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, ach
Brandon Copeland is a ten-year NFL veteran who signed undrafted in 2013 with the Baltimore Ravens after competing in NCAA football at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated from the Wharton School of Business. Today, Brandon is a financial education advocate, who teaches the popular "Life 101" financial literacy course at UPenn; authored "Your Money Playbook;" and founded Copeland Media to provide comprehensive education and practice tools to help others build financial stability. Most recently, he co-founded Athletes.org, a players association for college athletes.In this episode, Brandon discusses:How the incredible synergy between his NFL journey and hisgrandfather's NFL career motivated his success;How entering the NFL as an undrafted rookieshaped his mindset to beat the odds and complete a ten-year NFL career;His pathway to becoming a financial education advocate; andWhy he co-founded AO, how he hopes to shapethe future of college sports and why college athletes need to join a players association. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/Follow Ruling SportsInstagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSportsTwitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSportsFacebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSportsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSportsTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
Brett Maher was an NFL kicker who played for a number of teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and competed in NCAA football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Raised in Nebraska, today he and his wife, Jenna, own and operate a Mathnasium franchise and Brett also serves as a coach for Nebraska football. In this episode, Brett discusses: How he navigated the pressure of high-stakes games as a kicker; What goes through a kicker's mind in big game moments; How a peak performance coach helped him overcome the hurdles preventing him from making the NFL; Whether leagues and colleges are doing enough to protect athletes from the impacts of sports gambling and social media; Why he pursued franchising and invested in Mathnasium; and How his past playing experience guides his coaching philosophy Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
Georgia Grace Edwards is the co-founder of Gnara, a company creating innovative and inclusive apparel. The company's patented GoFly zipper technology allows women to do what men do--unzip and go whenever and wherever nature calls. In this episode, Georgia Grace discusses her incredible entrepreneurial journey to build a company creating an equal playing field for women and that is backed by early stage venure capital, grant, crowdsourced and accelerator funding. In this episode, Georgia Grace discusses: How to use frustration as a pathway to opportunity; The commitment necessary to develop an idea into a prototype; Advice for how to align with co-founders; The importance of writing down goals to measure progress; What she wishes she knew about entrepreneurship before becoming a founder; and What has allowed Gnara to secure meaningful capital. Learn more about Gnara here. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
Jenna Kurath is the Head of Comcast NBCUniversal Sports Tech and the Vice President of Startup Partnerships at Comcast. Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech finds, funds, and fast-tracks the most innovative startups from around the world to invest in and develop the next generation of technology to change the way we experience sports. In this episode, Jenna discusses: How her experience as a track and cross country athlete at Baylor University prepared her for leadership and business success; How Comcast is building on its founder Ralph J. Roberts' legacy of innovation through SportsTech; The uniqueness of Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech as an accelerator; What founders should consider in seeking an accelerator; How to build a company that lasts; and How to overcome the common stumbling blocks that prevent start-ups from succeeding in the long-term. Learn more about Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech here. Learn more about Women in Sports Tech here. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
Janelle Anderson is the CEO of RIP-IT, a female-first company developing and providing products for women and girls in sports to unleash their full potential. A former NCAA swimming captain, Janelle completed her MBA at the University of Michigan and was formerly the CEO of Fresh Vine Wines, Officer of Global Marketing at American Airlines, VP of PepsiCo and VP at Frito Lay. Drawing on her wealth of experience, in this episode Janelle discusses: Why you should commit to going big everyday, even when you aren't seeing results; How intercollegiate athletics prepared her for business success; Why confidence is the element female leaders must possess to rise and succeed in the C-Suite; Why the marketplace for women's sport apparel and equipment is slow moving and how RIP-IT is disrupting that trend; Strategies for successful fundraising as an entrepreneur; How to manage motherhood while ascending the corporate ladder; and How to navigate work-life balance as a parent. Learn more about RIP-IT here. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
Ryan Neiswender is a Paralympic gold medalist and World Champion in wheelchair basketball and a corporate keynote speaker who works at Visa as a Sport Sponsorship Marketing Manager. Born with a disability which affected the development of the quadricep muscles in his legs, Ryan knew he was athletic and desired an opportunity to compete. When he was introduced to wheelchair basketball at eight years old, it changed his life. In this episode, Ryan discusses: His pathway to the highest level of the sport and the path he took with Team USA to win gold in 2020; The need for increased access to sport for adapted sport athletes; The unique value proposition in investing in adapted sports with great data on why the Paralympic movement is ripe for corporate investiture and sponsorship; Strategies for athletes to utilize to boost their sponsorship portfolios; and How as a corporate keynote speaker he helps organizations and teams reach their untapped potential. Watch Ryan's TedX speech here. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 move culture 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 him create 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 global music career; Where he gained the entrepreneurial know-how to build the necessary business infrastructure for his music career; His pathway to the Golden State Warriors, with great 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 Golden State Entertainment, which notably, is the first such production company housed inside of an NBA team; and Lessons from the Golden State Warriors for how to embrace creativity and create new lines of business for organizations. Learn more about Golden State Entertainment here. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 the interests 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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
Gregory Sullivan is a 10+year Certified Financial Advisor and 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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 3x 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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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-class festival 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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 who get hired and promoted in #sportsbiz; The one thing that every person can do to give themselves a chance at becoming a C-suite executive; and Where he sees current career opportunity in the industry. Chad also provides great insights into the role of an executive 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 should deploy before you begin the job hunt; How to write your resume to drive greater hiring outcomes; and What the sport industry needs to do to close its racial and gender hiring and promotion gaps. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 new assignments, 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 Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 whether or 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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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: How she built a successful sport broadcasting career utilizing vulnerability in a male-dominated industry; Tips for athletes to successfully engage with the media; How she built a national movement and steps others can take to build impactful public facing platforms; and The biggest issue facing today's college students and how #ImChangingTheNarrative is addressing it. Learn more about #ImChangingTheNarrative here. Purchase Rachel's book here. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
Amy Perko is the CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Sports, an organization leading the conversation on necessary reforms to strengthen 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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 elementary school 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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
Myriam Glez is a two-time synchronized swimming Olympian. She first competed in the 2000 Olympics Games for her home country, France. Born and 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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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 Fame Coach. 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 discusses building 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. Get the Ruling Sports Newsletter: https://rulingsports.com/newsletter/ Follow Ruling Sports Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RulingSports Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RulingSports Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RulingSports LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/RulingSports TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@RulingSports
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