Elevate and Motivate

Elevate and Motivate

By Jesse SimmonsEducationSelf-Improvement
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Elevate and Motivate episodes

  • Aligning Your Identity: with Caroline Bauer, D1 track athlete at UF, W&M

    Welcome to elevate & Motivate with Jesse Simmons!

    This episode is about finding your true identity and aligning yourself with the plans God has for you with special guest Caroline Bauer.

    Caroline is a former University of Florida cross-country and track athlete who graduated from UF in December 2025. She’s now continuing her running career at the College of William & Mary while pursuing her master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

    But beyond the accolades, the running and the classroom, Caroline says the most important part of her identity is being a follower of Christ and using her platform to glorify Him.

    She’s also the co-host of the Beyond the Struggle podcast, where those themes of faith, adversity and growth come to life.


    48 min
  • The Power of Perseverance: Nick Pogue, former Professional Pitcher and Mental Performance Specialist

    In this episode, host Jesse Simmons welcomes in Nick Pogue on the power of perseverance.

    Nick’s story is all about perseverance — from battling through Tommy John surgery at Florida in 2021, to working his way back on the mound, to signing with the Washington Nationals organization in 2022, and now helping athletes strengthen the mental side of their game.

    Here, they talk life after baseball, what he’s learned through the highs and lows, and how to turn setbacks into growth.



    https://everychildmattersofamerica.com/


    https://www.instagram.com/jesse.simmons15/?hl=en


    https://www.instagram.com/_nickpogue_/

    51 min
  • Living out your mission: What to know and expect for your first mission's trip with special guest Matthew Dobson

    Wondering if a mission's trip is the right choice for you?

    In this episode, host Jesse Simmons welcomes on former roommate and teammate Matthew Dobson, as the two break down their recent missions trips to Mexico (Matthew) and Peru (Jesse) for the first time in their lives and the preconceived notions before departing and the life changing perspectives coming back. That and so much more right here on Eleveate and Motivate!

    57 min
  • Living Like a Modern Day Job: Special Guest Jake Griffith, on going through life's toughest trials and prevailing through it all

    In this episode, host Jesse Simmons welcomes in Jake Griffith. Jake is a former teammate of Jesse's, currently playing on a national championship juggernaut University of Tampa Spartans coming off a national title in hopes of another.

    Jake shares his testimony of being at his highest moments of life, only to come crashing down in the blink of an eye yet staying true to his faith and prevailing through the other side to share his testimony. Listen now!

    45 min
  • My Story: The Journey of Aidan Warner, Florida Gators Quarterback

    In this episode, host Jesse Simmons welcomes Aidan Warner, a quarterback for the Florida Gators who endured and experienced the most hectic, challenging, and exciting year of his life leading him to playing for his dream school at the University if Florida. The two talked about the mental warfare, rollercoaster story and much more on Aidan Warner's testimony in the Quarterback tell all episode right here. Listen now!

    55 min
  • Strength in Vulnerability, Special Guest: Jordan McCants, UF Track & Field

    In this episode, host Jesse Simmons sits down with Jordan McCants UF Track & Field athlete and mental health advocate. Atlanta born and raised, Jordan touches on his childhood and mental health journey, leading him to be active in his faith and community through mental health counseling for himself and fellow teammates, while leaning on his family through it all. Listen now!

    40 min
  • Growing Where You're Planted, Standing Up for What's Right: Special Guest Ethan Eibe

    In this episode, host Jesse Simmons welcomes back a previous guest for a double dip episode! Ethan Eibe, a trailblazing collegiate Play-by-Play Broadcaster and sports journalist joins the podcast for a life update with his recent stint in the Cape Cod Baseball League and the mental approach to venture into unknown territory. Jesse and Ethan touch on the challenges you face stepping out alone to stand up for what's right, and being a light no matter where you are!

    34 min
  • Lead While Staying True to YOU: Special Guest Joan Ryan


    Is it possible to be a REAL leader if you aren't staying TRUE to YOURSELF? Host Jesse Simmons connects with Joan Ryan to dive into the meaning of being brave and leading by example, while proving doubters wrong. Ryan dives into her interview with Billie Jean King, Reggie Jackson, her time with the San Francisco Giants and more.


    BACKGROUND:

    Joan Ryan is an award-winning journalist, author and sports media consultant. She was one of the first female sports columnists in the country and covered every major

    sporting event from the Super Bowl and the World Series to the Olympics and championship fights.

    Her sports columns and features earned 13 Associated Press Sports Editors Awards, the National Headliner Award, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Journalism Award, and the prestigious Edgar A. Poe Award from the White House Correspondents’ Association. 

    From writing at Orlando Sentinel to the San Francisco Chronicle, Ryan has been the senior media advisor to the San Francisco Giants since 2008, along with being an author of five books, the latest: Intangibles: Unlocking the Science and Soul of Team Chemistry.

     Ryan is a UFCJC 2000 Hall of Fame inductee, returning in 2024 to be inducted into the Sports@CJC Ring of Honor.

    As always:

    Every Child Matters of America website: http://www.everychildmatters.com
    Cyrus' Crusade in his fight to defeat Leukemia GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cyrus-crusade?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer
    Follow his fight on Facebook and purchase T-Shirts: Cyrus’ Crusade https://m.facebook.com/cyruscrusades/?tsid=0.9492068941532887&source=result

    32 min
  • Be THE Light: Special Guest Ethan Eibe, on being a leader in a dark place
    Don't just be A light, or SOME of a light. Be THE Light.
    In this episode, host Jesse Simmons addresses the topic of being selfless and bringing hope to others in times of need when they need it most.
    Special Guest, Ethan Eibe
    University of Florida journalism student and talented sports voice
    joins the show to illustrate his first hand testimony of a tragic loss of a professional baseball player for the Alpine Cowboys of the Pecos League, Jared Strait. Eibe served as the Assistant General Manager and Broadcast voice of the Alpine Cowboys and had the honor to share Jared's legacy
    University of Florida journalism student and talented sports voice gives joins the show to share his first hand testimony of a tragic loss of a professional baseball player Jared Strait, while Eibe served as the Assistant General Manager and Broadcast voice of the Alpine Cowboys
    Link to Ethan Eibe’s video tribute to Jared Strait: https://youtu.be/0XttY9EX2io?si=_NCA7oIslKbNG7w7
    As always:
    Every Child Matters of America website: http://www.everychildmatters.com
    Cyrus' Crusade in his fight to defeat Leukemia GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cyrus-crusade?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer
    Follow his fight on Facebook and purchase T-Shirts: Cyrus’ Crusade https://m.facebook.com/cyruscrusades/?tsid=0.9492068941532887&source=result
    54 min
  • What's Your Identity? Special Guest James Bates
    In this episode, host Jesse Simmons catches up with James Bates, on the topic of finding your identity to always move forward with your best steps and mindset.
    James was a team captain on the 1996 National Champion Football team at the University of Florida under Steve Spurrier, He also serves as a broadcaster with ACC Network, adding to that he is a nationally renowned painter in the sports world. Above all, he is a quality human being and joins us today to give his powerful perspective and insight. Listen now!
    46 min

About Elevate and Motivate

From the publisher's feed

Elevate and Motivate is a podcast hosted by ESPN+ broadcaster and show host Jesse Simmons, built to give you the tools to tackle anything life throws at you. Featuring conversations with elite athletes, industry leaders, media personalities and everyday people whose stories deserve to be heard, each episode explores how guests have faced adversity, overcome obstacles, and turned life’s setbacks into opportunities for growth.