SportsEpreneur Podcast

“Sneaker” Steve Patino shares his journey from sneaker enthusiast to footwear industry innovator, discussing how his passion for shoes evolved into a mission to revolutionize sustainable manufacturing. “Sneaker” Steve is the founder of Ales Gray. Chapters: 00:00 – The future of business and creating a positive legacy 01:02 – Working for free at a sneaker ... Read more The post A Footwear Industry Pioneer Talks Entrepreneurship and Sustainability appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

What happens when an NBA All-Star hangs up his jersey? In this episode of The Sports Backdrop, Eric connects with Gordon Hayward, a former player for the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Now an entrepreneur and family man, Gordon shares his perspective on what it means to move on from ... Read more The post Gordon Hayward | NBA Stories, FORM Basketball, and Youth Sports Today appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Featured Guest: Robert “Bob” Steinfeld, Emmy Award-Winning Sports Producer, Author of 3…2…1…We're On the Air “The people that make it to the top respect the work of those around them.” – Bob Steinfeld “You've gotta dominate where you can.” — Tim Duncan to Bob Steinfeld “Every game has a story.” – Bob Steinfeld Go behind ... Read more The post Behind the Scenes of Iconic Sports Moments with Legendary Producer Bob Steinfeld appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, welcomes Dr. Kensa Gunter, a licensed psychologist, certified mental performance consultant, and Director of NBA and WNBA Mind Health. Dr. Gunter opens up about her journey in sports psychology, the evolution of mental health in professional sports, and her mission to promote well-being ... Read more The post NBA and WNBA Mind Health with Dr. Kensa Gunter appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this powerful episode of Athlete Mindset, “Who You Are, Not What You Do,” host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, welcomes Kelsey O’Connor, a motivational speaker, former D1 student-athlete, and recent North Carolina State University social work graduate. Kelsey shares her inspiring journey of resilience and self-discovery following a career-ending head injury. Her story of ... Read more The post Who You Are, Not What You Do with Kelsey O’Connor appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

This is the Sports Betting Uncovered podcast series. Part of The Sports Backdrop podcast on SportsE Media. Welcome to the high-stakes world of sports betting as we explore its explosive growth and the shadowy underbelly of addiction. Our fearless podcast host, Chaz, uncovers the journey from prohibition to proliferation and the price we’re paying for ... Read more The post Sports Betting Uncovered: Explosive Growth, Advertising, and Addiction appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, shares space with Angela Lee Pucci, a retired professional MMA fighter, six-time MMA world champion, and founder of Fight Story. Angela Lee opens up about her journey from the world of combat sports to becoming a mental health advocate. She shares her personal ... Read more The post Angela Lee Pucci’s Fight Story | A Mental Health Revolution appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this episode of Athlete Mindset, Lisa Bonta Sumii sits down with soccer legend Brandi Chastain to explore her journey from youth soccer to international stardom. Brandi discusses the pivotal moments in her career, including her famous penalty kick in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, overcoming injuries, and the impact of mentorship and leadership. ... Read more The post Brandi Chastain | Soccer Legend, Resilient Champion, Inspiring Leader appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this episode of The Sports Backdrop, we discuss youth sports mental health dynamics, focusing on how youth sports parents impact their children’s mental health. We discuss the pressures placed on young athletes, the role of parents and coaches, and the significance of emotional intelligence and resilience in sports. This episode features Lisa Bonta Sumii, ... Read more The post Youth Sports Mental Health | Parents, Coaches, and Resilience appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

This is an audible-style blog post on the rise of soccer in the United States. Welcome to the Sports Backdrop podcast. This episode focuses on the factors propelling soccer’s growing popularity in the US especially with the World Cup coming to North America in 2026! Soccer will be a top 3 sport in the US ... Read more The post Audible Style | Soccer Will Be a Top 3 Sport in the US Thanks to the 2026 World Cup appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

The Ohio State University impact — it is significant. We’re not talking about endowments or alumni, although they play a part. We’re talking about something way bigger—a shared passion. In this episode of The Sports Backdrop, Jerald Kasimov tells the story of his Ohio State roots and how we all have shared passions and excitement ... Read more The post Ohio State University Impact and Shared Passions with Altered State of Affairs Author appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii shares space with Doug Middleton, a six-year NFL veteran and mental health advocate. Doug shares his journey through professional football, his transition to becoming a yoga instructor and studio owner of Dream Yoga and Wellness, and his passionate advocacy for mental health through his leadership ... Read more The post Doug Middleton | From NFL to Mental Health Advocacy and Dream Yoga + Wellness appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this episode of The Sports Backdrop, we focus on the innovative world of the TGL Golf League, Tiger Woods’ and Rory McIlroy’s latest venture aimed at revolutionizing how we experience golf. With high-tech simulations and fast-paced competition, TGL seeks to attract a new generation of fans by making the sport more entertaining and accessible. ... Read more The post TGL and The Evolution of Professional Sports appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

