What does it take to go from dealing cards on a cruise ship to building a company, raising €7M, selling it to the #1 sports betting brand in America, and writing a 650-page memoir about the journey? Karolina Pelc has lived it.

In this episode of H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here), Trevis sits down with Karolina Pelc — former VP of FanDuel, founder of BeyondPlay, author of HerPlay, investor, and one of the most compelling voices in global gaming and tech. We go all the way back — her early years, her first spark of curiosity, what drew her into the world of gaming, and how a girl from Poland navigated an international career across some of the biggest brands in the industry including Betsson Group, LeoVegas (MGM), William Hill, and eventually the build and sale of her own company in one of the fastest exits the iGaming space has ever seen.

This one isn't just a business story. It's a story about trusting your gut before you have the data to back it up, making space for luck, and what it really means to reinvent yourself — not once, but over and over again.

In this episode:

-Growing up and the earliest seeds of entrepreneurial thinking

-How she found her way into the gaming industry from an unlikely starting point

-Building a career across Europe's biggest gaming brands

-The leap from operator to founder — why she started BeyondPlay

-Raising €7M+ and what investors actually look for

-Selling BeyondPlay to FanDuel in 2024 — the inside story

-Life post-acquisition as VP at the #1 platform in the U.S.

-Why she wrote HerPlay and what she wants founders (especially women) to take from it

-Her framework on resilience, reinvention, and building confidence from scratch

Pre-order HerPlay here: https://linktr.ee/herplayKP?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

He was hanging out with the founders of The Pirate Bay as a teenager. He started his first company selling a TV info system to schools that "didn't work that well." And in 2008 — right in the middle of a financial crisis he didn't even know was happening because he was too busy staring at a Linux screen — he co-founded Internet Vikings.

In Episode 32 of H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here), Trevis sits down with Rickard Vikström — CEO and co-founder of Internet Vikings, the fastest-growing iGaming and sports betting hosting provider in the United States, now licensed across 25 states. We go all the way back to a 10-year-old kid in Stockholm who became obsessed with computers, through his teenage years deep in Swedish hacker culture, to building a bootstrap company for 15 years before finally taking outside funding to crack the U.S. market — and pulling it off.

This is a story about what happens when a self-described tech geek refuses to stop building, even when he has no idea what he's doing. Especially then.

In this episode:

-Growing up in Sweden and falling in love with computers at age 10

-Being part of the early Swedish hacker culture — and rubbing shoulders with The Pirate Bay founders

-His first entrepreneurial swings — from teddy bear travel sites to school TV systems

-Getting his first real hosting job at 20 and learning from a mentor who ran one of Europe's largest hosting companies

-How a phone call with childhood friend Victor Jerlin led to Internet Vikings in 2008

-Bootstrapping for 15 years with zero outside funding

-Co-founding and selling IT-security company Stay Secure to Nasdaq-listed J2 Global in 2014

-The decision to enter the U.S. iGaming market in 2020 — and why it was the scariest and best bet he ever made

-600% growth in three years, 25 states, and what's next

-Being named European CEO of the Year in Hosting and Gaming's Emerging Leaders 40 Under 40

Connect with Rickard:

internetvikings.com

LinkedIn: Rickard Vikström

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Drop a comment — did you know the infrastructure behind your favorite sportsbook was this interesting?

H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) traces the full life journey of today's top operators, founders, and industry builders — from the first spark of curiosity all the way to where they stand in 2026.

On this week’s How I Got Here (H.I.G.H.) Podcast, I sit down with Catie Di Stefano of Vegas Kings, one of the most respected creative and digital agencies in the global gaming industry.

Catie shares her journey from discovering her passion for digital storytelling to leading high-impact creative work for some of the biggest brands in iGaming and sports. Her story is full of clarity, resilience, and lessons on growth — both personally and professionally.

We dig into:

How Vegas Kings built its reputation over two decades

What makes great creative actually work in gaming and sports

Leadership lessons learned in a fast-moving, high-pressure industry

The mindset required to thrive in creative strategy today

This week on the How I Got Here (H.I.G.H.) Podcast, I sit down with Stacie Stern, one of the most respected and impactful leaders at Underdog and a major force in shaping the modern fantasy sports landscape.

Stacie’s journey is all about leadership, authenticity, and elevating an entire industry through smart strategy and strong relationships. From driving growth at one of the fastest-growing companies in fantasy sports to championing community and innovation, her story is packed with insight and inspiration.

