In this episode #164 of the BTB Project, Kollman Gearhart interviews Pablo Perez Ramos, the number one singles player at NJIT, to discuss his remarkable journey in tennis.

Starting at age 3 in Spain and overcoming significant hurdles such as a severe ankle injury, Pablo shares insights into his mental resilience, family support, and the dedication it took to lead his team to a Southland Conference Championship.

He also talks about his plans to join the Florida Gators after graduating. Tune in for a heartwarming and motivating conversation about perseverance and the joy of playing the sport he loves.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:28 Pablo's Early Tennis Journey

01:04 Interview with Pablo Perez Ramos

04:03 Pablo's College Tennis Experience

05:53 Challenges and Breakthroughs

12:35 Adjusting to Life in the U.S.

16:09 Overcoming Injury and Redshirting

22:17 The Road to Championship

26:51 Adapting to New Challenges

27:36 The Turning Point: First Year Struggles

28:50 Triumph and Emotions

31:18 Family Support and Emotional Moments

34:51 Mental Toughness and Preparation

38:50 Reflecting on the Journey

44:27 Future Aspirations and Opportunities

47:13 Words of Wisdom and Conclusion

Pablo's Player Page: https://njithighlanders.com/sports/mens-tennis/roster/pablo-perez-ramos/8686

In episode #163 of the BTB Project, Kollman Gearhart dives into the importance of being mission-minded and introduces the three essential qualities—Caring, Commitment, and Conviction.

Kollman shares his personal journey of overcoming significant obstacles to achieve his dream of playing Division I college tennis. He emphasizes how these principles can be applied to any area of life, providing actionable advice for listeners to pursue their own goals with purpose and dedication.

Tune in for an inspiring and motivational discussion that encourages you to care deeply, commit fully, and believe relentlessly.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:09 The Power of Being Mission Minded

02:40 The First C: Caring

05:36 The Second C: Commitment

09:12 The Third C: Conviction

10:54 Applying the Three C's in Your Life

13:03 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this powerful BTB Project episode #162, host Kollman Gearhart addresses the damaging societal stereotypes around men's emotions and encourages embracing vulnerability. He challenges the lie that emotions are a sign of weakness, underscoring the importance of connecting with others, solving life's challenges together, and achieving inner peace.

Kollman discusses mastering emotional intelligence, the importance of authenticity, and seeking help when needed. He shares personal experiences and practical advice on using journaling as a tool for self-awareness and processing emotions. Join him as he debunks myths, promotes authenticity, and calls for men to build supportive communities.

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude

00:27 The Myth of Stoicism in Men

01:31 Welcome to the BTB Project

02:13 The Power of Vulnerability

08:43 Understanding Emotional Intelligence

13:10 The Importance of Authenticity

16:27 Seeking Help and Building Community

19:20 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of the BTB Project #161, Kollman Gearhart discusses the power of embracing your unique traits and quirks.

Drawing from personal experiences, including an intriguing encounter at a coffee shop, he emphasizes how being different can be a superpower. He shares motivational insights on creating a strong identity, facing challenges, and pursuing bold actions.

Kollmsn also touches on his own struggles and triumphs, aiming to inspire listeners to harness their uniqueness for greater success and impact. The episode encourages self-confidence, positive mindset, and taking steps towards fulfilling one's dreams.

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude

00:27 Embracing Your Uniqueness

02:56 The Coffee Shop Story

05:16 The Power of Being Different

12:25 Harnessing Your Uniqueness

22:01 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode #160 of the BTB Project, host Kollman Gearhart delves into the essential skill of active listening. Emphasizing the importance of listening with empathy, curiosity, and intention, Kollman shares actionable tips on how to become a more effective communicator.

He discusses how to avoid pitfalls like conversational narcissism and distractions, and how to engage in meaningful dialogues through open-ended questions and supportive responses. This episode aims to help listeners connect more deeply with others and improve their communication skills.

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude

00:28 The Power of Being Present

01:07 Welcome to the BTB Project

01:49 The Importance of Active Listening

04:01 Engaging in Meaningful Conversations

06:49 Asking Open-Ended Questions

10:35 Silencing Your Inner Voice

12:30 Avoiding Poor Listening Pitfalls

14:59 Actionable Listening Tips

19:06 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode #159 of the BTB Project, host Kollman Gearhart interviews Marco Matteucci, the head men's tennis coach at NJIT. Matteucci discusses his team's journey to winning the Southland Conference Championship—the first in school history—by building a winning culture, mastering daily routines, and harnessing mental resilience.

The conversation covers leadership, accountability, the evolving challenges of college tennis, and Matteucci's approach to sustaining success while instilling the importance of being present and maintaining daily routines. It's a deep dive into what it takes to build and sustain a championship-winning team.

