The Upstate Athlete Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Upstate Athlete
Welcome to The Upstate Athlete where we talk to the elite athletes of the Upstate and the experts that surround them to grow stronger, faster, and higher together in the Upstate of South Carolina.
Our goal is to create a community of like-minded professionals ready to put the Upstate on the map in the fitness and performance world as well as provide resources for local athletes to get the care, training, or guidance they need to thrive at the highest level.
Welcome TUA SEASON 2!
Today, Kaipo talks with pro MMA and Jiu Jitsu Athletes Manny Vazquez and Sergio Lopez. Manny and Sergio are the partners that own 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Greenville, an up and coming school home to some of the best talents in the region. On this episode, Manny and Sergio talk about their backgrounds and how their experiences led them to founding the school in 2021.
As a way to provide a platform for the underrepresented talent of the Upstate, Manny and Sergio are hosting the first Southeastern Scramble event. This submission only competition will highlight the region's best jiu jitsu competitors with hopes to bring the Upstate into the National Spotlight.
Southeastern Scramble will take place on April 8th, 2023 at 10th Planet Greenville. The team will be broadcasting online on Youtube and Facebook Live, so be sure to check it out in the tags below!
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Greenville
Contact Number: (864) 236-8000
Email: 10thplanetjjgreenville@gmail.com
@SESSubOnly
@10thPlanetJJ_Greenville
@SergioDLopez10P
@MannyVazquezMMA
Today, Kaipo talks with TriFit Barbell owner Chad Delaney. Chad is one of the premier strength coaches in the Upstate and has found unique success as an athlete himself. He has been a mainstay in the region as a champion Powerlifter over the last few years. This past summer, he took on a new challenge and became a Two-Time champion Bodybuilder winning two shows in two states. On this episode, Chad shares how his experience as an athlete helps him bring out the best in the clients an athletes he coaches. Chad helps people get stronger through his gym TriFit Barbell as well as his online coaching effort Cognitive Fitness.
Want to work with Chad? Reach out with the info below!
Trifit Barbell Instagram: @trifitbarbell
Chad's Instagram: @the_coach_chad
Contact Number: (864) 520-1202
Email: info@trifitbarbell.com
This week's guest is 7-Time National Champion and AMA Hall of Fame Motorcyclist Randy Hawkins. Randy is a legend of the sport. He has had success on the national and international racing scene while proudly representing not only the Upstate, but his hometown of Traveler's Rest. After a prolific career where he found success on 3 different racing teams, he is now the head of the Yamaha Factory Racing Team. On this episode, Randy shares his story and how he's using the lessons learned in his career to bring up the next generation in his sport with Yamaha.
AmPro Yamaha
Website: https://www.amproyamaha.com/2022/5/2/3ncsyeobm0l9jictlibcj008n5x9al
Instagram: @AmProYamaha
On this episode, Kaipo talks with Teacher, Founder, and CEO Matt DeHart. As a former college hooper at BJU, Matt has always brought energy and enthusiasm to his calling as an educator. Fondly known in the Upstate as Mr. DeHart, Matt has founded the Teach From DeHart Foundation, a non-profit based on creating opportunities for students to 1) receive a world class education, 2) develop of skills that create and execute goals, and 3) receive helping hand to fill any gaps need. Since founding TFD, an opportunity arose for Matt and his team to acquire and renovate a school in Arnold, Pennsylvania, a town with a 40% poverty rate. Projected to open in 2025, The Teach From DeHart Academy will serve the community of Arnold by implementing an education system targeting and equipping the entire family unit.
It's an unbelievable story. You have to listen to the passion in this man's voice.
Teach From DeHart Foundation
Email: matt@teachfromdehart.org
Website: https://www.teachfromdehart.org/tfda-arnold
On today’s episode of The Upstate Athlete Podcast, Dr. Kaipo Sotelo hosts Aaron Walker, a midfielder and captain for the Greenville Triumph SC. Aaron speaks about his journey through club and intercollegiate soccer to becoming a professional footballer. After years of combines, Aaron was picked up by an Icelandic team for a year. His next contract was with FC Cincinnati where he fulfilled a one year contract and where he first connected with coach John Harkes. 2019 was Greenville Triumph SC’s inaugural season and John Harkes had accepted the position as Head Coach. Soon after, Coach Harkes invited Aaron to sign with the Triumph where he’s been ever since. Though he faced many setbacks, Aaron’s passion for the game of soccer, paired with incredible determination, ultimately led to his success.
This week’s episode of The Upstate Athlete Podcast welcomes Elise Benke, a Bob Jones University Bruins women’s soccer alumni. Elise graduated college in three years and played soccer each year with the Bruins. She recently accepted a job as Game-Day Manager with the Atlanta Braves. Elise recounts her college soccer experience as she suffered an ACL tear her senior season. Her determination wavered but she pushed through to end her senior year on a high note. If you’ve suffered an ACL injury, this podcast is for you! Tune in for an honest talk about the rehab and recovery after surgery, and encouragement to never give up.
