deeply committed to mentorship and community engagement. His journey is a powerful reminder that athletes are more than their sport, and that with the right guidance, they can thrive in every arena of life.---What You’ll Learn in This Episode:- Why the transition out of sports is one of the biggest challenges athletes face- How networking while still playing sets the stage for future opportunities- The role of alumni engagement in providing mentorship and connections- Why athletes need more career education and guidance beyond sports- How discipline, leadership, and teamwork translate into business success- The value of mentorship as a roadmap for smoother career transitions- Why athletes must embrace their identity beyond athletics- Insights on the evolving NIL landscape and what it means for student-athletes- How CxORE provides solutions for businesses needing strong executive leadershipConnect with Darrell Teat:Website:Cxore.com Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxore/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell_teat/---Connect with Alumni Direct:Website: [alumnidirect.com]Instagram: [@alumnidirect]X (formerly Twitter): [@alumnidirect]Facebook: [Alumni Direct](https://facebook.com/alumnidirectLinkedIn: [Alumni Direct](https://linkedin.com/company/alumnidirectIf you’re ready to start building your network, connecting with fellow athletes, and unlocking resources to help you thrive beyond the game, visit [alumnidirect.com] today.

Join a community that’s here to support you every step of the way

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with James Toale, a former college baseball player turned entrepreneur, mentor, and Founder & CEO of 47 Inc, to explore how resilience, community, and innovation can transform setbacks into success.James shares his journey from Coral Springs, Florida, where he and his brother both pursued baseball dreams—his brother John drafted by the Boston Red Sox, while James played at Miami Dade College until a torn ACL ended his path to professional sports. That pivotal moment redirected his life toward entrepreneurship, leading him to own multiple businesses before the 2007 economic downturn changed everything again. Out of those challenges, James discovered network marketing, which not only reignited his drive but also inspired him and his wife to launch 47 Inc.Their company is focused on introducing innovative health products centered around safe hydration—with coconut water as a key ingredient—and built on a mission to help the 97% of people living paycheck to paycheck find hope and opportunity. Beyond business, James is deeply passionate about teaching health and business skills, serving as a coach and mentor, and paying it forward the right way.Whether you’re an athlete navigating transition, an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, or someone looking to combine personal development with business success, James’s story offers a roadmap of resilience, purpose, and impact.---What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • How a career-ending ACL injury shifted James’s life trajectory
  • The lessons of owning multiple businesses before and after 2007
  • Why network marketing gave James a second chance at success
  • How launching 47 Inc is helping people through hydration-focused health products
  • The role coconut water plays in their innovative product line
  • Why resilience and adaptability are key in both sports and business
  • How athletes can leverage their mindset to succeed as entrepreneurs
  • The importance of mentorship, coaching, and community support
  • James’s passion for empowering others with business and personal development skills

Connect with James Toale:

Connect with James Toale:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/jamesjimtoale/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561198507425

---Connect with Alumni Direct:

Website: [alumnidirect.com]Instagram: [@alumnidirect]( / alumnidirect

Facebook: [Alumni Direct]( / alumnidirect LinkedIn: [Alumni Direct]( / alumnidirect If you’re ready to start building your network, connecting with fellow athletes, and unlocking resources to help you thrive beyond the game, visit [alumnidirect.com] today. Join a community that’s here to support you every step of the way.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein sits down with Amobi Okugo, former professional soccer player turned entrepreneur, consultant, and business leader.

Amobi opens up about his transition from the pitch to business, why “checking in” with your network is a game-changer, and how athletes can redefine NIL to mean Network, Intellectual Property, and Leverage. He also shares the three-year reality of finding your “second game” after sports, and how his platform A Frugal Athlete evolved into Serve Consulting—helping athletes and organizations thrive through education, strategy, and resources.

Amobi also introduces his latest project, the Ok U GO Manifest Journal, designed to help athletes, entrepreneurs, and professionals set goals, stay accountable, and move with intentionality.

If you’re an athlete (current or former), or someone who supports athletes, this conversation is full of practical advice, inspiration, and tools to succeed both on and off the field.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why networking during your career creates future opportunities

A new approach to NIL: Network, Intellectual Property, and Leverage

The 3-year journey of athlete transition and finding your “second game”

The importance of education, financial literacy, and alumni connections

How Serve Consulting and the Ok U GO Manifest Journal empower athletes

Memorable Quotes:

“Don’t wait until after your career to network. Plant seeds while you’re still playing.”

“NIL isn’t just name, image, likeness—it’s Network, Intellectual Property, and Leverage.”

“Your transition won’t be overnight. Give yourself three years to truly find your second game.”

Connect with Amobi Okugo:

Website: AmobiOkugo.com

Instagram: @amobisays

TikTok: @amobisays

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amobiokugo

Serve Consulting: serve.consulting

Ok U GO Manifest Journal: Shop Here

Connect with Alumni Direct:

Website: alumnidirect.com

Instagram: @alumnidirect

X/Twitter: @alumnidirect

Facebook: Alumni Direct

LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

🌐 Ready to start building your network? Visit alumnidirect.com

to join a community supporting athletes every step of the way.

AthletesToEntrepreneurs #AmobiOkugo #LifeAfterSports #AthleteTransition #NetworkingMatters #NIL #AthletesSupportingAthletes #MentorshipMatters #AlumniConnections

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Evan Marshall, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, to explore his transition from the diamond to life after sports and how athletes can better prepare for the next chapter of their journey.

Evan opens up about the challenges of moving on from a professional playing career, the role of networking in opening new doors, and why alumni connections can make a lasting difference for athletes. He also shares the lessons learned from both success and failure in baseball, the importance of mentorship, and why financial literacy is critical for long-term stability.

Whether you’re a current athlete, a former player, or someone supporting athletes through their transition, this conversation provides practical guidance, encouragement, and insights that can help shape a successful life beyond sports.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why playing multiple sports growing up builds lifelong skills

  • The lack of preparation many athletes face for life after college sports

  • How networking can be a game-changer both during and after an athletic career

  • Lessons Evan learned through failure and resilience in baseball

  • The importance of asking questions and seeking mentorship early

  • Why financial literacy should be a priority for all athletes

  • How alumni networks provide critical support during transitions

  • Ways to blend athletic experience into a professional career

Connect with Evan Marshall:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/evan-marshall-cris-8354942a4

Connect with Alumni Direct:

Website: alumnidirect.com

Instagram: @alumnidirect

X (formerly Twitter): @alumnidirect

Facebook: Alumni Direct

LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

If you’re ready to start building your network, connecting with fellow athletes, and unlocking resources to help you thrive beyond the game, visit alumnidirect.com today. Join a community that’s here to support you every step of the way.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Mark Koesterer, a former college football player turned Founder & CEO of The Players NIL, to explore how athletes can prepare for life beyond sports while navigating today’s evolving landscape of athlete branding and career development.

Mark shares powerful insights on how sports shaped his identity, the lifelong value of networking, and the mindset shifts needed for a successful athlete transition. He also unpacks how the NIL era is reshaping opportunities for personal brand building, why alumni engagement can open doors that last a lifetime, and the importance of financial literacy for long-term success.

Whether you’re a current athlete, a former player, or a parent looking to understand the modern sports journey, this conversation offers practical strategies, hard-earned wisdom, and encouragement to help you thrive after the game.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • How sports shape both personal identity and professional skills

  • Why networking is a game-changer during and after your playing career

  • How NIL has transformed athlete branding opportunities

  • The importance of patience and planning during career transitions

  • Why building a personal brand early matters

  • How alumni engagement can provide crucial support for athletes

  • The role of financial literacy in building a sustainable future

  • How to navigate the emotional challenges of leaving sports

  • The unique skills athletes bring to the workplace

  • Why NIL education is vital for both athletes and their families

Connect with Mark Koesterer:

Website: theplayersnil.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkoesterer/,

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markkoesterer/?hl=en

Connect with Alumni Direct:

Website: alumnidirect.com

Instagram: @alumnidirect

X (formerly Twitter): @alumnidirect

Facebook: Alumni Direct

LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

If you’re ready to start building your network, connecting with fellow athletes, and unlocking resources to help you thrive beyond the game, visit alumnidirect.com today. Join a community that’s here to support you every step of the way.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Jade Gummer, a former athlete turned sports attorney, to unpack what it really takes for athletes to successfully transition into life beyond the game.

Jade shares powerful insights on the evolving world of youth sports, the life-changing impact of great coaching, and the emotional challenge of redefining identity after sports. From the opportunities NIL creates to the vital role alumni engagement plays in building lasting connections, this conversation delivers practical wisdom every current and former athlete should hear.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why preparing for life after sports is non-negotiable

  • How youth sports have become more competitive and specialized—and what that means for young athletes

  • The role coaching plays in both performance and long-term athlete development

  • How NIL can be more than just money—it’s a branding and identity opportunity

  • Why alumni engagement is the key to building a supportive community

  • Strategies for navigating identity shifts after sports

  • How to redefine success on your own terms

  • Why relationships and mentorship can be the ultimate game-changers for your future

Connect with Jade Gummer:

Instagram: @wku4

X (formerly Twitter): @lawdoc4

Twitter: Jade Gummer

Connect with Alumni Direct:

Website: alumnidirect.com

Instagram: @alumnidirect

X (formerly Twitter): @alumnidirect

Facebook: Alumni Direct

LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

If you’re ready to start building your network, connecting with fellow athletes, and unlocking resources to help you thrive beyond the game, visit alumnidirect.com today. Join a community that’s here to support you every step of the way.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Luke Melms—former collegiate baseball player turned Managing Director at Firm Foundation Family Wealth—to talk about the power of process over outcome, and how athletes can harness that same mentality when stepping into business leadership.

Luke opens up about his journey from the diamond to the world of finance, and how staying committed to the process has led to deeper purpose and performance. He shares why it’s crucial for athletes to plan beyond the playing field, and how intentional networking, wise counsel, and long-term vision create success in life after sports.

Now, as a financial educator and soon-to-be author of Go For More, Luke is empowering athletes and entrepreneurs to steward their lives, wealth, and mindset with clarity and conviction. His story is a blueprint for anyone wondering “What’s next?” after the final whistle.

Whether you’re building a business, managing your money, or just rethinking your purpose—this conversation will light a fire.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Process Over the Prize**: Winning happens when you commit to the process—not just the scoreboard.

  • Transitions Are Inevitable—Be Ready: Start preparing before the game ends.

  • Network with Intention: Relationships are capital. Treat them that way.

  • You Don’t Need All the Answers—Just the Next Step

  • Financial Literacy Is an Athlete’s Superpower

  • Play the Long Game: Patience and perspective separate the good from the great.

  • Your Identity Isn’t Tied to a Jersey: You are more than your sport.

  • Lead with Service, Not Ego

  • “Go For More” Isn’t Just a Book—It’s a Mindset

  • Surround Yourself With the Right Team—On and Off the Field

About Luke Melms:

Luke Melms is a former college baseball player who has successfully transitioned into the world of finance as the Managing Director of Firm Foundation Family Wealth. Through his work, Luke helps families and entrepreneurs build clarity around their financial future—focusing on stewardship, long-term planning, and purpose-aligned wealth.

He’s also the author of the upcoming book Go for More, which guides athletes in turning their discipline into real-world impact. Luke’s mission is simple: Help others unlock success that lasts longer than the box scores.

“I realized that chasing success was never the answer. Living on purpose is.”

Connect with Luke Melms:

💼 LinkedIn: Luke Melms

🌐 Website: Firm Foundation Family Wealth

📘 Book (Coming Soon): Go for More

🤝 Connect with Alumni Direct:

At Alumni Direct, we help athletes and alumni build a life beyond the jersey. Whether you're navigating a career change, launching a business, or seeking genuine community—our platform is built to support your transition.

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

Join a network that knows the game—and what comes next.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein talks with Leonardo Scheinkman—a former college soccer player from Brazil who’s now a mission-driven entrepreneur and co-founder of Triumph Sports Foundation. From chasing goals on the field to building purpose-driven impact off it, Leonardo’s story is a powerful example of turning athletic experience into lasting legacy.

Rob and Leonardo explore the complex identity shift that happens when sports end, and how athletes can use the same grit, discipline, and drive that got them on the field to build successful businesses and movements. Leonardo reflects on his own transition, from growing up immersed in soccer culture in Brazil to navigating life and opportunity in the U.S.

Now, as the co-founder of Triumph Sports Foundation, Leonardo is helping student-athletes maximize their potential beyond the game—leveraging education, mentorship, and community support. His passion for NIL education and providing real guidance for young athletes fuels everything he does.

Whether you’re an athlete figuring out what’s next, or someone who believes in using your story to serve others—this episode is your playbook.

Key Takeaways:

  • Athletic Discipline Lasts a Lifetime: The habits you build in sport are your edge in business.

  • Networking is a Gamechanger: Relationships create opportunity—invest in them.

  • You’re More Than Your Sport: Identity work is hard, but necessary.

  • Education = Empowerment: Especially when paired with mentorship.

  • Triumph Sports is Changing Lives: Building real bridges from sport to career.

  • NIL Knowledge Gaps Are Real: And many young athletes are still being left behind.

  • Give Before You Get: Impact begins with serving others.

  • Build with Purpose: Profit is important—but mission is what sustains.

  • Your Story is Your Superpower: Own it, share it, use it.

  • The Transition is a Team Sport: Don’t go it alone.

About Leonardo Scheinkman:

Leonardo Scheinkman is a Brazilian-born entrepreneur and sports marketing executive with a deep legacy in global football. He is the Founder and President of Triumph Sports Marketing, launched in 2006 to represent elite footballers across Europe—including players from powerhouse national teams like Brazil and Portugal.

In addition to his work in player representation, Leonardo is the Chairman of GAMA Sociedade Anônima do Futebol in Brasília and actively consults on innovative NFT and Web3 strategies for sports organizations through Shirtum®. His career sits at the intersection of sports, business, and technology—where he continues to champion athlete empowerment, education, and long-term career vision.

“The game may end, but your opportunity to make impact is just getting started.”

Connect with Leonardo Scheinkman:

💼 LinkedIn: Leonardo Scheinkman

🌐 Triumph Sports Foundation: triumphsportsfoundation.org

📸 Instagram: @triumphsportsfoundation

🔗 Connect with Alumni Direct:

At Alumni Direct, we help athletes and alumni build a life beyond the jersey**. Whether you’re launching a company, shifting careers, or just looking for connection—you’ll find a trusted community here that understands your journey.

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

The next chapter starts with the right people in your corner.

AthletesToEntrepreneurs #LeonardoScheinkman #TriumphSports #LifeAfterSports #AthleteMindset #StudentAthletes #NILEducation #AthleteTransition #MentorshipMatters #PurposeDrivenBusiness #SportsPhilanthropy #YouAreMoreThanAnAthlete #BusinessAfterBall #AlumniDirect #SoccerToStartup

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Marco Benitez—a former Taekwondo national champion turned biomedical engineer, health tech innovator, and co-founder of ROOK. From the dojang to data, Marco’s journey is all about using technology to unlock healthier, more empowered lives.

Rob and Marco dive deep into the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports and how the skills honed in competition—discipline, consistency, and resilience—can fuel business success. Marco shares how his experience in martial arts shaped his mindset and ultimately led him to major roles at Roche and Novartis, before stepping into entrepreneurship to solve one of the biggest problems in health tech: fragmented health data.

Today, Marco is the Co-Founder of ROOK, a powerful API platform that helps health and insurance companies make sense of real-time fitness and health data. What started as a wearable tech project has grown into an industry-leading solution used by major players across healthcare. And at the core of it all is Marco’s mission: to make health data accessible, accurate, and actionable for everyone.

Whether you're an athlete planning your next chapter, a tech-minded innovator, or someone passionate about wellness, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible when you combine athletic mindset with purposeful innovation.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Sports Build the Foundation: Discipline and consistency drive success in any field.

  • Martial Arts Molded the Entrepreneur**: Taekwondo taught Marco resilience, humility, and focus.

  • Transitioning is Tough—but Powerful**: Identity shifts are real, but they open new doors.

  • ROOK is Transforming Health Tech**: From wearables to a robust data API, it’s making health smarter.

  • Data is Power—When It’s Accessible**: Standardizing fitness and health data empowers users.

  • Start Networking Early: Build your tribe while you’re still competing.

  • NIL Gaps Still Exist: Especially in sports like Taekwondo—more awareness is needed.

  • Tech + Purpose = Impact: ROOK is a case study in mission-driven innovation.

  • Athletes are Built for Business: The mindset translates—you just need the right tools.

  • Never Stop Building: The journey doesn’t end after sports—it evolves.

About Marco Benitez:

Marco Benitez is a former national Taekwondo champion turned biomedical engineer and entrepreneur, with a career at the crossroads of health, sports, and technology. After leadership roles at Roche and Novartis, Marco co-founded ROOK, a company focused on making real-time health and fitness data accessible through its powerful API platform. Today, ROOK powers solutions across healthcare and insurance sectors—all built on Marco’s mission to empower healthier lives through better data.

“I’m still competing—just on a different playing field.”

Connect with Marco Benitez:

💼 LinkedIn: Marco Benitez

🌐 ROOK: tryrook.io

🔗 Connect with Alumni Direct:

At Alumni Direct, we’re creating a better way for athletes and alumni to connect, grow, and thrive beyond the game. Whether you’re exploring new career paths, building a business, or just looking to expand your network—we’re here to support the next step in your journey.

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

You’ve already built the mindset—now let’s build the mission.

AthletesToEntrepreneurs #MarcoBenitez #ROOKHealth #LifeAfterSports #AthleteEntrepreneur #HealthTech #SportsScience #AthleteTransition #YouAreMoreThanAnAthlete #DataDrivenHealth #AlumniDirect #AthletesInTech #MartialArtsToBusiness #TryROOK

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with John Fremont Smith—a former Boston University football standout turned financial leader and founder of Friends Wealth Management. From the locker room to Wall Street and now the world of NIL, John’s journey is all about building systems that truly support athletes—on and off the field.This isn't about John—it’s about the mission. As the first Fiduciary in the NIL universe, John and his team are committed, by law and by purpose, to acting in the best interest of athletes. With deep concern over the potential fallout from the NCAA vs. House ruling—especially for women and Olympic athletes—FRNIL was built to offer a sustainable financial path forward. Their approach? A community-driven investment strategy that aims to preserve scholarships, protect opportunity, and uplift the next generation of athletic talent.Whether you’re currently competing or have already stepped away from the game, this episode is filled with insight and inspiration on how to take control of your financial future and leverage your athletic background to thrive. Key Takeaways:- Sports Teach You More Than You Think: Discipline, focus, and resilience translate far beyond the game.- Your Injury Isn't the End: It could be the beginning of your next mission.- Athletes Deserve Better Financial Systems: Built around mentorship, not sales.- FRNIL is a Game-Changer: Especially for women’s and Olympic sports.- Financial Literacy is Your Power Tool: Learn it early, live it always.- Mentorship Matters: Surround yourself with those who’ve walked the path.- 85% of NFL Athletes Go Broke—Let’s Change That: The right support makes all the difference.- Networking is a Superpower: Build your tribe while you're still playing.- AI + Purpose = The Future of Athlete Investing: Tech can help find and fuel athletic potential.- Athletes Supporting Athletes is the Way Forward: Together, we rise.---About John Fremont Smith:John Fremont Smith is a former Boston University football player who played on an undefeated championship team before a career-ending injury led him to pivot into finance. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed financial advisor, John is the Founder of Friends Wealth Management and Portfolio Manager of the First Revolutionary NIL Fund (FRNIL). His work centers on helping athletes transition successfully out of sports, gain financial literacy, and access investment strategies that build long-term wealth. John’s mission is clear: support athletes through fiduciary-first financial guidance and empower them to thrive in life after the game. “Let’s not make this about me—the mission is about the athlete.” Connect with John Fremont Smith:🌐 Website: friendswealthmanagement.com💼 LinkedIn: John Fremont Smith📘 Facebook: Friends Wealth Management🔗 Connect with Alumni Direct:At Alumni Direct, we believe athletes deserve a platform that empowers their future beyond sports. Whether it’s networking, mentorship, or tools to grow your brand or business—we’re here to support the journey.📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct📘 Facebook: Alumni DirectYou’ve got the mindset. Now let’s build the life to match.**#AthletesToEntrepreneurs #JohnFremontSmith #FriendsWealthManagement #FRNIL #LifeAfterSports #NILReady #AthleteTransition #FinancialLiteracyForAthletes #YouAreMoreThanAnAthlete #AthletesSupportingAthletes #FromTheLockerRoomToTheBoardRoom #AlumniDirect

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ryan Schachtner—a former college baseball player who transformed a career-ending injury and a tough academic journey into a mission-driven life of impact. Today, Ryan is the Co-Founder of Success Beyond Game Day, where he helps athletes and coaches at all levels navigate the transition out of sports and into thriving careers.

Rob and Ryan explore what it really takes to build a meaningful life after sports. From leveraging the inner drive developed through athletics to overcoming self-doubt and a lack of direction, Ryan shares real, actionable insights for current and former athletes looking to take control of their future.

The conversation hits on the power of alumni engagement, the importance of early preparation, and how NIL is creating new opportunities to build skills before athletes hang up the jersey. Ryan also discusses why career development and financial literacy should be embedded into the athletic experience—and how he’s helping schools make that a reality.

Whether you're still competing or trying to figure out your next chapter, Ryan’s journey is a powerful reminder that your best days don’t have to be behind you.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • There Is Life After Sports: You just need the right mindset and tools.

  • Your Story Isn't Over: Setbacks like injuries or poor academics don’t define you.

  • Leverage Your Athlete Mindset: Discipline, grit, and confidence open doors.

  • NIL = Real-Life Training: Use it as a stepping stone to learn business skills.

