Ruling Sports: Recent Episodes
Alicia Jessop
Founder of Ruling Sports and sport industry leader, Alicia Jessop, interviews top athletes, entrepreneurs and innovators to gain insights into lives well-lived. Each episode explores the strategies that inspiring people utilized to overcome obstacles, achieve goals and attain unprecedented success in their spheres of influence. The Ruling Sports podcast exists to provide listeners with accessible and employable tactics from fascinating leaders that they can utilize to enhance their lives, health, careers, finances and relationships.
Scottie Antonucci is a member of the Class of 2026 and high school soccer star at California’s Etiwanda High School, where she is a midfielder. She is also a captain of the U.S. U-16 Women's National Team.
Signing her first NIL deal with Nike as a 15 year old and inking a representation deal with leading agency, Wasserman, Scottie is demonstrating how an authentic social media presence mixed with powerhouse talent can drive NIL opportunities. Now, Scottie is joining Team Invisalign—a partnership between Overtime and the Invisalign brand spotlighting the stories and voices of some of the best women’s high school basketball and soccer players in the world.
In this episode, Scottie discusses:
- What soccer has done to develop her as a leader;
- Navigating the pressure of being a captain of a national team;
- The tactics she uses to lead teams during tough moments;
- How she’s navigating the NIL landscape and built her personal brand; and
- The resources she wishes high school athletes had to navigate the NIL environment.
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Malindi Elmore is a three-time Olympian who competed for the Canadian Olympic Team in track and field in 2004 and marathon in 2020 and 2024. A multi-sport athlete who grew up in Canada, Malindi attended Stanford University, where she broke the school's 800m and 1500m track and field records. Upon becoming a mother in 2014, rather than giving up sport, she picked up a new one: triathlon. Following the birth of her second child, Malindi was ready for another challenge: marathon racing. Six months after giving birth, she competed in her first marathon. Her strong result made her realize she could push toward competing in the Olympics again--16 years after her first appearance--but this time, in a new sport.
In this episode, Malindi discusses:
- How to source the courage to believe you can accomplish big and great things;
- What it feels like to make an Olympic team;
- Quieting your mind during an Olympic race and what it feels like to be on a world stage;
- The comedown athletes face following the Olympic Games and how to navigate athletic disappointment;
- Advice on navigating athletic success and personal fitness during motherhood; and
- What it took to make her third Olympic roster in twenty years
Learn more and support KidSport here.
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David Kelly is the Chief Legal Officer of the Golden State Warriors and Chief Business Officer of Golden State Entertainment, which is an affiliate of the Golden State Warriors that produces docuseries, music, events and experiences to tell the stories of those who shape and moveculture around the globe.
David’s life and professional journeys have traveled a fascinating trajectory. Growing up in Chicago, David pursued sports, writing and hip-hop. The culmination of these interests led him in high school to form a hip-hop duo, All Natural. David tells us about this incredible musical experience, which took him around the globe and saw himcreate eight studio albums.
Amidst his music career, David completed a degree in English at Morehouse College and his Juris Doctorate at the University of Illinois.
In this episode, David and Alicia discuss:
- How David sourced the courage to pursue a globalmusic career;
- Where he gained the entrepreneurial know-how tobuild the necessary business infrastructure for his music career;
- His pathway to the Golden State Warriors, withgreat advice on the need to network at every turn;
- Advice for individuals desiring to work in entertainment and sports law, with ideas for how to break into the fields;
- The why and how behind the creation of GoldenState Entertainment, which notably, is the first such production company housed inside of an NBA team; and
- Lessons from the Golden State Warriors for howto embrace creativity and create new lines of business for organizations.
Learn more about Golden State Entertainment here.
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Jessi Miley-Dyer is the commissioner of the World Surf League and a two-time world champion of surfing. Since joining the World Surf League in 2012, Jessi has been integral to professional surfing’s growth, particularly in developing the women’s tours. Jessi was also key in the WSL’s groundbreaking 2018 announcement to award equal prize money to male and female athletes. For her work, she has been honored as a Sports Business Journal Game Changer.
In this episode, Jessi discusses:
- Her pathway to professional surfing and the familial origins that showed her the need to champion theinterests of women;
- Tips for sourcing the confidence to pursue big goals and how to navigate disappointment if you don't achieve them;
- The mental strength necessary to succeed in surfing and how working with a sport psychologist benefited her;
- How the pay inequity she faced as a female surfer and the lack of female representation she saw on the business side of surfing has driven her strategies as commissioner of the World Surf League; and
- The impact of surfing's inclusion on the the Olympic programme on the sport's growth and what to watch for this Games.
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Beth Rodden is one of the best female rock climbers of all-time, and a globally recognized ambassador for the outdoor community. She has achieved a number of notable free climbs on El Capitan, the 3,000-foot monolith in Yosemite National Park, and has also established the hardest first ascent on a crack climb ever done by a woman. In 2000, Beth made international news when she and three male companions were taken hostage while climbing in Kyrgyzstan.
In this episode, Beth discusses:
- Her pathway into the sport and how she became a sponsored climber;
- How she manages and navigates fear;
- The lack of female representation in the sport, along with the pay inequity women face;
- Advice for how to negotiate for pay equity;
- Her harrowing experience being kidnapped;
- Her healing process after being released and how she held onto hope in the face of uncertainty;
- The fears she faced ahead of motherhood, how she navigated them, and the beauty that followed once she became a mother.
Purchase Beth's memoir, "A Light Through The Cracks: A Climber's Story" at Touchstone Climbing Shop or Avid Reader.
Read Beth's op-ed in the New York Times.
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Mike Buckley is the co-owner and CEO of the United States SailGP team and serves as the team’s strategist. Co-founded by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and world champion yachtsman Sir Russell Coutts, SailGP is an international sailing competition where national teams compete across a season of grands prix around the world. In October 2023, the U.S. team was sold to Mike and a group of investors led by former Milwaukee Bucks owner, Marc Lasry and his Avenue Sports Fund.
In this episode, Mike breaks down:
- The unique nature of the investment group behind the U.S. SailGP team and why they spurned other sailors to bring in a unique mix of actors, serial entrepreneurs and top athletes from other sports;
- The value and importance of diversity to growing a successful business and how the current group has helped the team reach new heights;
- How and why others should rethink their approach when it comes to forming investor groups;
- Insights for athletes on how and why they can be impactful members of a company's cap table, outside of the financial capital they bring.
DISCLAIMER: Neither Ruling Sports LLC nor Alicia Jessop are providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice or recommendations in this podcast. The information contained in this podcast does not constitute investment advice or an offer to buy or sell securities from any entity to the listener and should not be relied upon to evaluate any potential transaction. In addition, the receipt of this podcast by any listener is not to be taken to constitute such person a client of Ruling Sports LLC or Alicia Jessop. Neither Ruling Sports LLC, Alicia Jessop nor any of their affiliates or entities make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this podcast, and any liability therefore (including in respect of direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed.
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Gregory Sullivan is a 10+year Certified Financial Advisorand Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst. In his practice, Greg serves high-net-worth households, focusing on resourcing the sports and entertainment ecosystem, including founders, executives and talent. With an MBA from Notre Dame and Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Villanova, Greg has a range of education and insights that will lead today’s conversation.
In this episode, Greg and Alicia explore:
- Financial strategies for an athlete like Caitlin Clark, who will earn most of her income through endorsement deals, versus strategies for an athlete who will earn most of their income from their playing contract;
- Financial strategies for super high income earning athletes, like first round NFL Draft picks;
- Budgeting strategies for athletes of all income levels;
- Key financial considerations for college athletes earning NIL income; and
- The importance of athletes building a team of trusted advisors to help them in the present and to plan for the future.
DISCLAIMER: Neither Ruling Sports LLC nor Alicia Jessop are providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice or recommendations in this podcast. The information contained in this podcast does not constitute investment advice or an offer to buy or sell securities from any entity to the listener and should not be relied upon to evaluate any potential transaction. In addition, the receipt of this podcast by any listener is not to be taken to constitute such person a client of Ruling Sports LLC or Alicia Jessop. Neither Ruling Sports LLC, Alicia Jessop nor any of their affiliates or entities make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this podcast, and any liability therefore (including in respect of direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed.
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Sophie Cunningham is a six-year WNBA veteran who has played her entire career for the Phoenix Mercury after being drafted out of the University of Missouri in 2019.
As the WNBA skyrockets in viewership, attendance and popularity, Sophie joins to discuss:
- The competitive advantage she's gained working with a sport psychologist and the percentage of WNBA players who are turning to professionals to improve their mental game;
- How the Phoenix Mercury are turning a new page after past troubles and the competitive advantages the current ownership group gives players;
- What she's doing to foster a positive team culture in the Mercury locker room;
- WNBA veterans' reactions to this year's rookies and their massive fan bases--is there jealousy or excitement?;
- How she's built her personal brand and what led her to partner with Quest Nutrition; and
- The strategies WNBA athletes are taking to level up their performance across all aspects of the game.
Follow Sophie on Instagram here.
Learn about Quest Nutrition here.
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Jay Dixon played NCAA Division I football at the University of Nevada and pursued an MBA at Columbia University. He is a three-time founder and author of, "After the Game: Bridging the Gap from Winning Athlete to Thriving Entrepreneur."
In this episode, Jay discusses:
- How he navigated the loss of his athletic identity following the end of his football playing career;
- How his experience in sports prepared him for his first role in entrepreneurship;
- Why he wrote his book and how he hopes it helps athletes transition what they built in sport to business;
- Why athletes are best suited for entrepreneurship through acquisition, what it is and how to engage in it; and
- The generational trends that make now a great time to consider entrepreneurship through acquisition.
Buy "After the Game: Bridging the Gap from Winning Athlete to Thriving Entrepreneur" here.
Learn about Success Coach here.
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Bailey Moody is a member of Team USA Women's Wheelchair Basketball who won bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and will compete in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. She is also a 4x wheelchair basketball national champion at the University of Alabama, who recently graduated with a degree in Psychology.
In this episode, Bailey discusses:
- How basketball became her first love and her pathway to wheelchair basketball;
- How to create a team culture that breeds success;
- What's harder: winning the first championship or repeating;
- Advise to stay mentally in the game with tips you can adopt;
- How she built an impressive NIL portfolio featuring some of the world's biggest companies; and
- Why companies should invest more significantly in partnering with adapted sport athletes.
