The Compound Commitment

Episode 038: In Episode 2 of The Athlete’s Guide to Investing, I talk about one of the biggest mindset shifts that changed the way I think about investing:

Stop thinking like a gambler.
 Start thinking like an owner.

After studying Warren Buffett for years, I realized that investing is not about chasing stock tips or trying to predict the next hot company. It’s about understanding businesses, ownership, and long-term value.

In this episode, I break down:

 • Why price and value are not the same thing
 • How Warren Buffett evaluates investments
 • The basics of P&L statements and balance sheets
 • The 4 M’s of investing
 • Why index funds simplify investing for most people
 • How athletes can apply discipline and long-term thinking to building wealth

I also share some of my own experiences investing in real estate and how those lessons helped me better understand business and investing over time.

My goal with this series is to help athletes feel more confident around money and investing — not by overcomplicating things, but by building simple systems and long-term habits.

Because investing is not about hype.

It’s about ownership.

Keep compounding.

Episode 037: In Episode 1 of The Athlete’s Guide to Investing, I introduce a simple idea that changed the way I think about money:

Many of the same habits that help athletes succeed in sports — discipline, consistency, patience, and repetition — can also apply to building long-term wealth.

In this episode, I break down:

 • The power of compounding
 • Why starting early matters
 • The importance of paying yourself first
 • The 3 Buckets System for managing money
 • How lifestyle creep can quietly destroy wealth
 • Why automation and consistency matter more than perfection

My goal with this series is to help athletes think differently about money — not just how to earn it, but how to build long-term freedom and ownership over time.

Because you are not just an athlete.

You are an investor.

Keep compounding.

Episode 036: In this episode, I sit down with Ben Klundt, a Certified Financial Planner and certified exit planning advisor at TEN Capital, to talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention until it’s too late—liquidity events. Whether it’s selling a business, offloading real estate, or stepping into retirement, Ben walks through what a liquidity event really is and why planning ahead can make all the difference.

We spend time unpacking why the most successful exits often start three to five years before the actual transaction. Ben shares what he’s seen from business owners who waited too long—and the opportunities they leave on the table because of it. From avoidable tax hits to poorly structured deals, we highlight some of the most common mistakes and how to steer clear of them.

We also get into the strategies that can help maximize value, including thoughtful tax planning and deal structuring. But what stood out most to me was the conversation around the emotional side of selling a business. For many owners, this isn’t just a financial transaction—it’s walking away from something they’ve built their entire life around. Ben offers a really grounded perspective on how to prepare not just financially, but mentally, for that transition.

If you’re a business owner, investor, or someone thinking about a major financial transition down the line, this conversation is a great reminder that the earlier you start preparing, the more options you have—and the better your outcome may be.

Episode 035: In this episode, I sit down with Spencer Ansett, Executive Search Consultant at the Mullings Group, a nationwide MedTech search firm. Spencer has placed over 450 professionals across sales, marketing, finance, market access, and regulatory affairs—and has a front-row seat to what it really takes to make a successful career move.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unfulfilled, or simply curious about what’s next, this conversation will give you a practical and refreshing perspective on career change. Spencer shares what he’s learned from helping hundreds of professionals navigate transitions, including how to position yourself, what companies are really looking for, and the mindset shifts that separate those who thrive from those who stay stuck.

At the core of Spencer’s work is a simple but powerful goal: helping people and companies flourish—growing in a way that’s healthy, intentional, and attracts the right opportunities.

This episode isn’t just about changing jobs… it’s about becoming the person your next opportunity is looking for.

Episode 34: What if your portfolio could generate income in any market?

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Mierzejewski of Goldman Sachs to break down one of the most talked‑about options strategies: covered calls. We start by talking about Matt path from being a college golfer to working in finance, and how that competitive mindset helped shape his approach to the markets.

We then get into the basics of how options actually work, why covered calls can be a useful tool in certain market environments, and some of the most common mistakes investors make when they first explore options. Matt also explains options‑based ETFs, what investors should understand before using them, and how market volatility and conditions can affect outcomes when using a covered call strategy.

If you’ve ever wondered how investors aim to generate income while staying invested — or whether covered calls might fit into a broader portfolio approach — this conversation will help simplify a complex topic and give you a clearer framework to think about options.

Matt Mierezejewski is a vice-president at Goldman Sachs Asset Management where he works as a trusted partner to advisors - helping to create better systems for enhanced productivity, capital market research and investment analytics.  

