The Gametime Guru

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Brandon Puffer reached the highest level of the game. Then his life took a dramatic turn that ultimately led him from the bullpen to prison.

In this powerful episode of The Gametime Guru, Brandon shares his remarkable journey through professional baseball, addiction, incarceration, accountability, faith, sobriety, forgiveness, and redemption.

Brandon was drafted by the Minnesota Twins directly out of high school and spent years grinding through the minor leagues. He was released by multiple organizations, continued fighting for another opportunity, and eventually made a pitching adjustment that changed the trajectory of his career: dropping down and throwing sidearm.

That adjustment helped Brandon climb through professional baseball and ultimately earn his call to Major League Baseball. He would go on to pitch for organizations including the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox organization while competing against some of the biggest names in the sport.

But Brandon's story goes far beyond baseball.

He openly discusses his battle with alcohol, losing his sobriety, ignoring warning signs, and making decisions that eventually resulted in his arrest, conviction, and a five-year prison sentence. Brandon ultimately served three and a half years behind bars.

What makes this conversation so impactful is Brandon's willingness to take responsibility for what happened. He does not make excuses. Instead, he talks about the ripple effect of our choices, the people who were hurt by his actions, and why true redemption requires accountability.

Brandon shares what it was like to surrender his life to God while incarcerated, walk out of prison with almost nothing, rebuild relationships with his children, take a humbling job working maintenance at a baseball stadium, and slowly rediscover his purpose.

Today, Brandon uses his experiences to mentor young athletes, speak to people facing difficult circumstances, return to prisons to share his story, and encourage others to recognize the warning signs in their own lives before it is too late.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Getting drafted by the Minnesota Twins out of high school
• The grind and uncertainty of Minor League Baseball
• Being released multiple times and refusing to quit
• The sidearm pitching adjustment that changed Brandon's career
• Getting the call to Major League Baseball
• His unforgettable MLB debut
• Pitching against some of baseball's biggest stars
• His first Major League win
• Addiction and losing his sobriety
• The warning signs Brandon ignored
• The night that changed the direction of his life
• Receiving a five-year prison sentence
• Spending three and a half years incarcerated
• The impact his choices had on his family and others
• Why accountability is essential to redemption
• Surrendering his life to Christ
• Starting over after prison
• Rebuilding relationships with his children
• Grace, forgiveness, faith, and nearly 18 years of sobriety
• Why isolation can make our struggles more dangerous
• Brandon's advice for anyone who knows they need help
• His book, From the Bullpen to the State Pen

Connect with Brandon Puffer:

Website: www.coachpuffpositive.com Instagram: @coachpuffpositive X: @coachpuffpositv

Brandon's Book: From the Bullpen to the State Pen Available on Amazon.

If Brandon's story resonates with you, share this episode with someone who may need to hear the message that your worst decision does not have to become the final chapter of your life. Accountability, humility, faith, and the willingness to ask for help can change the direction of your story.

Subscribe to The Gametime Guru for more conversations with athletes, coaches, sports executives, agents, entrepreneurs, and inspiring people who share the lessons behind their journeys in sports and life.

What does it really take to be a sports agent in the modern era of NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing, and constantly changing college football?

On this episode of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson sits down with longtime professional sports agent Brian Levy, Founder and CEO of Goal Line Football.

Brian has been an NFLPA-certified agent since 1990 and has spent more than three decades representing players and coaches while watching the business of football completely transform.

From NFL contracts and coaching negotiations to NIL agreements involving athletes who are still in high school, Brian provides an inside look at what athlete representation really looks like in 2026.

We discuss how Brian unexpectedly became a football agent after a chance encounter at a sneaker store, why relationships became the foundation of his entire career, and why honesty and loyalty still matter in an increasingly transactional sports industry.

We also dive deep into the modern college football landscape, including:

• How NIL has changed the role of a sports agent
• The impact of the transfer portal and revenue sharing
• What high school athletes should consider before choosing a college
• Why young athletes need to understand taxes, LLCs, saving, and investing
• How parents can prepare themselves for NIL negotiations and recruiting
• The dangers of inexperienced people negotiating deals for athletes
• Why Brian believes the obsession with building an athlete's "personal brand" is often overhyped
• What actually creates a valuable brand for an athlete
• Why NFL organizations continue to make mistakes when hiring head coaches
• Why being a great coordinator doesn't automatically make someone a great head coach
• The story behind Mike Tomlin getting his opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Why relationships, trust, honesty, and loyalty have defined Brian's career

Brian also shares some powerful perspective from more than 35 years in the sports business, including why he doesn't measure success simply by money or the number of clients he represents.