  • Start While You're Still Playing: Don’t wait until the game is over to plan your future.

  • Financial Literacy is a Must: Money management is just as critical as physical training.

  • Alumni Can Be Your Network Advantage: Don’t overlook those who’ve walked your path.

  • Work Ethic Beats Resume: In the real world, hustle matters more than GPA.

  • Build Relationships Beyond Your Sport: Athletes supporting athletes is powerful.

  • There Are Resources Out There: Like Success Beyond Game Day—built just for athletes.

About Ryan Schachtner:

Ryan Schachtner is a former college baseball player whose career was cut short by a shoulder injury. After overcoming a rocky academic past, he went on to build a successful financial planning firm focused on helping athletes rebuild their finances. He’s a best-selling author in the finance space and the Co-Founder of Success Beyond Game Day, a groundbreaking platform that helps athletes and coaches with talent development, career planning, and real-life readiness. Ryan’s mission is simple: equip athletes with everything they need to succeed beyond the scoreboard.

Connect with Ryan Schachtner:

📸 Instagram: @ryansbgd

🐦 X/Twitter: @ryansbgd

💼 LinkedIn: Ryan Schachtner

🔗 Connect with Alumni Direct:

At Alumni Direct, we believe athletes deserve a platform that empowers their future beyond sports. Whether it’s networking, mentorship, or tools to grow your brand or business—we’re here to support the journey.

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

You’ve got the mindset. Now let’s build the life to match.

AthletesToEntrepreneurs #RyanSchachtner #SuccessBeyondGameDay #LifeAfterSports #AthleteTransition #NILReady #BuiltForMore #FinancialLiteracyForAthletes #AlumniDirect #YouAreMoreThanAnAthlete #AthletesSupportingAthletes

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Sherman Merricks—a former college basketball player who made an incredible transition from gym owner to Co-Founder of LASSO Framework, a game-changing agency helping fitness businesses master marketing and sales.

Rob and Sherman dive into the athlete transition experience—from navigating life after the final whistle to using the discipline learned in sports to build a sustainable business. Sherman shares how the lack of formal support after college inspired him to forge his own path, and how mentorship and alumni connections can create powerful opportunities.

They explore how the skills athletes bring to the table—resilience, focus, and consistency—are exactly what’s needed to succeed in entrepreneurship. Sherman also shares valuable insights into why marketing is the missing link for so many gym owners, and how helping others succeed in business can lead to healthier, stronger communities.

Whether you're still competing or already building your legacy, Sherman’s journey is packed with insight and inspiration for your next chapter.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • Athletics Build a Business Mindset**: The same grit and consistency translate directly.

  • Networking Changes Everything**: Build relationships early—especially while you’re still playing.

  • Alumni Can Be Your Secret Weapon**: Mentorship and shared experiences open doors.

  • There’s No Manual for the Transition: But there is a way forward with the right tools.

  • Start Young, Start Bold**: Taking risks earlier in life can lead to big rewards.

  • Marketing Is Non-Negotiable**: Especially in industries like fitness where competition is fierce.

  • Your Business Can Fuel Your Community**: A thriving gym means healthier people around you.

  • Sales Systems Matter**: Without a process, it’s hard to grow.

  • Entrepreneurship Is a Sport**: Show up with the same energy and commitment.

  • Mentorship is Multiplication**: Help others while continuing to grow yourself.

About Sherman Merricks:

Sherman Merricks is the Co-Founder of LASSO Framework, a top-tier agency transforming how gym owners approach sales and marketing across North America. After building a successful CrossFit gym and mentoring hundreds of fitness professionals, Sherman now empowers entrepreneurs to scale with clarity, confidence, and community. His athlete roots continue to shape how he leads, coaches, and creates impact.

Connect with Sherman Merricks:

🌐 Website: LASSOFramework.com

IG-shermanmerricks5

Linkedin-https://www.linkedin.com/in/dynastycrossfit/

FB-https://www.facebook.com/sherman.merricks

🔗 Connect with Alumni Direct:

At Alumni Direct, we believe athletes deserve a platform that empowers their future beyond sports. Whether it’s networking, mentorship, or tools to grow your brand or business—we’re here to support the journey.

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

You’ve got the mindset. Now let’s build the life to match.**

AthletesToEntrepreneurs #ShermanMerricks #LifeAfterSports #GymOwnership #FitnessEntrepreneurs #AthleteTransition #LASSOFramework #MarketingMatters #NetworkingWorks #BuiltForMore #AlumniDirect #YouAreMoreThanAnAthlete

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with David Weeks—a former college football player who made a dynamic leap from the field to the food industry as a successful entrepreneur. David opens up about how his athletic journey shaped his mindset and how he used the skills he learned on the gridiron to build a thriving career in business.

Rob and David dive deep into the realities of athlete transition—exploring everything from the value of multi-sport participation growing up to the emotional challenges athletes face when stepping away from their sport. David shares how networking, mentorship, and continuous learning helped him evolve, and how giving back through connection can be just as rewarding as personal success.

They also tackle the importance of financial literacy—especially in today’s NIL era—and discuss why hiring former athletes brings an edge to the business world. Whether you’re still competing or already on your next chapter, David’s story is packed with wisdom, heart, and practical tips to guide your journey.

Key Takeaways:

  • Athletic Discipline Translates to Business: Use the mindset you developed in sports.

  • Multi-Sport Backgrounds Build Versatility: Early exposure to different sports enhances adaptability.

  • Transitions Can Be Tough: But with the right support and direction, they’re also full of opportunity.

  • Financial Literacy Is Non-Negotiable: Especially in the NIL era.

  • Networking Opens Doors: It’s not just who you know—but who knows you.

  • Alumni Are a Powerhouse Resource: Don’t overlook their role in your journey.

  • Mentorship Creates Momentum: Surround yourself with those who’ve walked the path.

  • Failures Are Lessons: Every setback has value if you’re willing to learn.

  • Athletes Make Great Hires: Resilience, drive, and leadership are built on the field.

  • Your Lifestyle Fuels Success: Health and wellness matter in every stage of life.

About David Weeks:

David Weeks is a former college football athlete who channeled his competitive edge into the food industry as an entrepreneur and brand builder. With a deep belief in continuous education, healthy living, and helping others, David brings the athlete’s mindset into everything he does—whether it’s in business, networking, or mentorship.

Connect with David Weeks:

Stay tuned—social media links and ways to connect with David will be added soon!

🔗 Connect with Alumni Direct:

At Alumni Direct, we empower athletes like David—and like you—to thrive beyond the game through connections, tools, and a supportive community built for your next chapter.

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

You were built for more than the game. Let’s unlock that next level together.

AthletesToEntrepreneurs #DavidWeeks #LifeAfterSports #NIL #AlumniSupport #AthleteTransition #FoodIndustry #YouAreMoreThanAnAthlete #NetworkingMatters #AthleteEntrepreneurs #PurposeDrivenLeadership #AlumniDirect

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Karl Blum—a former college baseball player who pitched for both Duke and Rutgers before transitioning into the world of private equity and sports investment. Today, Karl is a Principal at JDS Sports, where he helps shape the future of sports and entertainment through strategic business leadership.Karl shares how his identity was shaped through baseball, and how stepping away from the game in 2019 forced him to redefine his purpose and direction. The conversation dives deep into the challenges of athlete transition, the power of cross-sport networking, and the often-overlooked role of alumni engagement.Rob and Karl also explore the evolving NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) landscape—breaking down both the opportunities and the hurdles it presents for young athletes. Whether you're a current athlete, a retired pro, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with real talk, practical insights, and powerful reminders that the athlete mindset is built for more than the game.--- Key Takeaways:- Athletics Shape Identity: But you’re not limited by the sport you played.- Proactivity Beats Reactivity: Don’t wait for a crisis to find your next step.- Networking Changes Everything: Especially beyond your own sport.- Alumni Connections Are Underused: Tap into that powerful network.- Purpose After Sports Is Key: Your next chapter needs meaning.- NIL Is a Game-Changer: But not without its complexities.- Business Is Like Sport: It requires hustle, resilience, and belief.- Athletes Make Great Entrepreneurs: Discipline and mindset give you a head start.- Impact Comes From Service: Helping others often helps you find your own purpose.- Your Story Isn’t Over: It’s just a new arena—own it.---About Karl Blum:Karl Blum is a former Division I baseball pitcher who played for Duke University and Rutgers University before a stint in Independent Minor League Baseball. In 2019, Karl shifted his focus to business, joining JDS Sports, a private equity firm at the intersection of sports, media, and entertainment. Today, he serves as Principal and brings his athlete mindset to the business world.---🤝 Connect with Karl Blum:- Instagram: @karl_blum- X (Twitter): @karlblum_--- Connect with Alumni Direct:At Alumni Direct, we help athletes like Karl—and like you—navigate life after sports with the tools, community, and support to succeed in business and beyond.📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct📘 Facebook: Alumni DirectYou were built for more than the game. Let’s unlock that next level together.#AthletesToEntrepreneurs #KarlBlum #LifeAfterSports #NIL #AlumniSupport #AthleteTransition #SportsBusiness #YouAreMoreThanAnAthlete #AthleteEntrepreneurs #NetworkingMatters #PurposeDrivenLeadership #AlumniDirect

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Vonn Webb—a former Division I head basketball coach, high school principal, and educator who has taken his life experience and turned it into a powerful mission.

Vonn shares his emotional and purpose-driven journey that led him to found StayShaded.org, a nonprofit focused on educating youth, parents, and athletes about the deadly dangers of fentanyl.Vonn opens up about the tragic loss of his son to fentanyl poisoning and how that life-altering moment became the fuel for his passion to make a difference. From coaching and mentoring athletes to building a platform for awareness, Vonn is an example of what it means to turn pain into purpose.Rob and Vonn dive deep into the athlete transition process, the long-term impact of coaches, the value of alumni support, and the need for stronger communities to help athletes thrive after the game ends.This episode is filled with heartfelt wisdom, real talk, and a call to action that resonates far beyond the court.---Key Takeaways:

  • Transition Is a Journey: Many athletes struggle with identity after sports—early preparation is crucial.
  • Mentorship Changes Lives: Alumni and coaches can offer real support for today’s athletes.
  • Relationships Over Results: The best coaches build bonds that last long after the buzzer.
  • Mindset Fuels Success: Athletes’ mental strength translates to business, leadership, and life.
  • Tragedy Can Spark Purpose: Vonn’s story is proof that you can rise through the pain and help others.
  • Fentanyl Is a Real Threat: Awareness and education are key to saving lives—especially in athletic communities.
  • Entrepreneurship Is a Natural Fit: Athletes are wired to lead, build, and innovate.
  • Network Like Your Future Depends On It: Because it often does.
  • Community Is Everything: Surrounding yourself with the right people can make all the difference.
  • Give Back to Move Forward: Vonn is living proof that impact multiplies when you serve others.
  • Instagram: @coachdub1
  • Nonprofit IG: @stayshadedorg
  • X (Twitter): @webb_vonn
  • Nonprofit X: @orgstayshaded
  • Website: www.stayshaded.org

---About Vonn Webb:Vonn Webb is a former educator, principal, and Division I head basketball coach who now leads StayShaded.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fentanyl awareness, education, and prevention. His journey from the court to the community is filled with leadership, heart, and a commitment to protecting the next generation.--- 🤝 Connect with Vonn Webb:---Connect with Alumni Direct:At Alumni Direct, we’re helping athletes like Vonn—and like you—navigate the transition from sport to life with the tools, connections, and support you need to thrive.📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct📘 Facebook: Alumni DirectYou’re more than an athlete. And your next chapter could be your most impactful yet.#AthletesToEntrepreneurs #VonnWebb #StayShaded #FentanylAwareness #LifeAfterSports #AthleteEntrepreneurs #CoachForLife #MentorshipMatters #AthleteTransition #AlumniSupport #PurposeDrivenLeadership #YouAreMoreThanAnAthlete #AlumniDirect

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Jess Cerra—a former professional cyclist, entrepreneur, and current VP of Product Development, Quality & Community at Alete Active Nutrition (makers of SaltStick).

Jess shares her powerful story of transitioning out of elite athletics into entrepreneurship, advocacy, and impact-driven leadership.From overcoming injury and identity loss to launching businesses and scholarships, Jess opens up about the importance of mentorship, alumni support, and building networks that last beyond the finish line. Her passion for elevating women in cycling and creating inclusive communities shines through every step of her journey.Together, Rob and Jess explore how athletes can prepare for what’s next, the real value of financial literacy, and why giving back is one of the most meaningful ways to grow after sports.This episode is packed with insight, authenticity, and encouragement for anyone navigating life beyond athletics.---🔑 Key Takeaways:- Transition with Purpose: Jess’s journey shows how to navigate identity shifts and find new passions after competition.- The Power of Networking: Strong connections—especially within the alumni and cycling communities—can shape career paths.- Mentorship Matters: Support from those who’ve walked the path before you is invaluable during big transitions.- Prepare Early: Athletes should start building their personal brand and business skills before they retire from sport.- Financial Literacy = Freedom: Understanding money and planning for the future is a must for long-term success.- Community Fuels Growth: Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you is one of the greatest assets you can have.- Give Back to Move Forward: Through The Last Best Ride and scholarships, Jess is paying it forward to support young women.- Endurance Sports Need More Unity: There’s untapped potential in collaboration across cycling and other athletic disciplines.--- About Jess Cerra:Jess Cerra is a former pro cyclist turned entrepreneur and the Vice President of Product Development, Quality & Community at Alete Active Nutrition, home of SaltStick. She's also the co-founder of The Last Best Ride, a non-profit gravel cycling event based in Whitefish, Montana, dedicated to promoting inclusivity and offering scholarships for young women athletes. Jess is passionate about performance nutrition, athlete wellness, and building communities that support athletes beyond their competitive years.---Connect with Jess Cerra:- Instagram: @jesscerra- SaltStick: www.saltstick.com- The Last Best Ride: www.lastbestride.com---Connect with Alumni Direct:At Alumni Direct, we’re helping athletes like Jess—and like you—transition from sport to life with the resources, community, and connections you need to succeed.📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct📘 Facebook: Alumni DirectYou’re more than an athlete. And your next chapter could be your best yet.#AthletesToEntrepreneurs #JessCerra #LifeAfterSports #CyclingCommunity #AthleteEntrepreneurs #AlumniSupport #AthleteTransition #FinancialLiteracy #MentorshipMatters #TheLastBestRide #GiveBack #AlumniDirect

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ali Cox—a former Olympian in rowing turned successful marketing entrepreneur. From her unexpected start as a collegiate walk-on to competing on the world stage, Ali shares the incredible journey that led her to founding Noble West, a firm that merges her passion for agriculture with her leadership and branding expertise.

Ali opens up about how the discipline, teamwork, and mental toughness gained through sports became the foundation for her business success. She offers candid insights into the challenges athletes face when their playing days are over—and how building relationships, staying curious, and trusting the process can create a meaningful path forward.

Together, Rob and Ali explore the importance of networking, mentorship, and preparing athletes for life after sports. It’s a conversation that’s both inspiring and practical—perfect for athletes at any stage of transition who are ready to discover what’s possible beyond the game.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • From Walk-On to Olympian: Ali’s journey is proof that with drive and vision, anything is possible.

  • Sports Build Leadership: Teamwork, resilience, and communication translate directly into business success.

  • The Transition is Real: Leaving sports behind is tough—mentorship and self-education can ease the journey.

  • Networking Opens Doors: Building authentic relationships during your athletic career pays off down the road.

  • Mentorship is Growing: Today’s athletes have more resources than ever to connect with guides and role models.

  • Self-Education Fuels Growth: Life beyond sports requires learning, adapting, and embracing new challenges.

  • Employers Value Athletes: Pressure-tested and team-minded—athletes bring unique strengths to the table.

  • Noble West is Mission-Driven: Ali’s passion for agriculture shaped her entrepreneurial path and purpose.

  • Trust the Process: Success doesn’t happen overnight. Stay committed to your vision and growth.

👤 About Ali Cox:

Ali Cox is a U.S. Olympian in rowing and the founder of Noble West, a California-based marketing firm focused on supporting the agriculture industry. Her unique blend of athletic grit and creative leadership drives her mission to tell authentic, impactful stories through branding and strategy. Ali’s journey continues to inspire athletes transitioning into new chapters of their lives.

🤝 Connect with Ali Cox:

LikedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicox/

🔗 Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for more stories, resources, and tools to help athletes transition into the next phase of life:

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

If you're an athlete preparing for what’s next—or supporting one who is—this episode is packed with actionable insights and encouragement. Share it with teammates, coaches, and your network—because together, we can build a stronger future for athletes everywhere.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ryan Whiting —a former Olympian and track and field champion who’s transitioned from world-class competition to coaching, entrepreneurship, and mentoring the next generation of athletes.

From the thrill of international competition to the realities of life after sports, Ryan shares his powerful story of personal growth, identity shifts, and building a purpose-driven path beyond athletics.

Ryan opens up about the emotional and financial challenges that come with transitioning out of elite sports, the importance of building a strong support system, and how networking and alumni relationships can change everything. He also emphasizes the significance of mental health, the value of mentorship, and the role of international connections in shaping new opportunities.

Together, Rob and Ryan dive into the evolving landscape of athlete support, the mindset required to thrive in new roles, and how finding balance between family, career, and happiness is key to long-term success. This episode is a must-listen for athletes at any stage of their journey who are ready to grow beyond the game.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • Transition is Tough—but You’re Not Alone: Many athletes struggle after leaving competition, and it’s okay to ask for help.

  • Financial Literacy is Non-Negotiable: Taxes, planning, and smart decisions are critical to long-term success.

  • Alumni Networks Create Momentum: Leveraging your school’s network can open doors to new careers and mentorship.

  • Start Networking Early: The relationships you build during your athletic career can shape your future.

  • International Sports = Global Opportunities: Competing abroad can lead to business and life connections you never expected.

  • Identity is Fluid: You’re more than an athlete—embracing change allows for personal and professional growth.

  • Mental Health Matters: The pressure to perform is real, and support systems make all the difference.

  • Success Isn’t Just About Winning: Happiness, family, and fulfillment are just as important as medals.

  • Coaching is a New Way to Compete: Transitioning into leadership roles brings its own rewards and challenges.

  • Your Journey Can Inspire Others: Sharing your story can help those walking a similar path.

👤 About Ryan Whiting:

Ryan Whiting is a former Olympic shot putter and NCAA champion who competed at the highest levels of international track and field. Now a coach, entrepreneur, and advocate for athlete development, Ryan uses his experience to support athletes in transition—offering guidance, mentorship, and real-world insight into life after sports. He competed for Arizona State University, and his global athletic career laid the foundation for the diverse work he does today.

🤝 Connect with Ryan Whiting:

  • Instagram: @ryanwhitingusa

🔗 Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for more stories, resources, and tools to help athletes transition into the next phase of life:

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

If you’re an athlete preparing for what’s next—or helping someone who is—this episode is packed with insights and encouragement. Share it with your teammates, coaches, and mentors—let’s build a stronger support system for athletes everywhere.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with John Stetson—a former athlete who’s blazed an impressive trail through the worlds of finance, private equity, regenerative medicine, and national franchising. From competing in sports to closing multimillion-dollar deals, John shares how the lessons of the game prepared him for the complexities of business leadership.

John dives deep into the mindset shifts required to navigate life after sports, the value of leaning into curiosity, and how simply asking good questions can open doors in any industry. He reflects on the importance of mentorship and alumni connections in shaping his journey and emphasizes that trusting your instincts—and not being afraid to take bold risks—can make all the difference.

Rob and John explore how athletes can use their competitive edge to thrive in business, what it means to find your own lane after sports, and why embracing diverse ventures (like biotech and pizza!) is part of a fulfilling entrepreneurial path. This episode is a must-listen for any current or former athlete looking to tap into their full potential.

--- 🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • Sports Build the Blueprint: Discipline, work ethic, and teamwork are all transferable to business.

  • Curiosity is a Career Accelerator: Asking questions helps you grow faster in unfamiliar spaces.

  • The Alumni Network is Gold: Leveraging connections creates real-world opportunities.

  • Your Gut Knows: Trusting your instincts can lead you to the right decisions, even in high-stakes situations.

  • Transition is a Team Sport: You don’t have to go it alone—mentorship and community matter.

  • Diverse Paths Can Strengthen You: Jumping into different industries expands your business mindset.

  • Entrepreneurship Mirrors Athletics: Strategy, execution, and perseverance are always in play.

  • Relationships Over Transactions: Long-term success comes from building real, meaningful connections.

  • 👤 About John Stetson:

John is the Founder and Managing Member of Sunset Bay Capital, a private equity firm based in Fort Lauderdale. He serves as CEO of PolarityBio, a biotech company in regenerative tissue development, and Stoner’s Pizza Joint, a 50+ location national pizza franchisor. He’s held CFO and board roles at Nasdaq-listed companies and raised over $250 million in capital. John holds a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

--- 🤝 Connect with John Stetson:

🔗 Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for more stories, resources, and tools to help athletes transition into the next phase of life:

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

If you're an athlete preparing for life after the game—or supporting someone who is—this episode delivers practical advice, inspiration, and a reminder that your journey is just beginning. **Share it with your network, teammates, and mentors—let’s help each other rise.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Trevor Schrier—former collegiate wrestler turned finance professional and founder of an innovative AI solutions company. Trevor shares his powerful story of transitioning from the grind of athletic competition to the fast-paced world of business, breaking down the mindset shifts, relationships, and lessons that fueled his transformation.

Having walked the difficult path from athlete to entrepreneur, Trevor opens up about the identity challenges many face after sports, and how building strong networks—especially within the alumni community—can unlock powerful opportunities. His journey highlights the unique skills athletes bring to the table and the importance of staying adaptable in a constantly evolving world.

