No Stress Midwest Podcast

The SEASON 7 FIANLE IS HERE! What a season and what a great group of guests! Season 7 theme is "Becoming a Pro, and Staying a Pro" And our last guest to wrap up the season is Columbus Crew player Christian Ramirez. We dive deep into his journey through professional sports. We talk about the grind of lower league soccer in the US. We talk about his mindset, the grit and determination it took to make it to the MLS, thriving at the highest level of professional soccer, and winning MLS Cup and MLS League Cup trophies. We also discuss getting the call up for the national team and what those national team camps are like. Thank you for following along with us this season and we cant wait to pick back up with season 8!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Season 7 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast is sadly coming to a close with one episode left before the finale. Our guest this week is Zarek Valentin of Minnesota United FC. In this episode we cover what it was like for Zarek playing in college and winning an NCAA Championship with Akron. What that decision to go pro was like, that first contract, and how he was able to sign the dotted line for a second time! We also discuss his playing time over in Norway and what the culture was like compared to the US. Zarek has since retired as a player for MNUFC but is moving into a new role with the club. This is a fun episode to listen to and one you won't wanna miss! Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Episode 7 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast is here, and we are lucky to be joined by 2019 MLS Cup & 2022 CONCACAF Champions League Winner Will Bruin! Will has had a storied MLS career, playing for 13 seasons and winning 3 trophies, one of those at the national level. We discuss how Will began playing soccer, all the way until he decided to retire. We go over some of his personal achievements, as well as diving into winning MLS Cup and talk about which trophy is his favorite. We also talk about retired life, what that's like, and the transition from playing everyday to “normal life”. This is a jam packed episode and one you won't wanna miss! Check it out Saturday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube at No Stress Midwest Podcast.Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Episode 6 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast is now live! Our guest, none other than Marissa Sheva, formally of the Portland Thorns (NWSL) and Ireland international!  Marissa and I talk about her journey through college at Penn. State University (as a standout soccer player and track runner), getting that first contract, and overcoming adversity of a serious injury for her second contract. We also talk about what it's like to step foot on the World Cup stage with your national team. This will be an episode you don't want to miss!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

The No Stress Midwest Podcast is back with Episode 5 of Season 7! Today's episode we are joined by the talented Tyler Freeman. Tyler has been a professional since the age of 15! We talk to him about what the pressure is like at such a young age, the expectations that come with that, and the grind it takes to move from academy to first team player. If you've ever wondered about the the pathway from academy to professional, this will be an episode you don't wanna miss! We take a sneak peak into the moment Tyler knew he wanted to become a professional and the moment he became a professional. We also get a glimpse into what it's like working to be a professional and what it takes to become one. Listen to what Tyler says in his own words about his journey to the top.Subscribe to the channel for more exclusive conversation with professionals and to stay up to date with new episodes! Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

In this weeks episode (4) of The No Stress Midwest Podcast we are fortunate enough to be joined by Wilson Harris, a striker for Louisville FC of the USL Championship. Wilson is the youngest  player to net 60 USL Championship goals. We peek into his mind and see what it takes to get to 40-50 goal seasons. Check out the full episode for a more in depth look behind the person. We talk about what it's like signing that first pro contract and what it takes to get the second contract, and go from that to a prolific striker in the league at such a young age.Subscribe to the channel for more exclusive conversation with professionals and to stay up to date with new episodes! Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Welcome back for episode 3 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast Season 7, where we are talking to professional athletes on what it takes to become a professional athlete and stay a professional. Today's episode we are joined by none other than USL League One Back to Back Golden Glove winner, Sean Lewis. In this exciting episode we talk about Sean's journey through his college playing days, what lead him to playing in Australia, and eventually coming back to the US to play at the professional level. We talk about the mental journey as well as the physical journey of what it takes to play goalkeeper at the highest level. We hope you enjoy this episode and appreciate everyone tuning in! Subscribe to the channel for more exclusive conversation with professionals and to stay up to date with new episodes! Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Welcome back everyone to Season 7 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast  and thank you for joining us today. Our guest is Junior Kazeem, a player for the KC Comets in the MASL (Major Arena Soccer League). We talk about his upbringing in England, how he got to the states, playing in college, and what the MASL has been like. Junior takes us through his journey, the highs, the lows, and everything that comes with the drive and passion to get to the top. We hope you enjoy this episode and thank you for joining. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more content. Cheers!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