For Brian, success is about the relationships he has built and the impact people have had on one another along the way.

If you're a high school athlete, college athlete, parent, coach, sports agent, athletic administrator, sports business professional, or college football fan, this conversation provides a fascinating look behind the curtain at the rapidly changing business of football.

Learn more about Brian Levy and Goal Line Football: www.goallinefootball.com

SPONSORS & PARTNERS OF THE GAMETIME GURU

FASCIA STICKS

Whether you're training hard, lifting, running, coaching, competing, or simply dealing with those tight areas that are difficult to reach, check out Fascia Sticks.

The Fascia Stick Pro is a stainless steel precision tool designed to help target smaller areas of the body and makes a great addition to your gym bag or recovery routine.

Use code GAMETIME15.

Shop Fascia Sticks Here

Disclosure: This is an affiliate link/code, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through it, at no additional cost to you. Fascia Sticks products are cosmetic wellness accessories and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

GRIT STICKS - CROSS O MEATS

This episode is also supported by Grit Sticks from Cross O Meats.

Grit Sticks are made with 100% American-raised beef and built for athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, service members, and everyday people who refuse to quit.

Whether you're training, coaching, traveling, working, or simply need a convenient high-protein snack on the go, Grit Sticks are made to fuel those moments when you have to keep pushing.

Available in flavors including Original, Jalapeño, and Teriyaki.

Use code GTG10 at checkout.

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NATION'S BEST FOOTBALL

Special thanks to Nation's Best Football for their continued support of The Gametime Guru.

Nation's Best Football is dedicated to showcasing football talent across every level of the game, from youth and high school football to college and professional athletes, while helping athletes gain exposure and understand opportunities surrounding their personal brand and NIL.

Visit Nation's Best Football

SUMMIT LEGAL CONSULTING

Special thanks to Summit Legal Consulting.

Summit Legal Consulting works with business founders throughout the lifecycle of their companies, helping entrepreneurs navigate important legal and business decisions from startup through acquisition and exit.

If you're a business owner looking for experienced legal guidance, learn more about Summit Legal Consulting below and mention The Gametime Guru when reaching out.

Visit Summit Legal Consulting Email: [email protected]

TIMBERLINE GROWTH CO.

Special thanks to Timberline Growth Co. for supporting The Gametime Guru.

Timberline Growth Co. helps businesses grow through digital marketing, lead generation, online visibility, and AI-powered tools designed to help companies generate more leads and sales.

Learn More About Timberline Growth Co.

FOLLOW THE GAMETIME GURU

The Gametime Guru brings you conversations with athletes, coaches, executives, entrepreneurs, and sports professionals from around the world to help you see sports through a different lens.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share this conversation with someone who would enjoy it.

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The Gametime Guru with Shane Larson Helping you see sports through a different lens.

Kurt Taylor: Rebuilding Ridgevue Football Through Culture, Leadership, and Hard Work

What does it actually take to build a winning football culture?

In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, Shane Larson sits down with Kurt Taylor, the head football coach at Ridgevue High School, for a powerful conversation about coaching, leadership, adversity, player development, community buy-in, and what it takes to build a football program the right way.

Coach Taylor brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to Ridgevue football, and this episode goes far beyond the scoreboard. We talk about his football journey, growing up in Oregon, dealing with serious injuries as a high school athlete, the mental health challenges that came with losing the opportunity to play college football, and how coaching became the calling that helped shape his life.

This conversation is especially valuable for athletes, parents, coaches, and leaders who want to understand what culture really means inside a program.

Coach Taylor shares what it has been like stepping into the Ridgevue football program, how he is working to build trust with players, parents, coaches, and the North Nampa community, and why consistency matters when a program has gone through multiple coaching changes.