Episode 033: In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Sawyer, a mental strength coach who shares his powerful journey from battling depression to helping others build resilience, clarity, and confidence under pressure. Ryan opens up about how his own struggles shaped his identity—and how that same work can help athletes, families, and organizations grow with intention.

Ryan is a former national champion college football coach who went on to coach at Central Washington University and Eastern Washington University before founding the Heart First Mental Strength Academy. Today, he works with athletes, leaders, and high performers to build mental strength and high‑performance cultures using his Integrated Mindset and Competitive Edge frameworks.

We talk a lot about identity and clarity—why knowing who you are and what you stand for matters more than motivation alone. Ryan also breaks down how shared vision and clear standards can completely change the environment of a team, an organization, or even a household. We dig into the role curiosity, consistency, and longevity play in real transformation, and Ryan shares practical ways to apply mental strength principles in everyday life.

If you’re looking to perform better when it matters most and build environments that actually support growth, this conversation will give you plenty to think about—and put into action.

Episode 032: In this episode, I sit down with behavioral finance author Brian Portnoy to explore what wealth really means beyond numbers on a balance sheet. We talk about the idea of funded contentment and how aligning your money with purpose, priorities, and decisions can lead to a more meaningful life. Brian also breaks down his “geometry of wealth” framework and the four C’s of contentment—connection, control, competence, and context.

We dive into the psychology of money, including how childhood experiences shape our financial beliefs and why we’re wired to constantly want more, even when “enough” might already be within reach. This conversation is a powerful reminder that financial planning isn’t just about returns—it’s about purpose, meaning, and minimizing regret along the way.

Brian Portnoy, PhD, CFA is the Founder and CEO of Shaping Wealth and a global leader on the psychology of money. He is the author of three behavioral finance books published in 15 languages, including the bestseller The Geometry of Wealth. Brian spent more than 20 years in the hedge fund and mutual fund industries and earned his PhD from the University of Chicago.  

Episode 031: In this episode, I sit down with dietitian Julia Chase to unpack what nutrition really looks like for kids—and why it’s so different from the way adults eat. We talk about her path from competitive dancer to sport nutrition, and how that journey shaped the way she thinks about healthy eating, weight management, and the messy, emotional side of food.  

Julia and I explore how children build their relationship with food from such a young age, why carbs matter more than people think, and how to support kids who need to gain or lose weight without creating shame or fear around eating.
 
 We get into snacks, picky eating, desserts, and the reality that joy has to be part of a healthy diet. We also talk about the influence of social media, how to keep communication open at home, and the simple but powerful idea that parents decide what’s for dinner—and kids decide how much they eat.

This conversation is all about helping families build healthy habits, honoring individuality, and remembering that you are not someone else. Your nutrition needs are your own, and the same is true for your kids.

Episode 030: In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Issakainen from First Trust to break down how investment vehicles have evolved—and what that means for all of us trying to build smarter portfolios. Ryan and I talk through mutual funds, index funds, and ETFs, why they were created, and the unique advantages and challenges of each one.

We get into the ongoing debate of active versus passive management, the importance of true diversification, and why understanding what you own matters more now than ever. Ryan also explains the rapid growth of ETFs, how they work behind the scenes, and why they tend to be more tax‑efficient than traditional mutual funds.

We touch on the rise of thematic investing, the democratization of investing tools, and how the right structure may help investors stay disciplined through different market cycles. Whether you’re new to ETFs or just want to sharpen your understanding, this conversation will give you a clearer picture of how today’s investment vehicles fit into a long‑term strategy.

Episode 029: Athletes today have opportunities to earn money that didn’t exist just a few years ago.

From revenue sharing… to collectives… to individual brand deals—NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) has completely changed the game.

But with new opportunity comes new complexity.

In this episode, I sit down with Theresa Gralinski to break down how NIL actually works, where the money is coming from, and what athletes and families need to understand to make the most of it.

We talk about:

• The three primary ways athletes are earning NIL income 
• Real-world examples of deals (including opportunities beyond football and basketball) 
• Why many athletes—especially those playing professionally overseas—may be missing out 
• The importance of building the right team (agent, advisor, CPA, attorney) 
• What athletes need to know about taxes, spending, and long-term planning 

Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or someone advising athletes, this episode will help you better understand one of the biggest shifts in sports today—and how to turn short-term income into long-term impact.

Because NIL isn’t just about making money…

It’s about what you do with it