Betting On Yourself

In a special edition of Betting on Yourself, host Michael Redd partnered with his friends at Empower Africa for an exclusive podcast episode – as part of their virtual networking event – to help drive business and growth in Africa.

Guest Harry Tomi Davies (aka TD) is an advisor, author, public speaker, and angel investor.

“Measure life, not by money, but by time, because that’s what life really is. It’s about how you spend the experiences.” – Harry Tomi Davies

TD spoke with Michael about a journey that began over 30 years ago with his first startup, what he sees for business growth in Africa over the next ten years, the times he’s bet on himself, and why it’s so important to measure your success in life by the improvements you make for others.

TD mentors entrepreneurs and invests in startups through TVCLabs, a technology business accelerator based in Lagos. He is also the co-founder of the Lagos Angel Network (LAN), the founding President of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), a board member at MBO Capital, L4L Nigeria, and other various startups in Africa.

To learn more about the amazing things happening to drive growth in Africa – and receive information on future events – please visit EmpowerAfrica.com.

In this episode Michael and TD talked about:

• TD’s origin story of passion, faith, and servant leadership
• Why he chose to go to college in the US against his father’s wishes
• How the future of Africa is being built by young tech entrepreneurs
• His advice to entrepreneurs in a post-pandemic economy
• How Empower Africa builds awareness to that region of the world
• And more!

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• EmpowerAfrica.com
• TomiDavies.com
• Harry Tomi Davies on Twitter
• Harry Tomi Davies on Instagram
• Michael Redd on Instagram

Mental health advocate, award-winning author, and influencer, Achea Redd, spoke with host and husband Michael Redd about her own journey from diagnosis to recovery, and her mission to help end the stigma associated with seeking mental health care, especially for women of color.

“We have to let go of who we think we should be and embrace what is.” – Achea Redd

Achea Redd is the author of “Be Free. Be You,” and founder of the non-profit, Real Girls F.A.R.T. – a space designed to empower and equip women with the necessary tools to become their best, most authentic selves (goals central to her book as well).

Over the past few years, Achea has used her own journey of self-expression and healing to encourage thousands to embrace their voice and let it out.

In early 2016, Achea was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. As a form of self-expression and healing, she created her own blog to share her feelings about mental health and authenticity.

She is also the official sponsor of Nationwide Children’s Hospital On Our Sleeves Movement. Her forthcoming book, “Authentic You”, comes out this November.

In this episode Michael and Achea talked about:

• What it’s like to be married to an elite athlete
• How Achea found the path to self-discovery
• On taking a leap of faith and her journey to award-winning author
• The reasons she founded a non-profit to empower women to live out loud
• How her writing about mental health made her a trailblazer
• And more!

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• AcheaRedd.com
• Be Free. Be You. – by Achea Redd
• Michael Redd on Instagram

Venture capitalist and attorney, Lindsay Karas Stencel, chatted with host Michael Redd about how success in competitive athletics translates to business success, her journey from elite athlete to high-powered lawyer, and her passion for supporting emerging and diverse voices in business and beyond.

“I’ve always liked the idea of taking a concept and applying capital and talent and to turn that into what ultimately, in the best-case scenario, becomes a successful, high-growth company. Venture capital is a beautiful economic vehicle ...” – Lindsay Karas Stencel

Lindsay recently joined Thompson Hine LLP as a partner and manager of the large Columbus law firm’s office of Early Stage & Emerging Companies practice. She was previously the chief legal counsel and a managing partner at NVT Ventures, a Columbus-based venture capital firm.

She also operates her own private practice firm, LKS Law, “... representing emerging and diverse venture fund managers across the country, startup clients and founders, investors, and small businesses,” and much more.

A trailblazer in the world of venture capitalism, she’s an advocate for health and wellness and work-life balance. Her mission is to challenge the paradigms and norms of business today to create stronger personal connections and better team dynamics.

She is also an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law (her law school alma mater), and a founder of Launch New York, a nonprofit venture capital firm based in Buffalo.

In this episode Michael and Lindsay talked about:

• Why you need to make sacrifices to be the best
• How Lindsay became a national leader in a male-dominated field
• Her transition from wanting to become a doctor to accidentally owning a law firm
• The health scare that changed her life (for the better)
• How she rose above being a workaholic and burnout to find her own definition of success
• And more!

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• Lindsay Karas Stencel on LinkedIn
• Lindsay Karas Stencel on Instagram
• Michael Redd on Instagram

British fashion designer and entrepreneur, Charli Cohen, spoke with host Michael Redd about blending the digital and physical worlds, the value of staying small and agile through the pandemic, and how trusting her instincts has had a huge impact on fashion.

“This whole COVID situation has been quite a leveler for the industry and been a way for smaller, more agile brands to stand out and innovate during this time.” – Charli Cohen

Charli planned her first fashion collection at the age of 13 – on a sailing trip to New Zealand with her parents – and launched it at 15. She went on to get a fashion degree from Kingston University and has since been named a Forbes 30-Under-30.