One of the biggest themes in this episode is that culture is not just something you say. It is something you build every single day through standards, expectations, relationships, core values, and the experience players have inside the program.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Kurt Taylor's football journey and how he fell in love with the game
• Growing up in Oregon and knowing early that he wanted to coach
• How injuries impacted his football dreams
• The mental health side of losing opportunities as an athlete
• Why hard work is the great equalizer
• How coaching became his calling
• What brought Coach Taylor from Oregon to Idaho
• Why Ridgevue football has a unique opportunity right now
• How to rebuild trust after multiple coaching changes
• What real football culture looks like
• Why parents, players, coaches, and community all matter
• How Ridgevue is building from the youth level up
• The importance of player leadership and leadership councils
• Ridgevue players to watch this season
• Why the weight room is the foundation of a successful football program
• Why Coach Taylor believes the power clean is one of the best lifts for football players
• What Ridgevue fans can expect from the program moving forward

Coach Taylor also talks about the importance of developing young men beyond football. His goal is not just to build better athletes. It is to help players become better leaders, better teammates, and better people who can take the lessons from football into the rest of their lives.

We also dive into the importance of the weight room, strength and conditioning, speed development, and mental toughness. Coach Taylor explains why the weight room is where athletes build more than strength. It is where they learn how to push through discomfort, respond to adversity, and build confidence that carries into the fourth quarter and beyond.

Whether you are a Ridgevue football fan, a Treasure Valley sports fan, a high school athlete, a parent, a coach, or someone who loves conversations about leadership and sports, this episode gives a great look at what Coach Taylor and his staff are building at Ridgevue High School.

Follow and subscribe to The Gametime Guru for more conversations with athletes, coaches, business owners, and sports figures from around the world.

Follow The Gametime Guru

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gametimeguru

Twitter / X: https://x.com/thegametimeguru/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-larson-4b591944/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegametimeguru

GTG Partnerships Fascia Sticks

As athletes, lifters, runners, coaches, and everyday movers, we all deal with tight spots that are hard to reach. That's why I'm excited to share Fascia Sticks.

The Fascia Stick Pro is a stainless steel precision tool designed to help target smaller areas like the hands, feet, neck, jaw, temples, and around joints where tension can build up.

It's portable, easy to keep in a gym bag, and can even be chilled in the freezer for cold therapy on those smaller areas. Whether you're training hard, recovering between workouts, coaching all day, or just trying to move and feel better, this is a simple tool worth checking out.

Use my affiliate code/link here: https://fasciasticks.com/GAMETIME15

Disclosure: This is an affiliate link/code, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through it, at no extra cost to you.

Note: Fascia Sticks products are cosmetic wellness accessories and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

Grit Sticks

This episode is also supported by Grit Sticks, a 100% American-raised beef stick brand built for athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, service members, and everyday people who refuse to quit.

Grit Sticks are made for those moments when you need fuel on the go, whether you are training, coaching, working, traveling, or simply pushing through a long day.

Available in flavors like Original, Jalapeño, and Teriyaki, Grit Sticks are all about true American grit and giving you a high-quality snack option when you need something quick and convenient.

Use code GTG10 at checkout.

Shop here: https://www.crossomeats.com/?ref=GTG10

What time is it? Game Time.

How does a quarterback go from playing for an 0-24 high school football program to competing professionally around the world?

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson sits down with professional quarterback, offensive coordinator, and football entrepreneur Justin Sottilare.

Justin shares his journey from a struggling high school program to playing for nationally competitive Division III powerhouse Wesley College. He entered college as one of eight quarterbacks on the roster, considered quitting, and ultimately worked his way into opportunities to contribute to a winning program.

After college, Justin planned to become a teacher and football coach. Then an unexpected message opened the door for him to play professional American football in Europe. What he initially thought might be an April Fool's joke became an international playing career that took him to Germany, Australia, and other football programs around the world.

Justin began playing professionally overseas in 2014, initially retired in 2021, and later returned to the field. He is now playing quarterback professionally again at 36 years old while continuing to coach and build businesses within the football industry.

This conversation covers:

• How Justin remained committed during an 0-24 stretch in high school
• Why refusing to quit helped him move up the college depth chart
• What he learned inside an elite Division III football program
• How he received his first opportunity to play professionally in Europe
• What the talent, competition, and atmosphere are like in European football
• Why international football can create opportunities for players after college
• How Justin became an offensive coordinator while continuing to play quarterback
• Why he spent years developing repeatable systems for football coaches
• How he turned his football knowledge into the American Football Academy
• Why it took a full year for his business to generate its first revenue
• How Spiral XO helps coaches organize and manage their football programs

Justin also takes us behind the creation of Spiral XO.

Spiral XO is an all-in-one football coaching and program management platform created by experienced football coaches who understand how much time goes into running a team.