Rob and Trevor explore how athletes can start preparing early for life after sports, why entrepreneurship might be a natural fit, and how AI is creating exciting new possibilities for those willing to pivot and learn. This episode is a playbook for resilience, reinvention, and real-world readiness.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • Your Sport is a Chapter, Not the Whole Book: Athletes often face identity loss when the game ends—embrace the opportunity to write your next story.

  • Start Building Early: Internships, networking, and mentorship shouldn’t wait until after graduation.

  • Leverage Your Network: The athlete and alumni community is full of people ready to help—you just have to reach out.

  • Entrepreneurship is a Journey of Grit: The same perseverance that pushes you through practice and competition applies in business.

  • AI is More Accessible Than You Think: Former athletes are stepping into tech spaces and driving innovation—there’s room for you too.

  • Resilience is a Superpower: Whether on the mat or in the market, learning to bounce back is key.

  • Education Gaps Exist: There’s a need for stronger support systems around financial literacy and life skills in athletics.

  • Your Athletic Mindset is an Asset: Discipline, teamwork, and focus are traits every employer (or investor) values.

🤝 Connect with Trevor Schrier:

  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-schrier-856957b9/

🔗 Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for more insights, tools, and stories helping athletes thrive in life after sports:

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

If you're an athlete navigating your next chapter—or supporting someone who is—this episode offers a roadmap to finding purpose, building your network, and discovering what’s possible beyond the game. Share it with your teammates, mentors, and alumni circles.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Jedidiah Collins—former NFL fullback turned certified financial planner and founder of Money Vehicle, a groundbreaking financial education platform. With a heart for service and a mind for strategy, Jedidiah shares his powerful journey of reinvention—from professional sports to personal finance education—and the mission behind helping young athletes build financial independence and purpose after the game.Having experienced the abrupt end of an NFL career, Jedidiah understands firsthand the identity crisis athletes face post-retirement. This episode dives deep into the mental, emotional, and financial hurdles athletes must overcome—and the systems of mentorship, education, and community that can help them navigate that transition with confidence.Rob and Jedidiah explore the crucial role of alumni networks, the rising interest of athletes in entrepreneurship and investing, and how financial literacy can become a transformational tool—not just for surviving after sports, but thriving beyond it.---🔑 Key Takeaways:- Embrace Failure as Feedback: Setbacks are inevitable—what matters is how you respond.- Your Network is Your Net Worth: Relationships open doors after the uniform comes off.- Financial Literacy is Fundamental: Understanding money is non-negotiable for lasting success.- Redefining Identity Post-Sport : Purpose must go beyond performance.- Alumni Mentorship Matters: Those who’ve walked the path can light the way forward.- Athletes as Investors: More pros are shifting from consumer mindset to ownership.- Start the Transition Early: The best time to plan for post-sports life is now.- Entrepreneurship is a Team Sport: Surround yourself with support to endure the ups and downs.- Build Before You Need It: Relationships, skills, and systems must be in place before the crisis.---Connect with Jedidiah Collins:- Money Vehicle: www.yourmoneyvehicle.com- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullbackoffinance/?hl=en--- 🔗 Connect with Us:Follow Alumni Direct for more insights, tools, and stories helping athletes thrive in life after sports:📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct📘 Facebook: Alumni DirectIf you're an athlete ready to level up your life beyond the locker room—or helping one navigate that journey—this episode is your playbook for growth, financial empowerment, and building your next championship team. Share it with your teammates, mentors, and alumni networks.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Steve Davis Jr., founder of Strive Higher After Sports and passionate advocate for helping athletes redefine themselves beyond the game. Steve brings a powerful blend of insight, experience, and heart to a conversation centered on athlete transition, identity, and building meaningful connections that fuel life after sports.

As a former athlete who walked the road himself, Steve understands the emotional and mental challenges of leaving the sport you love. From facing identity loss to figuring out what’s next, he’s made it his mission to equip athletes with tools, mentorship, and support systems to rise above the uncertainty and strive higher.

Rob and Steve dive into the importance of early life planning, alumni engagement, and how storytelling plays a key role in building a strong personal network. They discuss how community, mentorship, and mindset can turn a difficult transition into a launchpad for growth and purpose.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • Education Beyond Workshops: Real-life readiness requires more than just a few seminars.

  • Relationships Build Resilience: A strong support system can be the game-changer post-career.

  • Networking is Storytelling: Your journey is your brand—learn to share it.

  • Identity Crisis is Real: Athletes must be intentional in rediscovering their purpose.

  • Alumni Hold the Key: Engaging with former athletes creates opportunity and community.

  • Start Planning Early: Transition should begin during your playing years, not after.

  • Daily Growth Mindset: Every day is a chance to learn, evolve, and lead.

  • Strong Foundations Create Strong Futures: Laying the groundwork now shapes what comes next.

🤝 Connect with Steve Davis Jr.:

  • Strive Higher After Sports: www.strivehigheraftersports.com

  • Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevedav/

  • Instagram: @SHED_AVE

  • Book a Call to Steve: https://www.strivehigheraftersports.com/booking

🔗 Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for more stories and resources to help you thrive beyond the game:

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

If you’re an athlete preparing for your next chapter—or supporting someone who is—this episode delivers inspiration, strategy, and connection. Share it with teammates, coaches, and mentors, and help us spread the movement of empowering athletes after the jersey comes off.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Rhonda Rajsich, a world champion racquetball player and passionate advocate for athlete empowerment, youth engagement, and mental resilience. Rhonda’s story is one of perseverance, purpose, and using the power of sport to inspire others long after the competition ends.Coming from a high-achieving athletic family, Rhonda embraced pressure as a privilege and developed a mindset that fueled her success on and off the court. With a career that includes multiple world titles, Rhonda is now focused on coaching, speaking, and raising awareness for racquetball, all while helping athletes navigate the often challenging transition out of sports.Rob and Rhonda explore the intersection of athletics, entrepreneurship, and identity, touching on how youth sports are evolving, why networking is essential, and how the discipline and drive athletes possess naturally align with business success. Rhonda also shares her thoughts on NIL opportunities in niche sports, the emotional side of retirement from competition, and why it's critical to rediscover joy in the game.---Key Takeaways:- Pressure is a Privilege: Rhonda learned early on how to channel pressure into performance and personal growth.- Diverse Sports Experience Builds Resilience: Competing in multiple sports helped her avoid burnout and stay well-rounded.- Networking Fuels Opportunities: Relationships built during sports can open doors in business and beyond.- Racquetball Needs a Revival: The sport is losing courts and youth participation—awareness is key to its growth.- Joy Over Pressure: Athletes should play for passion, not just performance.- Business & Sports Align: Athletes’ discipline, grit, and adaptability translate directly into entrepreneurship.- NIL in Racquetball is Untapped: There’s potential, but more awareness and advocacy are needed.- Coaching with Purpose: Rhonda is now mentoring others, using her platform to make a difference.- Mental Health Matters: Navigating the emotional side of leaving competition is just as important as the physical.- From Athlete to Advocate: Rhonda’s mission now is about impact, not just accolades.---Connect with Rhonda Rajsich:Instagram: @rhondarajsich LinkedIn: www.linkedin/in/rhondarajsich---Connect with Us:Follow Alumni Direct for more inspiring stories of athletes making an impact beyond sports:📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct📘 Facebook: Alumni DirectIf you’re an athlete navigating life after sports, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insights to help you thrive!Don’t forget to share this with fellow athletes, coaches, and entrepreneurs—and join our growing community today.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Joey Cioffi, a former Monmouth University football player turned entrepreneur, to discuss the transition from sports to business ownership. Joey is the Founder and CEO of Salad House, a fast-casual health-focused franchise brand known for its fresh chopped salads, made-to-order proteins, and Create-Your-Own salad options.Coming from a family rooted in the restaurant industry, Joey took a leap beyond the traditional deli business and ventured into fast-casual dining. Through perseverance, calculated risk-taking, and relentless drive, he transformed Salad House into a scalable franchise. His journey—from working in his family’s deli to overcoming financial hardships—is a testament to resilience, vision, and a commitment to expanding healthy food options nationwide.Rob and Joey dive into the challenges athletes face when stepping away from sports, the importance of networking and mentorship, and how the skills developed in athletics—such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience—serve as a foundation for entrepreneurial success. Joey also shares insights on franchising as a career path, the growing demand for healthy dining, and how athletes can apply their competitive mindset to building a thriving business.---Key Takeaways:- Athletic Mindset Fuels Business Success: Joey’s competitive nature and discipline from football helped him navigate entrepreneurship.- Networking is a Game-Changer: Building strong relationships is essential for athletes transitioning into new careers.- Life After Sports Requires Preparation: Schools are improving education on career opportunities post-athletics.- Athletes Bring Valuable Skills to Business: Leadership, teamwork, and adaptability are highly sought-after traits.- Franchising Offers a Pathway for Athletes: Business ownership can be a rewarding next step with the right strategy.- Mentorship is Key: Learning from experienced entrepreneurs accelerates growth and decision-making.- Healthy Dining is a Growing Industry: Salad House was created to offer nutritious meals while appealing to a broad audience.- Teamwork Translates Beyond Sports: Collaboration and adaptability in athletics apply directly to business success.- Resilience and Mental Toughness Matter: Overcoming setbacks is crucial for long-term success in business.- Building a Brand with Purpose: Joey shares how he positioned Salad House to attract both health-conscious and casual diners.---Connect with Joey Cioffi & Salad House:🌱 Website: [Salad House] (https://www.thesaladhouse.com/)📸 Instagram: @thesaladhouse💼 LinkedIn: Joey Cioffi---Connect with Us:Follow Alumni Direct for more inspiring stories of athletes making an impact beyond sports:📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct🚀 If you’re an athlete navigating life after sports, this episode is packed with insights to help you on your journey! Don’t forget to share this with fellow athletes and entrepreneurs and join our community to continue the conversation.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Selina Li, a former collegiate golfer turned entrepreneur, to discuss the journey of transitioning from sports to business. Selina shares her experiences at the University of Pennsylvania, the challenges of leaving competitive athletics, and the importance of networking and alumni connections in carving out a new career path.Selina and Rob dive into the often-overlooked identity crisis athletes face post-sports, the evolving opportunities in **Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and how athletes can leverage their skills in the professional world. She also introduces her nutrition-focused app,Gymii.AI | , which simplifies nutrition tracking and accountability. This episode is packed with actionable insights for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to build a strong network after sports.--- Takeaways:- Discipline & Efficiency Translate to Business: The lessons learned in golf helped Selina build a structured and efficient mindset in entrepreneurship.- Networking Opens Doors: Building strong relationships is essential for athletes looking to transition into new careers.- Employers Value Athlete Skills: Leadership, resilience, and teamwork are highly sought-after attributes in the business world.- Identity Challenges Are Real: Many athletes struggle to redefine themselves after leaving competitive sports.- Alumni Support is Invaluable: Engaging with alumni networks can provide mentorship and career opportunities.- NIL Requires Better Education: Many athletes lack proper guidance on how to maximize and manage NIL opportunities.- College is a Time for Exploration: Trying new experiences can help athletes prepare for a well-rounded career.- Athletes Should Know Their Worth: The skills developed in sports are highly transferable and should be leveraged in the job market.- Technology Can Simplify Nutrition: Selina’s app Gymii.AI http://Gymii.AI makes tracking nutrition easier and more effective.- Community Drives Success: Building a strong support system can improve accountability and personal growth.---Connect with Selina Li & Gymii.AIInstagram: @selina.liyyLinkedIn: Selina Li, https://www.linkedin.com/in/selina-li-2624a4198/Facebook: Selina Li, https://www.facebook.com/selina.li.923---Connect with Us:Follow Alumni Direct for More Inspiring Stories:📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct🚀 If you’re an athlete looking to transition into entrepreneurship or a new career, this episode is packed with insights to help you on your journey! Don’t forget to share this with fellow athletes and entrepreneurs and join our community to continue the conversation.

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In this episode of The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Zaire Franklin, an NFL player, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to empowering athletes beyond the game. As a current professional football player, Zaire has successfully leveraged networking, alumni connections, and strategic planning to build a career both on and off the field.Beyond football, Zaire has embraced entrepreneurship, owning a franchise business and founding a non-profit organization focused on mentorship and community impact. He also shares his perspective on the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the challenges and opportunities it presents for today’s college athletes.Rob and Zaire dive into the importance of time management, taking smart risks, and building meaningful relationships, offering valuable insights for athletes looking to navigate transitions and maximize their opportunities beyond sports.---Key Takeaways:- Time management is crucial. Balancing sports, academics, and future goals is key for college athletes.- Networking creates opportunities.Leveraging relationships can open doors in business and life.- Alumni connections offer valuable support. Former athletes can guide and mentor the next generation.- Entrepreneurship is a growing trend for athletes. More players are using their platforms to build businesses.- NIL is a double-edged sword. Athletes must be strategic in managing brand deals and financial opportunities.- The transition from college to the NFL is life-changing. Adapting to a professional environment requires new levels of focus.- Planning for life after sports starts early. Developing skills and relationships before retirement is critical.- Giving back fuels long-term success. Community involvement and mentorship create lasting impact.- Cross-sport collaboration leads to new opportunities. Building relationships with athletes from different backgrounds can expand business ventures.- Zaire’s non-profit empowers young women. His organization focuses on mentorship and opportunities for young female leaders.---Connect with Zaire Franklin:🏈 Instagram: [@ZaireFranklin](https://www.instagram.com/zaire_🐦 Twitter: @ZaireFranklin---Connect with Us:Follow Alumni Direct for More Inspiring Stories:📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct🐦 Twitter: @AlumniDirectLLC📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct---🎧 If you’re an athlete looking to transition into entrepreneurship or a new career, this episode is packed with insights to help you on your journey!Don’t forget to share this with fellow athletes and entrepreneurs and join our community to continue the conversation. 🚀

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In this episode of The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Jermal McCoy, a former professional basketball player, educator, and nonprofit leader dedicated to mentorship and community empowerment. With over 22 years in education, Jermal currently serves as the Graduation Coach Manager at Georgia Cyber Academy and is the founder of Life After Ball (LAB), an organization that helps athletes transition beyond sports. He is also the VP of Full Circle Consulting Group and a passionate advocate for financial literacy, leadership development, and generational wealth in underserved communities.

Rob and Jermal dive into the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports, the critical role of networking, and why financial literacy and mental health support are essential. Jermal shares his personal journey, insights on leveraging alumni connections, and how athletes can redefine their identity beyond the game. This conversation is filled with practical advice for athletes looking to build careers, businesses, and lasting impact beyond sports.

---Key Takeaways:

  • Sports was like a parent to me. Many athletes struggle with the transition because sports shaped their identity.

  • The transition out of sports can be overwhelming. Without a plan, it’s easy to feel lost.

  • Networking is a game-changer. Meaningful relationships open doors beyond the game.

  • Healing is just as important as career planning. Mental health should be prioritized in the transition process.

  • Stay coachable and limit distractions. The same discipline that made you successful in sports applies to life after.

  • Have a Plan B (and C!). Preparation is key to long-term success.

  • Your talent is a tool, not your identity. You are more than just an athlete.

  • Alumni engagement creates opportunities. Former teammates and mentors can help guide your next steps.

  • Life After Ball (LAB) empowers athletes to thrive. Jermal’s organization helps athletes take control of their futures.

  • Life doesn’t end when sports do. You can still find joy, purpose, and success beyond the game.

Connect with Jermal McCoy:

🔗 LinkedIn: Jermal McCoy

🏀 Life After Ball: Website

Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for More Inspiring Stories:

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

🐦 Twitter: @AlumniDirectLLC

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

🎧 If you’re an athlete looking to transition into entrepreneurship or a new career, this episode is packed with insights to help you on your journey!

Don’t forget to share this with fellow athletes and entrepreneurs and join our community to continue the conversation. 🚀

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Garrick Jones, a former professional athlete and founder of 73 Holdings. They dive into the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports, the power of networking, and the importance of financial literacy.

Garrick shares how athletes can leverage their current status to create opportunities, build strong relationships, and prepare for long-term success. He also discusses his vision for empowering athletes through education, ownership opportunities, and the evolving NIL landscape.

Key Takeaways:

  • The transition out of sports is a major challenge for athletes today. Many struggle with identity shifts and career direction.

  • Education about transitioning should be ongoing, not just a one-day workshop. Athletes need structured support throughout their careers.

  • Networking is a superpower. Building meaningful relationships can open doors for future opportunities.

  • Athletes should leverage their current status to create opportunities. NIL provides new avenues for entrepreneurial success.

  • Alumni engagement fosters mentorship and support. Staying connected with former teammates and networks can lead to career growth.

  • Financial literacy is essential. Understanding money management helps athletes secure their futures.

  • Ownership opportunities empower athletes and fans alike. Creating business ventures can lead to long-term financial stability.

  • The future of sports involves greater athlete involvement in management. More athletes are stepping into leadership roles.

Connect with Garrick Jones:

🔗 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/commissionergj/

Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for More Inspiring Stories:

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

🐦 Twitter: @AlumniDirectLLC

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

🎧 If you’re an athlete looking to transition into entrepreneurship or a new career, this episode is packed with insights to help you on your journey!

Don’t forget to share this with fellow athletes and entrepreneurs and join our community to continue the conversation. 🚀

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Adam Constantine, a former college and pro basketball player and the founder of Ace Creatives. They dive into the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports and the importance of networking. Adam shares how the skills learned in sports can be directly applied to business and how he successfully transitioned from college and professional basketball into social media and entrepreneurship. He also emphasizes the need for strong support systems to help athletes navigate their career transitions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sports Instill Structure and the Pursuit of Excellence: The habits developed in athletics contribute to long-term success.

  • Learning from Losses is Crucial: Overcoming setbacks in sports builds resilience for business and life.

  • Athletes Possess Transferable Skills for Business: Leadership, discipline, and adaptability translate well into the corporate world.

  • Networking is Essential for Career Growth: Building meaningful relationships can open doors after sports.

  • Alumni Engagement Provides Critical Support: Staying connected with former teammates and alumni can lead to new opportunities.

  • The Transition from College to Professional Sports Can Be Jarring: Many athletes struggle with identity shifts and career direction.

  • Self-motivation is Key to Success: Athletes who take initiative in their careers are better equipped for long-term growth.

  • Listening to Your Audience is Vital in Social Media: Understanding engagement is critical for digital success.

  • Building Relationships Can Lead to Unexpected Opportunities: Connections outside of sports can create new career paths.

  • Don’t Rush the Process; Success Takes Time: Patience and perseverance are essential for achieving goals.

---Connect with Adam Constantine:

🔗 LinkedIn: Adam Constantine

🚀 Ace Creatives

Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for More Inspiring Stories:

📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect

💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct

🐦 Twitter: @AlumniDirectLLC

📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

🎧 If you’re an athlete looking to transition into entrepreneurship or a new career, this episode is packed with insights to help you on your journey!

Don’t forget to share this with fellow athletes and entrepreneurs and join our community to continue the conversation. 🚀

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs , Rob Finkelstein sits down with Rodney Williams, a former college basketball player who transitioned into a professional career in Europe before entering the business world. They discuss the challenges that athletes face when stepping away from sports and how networking, alumni engagement, and mentorship play a crucial role in post-athletic success.

Rodney shares his journey from collegiate athletics to professional play, the lessons he learned about professionalism, and how he built connections that helped him navigate his transition. He also highlights his work with Athlete 2 Boardroom, a platform dedicated to helping athletes successfully shift into their next careers.

-Key Takeaways

  • Sports Instill Discipline and Teamwork: The skills learned on the court or field translate well into business and entrepreneurship.

  • Networking is Crucial for Career Opportunities: Building strong relationships early on can open doors after sports.

  • Athletes Should Start Building Connections Early: Waiting until retirement to think about career options can be a major setback.

  • Transitioning from Sports Can Be Challenging: Many athletes struggle with identity loss and career direction after their playing days are over.

  • Mentorship Plays a Key Role in Athlete Transitions:Learning from those who’ve successfully made the leap can provide valuable guidance.

  • Alumni Engagement is a Powerful Tool for Support: Tapping into former teammates and alumni networks can provide opportunities and guidance.

  • Cross-Sport Networking Can Lead to Unexpected Opportunities: Connecting with athletes from different sports broadens career possibilities.

  • Career Planning Should Start Before Retirement: Proactively exploring options helps ease the transition process.

  • Athletes Possess Valuable Skills for Business: Resilience, leadership, and adaptability make athletes natural entrepreneurs and professionals.

Connect with Rodney Williams:

🔗 LinkedIn: Rodney Williams

🚀 Athlete 2 Boardroom

---Connect with Us:

Follow Alumni Direct for More Inspiring Stories:

📸 Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/alumnidirect)

💼 LinkedIn:(https://www.linkedin.com/company/alumnidirect)

🐦 Twitter: (https://twitter.com/AlumniDirectLLC)

📘 Facebook:(https://www.facebook.com/AlumniDirect)

🎧 If you’re an athlete looking to transition into entrepreneurship or a new career, this episode is packed with insights to help you on your journey!

Don’t forget to share this with fellow athletes and entrepreneurs and join our community to continue the conversation.

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In this episode ofAthletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein interviewsTJ Wright, a former college and professional athlete who has successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship.

They explore the challenges athletes face when stepping away from sports, the importance of financial literacy, and how networking plays a pivotal role in post-athletic success.

TJ shares his insights onleveraging NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities, the entrepreneurial mindset that many athletes naturally possess, and how he’s applying these principles to his innovative business,Horizon Hover, which is developing cutting-edge hover bikes.

He also discusses his vision for asports prep academy designed to equip young athletes with financial education, career development tools, and business acumen to set them up for success beyond sports.