00:32 The Importance of Obsession in Tennis

00:52 Introducing Marco Medici

01:14 Building a Winning Culture

04:13 Daily Routines and Handling Pressure

08:41 Leadership and Accountability

17:19 Mental Resilience and Meditation

25:46 Navigating NCAA Changes

30:04 Maintaining Humility and Motivation

42:38 Final Thoughts and Outro

In this BTB Project episode #158, Kollman Gearhart, former athlete and motivational coach, shares insights on how to transform your mindset and achieve your goals for 2025.

Drawing inspiration from mindset coach David Bayer , Kollman emphasizes the importance of desire, eliminating barriers, and non-resistance. He discusses practical steps to cultivate a focused mindset, reframe challenges, and turn intentions into actionable plans.

With a blend of personal anecdotes and motivational strategies, Kollman guides listeners to embody the qualities and mindset needed to reach their desired outcomes. Join the BTB community in creating and celebrating a successful year ahead

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude

00:32 Empowerment and Mindset

00:58 Welcome to BTB Project

01:32 Personal Journey and Realizations

02:32 Recalibrating for the New Year

03:22. Desire and Eliminating Barriers

06:52 Visualization and Goal Setting

10:58 Mindfulness and Non-Resistance

12:47 Reframing Challenges

14:45 Consistency and Action

19:15 Affirmations and Identity

21:35 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode #157 of the BTB Project, host Kollman Gearhart shares a heartfelt and motivational message about the impact of bullying and how to confront it.

Kollman recounts personal experiences from his school days, where he faced bullying and was nicknamed 'Big Teddy Bear.' He emphasizes the importance of standing up, speaking out, and supporting others who are bullied.

The episode calls for action against bullying, encouraging listeners to uphold kindness, courage, and accountability.

Kollman also provides practical advice on how to protect one's mental space and maintain self-worth in the face of bullying.

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude

00:32 The Power to Confront Bullying

01:45 Personal Story: The Big Teddy Bear

03:06 Understanding and Overcoming Bullying

05:28 A Call to Action: Stand Up and Speak Out

05:43 The Hidden Face of Bullying

07:24 Personal Reflection: Yearbook Incident

11:06 Empowerment and Setting Boundaries

18:33 Final Thoughts and Challenge

22:13 Conclusion and Community Support

In this episode #156 of the BTB Project, motivational coach Kollman Gearhart delves into the true meaning of giving 100% effort. He emphasizes that success is not just about the outcome but about taking full ownership of one's actions and efforts. Through personal anecdotes and actionable strategies,

Kollman addresses the fear of failure, the pitfalls of comparison, and the importance of being present. Listeners will learn to redefine their concept of 'good enough,' turn fear into fuel, and commit to the journey rather than just the goal, ultimately unlocking their full potential.

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude

00:32 The Essence of Giving 100%

00:52 Debunking the 100% Effort Myth

02:14 Personal Stories and Insights

04:57 Overcoming Fear and Comparison

14:28 Actionable Strategies for Success

19:21 Final Thoughts and Challenge

20:05 Closing Remarks

In this inspiring episode of the BTB Project #155, host Kollman Gearhart interviews Shelby Robb, one of the most decorated softball players from Metro State University, Denver.

Despite her numerous individual accolades, Shelby emphasizes the importance of teamwork, resilience, and giving back to the community. She discusses her journey from being a high-performing student-athlete to overcoming a serious injury and making an impact through advocacy work.

Shelby also touches on current college athletics issues and the significance of strong support systems.

Join us to hear Shelby's powerful story and gain insights on living your best life, no matter the circumstances.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:39 Guest Introduction: Shelby Robb

03:41 Shelby's Post-Graduation Life

04:55 Insights on College Athletics

06:39 Recruitment Journey and College Decision

12:02 Early Softball Journey

15:48 Challenges and Triumphs in College

18:10 Injury and Recovery

23:25 The ACL Injury: A Turf Dilemma

23:58 Rehabilitation and Weightlifting Passion

24:38 The Importance of Injury Prevention

25:19 Discovering a Love for Weightlifting

28:01 Supporting the Team from the Sidelines

30:10 The Value of Team Achievements

32:54 Advocacy and Community Involvement

36:54 Women's Sports and Title IX

40:20 Receiving the RMAC Woman of the Year Award

43:28 Encouraging the Next Generation

Shelby's Volunteer Resources:

Miracle League of Denver: https://www.miracleleaguedenver.com/

Food for Thought: https://foodforthoughtdenver.org/

Girls Inc. of Metro Denver: https://girlsincdenver.org/

Houses for Warriors: https://housesforwarriors.org/veterans-affordable-housing-assistance-program-application/

Cardz for Kidz: https://www.cardzforkidz.org/

Project AngleHeart Denver: https://www.projectangelheart.org/

Shleby's Achievements: