In the 11 with Brendan Griffiths

This week it is me myself and I on the mic as my season in Australia has come to a conclusion. I break down the season, battling relegation, injuries, personal issues and how everything shook out. I give my thoughts on my time in Australia and what the future could hold for what is next. Tune in !

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This weeks guest is my great friend, and former teammate/roommate in Darmstadt Germany Leang Valenzuela. He was last on the pod all the way back in episode 20 back in 2020. We dive into what has been going on in his career the past three years as a footballer, his return to Germany, his time in Spain, returning to America and rehabbing from knee surgery. Leang shares how he has maintained his focus on his goals even through the tough times abroad or injury setbacks that require surgery.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/inthe11pod

Subscribe to the show: https://in-the-11.captivate.fm/

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIKaXh28XlDY-NaJEuCPJw?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow Leang: https://www.instagram.com/leangvalenzuela/

This weeks guest is the assistant Men's Soccer Coach at powerhouse Division 1 school St. John's University, John Ciano steps into the 11. He shares his journey in the game on the touchline which has taken him to all levels of collegiate coaching. From being a grad assistant at a small Division 3 school to a Head Coach at St. Rose and now one of the biggest college soccer programs in the country in one of the biggest cities in the world. One thing has always remained the same, leave the program better than you found it.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/inthe11pod

Subscribe to the show: https://in-the-11.captivate.fm/

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIKaXh28XlDY-NaJEuCPJw?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow Coach Ciano: https://www.instagram.com/coachj_ciano/

This weeks guest Turkish Women's Super League Player Rashida Beal steps into the 11. A player who has never backed down from the challenge of pursuing a professional career Rashida has tackled everything from injuries, false contract promises and family emergencies in order to chase her dream of being a professional footballer. Entering her third season in Turkey she lays out what it took to get there and how she has managed to stay a high level pro.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/inthe11pod

Subscribe to the show: https://in-the-11.captivate.fm/

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIKaXh28XlDY-NaJEuCPJw?sub_confirmation=1

Follow The show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthe11pod/

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Follow Rashida!: https://www.instagram.com/rashidabeal/

This weeks guest Rwandan international and recent Nordvarmlands FF in Sweden signing JP Rutabayiro steps into the 11. We discuss his journey in football but really so much more than that as JP is far from just your average footballer. With a purpose and intention that he brings to his life JP discusses how his footballing career can inspire his community, can enact change in the youth and allow himself to grow. Listen in to a conversation you won't want to miss.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/inthe11pod

Subscribe to the show: https://in-the-11.captivate.fm/

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIKaXh28XlDY-NaJEuCPJw?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow All things JP!: https://www.instagram.com/jaypruta11/

https://www.instagram.com/btc.aca/

https://www.instagram.com/lovoclock/

This week my teammate Max steps into the 11, to share the journey that started in France and brought him to the Athletic Bilbao Academy. Faced with hardship and adversity Max went on to play professionally in France, face corruption in Greece, realize his dream of playing in a first division in Australia only to be met with a knee injury. Listen to his story of rehabbing his knee multiple times over just to get back out and do what he loves; play football on the pitch.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/inthe11pod

Subscribe to the show: https://in-the-11.captivate.fm/

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIKaXh28XlDY-NaJEuCPJw?sub_confirmation=1

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Live from down under my Mom makes her third appearance and my sister makes her debut in the 11. We discuss them coming down to watch me play, the insane travel experience they had to arrive in Perth and all things leading up to the big move from New York to Australia. Tune in!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/inthe11pod

Subscribe to the show: https://in-the-11.captivate.fm/

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIKaXh28XlDY-NaJEuCPJw?sub_confirmation=1

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This week the Doxa Katokopias FC Defender steps into the 11 to share how an American found his way into the Cypriot leagues. Following a College career where seeking new challenges was met with a Covid year and an Ivy league opportunity that didn't merit everything he was hoping for Mac Naggar set out on the path to become a pro in Europe. Listen in to hear how he's gotten here and where his career will take him next.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/inthe11pod

Subscribe to the show: https://in-the-11.captivate.fm/

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIKaXh28XlDY-NaJEuCPJw?sub_confirmation=1

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Follow Mac on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macthemacdaddy

This week's episode features a special guest, Coach Zach Ssebatindira, a Pharmaceutical industry professional with a strong interest in cancer therapies, diagnostics, and interventions. He was my former collegiate coach at Chestnut Hill College, and I even served as his assistant for another year. This episode is one of my favorites as we reconnect and reminisce.

This episode might not be your typical story about a pro player like we've had before. It's more about the unique bond between a former player and coach. We get into all sorts of topics, from life conversations to friendly chit-chat. We talk about the value of relationships in the football world too. My hope is that listening to our chat will remind you of your own coach-player connections or bring back some great memories. If I can do that for you, then I consider this episode a success. So come join us as we celebrate this milestone and relish in the joy of reconnecting with old pals.

Timestamps:

0:00  Intro

3:17 Episode 100 with a very special guest

6:03 Being the voice of the people

12:37 What a coach is supposed to do

16:23 The importance of being curious about people

20:10 Coaching philosophy, bringing the full version of the player

32:36 Making time to talk to someone he cares about

34:36 How life outside of football impacts the game

40:42 Finding the right people around you

1:10:16 Do difficult things and embrace them

1:25:31 The importance of having a mental health expert on every team

Key Highlights:

• Embrace difficult tasks, challenges, and personal growth, recognizing them as opportunities for development and progress.
• Stay curious about people, valuing their perspectives, and using one's voice to advocate for others.
• Relationships in the football world are important as they contribute to personal growth, team dynamics, and overall success.
• Personal lives and experiences outside of football can influence and shape one's performance on the field.

Follow Zack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackss/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/inthe11pod

Subscribe to the show: https://in-the-11.captivate.fm/

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIKaXh28XlDY-NaJEuCPJw?sub_confirmation=1

Follow The show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthe11pod/

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In this episode, we feature Ryan Hogan, an integral figure in my journey to Australia and finding my club. Ryan is the founder of the Play Sport Agency, while still playing he has also turned his focus to helping other players realize the same dreams that he had as a young footballer through the Play Sport Agency. 

This engaging episode offers valuable insights, particularly for players curious about the experiences of transitioning to a different country. Tune in for an enjoyable and enlightening discussion!

Timestamps:

0:00  Intro

4:04 The importance of taking calculated risks in football.

5:52 Building relationships with coaches and athletes.

10:58 The buzz of facilitating opportunity for a player.

18:41 How to help players choose a college.

20:24 College Soccer in America.

24:42 Excitement and pushback for traveling to the states.

39:26 The rollercoaster of emotions players go through when they go through ups and downs.

45:40 How he got started in the game.

50:37 The season after covid-19 and sterling's second season.

52:14 Giving players the opportunity to move to Australia from home.

57:56 Recruiting the right type of players.

Key Highlights:

• It's important to be willing to take calculated risks in pursuit of one's dreams in the world of football.
• Developing strong relationships with coaches and athletes is crucial for success and creating opportunities in the football industry.
• Players experience a rollercoaster of emotions throughout their football journey, it's important to have courage in overcoming ups and downs.
• The Play Sport Agency provides opportunities for players to move to Australia and pursue their football careers, bridging the gap between different countries and offering new experiences.

Follow Ryan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachryanhogan/

Follow Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hogan-852a4122a/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/inthe11pod

Subscribe to the show: https://in-the-11.captivate.fm/

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIKaXh28XlDY-NaJEuCPJw?sub_confirmation=1

Follow The show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthe11pod/

Follow the show on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inthe11pod?lang=en

Follow Play Sport Agency: https://www.instagram.com/playsportagency/