Key Takeaways:
- Athletes Face Unique Transition Challenges: Many athletes struggle with identity loss and lack of direction after sports, making structured support systems essential.
- The Power of Networking: Developing strong connections both during and after an athletic career can open doors to new business and career opportunities.
- NIL Opportunities as a Business Launchpad: NIL deals are more than just sponsorships—they can serve as an entry point into entrepreneurship and wealth-building
- Financial Literacy is Essential for Athletes: Educating athletes about financial management early can prevent financial pitfalls and set them up for long-term stability.
- Entrepreneurship is a Natural Fit for Athletes: The resilience, discipline, and adaptability gained from sports translate seamlessly into business.
- Horizon Hover is Changing the Future of Transportation: TJ’s company is pioneering hover bike technology, bringing futuristic mobility closer to reality.
- The Sports Prep Academy Will Equip Future Athletes: TJ is developing a program to prepare young athletes for success in sports, business, and life.- Building Relationships is Key to Success:** Whether in sports, business, or life, the ability to cultivate and maintain meaningful connections is a game-changer.

Connect with TJ Wright:
🔗 LinkedIn: TJ Wright
Connect with Us:
Follow Alumni Direct for More Inspiring Stories:
📸 Instagram: @AlumniDirect
💼 LinkedIn: Alumni Direct
🐦 Twitter: @AlumniDirectLLC
📘 Facebook: Alumni Direct

🎧 If you’re an athlete looking to transition into entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with insights to help you on your journey! Don’t forget to share this with your fellow athletes and entrepreneurs** and join our community to continue the conversation.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein interviews Adam Dailey, a former NCAA athlete turned successful real estate entrepreneur. They discuss the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports, particularly the lack of resources and guidance available for this shift.

Adam shares his experience navigating the world of real estate, highlighting the role that networking, alumni connections, and his athletic background played in his entrepreneurial journey. He also delves into the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities for athletes and the importance of education in helping athletes build careers after sports.

The conversation underscores how the competitive spirit and discipline athletes develop can seamlessly translate to success in business.---Key Takeaways:

  • Athlete Discipline Helps in Entrepreneurship: The competitive nature of sports teaches athletes the value of discipline, resilience, and sacrifice—qualities that are crucial in entrepreneurship.
  • Networking is Essential for Success: Building a strong network of connections, including alumni, is vital for athletes to thrive after their sports careers, offering mentorship and business opportunities.
  • Limited Resources for Athlete Transitions: Historically, athletes faced challenges in transitioning to careers outside of sports due to a lack of structured resources, but the landscape is evolving.
  • The Value of Alumni Connections: Alumni networks offer opportunities for mentorship and access to resources that can propel athletes into entrepreneurial ventures.
  • NIL Opportunities and Challenges: NIL presents exciting opportunities for athletes but also comes with challenges. Educating athletes, especially at the high school level, is key to navigating these new possibilities.
  • Resilience & Work Ethic from Sports: The resilience and strong work ethic athletes develop in sports transfer directly into the world of entrepreneurship, enabling them to navigate the ups and downs of business.
  • Real Estate as a Path for Athletes: The real estate industry offers athletes unique entrepreneurial opportunities, drawing from their team-oriented mindset and customer-focused approach.
  • Education is Crucial for Athlete Transitions: Education on NIL and post-sport career options is essential for athletes to make informed decisions about their future beyond sports.

Connect with Adam DaileyLinked In: / adamdailey Connect with Us:Follow Alumni Direct for More Inspiring StoriesInstagram: / alumnidirect LinkedIn: / alumnidirect Twitter: / alumnidirectllc Facebook: / alumnidirect ---If you’re an athlete looking to transition into real estate or any other entrepreneurial path, this episode is packed with valuable insights! Don’t forget to share this with your fellow athletes and entrepreneurs. Join our community to continue the conversation and get the support you need as you embark on your own entrepreneurial journey.

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein sits down with former Major League Baseball player Ryan Lavarnway to explore his inspiring transition from professional sports to entrepreneurship. Ryan’s story is filled with valuable insights on personal growth, networking, and embracing change beyond the playing field.

After a successful career in the MLB, Ryan faced the challenges that many athletes encounter when stepping away from sports. He discusses how he navigated this transition and found new purpose through mentorship, public speaking, and coaching, all while leveraging the relationships he built during his playing days.

During their conversation, Ryan shares key takeaways, including:

  • The sense of purpose and community sports provide – how his time in baseball shaped his personal development and prepared him for life after sports.- The power of networking – why building relationships during an athletic career is crucial for future opportunities.- Overcoming identity challenges – navigating the emotional and professional hurdles athletes face when moving on from their sport.- Exploring new career paths – how trying different opportunities helped Ryan discover his passions beyond baseball.- The role of alumni connections – how former teammates and colleagues have played a pivotal role in his journey.- Education as a backup plan – why athletes should prioritize learning and development alongside their sports career.- Mentorship and public speaking – the impact of sharing experiences and guiding the next generation of athletes.- Embracing change – the importance of being open to new opportunities and personal growth beyond sports.Ryan’s journey serves as an inspiration for athletes looking to redefine their purpose and leverage their skills in the entrepreneurial world. His story highlights the importance of preparation, networking, and staying open to new possibilities.

Tune in to hear Ryan’s experiences, the lessons he’s learned, and the strategies he’s used to build a successful life after sports. This is an episode packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

👉 Connect with Ryan Lavarnway and stay updated on his journey.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-lavarnway/

🔗 Follow Alumni Direct for more inspiring stories:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alumnidirectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alumnidirectTwitter: https://twitter.com/AlumniDirectLLCFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlumniDirect

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In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein chats with Todd Stephens, the founder and CEO of Titan Bats. Todd’s journey is a powerful story of unexpected twists, resilience, and entrepreneurial grit.

After a successful college baseball career at Indiana State University, Todd initially ventured into the medical device sales industry. But his deep love for baseball and his competitive spirit soon led him down an entirely different path—starting his own company, Titan Bats, a leading manufacturer of high-performance baseball bats.

During their conversation, Todd opens up about:

Todd’s story is a perfect example of the power of following your passions and leveraging the skills developed through sports. His journey from the ballfield to the boardroom will inspire listeners who are navigating their own transitions from athlete to entrepreneur.

Tune in to hear how Todd has built his entrepreneurial success, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and the strategies that continue to fuel his drive. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

👉 Connect with Todd Stephens and learn more about Titan Bats: Titanbatcompany

🔗 Follow Alumni Direct for more stories:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alumnidirectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alumnidirectTwitter: https://twitter.com/AlumniDirectLLCFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlumniDirect

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On this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein talk with Mark Burwell, a former All-American runner turned award-winning entrepreneur and business advocate. Known as the "Evolutionary Entrepreneur," Mark shares his transformative journey from athletics to the business world, emphasizing how the skills developed in sports—like perseverance and leadership—can fuel entrepreneurial success.

Mark opens up about:

✨ Navigating identity challenges after leaving competitive sports.

🎯 Why networking and relationship-building are essential for career transitions.

🤝 How alumni engagement can create lasting support systems for athletes.

📚 The powerful ways athletes' unique skills translate into business success.

💡 The importance of mentorship, community involvement, and personal growth.

Whether you're a former athlete redefining your path, passionate about mentorship, or seeking motivation from entrepreneurial stories, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.

Key Takeaways:

✔️ Athletes often face identity struggles post-sports but bring transferable skills that drive business success.

✔️ Networking, mentorship, and alumni connections are critical resources for career growth.

✔️ Community involvement plays a significant role in both personal and professional development.

✔️ Perseverance, leadership, and adaptability are core traits of successful entrepreneurs.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/70OS33fNGMmOQbEvCoTdvD

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alumnidirectllc.203

Connect with Mark Burwell:

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On this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Dr. Erik Korem, a High Performance thought leader who introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football. Erik transitioned from being a college football player to becoming a leader in sports science and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Erik Korem has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. He is an expert in sleep and stress resilience and holds a doctorate in Exercise Science. As the Founder and CEO of AIM7—the #1 pickleball health and performance app—he is passionate about helping others improve their health and performance. Erik also hosts The Blueprint, a podcast that delivers practical life advice in short episodes.

In this episode, they explore the unique challenges athletes face when stepping away from sports, the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships, and how alumni engagement can create opportunities for current and former athletes. Erik shares his inspiring journey from a marginalized childhood to becoming a leader in sports science and emphasizes the value of building enduring habits for long-term success.

Erik shares personal insights into:

✨ How athletes can redefine their identity after sports.

🎯 Why networking is essential for successful career transitions.

🤝 The role of alumni engagement in supporting athletes’ growth.

📚 How AIM7 personalizes health and performance for users.

🎙 The value of sharing practical advice through podcasting.

💡 The importance of building enduring habits for long-term success.

Whether you’re an athlete navigating your next chapter, someone passionate about sports science, or interested in personal development, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and inspiration.

Key Takeaways:

✔️ Athletes often struggle with identity after sports but possess unique skills employers value.

✔️ Building and nurturing relationships can open doors for new opportunities.

✔️ Alumni networks are powerful tools for support and collaboration.

✔️ Health encompasses both physical and mental well-being.

✔️ Community and connection are vital for sustained success.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/70OS33fNGMmOQbEvCoTdvD

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alumnidirectllc.203

Connect with Erik Korem:

Website: https://www.erikkorem.com

Podcast: The Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikkorem

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikkorem

AIM7: https://www.aim7.com

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On this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein interviews Hall of Fame football player Nik Lewis, who shares his inspiring transition from the field to the business world.

They dive into the challenges athletes face when stepping away from sports, the importance of having a clear plan for life after athletics, and how networking and alumni engagement can open doors. Nik also discusses the struggles CFL alumni face and introduces his latest venture, AO Sports—a platform designed to help athletes connect with fans and monetize their content.

Nik shares personal insights into:

✨ Why having a life plan beyond sports is essential for success.

🎯 The challenges of transitioning out of athletics and finding a new purpose.

🤝 How networking and alumni connections can create new opportunities.

📚 The importance of personal growth during the off-season.

🎥 His vision for AO Sports and how it helps athletes build their brand and engage with fans.

Whether you’re an athlete preparing for your next chapter, a fan of inspiring stories, or someone curious about the intersection of sports and entrepreneurship, this episode is full of valuable insights and motivation.

Key Takeaways:

✔️ Start planning for life after sports early.

✔️ Build and nurture meaningful relationships.

✔️ Take advantage of alumni networks for support.

✔️ Use your skills to create new opportunities.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/70OS33fNGMmOQbEvCoTdvD

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alumnidirectllc.203

Connect with Nik Lewis:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikel18/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nik-lewis-321543141/

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In this episode of Athletes and Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein interviews former NFL kicker Mike Hollis, who shares his journey from sports to entrepreneurship. They discuss the impact of sports on personal development, the challenges of transitioning out of athletics, the importance of education and networking, and the need for athletes to find their passion post-career. Mike emphasizes the significance of building relationships while still playing and offers advice for young athletes on preparing for life after sports. He also talks about his current endeavors in coaching and the importance of helping the next generation of kickers.
Mike shares personal insights into:
✨ How sports shaped his character and taught valuable life skills like accountability and teamwork.
🎯 The challenges of leaving athletics and finding a new identity.
📚 The critical role of education, networking, and self-discovery in preparing for life after sports.
🤝 The importance of building relationships while playing and leveraging alumni networks.
🎓 His current passion for coaching and mentoring the next generation of kickers.
Whether you're an athlete planning your next chapter, a fan of inspiring stories, or someone curious about life beyond sports, this episode is packed with actionable advice and motivation.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Prepare early for life after sports.
✔️ Build and maintain meaningful relationships.
✔️ Discover your passion to create a fulfilling future.
✔️ Use alumni networks and community resources for support.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/70OS33fNGMmOQbEvCoTdvD
YouTube: https://youtu.be/KF4Cyadg8N0
Connect with Mike Hollis
Instagram: @mikehollis
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/proformkicking/
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LifeAfterSports #AthleteTransition #Entrepreneurship #MikeHollis #NFL #Inspiration #PersonalGrowth #AthletesToEntrepreneurs

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On This Episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey with Dr. Matt Wilson
Rob Finkelstein sits down with Dr. Matt Wilson, a successful speaker, educator, fundraiser, consultant, and connector with over 20 years of experience in college Sport Business teaching. Dr. Wilson, a former Division I student-athlete, has built a thriving consulting business working with athletes, sport teams, athletic administrations, and executives. He has developed customized leadership, communication, team building, and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) educational workshops to help individuals, companies, organizations, and parents navigate the college athletic landscape effectively.
In this episode, they explore the journey athletes face when transitioning from sports to their next chapter. They dive into the significance of education, networking, and the evolving landscape of NIL opportunities for athletes. Dr. Wilson shares his personal stories and actionable insights on how athletes can better prepare for life after sports, touching on crucial themes such as mentorship, financial literacy, and leveraging connections made during their athletic careers.
Top Takeaways
Identity Beyond Sports: Finding a new purpose after sports can be challenging.
Education Is Crucial: Athletes should explore career options early.
Start Networking Early: Building relationships during a career is key.
NIL Opportunities: NIL provides new ways for athletes to earn.
Financial Literacy: Understanding money and taxes is essential.
Alumni Networks: Leveraging alumni connections opens doors.
Transition Is Manageable: Proper planning eases the shift.
Colleges Offer More Resources: Institutions are supporting athlete development.
Find a New Community: A supportive community helps post-sport life.
Seek Mentorship: Mentors provide crucial guidance during transitions.
Why Listen
This episode is a must-hear for anyone interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities faced by athletes as they transition into their next chapter. Dr. Wilson's insights highlight the importance of education, community, and proactive career planning for athletes looking to leverage their unique skills in new arenas.
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear your thoughts! What resonated with you most from this episode? Reach out to Rob Finkelstein or tag us on social media to keep the discussion going.
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Email: matt@drmattwilson.com
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"On This Episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey

Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ted Pryor, a three-time middleweight kickboxing world champion turned entrepreneur, whose life story is as electrifying as it is inspiring.

Ted opens up about his journey from dominating the ring to becoming a key player in the notorious 1980s Miami crime scene and, ultimately, a successful business leader. They discuss the challenges athletes face in transitioning out of sports, the power of mentorship, and the unique skills athletes bring to the business world. Ted also teases his upcoming book, Three-Time World Champ: The Death-Defying True Story of a Kickboxer Turned Drug Smuggler . . . Turned Business Icon, which chronicles his rise, fall, and remarkable comeback.

Top Takeaways

  1. Athletes Struggle with Identity Beyond Sports: Finding a new purpose can be one of the hardest challenges after leaving the field or ring.

  2. Resilience and Adaptability Are Key: Ted’s journey from kickboxing champion to entrepreneur shows the importance of bouncing back from setbacks.

  3. Build Your Network Early: Relationships built during an athletic career can be crucial for future opportunities.

  4. Education and Community Are Game Changers: Ted highlights the value of martial arts communities and education in shaping lives and careers.

  5. Unique Skills Translate to Business Success: Discipline, leadership, and teamwork learned through sports are invaluable in professional settings.

  6. Mentorship Makes a Difference: Guidance from others can help athletes navigate their post-sports lives.

Why Listen

This episode is a must-hear for anyone interested in stories of reinvention, resilience, and leveraging life experiences to achieve success in new arenas. Ted Pryor’s story is not just about his thrilling past—it’s about finding purpose and creating a lasting impact in the world of business and beyond.

Join the Conversation

We’d love to hear your thoughts! What resonated with you most from this episode? Reach out to Rob Finkelstein or tag us on social media to keep the discussion going.

Connect with Ted Pryor

Learn more about his book: Three-Time World Champ. On sale Dec 3.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768196/three-time-world-champ-by-ted-pryor/

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On this episode of Alumni Direct’s show, "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," Rob Finkelstein chats with Andres Lares about the often-overlooked challenges athletes face when stepping off the field and into the professional world.
Andres opens up about his own journey from a promising athlete to a successful career leading to executive business leadership, sharing the ups and downs and lessons he learned along the way. They talk about why it’s so important for athletes to have a plan B, the power of starting your network early, and how the discipline and teamwork you build in sports can set you up for success in the business world.
Top Takeaways:
It’s Never Too Early to Think Ahead: Start building your network and preparing for life after sports while you’re still in the game.
Teamwork Goes Beyond the Field: The skills you’ve gained from sports—discipline, teamwork, and resilience—are priceless in any career.
Genuine Relationships Matter: Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about building real, meaningful connections.
You’re More Than Your Sport: Your identity is so much more than what you do on the field.
Why Listen:
If you’ve ever wondered how to take the skills you’ve mastered in one part of your life and apply them to something entirely new, this episode is for you. It’s a conversation about growth, community, and learning to see every challenge as an opportunity.
Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear your thoughts! What’s your biggest takeaway from this episode? Reach out to Rob Finkelstein or tag us on social media to keep the discussion going.
Connect with Andres Lares
Website: https://www.shapironegotiations.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreslares/
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On this episode of Alumni Direct’s show, "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," Rob Finkelstein sits down with Brandon Cullen for an honest talk about what it’s really like for athletes when the game ends. They dive deep into the tough identity struggles many athletes face, how important it is to start building a network early, and the lack of support out there for life after sports. Brandon opens up about his own journey—how he went from athlete to co-founder of Metabolic—and shares how athletes can use their unique skills to thrive in entrepreneurship and franchising.
Together, they discuss why building a community is essential for athletes in transition and offer a fresh look at fitness for aging athletes. It’s all about finding purpose, creating connections, and supporting each other in this big life change.
Key Takeaways:
Life after sports can feel like an identity crisis; having a support network helps.
Athletes can excel in business, thanks to their discipline and resilience.
Franchising is a great way for athletes to build a new career.
Transition support is limited in sports organizations, but it’s needed.
Staying active and focusing on sustainable fitness practices is crucial.
Join the Conversation!
Have you gone through a big transition in life? What helped you find your new path? Let’s chat—drop your thoughts below, and let’s connect!
Connect with Brandon
⁠at https://madabolic.com/⁠
⁠https://www.instagram.com/MADabolic⁠
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"On this episode of Alumni Direct’s show, ""ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey,"" we talk to Nicole Donnelly, former professional snowboarder turned entrepreneur.

Nicole shares her transition story from professional snowboarding to founding BabyLegs and her current role with AI Smart Ventures. She and host Rob Finkelstein discuss the challenges athletes face when moving from sports to business, and how mentorship, networking, and community support are essential in that journey. Nicole highlights the importance of practice, connection, and lifelong learning in both sports and entrepreneurship.

Nicole’s advice for transitioning athletes:

""Persistence in sports builds resilience in business, and community support can be your backbone. Keep learning, and remember that networking is essential.""

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Spotify.com/athletes-to-entrepreneurs

Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Christian Black, a dual-sport athlete and emerging entrepreneur whose story embodies resilience and innovation. After only playing eight snaps of high school football, Christian walked onto the Baylor University football team, defying the odds with sheer determination and skill.

Christian shares his experiences of not only excelling in football at Baylor but also making his mark on the baseball field at the University of Northern Iowa. His athletic journey culminated in earning a spot on the Green Bay Packers' Reserve List in 2009, underscoring his tenacity and talent.

In addition to his athletic achievements, Christian is also a visionary entrepreneur with over 310 invention ideas and two companies in development. He talks about the drive behind his entrepreneurial journey and his mission to bring innovative solutions to life through 5th Down, LLC.

Click here to listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/alumni-direct

Click here to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6TitDcUV0Ww

sports #prosports #athleteentrepreneur #football #baseball #athletestoentrepreneurs #lifeaftersports #alumnidirect #alumniathlete #entrepreneur #innovation #resilience #athleteresources #bayloralumni #5thDown

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Reggie Rusk, former NFL player, entrepreneur & the founder of Stay Recruited.

Reggie talks about the challenges athletes face during their transition from sports to business and shares insights on how athletes can prepare for life after sports.

Reggie's advice for student athletes:

"Network. Understand that you are a brand and a business, and the more you network, the more it's going to help your brand."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Jennifer Leachman LaPoint, a Hall of Fame professional water skier and the founder of COMPETE.

Jennifer is a serial entrepreneur with over 50 years of experience in the sports world. Before getting into professional water skiing, Jennifer played Division I basketball at Ga Tech.

On the difficulty of transitioning out of sports:

"If you've grown up and you've been playing sports since you were 8, your identity is "Athlete". And then maybe you play in high school, maybe college, maybe pro, and you may age out... and then you're really left with this emotional hole- this was your identity; what do you fill it up with?"

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Adrian Camargo, former professional soccer player, mentor, and founder of Athlete CEO.

Adrian discusses the challenges athletes face during their transition out of sports, the importance of networking, and how to leverage their skills and experiences in business.

He talks about his journey into entrepreneurship and the mission of his company, Athlete CEO, which aims to empower athletes to become successful entrepreneurs.

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Matt Mieske, former professional baseball player, financial advisor & founder of Mieske Financial Services.

How did sports shape you growing up?

"Sports was really a lifestyle for me. I remember at a very early age, always having a ball or a bat or a glove in my hands. I played every sport and never really had a lot of downtime. That really shaped me from a very early age: being a part of a team, and playing different sports that require different skillsets."

What advice would you give to current student athletes?

"Define what you're trying to accomplish and evaluate your options carefully."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Mike McQuillan, former college wrestler, marine, & public speaking coach.

Mike talks about all he learned through sport, why he was so passionate about becoming a coach, and what he's up to today.

On transitioning out of your sport:

"The influence you have on people is forever...There's a way to apply what you learned without competing in the sport."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Jim Ayres, former college football player, chemist and Managing Director at Amway.

Jim talks about growing up playing sports and all it taught him:

"I was never the biggest or the fastest, but I made the coaches play me because of my effort and my attitude. And that never left me...and in college, I was always the first one at practice every day. I learned that I may not be as big or fast or maybe even as smart as the other guys, but I can out-hustle anybody. And that was the story of my success in business."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Tim Selgo, former college basketball player, coach, athletic director and consultant.

