Athlete CEO

Today we’re giving you a peak behind the curtain as we sit down with AWM CAP’s Associate Planner, Chase Dominguez.

Pro athletes, you’re going to relate with Chase’s opportunity to play in the NFL (as a long snapper for the Saints) and how he’s translated his work ethic and discipline into his professional career.

Professionals and entrepreneurs will love hearing about Chase’s outlook on his career path and journey.

We’re proud to have him on board and we’re excited that he shared his wisdom on today’s show!

A couple of things to listen for in this episode:

• How, as a long snapper, Chase got to play for the New Orleans Saints
• The classroom moment Chase experienced that inspired him to help athletes make wise financial decisions
• Chase’s words of wisdom for professional athletes
• The “grim reaper” moment Chase had with the Saints
• The one time Chase was a high-school football coach
• Chase’s take on the “millennial mentality”
• Who impacted Chase the most in life
• The best investment Chase has ever made

• “Take advantage of every opportunity that you can.” – Chase Dominguez
• “The more people you know, the better.” – Chase Dominguez
• “Don’t take everything for granted.” – Chase Dominguez

Resources:

• New Orleans Saints
• The Med Faber Show
• TED Talks
• Peloton Bikes (amazon link)

• Extreme Ownership

Being “healthy” has taken on a definition these days that’s typically associated with “physical attractiveness” – which can deter people from ever getting started.

Enter David Freeman.

He has a completely different view on words like “health”, “wellness”, and “alpha”.

After attending the University of Richmond on a football scholarship David played for teams in Denmark and France before being drafted to the All-American Football League (AAFL). Before kickoff, the AAFL postponed its launch which triggered a switch in careers.

That’s when David turned to personal training.

These days David inspires his clients and community to transform their outlook on fitness and make lifelong changes to improve their health.

A couple of things to listen for in this episode: 

• The leadership lessons David learned being a captain of a winning team (and what happened during their first losing season)
• The crazy story of David getting turned down his first interview to be a personal trainer
• The call David got on his honeymoon that changed his career
• A powerful exercise that holds you accountable (and practically guarantees your success)
• How “healthy” has taken on a completely different (and wrong) definition
• David’s advice for entrepreneurs to stay healthy
• What it means to be “alpha” in the modern day
• How David approaches leadership
• A new way to look at “ROI”
• Applying the “Love Languages” framework to working with people

• “Mind right. Body right.” – David Freeman
• “You have to have a winning mentality regardless of the outcome.” – David Freeman
• “You need to have clear objectives of what you’re trying to accomplish.” – David Freeman

Resources:

• Alpha Training
• Lifetime Fitness
• Lifestyle Family Fitness
• University of Richmond
• Chasing Excellence Podcast

• The 5 Love Languages
• Strengths Finder

Watch now:

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Andre Wadsworth is a former 3rd Overall NFL pick, making his professional debut in 1998 with the Arizona Cardinals.

After 3 years in the league, Andre began shifting his attention towards being of influence to his family and community.

Starting one of the fastest growing churches in America, 6 car dealerships, and many business and franchise-plays later, he’s steadily developing the culture and people he can reach with his earned influence.

A couple of things to listen for in this episode:

• The impact Andre’s first year as a professional player made on his personal life
• Andre’s (surprising) advice to young athletes
• Who to trust (and how to avoid getting ripped-off as a pro athlete)
• How Andre lost money as a pro athlete (and what he should’ve done instead)
• The problem with many celebrities and athletes that develop platforms face
• How Andre leveraged a pro-sports career into an entrepreneurial success story
• Andre’s advice for raising a family as a busy athlete or business person

• “Your name is important.” – Andre Wadsworth
• “Don’t be scared to fail.” – Andre Wadsworth
• “You can make good decisions and still lose money.” – Andre Wadsworth
• “It’s a necessity of life to give back.” – Andre Wadsworth

Resources:

• Like Andre on Facebook
• Creamistry
• Impact Church
• Uninterrupted

Watch now:

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Today I sit down with Kyle Mauch, founder of Athletes Brand.

As a former professional athlete, Kyle has transitioned to starting not one, but four different companies – with a life vision to help 1,000 athletes create a legacy beyond the game.

Kyle has become a close personal friend of mine that’s not only shaped the way I think about business but life in general.

I can’t wait for you to hear this laid-back conversation packed with the knowledge and wisdom that Kyle brought.