The platform helps coaches manage digital playbooks, player quizzes, practice plans, scouting reports, scout cards, team communication, calendars, in-game analytics, equipment, player development, and other important parts of a football program.

Spiral XO can also integrate information from film platforms such as Hudl and QuickCut, helping coaches reduce repetitive administrative work and spend more time preparing their teams and developing their players.

One of its most valuable features automatically creates interactive player quizzes from a team's playbook. Players can draw their assignments, receive immediate feedback, and demonstrate whether they truly understand their responsibilities. Coaches can then review each player's answers without manually creating and grading every quiz.

Whether you are an athlete, football coach, athletic director, entrepreneur, or sports fan, Justin's story offers powerful lessons about persistence, preparation, leadership, problem-solving, and building a career around something you genuinely love.

Learn more about Justin's businesses:

Explore Spiral XO and book a demo Visit the American Football Academy

Connect with The Gametime Guru:

Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, and sports figures from around the world. New interviews provide a panoramic view of sports and the lessons that competition can teach us about life, leadership, and business.

What part of Justin Sottilare's journey stood out most to you?

How much revenue are gym owners losing because of failed payments, expired memberships, missed follow-ups, and outdated door-access systems?

In Episode 468 of The Gametime Guru Podcast, Shane Larson sits down with Jonathon Klem, founder of ManageMemberships, to discuss how independent gyms, martial arts academies, fitness studios, gun ranges, and other membership-based businesses can simplify their operations, improve member retention, and stop revenue from falling through the cracks.

Jonathon explains how ManageMemberships brings recurring billing, digital waivers, member communication, QR-code check-ins, customer relationship management, and 24/7 facility access together in one system.

The idea began after Jonathon suffered a meniscus injury and suddenly had extra time away from Brazilian jiu-jitsu. While helping friends who owned a powerlifting gym and a gun range, he discovered that their payment, membership, point-of-sale, and door-access systems could not communicate with one another. After months of trying to connect the existing tools, he decided to build his own solution.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How gyms lose revenue through failed payments and outdated processes
• How members can purchase a day pass, pay, sign a waiver, and enter without staff present
• How QR-code access can replace shared door codes and physical key fobs
• Why automated follow-up is essential for improving member retention
• How owners can receive immediate alerts when a member's access is denied
• How CRM triggers reconnect gyms with members who stop attending
• How ManageMemberships pricing and door-access hardware work
• How the system can be installed in facilities throughout the country
• Why membership software can work beyond traditional fitness centers
• How customer feedback influences the development of new features
• How Jonathon is bootstrapping and scaling ManageMemberships
• How Brazilian jiu-jitsu helped Jonathon transform his health and find community
• What goes into organizing an amateur kickboxing promotion

Connect with Jonathon Klem and ManageMemberships:

Website: https://managememberships.com/ Book a Free Demo: https://managememberships.com/book-demo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-klem Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathonmklem/ ManageMemberships LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/managememberships Email: [email protected]

Pricing, plans, hardware, and features may change after the recording of this interview. Visit the official ManageMemberships website for current information.

Follow The Gametime Guru:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegametimeguru Website: https://www.thegametimeguru.com/home Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts Spotify: Listen on Spotify Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gametimeguru/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gametimeguru TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegametimeguru X: https://x.com/thegametimeguru/

If you own a gym, martial arts academy, yoga studio, dance studio, gun range, ATV park, or another membership-based facility, share this episode with someone who could benefit from a better way to manage memberships, payments, communication, and facility access.

Follow and subscribe to The Gametime Guru for weekly conversations with athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, innovators, and sports figures from around the world.

How can football coaches simplify complicated concepts, develop smarter offensive linemen, and build stronger relationships with their players?

In Episode 467 of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson sits down with Coach Ian Tatum, a North Carolina football coach, offensive line educator, clinic instructor, and content creator known for making football strategy easier to understand.