WE'RE BACK! Season 7 is here! If you've been following along you'll know each season has a theme to it, and this season we will be focused on professional players! We have an awesome lineup for you this season. Starting us off is Mikey Lopez. Drafted by Sporting Kc as the 14 pick in the 2013 MLS Superdraft, playing in the big apple, and finding a home with the legion. Mikey takes us through his path to the pros. Join us for a conversation filled with insights on the highs and lows of a soccer career, the dedication it takes to succeed, and what Mikey's future holds in the beautiful game. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that bell to never miss an upload.Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

With the beginning of every podcast season unfortunately must come an end. But for the Season 6 finale of The No Stress Midwest Podcast I went and grabbed not just one but two of the dopest people I know who just so happened to be married to each, and run their own non-profit SOL of the Cities based out of  Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. This season has been filled with friends of mine that are doing some really cool things around the business and front office side of the game. A lot of times as f fans of the game we tend to overlook how much of the "game" is played on the business side. I was able to meet Mario and Sparkle around the same time I met earlier podcast guest Chioma as well all lived in Kansas City and met through the United Soccer Coaches Black Coaches Advocacy Group. Although our friendship only spans a few years, we have got very close during that time and have worked with their son through No Stress Midwest Training. From the founding of TC Sol, through the continued development and transition into SOL of the Cities and up to their current status, we do not run out of topics and milestones  during this episode. Ill let them tell the rest of their story by your preferred method of listening/viewing pleasures. Season 6 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast has brought guests from various aspects of the game all through the business side which I believe shows that their is a space for everyone in the game of soccer, you just have to find it! Huge shoutout to Stephen Walters who is joining the podcast crew for his first season. Stephen has been behind the scenes working on the editing of the each podcast episode  and putting out the final product that you re able to see/hear. Thank You to our listeners from around the world and we will be back with Season 7 soon!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

We are back with the next episode of Season 6 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast! Episode 7 and our second to last episode of this season is highlighted by DP Taylor, the Executive Director of Community Relations for the KC Current of the NWSL. Now before we get into DP's episode, I would like to add that today is the grand opening of CPKC stadium, the first women's specific professional stadium EVER and in KC style, the Current will be facing off in the stadium and season opener of the 2024 NWSL season. DP being the G that she is was able to hook me up with a ticket to witness history so let me give a shoutout there. Now on to the episode, DP joins us and speaks about her career path and her starts of a college basketball player and transition into the sport of soccer. KC Current spearheaded by DP are building mini pitches around the KC area for kids to play with ease of access and location to those in the communities that are typically overlooked. I wont give away too much but I encourage you listen to the full interview to see how DP has put herself in position to be part of history with KC Current and some things to keep an eye out for in the KC community!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Welcome to episode 6 of Season 6 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast (Front Office/Business), the golden episode! We are lucky enough to be joined by the General Manager of NWSL's Orlando Pride, Haley Carter! Haley and I met a few years back at a coaching convention and have stayed connected through social media. When coming up with this season, Haley was someone I knew I had to have on! Haley has such an interesting past from her time as a player (GK) for the US Marine Corp and within the NWSL, her time serving within the US Marine Corp. and then the transition into coaching for the Afghanistan Women's National Team and into her current role. Haley has legit seen it all and done it all, and now is in a position to give back to the sport she loves. Haley's interview is exactly the content you need to get your day started, to get that second boost throughout the day or to close your evening off with some motivation. Kick back and enjoy!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Welcome Back to Season 6 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast! In this season we are focusing on the Front Office and business side of the sport and lucky enough to be joined by Chioma Antanmo of Sporting KC for episode 5. Chioma is the Director of Community Impact with the MLS club. Chioma also is the Founder of Mindful Appetite a business that focuses on helping professionals prioritize their wellness. Chioma and I met back in 2020 through a black soccer organization and realized we both lived in KC. The rest was history! Chioma is doing a lot for the overlooked and underserved communities  in the KC area and I have no doubt that when shes given the opportunity, will expand her community from KC to the entire world! Finish brewing that cup of tea, kickback and take a listen to episode 5 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast! Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Greetings and welcome back to The No Stress MidwestPodcast! In season 6 we are focused on talking with more of the front office side of football. On todays episode we are lucky enough to be joined by Brian Bliss of Sporting KC in the MLS. Brian is the Technical Director and VP of Player Personnel with Sporting KC and is involved with the scouting, signing, and various other activities that it takes to manage the players both current and future. Also serving a key role when it comes to bringing players within the org. (Sporting II & SKC Academy) to the first team. Listen to Brian explain everything it takes to get a player scouted, signed, and playing with the first team and so much more on Episode 4 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast: Front Office Edition! Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Welcome to Season 6 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast,  in episode 3 we are lucky enough to be joined by Yael Averbuch-West the General Manager of Gotham FC located in NY/NJ in the NWSL! Yael and I met during her time as a player for FCKC (currently KC Current) when she was in Kansas City. Yael is a decorated professional player and has moved into the front office with Gotham FC at first with the interim tag but since that tag has been removed has gone on to most recently take the NWSL Championship crown during the 2023 season. Yael talks about her path to her current role as well as whats up next with Gotham FC. She also started the business TECHNE which is an online technical soccer training app that reaches youth players all around the world.  We are excited for you to take a listen and hope you are enjoying our current season. See you next week!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Thank You for joining us for Season 6 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast! Todays episode we are joined by Liam O'Connell of the USL. Liam serves as the Technical Director for the USL. Overseeing all technical development over the USL leagues (Championship, League 1, League 2, Super League, W League). Liam and I met back in his days at Sporting KC in Kansas City and have continued our relationship when he moved to the Tampa Bay as the USL Academy Director. Liam and I speak on everything thats happening with the USL on the men and women's side. With the Super League taking on division 1 status under US Soccer, possible promotion/relegation within the US game and everything in between; our conversation covers everything in between. Enjoy the listen! Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

