Bella Rasmussen is a senior at Laguna Beach High School—yes, the same Laguna Beach of reality TV lore—who carries a 4.0 grade point average. But when she’s not excelling in the classroom, she’s succeeding on the football field as a member of the Breakers’ varsity team.

In October 2022, Bella made history when she became the first female football player in California history to score not one, but two touchdowns in a game. Bella takes us into this moment, the celebration that followed and the lessons she’s learned since.

In this episode, Bella explores her football journey. A self-described “rambunctious” kid, she explains what led her to the sport. She tells listeners how as a high school athlete she navigates the physical differences between her and the boys she competes against. She examines why toughness is a critical tool to achieve the unprecedented.

Bella discusses the mindset she adopts to compete as a female football player. She provides great detail on the self-talk and visualization processes she engages in before heading onto the field. She also has advice for other women on how to enter and navigate male-dominated spaces. Bella also highlights the need for all to overcome the fear to pursue bold endeavors.

In December 2022, Bella made history again when she became the first female high school football player to sign an NIL deal. Notably, in California, high school athletes can monetize their name, image and likeness. Bella tells us why she’s partnering with KeyWise and why mental health is a priority to her.

Finally, Bella shares her vision for football and how to get more girls in it.

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Neeta Sreekanth is the Senior Vice President of Operations for Winners Alliance, the for-profit affiliate of the Professional Tennis Players Association. A sport business veteran whose career began as a ball kid for the Dallas Mavericks, Neeta highlights how being surrounded by people with a champion’s mentality as a child impacted her future.

In this episode, Neeta, who is a former Division I basketball player, discusses how sport experience facilitates collaboration and commonality amongst diverse groups. She talks about how she applies this lesson in the workplace, giving listeners an effective tool to grow and coach workplace teams.

Neeta has great advice for college athletes on what they need to do to maximize NIL opportunities. Related to her current work for Winners Alliance, she discusses how the company is fostering group licensing opportunities for athletes globally and walks listeners through what group licensing is and why it needs to be modernized.

Finally, Neeta highlights how she got involved in private investing and the criteria she considers when making investments. She gives actionable advice for how listeners can get started in private investing and grow a network that facilitates investing opportunities. It should be noted that nothing in this episode constitutes investment advice and listeners should consult a licensed financial planner and other trusted advisors before making an investment decision.

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Culture is a critical element to a team’s success. But how do you build culture from the ground up?

Freya Coombe is the inaugural head coach for Angel City Football Club. Founded in July 2020 and starting play in the NWSL in 2022, Angel City FC has captivated widespread interest and shown the momentum behind women’s sports. Notable about the team is it is led by a majority female ownership group that includes venture capitalists, actors, professional athletes, influencers and more.

In this episode, Coach Coombe discusses:

· What it was like becoming the head coach of Angel City FC when the team hadn’t signed any players nor played any games and how she approached the opportunity to build a team from scratch;

· What went into selecting the team’s first roster of players;

· The culture that is being built and how the players signed have shaped it

Coach Coombe then discusses what needs to be done to grow meaningful opportunities for women’s soccer and its players. She discusses how the start-up mindset that Angel City FC has used to scale its club is a model other teams should look at when it comes to advancing the growth of women’s sport.

Coach Coombe then explains how she got into investing and the setbacks she faced in preparing for retirement as she moved from the U.K. to U.S. to advance her coaching career. She highlights the hurdles she’s seen that hold women’s sport athletes back from investing and why she’s partnering with TIAA to close the retirement pay gap.

Finally, Coach Coombe tells us what she’s up to these days and gives a good explanation for how coaches can productively use the offseason to prepare for the next season.

This is a great episode for anyone desiring to build and strengthen a team’s or corporation's culture. It also has great insights for growing women’s sports.

Check out Coach Coombe's work for TIAA here.

Learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation's "The Equity Project," sponsored by TIAA here. 

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How do you overcome doubt? Even more, how do you overcome doubt in the face of insurmountable odds?

Drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Shazier experienced a dream come true after playing football since the age of five years old. But the road to the NFL wasn’t clear, as Ryan battled alopecia and scoliosis as a kid. Yet, through exercising faith and strategies to stay positive, Ryan beat the odds and made it to the NFL.

In this episode, Ryan explains the emotions he felt having his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft. He also discusses what he learned from the Steelers’ organizational culture and the Rooney family.

In 2017, Ryan was at the height of his career. He made the Pro Bowl, the Steelers exercised a team option on his contract and he was putting up incredible statistics. But on December 4 in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the unthinkable happened: Ryan collided with a Bengals receiver and suffered a spinal contusion that left him paralyzed.