Coach Tatum shares his journey from beginning football in eighth grade to walking on at Gardner-Webb and eventually discovering that coaching was his true calling. He explains the transition from playing the game to teaching it, why great coaching requires more than a whistle, and how mentorship, communication, and genuine relationships shape athletes both on and off the field.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why youth football development requires structure and consistent coaching
• How to coach athletes at different ages and experience levels
• Why the crawl, walk, run teaching method is effective
• How Coach Tatum simplifies football concepts for players and coaches
• The importance of playside and backside offensive line rules
• How to teach gap schemes such as power, counter, and duo
• Why leverage and technique can help smaller offensive linemen succeed
• How offensive linemen process defensive fronts and solve problems at the line of scrimmage
• Why tight ends, H-backs, and bigger personnel groupings are returning to football
• The biggest life lesson Coach Tatum has learned from the game

Coach Tatum also addresses the misconception that offensive linemen are simply the biggest players on the field. Offensive linemen must communicate, recognize defensive changes, understand multiple techniques, make decisions under pressure, and execute physically on every play.

The conversation closes with one of Coach Tatum's most important lessons: be genuine. Players know when a coach truly cares, and authentic leadership can create relationships and memories that last far beyond a football season.

This episode is valuable for youth football coaches, high school football coaches, offensive line coaches, players, parents, and anyone interested in football leadership, teaching, strategy, and player development.

Follow Coach Ian Tatum: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachTatum X/Twitter: https://x.com/CoachTatum90 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachTatum90

Support The Gametime Guru: Get 10% off Grit Sticks by using code GTG10 at checkout. Website: https://gritsticks.com

Subscribe to The Gametime Guru for more conversations with athletes, coaches, and sports figures from around the world.

How is artificial intelligence changing basketball coaching, player development, scouting, broadcasting, and performance analysis?

In Episode 466 of The Gametime Guru Podcast, host Shane Larson sits down with Davyeon Ross, Co-Founder and CEO of ShotTracker, for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of basketball, technology, entrepreneurship, real-time analytics, and artificial intelligence.

ShotTracker is helping change the way basketball programs understand what is happening on the court. By combining player and ball tracking, shot data, live statistics, synchronized video, advanced analytics, and AI-powered insights, the platform gives coaches and athletes a deeper look at performance than a traditional box score can provide.

But Davyeon's story began long before ShotTracker.

Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Davyeon initially played soccer before discovering basketball as a teenager. Despite getting a relatively late start in the sport, his size, athleticism, footwork, shooting ability, and work ethic helped him earn a full college basketball scholarship in Kansas.

After completing a successful college career, Davyeon had opportunities to play professional basketball overseas. Instead, he made the difficult decision to pursue a career in software engineering—a choice that would eventually allow him to combine his passion for sports with his expertise in technology.

That combination ultimately led to the creation of ShotTracker.

In this episode, Davyeon explains how the original idea began with a simple basketball problem: players and coaches were spending hours manually recording shots and performance data with pen and paper. He and his co-founder saw an opportunity to make that process more efficient, accurate, and valuable.

Today, ShotTracker provides basketball technology that can automatically track shots, player movement, practice performance, scrimmage statistics, live game data, and video. Davyeon breaks down how the platform's different products help coaches evaluate players, review possessions, analyze opponents, validate the eye test, and make more informed decisions.

In this conversation, Shane and Davyeon discuss:

• Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago
• Making the transition from soccer to basketball
• Moving to the United States at 17 years old
• Earning a full college basketball scholarship
• Adapting to a new country, culture, and level of competition
• Choosing software engineering over professional basketball
• The immigration and career factors that influenced that decision
• How Davyeon combined his love of sports and technology
• The original problem that inspired ShotTracker
• How ShotTracker measures shots, player movement, and team performance
• How basketball statistics can be synchronized with video
• How artificial intelligence can make film study and scouting more efficient
• Why analytics should support a coach's instincts rather than replace them
• How data can help quantify what coaches see during games and practices
• Why traditional coaches can still benefit from modern basketball technology
• Davyeon's friendship and mentorship relationship with former NBA Commissioner David Stern
• What Davyeon learned from David Stern about leadership and innovation
• Why great innovators are able to "see around corners"
• The future of AI, automation, and basketball analytics
• How technology could allow coaches to spend less time behind keyboards and more time developing players

Davyeon also shares an important perspective for coaches who may be hesitant to embrace new technology. Tracking performance is not a new concept. Coaches have measured shots, possessions, lineups, and player development for decades. ShotTracker simply uses modern technology to make that process faster, easier, and more scalable.

The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence could shape the future of basketball broadcasts and fan engagement. As data, video, and automation become more connected, fans may receive increasingly personalized ways to watch, understand, and interact with the game.

Whether you are a basketball coach, player, parent, athletic director, scout, entrepreneur, technology professional, or sports fan, this episode offers an inside look at how AI and real-time analytics are helping shape the future of basketball.

