What does it really take to build a legacy — not just for yourself, but with your family by your side?

On this episode of The Diary of a Side Hustler, we sit down with Tony Adams — former pro athlete, Super Bowl champion, and now, second-generation entrepreneur carving his path alongside the very people who shaped him.

After a standout football career at NC State and a Super Bowl win with the New England Patriots, Tony’s NFL dreams were suddenly cut short by the pandemic. But instead of giving up, he returned to his roots — and his family — to start again.

Inspired by his father’s entrepreneurial legacy, Tony became a key player in the family business, Adams Athletics, a trailblazing wrestling equipment company. Together, they’re proving that the stigma around working with family — “that it never works” — couldn’t be further from the truth.

In addition to helping scale the family brand, Tony launched Athletic Money U and The OL Network, two platforms helping athletes turn passion into profit. His story is one of faith, humility, and leaning into the power of generational collaboration.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What it’s really like working with family — the challenges, rewards, and lessons.
• How Tony transitioned from a professional athlete to a purpose-driven entrepreneur.
• The legacy behind Adams Athletics and how Tony is helping expand it.
• Why are community, mentorship, and family at the core of his business mindset?
• The importance of faith when your Plan A suddenly falls apart.
• How to turn setbacks into setups — especially when doing it together.

Listen now and get inspired to build something lasting — with the people who matter most.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review! Share this episode with someone who needs inspiration to take their own side hustle to the next level.

Connect with Tony Adams:

• Instagram
• The OL Network
• Adams Athletics
• Athletic Money U

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