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A highly decorated track and field and football athlete turned attorney, Lee Hutton is currently the Commissioner of the Arena Football League. Notably, Lee is the first Black commissioner to spearhead a professional sport league in the United States.
In this episode, Lee discusses:
- How his path through athletics prepared him for a successful career in law;
- How he navigated racism in the legal field and the continued need today for diverse representation in law;
- The path he carved to gain meaningful trial experience and the opportunities it opened for him, including representing professional athletes;
- How he came to be Kris Humphries' attorney in his widely publicized divorce from Kim Kardashian;
- Why he has always invested in helping athletes prepare for life after the game;
- How the opportunity with the Arena Football League came about following the past iteration's bankruptcy;
- His vision for the Arena Football League, and what he is doing to attract a wide array of fans and prepare the league's athletes for life after the game.
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Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicidal ideation.
Phil Heath is a seven-time Mr. Olympia champion, winning seven straight titles from 2011 through 2017, tying him with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the second-most Mr. Olympia wins of all-time. Recently, he released his first documentary film, "Breaking Olympia: The Phil Heath Story" from Universal Pictures Content Group.
In this episode, Phil discusses:
- The mindset he adopted early in his life that propelled him to success;
- How having someone who believed in his potential from a young age set him on a pathway toward success;
- The difficult emotions he experienced following the initial loss of his athletic identity after the end of his basketball career;
- How he endured the disappointment surrounding the end of his basketball career and channeled it to achieve greatness elsewhere;
- The danger of being comfortable with achieving second place; and
- The mindset he adopted to become a champion.
Watch "Breaking Olympia: The Phil Heath Story" here.
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Dev Sethi is the Chief Operating Officer of Athletes.org, known as "AO," which is a players association for college athletes that is working to give them a seat at the table with college athletics leaders. Before this role, Dev carved a path cutting across the sport and technology landscapes, working for companies including YouTube, Instagram, Meta and more.
In this episode, Dev discusses:
- The strategies YouTube used to convince the sport industry to join its then emerging platform;
- The importance of relationships and listening to building a successful start-up;
- Two key strategies for growing a social media following; and
- A unique way to figure out what content will be optimized on a social media platform.
Dev also gives listeners a deep look at the work AO is doing with a roadmap for the company's future and information on how to get involved.
Learn more about AO here.
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In 2023, 14% of Americans played pickleball at least once, according to data from the Association of Pickleball Professionals and YouGov. Despite growing interest in pickleball and other paddle sports, to date, there hasn’t been a gathering uniting consumers with all racquet sports. Today's guest is changing that.
Robyn Duda is the co-founder of RacquetX, a world-classfestival of thought, connection and experiential learning bringing all racquet sports together for three days of programming in Miami in March 2024.
Robyn is a fourth-generation entrepreneur, who along with RacquetX, runs Robyn Duda Creative, an event growth acceleration company. An award-winning event strategist, experience designer and thought leader, Robyn has created customer and employee-centric strategies for some of the world's most recognized brands, including Coca-Cola, Spotify, Visa and IBM.
In this episode, Robyn discusses:
- What led her to take a “mic drop” leap from a corporate career to entrepreneurship;
- How she gained the courage to believe she could succeed in founding her own business;
- Important factors to consider before pursuing entrepreneurship;
- The creation of RacquetX;
- The benefits of having a co-founder in entrepreneurship; and
- Insights from her design experience for how athletes and others in the sport industry can curate more impactful events.
Get $10 off a RacquetX Expo Pass here.
Learn more about Robyn Duda Creative here.
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A career in sports is a dream for many, but how do you break in to the hyper competitive industry? Once you’re in, how do you move up and get promoted? As the President of Nolan Partners, guest Chad Biagini is part of an executive search firm that has helped place close to 1,000 senior executives across all segments of the sport industry.
In this episode, Chad shares:
- The skill to focus on if you want to break into the sports industry and the unique way to hone it;
- The commonalities that exist amongst those whoget hired and promoted in #sportsbiz;
- The one thing that every person can do to givethemselves a chance at becoming a C-suite executive; and
- Where he sees current career opportunity in theindustry.
Chad also provides great insights into the role of anexecutive search firm. Here, he explains:
- How to stand out to a recruiter; and
- Whether you should proactively build relationships with recruiters.
Finally, Chad explores some big picture topics in sport business hiring. He shares:
- A solid networking strategy that you shoulddeploy before you begin the job hunt;
- How to write your resume to drive greater hiringoutcomes; and
- What the sport industry needs to do to close itsracial and gender hiring and promotion gaps.
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Jori Davis is a former WNBA player who competed in FIBA basketball in a number of countries and played NCAA Women's Basketball at the University of Indiana where she was All-Big Ten and scored over 1,000 points. Today, she is the founder and CEO of WEVOLV, an app that provides professional athletes with contract analysis, salary benchmarking and agent matchmaking.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Jori's basketball journey and unique WNBA Draft story;
- How she found her agent and the educational gaps in this decision-making process that women's basketball athletes continue to face today;
- The sport industry shift that needs to emerge to best empower athletes in their agent selections; and
- What WEVOLV is doing to put athletes at the center of the sport industry ethos
Learn more about WEVOLV here.
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Zach Neal is an MLB Pitcher who most recently played for theOakland Athletics. Drafted in 2010 out of the University of Oklahoma, Zach didn’t make his Major League debut until 2016. In the six long years leading to that moment, Zach worked his way through Minor League Baseball, navigating not only newassignments, but new homes and team cultures.
In this episode, Zach gives us a great glimpse into the realities that professional athletes face in their rise to the big leagues. He discusses the risk he took in his professional career that propelled him to a higher level of success and how he fostered the self-belief to take the leap. Focusing on his own journey, Zach shares how to maintain hope and patience when your career process seems slow.
Baseball player or not, Zach offers incredible insights on career development. To this end, he discusses:
- How your ultimate career goal should shape your overall decision making;
- How to remain focus in a hyper competitive environment where others are getting what you want; and
- What he has seen that can cause an unexpected end to a baseball player’s career, and how he navigated around it, providing a great lesson on creating your own opportunity
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Fraser McConnell is a professional race car driver who competes in Nitrocross and in 2023 competed in Extreme E for Lewis Hamilton's X44 team. He is the most competitively successful Jamaican driver in the history of international rallycross racing and has attained notable wins early in his career.
In this episode, Fraser discusses:
- How a stubborn mindset has allowed him to achieve seemingly unthinkable wins;
- How he breaks big tasks—like winning a race—into actionable pieces to accomplish a goal;
- Where he sources his confidence, along with steps for how you can employ the method in your own life;
- His path to professional racing, and the role Usain Bolt played in it;
- The biggest lesson he learned from Lewis Hamilton;
- How he keeps calm coming into a race; and
- How he uses visualization to win and steps you can use to visualize your own success
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David Adelman is a partner in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. An entrepreneur and active investor, since the age of 25 David has served as the CEO of Campus Apartments, one of the nation's largest providers of on- and off-campus student housing. He is also the co-founder and vice chairman of FS Investments, a leading alternative asset manager with $75 billion of assets under management; and founder of Darco Capital, his family office investment vehicle.
In this episode, David discusses:
- The incredible story of his first investment at the tender age of 13;
- His thoughts on what athletes coming into capital--including through NIL deals--should do with it to build wealth;
- The question aspiring entrepreneurs should ask of established business leaders to better secure their success;
- A failure of his career and the lesson he learned from it; and
- How he evaluates whether to fund investment opportunities presented to him.
The grandson of a Holocaust survivor, David discusses how his grandfather's legacy inspired his life and how he's addressing antisemitism through philanthrophy and personal actions.
David is a notable wine and tequila collector. He has entered the alcohol space as both an investor in LeBron James' Lobos Tequila and entrepreneur of his own Darco Spirits. He shares his thoughts on the state of opportunity in alcohol entrepreneurship and provides athletes insights on how to best position themselves for success in the space.
Finally, David is the chairman of 76 Devcorp, where he is working to conceptualize and build a $1.5 billion privately funded urban arena in the heart of Philadelphia. He tells us about the project and what fans can expect.
Learn more about FS Investments https://fsinvestments.com/https://fsinvestments.com/.
Learn more about Darco Capital here.
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Toni Breidinger is a trailblazing American racecar driver who has made significant strides in the world of motorsports. Toni is known not only for her speed on the track, but for breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
Starting her career in go-karting, she made history in 2016 as the first woman to win a United States Auto Club race. Today, she competes in the ARCA Menards Series and in 2023, became the first female, Arab-American to compete in NASCAR. Beyond success on the racetrack, Toni is creating a playbook for how to win in sport sponsorship. Early in her career, she has secured major deals, including with Victoria's Secret, Gatorade, Hot Wheels and Raising Cane's.
In this episode, Toni discusses:
- How to use journaling as a goal setting method to achieve big goals
- How her own journaling practice factored into her becoming a Victoria's Secret model and successful race car driver
- Her strategize for using social media to grow her personal brand and secure sponsorships
- How she utilizes social media to grow the impact of women's sports
- How she selected her business advisors
Read Sports Business Journal's article on Toni's social media and brand prowess here.
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Laila Ali is the most successful female in the history of women's boxing. A four-time undefeated boxing world champion, Laila amassed a 24-0 career record, including 21 knockouts. Despite being the daughter of the late, great Muhammad Ali, Laila didn't learn about women's boxing until 18-years-old. When she began pursuing the sport, the person who objected the most was her father. In this episode, Laila discusses where she gathered the courage to ignore her father's wishes. Today, her father's face graces the men's WBC championship belt, while Laila's is featured on the women's.
In this episode, Laila discusses:
- How to find your passion;
- Why internal motivation is critical to success;
- The greatest lesson she learned from her father;
- How to build an undefeated mindset;
- The importance of self-talk
- How to be your own personal coach
- Her role as past-president of the Women's Sports Foundation and what more can be done to advance interest and opportunities for girls in sport
Learn about Laila's business ventures here.
Learn about the Women's Sports Foundation here.