The only thing better than 5 seasons of The No Stress Midwest Podcast is 6, and luckily for you thats what we are on! This No Stress MidwestPodcast Season 6 theme will be "Front Office/Business" and we did not disappoint with guests! From the MLS to NWSL to USL and even Grassroots, we have something for everyone. Our first episode brings Dean Linke of from North Carolina. He is an On-Air play-by-play announcer for the Big 10, North Carolina FC (USL Championship) and North Carolina Courage (NWSL). Dean shares his journey from college grad to the Women's National team to his current roles and everything in between! If youve ever had the pleasure of meeting Dean youll know why he was the season opener, this is what he does and he does it better than anyone in the game. Get your coffee/tea ready and lets kickoff Season 6!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

The time that you have all been waiting for! Not only is there the excitement of completing another season of our No Stress Midwest Podcast, but our guest may be one of the biggest ones that we have EVER had on the podcast! To wrap up Season 5 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast our special guest is Jim Curtin, the 2022 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year (Philadelphia Union)! Back in April of 2022 I was lucky enough to shadow the Philadelphia Union First team and U-17 Academy team (MLS Next Cup Champions). From 1st team down to academy, coaches, players and staff, everything about the organization was top class! Jim went above and beyond anything that I expected. From touring me around the facility, introducing me to the players/coaching staff and even letting me attend the team meetings before the training, Jim made me feel like I was on staff.We were able to talk about some of his time as a player and a part of the Chicago Fire where he was coached by former USMNT coach Bob Bradley and quite a few of his teammates have taken Head Coach roles around the MLS and Europe. Jim shares his vey humble start as a coach with the Union and how he was able to work his way up the ranks to where he is now, with his team in the Eastern Conference Finals Back-2-Back.Although there is a since of excitement when completing a season, there also is a sense of sadness. I want to thank all of our listeners and even some new ones we may have picked up along the way. Hope you enjoy the listen and are rooting on the Philadelphia Union Sunday in the MLS Eastern Conference Finals.Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

