Career Clarity with Athletes: A 2ndwind Podcast with Ryan Gonsalves

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In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Harry Betts, a Financial investment professional at Goldman Sachs, a former rugby player who played for Oakham School, Northampton Saints, Loughborough Students, and Old Albanian RFC as well as earning age group representative honors.

Having had a torrid time of injuries starting at age 16, his pro contract was torn up after a year out of school with Northampton and quickly had to find his feet when it seemed as though the lifelong dream was over. Loughborough University came to the fore so opting for an education whilst playing rugby and keeping the rugby plan alive seemed like the best option. Harry then joined Goldman Sachs in 2018 in Private Wealth Management London, having completed a year in industry in between second and final year University studies with the firm in 2017. In London he played semi-professionally for Old Albanian RFC. Harry joined the Goldman Sachs Sydney office in September 2022 to join the Australia and New Zealand business.

Most of Harry’s work focuses on working with Family Offices, Founders, Charities & Endowments, with past experience of working with current or former Professional Athletes.

Tune in to learn more about:

• Harry's rugby inspiration from age 16
• His experience playing for Northampton Saints and Albanian RFC
• The importance of adopting a military mindset in your sporting career
• Set of skills and traits he brought to private wealth management
• Feelings of bitterness in his rugby pathway and how it drew him from engaging with the rugby fraternity 
• What has he been doing to find answers to the bitterness
• Why you should strive to avoid getting stuck in a  potential cycle 
• Three top sets of gems you should never underestimate as a sportsperson

… and so much more! 

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out

www.2ndwind.io

Links:

LinkedIn: Harry Betts

Twitter:@harry_betts

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In this episode, Ryan engages in a fascinating conversation with Nick Youngquest, a remarkable individual who has achieved success in multiple domains. Nick, originally known as a professional rugby league footballer from Australia, later transitioned into the world of modeling and became a global ambassador for a fragrance house. He has taken part in the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

However, despite his outward success, Nick experienced a sense of emptiness. Seeking an outlet to stay active and find fulfillment, he turned to running. This newfound passion not only kept him physically fit but also led him to form a charity called "Athletes for Life." Through this organization, Nick aims to support fellow retired athletes in their professional transitions. Join us as we delve into Nick's inspiring journey and the meaningful work he continues to do.

Tune in to learn more about:

• His earliest childhood sporting memories and how they had an impact on his academic progression
• Nick's first great debut in his rugby career
• The difference between his playing in England and Australia
• What he had planned for his 2nd wind
• What gave Nick longevity in his modeling career in the fragrance industry
• How he transitioned from modeling to growing sports participation in Sydney Marathon
• The story behind his passion for supporting athletes as he does
• What's the next big piece in Nick's transition journey

… and so much more! 

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out

www.2ndwind.io 

Links:

LinkedIn: Nick Youngquest

Instagram: @nickyyoungquest

Website: www.athletesforlife.com.au 

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In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Dennis Sørensen, a retired Danish professional footballer who played in the first division in Denmark. Dennis is currently passionately working as a Global Project Manager at Novo Nordisk, a Danish Multinational pharmaceutical that's on a mission to defeat serious chronic diseases. 

Dennis, even though had signed his first contract while still in high school, never thought of making football a career till at the age of 21. But after 17 years of playing professional football, he was stuck with an identity crisis and feelings of doubt as a result of contemplating his major transition from being a footballer. He was afraid of taking off his long worn and fitting uniform, but did it anyway. Listen in as he shares this amazing journey and how he went through it. 

Tune in to learn more about:

• How Dennis came to sign his first contract while in high school
• Diving into football as a career at the age of 21 and what changed after he realized what he had
• Trends in the involvement of clubs in the career life of young players
• How he maintained a balance between football and academics
• The moment Dennis accepted that his career was coming to an end and what made the transition difficult
• The consequences harbored in his thoughts on leaving 17 years of career
• How he keeps himself motivated today
• Great insights into the current generation of players on their 2nd wind transition

… and so much more! 

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out

www.2ndwind.io

Links:

LinkedIn: Dennis Dechmann Sørensen

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In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Sarah Davis, the first woman to paddle the entire length of the R.Nile. She is a British-born Australian who has a passion for sport, travel, and adventure which has seen her travel to over 40 countries. She is a geek and has spent most of her time in banking in risk and project management. 