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A former minor league professional baseball player who played NCAA DI baseball at Rice University, Bobby Bramhall successfully navigated life after the game to blaze an impressive trail in business. Today, Bobby is an attorney, the co-founder of Athlete Licensing Company and a successful real estate entrepreneur who owns rental properties, a glamping location and wedding venue. Drawing on his path to professional baseball, Bobby is also the co-author of “Who’s on First? Everything Baseball Players and Their Parents Need to Know.”
In this episode, Bobby discusses:
- The importance and power of a long-term mindset to personal success;
- The Pareto Principle and how he’s optimized its 80/20 idea to attain business success; and
- Why who you surround yourself with can dictate whetheror not you attain your goals and how being part of a top-tier team at Rice reshaped his outlook on goal setting.
Bobby also provides listeners with important insights on how to navigate life after sport. He explains how he came to realize it’s ok to move on from a lofty dream and shares how he translated his baseball experience to find business success.
For those interested in real estate, Bobby provides great insights into how to break into the field and explains where he sees opportunity in real estate entrepreneurship.
Get Bobby's book here.
Visit Bobby's glamping property here.
Learn about Bobby's wedding venue here.
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Darleen Santore, known professionally as Coach Dar, is a board certified occupational therapist, CEO, author and keynote speaker. Through her work blending psychology, life experience and her personal mission to inspire greatness, Coach Dar helps professional athletes, corporate executives and individuals achieve their loftiest goals. Recently releasing her first book, “The Art of Bouncing Back: Find Your Flow to Thrive at Work and Life—Any Time You’re Off Your Game,” Coach Dar joins the Ruling Sports Podcast to discuss:
- How she built a practice working with some of the world’s most exciting athletes on mental skills coaching;
- The power of saying “yes” and leaning into possibility;
- Why recognizing that everything is on the other side of hard is a key to attaining success;
- The definition of a flow state and how athletes like Kobe Bryant showcase how to attain it;
- How to use the concept of film study as a tool to improve professional and personally; and
- The patterns that consistently exist amongst the most successful people she’s worked with.
Get "The Art of Bouncing Back" here.
Learn more about Coach Dar's practice here.
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A broadcaster for over two decades, Jen Mueller is currently the Seattle Seahawks' radio sideline reporter and a member of the Seattle Mariners television broadcast team on ROOT Sports. The founder of Talk Sporty to Me, a company that provides training and consultation services for personal and business communications, Jen is also the author of three books on effective communication: "Talk Sport to Me: Thinking Outside of Box Scores," "Game Time: Learn to Talk Sports in 5 Minutes a Day for Business," and "The Influential Conversationalist: Conversation Skills that Develop Leadership Potential."
In this episode, Jen shares her expertise and experience to:
- Give athletes insights on how to be an interesting interviewee and utilize the media to grow their personal brands;
- Highlight how athletes can use communication and media engagement to strengthen fans’ affinity for them;
- Provide listeners with an applicable strategy to communicate their value to decision-makers; and
- Explain how to optimize networking from a conversation lens
Learn more about Talk Sport to Me and buy Jen's books here.
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Brooke Singer is a professional football player, model and fashion designer. A sport obsessed child, Brooke grew up playing soccer in her home state of Ohio. One of four children, Brooke watched her older brother play football and her father, a doctor, treat numerous football athletes. As a girl, she longed for the opportunity to play. However, she was told by the local coach that girls don't play football. Not one to be deterred by a "no," Brooke remained adamant about obtaining her goal and ultimately became the first girl in Ohio's Orange High School's history to play tackle football. After playing intercollegiate soccer at the Fashion Institute of Technology, today, Brooke is a member of the New York Wolves in the Women's Football Alliance.
In this episode, Brooke discusses:
- The greatest lessons sports have taught her
- Why access to and representation in sports is critical for girls and women
- What needs to be done to create more opportunity for women and girls in football
- How she navigated her transition from being a soccer athlete
- How she managed her mental health after the unexpected loss of her soccer career
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Kirsty Coventry is a seven-time Olympic medalist who competed in five Olympic Games and holds five swimming world records. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, she competed in NCAA swimming at Auburn University, where she led the women's swim and dive team to three NCAA championships. Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2023, Kirsty is also a member of the International Olympic Committee.
In this episode, Kirsty discusses:
- The personal mindset she adopted as a child that allowed her to become an Olympic gold medalist;
- Whether the drive to achieve dreams comes naturally or is something that can be built;
- How being able to profit from her NIL would have impacted her as a college athlete;
- The mindset of an Olympian and what her thought process was as she broke records;
- How she navigated her transition from athletic competition and advice for athletes to best prepare for transition from sport;
- Her current role with the IOC, how she has used sport to impact children in Zimbabwe and her future leadership aspirations
Learn more about Kirsty's nonprofit work here.
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Nicky Nieves is a member of the Paralympic gold medal winning 2016 U.S. women's national sitting volleyball team. Born without a left hand, Nicky set out to not let being a limb different individual define her. Instead, she adopted a mindset wherein she believed anything was possible--including being a highly competitive traditional athlete--and then went out and achieved it.
In this episode, Nicky discusses:
- How she got involved in sports and her ultimate rise to become an intercollegiate traditional volleyball player;
- Why she initially rejected competing in adaptive sports, including sitting volleyball;
- How sitting volleyball ended up changing her life and the new world of opportunity it presented;
- The mindset shift that allowed the U.S. women's national sitting volleyball team to accrue a 25-match win streak;
- Her mental health journey and her tips for others in managing their mental health;
- Why access to sport for all is critical, and how her nonprofit, Limitless People Inc. is creating opportunities in volleyball for people around the world; and
- How she's preparing for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games
Learn about Nicky's nonprofit, Limitless People Inc. here.
Support Team USA here.
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Jorge Sanchez is a gold medal winning member of the Team USA Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball Team. At eight years old, Jorge was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a bone cancer, and faced the tough decision of whether or not to amputate his leg.
In this episode, Jorge shares how he made his decision and how a chance encounter led him to wheelchair basketball, which gave him renewed reason to live.
Throughout the discussion, Jorge shares with listeners:
- How to find the courage to take risks;
- How knowing your "why"--or having a personal mission--can help you navigate and persevere in tough times;
- Why after winning gold in a 2020 Paralympic Games impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he is more motivated than ever to win a roster spot for the 2024 Games; and
- How fans can best support Paralympic athletes and the misconceptions he wishes observers didn't possess.
Listen to Jorge's TedTalk here.
Support Team USA here.
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Rachel Baribeau is a former national sportscaster who was the first woman to host a show on SiriusXM and also holds a vote for the Heisman Trophy. In 2016 following a series of headline incidents negatively portraying college football players and coaches, Rachel realized the industry and sport she loved faced a reckoning. Rather than backing away from a difficult moment, Rachel leaned in and founded #ImChangingTheNarrative. #ImChangingTheNarrative has grown into a national movement centered on the power athletes have to shape stories and their own purpose in life. In 2023, Rachel published her first book, "Relentless Joy: Finding Freedom, Passion and Happiness (Even When You Have To Fight For It)," which explores how to live joyfully even in tough times.
In this episode, Rachel discusses:
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How she built a successful sport broadcasting career utilizing vulnerability in a male-dominated industry;
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Tips for athletes to successfully engage with the media;
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How she built a national movement and steps others can take to build impactful public facing platforms; and
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The biggest issue facing today's college students and how #ImChangingTheNarrative is addressing it.
Learn more about #ImChangingTheNarrative here.
Purchase Rachel's book here.
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Dr. Mimi Nartey is a former professional soccer player who competed in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup for Ghana. Growing up in rural Illinois, Mimi came to love the sport through her father, who was born and raised in Ghana. After contracting malaria while training with the Ghanaian national team in Ghana, Dr. Nartey was inspired to utilize her education to find ways to promote public health. She competed her undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology at Columbia University, where she played NCAA soccer, and earned a Masters and PhD.
In this episode, Dr. Nartey discusses:
- Why "ruthless optimism" guides her life;
- The unique perspective competing in the World Cup granted her and how it's helped her in business and beyond;
- How the courage to lean into uncomfortable situations can prepare you for greater things ahead;
- The lesson that only soccer could've taught her;
- How contracting malaria impacted her career decisions and why it inspired her to advocate for women and people in underdeveloped nations who are fighting the disease;
- How to use sport as a tool to promote public health; and
- Steps athletes can take to use their platforms for good.
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Gabriel Muratalla, Jr. is a professional boxer who is competing in Overtime Boxing—also known as OTX. Boxing as a featherweight, Gabriel enters the competition with an undefeated record. Uniquely, Gabriel's day job is that of preschool teacher.
In this episode, Gabriel discusses:
- What goes through a boxer's mind entering the ring
- What’s more important to a boxer’s success: their physical or mental prowess?
- How to stay motivated when the only thing holding you accountable is yourself;
- How he manages his relationship with his brother, Raymond Muratalla, who also is a successful professional boxer
- The lesson he learned from his current trainer, famed champion Robert Garcia, who has trained numerous champions, including Victor Ortiz
- How he flips from classroom mode into fighter mode and what it's like living a double life
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Prince Daniels, Jr. is a former NFL running back turned high performance mentor and author who lives by the mantra, “nothing is impossible unless you truly believe it is.” Prince made it from a walk-on player at Georgia Tech to a starter in the NFL. While in the NFL, he spent time at a monastery to learn how to utilize mindfulness and meditation to gain discipline.
In this episode, Prince discusses:
- How he responded to the famed college football coach who told him he'd never play a down in college or the NFL;
- How to not give into doubt or let the opinions of others influence your life;
- Three strategies to be successful as an NCAA athlete;
- Why college athletes should make academics a priority, even if they're going pro;
- How to use clarity as a tool to achieve what you want from life;
- The mental strategy that allowed him to successfully transition to NFL competition;
- How he navigated the loss of his athletic identity; and
- Why the mindfulness and meditation skills he learned at the monastery helped save his life.
Finally, Prince shares a great mindfulness strategy that can be used by athletes and non-athletes.
Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation. If you are considering suicide or have suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at: 988.
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Esther Vergeer has been called the "most dominant athlete" in history. After suffering three strokes between the ages of six- and eight-years-old, Esther was left paralyzed from the waist down following a surgical accident. Introduced to sport in a rehabilitation facility, Esther fell in love with wheelchair tennis, because it gave her a chance to focus on what she could do, instead of what she couldn't. Esther went on to win eight Paralympic medals, including seven gold; all of the 21 Grand Slam events she contested; and held a ten-year, 470 match winning streak before she chose to retire from the sport on her own terms. In July 2023, Esther will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
In this episode, Esther discusses:
- Her unique path to sport and how winning the 1998 U.S. Open changed her mindset as an athlete, paving a pathway for her future athletic success;
- Her decision to retire from competition, despite many believing she was still at the top of her game;
- The mental strategies she utilized to attain her streak of 470 matches won and how the streak revolutionized the game of wheelchair tennis;
- Why she began engaging in activities beyond sport while competing, despite the advice and opinion of others and how doing so made her transition from competition easier; and
- How her foundation is creating opportunities for children with disabilities and chronic diseases to experience the same benefits from sport that she did.
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Trischa Zorn-Hudson is the most-decorated Paralympian in the history of the Paralympic Games.
Born in California, Trischa’s parents received scary news in her early days. She was born with Aniridia, an absence of the iris in her eyes. At the time, significant stigma surrounded people with disabilities. Trischa’s parents were told that she would need to be institutionalized.
That possibility wasn’t an option for either Trischa or her parents. Instead, Trischa became heavily involved in—and talented at—swimming early on. Her ability was so great that she became the first visually impaired athlete to earn an NCAA Division I scholarship, competing and becoming a four-time All-American at the University of Nebraska. Before enrolling at the University of Nebraska, Trischa actually competed in her first Paralympic Games at just 16. There, she won seven gold medals. Between the ages of 16 and 40, Trischa won 55 Paralympic medals, including 41 gold medals across seven Paralympic Games.
In this episode, Trischa discusses:
- The stigma she faced as an athlete with a disability, how the landscape has changed and what still needs to be done to create an equitable playing field for athletes with disabilities;
- Why she attended law school despite a guidance counselor telling her it was impossible for a visually impaired person; and
- How changing her routine allowed her attain one of the greatest streaks in sport history
Already inducted into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame, this September Trischa will be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
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Steve Delsohn is a Peabody award and EMMY nominated 30-plus year sport journalist, who one day after winning top journalism awards was unexpectedly laid off from ESPN after 16-years on "Outside the Lines." 59 years old and facing unemployment, Steve tells us how he navigated shock and fear to establish not only a new identity, but a successful business--Delsohn Strategies.
In this episode, Steve highlights how to:
- Pursue truth unrelentingly as a journalist;
- Bounce back from unexpected setbacks; and
- Build values-centered businesses using your core skills and past experiences.
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Steve Astephen is the Founder and CEO of The Familie and co-founder of Unlisted/Brand Lab. Moving from Boston to Vail, CO in the late-1980s, Steve opened the Vail-area's first snowboard shop, despite feedback that the plan would never work. Thus began a nearly 40 year entrepreneurial journey building big consumer facing brands and companies for the likes of Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Pastrana and more. In this episode, Steve discusses:
- How to find the courage to move forward with an entrepreneurial idea even if others shoot it down;
- Why risk is everything as an entrepreneur and how to manage it;
- What mindset to take in scaling a company as it relates to bringing on investors;
- How the agency business is changing and the way The Familie is navigating the new landscape;
- How to build impactful athlete-owned companies;
- Where the real marketing opportunity lies for brands in entering into NIL deals with college athletes; and
- Guidelines for athletes in deciding what endorsement deals to accept.
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Kaig Lightner is the founder and Executive Director of the Portland Community Football Club. Kaig recognized that the cost of youth sports precludes low-income youth from accessing the benefits of sport. Founded in 2013, the organization dismantles the barriers to competitive athletic training and opportunity, and provides a safe space for all youth to gain skills, confidence, educational and emotional support.
Kaig knows the importance of access to sport to personal development and health. Assigned the female gender identity at birth and given the name “Kate,” Kaig tells us that he cannot remember a moment in his life where he aligned with being or felt female. As a kid, Kaig enjoyed playing with stereotypical boys’ toys and dressed and presented in a way that the world sees as a boy. Because of this, Kaig faced persistent teasing, harassment and bullying. He says that the ability to take on another identity—that of athlete on the soccer field—saved his life.
In this episode, Kaig bravely opens up about not fitting into the gender binary and how sport helped him release anxiety, stress and trauma. He discusses the importance of physical movement as a tool to address trauma and the science behind it.
Kaig tells us about his journey to become a soccer coach, the hurdles he’s faced in the process and why he believes the best thing any of us can do is tell and show kids that they are acceptable and belong just as they are.
Finally, Kaig shares how his experience in social work in Portland inspired him to found the Portland Community Football Club. We talk about building trust across diverse communities and why sport is an incredible tool to positively impact peoples’ lives. To this end, we discuss the importance of ensuring access to sport for transgender people.
Learn more about the Portland Community Football Club here.
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Amy Perko is the CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Sports, an organization leading the conversation on necessary reforms tostrengthen the educational mission of college sports.
A former DI women’s basketball player at Wake Forest, Amy tells us how Title IX impacted her life and how she got involved with basketball. A Phi Beta Kappa member who graduated summa cum laude, Amy has great advice for college athletes on how to balance athletics with academic achievement, time management and finding the confidence to pursue lofty goals.
Beginning her career at NCAA headquarters and also a former associate athletics director and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Kansas, Amy gives advice on how to break into sport business and tips for college athletes on how to maximize career opportunities while playing college sports.
Amy gives an expansive look into her work with the Knight Commission and outlines areas of main priority for the organization, particularly related to gender equity and revenue sharing. Amy also shares what she thinks the NCAA will look like in a decade.
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Alison Lee is one of the world's best women's professional golfers. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Alison began competing in golf at six-years-old and played NCAA women's golf at UCLA. In this episode which was recorded when Alison was competing in the Aramco Series Individual Event in Florida, Alison discusses her decision to turn pro three semesters into her time at UCLA and the journey her career has taken since. Alison shares:
- What it means to be in charge of your own destiny and why there's always something you can do to change your life;
- How she got involved with golf, the hilarious story that could've ended it all and how winning her first tournament at seven-years-old impacted her mindset;
- The importance in learning to both succeed and fail;
- Why confidence is the most important element to a golfer's success;
- Tips to find confidence when it wanes; and
- Why she kept going despite difficult career challenges.
Read Alisons impactful blog about her career journey here.
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Bonnie Bernstein is an Emmy Award-winning sport broadcaster and entrepreneur. The founder of Walk Swiftly Productions, Bernstein recently released the Audible Original podcast, "She Got Game: Inspiring Women, Inspired by Sports." A former NCAA Division I gymnast, Bonnie discusses:
- The unique possibilities that being told "no" can create;
- The lesson being an NCAA gymnast taught her and how it prepared her to successfully navigate a male-dominated industry;
- How she built and grew her sport journalism career, with advice for aspiring sport broadcasters;
- The biggest lesson she learned from the Jordan era Chicago Bulls; and
- How and why pursuit of entrepreneurship allows individuals to pursue an authentic life.
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Ginny Cappicchioni was the first female in North America to sign with a men's professional team, play in a men's professional lacrosse game and compete in a men's national team in any sport. A two-sport NCAA Division I athlete in field hockey and lacrosse, Ginny was recently named the head coach of the first-ever U.S. women's box lacrosse team. The team will compete for the World Box Lacrosse Championship in 2024--the first time World Lacrosse has sponsored a women's box lacrosse championship.
In this episode, Ginny discusses:
- The unique way she came to play lacrosse and how finding a purpose outside of yourself can help you overcome challenges;
- How confidence allowed her to navigate difficult moments in her professional lacrosse career;
- Why the difficult people in your life might actually be the best fuel for your success; and
- The importance of chasing greatness.
Ginny also gives a look at her plans for the U.S. women's box lacrosse team and how she's approaching building an organizational culture from the ground up.
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Jake Olson grew up in Southern California a devoted fan of the USC Trojans football team. At one-year-old, he lost sight in his left eye. Over the next twelve years, he battled cancer in his right eye eight times. After beating it seven times, doctors finally told him there was nothing they could do: he was going to go blind.
With six weeks before the required surgery, Jake considered what sights he wanted to fill his memory with. For him, the decision was clear: USC Football.
In this episode, Jake shares his inspirational journey to not only a USC football supporter, but member of the team. Jake became the first blind person to play NCAA Division I football when he long snapped in two games for the Trojans in 2017. He tells us about his incredible journey to learning how to play high school football, to making varsity squad and finally the roster of his dream team.
Jake also explains why entrepreneurship is a natural next step for athletes and discusses his company, Engage. He provides insights into how college athletes should take advantage of NIL
This episode is great for individuals facing personal obstacles and those looking to be inspired to achieve their full potential.
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Norris Frederick is an NCAA All-American, Team USA athlete and professional long jumper who has built a successful career as an influencer turned entrepreneur.
Growing up in Washington, as a child, Norris and his family experienced homelessness. He shares with us the pivotal encounter as an elementaryschool student that caused him to reevaluate his life and set a new identity for himself.
Using that identity as his beacon, Norris set out to achieve big goals. He highlights the unexpected way he got involved with track and field and the unique strategy he used to create accountability for success in the sport.
Norris competed in track and field at the University of Washington, where he became one of the most decorated athletes in UW history. A five-time NCAA All-American, he is the only Husky to ever jump 25 feet and high jump seven feet. Norris explains the mindset he utilizes in approaching the long jump and how it has carried him other places in his life.
Norris also discusses his decision to go pro, signing his first endorsement and how he built a successful--and lucrative career--as an influencer. In the age of NIL, he tells college athletes what they should focus most on and how they can set themselves apart for endorsement opportunities. He also tells us about his entrepreneurial endeavors and founding his own videography company, Frederick Films.
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Myriam Glez is a two-time synchronized swimming Olympian. She first competed in the 2000 Olympics Games for her home country, France. Bornand raised near Lyon, Myriam began synchronized swimming at age six. Despite her success in the Olympic Games, her career for the French team was unexpectedly cut short, leading her to retire from competition in 2002. Thereafter, she finished business school, worked globally and moved to Australia. Surprisingly to her, Myriam would exit retirement and compete in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games for Australia.
