The 5th Quarter Podcast with Sandy Adams

Sometimes it's not the setback that changes your life... it's having to face it alone.

Diagnosed with epilepsy as a child and told she would likely never play varsity sports, Hollie King refused to let that prediction define her. She became a standout volleyball player at North Mesquite High School before earning a spot at Eastfield College. But after a torn ACL ended her collegiate playing career, she found herself struggling with purpose, motivation, and the loss of the identity she'd built through volleyball.

Years later, that same journey led her back to the game she loved—not as a player, but as a coach. After helping more than 100 student-athletes earn college opportunities through A+ Athletics, Hollie sold the business to pursue collegiate coaching full-time. Today, she is the Head Women's Volleyball Coach at Sul Ross State University, where she's committed to developing leaders on and off the court.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up with epilepsy and overcoming expectations
• The mental battle after a career-ending ACL injury
• Rediscovering purpose after sports
• The college recruiting process and what parents often misunderstand
• Building leaders and winning cultures
• Why every athlete is more than the game they play

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or simply navigating a major life transition, Hollie's story is a powerful reminder that our greatest purpose is often discovered in the seasons we never planned.

Be sure to subscribe to The 5th Quarter Podcast so you never miss another inspiring conversation about your pivot and purpose in life.

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

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What does it take to move from being the athlete to becoming the leader?

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Sandy Adams sits down with University of Memphis Head Volleyball Coach Cheri Lindsay to discuss her journey from Hall of Fame volleyball player at Prairie View A&M to leading one of the most visible women's athletic programs in Memphis.

Cheri shares the lessons she learned as a player, the challenges of transitioning away from competition, and the mindset shift that helped her become a more effective coach and leader. She also discusses the importance of athlete identity, why sports psychology has become a passion, and how she's helping student-athletes prepare for life beyond the game.

The conversation also explores the 901 Women initiative, opportunities for women in sports, professional volleyball, and what fans can expect from Memphis Volleyball in the upcoming season.

Topics include:
• Growing up in Colorado
• Finding volleyball and Prairie View A&M
• Hall of Fame athlete to head coach
• Choosing coaching over professional volleyball
• The athlete-to-coach transition
• Building culture and winning programs
• Sports psychology and mental performance
• Identity beyond athletics
• The 901 Women initiative
• Memphis Volleyball's future
• Leadership, growth, and change

Whether you're an athlete, coach, leader, or someone navigating your own next chapter, Cheri's story offers valuable lessons on growth, purpose, and embracing change.

Connect with Cheri Lindsay
Instagram: (at) Coach_Lindsay11

Follow Memphis Volleyball
Instagram: (at) memphisvball

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

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In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Sandy Adams sits down with Steve Ehrhart — former President and General Manager of the Memphis Showboats (1980s)— for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unforgettable eras in Memphis sports.

Recruited to Memphis by cotton industry titan Billy Dunavant — in what Steve calls an offer he “couldn’t refuse” — he helped build a team designed to compete at an NFL level, signing multiple first-round draft picks and assembling a roster that would leave a lasting mark on the game. 

In this conversation, Steve shares:

•  The real story behind how he was recruited to Memphis 
•  What it took to build a winning franchise almost overnight 
•  The moment he realized Reggie White was unlike anyone else 
•  Why the USFL was actually succeeding… and what led to its collapse 
•  And how close Memphis came to becoming an NFL city 

Now the longtime Executive Director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Steve reflects on a career that spans leagues, teams, and decades of leadership in sports.

📘 Want to dive deeper into the Showboats story?

 Check out "The Memphis Showboats: The USFL Team and the City's Fight for Major League Status" by Dr. Keith B. Wood
Available on Amazon and at keithbwoodauthor.com

Subscribe for more conversations on sports, leadership, and life after the game.

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
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What does it look like to take deep-rooted discipline from your upbringing and turn it into leadership across sports and business?