It's almost time! The No Stress MidwestPodcast: Coaches Edition is in its final week with 2 episodes left! Episode 9 has another special guest , Dave Geyer joins us from New Jersey. Geyer was my High School coach Jr. & Sr. year way back when (2005 & 2006) so we have known each other for quite a while. When I was wanting to become a coach, I picked his brain a lot during my early years and like all good coaches, took a few things from him to apply to my teams. Since recording this episode Coach Geyer picked up his 200th win as a Head Coach so to be there for his first win and know him through his 200th is a pretty big honor!Coach Geyer talks about his time as a Head Coach and drops some knowledge on his experiences coaching over the years and what he has learned/how he has adapted his coaching style over the years.Hope youre as excited as I am for the release of this episode and stay tuned for our season finale Sunday with 2022 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year, Jim Curtin!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

We have another double header release week for you with The No Stress Midwest Podcast: Coaches Edition we have Debbie Pekel, assistant coach for Bob Jones University joining us for Episode 8. Debbie has coached at almost every level you can other than professionally (club, hs, college & semi pro) and explains how she was/is able to make a living in the coaching profession without coaching professional. Debbie talks about how she made a move across the country for her current position and the connection she had to the University, what being a United Soccer Coaches 30 under 30 member (2021/22)  entailed and what some of her ultimate coaching goals are! Enjoy episode Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

We are going into the final four episodes of season 5, with episode 7's guest Chris Sheppard. Coach Sheppard joins us from my home town, Williamstown NJ and is our podcasts first guest who is not in the soccer world. Shep is the varsity girls volleyball coach at Williamstown High School (my alma mater) and I was fortunate enough to be coached by Shep for my senior year of High School. Chris talks about the unlikely path that found him as a volleyball coach starting off as a teacher out of college. Chris also speaks on his 5 state titles and 1 Tournament of Champions title that saw him to over 500 wins and a recent New Jersey High School Hall of Fame Inductee in 2022. Regardless if you are a volleyball fan or not, Shep is dropping coaching gems left right up and down. Have a notepad ready for this one!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

We follow up episode 5 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast immediately with episode 6 with Morgan Ruhl, the assistant coach of Northwestern University. Morgan joins the many guests of ours where we have not met in person...yet. Morgan brings a lot of insight on how she transitioned her playing career into coaching as well as sharing feedback from mentors as well as some reflection on her personal coaching experience and some incidences that although she doesnt regret, would have possibly done different with the insight that she has now. Being a young coach and taking the  opportunities that are given to gain experience and multiple levels is one of the many things that Morgan speaks on this episode. Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

We are at Halftime in Season 5 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast: Coaches Edition, and this week we have not just 1 episode but 2 coming at you! Doug McLagan gets us started and if youve ever been connected to the KC soccer community in the last 30+ years, there is a very high probability that youve heard the name. From playing professionally for the indoor team (KC Comets), winning state cups on the club level, and adding a state title on the high school side, Doug has seen it all and done it all. You see why it was a no brainer to have him on the podcast and talk about his experience and how the landscape has changed over the years. For the better? You gotta listen and hear it from him.Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

We are approaching half time of Season 5 of The No Stress Midwest Podcast and we are lucky enough to be joined by USL1 Forward Madison Assistant Coach, John Pascarella Sr. ! JP and I were connected through a Season 1 podcast guest, Darrin MacLeod during his time as an assistant coach with Minnesota United. Since then we were able to meet in person during his tenure as the head coach of OKC Energy of the USL Championship. I knew that JP would be a great guest as he brings with him a wealth of knowledge & experience with him coaching at all professional levels and playing at similar levels as well. I also have to mention that JP is a South Jersey guy and although our times there did not overlap,  we have some unsaid understandings that make the conversation more of a casual catch-up than a recorded podcast. Hope you enjoy our convo and able to take away some great points as I was able to.Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

As we start to make some progress in Season 5 of the No Stress Midwest Podcast, Episode 3 brings up Keidane McAlpine the Head Coach for the Women's side at University of Georgia! Keidane and I connect a few years ago through the Black Soccer Coaches Advocacy Group through United Soccer Coaches and met in person last January at their Convention. If Keidane's name sounds familiar its probably because just a few years back he was able to win a National Championship while being the Head Coach at University of Southern California (U.S.C.). The man has an impressive coaching background but a more impressive personality  and I am happy to call him not only a friend, but now a podcast guest. Here We Go!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Season5 Episode 2 of the No Stress Midwest Podcast brings Lisa Lubke as our guest. Lisa and I met in our USSF B License course last year in 2021 and although most of it was virtual, when we had our in-person meeting we instantly clicked! At the time Lisa was the assistant coach/GK coach at University of Illinois but has since transitioned into a Video Analyst for the US Women's Youth National Team! I wont spoil our conversation too much but Lisa drops some gems about some of her most fun moments as a coach and how she went from player to working with some of the best youth players our country has! Sit tight and get ready for episode 2 of our newest season of the No Stress MidwestPodcast: Coaches Edition!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