Tim Selgo had a career of thirty-five years as a leader in college athletics as a coach and administrator. From 1996 to 2016, Selgo served as the director of athletics at Grand Valley State University, leading the Lakers to become the dominant athletics department in NCAA Division II.

Selgo is a member of four athletic halls of fame: The University of Toledo Athletics Hall of Fame, the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Hall of Fame, and the Grand Valley State University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Talk about how sports shaped you growing up.

“Athletics was a way of life in our family, so I grew up around it. I was fortunate to have two older brothers that I could learn from, and a father that could really teach. He could teach sports, he could teach life lessons, and that carried me throughout my career.”

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Nischay Rawal, former college tennis player, accountant, & founder of NR CPAs.

Nischay is originally from India and came to pursue his American Dream on an NCAA Division 1 tennis scholarship in Mississippi in 2014, where he assisted his team to win the NCAA Division 1 Tennis Championship.

Talk about the athlete’s skill set & DNA:

“Discipline is number one. Discipline and the relentless mindset of doing the job right. One thing I love about athletes is that we're not afraid of failing. That constant sense of improvement on your physical state, mental state, fitness...that goes a long way in the real world.”

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Natalie Hummel, former college volleyball player, business coach and founder of the nonprofit, Every Kid Sports.

Natalie talks about how growing up playing sports shaped her throughout her life:

"For me, sports was such a positive outlet. It was a place for me to make friends, it was a place for me to get my energy out, it was a place for me to develop all kinds of skills, and I can't even imagine where I would be without youth sports and all the opportunities I had."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Jason Frank, former college baseball player and college athletics administrator.

Jason shares how sports shaped him:

"It's not a guaranteed thing that because you're an athlete, you possess all of these great qualities, but sports gives you a platform and an opportunity to develop skills like being hard working and being a team player."

Jason talks about the importance of networking while you're still in your sport:

"It's very valuable to be able to reach out to somebody who has a career that you think might be something you might want to do, and learn about their path and get advice from them, and you start to also build your network that way too."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Antonio Vaglica, former college baseball player, podcast host and the co-founder of GFG solutions.

Antonio talks about his love of baseball, his dreams of going pro, his difficult transition out of sport and what he's up to today.

What is some advice that you would give to athletes facing the transition out of their sport?

"You're never going to have it all figured out...The only thing that you can do is just take the next best step. And once you start doing that, the universe starts to conspire around that and open up more opportunities."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Kelsey O'Connor, former college softball player, motivational speaker, and founder of Life Beyond Labels.

How did playing sports shape you?

"Playing a team sport and showing up for my teammates really did make me a better person...And speaking-wise, I was really quiet and kind of shy, and I think softball really gave me a voice and taught me how to project and advocate for myself, and just learn to tap into my strengths. So growing up in sports really did shape me, and I see that more now than I did in the moment, which is cool."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Taylor Cook, former professional hockey player, mental performance coach and founder.

Taylor talks about the importance your mindset plays in sport:

"At the end of the day, it wasn't just the physical side of the game that was important; it was also the mental and the things that you're doing that are helping you to stay organized and on track."

Taylor's thoughts on life after sports:

"Just because you stopped playing doesn't mean you're not a valuable or worthwhile person anymore. A lot of times, people will retire from their sport and go on and do more amazing things that are impacting the next generation of athletes."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Bill Burke, former college football player, author and associate partner at Podium Group.

Talk about how sports shaped you growing up.

"Sports teaches us so many great lessons, like hard work, camaraderie, and the willingness to risk failure for the opportunity to succeed."

Did you ever dream of playing football professionally?

"I thought of nothing else other than going into the NFL, and I got really really close....Reflecting back now, even though for many years I thought that I had failed and I hadn't reached my dream of having a long career in the NFL, looking back on it now, I achieved my dreams. I became the person that I watched on TV as a little kid on Saturday afternoons, playing in front of tens of thousands of people on national television, so I just feel really humbled and fortunate that I got to experience all those great things and have all those great memories, and not only that but have an impact to an extent on all the people who were fans of mine, and fans of the team, who got a chance to watch us play."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Matt Wisler, former major league baseball player and the co-founder of Elite Performance Medical.

Matt shares about growing up playing sports and his love of baseball, his transition into the Major League after high school, and his current experience transitioning out of professional sports and into co-founding his business.

Matt's take on how sports shaped him growing up:

"When it comes to sports, you understand failure, you understand winning and losing, how to handle that. You basically understand that the only thing that you can really do is be prepared, and if you go out there and do your best, then if you lose, it's not the end of the world....the winning aspects of sports is great, but you're mostly there to get life lessons and to have fun doing it."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Steve Hasty, former swimmer, entrepreneur and the owner and president of Hasty Awards.

How did sports shape your life growing up?

"Coming from the sport of swimming, it's a pretty demanding sport when it comes to practices. From young age, going to practices at 5:30 in the morning before Junior High and High School teaches you a lot about commitment and character, and overall what dedication can do for you in terms of results. Those lessons carried over into my professional career as well."

Steve's advice to current athletes preparing for their transition out of sport:

"For many athletes, just starting is the biggest piece. You have to jump into something, and you have to check your ego at the door. You're used to being the elite person in the room, and you're gonna have to start off maybe not being the elite person."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Buddy Biancalana, former professional baseball player and the founder and CEO of Zone Motion.

Buddy talks about growing up in a family who loved baseball, and how he developed a love of the sport at an early age.

"Baseball allowed me to fall in love with something, and I happened to be pretty good at it. And once I was drafted, I very very quickly saw that this was a business. There are a lot of good players. You could be a star in high school, and all of a sudden you sign a professional contract, and you realize that a lot of guys are pretty darn good."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Dan Lazar, National Tennis Champion and the founder & CEO of HeroX.

Dan talks about how important it is for kids to start playing sport at a young age:

"I feel like all parents should get their kids into sports, especially tennis. As I've done many sports, I feel like tennis is the one generating the most impact in the lives of kids."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Chad Eichten, former college basketball player, certified athletic trainer and business development executive.

Chad tells us about growing up playing sports from a young age, and how that shaped him throughout his life.

Chad's advice to college athletes:

"Spend more time. Find out what you can work on and how you can better yourself. Get more involved and put in the extra time to be better."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Steven Webster, former martial arts athlete and the founder & CEO of Asensei.

Steven tells us about growing up playing sports and how he ultimately landed on martial arts. He later transitioned into Karate and tells us about his passion for the sport.

Steven's advice to current athletes:

"If you really think you can do something, if there's an itch you want to scratch, scratch it. Don't put it off, but be aware of what you're signing up for. Every 'overnight success' took 10 years. So if there is something you want to do for 10 years, go for it."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Brett Portera, lacrosse player, surfer, and the co-founder and CEO of Crest Surf Clubs.

Brett talks about growing up playing all different sports and everything it taught him:

"I think I owe everything to sports in my opinion, whether that's what I personally learned, the habits I picked up, or the things that were instilled in me by coaches or my parents. One lesson in particular that my parents instilled in me: sticking with something and not quitting until the job is done. This is something that has been very impactful on me, especially as an entrepreneur."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Clifford Starks, former professional MMA fighter, founder and transformational coach.

Clifford's advice to current athletes:

"Everything comes down to community, and knowing how to effectively utilize your community...You always want to be fostering the relationships and the connections that you have with people. It's not just having the network, but really growing the bonds in your network too."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Craig Decker, professional sailor and the founder and managing director of Decker Global Wealth Group.

Craig talks about growing up in sports and developing passions for Lacrosse and sailing from a young age.

Craig's advice to student athletes:

"Stop having a one year, a two year plan and start having a a 10-year plan. Make sure you've connected as much as you can. Continue to foster those relationships."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Eric Mader, former college football player and the founder & CEO of Sodalis Solutions.

Eric talks about growing up in sports and all it taught him, his dream of going pro one day, and what he's up to today as the CEO of Sodalis Solutions.

Eric's advice for student athletes:

"Don't miss out on opportunities to make a friend or make a connection. Don't say no to much of anything. Just say yes. Have the experience and go from there."

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On this very special episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we turn the tables on our host, founder & CEO of Alumni Direct, Rob Finkelstein.

Rob is interviewed by his son Ryan, and tells us about how sports shaped his life, and the hard work and perseverance he learned from being a long-distance runner.

Rob's advice for current athletes:

"As an athlete, reach out. Build your network and connect with people who want to help you...and align yourself with other athletes, on your team as well as in other sports."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Jason Price, former All-American track athlete and founder & COO of NextPlayU.

Jason talks about growing up playing sports and how he ultimately settled on track. He shares what he learned through sport, his advice for current athletes, and what he's doing today.

Jason's advice for his younger self (and all college athletes):

"Connect with as many different people as you can, who you have rapport with and who you admire what they're doing. Have an emphasis on non-athletes. Go to those extra club meetings, interact with people outside of your circles. Put effort and time into expanding your circles."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Tom Nolan, former college baseball player and golfer, and the CEO of jewelry brand Kendra Scott.

Tom talks about everything that sports offered him, including the chance to go to college:

"The more I put into sports, the more it gave me back, and the better I got, and I really kind of unlocked this and saw this, and it's changed my life, and really was rooted in sports."

"Baseball taught me a lot about life, it taught me a lot about people...it gave me an opportunity to go to college. I was the first person in my family to graduate high school, so that might not have been an opportunity had it not been for sports. I'm thankful for the game of baseball and for all sorts of sports, and for the lessons it's taught me and continues to teach me."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Dalton Crossan, former professional football player and Managing Director for Hotaling Insurance Services.

Dalton discusses the impact sports had on his personal development, the importance of financial literacy for athletes, and the role of networking and connecting while still playing. He also emphasizes the importance of mindset and discipline in achieving success, both on and off the field.

"Sport teaches you so much about life and business...discipline, work ethic, coachability, teamwork...you learn so much from sport that ultimately translates to real life and business."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Jay Dixon, former Division 1 football player, entrepreneur and founder of Success Coach, an organization with a mission to empower former athletes to thrive in the business world after their sport ends.

Jay talks about growing up in sports, his dreams of going pro one day, and everything he learned along the way.

On the importance of networking:

"The art and skill of networking is about developing trust...Networking is one of those things that doesn't pay off right away, but it always pays off in the long run."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Dre Baldwin, former professional basketball player, author, speaker & entrepreneur.

Dre talks about growing up playing sports and how it shaped him, plus he shares some valuable advice for current student athletes:

"Take advantage of the college experience! Enjoy yourself and have fun, because when it's over, it's over."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Chris Soulier, former professional baseball player & coach, consultant & founder.

Chris talks about the values he learned through sports and how his grandfather encouraged him to have a learning and growth mindset from early on:

"There are people that you can tap into as mentors, as coaches, and ultimately you just need to really be present when you're around those individuals because there's so much that you can learn."

Chris advice to current student athletes:

"Treat your successes and failures the same. Enjoy it for 30 seconds and then move on. Let it go."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Samuel Barrington, former NFL player and the President of Sky Limit Crane & Rigging.

On learning the ins and outs of networking:

"My first few years out of the NFL, every networking event that was had...I was making sure I was there front and center. And I think what I gained from those events, beyond anything, was understanding how to communicate with professionals."

Samuel's advice to student athletes:

"Run your own race. You've got time. Forget about the external validation. Find out who you are and surround yourself with likeminded people. Enjoy the process, because you're never going to be a 22 year old with no responsibilities again."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to McKenzie Hollenbaugh, professional soccer player, event planner, and marketing coach.

McKenzie discusses the impact sports had on her life, the importance of networking and connecting as an athlete, and the pros and cons of NIL.

She shares some advice for student athletes and tells us about what she's up to now as an event planner and marketing coach.

"You never know how strong you are until you push yourself a little further."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Sierra Hendrix-Williams, professional runner and founder of Great Start Mental Wellness Training.

Sierra discusses his transition from sports to entrepreneurship and his passion for mental health and wellness. He shares about his experiences growing up playing sports and how it shaped him.

Sierra also talks about the support and programs available for athletes transitioning out of sports and emphasizes the importance of networking and connecting, both during and after sports.

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Jori Davis, professional basketball player, founder and CEO of WEVOLV.

Jori discusses her journey from sports to entrepreneurship and the challenges athletes face during their transition. She emphasizes the importance of networking and building relationships, as well as the need for better support systems and resources for athletes.

Jori also shares her thoughts on the NIL debate and the potential impact on athletes. She shares some great advice for current athletes and discusses her upcoming venture, the WEVOLV app.

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Walter Sabrin, former college tennis player, entrepreneur, and the Chief Talent Officer of Vensure.

Walter talks about the need for better transition support for college athletes, the importance of networking and connecting, and the value of athletes in the workplace.

He also shares advice for athletes transitioning out of sports and talks about his company, Vensure.

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to AJ Donaldson, former college football player, mentor, and founder of the EPIC Foundation and United Mentors.

AJ discusses the lack of support for athletes to help them prepare for the transition out of sports, and emphasizes the importance of networking and building relationships. AJ also talks about the positive and negative aspects of NIL for athletes. He offers advice to his younger self and highlights the need for mentorship and supplemental education for student athletes.

AJ explains how Epic and United Mentors are making a positive impact on education and offers ways to connect with their organizations.

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Larry Long Jr., former college baseball player, author, founder & motivational speaker.

Larry talks about growing up playing sports and what it taught him:

"I moved around a lot as a youngster. Sports is that universal language that everyone speaks. I remember going to middle school, as the new kid...but I could hold my own on the basketball court, and that got me in with my crew.

"I learned so much. I learned the power of setting big goals, having big dreams. You set those goals, and you learn real quick that you better practice, and you better practice some more, and you better work at your craft, at your game, at your skills, or else you will not be in a position to have success. And that transfers over to life skills."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Josh Burger, former tennis player, professional tennis coach, sports psychologist and founder of TieBreaker Psych.

Joss discusses his journey from playing sports throughout his youth, discovering tennis, playing at the collegiate level, and eventually transitioning into a professional coach.

Josh's advice to current athletes facing a transition out of sports:

"Really try to be clear about what your strengths are. I think that's important. Hopefully you have some sort of a network built...so use what's at your disposal, and have conversations...with coaches, with teammates, with friends.

Sometimes by talking to other people, they can help you discover what you're really good at, what makes you special, what makes you unique. And then it can be a little bit easier to understand sorts of jobs or roles could be good for you."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Mark Thompson, former professional football player, human resources leader and founder of the Career Transformation Academy.

Mark discusses the impact football had on his leadership and life skills, the importance of networking and alumni engagement, and shares his thoughts about Name Image Likeness (NIL) in college sports.

Mark talks about his personal journey from college football to the CFL and his eventual transition into the corporate world. He also provides advice for athletes transitioning out of sports and highlights the benefits of hiring athletes in the workplace.

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Brett Hundley, former NFL quarterback, entrepreneur & philanthropist.

Did you dream about becoming a professional athlete?

"I really always wanted to play football. My Dad and my uncle played football, so I came from a football background, and I always knew that I wanted to make it to the NFL."

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"This opportunity, regardless of whether you go to the NFL or not, can really help your life going forward, so make the most of it. And have an understanding of how to network, and how to keep up with people. Really start using the college's networking opportunities while you're still playing."

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Visit Brett's property management site: https://s7reams.com/

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to J.R. Butler, former college hockey player and the founder & CEO of Shift Group.

Talk about how growing up playing sports shaped you.

"I really grew up in the rink. I would say a lot of the ways that I approached life, like my mindset, I owe it all to hockey and growing up in the environment I grew up in...things like discipline, things like teamwork, things like always having a growth mindset, focusing on getting better every day, those are all things that were inherent in my childhood, in my household, and the rink we went to every day."

What advice would you give to your college self?

"You want to have fun, but you need to approach it with balance. And have as many conversations with as many people as possible, from an alumni and parent perspective."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Lexi Mickens, former college basketball player and the founder of the nonprofit organization Run It Back.

Tell me about how growing up in sports shaped you.

"I think growing up in sports shaped me entirely. There were so many different life skills that weren't taught in the classroom unfortunately, such as time management, cognitive thinking, personal branding, pitching yourself...I mean, just showing up and being 110% in the moment. I had a great opportunity to continue sports throughout college, and even sports today is still teaching me so much of who I'm becoming and want to be, just because of the determination and discipline, I would say. Without sports, I don't know what my identity would be like, honestly."

Lexi talks about her transition out of sports and into the corporate world:

"I think the mindset shift was a bit difficult to navigate those first few months, but I think a lot of the skills that your coaches teach you about communicating loud, early and often, being super aware and hyper present of your environment and the team that you're working with, really just takes your work ethic to the next level, especially in corporate."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Bo-Dean Sanders, former college football player, motivational speaker, author and TV host.

Bo-Dean talks about his mother's reluctance to allow him to play sports, his passion for it, and everything he learned along the way.

Share your thoughts on NIL:

"I knew folks' parents who owned businesses throughout the area. Just imagine the opportunities I could have had because of the relationships I had...It would have been at least an opportunity! So I'm all for Name, Image and Likeness. All for it."

Bo-Dean talks about having a strong support system as a student athlete:

"I had great mentors on-campus and off-campus. There's just so many people that had a positive effect on me as I became a senior."

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Race Against ... Against Race: My Journey of Diversity and Inclusion Through Sports

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Blake Williams, former football player & NFL coach, entrepreneur, financial advisor and podcast host.

Blake talks about the lessons he's learned through sports.

"There's a lot of life lessons in sports, I tell people all the time. I think it's the ultimate microcosm of life; every season is like a life of it's on. It's like reincarnation every year. You have this family, you come together, you have losses, wins, injuries...you have adversity, you have joy, you have a lot of lessons learned. And then you go on and you do it again, you know, the next year. It taught me a ton in life."

Blake talks about the importance of athletes understanding how to prepare for their transition out of sports:

"The more that can be taught and the more programs that there can be for that ahead of time, and have those conversations ahead of time, I think we can help solve a lot of issues on anxiety and depression, some of those things that happen when athletes leave the sport, often not of their own volition. Somebody's told them, get off the train, you can't play anymore. And they don't have a proper plan in place...and that can cause a lot of angst sometimes."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Ben Fagan, former college baseball player, author, motivational speaker and co-founder of the DNB (Define New Boundaries) lifestyle brand.

Tell me about how sports shaped you growing up?

"There was nothing more fun to do than being on the ballfield, getting to play, getting to play hard, getting my uniform dirty. So I think that, along with my brother who introduced me to the game, having those coaches who instilled the right way to play, and the pure joy of the game, was something that I think played such a big role in ultimately getting me to where I am in my career."

Ben shares about walking away from his last baseball game and what it meant to him:

"During my senior year in college, I began to work toward becoming the most consistently great baseball player I could possibly become...And it culminated in me eventually becoming the player I actually wanted to become. And in my last at bat, I ended up striking out, and I remember I was walking away, and there was a photo of me taken, right after I struck out, baseball career over...and there's a smile on my face. That's become one of my favorite moments because in that moment, by all intensive purposes, I failed. I stuck out, I lost, baseball is done. But there was a smile on my face, and that represented to me that I had become the player I wanted to become...I think that to be able to walk away from the game with true fulfillment, being genuinely fulfilled with what I had accomplished, allowed me to go into the next phase of my life relatively seamlessly."

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Flipping the Switch: How to Redefine Success to Find True Fulfillment

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Erika Fay, former water polo player, marathon runner, therapist and coach.

Erika shares about the health challenges that she had prior to playing sports, and how her sport helped her get her health back.

Erika's advice to athletes to help them establish an identity outside of sports:

"How else do you define yourself besides being an athlete? What else is important to you? Look at what your qualities and skills are, not just academically, but what people tell you you're good at, or what you're doing in your sport. All of those are actually transferrable skills, and I think getting an awareness of that can be one of the foundations for looking at the bigger question of who am I, really?"

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Kathy Judson, former college runner, pro triathlete, author, and pharmacist.

Kathy shares about her dream of becoming a professional athlete:

"I started dreaming of becoming an Olympian when I was 12 years old, because at that point that's the highest that women could go."

Kathy's advice to current athletes preparing for the transition out of sports:

"Have a lot of grace with yourself and know who you are. Learn to have an identity outside of sports; learn that you're more than just competing. You're more than just a basketball player, or a cyclist, or a runner. There's so much more to who you are than what you do."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Alex Bolowich, former soccer player, coach, and the founder & CEO of Elite Mental Performance.

Alex shares about his love of soccer, his thoughts on NIL, and about his own transition out of sports.

Alex's advice to student athletes about the importance of networking while they're still in school:

"There are people in your university right now that have a massive web and network of connections. And they can't read your mind, so they don't know that that's what you want to do. So you have to get out of your way and say, 'hey- I want to step into this world and I don't know where to start or who to talk to or, do you have any advice?' And you'll see immediately they'll be like, let me get you in contact with so and so. And it's that simple- it's just a conversation."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Chris Weedon, former professional soccer player & the founder of Mentally Shredded.

Christopher speaks candidly to fellow athletes:

"Speaking to you athletes out there: You can wake up and you can go get a paycheck. You can clock in, you can clock out, and you can live the rest of your life like that. But if you've already lived and performed at a high level, something's going to be missing if you live your life like that."

Christopher talks about the importance of taking action on your goals and dreams:

"I didn't wake up and say yes, I want to do this, and it was just here. There has to be action. That's where faith comes in; faith is action. You have to take action in order to create what you want."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Dr. Jo Shattuck, former elite racquetball player, neuroscientist, founder and CEO of Panther Tec.

Dr. Shattuck shares about her instant love of racquetball, the need for programs to help athletes transition out of sports, her thoughts on NIL, and how she learned to network after starting her company, Panther Tec.