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, I sit down with James Fisher Jr., General Manager of the Memphis Hound Dogs, to talk about a journey shaped long before titles ever came into play.

From growing up in Texas, where grit, discipline, and self-belief are part of the culture, to running track and playing football, to continuing his athletic career at Texas State — his foundation was built early. But like many athletes, the real story began in the transition.

We talk about how he moved from athlete to entrepreneur, building a career in performance, business, and leadership — and how those experiences now come together as he helps build a new professional franchise in Memphis.

Highlights:

•  How his Texas upbringing shaped his mindset and work ethic 
•  Lessons from competing in track and football 
•  The transition from athlete to building a career beyond sports 
•  Starting at the ground level and creating real momentum 
•  What leadership looks like off the field 
•  Building the Memphis Hound Dogs from the ground up 

 If you’re navigating your next chapter or building something from scratch, this conversation will challenge how you think about growth and leadership.

Learn more at memphishounddogs.football

On social (at) MemphisHoundDogs - On IG (at) JamesFisherJr 

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

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Memphis has chased major league status for decades — from the Memphis Red Sox to the ABA and the World Football League. In the early 1980s, that pursuit led to the Memphis Showboats, one of the most memorable chapters in the city’s sports history.

On this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast with Sandy Adams, historian and author Dr. Keith B. Wood returns to discuss his new book The Memphis Showboats: The USFL Team & the City’s Fight for Major League Status and the leadership, vision, and belief that rallied a city.

We discuss:

•  Memphis’ push to become a major league city 
•  How the Showboats landed in Memphis 
•  Leadership of owner William Dunavant and GM Steve Ehrhart 
•  Pepper Rodgers and the team’s identity 
•  The impact of Reggie White and Walter Lewis 
•  How the Showboats united Memphis 
•  Why the USFL collapsed 
•  The team’s lasting legacy 

For three seasons, the country took notice — but the story is bigger than football. It’s about leadership, opportunity, and belief in what a city could become.

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
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 - In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast – On the Sideline, Sandy Adams sits down with Dr. Sally G. Parish, Vice Provost at the University of Memphis and Superintendent of University Schools.

Dr. Parish leads a rapidly growing K–12 school district connected to the university, but her passion for developing confident young leaders was shaped much earlier in life.

Growing up in Pulaski, Tennessee, a difficult experience with a high school coach led her to walk away from sports entirely as a freshman. That moment would later influence her mission to create environments where young people — especially girls — can build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of identity.

Before returning to Memphis, Dr. Parish launched an award-winning leadership development program for collegiate student-athletes and conducted research on leadership identity development, identifying key traits such as growth mindset, grit, and competitive purpose.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How early experiences shape identity and confidence
 • Why athletes often face an identity shift when their playing careers end
 • What coaches and educators can do to develop leaders — not just performers
 • Why young girls need spaces where they can build confidence and use their voice
 • How the University school system has grown into a full K–12 district with more than 55 athletic teams

This episode is about more than sports.

It’s about helping young people discover who they are long before the world tells them what they should be.

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
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Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website

 - Larry O’Bannon Jr. made a conscious decision early in his career to plan for life after basketball—so retirement wouldn’t catch him unprepared.

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Larry shares how thinking ahead while still playing at the University of Louisville helped him navigate a 15+ year professional career overseas—and transition smoothly into life after the game.

Coached by Rick Pitino, Larry learned resilience, mental toughness, and the importance of moving forward quickly—lessons that proved just as valuable after basketball as they were on the court. From earning an accounting degree as a built-in Plan B to playing professionally across Europe and South America, Larry was intentional about preparing for what came next.

We talk about identity beyond sport, redefining success, and building a life that aligns with your values—on and off the court.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why Larry chose accounting in college as a long-term strategy
• Lessons from Coach Rick Pitino that carried into his post-playing career
• How international basketball shaped his perspective and adaptability
• Making the transition from athlete to investor, coach, and broadcaster
• Redefining success through family, purpose, and alignment

P.S. Larry also shares how hosting The Player’s Perspective Uncensored podcast allows him to stay connected to the game—mixing basketball conversations with a growing appreciation for bourbon, creating a unique lane of content that reflects where he is now.