WE ARE BACK!!! Season 5 is here and I am really excited for this season! If you have followed along to past seasons you will know that each season has a theme to it. Season 5 will focus on Coaches and do we have an awesome line-up ahead for the next coming weeks with coaches representing almost every level of the game in the U.S. We kick-off episode 1 with Jordan Ferrell who is the Technical Director of the Oakland Roots of the USL Championship. Jordan and I were connected back a few years ago through a mutual friend here in KC.  After our first few conversations I really appreciated Jordan's view of the game and its hard not to admire his coaching background and where he's been. On top of all of that, hes still in his thirties and has both HC and TD experience in the 2nd division of professional soccer. I wont go into too much detail and release any spoilers so enjoy the listen and thank you for your support of The No Stress Midwest Podcast! Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

The season finale of our Soccer-Preneur's is here and we have a special host to close us out! Tom Cristino is one of my closest friends and actually one of the first people I talked to when I was thinking about starting this podcast. When you listen/watch the episode you will see why I chose him as the host to interview me talking about No Stress Midwest. I talk about my day to day tasks running No Stress Midwest, what No Stress Midwest is and some of our future plans. We dive a little deeper into my personal goals as well as how Ive managed to turn a hobby into a passion and now into a career! Hope you enjoy the episode and thank you for tuning in to our 4th season of the No Stress Midwest Podcast "Soccer-Preneur's".Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

Lets start off by wishing everyone happy holidays! We are winding down this season of soccer-preneurs and are joined by Jason Belz of A Greater You (AGY). AGY is a sports performance business in the KC Metro that now primarily focuses on training soccer players at all ages and levels. Jason and I met back in 2019 at a HS soccer coaches symposium and he has worked with my teams and some individual players over the years. Listen to Jason talk about his breakthrough moment when someone made him think about what made him happy and his pursuit of it. @A.Greater.YouFollow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

If you played youth soccer in the 90's and went to any "British" soccer camp, good chance Peter was your coach or the one running the camp. Peter Arch currently is a VP at GymShark but before that was a founder of Challenger Sports. Peter is in GymSharks new North America HQ in Denver which looks like the type of office I would love to work in! We do a lot of talking on the landscape of American youth soccer during the late 80's and 90's and how Peter and people like him came over to the states and saw potential. He created an empire that is Challenger Sports and now spends his time with GymShark. I wont go into too much detail, thats for you to listen to. Cheers!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcastwww.nostressmidwest.com/podcast

We are half-way through season 4 of this season and are lucky enough to be joined by Owner & Director of AFC Corktown Eddie Hudson. Maybe a not well known fact about the podcast, I am probably 50/50 on guests that I know and have met in person vs. ones that I have not met and dont know prior to the podcast. Eddie falls in his own category of people I have not met but know. I was excited to finally get him on an episode and have him share his knowledge from law, to business, to soccer. Although Ive never spoke to an owner of a soccer club before, I do feel his pathway to becoming one is unique. After our first few zoom calls he was dropping some knowledge gems that I wanted to make sure I shared with you all. There is some big news happening within the club being released in the coming days so tune in and enjoy!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

This weeks episode of our soccer-preneurs features Nick Manzoni of SportsLab 360.  Nick and I met way back during my club days in maybe 2014-15 where he was reaching out to KC clubs and coaches trying to test out his new program called SportsLab360 an almost tactical decision making program that helps players read/understand/execute various in game scenarios. Nick and I spoke while he  was off in one of his many jet setting locations during the fall so I was happy that we were able to knock it out. Nick and I have managed to keep a friendship over the years  and continue to help each others business's out. Nick and I later realized that we had a few friends in common from his college days at Drake and continue to find connections in common as both of our business's grow. Check out their website and see how you can use their services to help you grow as a youth player, or club coach www.sportslab360.com  Enjoy the episode and catch you next week! Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