An Athlete Mindset special episode featuring Lisa Bonta Summi’s thoughts on the importance of therapy. In this episode, Lisa Bonta Sumii discusses the following topics: The importance of seeking out a mental health professional. Therapy does not make you weak, and you don't have to tell everything to your therapist. You can engage in preventative ... Read more The post Lisa Bonta Sumii on the Importance of Therapy appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

This is an audible-style blog post on embracing the now in sports — on the SportsE Media platform. The original article is titled “Championship or Bust.” And it focuses on why the moment matters. Exploring the universal sentiment of sports fans’ championship aspirations across various cities and sports levels. We highlight the statistical improbability of ... Read more The post Audible Style | The Moment Matters: Embracing the Now in Sports appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this empowering episode of Athlete Mindset, we’re honored to host Danita Johnson, a trailblazer in the world of sports. As the President of Business Operations for D.C. United, Danita brings a wealth of experience, innovation, and leadership to the forefront. We discuss the core themes of consistency, communication, and commitment. And then explore how ... Read more The post Danita Johnson, D.C. United | Consistency, Communication, Commitment appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

This is an audible-style blog post on Amazon Prime regional sports streaming — on the SportsE Media platform. The original article is titled “Amazon Prime Saves Bally Sports and Sports Fans Everywhere.” This episode explains Amazon Prime’s transformative role in sports media and its impact on fans and blackout restrictions. Topics touched on in Amazon ... Read more The post Audible Style | Amazon Prime Regional Sports Streaming appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Saviors & Sports… a mashup of sorts! A special edition of The Sports Backdrop brings you the ridiculous yet super-insightful sports segments from the latest Saviors of the Metaverse podcast. This is all for your amusement and enlightenment. Get ready to laugh, facepalm, and maybe even learn a thing or two as the Saviors' co-hosts ... Read more The post Saviors & Sports | When Your Team Loses appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Meet Duke University’s Dr. Aaron Goodson, the driving force behind Duke University’s Mental Health and Performance Department. In this episode of Athlete Mindset, we explore the vital significance of embedding clinical mental health and mental performance consultation services within athletic departments, the importance of racial and ethnic representation among practitioners, and much more. Join us ... Read more The post Duke University’s Approach to Athlete Mental Health with Dr. Aaron Goodson appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

This episode features Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Executive Director of Millennium Counseling Center, Derek Bylsma. This episode is about bringing lived experience to clinical work, suicide prevention and awareness, and addressing the mental health stigma that still exists today. In this Athlete Mindset podcast, Derek also discusses mental health in young athletes, his background ... Read more The post Bringing Lived Experience to Clinical Work with Derek Bylsma appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Allison Schmitt, a professional swimmer and 10-time Olympic medalist shares her journey in swimming, her experiences at the Olympics, and her passion for sports and mental health. In this episode: Allison shares the profound impact her cousin’s tragic suicide had on her — it’s what fueled Allison’s passion for mental health. Allison talks about feeling ... Read more The post Allison Schmitt | 10-Time Olympic Medalist on Mental Health appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Saviors & Sports… a mashup of sorts! A special edition of The Sports Backdrop brings you the ridiculous yet super-insightful sports segments from the latest Saviors of the Metaverse podcast. This is all for your amusement and enlightenment. Get ready to laugh, facepalm, and maybe even learn a thing or two as the Saviors’ co-hosts ... Read more The post Saviors & Sports | NFL International, QB Talk, Cleveland, and the city of Pittsburgh appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

A short conversation with Saagar Govil, the young CEO of Cemtrex (NASDAQ: CETX). CEOs and athletes may be in the limelight, but just like everyone else, they are people. This CEO happens to be a New York Knicks fan. So naturally, we talk about RJ Barrett and Ja Morant — including their rise to stardom, ... Read more The post Young CEO of Publicly Traded Company on RJ Barrett and Ja Morant appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Podcasts have become an influential medium in the sports world, bridging gaps between athletes, enthusiasts, and the media. It goes deeper than that though. Former athletes, for example, have so many stories to share. In this episode of The Sports Backdrop, we discuss why podcasts resonate so powerfully today, and specifically why this former athlete ... Read more The post Why This Former Athlete Believes In Podcasts appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this episode of The Sports Backdrop, we’re joined by a sports scientist who is bridging the gap between data and action in the wearable tech and mHealth space, Dr. Erik Korem. With over 15 years of experience as a High Performance director in collegiate football and the NFL, and as the founder of AIM7, ... Read more The post Simplifying Sports Science and Overcoming Adversity with Dr. Erik Korem, Founder of AIM7 appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

