transition defense: Recent Episodes
Joshua Owens
For pro athletes, the transition away from sports is a psychologically and emotionally challenging process. After being one of the best in the world, how do you navigate not only to a new career, but a new life and identity? Join international pro basketball veteran and design enthusiast, Josh Owens, as he interviews past and present athletes who refuse to be defined by their success in sports. Each month, tune in for inspiring, in depth conversations about careers, entrepreneurship, psychology and life design.
Cassidy Lichtman is a thoughtful and curious trailblazer. She is a former professional volleyball player, a former NCAA assistant coach, she's a board member for a number of sports organizations (including USA Volleyball), and she is the founder of the athlete empowerment and education non-profit, P/ATH Sports.
Like many athletes, Cassidy did not always know exactly what she wanted to accomplish after volleyball. But, if there was one thing she was sure about, it was that she wanted to avoid the path of least resistance. In this interview, we explore some of the internal conversations we have with ourselves around personal growth, purpose, and impact. We discuss walking away from the game on her terms, reframing the skills she learned during her extensive playing career, and developing a new vision through intentional exploration.
This episode is packed with gems of wisdom and practical frameworks and strategies for thinking through big life decisions.
Dane DiLiegro is a former professional basketball player who eats, drinks, and breathes adventure. He played his college ball and studied at UNH before enjoying 8 years as a pro mostly throughout Italy. Today he is nurturing a new career as a creature actor and stuntman in Los Angeles. In this episode, Dane shares his journey from unlikely collegiate athlete to becoming a veteran pro abroad to switching careers at 32 and starting a new adventure playing the likes of monsters in Hollywood films. This is an enthusiastic conversation about prototyping with your passions, being open to new experiences, and faithfully walking through life's open doors when they present themselves.
LINKS
- Adventure MondayYouTube Archive
- Summer Camp Sandwich Club
CONTENTS
00:01:48 | Basketball Career Overview
00:14:50 | On Longevity & Singular Focus in Sports
00:21:41 | Exploring Other Interests & "Adventure Monday" Philosophy
00:29:14 | Extracting Value from Travel Experiences & Looking Ahead
00:35:31 | Putting Basketball In The Broader Context of Life
00:40:31 | Interlude
00:41:30 | Basketball Is Finite & Fear for "What's Next?"
00:48:33 | “Breaking Up" With Basketball & Rebounding With Acting
00:56:32 | On Navigating a New Career, New Distractions... & a Pandemic
01:01:22 | Adjusting to Lack of Structure in Hollywood
01:06:19 | Redesigning "Adventure Monday" for New Life in Los Angeles
01:10:38 | On Food, Passion, & Prototyping with Summercamp Sandwich Club
01:16:29 | A Learner's Mindset Inspired by Adventure & The Underestimated Value of Trying
01:22:02 | Words of Wisdom
01:27:32 | Outro
Carlon Brown is a former professional basketball player and the founder of athlete consultancy, Point Advising. In this episode, Carlon shares his experience climbing from LA high school hoops, to the University of Colorado, the NBA D-League, and finally to the mountaintop of European basketball, the Euroleague. Unfortunately, after a rapid ascent, injuries cut his playing career short in only his fourth pro season.
Today, Carlon mentors and advises both aspiring and current pro basketball players to help them navigate the world of pro sports. This is a heartfelt and candid conversation about staying present, arriving at peace, and finding new purpose and direction through gratitude.
Jerryck Owens-Murrey is a former international pro basketball player, an entrepreneur, and an artist. In this first episode, we follow Jerryck's career from small D1 program, to professional overseas, back to school, and finally into the world of real estate. Today, he is working in real estate development and simultaneously building Annum, his tech company focused on affordable housing.
Jerryck's story illuminates an intentional--almost calculated--career transition away from sports. But we learn even with prudent foresight and strategic planning, his journey is still full of surprises and obstacles. In this conversation, Jerryck opens up about committing to a long-term perspective, finding purpose in his direction, and adapting to his ever-evolving dream.
Introducing "Transition Defense". Tune in each month for in depth conversations with past and present pro athletes that refuse to be defined by their success in sports. Hosted by 9 year international pro basketball player and design enthusiast, Joshua Owens, this podcast lies at the intersection of sports, business, career development, and life design. "Transition Defense" premieres December 7, 2020.