It feels good to be back with this weeks episode of the podcast and we are lucky enough to be joined by Ryan Van Goethen from States Soccer. States Soccer is an American Soccer brand founded here in KC and if you dont recognize Ryans name, maybe you've heard of some of the other founders Matt Besler or Seth Sinovic. Either way Ryan has turned into a close friend of mine over the past few years as we guide our way through life as an entrepreneurs. Ryan talks to us about the origin of the clothing company and some of their inspirations as well as making the jump from corporate life. Coincidently States Soccer pop-up shop is now open in TownCenter Plaza of Leawood for the holiday season. Check out their website and be sure to buy a few items for the soccer player in your heart. If you cant think of one, I can be that person www.states.soccer.comFollow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

WE ARE BACK! Season 4 of the No Stress Midwest Podcast is live and we did not disappoint with this season! Out theme is more on the entrepreneurs/business side of the game. Dont worry we still talk about the game but not from a sideline view, this is more the front office. To get us kicked off this season we are joined by Tom Shields (Director of Coaching Ed.-Beyond Pulse, Technical Director- S.T.A.) who tells us his pathway to the coaching and business side coming from across the pond. Tom and I met while he was getting his A license and I was lucky enough to supply the team and sit-in on the course a few years back. We met up again at United Soccer Coaches 2020 convention in Baltimore and have managed to stay in touch. Tom is the man to know in the soccer community and has met some pretty phenomenal people along the way. Sit back, relax, and take a listen, the No Stress Midwest Podcast is back!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

The season finale is here and I promise it won’t be a disappointment! Not only one of the purest goal scorers in the NWSL, but a member of the 2019 US Women’s National World Cup winning team! Jessica McDonald talks about her time growing up in Arizona and her path to becoming a Tar Heel. Jessica shares some first time stories with us on why she wanted to become a Tar Heel and what gave her the motivation she needed to make the push for the World Cup roster. Although we had a partial break-up during recording, Jessica shares some great info with us and is definitely a must listen! Thank you for joining us through another season of the No Stress Midwest Podcast, season 4 will be here before you know it!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

Episode 3 of our Black Excellence Season brings us Armante Marshall, assistant coach and head of recruitment at Temple University. Armante and I were connected through season 1 guest, Joe Amico, who was coached by Armante while at Jacksonville University. Armante has been with them as well as USF during his coaching career, all NCAA D1 universities. Armante speaks about his time as a player at USF, the racial landscape, along the sidelines during his time as a coach and what his long term goals are. For those youth players wanting to play in college, this is a MUST LISTEN. Our season finale guest is not only a current professional player in the NWSL, but helped the national team win a World Cup in 2019! You won’t want to miss it!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

Episode 2 brings us Ms. Ellie Jean all the way from the Netherlands where she plays for PSV Eindhoven. Ellie was a teammate of season 2 guest Maddie Nolf at Penn State where they won a national championship! I am really happy I was able to get Ellie on because her story was AMAZING! Hearing about her early days in Connecticut, to her time at Penn State where she was ready to get more involved around social injustice issues, all the way to how she is handling those same important issues across the Atlantic. Ellie also opens up about a depressive funk she was in while at University and how she was able to fight back and come back mentally tougher than ever! Next episode will feature a NCAA Div. 1 assistant coach/head of recruitment. Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

Welcome back to a new season of the No Stress Midwest Podcast! The theme for season 3 is “Black Excellence” and to get us kicked off, our first guest is Mabricio Wilson, the owner and founder of Futbolr Clothing (https://www.futbolr.com) a lifestyle clothing brand focused on bringing the Futbolr lifestyle, off the pitch. We dive into Mabricio’s Jamaican roots and how it shaped him into the player he was as a youth and what connections brought him to choosing the division 1 university that he played at for 4 years. We also hear how Futbolr started and how it’s grown into the empire it is today. Enjoy the listen and stay tuned for our next guest who just finished up playing in her first champions league!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