In this episode, Ryan opens up not only about that moment, but the mindset he adopted to walk again.

Ryan’s story is an incredible lesson for others on what it takes to overcome doubt and achieve the unprecedented and unexpected. He gives listeners tangible advice on what they need to do in their own lives as they work toward the highest goals.

These days, Ryan is staying busy encouraging others. He recently published a book, “Walking Miracle: How Faith, Positive Thinking, and Passion for Football Brought Me Back From Paralysis and Helped Me Find Purpose.” He’s also the host of a new podcast, “Don’t Call it a Comeback” in partnership with Wondery. Through the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation, he provides funding and resources for others experiencing spinal cord injuries.

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106 wins.

Two World Cup tournament victories.

The winningest coach in American soccer history.

It is hard to imagine that with all Jill Ellis has achieved in her soccer career, she grew up in a time when there were no organized soccer opportunities for girls.

Coach Ellis joins us the Ruling Sports Podcast to discuss her storied career, and how now, after leaving coaching, she is working to pave new opportunities for women in sport business and personal finance.

In this episode, Coach Ellis discusses:

· The virtue of persistence; and

· The benefit of seeking out moments that make you uncomfortable

In this lens, she tells listeners of the confidence she carried going into unprecedented arenas and provides advice for how women can navigate male dominated spaces.

Coach Ellis also provides important career advice for all listeners, highlighting:

· How she came to pursue her passion for coaching over a safe career and steadier paycheck as a technical writer;

· The mindset she adopted that allowed her to take career risks; and

· Why a personal commitment to treating others well limits the actual risk in pursuing bold career goals

She also pulls back the curtain on her coaching philosophy, explaining the approach and coaching strategy that propelled her success.

Finally, Coach Ellis tells us what she’s up to now as the President of San Diego Wave FC, and what motivated her to leave the pitch for the front office. She also discusses why she’s partnering with TIAA to bring awareness to the retirement pay gap and the positive trends she sees as it relates to women’s soccer players and finance.

This is an incredible listen for soccer fans and individuals seeking motivation to pursue their truest passions and callings. Coach Ellis provides applicable, meaningful advice to boldly pursue the highest of goals.

Check out Coach Ellis' work for TIAA here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkHpxa7gqVG/?hl=en

Learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation's "The Equity Project," sponsored by TIAA: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/the-equity-project/

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During six days in 2020, Sarah Fuller achieved a life-long sporting goal and shattered a glass ceiling she never planned on cracking.

In November 2020, the then Vanderbilt women’s soccer player received her first call-up to start. After a rough few seasons that had her questioning if she should continue playing, it was a momentous occasion.

But the momentum didn't stop.

A call came that changed Sarah’s life: down players due to COVID-19, Vanderbilt football’s coaching staff asked Sarah to kick for the team.

On November 28, 2020 Sarah made history as the first woman to play in an NCAA Power Five Conference football game.

In this episode, Sarah takes us into that moment and shares about the fears she had, the trolls she encountered and why she ultimately went for it. She takes us inside of the conversation with a sport legend who urged her on and inspired her to shatter a glass ceiling in college football. 

At the time, the NCAA banned college athletes from profiting off of their name, image and likeness. Here, Sarah discusses the regret that she was unable to commercially benefit from the opportunity—despite others doing so and the story garnering global media attention.

Through the story of her incredible athletic journey, Sarah provides listeners with important insights into:

· The importance of parents in encouraging children to pursue lofty goals;

· The societal hurdles women continue to face en route to unprecedented achievements;

· Strategies to maintain confidence amidst external criticism;

Sarah also provides applicable advice to women on how to find success and navigate spaces traditionally dominated by men. She highlights an accountability partner model for women to remain encouraged and focused on their goals despite barriers and objections.

Finally, recently partnering with TIAA to bring awareness to the gender retirement gap, wherein women on average have 30% less saved than their male counterparts, Sarah has important advice for athletes related to:

· Why authenticity is critical to securing meaningful NIL deals;

· When to begin preparing for retirement; and

· The piece of financial information athletes need more information about.

Check out Sarah's work for TIAA here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkLsQuppfBh/?hl=en

Learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation's "The Equity Project," sponsored by TIAA: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/the-equity-project/

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Andrew Alexander King is an African American explorer who climbs, surfs and free dives and is the founder of the Between Worlds Project, a nonprofit aimed at highlighting the humanity of cultures globally.

Voted one of the top-20 most influential people in the outdoor industry, Andrew has climbed over 50 mountains globally, from Kilimanjaro to the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. He is currently training and climbing towards being the first African American to summit the highest mountain and volcano on each continent. He is not doing this to “conquer” the mountains, but rather, to speak out against racism, sexism, climate change and economic barriers.

