The Athletes' Journey

In today’s episode, I sat down to talk with Alex Smagala, a former D1 baseball player turned entrepreneur to discuss his athletic journey and how, after a career-ending injury, shifted his mindset to focus on life after sports.

Alex is passionate about helping financial advisors understand how specialized mortgage products can help their clients expand their options in retirement and he is a great example of finding something you believe in after sports that allows you to have control over your lifestyle. 

His advice for current and former athletes is:

1)      Hard work can take you to heights you never imagined.

2)      A growth mindset is key in all aspects of life, you should always be learning.

3)      Network, Network, Network. Who you know not what you know rings true in life.

To learn more about Alex Smagala, make sure you follow him here:

Instagram: Alex on Instagram
LinkedIn: Alex on LinkedIn

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu

In today's episode, I sat down to talk with Audrey Grant, a former D1 athlete turned entrepreneur to discuss her athletic journey and the mindset athletes need to have when facing adversity during their sports careers.

Audrey majored in Communications in college and has found it to serve her well as an entrepreneur, podcast host, and voice actor.

Audrey is passionate about personal development and it is evident every time we spend time together. Her advice for current and former athletes is:

1) Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and leave your hometown.
2) Don't be afraid to bet on yourself, you'll be surprised how strong and capable you are.
3) Even if things don't seem to be working out right, believe it will always work out in the end in your favor. Life is happening FOR you, not TO you.

To learn more about Audrey Grant, make sure you follow her here:

Instagram: Audrey on Instagram

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu

In today's episode, I sat down to talk with Aly Beebe, a former D1 athlete turned entrepreneur to discuss how athletes can discover and master their own unique emotional processes.

Aly Beebe is the Founder of The CourageGuide Platform and an emotional health coach. She works one-on-one with former competitive athletes to help them find clarity, and connect with the next big chapter in their life after competing in sports.

In high school, Aly was awarded the CIF Southern Section Division III MVP after averaging 20 points & 12 rebounds for the St. Joseph Knights. She then went on to participate in the USA Basketball U17 National Team Trials ahead of the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women and then went on to play basketball at Stanford where she earned her degree in human biology.

She is passionate about authenticity, self-honesty, and helping you find the courage to put yourself out there.

To learn more about Aly Beebe, make sure you follow her here:

Website: Aly Beebe
LinkedIn: Aly Beebe on LinkedIn
Instagram: Aly Beebe on Instagram

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu

In today's episode, I sat down to talk with Roni Sasaki, a paralympic gold medalist, entrepreneur, and speaker, to discuss how athletes can prepare for life after sports. We also discuss how Roni went from being born with one leg and becoming a world-class paralympic skier.

Roni's story, including her transition into entrepreneurship after sports, is a MUST listen for anyone wanting to successfully overcome adversity and find success.

To learn more about Roni Sasaki, make sure you follow her here:

Website: Roni Sasaki
LinkedIn: Roni Sasaki on LinkedIn

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu

In today's episode, I sat down to talk with Bill Dowd, a former professional hockey player, entrepreneur, and franchisor, to discuss how athletes can prepare for life after sports. We also discuss how Bill started his franchise, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, and how what he learned as an athlete has helped him build an extremely successful franchise that is now expanding into the United States from Canada.

This is a MUST listen for any athlete that is considering their post-career options and might be considering the franchise route as a great path professionally.

To learn more about Bill Dowd, make sure you follow him and his work here:

Website: Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control
LinkedIn: Bill Dowd on LinkedIn

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu

In today's episode, I sat down to talk with Martin Medeiros, an entrepreneur, corporate attorney, and negotiation expert, to discuss how athletes can prepare on and off of the field for the new era ushered in by the NCAA's recent ruling on Name, Image, and Likeness. We discuss what athletes can do to properly select representation, align themselves with the right partnerships, and how to handle themselves when negotiating opportunities.

This is a MUST listen for any athlete, parent of an athlete, or advisor looking to work on behalf of athletes needing to make quality business decisions in this new era.

To learn more about Martin Medeiros, make sure you follow him and his work here:

Website: Medeiros Law Group
Website: The Persuasion Lab
LinkedIn: Martin on LinkedIn

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu

In today's episode, I sat down to talk with Antonio Jackson, a former Division 1 athlete turned entrepreneur, to discuss his journey from high school to college and how he successfully transitioned into business and making an impact with his nonprofit organization. We discuss his success secrets and the skills athletes can focus on while they are still playing sports so they can transition well and continue winning in life.

Today, Antonio is focused on helping children from underrepresented communities of color access opportunities and education in STEM so they can develop the fundamentals of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through his nonprofit, Building Blocks 2 Success.

To learn more about Antonio Jackson, make sure you follow him and his nonprofit on:

Website: Antonio at Building Blocks 2 Success
LinkedIn: Antonio on LinkedIn

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu

In today's episode, I sat down to talk with Ryan Groth, former professional baseball player turned entrepreneur, to discuss his journey from high school through the professional baseball ranks. We discuss his success secrets and the mindset athletes can deploy to build successful lives beyond sports and business.

Today, Ryan is focused on helping service-based entrepreneurs and contractors increase the value of their business through personal, leadership, and business development training via his company, Sales Transformation Group.

To learn more about Ryan Groth, make sure you follow him and his company on:

Website: Ryan at Sales Transformation Group
Instagram: Ryan on Instagram
LinkedIn: Ryan Groth on LinkedIn

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu

In today's episode, I sat down to talk with Jeron Mastrud, a former NFL athlete turned entrepreneur, to discuss his journey from college to the NFL. We discuss his success secrets and the mindset athletes need to be successful on and off the field.

Today, Jeron is focused on helping people of all ages "Champion Their Body" through online and in-person physical fitness programs at APEX Performance, Wellness & Rehab.

To learn more about Jeron, or follow his work, connect with him online at:

Website: APEX Performance, Wellness & Rehab
Facebook: Jeron on Facebook
Twitter:  Jeron on Twitter
LinkedIn: Jeron Mastrud on LinkedIn

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu

In episode 3, I got the chance to talk with Robert about how he got started in basketball and the principles he learned along the way that allowed him to thrive in sports and now his professional life as a mortgage advisor.

Robert is passionate about helping people understand all the nuances related to personal finance and applies an educational and relational approach to helping his clients pick the proper mortgage for their primary or secondary home.

To learn more about Robert Day or his work in the mortgage industry, follow or connect with him online at:

Website: Robert Day @ Root Mortgage
LinkedIn: Robert Day's LinkedIn

Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel to be the first to hear of new releases and exclusive content.

To see the live interviews, follow The Athletes’ Journey on YouTube: https://bit.ly/34Bg9ab

Subscribe to get my latest insights, interviews, and podcasts: https://bit.ly/46yNwWu