Today on Talk2Em Jay, I sit down with my former college teammate and longtime friend Derek Grundy for a powerful conversation about leadership, family, and life after sports.
Derek is the Chief Operating Officer at HuaLi Industrial Group (Nike Division), currently based in China, where he leads global operations and partnerships at the executive level. Beyond the title, he’s a husband, a father of two hoopers, and a leader who believes relationships are the foundation of long-term success.
In this episode, we talk about:
Transitioning from college athletics to global business
Leading across cultures and time zones
Balancing career, family, and purpose
Lessons sports teach that translate to the boardroom
What legacy really means beyond money and titles
This conversation is for athletes, entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone thinking about what’s next.
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Host:
James LeVeque (Talk2Em Jay)
📸 Instagram: @Talk2EmJay
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Guest:
Derek Grundy
📸 Instagram: @dgrundy20
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