Some highlights from today’s show:

• How to find out what you care about
• What “relevant value” is and how it can help you avoid a post-career identity crisis
• A powerful question you can ask yourself to define your legacy
• How to create significant brand-value
• The eye-opening moment that changed Kyle’s trajectory as an athlete
• The storytelling process that Kyle leverages in his businesses to develop brands
• What it’s like to work with Kyle
• The downside of saying “yes” to every opportunity that comes your way
• Kyle’s morning routine
• Why you don’t need to be a non-profit (and when you should be)
• The biggest investment Kyle’s made to date

• “Most people don’t understand their own story. You don’t realize it until somebody starts telling you about yourself.” – Kyle Mauch
• “What can you do to use your platform before it’s gone to create your brand or legacy?” – Kyle Mauch
• “You can make a much bigger impact by focusing on one thing you’re really good at rather than trying to distribute money all over the place.” – Kyle Mauch
• “Every athlete has the opportunity to make World-change with just their career.”- Kyle Mauch
• “If you can spend ten years and impact one life, that’s a success.”- Kyle Mauch
• “Don’t try to implement everybody’s opinion.”- Kyle Mauch
• “Don’t try to fix the wheel, go out there and study the wheel.”- Kyle Mauch
• “You have to have a purpose that’s bigger than your product.”- Kyle Mauch
• “Don’t think failing is OK, but learn from every failure.”- Kyle Mauch
• “One of the best ways to get creative juices going is to flip something over.”- Kyle Mauch

Resources Mentioned:

• Reach out to Kyle here.
• Kyle on Instagram
• AJ from Lumberland.Co – Episode 9
• Athlete’s Brand
• Refined Craft
• Campfire Mastermind

• Shoe Dog – Phil Knight
• Warren Buffet

Watch now:

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Turning pro in any sport is an extremely rare, and risky situation.

Few players that face the opportunity get to see the fruits of their labor, and most are left to figure out a longer-term career that doesn’t involve professional sports.

For instance, only 44% of first-round draft picks will make it to the big leagues, and most will play less than one year.

Enter Charlie Olson and Pando Pooling – A company that helps professional athletes lower their career risk while giving them unique opportunities to invest in other athletes.

Charlie’s diverse background ranges across private equity, investment banking and search fund investing.

You don’t want to miss this episode.

During this interview, we talk about:

• The one time Charlie was voted the best hockey player in Hong Kong
• How he raised $500 mil
• What the “search fund” model is (and how it works)
• How pooling gives you leverage when negotiating
• The biggest obstacles and misconceptions Charlie faces when dealing with sports agents and players

• “If we can increase the likelihood that you make that life changing money, than that’s the best gift we can give players in the World.” – Charlie Olson
• “The most important thing a player can do is to play baseball at a high-level. However, you gotta also plan.” – Charlie Olson
• “If there are options for you to capture value to set yourself up, to improve your odds, you should take advantage of that.” – Charlie Olson
• “You should own your odds.” – Charlie Olson
• “You should be able to take chips off the table and control your financial future. Even as a young baseball player.” – Charlie Olson
• “It’s like Tinder, everyone has to swipe right.” – Charlie Olson
• “It’s players helping players.” – Charlie Olson

• Pando Pooling

Entrepreneurs and high-performers are always looking for opportunities worth their time and money.

For some, you’ll experiment with investing in businesses, and for others, you may start your own.

On today’s episode we chat with Ryan Mandley, co-founder of Gallon Gear, who’s company mission is to help the World drink more water.

… And that’s just his side-hustle.

Ryan is also a leading real estate expert with more than a decade of experience.

He’s seen the highs and lows in the housing market during his career, and has insights to offer you whether you’re an agent or an investor.

During this interview, we talk about:

• How Ryan created Gallon Gear (and how it’s changed from prototype to shipped product)
• The ups and downs of physical products
• Amazon problems
• Where Ryan has seen the most success selling online
• What it’s like running ads for physical products on Facebook and Instagram
• Are we headed towards a 2008-like real estate crash?
• What to look for in a bank when you’re purchasing a home (especially your first one)

• “As soon as you think you have something figured out, something could change, and then you have to reinvent yourself.” – Ryan Mandley

• Gallon Gear On Instagram
• Ryan Mandley On Instagram
• Ryan Mandley On YouTube
• Eric Cressey – Episode 5
• Thin Blue Line

Watch now:

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For a lot of former athletes, entrepreneurship is a natural – but extremely risky alternative.

The likelihood of success in business is similar to the odds of making it to the professional level of a sport. While that would deter most, today’s guest has turned a quirky idea into a thriving online business.

A.J. Wnukowski the founder and CEO of Lumberlend Co., “The Home of the Original Bat Mug.” You may have seen his bat-derived product in the hands of professional baseball players or social media influencers.

What started with just 16 orders and little demand has become a favorite gift for baseball fans – often creating a 3-4 week delay on this U.S.-based, handcrafted product.

Athletes and entrepreneurs alike will appreciate today’s episode and A.J.’s hustle.

Listen in on A.J.’s journey from injured athlete to business owner of one of the fast growing companies in the sports industry.