Find Larry online:

Podcast @theplayersperspectivePodcast

Instagram @larryobannon

X @LarryOBannon

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

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 What does it take to move 4,000 miles from home to a new city & school sight unseen and become a national champion? Gabriela Zych has the answer.

In this episode, Sandy Adams sits down with Gabriela Zych, University of Memphis rifle standout and the first national champion in Memphis rifle history. 

Gabriela shares her journey from Anchorage, Alaska to Memphis, how she discovered shooting in high school, and how mindset, consistency, and perseverance helped her build a record-breaking career both on the range and in the classroom.

She opens up about her training, competing under pressure, balancing academics with athletics, and the mental discipline that drives her success.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• How Gabriela discovered rifle in high school and decided to stick with it
• Her move from Alaska to Memphis to pursue her sport
• The mental discipline behind precision shooting and high-pressure competitions
• Competing outdoors at the USA Shooting National Championships
• Maintaining a 4.0 GPA while excelling at the national level
• Journaling, mindset, and building resilience as tools for success
• Her goals for coaching and giving back to the sport

Gabriela’s story shows that growth comes from showing up, trusting yourself, and putting in the work—even when stepping into the unknown.

NIL Opportunities: HERE

Follow Gabriela on Social Media:

• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/zychgabriela
• Instagram: @zych.gabriela  |  X: @zychgabbi

For full show notes, visit:

https://5thqrtpodcast.com/2025/11/12/ep-80-gabriela-zych-rifle/

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

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Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website

Former soccer standout Jazzmin Mancilla opens up about resilience, reinvention, and life after sports.

After 15 years on the field, national titles, and two ACL tears, she’s now navigating motherhood, a big move to Tennessee, and launching her own soccer training business.

Highlights:

• 2× national club champion (Arsenal & Legends FC)
• Cal State Fullerton: multiple Big West titles
• Overcame 2 ACL tears & major injuries
• Coached club & college soccer, then worked in finance
• Played amateur soccer overseas (Europe & Australia)
• Relocated from California to Knoxville for a fresh start
• New mom to a 16-month-old son
• Launching her own soccer training business

Connect with Jazzmin:

• Instagram: @jazzfootball25
• LinkedIn: Jazzmin Mancilla
  
  

Jazzmin’s story shows how to reinvent yourself, balance new responsibilities, and create purpose beyond the game.

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: Website | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website

What happens when your biggest passion leads you to unexpected places and the search for what’s next?

Dr. Kishi Smith-Rey’s journey started on the soccer fields of Southern California, where her love for the game carried her to Division I at Cal State Fullerton. Along the way, she faced injuries, setbacks, and the challenge of balancing athletics with academics as a first-generation college student.

After retiring from competitive soccer, she explored new paths — from professional wedding photography to earning her Ph.D. and joining Clemson University as an Assistant Professor.

Today, she’s the founder of SportPhD, an organization helping young athletes — especially girls — develop the mental, physical, and emotional skills to thrive both on the field and in life. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose — proof that the end of one chapter can be the start of something even bigger.

Highlights:

• Growing up in California and discovering soccer
• Playing D1 soccer and overcoming injuries
• Transitioning out of competitive sports
• Building a career in photography
• Pursuing a Ph.D. and becoming a professor
• Launching SportPhD and The Athlete Mindset workshops
• Supporting athletes in life, leadership, and mindset

If you’ve ever faced a turning point and wondered what comes next, this conversation is for you. Kishi’s journey reminds us that setbacks don’t define us — they prepare us for the next chapter.

Find Kishi online: 

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/rikishiteren/

Instagram: @sportphd  @kishiteren 

Website: sportphd.org

Send us a text.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today.  Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: Website | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website