Her eponymous label is a London-based fashion and lifestyle brand. With a commitment to sustainability, Charli Cohen makes limited quantities of their styles in independent locations around the globe. The brand has also done recent collaborations with Reebok.

Their innovative approach to weaving tech into wearables caught the eye of Mike Su and the Snap Yellow accelerator program. Cohen moved from London to LA to take part in the program which Snapchat launched in 2018 to invest and grow companies at the intersection of creativity and tech.

“Founded in 2018 in London by Charli Cohen, the namesake company is a fashion brand that focuses on technical fashion with cutting-edge fabrics, specialized construction, and modern style.”

In this episode Michael and Charli talked about:

• Why she went into fashion so early in her life
• How her career was started with a humble Kickstarter campaign
• The importance of self-care and the myth of “grind”
• Her mission of creating fashion with eco-sustainability
• How she has disrupted the industry through innovation
• And why panic never helps during a crisis

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• Charli-Cohen.com
• Michael Redd on Instagram

Venture capitalist and professional basketball player, Jeremy Pressman, rapped with host Michael Redd about his vision for the future of sports, and how his passion, drive, and ethos have helped shape his career.

“Here you’re taught, you should, and you can ... fail time and time again. It’s a good character-building experience.” – Jeremy Pressman

After a successful college stint at Yeshiva University Jeremy pursued a basketball career in Israel. Jeremy is a veteran of Israel’s Artzit basketball league having played six seasons for teams in the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv regions.

Jeremy is now a partner at ADvantage, a global venture fund focused on helping sports tech startups. ADvantage leverages their “... unique global setup to back all-star teams shaping the future of…” the sports technology industry.

His unique background, skillset, and connections with international pro athletes and teams give him an advantage in leading a sports tech investment fund.

If you're a fan of the show don’t forget to Subscribe to see new episodes, and Rate or Review us wherever you tune in!

In this episode Michael and Jeremy talked about:

• Making the move to Israel from New York
• Why he decided to persevere in professional basketball internationally
• The importance of role models and strong support networks
• How he made the transition from pro sports to high finance
• Having balance in life and knowing when you need some chutzpah
• How Israel has grown into the “scale-up” nation
• And why you need to stay true to yourself and not fear failure

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• Jeremy Pressman on LinkedIn
• ADvantage sports fund
• Michael Redd on Instagram

Senior VP and Athletic Director for The Ohio State University, Gene Smith, talked with host Michael Redd about his passion for helping student-athletes thrive, his journey from Eastern Michigan to Ohio State, and why it’s OK to be selfish sometimes.

“Self-awareness is critical. Then you have to make sure you pay attention to your teammates. You’re not going through that challenge alone, so you need your teammates to be the best they can be… but it starts with me.” – Gene Smith

Named “one of the most powerful people in collegiate sport,” Gene is in his 13th year at The Ohio State University and has also served as a director of athletics at Arizona State, Iowa State, and Eastern Michigan universities.

The former college football standout and Notre Dame alum grew up in Cleveland. After getting his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Notre Dame in 1977, he joined Notre Dame’s “Fighting Irish” coaching staff.

“The 1977 Notre Dame team captured the undisputed national championship. Smith has the unique distinction of winning national championships in football as a student-athlete, coach, and athletics director.”

A leader in his profession, Gene has garnered countless awards, chaired multiple NCAA committees, and “... oversees the nation’s most comprehensive and one of its most successful collegiate athletic programs.”

Note: Please pardon the sounds of Gene stirring his coffee throughout :-)

If you're a fan of the show don’t forget to Subscribe to see new episodes, and Rate or Review us wherever you tune in!

In this episode Michael and Gene talked about:

• How he found a career in coaching and athletics
• The importance of focusing on your self first to serve others well
• How he inspires student-athletes to be their best
• The importance of developing your interpersonal skills
• His philosophical focus on the “total student-athlete”
• His journey and transformation as a “leader of leaders” in 2020
• And on making sacrifices in face of adversity

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• Gene Smith – The Ohio State University – Senior Vice President & Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director
• Gene Smith on Twitter
• Michael Redd on Instagram

The tech entrepreneur and Director of the Yellow Accelerator at Snap Inc., Mike Su, chatted with host Michael Redd about how his career started with a comic book company, why taking the right risks strengthens your entrepreneurial drive, and choosing “the road less traveled.”

“This moment has shown the importance of when leaders rise and leaders falter, in times of crisis … When the future’s uncertain, who are the ones that are willing to have difficult conversations, to point to things that are hopeful, roll up our sleeves, and bring the people forward?” – Mike Su

Yellow is an incubator described as a launchpad for creatives and entrepreneurs, and “... an ecosystem designed to serve companies at the intersection of creativity and technology.”

The Silicon Beach tech influencer is also the former Chief Product Officer at mitú, and Head of Product at Upworthy.

If you're a fan of the show don’t forget to Subscribe to see new episodes, and Rate or Review us wherever you tune in!