Growing up in Detroit, Andrew was the first in his family to attend college. He competed in track and field for a decade before transitioning to climbing and surfing. Now, as an explorer, Andrew travels the world to tell the story of others’ humanity. He tells us why he chooses his “hard” daily and what can be accomplished if one has the mindset to set out every day to accomplish difficult things. He also discusses the importance of mentors and how a pay it forward attitude can foster others’ futures.

In this episode, Andrew and Alicia discuss:

· How the media and others can tell the story of others’ humanity;

· How athletes can use sport partnerships for good; and

· Strategies athletes can employ in partnerships to create opportunities for underserved communities

Andrew takes us deep into his work through the Beyond Worlds Project to highlight some of the amazing people he’s met in all corners of the world and the issues they’re facing. In particular, he discusses the climate crisis the Earth is experiencing and provides simple steps listeners can take to help slow climate change.

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In today’s complex economy, financial literacy is more important than ever.

For athletes—who earn the majority of their lifetime’s wealth in a short timeframe—the importance is even greater.

Today’s guest is Maura Attardi, the Director of Financial Wellness at Money Management International.

Money Management International is a nonprofit helping consumers find solutions to everyday financial challenges. In this role, Maura travels the country working with college and professional athletes, teams, leagues and players associations to provide financial literacy education.

In this episode, Maura and Alicia discuss:

· The need to focus on financial wellness and what it entails;

· What a financial plan for an athlete should include;

· How to begin the financial planning process;

· Strategies to achieve financial freedom;

· Processes to build and adopt a budget; and

· Top credit and debt strategies for athletes

Maura also touches on:

· The biggest mistake athletes make with money and how it can be overcome;

· The practices that athletes who manage their money best engage in; and

· How college athletes can best protect their financial interests in the NIL era.

This is a great episode for athletes and non-athletes alike, as it takes the mystery out of top financial questions and empowers you to make positive changes in your financial wellbeing.

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Dr. Sam Maniar is a practicing Sport Psychologist who has worked with NCAA and professional athletes for over 20 years. After completing an M.A. in Counseling/Sport Psychology and Ph.D in Counseling Psychology and Sport Psychology, Dr. Maniar became a sport psychology consultant for Washington State University's Department of Athletics. In this role, Dr. Maniar watched a team that went 4-7 the previous season finish 10-2 the next year. From this experience, Dr. Maniar recognized the benefits that can be driven when a coach buys into and supports a sport psychology program for their players. Thereafter, Dr. Maniar completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Applied Sport Psychology at The Ohio State University. Beginning the fellowship in 2002, Dr. Maniar had a front row seat to the Buckeyes' 2002 National Championship in football and saw firsthand how sport psychology was a missing link in the team's success. 

In this episode, Dr. Maniar and Alicia discuss:

Then, Dr. Maniar and Alicia explore:

This is a great episode for anyone interested in learning more about current psychological issues facing athletes and how psychological practices can create advantages in life. 

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B-Boy Ronnie has been at the epicenter of the rising growth and popularity of break dancing (breaking). What began as a way to have fun with his brother has since taken Ronnie around the world to compete in world championships and perform in front of dignitaries.

In this episode, we explore Ronnie’s fascinating journey through breaking, learning how he first took up the art form to how he helped start one of the most impactful crews in breaking history, Full Force.

With a career that has seen him and his crew win events like “America’s Best Dance Crew” and the Red Bull BC One World Finals, Ronnie is now paying it forward to help other breakers gain opportunities. As the founder of DISTRCTARTS in Las Vegas, he creates programming, educational and training opportunities for the next generation of breakers.

This episode provides fascinating insights into the mindset necessary to attain a three decade long athletic career. Ronnie tells us how he obtained the confidence to begin breaking as a shy child and ultimately gained the courage to pursue his talent as a full-time career. He talks about how to maintain relationships with teammates and attain career longevity.

As someone who has experienced various iterations and eras of breaking, Ronnie takes us into the business side of how to take a talent and passion and turn it into a full-time, compensating career. Notably, Ronnie was one of the first breakers to sign an endorsement deal, partnering with Red Bull. He provides advice for how emerging breakers can secure endorsement opportunities.

As breaking enters new dimensions of popularity, we have a fascinating discussion about the evolution of breaking. We consider whether its current growth trajectory is good or bad. Ronnie shares his sentiments as breaking enters the 2024 Olympic Games and gives insights for what could be next for breaking.

This episode is great for those seeking to pursue what seems like an insurmountable dream. It is also great for all athletes desiring to pursue entrepreneurship. Finally, as breaking takes the main stage, it’s an important listen for sports fans to learn more about this fascinating, culturally rich sport.

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