Myriam’s athletic career has run the gamut, as she not only competed at the highest level, but coached premier athletes and even became the CEO of USA Synchronized Swimming. Her varied experiences and own transition from sport made Myriam realize the unique challenges athletes face when transitioning from competition. These insights led her to found Athletes Soul, a nonprofit supporting athletes in their transition from sport.
In this episode, Myriam discusses:
- Her rise to become an Olympic athlete;
- The role journaling played in strengthening her mental agility;
- How she navigated the loss of her athletic identity following her first retirement from competitive sport;
- What led her back to competition and how she was better prepared for her second retirement; and
- How these experiences inspired the founding of Athletes Soul
Tapping into her deep knowledge of the subject, Myriam also:
- Highlights what athletes go through when they transition from sport;
- Provides advice for athletes approaching transition from sport; and
- Discusses what the sporting community must do to better prepare athletes for the experience of losing their athletic identity.
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David Bagga was a walk-on member of the University of Arizona Men's Basketball team from 2005 through 2009. David embraced the opportunity to train alongside some of the greatest basketball players in the nation and under a Hall of FameCoach. During his time at Arizona, the team made it to the Sweet 16 and enjoyed the second-longest NCAA Tournament streak in college basketball history, making 26 straight tournament appearances. Recognizing the unique experiences of a walk-on, David published a book chronicling the experience, “The Walk On.”
In this episode, David discusses the work ethic he developed as a Division I men’s basketball player at a top program. He also explains the process of penning his first book. To date, David has written three books.
After careers in sport broadcasting and outside sales, in 2013 David founded the David Bagga Company, where he is CEO. The David Bagga Company places medical device and B2B sales representatives throughout the country. David discussesbuilding his business, which has become in the top 1% executive sales recruiters in the United States.
Desiring to help the individuals he works with win their sales job and a career they’re passionate about, David explains why athletes are uniquely positioned for successful sales careers. He gives great advice to athletes who are interested in breaking into sales careers. David also tells athletes why they need to prepare for non-athletic careers during college, even if they plan on going pro.
Ray Austin is a former NFL player who was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1997 Draft. After football, he went on to successful modeling and acting careers. Today he is the co-founder of Fan Controlled Sports, where he is the commissioner of the Fan Controlled Football League. He also is a co-founder of Athlyt, an NIL platform.
Ray calls being drafted into the NFL, "a blessing and a curse." He uses this point to highlight for listeners that setting a goal is just the start of success; the ability to look beyond even one's biggest goal is what propels one to new heights.
In this episode, Ray discusses his childhood journey as an "Army brat," and how his football career unfolded. He shares a hilarious recruiting story featuring one of the greatest college football coaches in history and highlights the major risk he took to land at his dream college.
Playing alongside players like Peyton Manning, Ray explains how he approached the locker room and how it improved his game.
Ray tells listeners the gumption-filled story of how he transitioned into modeling and acting after the NFL.
He also imparts great advice for entrepreneurs. Using real-life stories from Fan Controlled Sports, he explains:
- Why founders should focus on what won't work with their business instead of what will to ensure its success;
- How to build trust with co-founders--even if they are people you barely know;
- Why having a strong team is critical to a founder's success; and
- How playing team sports is great preparation for entrepreneurship
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Misi Simms is a former NCAA men's basketball player who competed at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and Washington College. For nearly two decades he has worked in finance for TIAA, where he is presently a portfolio manager. In this role, he helps investors ensure their strategies are correctly balanced to meet their financial goals.
In this episode, Misi tells us how playing college basketball prepared him for life after the game. He gives college athletes advice on how to find mentors outside of the athletics department.
Most of all, Misi discusses the major crisis facing many Americans in retirement: outliving their savings. He shares the root causes of the problem and provides notable solutions for how to better safeguard retirement savings.
This is an important listen to gain a better sense of how to financially prepare for retirement and navigate around potential pitfalls. Misi provides critical building blocks to develop a retirement game plan.
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Val Ackerman is the current BIG EAST commissioner, the founding president of the WNBA and a past president of USA Basketball. A scholarship women's basketball athlete at the University of Virginia, Val played basketball professionally in France before attending law school. She is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
In this episode, Val discusses what has been critical to her professional success and how her mother’s journey as the youngest child of immigrants from Czechoslovakia inspired her.
She discusses her athletic career and delves into what it was like growing up during a time when there were no organized sport opportunities for girls. Val reflects on the impact Title IX has had in her life.
Val then highlights the role female-focused philanthropy can play in growing and shaping college sports. She examines whether NIL can help women’s sports and athletes. Val outlines issues that must be addressed for the growth of women’s sport to be optimized.
Finally, Val discusses what is on the mind of everyone who loves college sports: where is it headed? She pinpoints critical issues facing intercollegiate sports to discuss its future.
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Lisa Leslie is a two-time world champion, three-time league MVP, four-time Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneur, team owner, head coach and broadcaster.
A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee, Lisa didn't pick up a basketball until the age of 12. Considered "behind" in the sport, she tells listeners how she leaned into that moment and instead of giving into fear, committed herself to becoming the best the sport has ever known.
In this episode, Lisa discusses her childhood to explain where her competitive nature comes from. She highlights the benefits of a competitive nature. Committed to greatness from a young age, Lisa shares a hilarious story around sibling rivalry that shows just how far she has gone to be excellent.
A former USC women’s basketball athlete, Lisa shares advice for today’s college athletes on monetizing their NIL. She tells us what she thinks about the current state of women’s basketball and provides advice for up-and-coming female athletes.
Lisa discusses mentorship—what it means to be one and what she’s learned from her mentors. She tells us about the two people who have been the greatest mentors to her. Here, Lisa explains what it means to sacrifice to be amazing.
Currently, Lisa is partnering with Mucinex on the brand’s "Ultimate Comeback Pick-Me-Up" campaign. She discusses how she motivates players to comeback as the head coach of the Triplets in the BIG3. She describes the greatest comeback of her life, the disappointing moment that led to it and how it ultimately reshaped her life.
Throughout the conversation, Lisa details how hope can be used as a tool to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. Lisa makes clear that hope—or belief that things can get better—is one of the greatest drivers of change.
Learn more about Mucinex's "Ultimate Comeback Pick-Me-Up" campaign here.
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L. Renee Blount is a Harvard-trained designer, creative strategist, adventurer and storyteller, L. is the founder of WNDR Haus, a creative agency. She has appeared on the cover of Outside Magazine and worked with clients including, National Geographic, Patagonia, The North Face, Athleta and more. Through her work, L. seeks to showcase joy and engagement in the outdoors by underrepresented people.
In this episode, L. discusses her journey as a first-generation college student to the halls of Harvard University to explain that even with an Ivy League degree, career challenges exist for underrepresented people. She talks about the “hustle tours” she went on, where she traveled the nation meeting with C-suite executives for coffee, seeking to find an ally who would help her break into the industry. In this conversation, L. provides listeners with great insights into building a group of mentors and the type of information they should seek therefrom.
L. is transparent about her educational journey and what she wishes she would have known before completing multiple degrees. This is an insightful take, especially for first-generation college students, on navigating college and maximizing opportunities from a degree.
L. next explains how she got into climbing. Here, she highlights the barriers that exist to the sport for Black people. She provides actionable insights for how others can come alongside underrepresented people as allies in the outdoors space.
Finally, L. outlines the process involved in starting her business, WNDR Haus. She explains how she came to realize that her passion was something she could pursue entrepreneurship around. L. explains how creators should price their services and negotiate deals.
This conversation not only gives athletes and creators insights into turning a passion into an impactful business. More important, though, it highlights for educators and corporate leaders the implicit and unconscious biases that persist in their systems. L.’s transparency in her career journey serves as a beckoning call to leaders in academia and corporate America to question whether people of all races have full and fair opportunities to achieve their greatest potential therein.
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Doug Sanders is the founder of Sanders Sports and Entertainment. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Doug grew up around the entertainment industry. In college, he became best friends with Channing Frye, who would be drafted by the New York Knicks in the 2005 NBA Draft. Seeing Channing’s NBA life unfold sparked a reality for Doug that an exciting opportunity existed blending entertainment and sport.
After career stops at CAA and The Chamber Group, Doug was ready to step out on his own, and founded Sanders Sports and Entertainment to fill holes he saw in the agency business. Here, he talks about risk taking being a mindset that can drive opportunity.
In this episode, Doug walks us through three case studies involving his clients to provide listeners with important lessons.
First, he discusses the importance of building legacy brands for athletes. He tells us how he helped Channing Frye in this regard build a brand that will last well beyond his playing days.
He then explains the need for authenticity in building athlete brands. On this, he highlights an example involving Chad Ochocinco’s partnership with EA.
Finally, Doug and Alicia examine the concept of abundance versus scarcity mentality and how it plays into sports. Doug discusses how an abundance mentality factored into growing Nick Young’s personal brand and business opportunities in China.
This episode provides athletes with key insights into how to build their brand beyond the ordinary. It is also a great listen for agents and aspiring agents on how to disrupt the business and create opportunity for clients.
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Darnell Jones is the co-founder and CEO of POWERHANDZ, an athletic training and rehabilitation company. The company’s products are used and endorsed by top professional athletes across multiple sports. In 2022, POWERHANDZ received a multi-million dollar round of funding from Vanguard Holdings Group.
In this episode, Darnell explains how competing in college basketball prepared him for entrepreneurship, especially for its lessons on resilience. He explains to listeners why resilience is a key attribute of a successful entrepreneur.
Darnell then provides listeners with incredible insights for successfully navigating entrepreneurship. Here, he explains:
· Why focusing on the consumer is the key to entrepreneurial success;
· Why entrepreneurs should ask for negative feedback about their product or service at the early stage of the company’s existence;
Darnell discusses founding his first company, Tukz, a patented underwear design meant to keep shirts tucked in. Here, Darnell walks listeners through the entire life cycle of the entrepreneurial process, discussing and providing strategies for:
· Ideation;
· Design;
· Manufacturing; and
· Getting the product to market
He even tells listeners about how the product landed him on the hit television show, “Shark Tank,” and how an unexpected outcome with the product led to other opportunities.