At the intersection of sports and business sits Mississippi State University’s associate extension professor of economics and online marketing coach, Dr. James Barnes. Dr. James Barnes is a Storybrand Certified Marketing Guide, the Director of the Bricks-To-Clicks Marketing Program at Mississippi State University, a youth basketball coach, and an author. Drawing upon his unique expertise ... Read more The post Mississippi State University + Dr. James Barnes | Education, Youth Sports, and Marketing Insight appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this episode of The Sports Backdrop podcast, we chat with Chris Heivly, a successful entrepreneur (co-founder of MapQuest), and an ardent lover of hockey. Chris resides in the Raleigh, North Carolina area — after spending 10 years in the bustling city of Chicago (and before that, the northeast). This hockey goes south episode is ... Read more The post Hockey Goes South appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Across the Atlantic, there is a unique sports culture. And no matter what side of the Atlantic you are on, England’s or the USA’s, the sports culture is fascinating. Everything from relegation, history, depth, drafts, transfer windows, passion, youth sports, and much more. In the latest episode of “The Sports Backdrop” podcast, Eric Kasimov of ... Read more The post Sports Culture | England vs USA appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

This is a unique guest-hosted episode of the Sports Backdrop. And it's all about life after sports… Athletes to Entrepreneurs. Recently I have had the opportunity to connect with and spend time with Rob Finkelstein, all thanks to Tim Claiborne and his Lockerroom sports group. Rob is the CEO & Founder of Alumni Direct. And ... Read more The post Athletes to Entrepreneurs appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Saviors & Sports… a mashup of sorts! A special edition of The Sports Backdrop brings you the ridiculous yet super-insightful sports segments from the latest Saviors of the Metaverse podcast. This is all for your amusement and enlightenment. Get ready to laugh, facepalm, and maybe even learn a thing or two as the Saviors’ co-hosts ... Read more The post Saviors & Sports | NFL Sunday Ticket and Rooting for Losers appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this eye-opening episode, we discuss the ever-growing sports betting market, exploring its potential for growth, innovation, and profitability. We also tackle the darker aspects of the industry, such as the impact on mental health, sports betting addiction, and the potential for corruption. Tune in as we break down the latest trends and analyze what ... Read more The post Exploring the Sports Betting Market appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

In this power-packed episode of The Sports Backdrop podcast, we explore the life and mind of Dre Baldwin, also known as Dre All Day. From his humble beginnings as a self-taught basketball player to becoming a successful entrepreneur and content creator, Dre shares the principles, dedication, and determination that have fueled his unstoppable drive on ... Read more The post The Unstoppable Drive of Dre Baldwin | Basketball & Entrepreneurship appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

The world of sports betting is ridiculously big. According to Statista, the global sports betting industry reached $231 Billion in 2022. And it’s growing fast! We have to talk about it… In this episode of The Sports Backdrop, we chat with Neil Zhang, the founder and CEO of Frontrunner. Frontrunner is a trailblazing decentralized sports ... Read more The post The Future of Sports Betting with Frontrunner’s Neil Zhang | A $231 Billion Industry! appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

The Athlete Mindset podcast presents a conversation with Ohio State Buckeye, Nate Oliver. Nate was a key member of the 2007 to 2011 Ohio State Buckeye football program under legendary coach, Jim Tressel. Nate and Lisa discuss the influence of life-changing mentorship on collegiate athletes. (a quick ask: a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ... Read more The post Coach Jim Tressel’s Legacy: A Buckeye’s Story of Life-Changing Mentorship | Nate Oliver appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

At this point, we’ve all seen or at least heard about what happened in the Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals Monday Night Football game in early January 2023. Damar Hamlin, a 24-year-old safety for the Bills suffered cardiac arrest after what seemed like a routine tackle. Damar collapsed on the field in front of millions ... Read more The post Coping With Emotions After Witnessing the Damar Hamlin Traumatic Event appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

A conversation with the director and producer of the essential documentary, Medicating Normal. We talk a lot about mental health on this platform, so we have to discuss with Lynn Cunningham the medication side of mental health. It’s clear there is a need for more awareness of the potential effects of medications. It’s also necessary ... Read more The post The Alarming Impact of Powerful Psychiatric Drugs on Mental Health appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Contemplating about taking the action most often ends up in not taking the action at all. Instead of overthinking, take action, now! We all lack motivation sometimes, but accept the responsibility — go to the gym, go for a run, go for a walk, start a podcast, whatever, but do it now! You will feel ... Read more The post Just Drop Down and Do 10 Pushups Right Now | Take Action appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

The Ohio State vs. Michigan game didn’t turn out how we would have wanted, but… times have changed. A loss in the game does not end a season. The Ohio State Buckeyes are in the playoff. While that’s a big deal, the Transfer Portal madness is taking the college football world by storm. There are ... Read more The post Transfer Portal Madness | + CFB Playoffs, Ohio Recruits, NIL | Buckeye Focused appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