Season 2 Finale! Crazy how fast we got here but what a great season It has been. We have had an assortment of guests that have all had some great stories, and shared some great wisdom to the young players. As we wrap up, we are visited by Monica Bosiljevac, a high school varsity assistant coach at Marian High School and Executive Director at Football For The World (FFTW). I have made reference to Monica in multiple episodes this season as someone that gave me the idea to get an all female guest list. I have met some great people during this journey and I believe that it all comes together nicely in the final episode. Monica and I met taking our USSF C License back in 2019 and have developed quite the friendship in the short period of time, being one of two podcast guests that I had a friendship with prior to recording really shows this episode. We discuss her time as a youth player growing up in Omaha, Nebraska and her high school playing career that emulated the start of her coaching career. I would get in trouble if I did not mention a special guest in Nelson who for the most part played it cool but did have a part that he wanted edited out. Interested in getting more women involved In soccer after their playing career? Monica is plug that you need to know! Thank you for following me through season 2, season 3 is right around the corner!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

In the soccer culture, the # 10 may be the most coveted jersey number ever, after watching what Caitlyn Schrepfer (@Caitfreestyle) can do with a soccer ball at her foot, you can see why she was our 10th guest! Caitlyn currently holds the #1 and #2 ranked best freestyler in the U.S. and World respectively. Caitlyn shares with us how she started off playing goalie and a serious injury led her to the path she is on now. From traveling all around the world, being in 2 commercials with Messi and currently living in the Baller House (@Blrhouse) the last thing this episode will do is disappoint you! Whats a baller house you ask? Dont worry, I had the same question and the answer was everything that I Imagined it would be, and then some. Sit back, kick your feet up and get ready to coast.Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress Midwest PodcastYoutube: No Stress MidwestApple: No Stress Midwest Podcast

There was this one time that I was able to get someone on the podcast that played in a UEFA Champions League match... this is that person! Maegan Kelly joins us from Houston where she is enjoying the off-season with the Houston Dash following up a 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. Maegan is yet another KC native who spent her HS days at St. Teresa's where she made quite an impact starting her freshmen year. From there we go Into her days laying at Marquette University and of course her Draft Day story being selected by FCKC in 2014.The story then gets a little more interesting as Maegan takes her talents overseas to Iceland, Finland and Italy and how she was able to play in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE while in Italy. The story doesn't stop there as we talk about Maegan's time with the Canadian National team, playing for the now U.S. Women's national Team coach (Vlatko Andonovsky) and put an end to the debate on which Kelly sister (Maegan or Katie) is the better of the two. Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

It's sad to think that there are more episodes behind us than ahead of us, but as promised, the second half of the season has another great guest. Today we sit down with Jaycie Johnson who Is currently an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska. Jaycie was a high school standout scoring 195 goals during her time as well as collected a few awards (All American, Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year amongst conference and All State awards) along the way. Jaycie suffered multiple major ACL and knee injuries that would take even cause the strongest competitor to hang up their cleats but Jaycie talks about her recovery process and what/who have played major parts in taking care of her body. We of course have to hear Jaycie's Draft Day story but more Importantly we hear some BREAKING NEWS from Jaycie where she shares on our podcast an exclusive about what could come in the future!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

I know that the past guest have all been current professional athletes, but todays episode we head into a different direction and look at the life of content creation and social media. Cheyenne Foster is the owner of "Between Clean Sheets" (Youtube: Between Clean Sheets, Instagram: @BtwnCleanSheets) a vlog dedicated to speaking on everything D.C. United and MLS. We dive into Cheyennes past as a student-athlete, working on the Soccer City project in San Diego, her brief time spent here in Kansas City (You know I had to ask her favorite BBQ spot) and what brought her to D.C. and become their number one supporter! Cheyenne lets us know that you don't have to be a player or coach to still be involved with the game, listen to how she was able to expand her love and what her ultimate goal is with Between Clean Sheets. 2026 is right around the corner, so remember where you heard about Cheyenne first!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

We go into the second half with a strong start having Shea Groom as this episodes guest! Shea has been absolutely buzzing this past season helping the Houston Dash win the NWSL Challenge Cup, scoring NWSL's Goal Of The Year and being called into the U.S. Women's National Team Camp. Shea is a local KC product who has trained by some of the best coaches In not only youth soccer but professional as well and she talks about how those experiences helped shape her into the athlete she is today. We go into her HS and college days at Liberty HS and Texas A&M and talk about a new favorite part of the podcast of mine as of late, her Draft Day story. I don't think Shea has any plans on slowing down and hints at having a new level she is still training to reach (Scary I know). With the new re-branding of the Houston Dash and Dynamo and new season on the horizon, it's not to late to join #TeamSheaFollow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