Dr. Shattuck's advice to current athletes:

"I can't say enough about learning to network and ending every call with 'Great, how can I help you?"

Dr. Shattuck's advice about exploring your interests outside of your sport:

"When you start to see the end for yourself...or even during the off season...listen to podcasts, listen to other athletes, take a cooking class...There's so much out there that you don't know because you've been so consumed, as I was...So if you like it, try it."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Ross Hamilton, professional BMX rider, real estate investor and philanthropist.

"Sport is mind, body & soul. Having that physical outlet in life is really important. You can’t just be there staring down at your phone all the time- you have to get your body moving.”

Ross talks about transferring the skills learned in your sport into your career:

"Sports, when you have the right mentality, creates healthy competition, which ties in very well with business; you have to be able to cooperate, be a part of a team...I think it really gets you set up to be a successful entrepreneur if you take your mentality in your sport and move that into business."

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Check out Ross' nonprofit website: savinghomes.org

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Nick Silverthorn, former college swimmer and sales manager at LearnIt.

Nick tells us about growing up playing sports, his dream of becoming a pro athlete, his thoughts about NIL, and his advice to current student athletes.

Nick's thoughts on starting the networking process early:

"I don't think it's ever too early to start having informational interviews...or if you live in the same area as an alum, getting together, getting coffee or even hopping on a zoom call and just talking through what their day to day looks like."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Brendan Shaw, former college hockey player, investor and partner in Rival Media.

Tell me about playing sports growing up and how it shaped you?

"I think sports was a huge part of my upbringing, my background. I have 3 brothers that also played sports. My parents came from a generation where there wasn't a lot of organized sports but they were super supportive, all in on us, myself and my brothers, getting involved in sports. It taught me so many lessons, and as I tell people today, hockey still continues to give back to me, so I always try to give back to it."

Brendan's advice to current athletes:

"I think you have to be aware that your time is going to end. And how do you continue to develop your skills to prepare, increase and improve your network, and at the same time, prepare yourself for when it's done, so that when you are done, you hit the ground running?"

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Carly Lutz, former college distance runner & sales/marketing professional.

Carly talks about growing up playing sports, how she discovered her love of running at an early age, and the positive things that sports taught her.

Carly's take on the difficulty of transitioning out of sports:

"A large percent of us as collegiate athletes aren't going to transition into being pros. And so that disillusionment, that kind of sense of identity, is going to hit us a lot harder because we're not prepared to lose that part of our identity...so there's a whole other layer of knowledge and preparation needed."

Carly's advice to current student athletes:

"You already have the drive and that entrepreneurial spirit. If you can help find the people and the confidence to transform those skills to create something of your own, I think that can be a really powerful force for athletes. We're such driven, hardworking people, so the sky's the limit."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Ivory Sully, a fellow Blue Hen!

Ivory was a football player at the University of Delaware, went on to play 9 years in the NFL, and today he runs his company, Sully Executive Services.

Ivory talks about starting sports late in life and developing a love for football.

On the importance of Alumni networking and giving back to their school:

"I figured out that knowing people is very important. And giving back and reaching back is very important...I realized that it was invaluable to reach back, or reach over and pick up the phone and talk to people. To reach back and connect with people is one of the most important things you can do."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Jamie Mittelman, former college soccer player, teacher, founder & CEO of Flame Bearers.

Talk about playing sports and how it shaped you growing up.

"Sports were always my favorite part of the day. Growing up I was a 3-season athlete in high school. I played soccer, I ski-raced, I ran track.. And I think personally, it was always the time of day where I connected with friends, laughed with people, got out frustrations from the classroom or annoyances with friends. And it's also something that I personally connected with my family on. My dad was my soccer coach growing up. We had a very active family- we would go hiking together, we would go biking together, we would go skiing together...So I would say many of my best memories are sports-related; I would also say some of my most cringe-worthy and embarrassing moments were sports related, so high-level I would say sports is one of the biggest teachers in my life, for better or worse."

When you were a kid, did you dream about becoming a professional athlete?

"100%. That was definitely my dream. I was born in '88, so the Women's World Cup was '91. I remember watching that when I was 3 years old. That was the first Women's World Cup; there hadn't been a women's world cup before that. And I remember sitting at the TV and just thinking it was the coolest thing ever...The ability to grow up with role models who look and sound like me and play the sport was actually a huge motivational factor for me that led me to do what I'm doing now."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Terrance Dennis, former football player and Assistant Special Teams Coordinator at The University of Central Missouri.

Terrance talks about growing up with a passion for sports, playing football through college, and his transition from player to coach.

What is your biggest advice to current student athletes?

"Ask yourself, what are the things that you're just naturally good at? And I get it, you may have a business degree, but how can you turn what you're good at into a business? It's about connecting all the dots that you've put together over time; it's not that now you've got to figure out something new, it's basically taking what you have in your toolbox to take you to the next step...So, start by figuring out what you're good at."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Chad McGehee, former college soccer player, Director of Meditation at UW Athletics, and Co-Founder of Inner Edge Meditation.

What were some of the lessons you learned through sports?

"The first thing that comes to mind is the joy of playing sports, whether it's the joy of trying to be as dialed in as I can to hit a baseball, to the joy of the creativity on the soccer field, or the joy of just hanging out with my friends after a game. That joy sometimes can escape us as we age, and as the world gives us challenges and adversities...That lesson of coming back to the fun, the opportunities, the connection...That joy orientation is definitely a thread that was easy as a kid, and that I try to keep going in my adult pursuits as well."

Chad talks about the importance of Alumni supporting current student athletes:

"Alumni have so much to contribute to current student athletes. And literally can say, 'I've been in your seat. I know what it feels like.' Where very few people can actually say that, and give them advice to yes, perform at a high level athletically, achieve those goals, AND do it in a way that's sustainable, that's going to support them to be a happy, healthy human. And I think alumni can do a lot to contribute to the kind of community that will yield those results."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Chase Minnifield, former NFL player and the founder of EZOS.

Chase talks about growing up in the world of football, his journey to the NFL, and his thoughts on NIL, social media, and more.

Chase's thoughts on social media:

"If you can start to learn to actually create value and create another revenue stream outside of your sport, even if that's through social media, then I think that's a plus. That's gonna help kids as they do learn that there's more than sports."

What would be some key words of advice to athletes to help them in their next journey?

"Do something else...You've got to have some type of hobby, some type of skill, that you are learning to turn into some type of income. Ideally, having something that you're trying to do outside of sports...I think is extremely important, and not just being one-track minded."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Kim Brady, former college soccer player and founder of Little Bit Cleaning and Kim Brady Coaching.

Kim tells us about her love for soccer that started at an early age, her experience playing with the best of the best, and what motivates her.

How did growing up playing sports shape you?

"I always say that soccer is my guiding light. When I was just 5 years old, I joined my first team. Soccer gave me discipline. I wanted to compete because I loved the game and I wanted to get better. Soccer gave me the internal driver of life skills of wanting to get better when things are hard. I had this never-give-up attitude of "If I'm good enough, they'll select me, but in order for me to be good enough, I have to do the work."

Let's talk about the importance of networking and connecting.

"Networking makes or breaks you. And that's not just a job situation. I look at networking as building relationships...Everything that I've done in my life is always about relationships and being a helper and being a servant leader."

"The networking piece is just staying true to your core values and aligning yourself with companies and people that sit with your core values, and building great relationships overtime. And that was ultimately what helped catapult me into entrepreneurship."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Steve Ryan, former college athlete, marketing agent, and partner in the National Rugby Football League.

Steve's advice to athletes:

"To network early and often, I think is a big takeaway, and honestly I wish I would have done that more."

"If you're an athlete, working on your mental health is just as important as working on your fitness and your skills in whatever sport you're in."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Jeff Byers, former football player at USC and in the NFL and CEO of Momentous.

How did playing sports shape your life?

"I think sports is a great teaching bed for a lot of really important life lessons. It teaches you how to deal with winning, losing, adversity. And it teaches you how to work with people, be a teammate. And it really teaches you commitment. Whether you're playing sports or a musical instrument or anything, it takes real commitment to be good. And it's like that with anything in life. If you want to be good, it takes commitment and a lot of dedication."

Jeff's advice for current athletes:

"When you have access {to other athletes}, you've got to take advantage of it. You have to build that network. Because once you walk away, leave sport, access becomes a little harder. And people really want to help and support while you're an athlete."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Don Moxley, former college wrestler, sports scientist, and Director at Longevity Labs.

"If you want to be successful, you've got to figure things out. You've got to create an equation." -Don Moxley

Don's advice to current athletes:

"We all stop sometime. Whether you're a high school athlete, a pro athlete, a college athlete, you stop being an athlete at some point. You stop competing. It doesn't mean you stop living."

"Learn to embrace the concept of flow, the things that you've done naturally, and be able to apply those to family, to work, to life in general. You have an advantage there, because you've experienced something that some people may never experience."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Damon Lembi, former baseball player at ASU, author, and the CEO of Learnit.

Damon tells us about growing up playing sports, his thoughts on NIL, and the importance of networking and connecting.

Talk a little bit about your thoughts on networking and connecting as an athlete.

"I think networking and connecting is really important, and it is a skill that happens inherently to athletes when they're playing. Being an athlete, you connect with other athletes, and there's kind of like a bond out there...I think athletes know how to do that. Now when it comes to connecting and networking outside of their own community, whether it's the business world or whatever, I think there is a gap that needs to be worked on and closed. I think that there's a tremendous opportunity for athletes to evolve and develop those skills and then be able to carry them on when they are done with sports."

"I really believe that athletes have the ability to be super successful in the business world, if they're able to network...But it all starts with them believing in themselves, believing in the skills that they have."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Lisa Bonta Sumii, former youth soccer player, founder and CEO of AthMindset, and host of the Athlete's Mindset podcast.

"The things I'm doing give me energy. I'm able to use my time more productively and intentionally when I have things that I'm working on that mean a lot to me, that are in my purpose, and that are meaningful."

Give some advice to current athletes about preparing for a transition out of sports.

" I find that those who have the healthiest, most positive experience transitioning out of their sport have other identities that they've already developed, and feel good about and proud of, before they leave their sport."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to David Holmes, former football player at Northern Michigan University, Coach, Teacher, and District Superintendent.

David talks about growing up playing sports, the resources missing for student athletes today, and his thoughts about NIL.

"Our mission as players was always wanting to do your best on the field and prepare and do all the necessary things to do that...It takes dedicated people".

David's thoughts on the importance of networking:

"I share with kids all the time, never ever underestimate the importance of networking...Personnel skills and networking and just being able to be relatable, I think, are very important."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Olivia Atkin, former junior elite swimmer, entrepreneur, author, and host of the Achieving Success podcast.

Olivia tells us about her passion for swimming that began early on, the medical issue that caused her transition out of sports, and her advice for moving forward when the time for transition comes.

Share your advice for current athletes preparing for the next chapter.

"You love your sport. You're not ready to fully leave your sport. Look at, what within your sport has made you so passionate? What is your why within it? What is the impact it has had on you that you would like to pay forward? It's not looking at the next step as closing a door on your old journey, it's looking at the next step as adding value to what you've already been building...Your sport was your block to learning a lot of different tools and resources along the way."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to James Taylor, former basketball player at Lynn University, multi-passionate entrepreneur, and founder of Taylored Athletes & Fifth Quarter Ventures.

James tells us about growing up playing sports, the importance of setting specific goals, his thoughts about NIL, and his advice for current student-athletes.

"I just know that when it comes to basketball, any time I stepped on the court, I loved having the ball in my hands...However, I really enjoyed that emotion, that feeling when that ball went through the hoop and it left my hands."

James Taylor's advice for athletes:

"Be very very open, and very honest about exactly where you are. But you also have to be open about where you want to go."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to John Saintignon, former basketball player at the University of California, world-renowned basketball coach, motivator and author.

John tells us about how academics was always and important part of his life, and shares the mantra he lived by: "Basketball is a tool to get an education".

Tell us about your transition out of sports.

"I'm grateful that my parents stressed early on in life that basketball was a tool to get an education. Once I had my degree, I had choices in life. I could do whatever I wished...That piece of paper could never be taken away. It gave me power, in that I thought I could do whatever I needed to do. So I ended up going to law school, and then quickly discovered that wasn't the pathway for me. I endured a whole year....and then I decided to become a high school coach. I fell in love with it; it changed the way thought, and I was helping younger kids use basketball as a tool."

I do believe there are no accidents in life. Things happen for a reason."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Sydney Supple, current softball player at Northwestern University. In her spare time, Sydney is a journalist and broadcaster and also hosts her own podcast, From The Players.

Sydney tells us about all she has gained from growing up playing sports, her ambitions to go pro, and her perspective on preparing for life after sports.

Tell me about playing sports growing up, and how it shaped you.

"Sports has really shaped me into the woman I am today. I mean, so many intangible lessons that you learn...One, just the hard work, and how if you're willing to put your heart and soul into something, and put your body on the line, amazing things can come out of it.

But most importantly, I think it has just surrounded me with the best relationships I could have ever dreamt of, it taught me the power of having somebody believe in me, and it taught me the power of believing in myself. And when you can combine these two things and be surrounded on a team or in a room full of people who all believe in each other, amazing things can happen."

Sydney on knowing that Softball was the sport for her:

"Right away, I knew there was something special about softball. I think it is the fact that you wake up every day and the game never knows who's supposed to win. And you always have a shot of winning, until you're down to your very last out. Softball is 7 innings, and anything can happen in 7 innings."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Garett Henson, former college hockey player, advertising agent and events marketing specialist.

Tell me about how growing up playing sports shaped you.

"Sportsmanship is what gave me my start. You treat everyone like you want to be treated, following the golden rule. But more importantly, sportsmanship really gave me the positive mindset I have. It gave me that go-getter energy."

Garett's views on the outdated mentality that many athletes have:

"I think that athletes, especially Division 1 athletes, have that mindset that there is no plan B, there's only a plan A. And I'll use my grandfather as an example: my grandfather has been a great athlete his whole entire life. He played Division 1 ball at Lafayette. But after college, he did not really feel like getting drafted or going into the pros. I mean, he was pretty good...but I think that athletic mindset, especially when it comes to good athletes in high school, college, and pro: They say, this is my plan A, and when I retire, I retire, and I'll be comfortable. That's not really the case nowadays."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Orlando Arnold, former baseball player at Alabama State University, Sports Agent, Public Speaker, and President and CEO of Pyramid Sports Group.

When you were growing up, did you dream about being a professional athlete?

"Oh yeah. Yeah yeah yeah. If you go look in my senior memory book, I wrote in there that I would be an MLB player. That's what I thought I was going to do. I wrote in there that I would be playing in major league baseball. There was no doubt in my mind. I didn't know how I was going to get there. I knew I was going to have to work hard. I had an opportunity that only 2% of my peers got, which was to play college athletics. That was a blessing and a rarity in itself. I was a senior amongst all my peers. You know, all these guys with these football interests and basketball interests, and I was one of the few that was going on to play Division 1 athletics at Alabama State. So, I knew then that this is what I wanted to do. And so I forged out to do it."

What would be the best advice you'd give to athletes preparing for a transition out?

"The first piece of advice is, be real with yourself. Be open and honest with yourself about whether there is still opportunity for you to keep playing. Have a plan B ready to go. Secondarily, while you're still playing in school, get a mentor who can help you walk through life experiences, who can help you see things from a very high level, that because you haven't lived those experiences, you don't see it. And the third thing I would say is, don't be afraid to ask questions; pick up the phone and call anybody. Those are the three takeaways I would give on that."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we talk to Josh Copeland, former college football player, youth tutor, and motivational speaker.

Talk about playing sports growing up, and share how it helped to shape your life.

"Sports played a big part in my life. I have 4 brothers, and we're a big baseball family. As a way to keep us from fighting, and to keep us out of trouble, my parents put us into sports. Baseball is our first love; we still talk about it to this day and we still follow MLB. I gravitated to basketball and football; I played all 3 growing up. It was great; it was a way to keep us out of trouble. But then, sports teaches you a lot of life lessons. And a lot of how to handle adversity, how to be self-motivated, hard work, dedication. It teaches you all these things...and it molded me into the person I am today."

Talk about your transition out of sports:

"Everybody is different when they transition out, but for me, I really struggled because my whole identity was tied up in who I was as an athlete, because I played for so long. And everybody that I met from about 6 years old to 25, outside of my family, I met through sports. So this whole community around me and the people that I was meeting, I met through sports. That became who I was and I didn't know that I even had to develop "me" as a person outside of sports. Because like I said, my whole world was sports. It was very difficult for me to transition out of it, mentally."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Tim Wright, Superbowl champion, multi-passionate entrepreneur, and co-founder of Dome Audio.

Talk about playing sports growing up and how that shaped your youth.

"Sports was very important to my foundation. That's where you learn how to win. That's where you learn how to lose. And later on in life, I learned that you either win or you learn. So taking the lessons of what you were able to learn in that loss is what you're then able to apply to that game next week or the practice the next day, and really get better. And that's the same thing throughout life and the same thing in entrepreneurship."

Tim's advice to current athletes:

"When I got on the field, I made it count. And that's the most important thing. The time you get, make it count."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Juan M. Fernandez, a former professional basketball player turned life and transition coach.

Juan has dedicated his life to helping others overcome challenges and maximize their potential. Born in Argentina, Juan followed his passion for basketball and earned an athletic scholarship to study and play at Temple University in Philadelphia. After completing his degree in Broadcast Journalism, he embarked on a 10-year professional basketball career in Europe.

"When you're most uncomfortable is when you grow. That's the place of growth. It's hard to see it then. But now that I reflect back with 15 years of career behind me, those are the moments that made me. I think that's what college gave me: Finding myself and starting to discover who I was for the first time...and it gave me the preparation to find a system that worked for me. To organize myself. To show that I could commit to being an athlete and a student at the same time."

Juan speaks about preparing for the transition out of sports:

"One of the main things that I always did was to look at, what are the possible downsides of this change? Which may happen or they may not, but I would rather be aware of them. And then, what are my transferrable skills? What do I feel comfortable with? What am I good at, other than just bouncing the ball around? And I think it's a powerful thing to do because you become more comfortable, more confident, and then the transition is smoother."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Liz Valade, former college soccer and lacrosse player, former Army combat veteran, and MLB agent.

Looking at it as an athlete and an agent, what is your perspective on NIL?

"As an athlete, I would have loved for NIL to existed...however, some of this stuff, I think, is a little bit out of control. I think part of it is just because it's new that the balance isn't there. My other main concern is that it doesn't level the playing field. Because you're going to have colleges that have more people who can get the bigger endorsements...so now the playing field is not level at all."

Give some advice for athletes who are done with their career, and how they can regain their sense of identity after sports.

"So, it's very similar in the military. For me, I was Major Valade, I was a person who supported Special Operations and did all of my combat deployments, and I very much identified with that. And I actually went through a bit of a lull period of trying to figure out exactly who I was, outside of the military...Especially because I did a 21-year career, that is who you become. And so that switch of "Liz the soccer player" to "Liz the soldier"...it just kept that going. So then all of a sudden, I'm 40 years old and I'm like, "who am I, and what do I want to do?", so I spent a lot of time doing soul-searching, and I started talking a lot with people who were older than me about what to do when I was done with the military."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Eileen Shanahan, former softball player at New York Tech, former television producer, and Founder and President of the Warrior Ranch.

Eileen talks about growing up in Queens, NY playing all kinds of sports, including stick ball, stoop ball, basketball, soccer, volleyball and softball in a time when girls weren't really playing sports. She shares about the values she learned through sports, her advice to current student athletes, and what she's up to today.

How did growing up in sports shape you from a skills perspective?

"Playing all those sports, you become disciplined, for sure. I was always taught the Vince Lombardi rule about showing up 15 minutes early and staying late. You become physically fit, and when you're physically fit, you feel good. You have to sacrifice a lot, including time off when other kids get it. The other thing I learned was about commitment. Once you commit, you're committed. You're part of a team and you can't bail...you learn a lot about teamwork and camaraderie. You learn to play together and to work together as a team, because the ultimate goal it to win...you want to win."

What is some advice that you would give to other athletes?

"Remember who you are. Be an individual. You are a ball player, but make sure you have a backup. Because if you get hurt, you don't play. Don't let your sport totally define you, and don't forget about the education."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Scott Gibbs, former college basketball player, executive leader, business coach and founder of Acres of Diamonds.

When you were in college, did your school make an effort to educate the athletes about the transition out of sports?

"No, not to my knowledge. I think that's a gap in the system. Athletes have an awesome tenacity; an awesome work ethic. That's what caused them to get there. That being said, especially the higher level athletes, the Division 1 athletes, it's a job. It becomes an identity for them. I think there's a lack of empathy and a lack of awareness from the school's standpoint about what it actually took to become a Division 1 athlete. It takes tunnel vision, commitment, work ethic, deterministic behavior, vision, commitment, and...it's a job. It's a job for about 15 years with a single pursuit to become a division 1 athlete or a pro athlete. And then, at the end of May, it all comes to an end. So what do we expect to happen? I don't see a lot of people reaching out to athletes and saying 'hey, by the way you're going to graduate. Your identity has been your sport for a very long time. That's where you got your publicity, that's where you got your self-esteem fed, that's where you got your ego fed...and now that's gonna be gone. You better be ready for it, and this is how we can get you ready for it.' I'm not aware that that's happening at all."

Scott's take on athletes' transferrable skills:

"If you look at top 10 attributes that employers are looking for today, it's gonna be the ability to work within teams, it's communication, it's collaboration, it's resilience, it's emotional reprocessing...it's all of these things that have to happen for you to become a college athlete."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Ken Dunek, former professional football player in the NFL and the USFL, publisher, author, and film producer. Ken talks with us about the mindset, hard work and beliefs that helped him achieve success in sports and beyond.

Growing up, did you dream of being a professional athlete?