We get into:

The evolution of Underdog and its role in reshaping fantasy sports

How Stacie built her career through purpose, adaptability, and influence

Lessons on leadership, team building, and long-term thinking

The future of fantasy, sports gaming, and fan engagement

On this week’s How I Got Here (H.I.G.H.) Podcast, I sit down with Irakli Davarashvili, founder of Promofy, to unpack an incredible journey of creativity, innovation, and relentless problem-solving.

Marcuss has carved out a powerful niche by helping brands and creators scale their presence through smarter content distribution and automated promo systems. His story is a masterclass in building modern tools for a modern creator economy.

We dive into:

How Promofy was built from idea to execution

The challenges of building tech for creators and brands

Lessons on growth, product iteration, and customer feedback loops

Where AI, automation, and creator tools are heading next

If you’re a builder, creator, or entrepreneur navigating today’s digital landscape, this episode is packed with insights you’ll want to take notes on.

Episode 28 • H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast • Ben Truman

Join us for Episode 28 of H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here), where your host sits down with special guest Ben Truman to unpack his journey from early beginnings to where he is today. In this inspiring and candid conversation, Ben shares the lessons, challenges, and pivotal moments that shaped his path.

We talk about:

• How Ben first got started and what motivated him

• The biggest obstacles he faced and how he overcame them

• Key breakthroughs that accelerated his growth

• Insight for creators, founders, and anyone building something meaningful

• Practical takeaways you can use on your own journey

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or just someone chasing your goals, this episode gives you a front-row seat into the mindset and hustle behind Ben’s success.

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Episode 27 – H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast – Clinton Cutajar

In Episode 27 of the H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast we sit down with tech visionary and iGaming innovator Clinton Cutajar, exploring the journey that shaped him into a leader at the intersection of technology, digital marketing and online gaming.

Clinton shares how he transformed early challenges into opportunities, what it takes to thrive in high-growth tech environments, and the lessons that have defined his path from developer to strategic executive.

With deep experience leading technology and operations functions for international companies and founding successful digital ventures, Clinton dives into the mindset, resilience and vision required to build a meaningful career in tech and affiliate marketing.

Listeners will get candid insights into leadership, innovation, and the real stories behind the milestones that got him to where he is today.

Episode 26 – H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast | Will Tighe

In Episode 26 of H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here), I sit down with Will Tighe for a real conversation about his journey, the pivotal moments that shaped his path, and the lessons learned along the way.

This podcast is all about the story behind the success. Not the highlight reel, but the grind, the decisions, the setbacks, and the mindset shifts that ultimately led to where someone is today. Will opens up about how he got started, what nearly derailed him, and what he’s learned that others can apply to their own journey.

If you’re building something, chasing a goal, or figuring out your next move, this episode is packed with perspective and honest insight.

In this episode, we cover:

• Will’s early path and defining moments

• Challenges faced behind the scenes

• Lessons learned through experience, not theory

• What “success” really looks like once you’re in it

About H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here):

Hosted by Trevis Waters, H.I.G.H. is a long-form podcast focused on real journeys. Founders, creators, and leaders share how they actually got here — the wins, the losses, and everything in between.

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Episode 25: Peter Schoenke — From Fantasy Sports Pioneer to Industry Leader

In this episode of the H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast, host Trevis Waters sits down with Peter Schoenke, co-founder and President of RotoWire — one of the most influential companies in fantasy sports and sports technology. Peter shares his journey from the early days of fantasy sports to building a data-driven business that has become a go-to resource for players, media companies, and major platforms.

We dive into the challenges and triumphs of growing a fantasy sports business, how the industry has evolved, and what it takes to innovate in a competitive, fast-moving space. Whether you’re a fantasy sports enthusiast, aspiring entrepreneur, or curious about the intersection of technology and sports, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

What We Cover

Peter’s beginnings in fantasy sports and founding RotoWire

How fantasy sports data and analytics have shaped today’s sports landscape

Lessons learned scaling a niche startup into a trusted industry leader

Real talk on innovation, resilience, and staying ahead of trends

Follow Peter Schoenke:

Twitter: @PeterSchoenke

TGFBI

Subscribe for more episodes of H.I.G.H. where we explore the stories behind the people shaping sports, tech, and culture.

#Podcast #HIGHPodcast #PeterSchoenke #RotoWire #FantasySports #Entrepreneurship

On this episode of H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) we sit down with endurance athlete, ultrarunner, and trailblazer Adam Small. Adam shares the powerful story of how he found his passion for pushing limits, the challenges he faced along the way, and what it truly takes to persevere when life throws its toughest obstacles at you. From early starts to life-shaping moments, Adam breaks down the mindset, habits, and experiences that shaped his journey into the athlete and person he is today. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that proves where you are now is just one chapter in the story of who you’re becoming.

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