We are just about half way through season 2 and our mid-season guest Is Hallie Klanke, Sophomore for the UNC Tarheels and former player of mine. Klanke and I talk about some of her earliest influences, her early club and ODP days and when we first met during her Freshmen and Sophomore year of HS when I coached her at Saint Thomas Aquinas. We then dive Into her decision to join newly formed girls DA and then her first season as a Tarheel. Klanke leaves us with one very important piece of info for those young girls that are just getting started In their soccer careers. Might we add the next day after recording, aganist her game against Notre Dame, Klanke scored in a dominating 2-0 ACC match. TARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

Bienvenido! Episode 4 brings us Shelby High who is currently living in Guadalajara, Spain playing for Club Dinamo Guadalajara In the Primera Nacional division. Shelby and I met back during summer 2019 when she was playing for the local Women's semi-pro team KC Courage. We managed to keep a good friendship and stay in touch during her time in Spain. Even managed to get her to snag me a Barcelona jersey during her time out there. Shelby and I dive into her youth playing days and how she was able to manage some high school playing time while being home-schooled. Shelby then speaks on her time In college and how she made the best out of an opportunity to play professional soccer overseas. Sit back, kick your feet up and enjoy!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

Episode 3 brings us Addisyn Merrick, current defender for the North Carolina Courage, former KU Jayhawk and KC Metro native (Lees Summit). Addisyn and I met during her standout senior year at KU when I befriended her head coach Mark Francis and was lucky enough to attend the latter part of the seasons training sessions into their Big XII Championship Tournament win and into NCAA. We talk about her youth days and early influences as well as her time at KU and into draft day 2020. Addisyn and I then talk about her rookie season in the NWSL and how she is getting prepared for next season! Luckily enough she carved out some time from her vacation to talk with us! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

Episode 2 brings us Mrs. Maddie Nolf of Utah Royals FC (NWSL) who from the start of the podcast, has a contagious bubbly personality that definitely wore off on me by the end of the episode! Maddie talks on her youth soccer days in Omaha Nebraska and eventually going on to win an NCAA National Tournament during her time playing at Penn State. Maddie also shares some of her experiences during her time with the US Youth National team and how she has enjoyed her time being a professional soccer player in the NWSL. Sit down, pour a cup of coffee and get ready to crack a smile, episode 2 Is here!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

No Stress Midwest Podcast is back! Season 2 is here and this line-up Is actually kinda crazy! I honestly dont know how I was able to get them all to agree to it but here we are and here we go! Episode 1 brings us Cari Roccaro who currently plays for Back-to-Back NWSL Champions the NC Courage! Cari and I dive Into her youth career collecting some big time awards as a High School player In New York as well as her playing ODP and even the youth national team!Cari talks about her time playing soccer at Notre Dame, representing the US at the U-20 World Cup and her time as a professional soccer player in the NWSL.Make sure you take a listen and follow our podcast so you dont miss any of our other guests!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

Season 1 finale brings us United Soccer Coaches Director of Coaching Education Ian Barker! On the podcast we speak on how Ian and I met and how he has turned into a mentor of mine. We speak on how Ian came to the states and his time as a college coach as well as his time as the Minnesota Youth Soccer DOC. We hit on Ian's role within ODP, what he thinks is missing from the youth game here in America and he also speaks on a topic that I found valuable which Is the possible pathway from grass roots coach to professional! A very special thank you to all of the season 1 guest and all of our listeners! We will be following up a successful season 1 with a winter 2020 release of season 2!Follow our social media to stay in the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest

On episode 6 of the No Stress Midwest Podcast we are lucky enough to be joined by former USMNT/MLS midfielder Justin Mapp. Justin speaks on his time at the U.S. Residency program in Bradenton, FL and becoming a MLS project-40 player. We then go a little deeper into Justin's playing career while In the MLS as well as with US soccer on the youth and first team level. Justin also talks on what hes doing now with coaching/training and his plans for whats next!Follow our social media to stay In the loop on upcoming guest!IG: @NoStressMidwestTwitter: @NoStressMidwestFacebook: No Stress MidwestSpotify: No Stress MidwestYoutube: No Stress Midwest