In detailing the founding of POWERHANDZ, Darnell explains the value of being flexible in business plans. He explains why passion must be the guiding light for any entrepreneurial path.
Finally, Darnell highlights for listeners how Powerhandz obtained millions of dollars in funding and his strategy for financing start-ups. He also discusses the keys to building a brand that athletes and celebrities love. You’ll want to listen to the end, as he shares an incredible story of the late Chadwick Boseman.
This episode is like a real-life MBA degree in less than 30 minutes. It will inspire athletes and non-athletes alike that even after great success, more opportunity awaits, so long as one ignites a new passion.
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Bella Rasmussen is a senior at Laguna Beach High School—yes, the same Laguna Beach of reality TV lore—who carries a 4.0 grade point average. But when she’s not excelling in the classroom, she’s succeeding on the football field as a member of the Breakers’ varsity team.
In October 2022, Bella made history when she became the first female football player in California history to score not one, but two touchdowns in a game. Bella takes us into this moment, the celebration that followed and the lessons she’s learned since.
In this episode, Bella explores her football journey. A self-described “rambunctious” kid, she explains what led her to the sport. She tells listeners how as a high school athlete she navigates the physical differences between her and the boys she competes against. She examines why toughness is a critical tool to achieve the unprecedented.
Bella discusses the mindset she adopts to compete as a female football player. She provides great detail on the self-talk and visualization processes she engages in before heading onto the field. She also has advice for other women on how to enter and navigate male-dominated spaces. Bella also highlights the need for all to overcome the fear to pursue bold endeavors.
In December 2022, Bella made history again when she became the first female high school football player to sign an NIL deal. Notably, in California, high school athletes can monetize their name, image and likeness. Bella tells us why she’s partnering with KeyWise and why mental health is a priority to her.
Finally, Bella shares her vision for football and how to get more girls in it.
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Neeta Sreekanth is the Senior Vice President of Operations for Winners Alliance, the for-profit affiliate of the Professional Tennis Players Association. A sport business veteran whose career began as a ball kid for the Dallas Mavericks, Neeta highlights how being surrounded by people with a champion’s mentality as a child impacted her future.
In this episode, Neeta, who is a former Division I basketball player, discusses how sport experience facilitates collaboration and commonality amongst diverse groups. She talks about how she applies this lesson in the workplace, giving listeners an effective tool to grow and coach workplace teams.
Neeta has great advice for college athletes on what they need to do to maximize NIL opportunities. Related to her current work for Winners Alliance, she discusses how the company is fostering group licensing opportunities for athletes globally and walks listeners through what group licensing is and why it needs to be modernized.
Finally, Neeta highlights how she got involved in private investing and the criteria she considers when making investments. She gives actionable advice for how listeners can get started in private investing and grow a network that facilitates investing opportunities. It should be noted that nothing in this episode constitutes investment advice and listeners should consult a licensed financial planner and other trusted advisors before making an investment decision.
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Culture is a critical element to a team’s success. But how do you build culture from the ground up?
Freya Coombe is the inaugural head coach for Angel City Football Club. Founded in July 2020 and starting play in the NWSL in 2022, Angel City FC has captivated widespread interest and shown the momentum behind women’s sports. Notable about the team is it is led by a majority female ownership group that includes venture capitalists, actors, professional athletes, influencers and more.
In this episode, Coach Coombe discusses:
· What it was like becoming the head coach of Angel City FC when the team hadn’t signed any players nor played any games and how she approached the opportunity to build a team from scratch;
· What went into selecting the team’s first roster of players;
· The culture that is being built and how the players signed have shaped it
Coach Coombe then discusses what needs to be done to grow meaningful opportunities for women’s soccer and its players. She discusses how the start-up mindset that Angel City FC has used to scale its club is a model other teams should look at when it comes to advancing the growth of women’s sport.
Coach Coombe then explains how she got into investing and the setbacks she faced in preparing for retirement as she moved from the U.K. to U.S. to advance her coaching career. She highlights the hurdles she’s seen that hold women’s sport athletes back from investing and why she’s partnering with TIAA to close the retirement pay gap.
Finally, Coach Coombe tells us what she’s up to these days and gives a good explanation for how coaches can productively use the offseason to prepare for the next season.
This is a great episode for anyone desiring to build and strengthen a team’s or corporation's culture. It also has great insights for growing women’s sports.
Check out Coach Coombe's work for TIAA here.
Learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation's "The Equity Project," sponsored by TIAA here.
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How do you overcome doubt? Even more, how do you overcome doubt in the face of insurmountable odds?
Drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Shazier experienced a dream come true after playing football since the age of five years old. But the road to the NFL wasn’t clear, as Ryan battled alopecia and scoliosis as a kid. Yet, through exercising faith and strategies to stay positive, Ryan beat the odds and made it to the NFL.
In this episode, Ryan explains the emotions he felt having his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft. He also discusses what he learned from the Steelers’ organizational culture and the Rooney family.
In 2017, Ryan was at the height of his career. He made the Pro Bowl, the Steelers exercised a team option on his contract and he was putting up incredible statistics. But on December 4 in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the unthinkable happened: Ryan collided with a Bengals receiver and suffered a spinal contusion that left him paralyzed.
In this episode, Ryan opens up not only about that moment, but the mindset he adopted to walk again.
Ryan’s story is an incredible lesson for others on what it takes to overcome doubt and achieve the unprecedented and unexpected. He gives listeners tangible advice on what they need to do in their own lives as they work toward the highest goals.
These days, Ryan is staying busy encouraging others. He recently published a book, “Walking Miracle: How Faith, Positive Thinking, and Passion for Football Brought Me Back From Paralysis and Helped Me Find Purpose.” He’s also the host of a new podcast, “Don’t Call it a Comeback” in partnership with Wondery. Through the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation, he provides funding and resources for others experiencing spinal cord injuries.
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106 wins.
Two World Cup tournament victories.
The winningest coach in American soccer history.
It is hard to imagine that with all Jill Ellis has achieved in her soccer career, she grew up in a time when there were no organized soccer opportunities for girls.
Coach Ellis joins us the Ruling Sports Podcast to discuss her storied career, and how now, after leaving coaching, she is working to pave new opportunities for women in sport business and personal finance.
In this episode, Coach Ellis discusses:
· The virtue of persistence; and
· The benefit of seeking out moments that make you uncomfortable
In this lens, she tells listeners of the confidence she carried going into unprecedented arenas and provides advice for how women can navigate male dominated spaces.
Coach Ellis also provides important career advice for all listeners, highlighting:
· How she came to pursue her passion for coaching over a safe career and steadier paycheck as a technical writer;
· The mindset she adopted that allowed her to take career risks; and
· Why a personal commitment to treating others well limits the actual risk in pursuing bold career goals
She also pulls back the curtain on her coaching philosophy, explaining the approach and coaching strategy that propelled her success.
Finally, Coach Ellis tells us what she’s up to now as the President of San Diego Wave FC, and what motivated her to leave the pitch for the front office. She also discusses why she’s partnering with TIAA to bring awareness to the retirement pay gap and the positive trends she sees as it relates to women’s soccer players and finance.
This is an incredible listen for soccer fans and individuals seeking motivation to pursue their truest passions and callings. Coach Ellis provides applicable, meaningful advice to boldly pursue the highest of goals.
Check out Coach Ellis' work for TIAA here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkHpxa7gqVG/?hl=en
Learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation's "The Equity Project," sponsored by TIAA: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/the-equity-project/
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During six days in 2020, Sarah Fuller achieved a life-long sporting goal and shattered a glass ceiling she never planned on cracking.
In November 2020, the then Vanderbilt women’s soccer player received her first call-up to start. After a rough few seasons that had her questioning if she should continue playing, it was a momentous occasion.
But the momentum didn't stop.
A call came that changed Sarah’s life: down players due to COVID-19, Vanderbilt football’s coaching staff asked Sarah to kick for the team.
On November 28, 2020 Sarah made history as the first woman to play in an NCAA Power Five Conference football game.
In this episode, Sarah takes us into that moment and shares about the fears she had, the trolls she encountered and why she ultimately went for it. She takes us inside of the conversation with a sport legend who urged her on and inspired her to shatter a glass ceiling in college football.
At the time, the NCAA banned college athletes from profiting off of their name, image and likeness. Here, Sarah discusses the regret that she was unable to commercially benefit from the opportunity—despite others doing so and the story garnering global media attention.
Through the story of her incredible athletic journey, Sarah provides listeners with important insights into:
· The importance of parents in encouraging children to pursue lofty goals;
· The societal hurdles women continue to face en route to unprecedented achievements;
· Strategies to maintain confidence amidst external criticism;
Sarah also provides applicable advice to women on how to find success and navigate spaces traditionally dominated by men. She highlights an accountability partner model for women to remain encouraged and focused on their goals despite barriers and objections.
Finally, recently partnering with TIAA to bring awareness to the gender retirement gap, wherein women on average have 30% less saved than their male counterparts, Sarah has important advice for athletes related to:
· Why authenticity is critical to securing meaningful NIL deals;
· When to begin preparing for retirement; and
· The piece of financial information athletes need more information about.
Check out Sarah's work for TIAA here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkLsQuppfBh/?hl=en
Learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation's "The Equity Project," sponsored by TIAA: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/the-equity-project/
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Andrew Alexander King is an African American explorer who climbs, surfs and free dives and is the founder of the Between Worlds Project, a nonprofit aimed at highlighting the humanity of cultures globally.
Voted one of the top-20 most influential people in the outdoor industry, Andrew has climbed over 50 mountains globally, from Kilimanjaro to the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. He is currently training and climbing towards being the first African American to summit the highest mountain and volcano on each continent. He is not doing this to “conquer” the mountains, but rather, to speak out against racism, sexism, climate change and economic barriers.
Growing up in Detroit, Andrew was the first in his family to attend college. He competed in track and field for a decade before transitioning to climbing and surfing. Now, as an explorer, Andrew travels the world to tell the story of others’ humanity. He tells us why he chooses his “hard” daily and what can be accomplished if one has the mindset to set out every day to accomplish difficult things. He also discusses the importance of mentors and how a pay it forward attitude can foster others’ futures.
In this episode, Andrew and Alicia discuss:
· How the media and others can tell the story of others’ humanity;
· How athletes can use sport partnerships for good; and
· Strategies athletes can employ in partnerships to create opportunities for underserved communities
Andrew takes us deep into his work through the Beyond Worlds Project to highlight some of the amazing people he’s met in all corners of the world and the issues they’re facing. In particular, he discusses the climate crisis the Earth is experiencing and provides simple steps listeners can take to help slow climate change.
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In today’s complex economy, financial literacy is more important than ever.
For athletes—who earn the majority of their lifetime’s wealth in a short timeframe—the importance is even greater.
Today’s guest is Maura Attardi, the Director of Financial Wellness at Money Management International.
Money Management International is a nonprofit helping consumers find solutions to everyday financial challenges. In this role, Maura travels the country working with college and professional athletes, teams, leagues and players associations to provide financial literacy education.
In this episode, Maura and Alicia discuss:
· The need to focus on financial wellness and what it entails;
· What a financial plan for an athlete should include;
· How to begin the financial planning process;
· Strategies to achieve financial freedom;
· Processes to build and adopt a budget; and
· Top credit and debt strategies for athletes
Maura also touches on:
· The biggest mistake athletes make with money and how it can be overcome;
· The practices that athletes who manage their money best engage in; and
· How college athletes can best protect their financial interests in the NIL era.
This is a great episode for athletes and non-athletes alike, as it takes the mystery out of top financial questions and empowers you to make positive changes in your financial wellbeing.
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Dr. Sam Maniar is a practicing Sport Psychologist who has worked with NCAA and professional athletes for over 20 years. After completing an M.A. in Counseling/Sport Psychology and Ph.D in Counseling Psychology and Sport Psychology, Dr. Maniar became a sport psychology consultant for Washington State University's Department of Athletics. In this role, Dr. Maniar watched a team that went 4-7 the previous season finish 10-2 the next year. From this experience, Dr. Maniar recognized the benefits that can be driven when a coach buys into and supports a sport psychology program for their players. Thereafter, Dr. Maniar completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Applied Sport Psychology at The Ohio State University. Beginning the fellowship in 2002, Dr. Maniar had a front row seat to the Buckeyes' 2002 National Championship in football and saw firsthand how sport psychology was a missing link in the team's success.
In this episode, Dr. Maniar and Alicia discuss:
- What a Sport Psychologist does;
- The difference between a Sport Psychologist, Psychologist and Clinical Psychiatrist;
- How one can find a Sport Psychologist to work with;
- Free, accessible Sport Psychology resources; and
- The benefits of working with a Sport Psychologist
Then, Dr. Maniar and Alicia explore:
- The biggest mental health issues NCAA athletes are facing, namely, confidence; anxiety and stress;
- Strategies for athletes to deal with the pressures of social media;
- How athletes can build identities outside of sport; and
- The competitive advantage of mindfulness
This is a great episode for anyone interested in learning more about current psychological issues facing athletes and how psychological practices can create advantages in life.
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In 2024, breaking will become the first dance sport to be on the programme in the history of the Olympic Games. Since the 1970s, breaking has traveled a fascinating history as a hip-hop dance style originating in New York to today, as a growingly commercial and organized sport.
Today’s guest has been at the epicenter of the rising growth and popularity of breaking. Raised in Guam, B-Boy Ronnie began breaking as a curious child seeking to emulate what he saw on the movie screen. What began as a way to have fun with his brother has since taken Ronnie around the world to compete in world championships and perform in front of dignitaries.
In this episode, we explore Ronnie’s fascinating journey through breaking, learning how he first took up the art form to how he helped start one of the most impactful crews in breaking history, Full Force.
With a career that has seen him and his crew win events like “America’s Best Dance Crew” and the Red Bull BC One World Finals, Ronnie is now paying it forward to help other breakers gain opportunities. As the founder of DISTRCTARTS in Las Vegas, he creates programming, educational and training opportunities for the next generation of breakers.
This episode provides fascinating insights into the mindset necessary to attain a three decade long athletic career. Ronnie tells us how he obtained the confidence to begin breaking as a shy child and ultimately gained the courage to pursue his talent as a full-time career. He talks about how to maintain relationships with teammates and attain career longevity.
As someone who has experienced various iterations and eras of breaking, Ronnie takes us into the business side of how to take a talent and passion and turn it into a full-time, compensating career. Notably, Ronnie was one of the first breakers to sign an endorsement deal, partnering with Red Bull. He provides advice for how emerging breakers can secure endorsement opportunities.
As breaking enters new dimensions of popularity, we have a fascinating discussion about the evolution of breaking. We consider whether its current growth trajectory is good or bad. Ronnie shares his sentiments as breaking enters the 2024 Olympic Games and gives insights for what could be next for breaking.
This episode is great for those seeking to pursue what seems like an insurmountable dream. It is also great for all athletes desiring to pursue entrepreneurship. Finally, as breaking takes the main stage, it’s an important listen for sports fans to learn more about this fascinating, culturally rich sport.
Todd Burach is the Senior Vice President of the Entertainment Division at City National Bank, where he manages banking relationships with some of the world’s most exciting athletes, helping them achieve their financial goals.
A graduate of Syracuse University, where he was a member of the Syracuse Orange Men’s Basketball team, Todd later completed his MBA at NYU. He has worked in financial services for over 15 years.
In this episode, Todd tells us about the chance encounter that led to him playing basketball for Hall of Fame coach, Jim Boeheim, at Syracuse University. He explains how this experience impacted how he prepares for and approaches life hereto.
Todd tells us about his professional role, and what it means to be a Chief Financial Officer for athletes. We discuss the unfair financial learning curve athletes face and positive trends Todd has seen over the last decade as it relates to athletes’ wealth management strategies.
Todd provides important insights on athlete transition from sport. Here, he discusses who should be at the table when athletes are preparing for their future and when athletes should begin planning for life after the game.
We learn how college athletes are navigating financial management in the NIL era and what mindset they should have when it comes to financial management. Todd discusses unique financial risks and pitfalls currently facing athletes and provides steps for how one can identify a trusted advisor.
Taking the mystery out of how to save financially for the future, Todd gives listeners an easily applicable formula they can use to help secure their financial wellbeing.
This episode is great for athletes and non-athletes alike, as it delves into current financial trends and practices and provides important considerations for approaching one’s future.
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Sarah Flynn is the Chief Marketing Officer at 35V and Boardroom. 35V is a multi-faceted media and investment company founded by NBA champion and MVP, Kevin Durant, and Rich Kleiman. In 2019, 35V launched Boardroom, a media network covering the business and culture of sports and entertainment.
In this episode, Sarah not only takes us deeply behind-the-scenes of all that went into launching Boardroom and quickly scaling it, but what it really takes to start an athlete-centric brand that thrives.
Before coming to 35V, Sarah worked in marketing and distribution for several indie record labels. After moving into the book publishing space, her sports career was launched when she began working for Roc Nation—the agency founded by Jay-Z. It was there that she met Kleiman and began working with Kevin Durant.
In this episode, Sarah tells us:
· How a “go with the flow” attitude has allowed her to pursue a multi-faceted career;
· Why she approaches marketing from a talent-first perspective and what that means;
· How the versatility of athletes necessitates athlete-centric media platforms; and
· Advice for marketers and others in building trust with professional athletes
Sarah also gives us great insight into 35V, including:
· Its areas of business focus;
· How it sources deal flow; and
· What ultimately led to the creation of Boardroom
As Boardroom quickly rises in popularity as a top-destination for content, you won’t want to miss Sarah’s discussion on:
· The strategy the team employed to scale Boardroom;
· How involved Kevin Durant is in the company; and
· What it takes to grow a successful newsletter and why the hard work doing so is something creators should consider
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Kenny Vaccaro is an eight-year NFL veteran who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Born and raised in Brownwood, Texas, he went on to play college football at the University of Texas. Kenny retired from the NFL in 2021 to pursue entrepreneurship as the founder and CEO of Gamers First, a professional esports organization putting esport athletes’ mental and physical health at the forefront.
A serial entrepreneur, Kenny tells us not only about building Gamers First, but how it ties into his other entrepreneurial endeavors.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Growing up as the oldest of three siblings and the impact his mother had on his athletic career and beyond;
- How being able to profit from his name, image and likeness would’ve reshaped his time at the University of Texas and the deal Kenny wishes he could’ve signed;
- The elements critical to him attaining career longevity in the NFL;
- What he learned from players like Malcolm Jenkins and Drew Brees in the locker room and how he’s applying those lessons to esports athletes;
- How he got into gaming and the unique way he met his cofounder of Gamers First;
- The pivotal moment he realized he had to create his own esports company—rather than merely endorsing other companies;
- His advice for success for other athletes interested in pursuing entrepreneurship;
- Why success in the NFL can jumpstart success as an entrepreneur
This is an incredible episode for anyone looking to set out in pursuit of big goals or entrepreneurship. There is so much to learn and be inspired by from Kenny’s thought processes and view of the world in shaping your own entrepreneurial journey.
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Erin Ashley Simon is a multi-media personality, host, producer and consultant within esports, gaming and entertainment. Erin is a leading face of Puma’s esports line and has worked with leading organizations—from Evil Geniuses and Riot Games—to provide more industry-focused opportunities for those from underserved, underrepresented and marginalized communities.
Today, Erin is the co-owner of one of the fastest growing gaming and lifestyle organizations, XSET, where she also serves as the Chief Culture Officer. She is also a host of the NFL and Enthusiast Gaming’s Tuesday Night Gaming. A graduate and former soccer player at the University of Kentucky, Erin has created an esports fund that is paying the way forward for other Wildcats to enter the industry.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What attracted Erin to gaming and soccer;
- The unique launch to her media career and advice for other athletes seeking to pursue media opportunities;
- How to source the courage to pursue entrepreneurship and what it takes to build a multi-dimensional business and career;
- How she has became the role model she didn’t have in the gaming industry and how she is creating opportunities for underrepresented people in gaming.
We also talk about what it means to become the CEO of your own life. Here, Erin gives great strategies for how to turn off your inner critic. She also provides important insights as it relates to obtaining equity stakes in projects one is working on.
This is a great episode if you are looking for a mindset shift to find the courage necessary to pursue your dream career.
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Karin Kildow is the owner and CEO of Content Capital Group, a social media advisory for high-profile, high-net-worth individuals dedicated to building influence — not influencers. Karin has worked with hundreds of athletes to develop and scale their social media brands, including in roles at Red Bull and LeBron James' Uninterrupted. In this episode, we discuss how growing up in a hyper-athletic family--Karin's sister is Olympian Lindsey Vonn--paved her way to a career in sports. Karin walks us through the digital media strategies she employed to grow Lindsey Vonn's social media following into the millions, and gives listeners tips from this process they can apply to their own brands.
Throughout the episode, Karin gives listeners easily applicable how-to steps to build a social media brand that people want to follow. She provides relevant case studies for how to create content that captures audiences, including a fun example involving a Blake Griffin campaign for Red Bull. Listeners will hear proven strategies to grow a social media following and increase social media engagement.
Karin also tells listeners how they can utilize their social media brands to positively influence others and change the world. Here, she walks through an incredible case study of how DeAndre Hopkins utilized his social media presence to effectuate critical change at Clemson University.
In an age where social media usage is causing anxiety and depression, Karin tells listeners of the need to "train" their algorithms and provides relevant strategies to curate a social media experience that is inspiring.
Support Karin's family's fundraiser for the ALS Foundation in memory of their mother, Lindy: here
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Bishop Sankey was the first Running Back drafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, when he was selected by the Tennessee Titans. A top college Running Back for the University of Washington, Bishop Sankey discusses committing to the University of Washington after verbally committing to Washington State University. In this episode, Bishop talks about transitioning out of the NFL and gives advice on athlete transition from sports. He uses real-world examples for how to stay positive in the face of challenges and provides strategies to overcome obstacles. In particular, he shares with athletes how to stay positive and move forward when athletic careers are cut short. Finally, Bishop talks about life after the game and how to find joy in new opportunities.
Bishop's story depicts resilience. In 2018, Bishop's NFL season was cut short when he suffered an ACL tear. The next season he competed in the Alliance of American Football, a start-up football league. The league went bankrupt before the end of the first season. Bishop tells us how he approached the end of the Alliance of American Football. In 2020, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, and again had his season cut short because of COVID-19.
Bishop tells listeners how they can recreate themselves and build new careers. In particular, he discusses life after the game of football and how athletes can build successful second careers. Where is Bishop Sankey now? Bishop lets listeners know what he's up to today and what is next for him.
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Dr. Morgan Heinzelman-Weisbaum is a former intercollegiate athlete, who is now a neurologist, completing a fellowship in the areas of sports neurology and pain medicine.
In this episode, Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum tells us about the unique moment in her athletic career that cemented her desire to focus on neurology. While she wanted to be a doctor from a young age, her own experience with a traumatic brain injury led her to want to help others experiencing the same.
In the last decade, there has been a greater focus on athlete brain health, but for athletes and the public alike, much mystery remains. In this episode, Dr. Heinzelmann-Weisbaum breaks down some of the mysteries surrounding neurology and gives listeners actionable steps they can take to promote their brain health.
In this regard, she discusses when an individual should see a neurologist and how to identify a reputable one. She highlights the benefits of baseline testing and second opinions for all athletes. Then, she walks us through what happens in a typical neurological visit.
Even if you’re not an athlete, this episode is an important listen, because we hear straight from a neurologist what we all can be doing to promote our brain health. Dr. Heinzelman-Weisbaum gives us four, applicable things we all can be doing to support our brains.
Nothing in this episode constitutes medical advice and listeners should contact their own medical professional for advice, opinions and care.
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Rashad Jennings is an eight-year NFL veteran who competed for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders and New York Giants. After competing in football, he went on to star in--and win--Dancing With the Stars. He has since become an author, with his first book--The If In Life: How to Get Off Life's Sidelines and Become Your Best Self--becoming a New York Times bestseller.
In this episode, we explore how Rashad has found success in multiple arenas—and how he continues challenging himself to do so in new areas.
Rashad talks to us about one of the central aspects to his ability to accomplish great things: preparation. His level of preparation isn’t basic—it is preparation at all costs and no matter what the outcome. We hear how despite receiving no playing time as a high school football player, Rashad stayed prepared, allowing him later to surprise critics and make the NFL.
Rashad has great advice for how to stay positive and motivated when opportunities you seek—and believe you deserve—aren’t being delivered. He talks about the importance of believing in yourself the most and how to find joy in seasons that aren’t fruitful.
Through this, Rashad discusses the criticalness of falling in love with the process of what you’re doing—rather than being guided foremost by the outcome. He highlights how this mindset helped him not only to appear on Dancing with the Stars, but to win the entire competition.
Rashad is a man of faith and he discusses the role prayer has played in his life. He speaks to finding motivation in proving critics wrong and the need to self-advocate.
Rashad is truly more than an athlete. This conversation will inspire you to believe anything is possible for your life and to get to work pursuing what captivates you.
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Greig Carlson is a former USC Trojan football player who won a National Championship with the team in 2004. Today, he has teamed up with former USC teammate, Matt Leinart, as the CEO of Hall of Goats, an NFT platform connecting amateur athletes with their most loyal fans.
In this episode, Alicia and Greig discuss the keys to the early-2000s USC football teams' unprecedented successes and lessons learned from famed football coach, Pete Carroll. The two explore the dynamics of rosters that featured three Heisman Trophy winners and the leadership traits those stars demonstrated. Greig talks about how despite the extreme levels of success present in the locker room, a common denominator eliminated egos. Greig takes listeners through the highs and lows of the 2003 and 2004 USC Football seasons to explain how the team went undefeated to capture a National Championship.
Greig and Alicia examine the NIL era of college sports through the lens of the NCAA's sanctions on USC following Reggie Bush allegedly taking improper benefits. The two question just how much money the 2000s USC Trojans football stars could have earned if they were allowed to profit from their name, image and likeness.
As CEO of Hall of Goats and through his extensive tech industry experience, Greig gives listeners applicable advice and strategies for how to best release and monetize NFTs.
Learn more about Greig and Hall of Goats: https://www.hallofgoats.com/
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Heidi Marsh is the Executive Chef for one of the world's most renowned esports franchises, Team Liquid. In this episode, we discuss how she has partnered with Team Liquid to use food and community to foster and reimagine well-being amongst esports athletes.
Not only do we go into the nutritional program she’s built for Team Liquid athletes, but we explore the unique nutritional needs of esports players as they seek to optimize their performance and lengthen their careers. She discusses how food can be used as a tool to address mental health concerns and also boost performance and cosmetic appearance.
Chef Heidi also has great nutritional advice for all listeners, and speaks about the importance of mindful eating and consuming a biodiverse diet. She provides insight into the career trajectory of a chef—and how success in the profession is about so much more than food.
At her heart, Chef Heidi is a teacher. And that’s why I know you are going to love this episode. When I met her at the Team Liquid training facility, I was struck by how she was able to take complex concepts and break them down for laypeople to understand.
My hope with this episode is that you will be inspired to evaluate your current nutritional habits and explore ways that you can make accessible tweaks to live a healthier life.
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Taylor Griffin enjoyed an eight-year professional basketball career, competing in the NBA, G-League and leagues in Belgium and Italy. He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2009. That same year, his younger brother, Blake Griffin, was drafted first-overall by the L.A. Clippers.
In this interview, we talk about Taylor’s upbringing and what it was like playing high school basketball for his father, Tommy. We discuss managing family dynamics and how he and Blake were able to not only avoid sibling rivalry, but come together as colleagues after Taylor’s playing career ended.
Taylor takes us through his professional basketball career to provide important insights for players who find themselves competing internationally. Growing up and attending college in Oklahoma, his international basketball experiences took him a long way from home. What he found, though, was love for new cultures, which he shares with us—along with some travel tips.
Taylor’s professional basketball career came to a close in 2016. At the time, thanks in part to his roster spot on then one of the most exciting teams in professional sports and its place in Los Angeles, Blake was being inundated with investment opportunities. Knowing he could trust his brother, he turned to Taylor for help.
Today, along with being the Chief Operating Officer for Blake Griffin Enterprises, Taylor is the Head of Athlete Relations for Patricoff Co., an advisory service firm for professional athletes. Here, Taylor talks about transitioning from a career in sports and how he was able to quickly develop financial and investment acumen. He provides great, practical advice for how athletes and others can get started in investing. We also discuss how college basketball players can best navigate the name, image and likeness (NIL) landscape.
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Lucy Westlake is an American mountaineer, who since the age of 12, has broken world records in the sport. In May 2022, Lucy became the youngest American woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest en route to completing the Explorer's Grand Slam, a mountaineering challenge requiring participants to reach the North and South Poles and climb the high points on all seven continents.
In this episode, the recording of which began while Lucy was at the Base Camp of Mount Everest following her historic summit, Alicia and Lucy discuss goal setting and staying committed to one's goals in the face of giant obstacles--like summiting Mount Denali. Lucy provides strategies to remain resilient, even when it feels like what you're working for is far away. She highlights the need to trust one's self and how positive self-talk is critical to attaining what may seem unreachable. Alicia and Lucy also talk about controlling what you can control, and keeping your eyes on the summit.
In 2022, Lucy was honored with a Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award at the ESPY's. In the Fall of 2022, she will enroll at the University of Southern California, where she will compete in track and field.
A huge thanks to Grape Nuts for facilitating this conversation.
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Hey there! I’m Alicia Jessop, the founder of Ruling Sports, where we explore how to achieve the highest levels of success and accomplish the unprecedented through the lens of sport.
I’m here to tell you about the new Ruling Sports podcast, which I’ll be hosting.
The show will give you unparalleled access to athletes, entrepreneurs and innovators. Through intimate conversations, we explore the roadmaps they’ve followed en route to their personal successes. I created this show to provide you with firsthand, real-world examples that you can easily apply to your own life to chart your own definition of and pathway to success. My hope is that through listening, you will find your next role model and the belief that if these individuals can do it, you can, too.
So come along for these fun, insightful and unexpected conversations as I take you beyond the game through Ruling Sports.
Subscribe to Ruling Sports so you don’t miss Episode 1, which is launching soon.
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