Learn more about ShotTracker: https://shottracker.com/

ABOUT THE GAMETIME GURU

The Gametime Guru Podcast, hosted by Shane Larson, delivers a panoramic view on sports through conversations with athletes, coaches, executives, entrepreneurs, trainers, and influential sports figures from around the world.

Each episode goes beyond the highlights and statistics to uncover the experiences, challenges, lessons, and defining moments that have shaped each guest's journey.

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegametimeguru

Visit The Gametime Guru: https://thegametimeguru.com/

SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS

Grit Sticks by Cross O Meats Premium meat sticks made with 100% American beef. Use promo code GTG10 at checkout. https://www.crossomeats.com/?ref=GTG10

Fascia Sticks A precision recovery tool designed to help athletes and active individuals target sore and tight muscles. Use promo code GAMETIME15. https://fasciasticks.com/GAMETIME15

Special thanks to:

• Nations Best Football
• Summit Legal Consulting
• Timberline Digital Marketing

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Will artificial intelligence and real-time basketball analytics improve coaching and player development, or could teams become too dependent on technology?

Follow, subscribe, and share this episode with a basketball coach, player, entrepreneur, or sports technology fan.

Keywords: Davyeon Ross, ShotTracker, basketball analytics, artificial intelligence in basketball, AI basketball technology, basketball coaching technology, basketball player development, basketball scouting, sports analytics, real-time sports data, basketball tracking technology, coaching analytics, college basketball technology, sports technology entrepreneur, David Stern, basketball innovation, sports business, ShotTracker CEO, The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson.

Frédéric Guitton: How iTarget Golf Is Gamifying the Future of Driving Ranges

What if the driving range became more than just a place to hit a bucket of golf balls?

In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, Shane Larson sits down with Frédéric Guitton, Chief Revenue Officer of iTarget Golf, to talk about golf technology, driving range innovation, sports business, and how gamification is changing the way people experience the game of golf.

This conversation is for golfers, driving range owners, golf course operators, sports entrepreneurs, families, and anyone interested in how technology can enhance sports experiences without taking away from the game itself.

Frédéric shares how iTarget Golf is helping driving ranges create a more interactive and memorable experience through LED targets, interactive bay lights, ball tracking integration, and gamified golf experiences that reward players in real time.

Instead of the traditional driving range experience where someone simply buys a bucket of balls and hits into an open field, iTarget Golf helps facilities create moments of instant feedback, competition, and entertainment. The goal is to make practice more fun, help golfers build confidence, attract new audiences, and give range owners new ways to grow their business.

We talk about the gap between traditional golf practice facilities and high-end golf entertainment venues, and why there is a huge opportunity for driving ranges to become more engaging, more visual, and more family-friendly.

Frédéric also explains several iTarget Golf products and concepts, including Night Saber, Strike Point, in-bay interactive lights, and Cash Cup Golf. Each product is designed to create a better player experience while also helping golf facilities improve customer retention, increase engagement, and create new revenue opportunities.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How iTarget Golf is gamifying the driving range experience
• Why golf technology is changing the way people practice
• How LED golf targets create instant feedback for players
• Why driving ranges need to think beyond buckets of balls
• How range owners can create better customer experiences
• The difference between traditional golf practice and golf entertainment
• Why families and casual golfers are important to the future of golf
• How driving ranges can attract a wider audience
• How gamification can help build golfer confidence
• Why technology should enhance the sports experience, not take it over
• The business side of golf facilities and revenue growth
• Affordable installation and practical implementation for range owners
• Weather, maintenance, warranty, and operational questions
• How iTarget Golf is installing systems around the world
• The future of sports technology and golf innovation

One of the biggest themes of this episode is that technology works best when it enhances the experience. Frédéric explains that the mission is not just to sell targets. It is to help create better memories, better practice sessions, better family experiences, and more opportunities for people to fall in love with golf.

Whether you are a golfer looking for a more enjoyable way to practice, a driving range owner looking to grow your business, or someone interested in the business side of sports technology, this episode offers a fascinating look at where golf entertainment is headed.

Learn More About iTarget Golf

Website: https://itargetgolf.com

Contact: [email protected]

GTG Partnerships Fascia Sticks

As athletes, lifters, runners, coaches, and everyday movers, we all deal with tight spots that are hard to reach. That's why I'm excited to share Fascia Sticks.