A couple of things to listen for in this episode:

• How a mug prototype sparked the fire that became Lumberlend.co (and how AJ got the company off the ground)
• The most difficult part of making a physical product
• How Lumberlend went from 16 mugs sold in the first month, to selling 3,000 units a month
• Hiring friends and family. Should you do it? Or should you avoid it?
• How Lumberlend grew as an online-only product
• How a locker room conversation turned into a seven figure business (and what were the keys to success along the way)
• How AJ stepped into his role as a CEO and business owner
• Advice for those considering entrepreneurship as a life path
• The podcasts AJ listens to
• The biggest mistakes AJ has made (and how it has led to success)
• Who AJ accredits to shaping his life
• What advice AJ would give to athletes transitioning into business
• The NUMBER 1 thing AJ accredits for his success
• What investment has given AJ the highest ROI

• “I don’t like playing defense, that’s not a good place to be.” – A.J. Wnukowski
• “For somebody who wants to be an entrepreneur, There comes a point where you’ve done enough reading and you have to go out and test it.” – A.J. Wnukowski
• “You learn a lot about yourself when the business is growing and not growing.” – A.J. Wnukowski
• “Projections are great, goals are great, but for me, I’m more of a day-to-day, make-it-better type of guy.” – A.J. Wnukowski

• Lumberlend Mugs
• ThomasNet
• Eric Cressey (from Episode 5)
• Tim Ferriss
• Gary Vaynerchuck

• 4-Hour Workweek
• The ONE Thing

Watch now:

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On today’s show, I sit down with the infamous “Athlete Investment Fraud” attorney, Chase Carlson.

Chase’s practice is focused on investment fraud litigation and has represented investors across the country in disputes with their financial advisors, investment advisors, brokerage and wealth management firms.

Chase has brought claims against almost every major Wall Street firm, including Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo, Raymond James, Ameriprise, Credit Suisse, and BNY Mellon.

A significant portion of his practice is dedicated to representing professional athletes and entertainers who are victims of investment fraud or mismanagement. His clients have included athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, one of the most successful pop & hip-hop music producers of all time, and one of the largest lottery winners in the history of the United States.

He has previously worked for Global Capital Advisors, a broker-dealer, and for ASG Capital and Kovack Advisors, both of which are registered investment advisors. He also founded Blueprint Family Office, Inc., a registered investment advisor that formerly provided financial advice to several professional athletes. Chase has previously held Series 7 and Series 65 securities licenses.

A couple of things to listen for in this episode:

• Getting interviewed on 60 Minutes
• Why trust doesn’t always equal success when it comes to financial investments (and what Chase looks for as red flags)
• Designations: What to look for (and if you should even look for them at all)
• What the relationship should look like between agents, financial advisors, and athletes
• Are business managers necessary?
• What has the best track record for investments: Private or Public
• How professional athletes and investors should vet their investments
• Bitcoin and Marijuana – are these (and other new, “hot” investments) worth it?
• Should players have an ongoing relationship with a lawyer?
• Chase’s advice for the athlete transitioning into the business World

• “Research somebody, even if they look good on paper.” – Chase Carlson
• “Investing in private deals makes it hard to hit a homerun” – Chase Carlson
• “Build enough safe investments to cover you for the rest of your life.” – Chase Carlson
• “If you’re a player, don’t sell your future income. Live within your means.” – Chase Carlson

• Chase On Twitter
• Chase’s Website

Watch now:

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On today’s episode, we get to listen in on a conversation between my business partner Brandon Averill and serial entrepreneur, Mark Goodstein.

Mark has been starting companies and other ventures for 15 years and is the founder of intrantets.com, goto.com, X1 Technologies, and the progressive automotive XPrize.

Mark also has long-standing ties to Caltech and Ideal Lab – the longest running technology incubator which has created over 150 companies with more than 45 IPO’s and acquisitions.

Mark has been personally involved with launching 4 of those companies, most notably goto.com, which became Overture Services and is now Yahoo’s search-marketing company.

He helped launch this disruptive search engine company in 1996, creating 250 billion dollars in market capitalization today.

Mark has since moved on to X1 Technologies in 2002 to help spark the desktop search revolution.

He also started the Progressive Automotive X Prize which was a set of competitions and events from the X Prize Foundation to inspire a new generation of super-efficient vehicles that help break America’s addiction to oil and curve the effects of climate change.

Mark has helped start two non-profit educational organizations in Pasadena, CA – the Pasadena Educational Network and Fair Oaks Preschool.

Today Mark is a partner at Mount Wilson Ventures which specializes in building early-stage startups, especially those based in the hard sciences, advising industrial partners, and developing innovation communities.

You’ll hear about his current and most exciting project Mark is working on, which he says is “the biggest idea I’ve ever been involved in.”