In this episode Michael and Mike talked about:

• The difference between working at a startup and a larger company
• How failure is the breeding ground of innovation
• Takeaways on the importance of diversity in tech and entrepreneurialism
• How a global pandemic is showing the way forward for leaders
• Why a startup is like being in a rowboat
• What “the process” means for Mike’s life mission
• And more!

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• Yellow Accelerator at Snap Inc.
• Mike Su on LinkedIn
• Mike Su on Twitter
• Michael Redd on Instagram

Former Boston Celtics standout and NBA free agent, Jared Sullinger, got honest with host Michael Redd about surrounding yourself with the right people, the hardest part about going pro at a young age, and how to rekindle your motivation.

“You have to play every game like it’s your last because you never know what’s going to happen.” – Jared Sullinger

Coming out of his incredible, undefeated final year of high school Jared was a 2010 McDonald's All-American co-MVP, James A. Naismith Award winner, and a highly sought after star recruit.

He played college basketball for two years at Ohio State University – led the Buckeyes to the 'Final Four' of the 2012 NCAA tournament – and was drafted 21st overall by the Boston Celtics in the NBA draft the same year.

After four seasons with the Celtics, Jared also played for the Toronto Raptors for a season, and in the Chinese Basketball Association.

If you're a fan of the show don’t forget to Subscribe to see new episodes, and Rate or Review us wherever you tune in!

In this episode Michael and Jared talked about:

• Why “betting on yourself” can be a heritable trait
• The importance of winning for staying hungry
• How professional athletes use routine and repetition to maintain greatness
• Jared’s takeaways spending time with Doc, KG, and the Celtics
• How humility keeps his feet on the ground
• What it takes to bounce back from injury and adversity
• And more!

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• Jared Sullinger
• Jared Sullinger on Twitter
• Michael Redd on Instagram

CBS College Basketball Analyst, and former NBA player and executive for the Indiana Pacers, Clark Kellogg, spoke with host Michael Redd about his time in the league, his dedication to a career as a top TV sports broadcaster, and how his faith has played a role in his success.

“Don’t be afraid of the work, or the time it might take to hone your craft. Sports – basketball in particular – taught me some of those things as I transitioned from being on the court, and between the lines, to being courtside with a microphone.” – Clark Kellogg

The former pro basketball player declared for the NBA draft after his junior year of college and was a high 1st round pick for the Indiana Pacers. He made the NBA All-Rookie Team his first year in the league and played four seasons before moving into broadcasting.

The national media personality is best known for his 25 years of work as a lead college basketball commentator for CBS Sports. Clark also appears in the popular NBA video game as an analyst for the NBA2K franchise.

Clark was elected to the Ohio State University Board of Trustees. He also serves as a Board Chair for First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank. Clark served as an Ohio Region Advisory Board member for First Merchants in the Columbus, Ohio area since 2001.

If you're a fan of the show don’t forget to Subscribe to see new episodes, and Rate or Review us wherever you tune in!

In this episode Michael and Clark talked about:

• How basketball and family were Clark’s North Star early on
• Opportunities that arose after injuries forced him to retire from the NBA
• The importance of mentors on the path to greatness
• What it felt like to announce at his first NCAA Final Four
• How Clark got to interview (and play) POTUS with Obama
• Humility as a pillar for handling success
• Going on the record for GOAT in hoops and golf
• And more!

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• Clark Kellogg
• Clark Kellog on Twitter
• Michael Redd on Instagram

Former World No. 1 ranked pro golfer and philanthropist, Jason Day, took a break from the links to chat with host Michael Redd about his humble beginnings and rise to the top of the golf world, what it takes to persevere through injury, and his admiration of his mentor Tiger Woods.

“I’m addicted to the process of getting better.” – Jason Day

The Australian professional golfer and PGA Tour member is a former World Number 1 in World Golf Ranking. From 2015 to 2016 he was considered the best golfer in the world, and he remained No. 1 for 51 weeks.

Jason first made the world's top ten list in June 2011, rising to world number nine after his runner-up finish at the U.S. Open.

In February 2014, Day won his first WGC title – the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship – and won a second time in 2016. He joined Tiger Woods and Geoff Ogilvy as the only multiple winners of the WGC Match Play.

He went on to win his first major tournament at the 2015 PGA Championship. He is poised to make a big comeback in the sport in 2020 and is currently ranked in the Top 40 in the world.

He and his wife, Ellie, founded The Brighter Days Foundation to provide funding and resources to central Ohio organizations that work to meet basic needs, give hope, and support child-serving organizations in Central Ohio.

If you're a fan of the show don’t forget to Subscribe to see new episodes, and Rate or Review us wherever you tune in!

In this episode Michael and Jason talked about:

• Why his first golf club was so meaningful
• His legendary addiction to improving his game
• The elation of becoming the best in the world (and the challenge of staying there)
• Why having the right team in your corner is so important
• How Jason persevered to come back big from a serious injury
• The champion’s “never say die” mentality
• How technology has changed the game of golf
• And more!

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit MichaelRedd.com.

Resources:

• The Brighter Days Foundation
• Jason Day on PGATour.com
• Jason Day on Twitter
• Michael Redd on Instagram