The Fascia Stick Pro is a stainless steel precision tool designed to help target smaller areas like the hands, feet, neck, jaw, temples, and around joints where tension can build up.

It's portable, easy to keep in a gym bag, and can even be chilled in the freezer for cold therapy on those smaller areas. Whether you're training hard, recovering between workouts, coaching all day, or just trying to move and feel better, this is a simple tool worth checking out.

Use my affiliate code/link here: https://fasciasticks.com/GAMETIME15

Disclosure: This is an affiliate link/code, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through it, at no extra cost to you.

Note: Fascia Sticks products are cosmetic wellness accessories and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

Grit Sticks

This episode is also supported by Grit Sticks, a 100% American-raised beef stick brand built for athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, service members, and everyday people who refuse to quit.

Grit Sticks are made for those moments when you need fuel on the go, whether you are training, coaching, working, traveling, or simply pushing through a long day.

Available in flavors like Original, Jalapeño, and Teriyaki, Grit Sticks are all about true American grit and giving you a high-quality snack option when you need something quick and convenient.

Use code GTG10 at checkout.

Shop here: https://www.crossomeats.com/?ref=GTG10

Follow The Gametime Guru

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gametimeguru

Twitter / X: https://x.com/thegametimeguru/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gametimeguru/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-larson-4b591944/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegametimeguru

Follow and subscribe to The Gametime Guru for more conversations with athletes, coaches, business owners, and sports figures from around the world.

Andrew Mendel: 20-Year-Old Head Coach and Ithaca College Football Player

In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, Shane Larson sits down with Andrew Mendel, one of the most unique guests we have had on the show.

Andrew is a current college football player at Ithaca College, where he plays defensive end, and he is also the head boys basketball coach at Newfield High School in Newfield, New York.

At just 20 years old, Andrew is balancing college football, academics, internships, leadership responsibilities, film study, practice planning, and building a high school basketball program. This conversation dives into how he manages that workload, why coaching became such a passion for him at a young age, and how being a college athlete helps him become a better coach.

Andrew shares how he first became obsessed with coaching and leadership while he was still in high school, how he started learning from coaches early, and why building genuine relationships with players matters more than X's and O's.

We also talk about the Newfield community, the culture he is building within the basketball program, the grind of being a college football player, and how leadership has no age limit.

This episode is packed with lessons for athletes, coaches, parents, young leaders, athletic directors, and anyone who cares about culture, player development, and the impact sports can have on people.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Andrew Mendel's role as a college football player and high school basketball coach
• Playing defensive end at Ithaca College
• Becoming the head boys basketball coach at Newfield High School
• How Andrew started learning coaching while still in high school
• Why relationships matter more than X's and O's
• Building culture inside a basketball program
• The grind of college football
• Balancing school, football, internships, and coaching
• Why being coached every day helps Andrew become a better coach
• Why coaching helps him become a better football player and leader
• The importance of being genuine with players
• Newfield basketball and the power of community
• Andrew's three program pillars: work hard, be a great teammate, and enjoy the journey
• Why "who you are" matters inside a program
• The life lessons Andrew has learned through sports

Andrew's story is a reminder that leadership is not about age. It is about preparation, passion, humility, consistency, and the willingness to show up for people every single day.

Whether you are a coach, athlete, parent, or sports fan, this conversation will give you a lot to think about when it comes to leadership, culture, and what it really means to build something the right way.

Follow / Learn More

Andrew Mendel – Ithaca College Football Profile: https://athletics.ithaca.edu/sports/football/roster/andrew-mendel/24235

Newfield Athletics: https://www.newfieldschools.org/page/athletics

Newfield Boys Basketball Schedule: https://www.schedulegalaxy.com/schools/153/teams/55981

The Gametime Guru YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegametimeguru

GTG Partnerships Fascia Sticks

As athletes, lifters, runners, coaches, and everyday movers, we all deal with tight spots that are hard to reach. That's why I'm excited to share Fascia Sticks.

The Fascia Stick Pro is a stainless steel precision tool designed to help target smaller areas like the hands, feet, neck, jaw, temples, and around joints where tension can build up.

It's portable, easy to keep in a gym bag, and can even be chilled in the freezer for cold therapy on those smaller areas. Whether you're training hard, recovering between workouts, coaching all day, or just trying to move and feel better, this is a simple tool worth checking out.

Use my affiliate code/link here: https://fasciasticks.com/GAMETIME15

Disclosure: This is an affiliate link/code, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through it, at no extra cost to you.

Note: Fascia Sticks products are cosmetic wellness accessories and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

Grit Sticks

This episode is also supported by Grit Sticks, a 100% American-raised beef stick brand built for athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, service members, and everyday people who refuse to quit.

Grit Sticks are made for those moments when you need fuel on the go, whether you are training, coaching, working, traveling, or simply pushing through a long day.

Available in flavors like Original, Jalapeño, and Teriyaki, Grit Sticks are all about true American grit and giving you a high-quality snack option when you need something quick and convenient.

Use code GTG10 at checkout.

Shop here: https://www.crossomeats.com/?ref=GTG10

Follow and subscribe to The Gametime Guru for more conversations with athletes, coaches, and sports figures from around the world.

Jake O'Neil: From Fruitland, Idaho to Professional Basketball Overseas

How does a small-town athlete from Fruitland, Idaho go from motocross, golf, and no major basketball recruiting spotlight to playing professional basketball overseas?

In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, Shane Larson sits down with Jake O'Neil, a professional basketball player whose journey is anything but ordinary. Jake grew up in Fruitland, Idaho, where basketball was not always the main focus. Before chasing basketball at the highest levels, he spent much of his early athletic life around motocross and golf.

Jake opens up about what changed when he started taking basketball seriously, how the weight room transformed his game, and why strength, confidence, and preparation became such important pieces of his development. He also shares the adversity he faced after a major leg injury and a difficult season of life that forced him to rebuild mentally, emotionally, and physically.

From there, Jake's story becomes one of belief and opportunity. After starting college as a golfer at Boise State, he eventually walked on at the College of Idaho with one mindset: all he needed was a shot. That opportunity led to a standout career, a College of Idaho national championship, a move to Division I basketball at Idaho State, and eventually a professional basketball career overseas.

This conversation is packed with lessons for athletes, parents, coaches, and anyone chasing a goal that might not look realistic from the outside. Jake's story is about betting on yourself, staying ready when opportunity comes, building toughness through adversity, and learning how to become a professional before you ever get paid to be one.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Growing up in Fruitland, Idaho
• Why Jake focused on motocross and golf before basketball
• How strength training changed his basketball career
• Why the weight room matters for young athletes
• Overcoming a major leg injury before his senior season
• Choosing Boise State golf before returning to basketball
• Walking on at the College of Idaho
• Winning Freshman of the Year as a walk-on
• The College of Idaho national championship run
• What made that C of I team special
• Transitioning from NAIA basketball to Division I at Idaho State
• How rebounding became Jake's calling card
• What overseas professional basketball is really like
• The mindset required to keep chasing the next level

Whether you are a basketball player, coach, parent, Idaho sports fan, College of Idaho fan, Idaho State fan, or someone who loves an underdog story, this episode with Jake O'Neil is one you will want to hear.

GTG Partnerships

Fascia Sticks

As athletes, lifters, runners, coaches, and everyday movers, we all deal with tight spots that are hard to reach. That's why I'm excited to share Fascia Sticks. The Fascia Stick Pro is a stainless steel precision tool designed to help target smaller areas like the hands, feet, neck, jaw, temples, and around joints where tension can build up.

It's portable, easy to keep in a gym bag, and can even be chilled in the freezer for cold therapy on those smaller areas. Whether you're training hard, recovering between workouts, coaching all day, or just trying to move and feel better, this is a simple tool worth checking out.

Use my affiliate code/link here: https://fasciasticks.com/GAMETIME15

Disclosure: This is an affiliate link/code, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through it, at no extra cost to you.

Note: Fascia Sticks products are cosmetic wellness accessories and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

Grit Sticks

This episode is also supported by Grit Sticks, a 100% American-raised beef stick brand built for athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, service members, and everyday people who refuse to quit. Grit Sticks are made for those moments when you need fuel on the go, whether you are training, coaching, working, traveling, or simply pushing through a long day.

Available in flavors like Original, Jalapeño, and Teriyaki, Grit Sticks are all about true American grit and giving you a high-quality snack option when you need something quick and convenient.

Use code GTG10 at checkout.

Shop here: https://www.crossomeats.com/?ref=GTG10

Follow and subscribe to The Gametime Guru for more conversations with athletes, coaches, and sports figures from around the world.