Here are a few more things to listen for in today’s interview with Mark:

• How Mark came across Fred Claire (from Episode 4) and how their relationship turned into launching businesses together
• What Mark looks for when he’s going to start or invest in a business
• What it was like to buy the world’s first search engine and next-generation internet technologies (plus the resistance and reticule hey faced by the industry initially)
• The serendipitous Disney lawsuit that forever changed Mark’s life (and altered the history of the internet)
• How Mark and his wife created a school from scratch
• Meeting Peter Diamandis
• Why the “offer-a-big-bag-of-cash” method for inspiring action in people works
• Mark’s morning routine
• Are entrepreneurs born, or made? Mark’s take
• Advice for the athlete looking to become an angel investor

• “The more mobile you are, the more prosperous you are.” – Mark Goodstein “White space is defined as an area that has both customers and needs money.” – Mark Goodstein “Different types of people are required in each phase of a company” – Mark Goodstein “When you upgrade your financing sometimes you upgrade your management, too.” – Mark Goodstein “The goal at each stage of a startup is to build credibility.” – Mark Goodstein “It’s a process. It’s all a process.” – Mark Goodstein

• Fred Claire
• Scoutables
• Xprize Automotive
• Peter Diamandis
• Blastoff! Corporation
• Anousheh Ansari
• Myers Briggs

• Lean Startup
• Innovator’s Toolkit
• Crossing the Chasm
• Good To Great

Eric Cressey is a long-timer personal friend and the President and Co-Founder of Cressey Sports Performance, with facilities located in Hudson, MA, and Jupiter, FL.

Eric is considered the leading expert in the strength and conditioning industry for professional athletes – specifically baseball players.

Every off season the top baseball players and pitchers travel to Jupiter, FL to have the opportunity to train with Eric.

As a testament to the type of Eric work does specifically with baseball players – he trained both Cy Young Winners in 2017,

As an accomplished author, Cressey has authored over 500 articles, published five books, and co-created four DVD sets that have been sold in over 60 countries around the world.

Eric has been an invited guest speaker in six countries and over 20 U.S. states

He serves on the advisory boards for both the IYCA and Precision Nutrition, and is a baseball consultant to New Balance.

In the business world, Eric has worked with several start-up companies as both an angel investor and advisor.

A couple of things to listen for in this episode:

• How Eric caught the “strength and conditioning bug”
• Why being an outlier in baseball forced Eric to become obsessed with the sport
• How Eric became the go-to guy for high-performance training for athletes and professional pitchers
• The leverage that family-life has given Eric in his career
• Eric’s “saying no” thought process (and examples of him saying “no” to business deals that distract him from his goals)
• The difficulties of running a training facility (and how it’s similar to other businesses)
• The crazy story behind a failed angel investment Eric made (and how the money was blown!)
• How Eric’s best investment happened in the financial crisis (and helped create his legacy)
• Advice for soon-to-be-drafted athletes
• Where players are costing themselves in the on and off-season with how they handle (or don’t handle) training
• The advice Eric HATES when it comes to staying in shape when the season is over (and what he recommends you do)
• Why Eric has to coach his baseball players to properly hold their babies
• Advice for 35-55 year old entrepreneurs who are limited on time and facing obstacles as they age
• The mentors that helped shape Eric’s career and life trajectory

• “If you want to build a business, solve a problem.” – Randy Hetrick
• “You’re always going to get a lot more done if you meet people in the middle.” Eric Cressey
• “You always have to be better at saying no than saying yes.” – Eric Cressey
• “The only things I’m going to invest in is myself and things I know well.” – Eric Cressey
• “If you have a surgery in minor league baseball it cuts your chances of making it to the big leagues in half.” – Eric Cressey
• “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Eric Cressey
• “Family. Work. Sleep. Fitness. Friends. Pick three.” Cheryl Samberg
• “You can’t be everything to everybody.” – Eric Cressey
• “It’s always good to have someone that you feel is rowing in the same direction as you.” – Eric Cressey
• “The idea of following your passion is garbage” – Eric Cressey
• “You don’t want to follow your passion you want to build substantial career capital.” – Eric Cressey
• “Sometimes the players that fail become the best coaches.” – Eric Cressey
• “You make your money on the field. That’s the absolute truth.” – Eric Cressey

• Eric’s YouTube Channel
  • Must Try Mobility Drills
• Eric’s Site
• Eric On Facebook
• Eric On Twitter
• Eric On Instagram
• TRX Training
• Tim Ferriss –
  • The Tim Ferriss Show
• New Balance
• Hibbett Sports
• Cheryl Samberg
• 35 lb. Kettle Bell
• Rowing Machine

• The Captain’s Class

Watch now:

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