"I did. My parents instilled in me a belief that I could do anything I set my mind to. So while a lot of kids get laughed down by their friend, teammates or parents because it is such a long shot, I always had the belief down deep inside that I could do anything I put my mind to, and I developed a work ethic to back up that dream, and made it come true. And that is something I'm really proud of."

Ken's advice for anyone starting out in business:

"Networking is really important. If you have a marketable product or service, your success will depend directly on how many people you tell about it.

Find something that you love to do and you're good at, and if you do that and people see the benefit of why they should get involved with it, then you'll be a success, IF you talk to enough people to make it work."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Kristoffer Doura, former professional football player, investment advisor, and wall-street journal best-selling author of "Let's Get It!". Kristoffer talks with us about his journey growing up in sports and his transition into business and finance.

When you were in school, was there a movement of alumni athletes coming back to mentor the current athletes?

"There wasn't enough of that. We had players and athletes from every sport that would come and watch during your homecoming game or your championship games...those were the games where you really saw alumni come back and support. If they weren't a part of the organization in regards to either the mentorship setting or work setting, you didn't really see too many alumni.... We didn't have enough of them; I think that could be something encouraged today moving forward, for universities to be able to attract alumni; to be able to attract student athletes who are still current and getting ready for the next stage of their lives, to be able to have a community to be able to rely on for resources."

Kristoffer's thoughts on NIL:

"When you win national championships, you have a lot more attention in the community... you have a lot more people who are interested to invest in you, and then you have a lot more capacity to bring in resources that you would never have thought you would get access to if it wasn't for that performance. Athletes need to be treated as business professionals earlier in their journeys, because if an athlete is so zeroed in that they don't have the capacity to think about that stuff, then they're missing opportunities."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Trent Clark, former college baseball and tennis player, MLB coach, and entrepreneur.

Trent talks with us about his journey growing up playing sports, overcoming "not-enough-ness", and going on to coach 3 winning baseball games in the World Series.

Trent's thoughts on athletes' transferrable skills:

"There are a bunch of skills that you as an athlete have that can take you to the next level of any career, entrepreneurship...anything that gets you ahead, and I think kids miss that."

Trent's advice to current athletes preparing for a transition out of sports:

"Make a list of the 5 people who can help you, who have been and done what you are doing and you admire them. The people who are most successful...very rarely do people call them up and ask them for their help, especially a young and talented person."

Trent's thoughts on success:

"The most successful people in the world have faced adversity along the way. I've never seen the mountain with the smooth steps all the way up, right? Where does that exist?"

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Scott Brunner, former college football player at the University of Delaware, former NFL player, and Wall Street executive.

Anytime I can bring a fellow Blue Hen onto the show, it's fantastic! Scott played college football at the University of Delaware. There have been quite a few quarterbacks from UD who played in the NFL. Scott, we are excited to hear more about your whole journey, starting from playing sports as a youngster, all the way through to what you do today.

"Part of what makes an athlete attractive to the people who are hiring is that they can see that they have the ability to really get laser-focused on what they're doing and excel at something. Those are the qualities that a lot of employers are looking for, that are exhibited in real time by athletes in those type of environments."

-Scott Brunner

Scott's advice to current professional athletes:

"If you retire when you're 30 or 35, you still have a pretty long life to live, so you've gotta do something else. So the question is not what your job is gonna be, but what are you going to do for the rest of your life...and how are you going to support your well-being, mentally and emotionally?"

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Jordan Parise, former Hockey player at North Dakota, NHL player, medical device salesperson, and founder and coach at Parise Hockey.

Jordan on the value of the skills you gain through sports:

"I didn't realize that businesses are looking for guys that are coachable, that have worked with teams before, that can persevere, that understand discipline...

But I realized very quickly that there is a market for those kinds of people. It became very clear to me that all of these things that I had learned as an athlete could compliment everything that I was going to do afterward."

Give some advice to current athletes to prepare for the transition out of sports.

"Before you get done (with your sport), really honestly take some time and ask yourself, 'what is it that I enjoy?' and start digging in a little bit. Because the time that you're done comes very quickly and very abruptly. You need to take some time find some clarity on what it is you even enjoy...And then start learning about those things."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Jim Cederna, former college football player at Central Michigan University, businessman and CEO of multiple companies, and founder & CEO of Cederna International.

Tell people about growing up playing sports and how that shaped you, ultimately.

"Well first of all Rob, thank you for involving me, and I hope that my story of going from small-time football to big-time business can be lessons learned for others, and I hope I can provide some help there. So, I come from very northern Michigan, from a very small town. We didn't have many sports. We didn't have baseball teams because school was done in the spring before the snow was melted and all those kinds of things, so football was THE sport in our town, and you were a rockstar if you were a successful football player. My father had done very well, loved the sport, and there was no question that I was going to play football. And I didn't have a lot of other choices anyway, so that's where it began, and I was successful enough to get a scholarship to play at Central Michigan and I played at that level also."

Jim's advice for current athletes preparing for a transition out of sports: "My first coaching tip to anybody who is in a position where you need to start making an income for a living and it's not gonna be sports: Your network comes in handy...and we don't really take advantage sometimes of all the people we know."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Gary Rogers, former football player at Vanderbilt University and in the Canadian Football League, and current podcaster and founder of Check Your Game.

Tell me about playing sports growing up. How did that shape you?

"Well, when I think about sports as a kid...I loved sports. I'm not sure why I loved sports so much, but I started playing baseball, and I just could not wait to play the games on Saturday morning. If it was a rainout, oh, it would just devastate me. As you keep going up to the next level or league in baseball, then coaches, they see some of your skills, and then they recruit you for soccer...and then all of a sudden, football gets in the mix. It started with baseball, and then I started playing all sports. I loved playing anything with a ball...and also what is important is fans. People are cheering you on. You do something, you steal a ball, you get a hit, you throw out a person, you make a tackle, and people are cheering for you?! And they're encouraging you! And so that encouragement for me, in my personality, I'm getting chills. That just makes me want to do more of that and say, I want to get more cheers."

Talk about your transition out of college sports.

"I had a year off after college. That year off was a part of my story. My coach, Rick George, set me up with an interview with Johnson and Johnson, which I missed. I went home for about a month. I was hurt, I couldn't run, couldn't do anything. I sprained my ankle, probably playing basketball and I couldn't do anything but then I realized, I want to play. So I drove back to Nashville with $20 and my Mom's BP gas card. And I had one heck of a miserable year. It was my worst year probably in my life...pretty much homeless, had no money, lost that BP card pretty quick. That $20 I had to my name, I mean that's gone like instantly. And I was trying to work, do some different things...it was a miserable time. Trying to get back to play football to get in shape and work out for the NFL scouts and all that. So as far as transition, my transition started there. Missing my J&J interview, then pretty much being homeless and hungry."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Stephen Clarke, former professional hockey player, advertising agent, entrepreneur and founder & CEO of RTG group, a group of for-profit Social enterprises with a purpose on making a positive impact in the world.

What efforts are you seeing, back when you were playing and now, in educating athletes about how they can prepare for when their time in sports is over?

"Back in the day, that wasn't the case. There weren't any efforts like that. Back in the day, we seemed to have the mentality that we were going to play forever. And so when, all of a sudden, in my case, for example, after 5 years, I blew up my knee, had a bunch of surgeries, and basically I came back and they said, you're not playing again. I mean, there was no way. So that was a really difficult time, because I hadn't really prepared for that, and there was no help really around. Today, I'm so pleased to say that first of all, athletes are making, you know, a gazillion dollars. So when they transition out, they've got all these other things.

In fact, as you know, we're doing a franchise model right now for athletes. So these guys can transition just into stuff like that and they're set. But there's more preparation now. They're understanding that all these are games where you could reach the end tomorrow...these guys know that now they go into it, they sign these contracts, right away they've got agents and managers telling them "hey, this isn't forever. This is going to end sometime, it could be next year, it could be in 10 years, but it's going to end, so let's plan for that now". And we never got any of that... So I'm glad to see where things are now, and I think the transitions for athletes are going to be a lot better, because they're no longer simply defined as we were, by being an athlete. Like one day you're a professional athlete, and the next day, you're nothing. These guys know, they're prepared for that, they've got all these other things set up."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Keith Hammond, former college football player, project manager, and the founder of Hammond Solutions, LLC.

Talk about your transition out of sports.

"So, like everyone, after my last game, I bawled like a baby. And it wasn't that I was going to miss the game as much I as I was going to miss the locker room. I realized that I can always go outside and throw a football around, or run through a wall, or go into a weight room or do whatever I need to do, but I would never be in a locker room with 135 guys again. Like I said earlier, I knew that I would never go beyond (into pro sports). So at first, I tried to hang onto some levels. I played in the USFL for half a season, until that strike came, and I was like, "why do I keep doing this?". And then I was called by a friend of mine who was playing with the Colorado Cougars, which was a semi-pro team...and I played with them for a year. Then I played for 2 years with the USFTL, which is the United Stated Flag and Touch League, and then I played for the Colorado Steelers, and did pretty good, and we had a number of former NFL guys. So when I say that I walked peacefully into the light, I really didn't. I kept a toe back in the sport."

Give some quick advice about what people should be looking to do as they transition out of sports.

"Look at your strong points. Look at your ability to formulate teams, and then look at where you have the best support network. Look at your strengths. If your strengths are analytical, then you can go into an analytical field. If your strengths are more problem-solving, or you can come to a cohesive team decision, then look for that environment. And don't force it, don't force yourself. Don't force that round peg into a square hole. Things will come. Also, don't hang on your past grip strength. When it's done, you need to formulate a plan. You need to develop a network of like-minded individuals; people who are forward-thinking and forward-facing, and looking to better themselves and transition up."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Myriam Glez, former Olympic swimmer and coach, CEO of USA Synchronized Swimming, entrepreneur and founder of the nonprofit Athletes Soul.

Tell everybody about Synchronized Swimming and how that works.

"Synchronized swimming would be like gymnastics or ballet in the water. It's been around for quite awhile; it's a very popular sport in other countries, especially in Europe and Asia. So there were a lot of synchronized swimmers where I grew up. I saw it on TV and that's how I got inspired to start in the sport. It's a very demanding sport in terms of the number of hours that you train, because we do essentially a lot of different sports. You have to be a good gymnast, you have to be flexible, you have to do strength training outside of the pool, ballet, but then you also do a lot of swimming, and then your sport. During the week you would be doing a little bit of everything, and you have to try to figure out how to fit that in each day. It's a very comprehensive sport, and very brainy as well, because you have to remember routines, and there's a lot of elements that are related to your mental game, in addition to being very physical."

Give me your thoughts about NIL.

"I think the positive is that athletes can make some money, whether it is being a top football player in the college space and you can actually take advantage of that and really get some sponsors to support you, to the niche sport and lower profile athletes who actually can work other jobs like any other student and not lose their scholarship because they are doing things like coaching, modeling or whatever that is. I feel like it's bringing some equality between athletes and students because students are already doing other jobs, and then it's helping the top athletes benefit from the college market and not just have the university being the one reaping all of the benefits."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Mark Moyer, former college athlete, author, founder and CEO of the Win Again Academy.

Mark on the difficulty of athlete transitions:

"I always thought that retired athletes are living the dream. Then I started speaking to them and I found that almost none of them are living the dream when they retire because suddenly they're losing not just their identity as an athlete, but they're losing the locker room, the camaraderie...their second family, they're losing their daily routine, their fitness routine, their nutrition routine. They're losing the adrenaline rush of playing in front of fans. There are so many things that suddenly are gone the day that they retire. And now they're sitting on their couch, and they may have a magnificent home and some nice golf clubs, a couple of nice cars, whatever it is, but their mission is gone. They just don't have that anymore. And that, to me, is the big missing thing, whether you're a successful retired professional athlete or you're a student athlete playing at the university of nowhere...but if you've been playing a sport your whole life and suddenly the switch is turned off and you don't know which way to go...the analogy I use all the time is that it's almost like being thrust into a life raft in the middle of the ocean. And there's water everywhere, and you've got a big giant paddle. And because you're an athlete, you're strong, and you can paddle a long way. The problem is, you don't know which direction to go. You don't know where land is. So you're paddling in circles, and you're nervous, you're scared, you're depressed, you're lonely, you're all these things, because you don't know which way to go. And sometimes what you need is that guidance, whether it's from a coach like myself, or books, or internal collegiate resources that will help give you the coordinates of that island that's over that way. And then you can get there."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Cory Camp, former D1 swimmer, podcast host, founder and CEO.

Tell me about your experience growing up playing sports.

"I started taking swim lessons when I was 4 years old, and continued that throughout my childhood. I really took to the water and really enjoyed it. I wouldn't say I was a natural at it, but I was decent enough and more than anything, I just loved the time in the water, and that was a theme that continued to propel me onwards. As my life progressed, I tried some other sports. I tried baseball for a little bit. It was fun, I enjoyed it, but I didn't enjoy it as much as my time at the pool. It got to the point where 7th grade came around and it was that pivotal decision...it was becoming a lot to juggle 3 morning practices a week for swimming, and afternoons, and baseball practice. My parents were like, what do you want to do? Ironically, I was better at baseball at that time but because I enjoyed swimming, I just said, I feel closer to my friends in swimming. I want to go do that. Thankfully. that seemed to be the right choice. That was how we ended up landing on swimming. And it wasn't until probably freshman year of high school that the dream of wanting to be a D1 swimmer, to be on scholarship and then eventually maybe even make an Olympic team started to become a little bit more of a reality. That was when I was able to qualify for Junior Nationals and get some timestamps that put me on the radar of some colleges, where now it became a legitimate possibility."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Bernard Robinson, former college basketball and NBA player, strategic consultant and founder of ES&E consulting and management.

Bernard on networking while you're still in college:

"Some of the greatest advice I ever got was to not ever forget about the students that you're going to class with and professors that you're dealing with. These are your future CEOs and future founders. Start to spark those conversations. When you're in that environment, you don't necessarily think of those things, despite people thinking that it's the natural thing to do, you don't think about those things. I call it being in the clouds. You're in the clouds, and everybody knows you. You feel like you're the band. Everybody is talking about the next game, and that's just the life you're in. If you don't take the time out to focus on those things and create your own strategy while you're in college...it will be difficult for you."

Bernard's advice for athletes preparing for the transition out of sports:

"You become great when you transform yourself and you put on a performance. So you understand that in sports, but who are you when you leave sports? Really define those things. Really be sure of those skills. Dive down into what your mindset is and the type of vision that you need to have. Can you visualize who you are at the pinnacle of your success? Have you ever done that? In sports, the end result is that championship, and you dream about that. You work towards trying to be that."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Phillip "Phenom" Robinson, former collegiate runner, ESPN + Producer, Youth Success Coach, and successful Podcaster.

Have you seen some of the challenges that athletes are facing when they get hurt or when they are done with sports?

"Most definitely. There are always going to be challenges. I even had challenges myself because your whole entire life and schedule is revolving around your sport. Especially when you're in college, it is 10 times harder. Once you are nearing the end, it is difficult, depending on what type of athlete you are...Were you the athlete that was trying to go pro, and maybe you are coming up short, and you were putting all your eggs in one basket? And now you're not necessarily sure what you're going to be doing. Or, were you the athlete that knew that you didn't want to go pro, but you've already started networking, going to conferences, and you made sure you were taking care of business to prepare yourself for after college? So it just depends. I've seen both spectrums, and both spectrums have their own challenges."

The big thing right now is NIL. Give me your thoughts on that.

"I am all for it. I'm loving it, honestly, and I'm actually working with a marketing company that helps athletes get NIL deals. You know, as college athletes, we weren't allowed to make money off our name, our brand, or anything like that. There was even a rule within the NCAA that we weren't allowed to have jobs. I had to hide my job from my coaches. So I'm loving now that college athletes can make money off of their personal brand because if the university is going to be selling all these jerseys and things based off of the performance of a person, the athlete should be able to make money from that as well."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Chantelle Lott, former elite collegiate runner, literacy advocate, and the CEO and Founder of Bounceless.

Tell me about growing up playing sports and how that shaped your personality, leading up to college and beyond.

"Track was my thing. I started running track in middle school and I ran through college. Really, the mindset of an athlete: starting something and sticking to it, that started early for me. I think I've always had this winning mentality, because even before track, people are always racing, and at some point girls are faster than boys, so I was like, "yeah, I got this!" That was my thing, just to keep running and chasing people."

On transitioning out of your sport:

"I think that whatever sport you do can still very much be a part of your life, but don't let it consume you. You are more than your sport. Whatever you studied, you chose that major for a reason, so tap into those passions, because if your sport was your only passion, then what would you do without it? So that's where you have to learn yourself."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Corrine Milien, former golf and basketball player, graduate assistant for the Tennessee Lady Vols, co-founder and entrepreneur.

Did the University of Tennessee do anything as far as developing programs to help athletes think about what comes next after sports?

"Yeah, I really got a chance to see that up-close at Tennessee. She (Pat Summit) won 8 national championships, but she also poured into a lot of great athletes, on and off the court. And we have Lady Vols who have their own companies, we have Lady Vols who are broadcasters...To summarize what she said, "I use them for 4 years, I expect them to use me for the rest of my life." And I was really able to see that at its finest. Again, winning 8 national championships, winning all these games, but making sure the student athletes felt like the doors would be open for them. This was a global brand at the time. And if you wanted to fail, you could, but if you showed up, you were going to succeed as a Lady Vol."

What kind of interaction did the schools have in terms of alumni athletes coming back as a resource for current athletes?

"Before starting my own business, I spent 7 years in a nonprofit developing minority student athletes who wanted to work in sport media entertainment, and really going in to be a partner with athletic departments in some of that professional development. And meeting them where they are. By the time they graduate and they are alumni, all they know is their sport, and now they have a degree with some letters behind it, but there's no experience. So I really didn't concern myself with what wasn't happening on campus or how they weren't being engaged...I really tried to be a resource to remind them to make sure after they graduate that they are reaching out to say "Hey, I'm in Louisiana now and I'm trying to get a job. Is there anybody in the network that you can connect me with?" Because there are limited resources on campus, and in most cases it's 1 or 2 people that are responsible for 22 sports, and it's easier to help those that come into the office. So if you were that guy who knows you didn't go into the office as much as you should, what are you doing now to make those connections?"

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Darrell Devaul, founder of the PoweringU Foundation.

Darrell on the importance of teaching young athletes about financial literacy and NIL:

"That's where I come in. I'm just really educating these high-school kids on how to build their brand, how to say the right things. Because content kills. Content helps you out. Whatever you put on there that's good, from your character, your leadership, your social, and giving back to the community, is going to help you take the next step."

As you're working with these student athletes, what kind of advice would you give them?

"Transitioning from the athlete side, your goal is to brand yourself. Educate yourself. And that goes back to the 4 things that I talk about in my foundation: Character, Leadership, Social and Community. Make sure your character is right...Doing things that are going to make you different. Updating your LinkedIn. Being a leader on and off the field. Giving back to your community. The key to a smooth transition is doing those things that are going to help you in the future. You can't play and not do anything else...if your social media is right and you're doing things on and off of the field, you're going to make some money. And eventually, people are going to see you and you will eventually get a job or have internship opportunities."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Keith Sconiers, former college basketball player, podcaster, speaker and entrepreneur.

Did sports have any affect on shaping how you approach life?

"The thing that really shaped who I was and who I am as a person today really had to do with the relationship I had with my high school coach- the one who got me started playing ball. Prior to him meeting me, I had been expelled 6 times before I got to high school. My freshman year in high school I had a 1.3 GPA and had already been kicked off campus...I was going down the wrong road. And one day, we sat in the car after a booster meeting. He was giving me a ride home and we stopped at a stoplight. And he just looked at me in a very specific way and said "Hey, if you're not going to take this serious, I'm really not gonna mess with you." And it was at that point that I realized that if I didn't get my act straight, then I wasn't going to have an opportunity. And ever since then, I've tended to treat every single opportunity that I have access to with a certain level of professionalism and tenacity that it takes to see the job through. And so, I wouldn't say that it was necessarily the game...it was more the expectations of how you should approach life, that was shaped by that coach. That really had an impact on how I approached life, the sport, and everything that I attempt to do today."

Give me your thoughts on NIL.

"Man, I think it's a great opportunity. I think that if you're an athlete that's a creator, that can create a followership and can create a personal brand for yourself and can leverage that into opportunities, not only for yourself but for the community that you care about making an impact on, I think that is fantastic. I think it's great. I don't think that it's a silver bullet that's going to solve issues, per say, for athletes, because we still have professional athletes that make millions of dollars that difficulty transitioning. And so, I think that if it's not properly handled as it relates to a holistic offering to help an athlete really develop as a person and a professional, then I think that it could exacerbate the issue when it comes to transition, because now how are you going to handle not having the attention from organizations if you haven't done a good job in creating a personal brand that is beyond just who you are as an athlete? If you lose your voice after you're done playing a sport, and you're no longer a great partner for these brands, now how are you going to handle that? And so, I think it's a great opportunity, but with all opportunities come new responsibilities, and I think that if an athlete can approach it with the right mindset and the right support, I think it is a tremendous opportunity."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Patrick Venzke: former NFL player, real estate entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. Patrick is the first ever German-born athlete to make it into the NFL.

Was the school doing things to guide athletes into life after sports when you were a student athlete?

"It's funny you should ask me that. I love the idea of your organization so much because back then, I didn't have any connections or any network. Nobody reached out to me to say 'Hey Patrick, do you need an internship somewhere? What can we do for you?' You may play football for 3-5 years, but you have another career for 40-50 years. So you're doing a real service to the people listening right now. You have to have a game plan for after the game. I was so short-sighted and only focused on football, I didn't really care about networking. Now, 20 years later, being a little more gray and a little more wise you may say, my network that I gained through the NFL is my most valuable asset."

