Against All Odds

In this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast Mimi and Matt discuss a recent comment that Matt received on a YouTube video about how his repetitive workouts and lifestyle was boring to watch, their upcoming trip to Europe and what they are expecting as they travel through Paris, Frankfurt, Bordeaux, and Barcelona as well as their plans for 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Mimi is back for this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast! Mimi and Matt discuss their engagement just a few weeks prior and some behind the scenes stuff of what really went on, Matt's new contract for the 2020 season with FC Tulsa, and they discuss how much influence coaches actually have on pro footballers. 

In this episode Matt Sheldon sits down with teammate and goalkeeper, Sean Lewis to talk about his life and path to the professional game. As they dive into Sean's career they talk about how in almost every single year of Sean's professional career he has faced some sort of obstacle, resistance, or set-back that he had to overcome and grow as both a player and a person. 

Sean Lewis has played professionally for many teams around the world including the Harrisburg City Islanders, Olympia FC down in Australia, Tulsa Roughnecks, and Jacksonville Armada. 

Sit down, listen, and learn from Sean's story!

In this episode of the podcast, Matt sits down with veteran center midfielder, Manuel Gonzalez to hear about his path from growing up in Colombia to the professional game. Some highlights of Manny's career include dropping out of college to try to play professionally, moving back to Colombia to sign his first contract, playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the NASL, Playing against teams like Juventus, Malmö FF, Boca Juniors, etc. and then going all of 2017 without a club or contract. 

It's another amazing story and I'm excited for you guys to sit down, listen, and learn from his journey. 

In this episode, Matt sits down with Tulsa Roughnecks teammate, Tobenna Uzo to discuss his crazy path from Lagos, Nigeria to playing professionally in the states. Toby has a unique story of playing recreational football in the streets of his home country most of his life to walking on to a D1 college soccer program and then eventually being drafted by Orlando City SC in the MLS. Not to mention that he was a goalkeeper until the age of 16 and then converted to a striker. 

Sit down and listen to this great story and learn from the highs and lows of a professional player who has had an amazing range of experiences.  

In this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast, Matt sits down with fellow YouTuber, Sheldon Tweedie to talk a bit about his career so far and answer some questions sent in by fans. In this episode of the podcast, the two discuss the following topics:

1. What's a better route to the professional game... College soccer or going abroad searching for pro trials?

2. Have you ever had coaches tell you that you're too small and if so how did you respond to that?

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Ten Years?

4. What's your advice for other athletes/footballers looking to make videos about their journey?

5. What is the biggest difference between the semi-professional level and the fully professional level?

6. What's it like to train with Joner1on1?

7. What is your dream for after your career?

In this episode, Matt sits down with Tulsa Roughnecks teammate, Matt Rogers to discuss his path to the professional game. Rogers has an incredible story from growing up in Mexico to coming to the states to walk on to play D1 college soccer to entering into the real life work force at age 25. After a while of working a normal 9 to 5 job, Rogers realizes that he isn't quite ready to give up on his dream of being a pro footballer. Tune in to listen to Matt's incredible journey! 

In this episode, Matt sits down with teammate Renan Ferreira to discuss his life and career growing up in São Paulo, Brazil. Renan. a center back standing at 6 foot 6 inches, talks about his journey into the professional game in Brazil, playing with Brazilian legend Cafu, trialing in Hungary, playing over in Portugal, as well as how he ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma playing for the Roughnecks. In addition, we talk about the low periods of his career about his struggles with knee injuries like a torn ACL, fissures in his Patellar Tendon, and problems with the meniscus as well as the hardships of leaving school and constantly being away from family and loved ones. It's a great interview that really gives an in-depth look at the reality of being a professional soccer player. 

In today's episode, Matt got the chance to sit down with Tulsa Roughneck teammate, Frantzly Zephirin. Frantzly, a 26 year old from Montreal, quickly found a love for soccer and spent almost every single day of his childhood from age 4-20 playing for top club teams and futsal teams in Canada dreaming of one day playing professionally. 

After four great years at two different universities, Frantzly took the leap abroad to try to sign his first pro contract. His story of bouncing around from country to country and even continent to continent to chase his dream is extremely inspiring and hearing the firsthand experiences of navigating the bustling streets of Punjab, India and taking a ferry to a tiny village in the Faroe Islands is incredibly motivating. 

I can't wait for you guys to hear his journey from a young Canadian to now traveling the world as a professional footballer.