In this episode of the Stay Connected podcast, host Leo Herrera speaks with renowned golf coach Santiago Mari about his journey in the game of golf, from his early days playing with his father in Puerto Rico to becoming a key figure in golf coaching and equipment development. Santiago shares insights on the importance of understanding player needs, the role of communication in coaching, and the mental aspects of the game. They also discuss the business side of golf, including the Golf Pitch Challenge and trends shaping the future of the sport. Santiago emphasizes the need for golfers to focus on their strengths and maintain a positive mindset while navigating the complexities of the game.

In this episode of the Stay Connected podcast, host Leo Herrera speaks with Mark Immelman, a seasoned golf announcer and instructor. They discuss Mark's journey from a multi-sport athlete in South Africa to becoming a prominent figure in golf broadcasting. Mark shares insights on the importance of hard work, sacrifice, and staying connected to the game. He reflects on his diverse roles in golf, including caddying, coaching, and broadcasting, and emphasizes the significance of preparation and mindset for aspiring golfers. The conversation also touches on iconic moments in golf, the challenges of instruction, and the traits that separate elite players from the rest.

In this episode of the Stay Connected Podcast, host Leo Herrera speaks with Michael Marinelli, a public address announcer and head golf coach at Christopher Columbus High School. They discuss Michael's unconventional journey into golf, his coaching philosophy, the importance of mental health in junior golf, and the challenges of balancing parental pressure with the development of young athletes. Michael emphasizes the significance of teamwork, honesty, and the mental game in golf, while also sharing personal anecdotes and insights from his experiences as both a coach and a father.

In this episode of the Stay Connected podcast, host Leo Herrera speaks with Jonathan Cessa, founder and CEO of Warrior Golf Academy, an organization dedicated to supporting veterans through golf. Jonathan shares his personal journey from military service to discovering the therapeutic benefits of golf, emphasizing the importance of community, inclusion, and mental health. He discusses the role of caddying as a pathway for veterans and outlines his vision for the Academy's future, including training programs and partnerships to enhance accessibility in the sport.

In this episode, Leo Herrera III interviews Michael Mitnick from That Golf Grind. They discuss Michael's journey in golf, his experience in junior golf, and the importance of the mental game. They also talk about content creation and monetizing a social media presence in the golf industry.

Takeaways

- Passion is key in content creation. It's important to choose a topic that you genuinely enjoy and are knowledgeable about.

-The mental game in golf is crucial. Confidence and visualization play a big role in success on the course.

-Consistency is key in building a social media following. Posting regularly and engaging with your audience can lead to growth.

-Collaboration is important in the content creation space. Learning from and supporting other creators can help you grow and expand your reach.

-Monetizing a social media presence can start with product exchanges and evolve into brand partnerships. Building a strong community and providing value to brands are key factors in monetization.

Kevin Carpenter shares his journey into the game of golf and how he got involved in the golf industry. He talks about his introduction to golf in California and his passion for the game. Kevin also discusses his experience working for ParView, a technology company that installed GPS computers in golf carts. He shares how he traveled across the country pitching the product and adding value to golf courses. Kevin emphasizes the importance of authenticity, finding common ground with others, and the diverse opportunities available in the golf industry. The Grateful 4 organization, led by The GratiDude, aims to leverage existing cohort leaders to promote gratitude and mindfulness among kids. The primary mission is to reward these leaders through direct financial grants and have them participate in a 30-day program of exchanging gratitude with the kids they work with. The program includes sending daily texts with gratitude, intentions, and goals. After completing the program, the leaders receive the grant and can use it as they wish. The organization also offers financial literacy courses and opportunities for kids to explore different career paths. The goal is to make a positive impact in the lives of at-risk youth and promote authentic leadership.

Matt Stubbs, a professional long drive golfer, shares his journey and training methods in the world of long drive. He got started in long drive by chance and quickly found success, winning the amateur division in his first event. He transitioned from traditional golf to long drive and focused on increasing his club head speed. Matt emphasizes the importance of strength training, technique refinement, and equipment customization in long drive. He also discusses the mental strategies and challenges of competing in long drive events. Matt's goals include becoming a world champion in long drive and achieving success in other sports.

In this episode, Leo Herrera III interviews Nick Duffy, a professional golfer, coach, and content creator. Nick shares his journey into golf, starting at a young age and playing in junior golf tournaments. He discusses the changes he has seen in the game of golf over the years, particularly the increase in power and athleticism among young players. Nick also talks about his transition from playing professional golf to becoming a golf instructor and content creator. He emphasizes the importance of selecting the right products to promote and maintaining credibility in the industry. Nick is now a certified instructor at Athletic Motion Golf Club. AMG is still working on their certification program, with level one being broad and levels two and three being more niche. The biggest issue in golf instruction is the discrepancy between what is seen on 2D video and what is actually happening in 3D. AMG has a variety of gadgets available for use, including Trackman, Hackmotion, Capto, and Sandpot Lab. They operate as both a monthly subscription and a daily fee facility. AMG's teaching philosophy is to make changes based on what the golfer is actually doing, rather than an idea of what they should be doing. The game of golf has helped Nick Duffy deal with life's challenges and develop resilience. The future of indoor golf is expected to continue growing, with the ability to play at any time of day being a major advantage. AMG is still figuring out how to balance the hardcore golf instruction with the fun social aspect of indoor golf. Nick Duffy can be found on Instagram at Nick Duffy Golf and at athleticmotiongolfclub.com.

In this episode of the Stay Connected Podcast, Leo Herrera III interviews Remec Carlson, a golf content creator and professional golfer. Remec shares his journey into the game of golf, starting at a young age and playing competitively throughout his life. He discusses how he got into content creation and the value he aims to provide to his audience. Remec also talks about his experiences in junior golf and the pressure he felt to perform. He emphasizes the importance of being the CEO of your own golf game and shares his aspirations for the future. The conversation concludes with Remec discussing his brand deals and the impact of content creators in the golf industry.