Sarah was working a nine-to-five in risk management in Sydney, Australia when she realized life needed a bigger challenge and the need to find a purpose and greater fulfillment in her life – so she decided to paddle the Nile. And in this search for fulfillment, purpose, and the next chapter of her life, Sarah has gone down the records as the first woman to paddle the entire length of R. Nile. 

Tune in to learn more about:

• Sarah's inspiration behind the massive expedition to paddle R. Nile
• Sports to her while growing up
• Her life in the corporate world of banking
• The story behind her Olympics moment in Hong Kong
• Moving to find what fulfills her and her first step to working it out
• The things she looked for and those she pushed to get her desired feelings
• How much fun she has prepared for the adventure
• The biggest challenge in her adventure and the highlights she took along
• The most terrifying moment of her adventure and how she overcame her fears and self-doubt
• Sarah's gems to those addressing their fear of taking action 

… and so much more! 

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out

www.2ndwind.io 

Links:

Instagram: @sarahpaddles

LinkedIn: Sarah Davis

References:

Paddle the Nile: One Woman's Search for a Life Less Ordinary by Davis Sarah

The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul by LaPorte Danielle 

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In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Tammy Parlour, a 5th Dan black belt holder in Korean martial arts hapkido, chiropractic advocate, and the co-founder and Chief Executive of UK-based charity, Women Sport Trust. Tammy also runs her own hapkido and meditation center in London, whilst being very active on the speaker and lecturing circuit. 

During the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, Tammy realized that she hadn't been privy to women's sports, even as a female athlete. This drove her to make women's sports visible, unstoppable, and viable, and this passion gave birth to Women Sports Trust, a charity that has been raising the visibility and impact of women's sports for more than a decade now. 

Tune in to learn more about:

• Tammy's background in martial arts and what kept her in it
• What inspired her to start her 1st martial arts club
• How she transitioned from a ful time career to running her club as a martial arts instructor 
• How the London 2012 Olympics inspired her to set up the charity 
• Her amazing perspective on life has shaped her into who she is
• The amazing evolutionary journey of Women Sports Trust
• How she handles moments of reflection and adjustments
• What's next in her personal life and charity wise

… and so much more! 

Links:

Website: www.womenssporttrust.com 

LinkedIn: Tammy Parlour

Instagram: @tammyparlour

                  : @WomenSportsTrust

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In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Toby Jenkins, an Australian water polo player, award-winning entrepreneur, leadership coach, keynote speaker, author, and a dad to three. And Toby has an amazing journey and hard pills he swallowed along that will be pure gems to not only your sporting career but entrepreneurial too. 

Through his private consulting and coaching practice, Toby works with Olympic medalists, investors, founders, CEOs, and leaders in helping them deal with the inevitable pressure that comes with important decisions, difficult conversations, and ambitious opportunities.

Tune in to learn more about:

• How water polo became part of Toby's world
• Wrangle between academics and sports and how he came through it
• Missing out on the Sydney Olympics and how Toby managed the rejection
• His journey to reaching his sporting dream- the Olympics
• Steps Toby took that shaped his life coming off the Olympic peak
• What he brought to his entrepreneurial experiments from water polo
• Why maintaining a good network and asking for help is a superpower 
• What keeps him going currently
• How Toby is helping young athletes navigate their transition uncertainty, stress, and pressure 

… and so much more!

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out

www.2ndwind.io

Links:

Website: www.tobyjenkins.com 

LinkedIn: Toby Jenkins

Instagram: @tobyjenkins

Twitter: @Toby_Jenkins

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In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Alex Wolf, performance sports and wellbeing educator, coach, co-founder of the Strength and Conditioning Academy, and amateur chef. He has spent over 20 years working within strength and conditioning, consulting widely within the area.

Alex previously spent 15 years working at the English Institute of Sport where he spent 5 years as Head of Strength and Conditioning and 2 years as Head of Learning. These experiences fostered his passion for coach and practitioner development where he was responsible for the EIS flagship practitioner development programmes RP5, Collaboration 4 Performance, and Skills 4 Performance. 