On this episode, Dr. Kaipo Sotelo talks with Jakob Davis, CEO of The Nutrition Store LLC. Jakob is absolutely passionate about helping the Upstate understand and take ownership of their nutrition. On this week's installment, Jakob shares the importance of knowing what ingredients are in your supplements as well as how The Nutrition Store is pivoting toward producing their own line of evidence-based supplements.
This week's guest is none other than Ryan McKie. Ryan is the owner of Knight Performance Factory, the Upstate's premier athletic performance training gym. As a former Junior Olympic Gold Medalist and Collegiate Football player, Ryan knows exactly what it takes to make it as an athlete in the Upstate. Drawing both from his own athletic journey and his background in elite-level strength and conditioning, Ryan shares what he and his partner PJ Gray are doing to cultivate top-tier athletes in the Upstate. Want to know more? Reach out to KPF with the information below: Knight Performance Factory Address: 101 Woodruff Industrial Ln, Greenville, SC 29607 Phone: (864) 603-3992 Website: www.knightperformancefactory.com
This week, we welcome Dr. David Jolson to the show. Dr. Jolson works closely with the Upstate's finest athletes on the PGA Tour, Greenville Triumph, and Furman Athletics. Dr. Jolson is also the owner of Upstate Spine and Sport, a new wave healthcare clinic dedicated to changing the way Chiropractic care is delivered in the Upstate. As a former collegiate level basketball player and golfer, he aims to treat everyone like an athlete in an approachable capacity to get people back to doing what they love. Got any questions? Reach out to Upstate Spine and Sport today with the information below! Upstate Spine and Sport Address: 110 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607 Phone: (864) 400-8005 Website: upstatespineandsport.com
This week’s episode welcomes Upstate Recreational Therapist Abigail Thompson. As a former State Champion Gymnast, Abigail understands the mental demands that come with high level competition. Today, Abigail helps athletes of all ages overcome challenges both mental and physical to get them back to enjoying doing what they love. Got questions? Connect with Abigail the contact information below! Luna Lifestyle Website: calendly.com/abby-lunalifestyle Phone: (864) 421-7621
On this episode, Dr. Sotelo talks with Running Expert Jeff Milliman. As a decorated former NCAA runner and member of Team USA Cross Country, Jeff brings over 50 years of running experience to the Upstate. Throughout that time, Jeff became fascinated with the evolution of shoe technology and has developed his own ability to recommend, build, and customize running shoes based on the person's specific foot. His storefront, Greenville Running Company, is based off of Haywood Road where you can find Jeff in his workshop customizing shoes and sharing his expertise with runners of all skills and distances. Jeff invites you to come in and find the right shoes for your feet at Greenville Running Company. Got questions? Connect with Jeff with the contact information below! Greenville Running Company Address: 765 Haywood Rd, Greenville, SC 29607 Phone: (864) 631-1154 Website: www.greenvillerunningcompany.com
On this episode, Dr. Sotelo talks with for Collegiate and Professional Soccer Player, Blakely Mattern. Blakely is COO of 11:11 Training, a soccer training center focused on helping young women develop their skills and confidence through elite level skills training. As a native of Greenville with aspirations to compete at the highest level, Blakely had to train her skills on her own to play at USC and in Europe. Today, she aims to provide young women in the Upstate with the training that she never had to give them the opportunity to maximize their soccer potential. Together with CEO and former USWNT member India Trotter, 11:11 Training has produced elite athletes at over 40 different intercollegiate programs and counting. Blakely invites young soccer players to train with her and India. Got questions? Connect with Blakely and 11:11 today with the contact information below!
11:11 Training
Address: 301 Airport Rd Ste B, Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: (864) 905-6670
Email: blakely@eleveneleventraining.com
Website: www.eleveneleventraining.com
On this episode, Dr. Sotelo talks with Ian Beck. Ian is an accomplished powerlifter and the owner of B3 Strength and Performance off of Woodruff Road in Greenville, SC. He has gone from multiple ACL reconstructions, surgeries, and eventual knee replacements to squatting over 500 pounds and going for state records as a powerlifter. As a former classroom teacher, he talks about how his fitness journey started as a positive change from a poor lifestyle and how he has been able to merge his passions of education and fitness through starting B3 Strength and Performance. Ian invites you to join him to workout at the B3 at 9:00 am on Saturdays for their free community class. We'd highly encourage you to check them out. Got questions? Connect with Ian and B3 with the contact information below! B3 Strength and Performance Address: 1200 Woodruff Road Suite B7, Greenville, SC 29607 Phone: (803) 240-3758 Email: ian@b3strength.com Website: b3strength.com
Welcome to The Upstate Athlete where we talk to the elite athletes and the experts that surround them to grow stronger, faster, and higher together in the Upstate of South Carolina.
Our goal is to create a community of like-minded professionals ready to put the Upstate on the map in the fitness and performance world as well as provide resources for local athletes to get the care, training, or guidance they need to thrive at the highest level.