At Idaho now, do they welcome back the alumni, as far as going back and talking to the football players?

"Yes. I just came back from Idaho, giving some speeches to the teams...I gave a short speech to the Idaho Vandals team. I was welcomed back with open arms, but Rob, it wasn't always the same, like you said. Many times, they gave me 2 tickets to the game and say 'hey, thanks for coming by', but they didn't want to tap into my knowledge or experience- everything I have to give after 47 years on this planet... but I think that we are evolving right now and the teams are waking up, saying..."listen to this guy because he built businesses after he left here." And the team was very receptive, and it was a great experience for all of us."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Renee Washington, a former college hall of fame soccer player, founder and CEO, and ESPN reporter.

Tell me about your transition out of sports.

"I always have been someone who juggled multiple things. I grew up playing many sports at once...and for me, as I started trying to figure out what I wanted to do career-wise and professionally, as a public relations major I was actively getting involved. Our school made us have at least one internship for the communications department. Through that internship is what encouraged me to continue having internships and to continue to take advantage of the opportunities to get that hands-on experience. It was through that experience that helped me to really understand that there are aspects that I enjoy about public relations, and there are aspects that I didn't really want to do. And so for my passion and the things I enjoy the most, as I was talking through it, it definitely aligned more with being a reporter. And just having no two days be the same. The full irony is that my undergrad degree is in Public Relations and my masters is in Educational Leadership, and for both of those...I didn't even know how it related to broadcasting. But it's not just about broadcasting, it's about the other things that I do. Public Relations work and definitely Educational Leadership directly relate to the work that I do within my organization and my work outside of broadcasting. I always say, there's value in your degree and your education and your learning, because you never know where it's going to make sense."

What advice would you give to athletes who struggle to transition out of their sport?

"Sports are a vehicle to help you get to some other opportunities, so as you talk about networking and alumni connections and different things, a lot of that comes through sports. As you're training, as you're competing, as you're working on winning games and scoring...also take advantage of those opportunities to learn more about yourself and learn more about what you want to do and what you enjoy doing, and having conversations with people, because at some point sports do come to an end. We all get old, we all have to retire, at least at a competitive level, and so then what? So you want to set yourself up to be prepared for life after sports because it will come at some point or another. I still use my sports background...it still opens doors for me. So, do as much as you can within it, learn as much as you can, meet as many people as you can, but always be thinking about what's next too."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Scott Fox, former college athlete, coach and founder of the Champion Playbook.

Tell me how athletics shaped your personality growing up.

"My parents recognized early on that I had some athletic skill. They forced me, literally kicking and crying, to play baseball. I was about 9 years old at the time, and I stepped onto the field, literally kicking and crying, and I came away saying "I like this". My parents knew that it would be good for me, and they were right. It opened me up. I was a very introverted kid, so it helped me to be able to make friends. It really shaped me because it just gets inside your blood. The other piece of it is the challenges that come with it. I ended up creating my business many years after I stopped playing competitively because, when I was playing, I knew I was missing something, and it was the mental and emotional we'll call it, or the non-physical. And that became the basis for creating my business."

Talk to me about your transition out of sports.

"My transition out of sports was not knowing what in the world to do. I had a liberal arts degree and I was growing up in a family of scientists. What I learned how to do was essentially network....I was just asking people, what do I do? And people are very kind. I was an assistant coach for my father who coached youth sports, so there were parents of other kids that we were coaching. And through a series of passing my resume around, I got my first job. Although before that, I mowed lawns. I created a business called 'The Ivy League Gardener' and my family said, that was brilliant! If you would have kept with that, you would probably have a great business and a great life. And actually with a different paradigm growing up, I might have done that. You see, this is the thing about perspectives. I had the perspective of, I went to college, I'm supposed to have a white-collar job. I didn't know anything about entrepreneurship; my parents were both government workers. It's a very, very different way of looking at life. It affects things. And that's really what I do with my client athletes. We go through some interesting mind-body procedures to peel away stuff that can allow them to see the world a little differently"

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Sivonnia DeBarros, former college track athlete, attorney, podcaster, and "protector of athletes".

Tell me about your thoughts on NIL.

"I love the fact that college athletes now can monetize their own celebrity. It's something that should have been done a long time ago, and it's not a new concept....It's something that was overdue. I'm happy that they have the ability to do this now because institutions such as the NCAA are all benefitting off the names and talents of the young kids, and there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to benefit as well. They are sacrificing a lot just to play for their school...and a lot is put on their shoulders as student athletes to perform.

What advice can you give to athletes transitioning out of their sport?

"You have to keep top of mind that sense of self is #1. It's very important to know who you are. And it's also important to know what you want, outside of everybody else. Even if you've done a particular thing for 10 years or more, you've got to know who you are outside of that. My second tip would be to make sure that the next phase you're trying to go is in alignment with who you've determined yourself to be. And you can find your alignment keys in determining your value system."

Tell me about the origin of your title "Protector of Athletes"

"Sometime after I wrote my book, What are you Sporting About, and then launched my podcast, I realized that I am a protector of athletes. I'm giving people information that is substantially rooted in law, and so it just naturally flowed- "The Protector of Athletes". You are better protected when you know what you're doing."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Reid Meyer, former college baseball player, certified college counselor, and co-founder and CEO of Athletes to Athletes.

Tell me about your transition out of sports and how you handled it and what you're seeing around you with other athletes.

"Personally, my transition out of sport was the main impetus for why I founded Athletes to Athletes, because it was not great, for lack of a better term. I was one of those people who didn't consider what happens after sport. I thought that was bad and meant that I wasn't putting everything into my sport when I was playing it...so when I did decide to quit playing baseball after my sophomore year in college, I kind of looked up and thought, ok, well now what? I coached for a little bit...but I didn't have a plan for what I was going to do beyond that. So for me, the transition was really tough, and part of my process for trying to work through that was talking to other athletes. Come to find out, it wasn't a "me" problem, it was a glaringly obvious student athlete problem as a whole."

What kind of advice would you give to fellow athletes when that journey is up and it's time to move forward with their lives?

"I saw something the other day that was a pretty awesome concept to me, that said your sport should always be your plan B. Your plan A should be what you want to do, what you want to pursue and ultimately do for the next 40-50 years of your life. Plan B should be your sport, so if you're lucky enough to be able to do it beyond college, that can add on to what your plan A already is. It can be a bonus to your life experience."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Brandon Beachy, former Major League Pitcher and current top-performing franchisee & Franchising Consultant.

Growing up playing sports there are a lot of sacrifices you have to make. How do you think that shaped you throughout high school and into college?

"For me, it didn't feel like a sacrifice. I would have felt like I was sacrificing if I was doing something other than playing ball. Learning how to fail is the best thing I think I could take away from sports as a youth. Losing and then showing up the next day to work harder and get better...the discipline that it teaches you by showing up to practice and having a tangible consequence for your actions...you mess up and it affects the game and you feel that and see it, instantly. You talk about sacrifice, and I think if you're not playing sports, or doing something competitive, you're sacrificing those qualities."

What was it like for you when you transitioned out of sports? How hard was that when it was over?

"Oh man, it was hard. I felt like I was done a few times, and I spent essentially the last three years of my career rehabbing, and hanging on and making comeback attempts out of fear of what's next. This is what I knew, and I saw a glimmer of hope that there was a way I could make it back...but really, in the back of my mind I knew that if I was confident in what I was going to do next, I would have left three years before I did."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Winston October,former college football player, NFL player, and professional coach.

Did you have a dream growing of being a professional athlete?

"I did...I remember I told my Mom that I'd be a professional football player one day. She told me to go write that down and go pray about it. I never even thought in my wildest dreams that I would have played as long as I did...I'm 46 now, and I've been doing it since 6th grade."

How do you think sports helped to shape you as far as your personality?

"Sports has helped me understand the whole concept of a team. You've got to trust each other, encourage each other, accept each other's differences and maximize each other's skill sets. That's the thing I've taken from my time of being involved in sports."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Jennifer Garrett, author, business branding expert and creator of the "Move the Ball" movement.

Tell me about growing up playing sports.

"I played sports my entire life. Playing sports can really teach you to be successful in whatever it is that you're doing in life. People talk all the time about how sports are parallel to life. I think for me, it's really the competitive aspect. People always talk about the hard work and the discipline, and all those things, but the competitive nature is something I really took away from it because in business, it is a competition. Whether you're a business owner or you're looking to advance your career, you are competing with other people out there playing that same game, so being someone that played sports at a young age, that really taught me the essence of competition and how to do it right, and fairly, and ethically and all that stuff...but also how that is an important component to being successful, as you continue through sports as well as through life."

Have you seen alumni athletes coming back to mentor current students?

"For the bigger D-1 programs, you see a number of athletes that will come back because they want to make an impact and share what they've learned on their journey. Some schools are a little bit more proactive in bringing their alumni back than others, but I think generally you see that there's a lot of schools that are really trying to reach into that alumni population, or the alumni themselves want to reach back and try to make an impact and share their experiences with the younger generation of athletes."

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Danielle Berman, Events Consultant and Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Tackle What's next. Danielle chats with us about growing up playing sports for fun, to managing teams and sports communication in college, to becoming an Event Consultant and later founding her own company.

Tell me about how sports shaped your early years leading up to college:

"I really only played sports because that was what my family wanted us to do from a young age....but I also was big into musical theater and theater in general. I loved the behind-the-scenes aspect. By playing sports in school and also doing that...I loved the team behind it. I loved hanging out with my friends and having this connection; getting to see them all the time."

"To play a sport at the college level takes a lot of dedication, time, and effort...and it's a separate job, outside of your schooling."

-Danielle Berman

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Coach Jim Johnson, Basketball Coach, Motivational Speaker and Author.

Coach Jim developing his players to be leaders:

"Our program became attractive because I was more than just a guy that wanted to win basketball games...I started really focusing on trying to develop our players to be winners on and off the court. And that was something we tried to do on a daily basis by sharing life lessons, talking about overcoming adversity...and I was pretty direct with them about the facts that less than 1% of the country plays division 1 basketball, let alone playing in the NBA. I think it's good to encourage kids to be the best they can because of the lessons they can learn. They can learn things from sports that they can implement in their life, such as having discipline, showing up on time, having a great work ethic, how to work with people...those are all great lessons that you learn by playing sports."

Coach Jim on the importance of alumni connections:

"I like what you're doing with Alumni Direct because I think the power of still having that connection because you were a part of the same college or high school team- I think is really important."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Kasten Spethmann, retired professional windsurfer, recovering venture capitalist, nomad entrepreneur and coach.

Do they do anything at Portland University to teach athletes what to do next, after they transition out of sports?

"I can't speak to that with 100% certainty because I wasn't an athlete in college...but I can tell you from my experience going to speak at different universities, often times the athletic director and/or coach is not too thrilled about someone like me coming in to speak to the students and throwing statistics out there like, "less than 2% of you are ever going to make it to the pros." And I think the bigger the school and the bigger the sports program, the worse it is. Because those student athletes are usually there on a scholarship....and so they want them focused on their sport. And there is very little help in getting them to understand anything besides the sport or focus on anything different...I think this is a disservice to a student athlete."

What advice would you give to these athletes who are transitioning on to something else?

"One of the things that I do is to reword it, to say "This is the next chapter of your life and you're about to write it". Another analogy would be, "I think there is something missing, and that you have more to give to the world aside from your athletic abilities". I actually give this to my entrepreneurial clients more: "When you have a company that fails, you are still an entrepreneur. And so you go out and you do another one."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Dominick Domasky, former college basketball player turned founder, entrepreneur, and TV show host.

When you went to Pitt, what kinds of things did they do to help their athletes perform well and also transition out of sports?

"Education was huge. I remember that if I struggled, I had tutors. And even job placement; using the network to help place players with jobs during college and even after college. So there was an aspect of that kind of support throughout."

What kinds of things did you see from alumni- did alumni get involved in coming back and talking to athletes and helping them out?

"Even to this day, I believe that the alumni are associated {with the school}. I have been to some hall of fame inductions for fellow players, where they are bringing us back to campus and getting us involved with the current students who are there. Letting them know what is going on in the community, and even inviting them to attend certain things that aren't just about athletics. There is a push to keep the alumni engaged, especially the alumni of the sports programs there."

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Coach Chris Michel, former walk on college football player turned sales executive, author, and entrepreneur.

Talk to us about your experience as a walk-on football player in college.

"Overall it was a really cool experience. I walked on to a major university (The University of Illinois) and I got to play with some major players in the college scene. Many of these guys went on to play NFL football for a number of years. I was amongst these giants- these guys that I was playing with are legendary. I was just happy to be on the team. I really wanted to contribute and just be a part of the team. I was on the prep squad and I did everything I could to make sure the defense was there and ready to be the best that they could be. So I like to say that I had a hand in that."

Can you give some advice to athletes on how to handle the transition into life after sports?

"One of the things I do now is to help people to understand that they have to learn to take care of themselves. I have been lucky enough to learn over the years what it truly means to take care of me, more on the emotional side than anything else. It was a family tragedy that caused me to realize how important mental health is. If you are listening to this as a younger athlete, take the time to learn about mental health and what that means for you. It's ok to feel feelings. It's ok to go through those things- there's nothing wrong with it. Don't believe the lie that we were told for so long that we just have to be tough...listen to your body, listen to your mind, listen to those around you. And by doing that, you're going to be able to walk away. Literally and figuratively."

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Coach Chris Michel's Website: https://coachchrisconsulting.com/

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Dr. Daniel Zimet, 34-time National Handball Champion, Sports Psychologist, and Lead Investigator for the Athletes' Transition Study.

Tell us about growing up and playing sports and how that shaped you, going into college and beyond.

"Most of my sport activity was with soccer, and that was more organized. I also played baseball, tennis, I would almost always be found on my skateboard...and I'm a third generation handball player. Sport has been an enormous part of my community and also my family."

Do you see colleges helping to prepare athletes for their future after sports?

"Not typically, although there are absolutely schools that are making efforts to do that and have programming, but generally I would say no. I think that the life-cycle of the sport environment is very heavily focused on athlete development, so bringing people into sport, developing their skill-set, maintaining their presence, and building them to the point of excellence, and then there is the business of sport....I would say that most leagues pay no attention to the athlete once they are off the roster."

Tell us about the Athlete Transition Study that you are working on.

"Part of why we're conducting the study that we are is to understand broad, large-scale numbers (different sports, genders, communities and cultures) about how people leave their sport. How many suffer, to what extent, and in what ways...those are questions that still haven't been answered with any satisfaction."

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Dr. Daniel Zimet's Website: www.danielmzimet.com

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Participate in the Athlete Transition Survey

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Taj Dashaun, former college football player and Author, Speaker, and Athlete Transition Coach.

Tell us about your journey growing up and playing sports.

“My first sport was basketball, I started when I was five. Then I started playing soccer....And then I saw the movie "Remember the Titans", and I decided that I wanted to play football. I started playing football at the age of 10, and by my freshman year in high school, I was on a mission get a football scholarship." I ended up getting a scholarship at Stoneybrook in Long Island, NY, and I loved every minute of it."

Did Stoneybrook prepare you for life after college sports?

"I didn't necessarily do a good job of seeking out those resources, if they were available...but those resources were not put in directly in front of us as athletes, either. That's why I was telling you that I love what you guys are doing at Alumni Direct, because that sense of community is what I was missing. I walked across that stage and was just thrown out into the world...versus having a support system and a community of people who have gone before me to help pull me up. Hats off to what you are doing, I think it's needed for so many reasons."

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Connect with Taj Deshaun: www.tajdashaun.com

LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Listen to Taj's Podcast: Thrive After Sports Podcast

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Hannah Valenzuela, former elite runner and host of the Women's Locker Talk podcast.

Did you aspire to be an Olympic athlete or a professional runner?

“Absolutely. I competed at nationals every year for cross country and track. My senior year of high school I qualified for two world championships, so I had the opportunity to compete in Slovenia in the World Mountain Running Championships, and I also competed in Spain in the World Cross Country Championships. To compete on foreign soil, at that level, is the highest level you can achieve in your sport. From there, I really pictured myself only going up...That's really all I wanted for myself and I truly loved it."

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Check out Hannah's podcast on Spotify: Women's Locker Talk

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Julie Chaykin, former cheerleader, dancer, and coach.

Tell us about the practice and preparation required in cheer.

“A key factor in practicing for the sport of cheer is every single athlete being dedicated and present. This is imperative to the success of the sport. The multi facets that are involved in cheerleading require everyone's full attention and support in order to be successful."

What helped you transition from being a college athlete to running your own business?

"Teachers and coaches can have a huge impact on a child's life and on a family's life. In college, I had the blessing of having an amazing coach and I've had some wonderful teachers, so that really molded me into something that wanted to be nothing but positive and give positive light to children...It's definitely had an impact on the current things that I'm doing."

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Check out Julie's website: www.hurricanecheerleading.com

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Pete Maestrales, former professional baseball player, Olympic baseball player, CEO and founder of Airstream Jets.

How does one go from being an athlete to owning a private jet charter company?

“I could never have been successful in business if it weren’t for my failures in sport” - Pete Maestrales, former professional baseball player, is living proof and speaks about how he went from baseball to owning a charter jet company in this interview.

When Pete was asked about his alumni experience and networking with other athletes, his answer was, “...it brings us all together … it’s really a cool thing …even in ProBall, a lot of the guys that I played with, those connections have paid dividends over the years, they know someone that needs a flight somewhere, and having played with those top level athletes, those connections have really helped too because a lot of those guys are big money guys now.”

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Check out Pete's website: www.airstreamjets.com

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Marques Ogden, former NFL player, keynote Speaker, entrepreneur and all-star podcaster.

AMBITION and DRIVE:

“For the success cycle, it is ambition, create your blueprint, drive, be inspired, over-motivated, hard work, focus on yourself not the competition.”- Marques Ogden Marques encourages athletes to focus on their professional and personal development and strongly recommends finding a mentor, “someone who you trust to help you prepare for the transition from student athlete, graduating and entering the workforce and prepare with hard work, dedication and fortitude.” Watch this video to learn more about the self made laws by which Marques lives by and the soft skills essential for an athlete's success.

Connect with Marques Ogden:

Instagram | LinkedIn

Website: www.marquesogden.com

Email: marques@marquesogden.com

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On this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Shea Hillenbrand: Former professional baseball third baseman and first baseman, who played in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays and more before he became an entrepreneur.

Shea’s drive to win his parents' love and respect led to a drive and competitive spirit to become the best in sports. He says his work ethic got him on the team in junior college and eventually drafted by the Boston Red Sox at twenty years old to Player of the Year!

“Keep going when everyone else quits.” - Shea Hillenbrand

Listen to his 5 Non-Negotiables and gems of wisdom in this very animated and engaging conversation with Rob Finklestein, Founder and CEO of Alumni Direct and apply them to your life!

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Visit Shea Hillenbrand's Website: www.sheahillenbrand.co

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On this episode of "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey", an inspiring series by Alumni Direct, we speak with Adrian Archie, former football player and entrepreneur. Adrian is the founder of petNmind Naturals.

He shares about how being an athlete changed his life and why athletes have a natural entrepreneurial spirit.

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Visit Adrian Archie's Website: https://linktr.ee/petNmind

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In this episode of "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey" by Alumni Direct, join this fascinating conversation with Dominik Senn, whose love for skiing began in Switzerland at 3 years old in a city not known for skiing. Hear how he went on to become a national champion and then to win the European cup but due to knee injuries later in his sport career, he began his sports management company to represent skiers like himself and his colleagues.

Passionate about golf, Dominik is changing the face of Golf country clubs in America in building the most exclusive gated golf community, Panther National, to cater to a wider generation of golfers and other athletes.

Listen to this inspiring and fascinating conversation with Rob Finkelstein founder and CEO of Alumni Direct.

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Visit Dominik's Website: www.panthernational.com

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On this episode of "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey" by Alumni Direct we chat with Marc Chaykin, baseball player, college cheerleader, actor, and President of US cheerleading association.

Marc Chaykin’s college repertoire is extremely diverse. As a sportsman he double majored in Broadcasting and the Theatre Arts which led him to a career in acting and baseball to collegiate cheerleading and currently is the President of the US Cheerleading Association.

In terms of how alumni networks worked for him, he stayed in touch with a lot of people in the theatre department at the University of Miami(UM) and business-wise he has worked with friends from UM that run their own theatre departments to work on projects and eventually was hired to do several TV commercials which launched his career into acting.

Marc Chayin’s advice to athletes whose careers are transitioning out of the field of sports is:

“Taking one of those skill sets that allowed them to be successful in sports—dedication, commitment, preparation and then putting it into the field that they have a passion for and then just always trying to make sure that what you’re doing, that you have a purpose—What is this purpose? It shouldn’t just be about creating wealth— it should be about making a difference and making a positive difference no matter what it is.”

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Visit Marc's Website: www.uscheerleading.com

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In this episode of "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey" podcast we speak with Michael White, former elite runner and entrepreneur.

How should athletes transition from the world of sports to the working world?

Michael White shares, “You put your disciplined self in front of people (future employers) and they see your determination and personality and they see that and they say Go get them! So you shift from the sports you just played in, to the business you want to get in and with that mindset.”

He goes on to say “What you learn (in sport) is, repetition is reputation. What you learn from doing drills, the weights, running laps is the same thing (in business). It’s about your mentality."

If you want to transition from sports into the working world or are considering a career change, listen to this dynamic conversation between Michael White and Alumni Direct’s CEO and founder, Rob Finkelstein.

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In the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Chris Salem, former baseball player, coach, speaker and Award winning author/radio show host.

Chris shares how athletes can benefit from guidance and mentorship to utilize their on-field leadership and communication skills in roles and careers outside the sports arena successfully.

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Visit Chris Salem's Website: www.christophersalem.com

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn & Instagram

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