Tune in to learn more about:

• Alex's early childhood memories of sports
• How he moved from yearning to be a pro athlete to supporting athletes
• How coaching and performance planning has changed over the last two decades
• The biggest breakthrough data and coaching revolution has brought to performance planning
• How athletes are adapting to the changes
• The role of creativity and we'll think ideas play in performance planning 
• Challenges athletes transitioning back to sports face in their mental and physical performance 
• What's we should expect next in coaching and supporting athletes

… and so much more! 

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out

www.2ndwind.io 

Links: 

Website: www.strengthconditioning.academy 

LinkedIn: Alex Wolf  

                 Strength and Conditioning Academy 

Twitter: @Alexpwolf

 Company's Twitter: @S_CAcademy

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In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Jason White, an English former professional footballer, and current partner in Sovereign Financial and wealth advisory based out of Hong Kong. At 16 Jason put a pause on his academics to enjoy a 16-year professional football career. After his career came to an end, he opted for coaching alongside being a personal trainer. 

Fast forward to today,  Jason is in his third career, this time in finance, and he is passionate about financial planning and wealth management and loves meeting people. By listening and understanding an individual’s goals and dreams, Jason helps them build a financial plan to achieve their goals and live the life they want to live

Tune in to learn more about:

• Leaving school to follow his pro footballing career despite the parental push for an academic excellence 
• Jason's experiences transitioning into different clubs, cultures, and team
• The intra-competition that exists among teammates
• Why in his 2nd Wind he didn't want to opt for fitness or coaching which is appealing for most athletes 
• Anything consistent that influenced his transition from his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd career
• Jason's experiences working within the Financial Services and Wealth Management sector since 2005. 
• In what ways football is still part of what Jason does today 

…and so much more!

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out

www.2ndwind.io

Links:

Website: Jason White at Sovereign Wealth 

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In this episode, Ryan speaks to Callum Walsh, the Head of Performance & Medical for Alanyaspor, one of the top Turkish football teams competing in the Super League. Callum specializes in movement analysis, improving speed, and injury prevention and has held roles across the English Premier League at Newcastle United, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town. 

Inspired by his experiences, sacrifices, and uncertainty in his journey to fulfil his dream of working in the Premier League, Callum has a long time goal to make the world or at least one club/team come to terms with the fact that this constant change of managers impacts everybody, from the players and fans to the coaches and the backroom staff. He is on a mission to create an environment where people in clubs and teams are happy, feel secure, and give their ideas in a secure space.

Tune in to learn more about:

• Skype coaching from the tender age of 14
• The brutal piece of advice that changed his life's trajectory for the better
• His road towards getting his dream job at the premier league and the turning point in his career
• Taking the delayed gratification path and the sacrifices made by his other half in support of his dreams
• What it was like for him to achieve his dream of being in the premier league
• How the constant change of managers is killing everybody, from the manager to the coaches and backroom staff. 
• What Callum did to get to the same level as multiple managers  he's worked with
• His gems to those aiming to be coaches

… and so much more! 

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out

www.2ndwind.io 

Links:

LinkedIn: Callum Walsh 

Twitter: @Walsh2123

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In today's episode, Ryan speaks to James Matheson, a former double Olympian who represented Australia at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics.  James is also the host of The Athlete Collective Podcast having retired from freestyle skiing to the corporate world over a year ago just after the Beijing Winter Olympics. 

He initially moved into banking and payments consultancy, and then into one of the fastest-growing payment tech firms. James believes in the power of storytelling and his Athlete Collective Podcast uncovers untold stories from athletes who are often portrayed from a singular perspective.      

Tune in to learn more about:

• James's earliest sporting memory and how he was introduced to skiing
• His pathway to becoming a professional skier
• The sacrifices his parents made in support of his sporting career and transition
• The amazing life of an Olympic skier
• The limbo between sports and 2nd wind that athletes find themselves in
• How he transitioned on his terms and had an end date for sports 
• How he has reframed his success right now
• Why purpose is ever-changing and not an end goal
• His gems to young winter athletes 

and so much more!

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out

www.2ndwind.io 

Links:

Website: www.theathletecollective.com 

LinkedIn: James Matheson  

Instagram: @jamesmatheson333

Podcast: The Athlete Collective