This is IT! The Game! Ohio State vs. Michigan. As Nate says, “it’s our get-back opportunity.” So many will be dealing with high expectations. How individuals and teams handle those expectations is everything. In this episode we discuss: THE game – Ohio State vs. Michigan. This game is everything. Desmond Howard disrespecting CJ Stroud The ... Read more The post Dealing with High Expectations on and off the Field | The Game appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

As we all know, life is deeper than just football. It goes without saying. That doesn’t mean sports aren’t important — if anything that’s why they are important. Sports bring people together, sports create stories, sports teach you about winning and losing, sports get you in shape, sports get you interested, and sports matter because ... Read more The post Jack Tatum and The Game | Buckeye Focused appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

“You have to prepare your kids and give them the courage to do what’s best for themselves.” – Jimmie Bell So much insight, self-reflection, and inspiring advice in this episode. Jimmie tells stories of: a non-violent end to a conflict teaching kids to value themselves being presented with something that has nothing to do with ... Read more The post Why Are You With People Who Don’t Value You? | Jimmie Bell | Buckeye Focused appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

“One of the hardest things for most people is to look in the mirror and accept responsibility for the position they are in.” – Jimmie Bell What Jimmie Bell shares in this episode is not only a hard truth but told in a way that compels you to actually look in the mirror. There are ... Read more The post Accept Responsibility for the Position You Are In | by Jimmie Bell | Buckeye Focused 10 appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

If you listen to anything today, listen to this important story and message from the non-profit founder of We’re All A Little Crazy: #SameHere Global Mental Health Movement, Eric Kussin. We are all going through something. And each story is unique. This episode is taken from our Raw, Authentic, and Vulnerable podcast series. It’s too ... Read more The post We’re All A Little Crazy: #SameHere Global Mental Health Movement appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Helping Elite Athletes Transition to a Productive Sales Career | with Founder and CEO of Shift Group, JR Butler The greatest achievement–pulling off one of the more incredible upsets in your sport. In sports, it is so much about moments like these. But then how do you continue to achieve in other areas of life ... Read more The post How to Take Advantage of Your Amazing Network as an Elite Athlete appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

College football seems to be overanalyzed more than every other sport! So what’s left to do besides analyze the analyzers?! CJ Stroud is terrible. That’s what Buckeye haters, media folks, and even some so-called gurus will have you thinking. Is it true? Is it fair? In this episode of Buckeye Focused we discuss CJ Stroud, ... Read more The post Why Do Biased Fans, Media, and Gurus Think CJ Stroud is Terrible? appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Fan psychology and player mindset play an enormous role in sports — especially when we add tribalism to the equation. Tribalism in sports is nothing new. It’s just that we see and deal with it more than ever because of social media. And when it comes to Buckeye sports (football) we see it weekly! We ... Read more The post Tribalism in Sports x Player Mindset | Buckeye Focused 8 appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Former Brazilian footballer combines Brazilian football and NFTs at the youth level. As our guest, Bruno Pessoa says, “football is a religion” in Brazil. So enabling the connection between fans and players makes so much sense with new Web3 technology like NFTs. What if we told you there's a digital way of investing in young ... Read more The post Brazilian Football + NFTs | Bruno Pessoa appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

What’s the future of special teams in football? As Nate Oliver explains, if you take away special teams, you will take away jobs. We get into the importance of special teams and what it takes to be a special teams player — or as Nate calls it, a War Daddy. What is a special teams ... Read more The post BUCKEYE FOCUSED 5 | Special Teams War Daddy & DBs Going Low appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

This is the kind of conversation that has a lasting impact. Jimmie Bell (JB) has had this effect on people for years, but before he started affecting others, he had to get real himself. As a defensive lineman at Ohio State, Jimmie Bell was on the wrong track. As he said, “I was useless to ... Read more The post BUCKEYE FOCUSED 4 | Jimmie Bell: “I Got the Courage to Start Over” appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

Nate Oliver brings on former Iowa Hawkeye and Toledo Rockets safety, Diauntae Morrow, to talk Buckeyes vs Rockets. But the simple fact of these two teams facing off in The Shoe only brought us together to have this dialogue. As our rallying cry goes, “sports bring people together”.  And this conversation is more than just ... Read more The post BUCKEYE FOCUSED 3 | Iowa Football Racial Bias Scandal | Toledo Rockets, Diauntae Morrow, Speaks Truths on Time at Iowa + Bucks vs Rockets in The Shoe appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

The sports metaverse has arrived and SimWin Sports is changing the game! It's predicted that by the year 2030, the metaverse market size will be $824 Billion! And with what SimWin Sports is building and who is involved, you have to pay attention. And we have to talk about it… Luckily, we get to talk ... Read more The post The Sports Metaverse | SimWin Sports CMO, Tom Goedde appeared first on SportsEpreneur.