About Today’s Guest:Jon Root is a sports and entertainment media professional whose contagious energy and unapologetic personality made him one of the youngest in-arena hosts in professional sports. From the San Jose Sharks to the Santa Cruz Warriors, he helped create some of the most-watched team content in history.

A three-sport athlete in high school and former college football player at Azusa Pacific, Jon chased his dream to work in sports media—but after standing firm in his convictions, he was canceled from the industry. Instead of staying silent, Jon leaned into his faith, became a voice at Turning Point USA, and now thrives as an independent creator speaking boldly at the intersection of sports, culture, and faith.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• ​Jon’s journey from small-town athlete to professional sports host at just 22 years old
• ​How faith shaped his career and carried him through being “canceled”
• ​The identity crisis that followed losing his dream job and how God humbled him
• ​His perspective on cancel culture, sports, and why truth still matters
• ​The role of vulnerability and community in overcoming hardship
• ​Why he believes sports should return to being unifying instead of divisive
• ​Jon’s current definition of success and the values that guide him

Connect with Jon Root:Instagram: @johnnyroot_YouTube: Jon RootTwitter/X: @JonnyRoot_

Show Sponsors:

Farm Haus Fitness

Gameday Men’s Health Tuscaloosa

Links:

https://linktr.ee/theothersideofsuccesspod

Episode Summary:In this episode of The Other Side of Success, Tyler sits down with Niki Noto Palmer — a dynamic multimedia personality with over 15 years in broadcasting. From ESPN sideline reporter to Atlanta Falcons host, Niki lived her dream job early. But as life shifted, so did her calling. Today she pours her passion into mentoring student-athletes, shaping the next generation through media training and faith-driven storytelling.

Niki opens up about her journey from chasing the big stage to finding deeper fulfillment in family, faith, and obedience. She shares how surrender reshaped her definition of success, why relationships are everything, and how she equips young athletes to lead with confidence on and off the field.

This is a conversation about identity, comparison, and purpose — and how success isn’t about the stage you stand on, but the people you impact along the way.

What you'll hear in this episode:

How Niki broke into ESPN and landed her dream job at a young age

The pressure of living in the spotlight and lessons from early TV criticismWhy she stepped away from national broadcasting to prioritize family and faithMentoring the next generation: communication, confidence, and characterRedefining success — from networks and stadiums to purpose and presence

Connect with Niki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikinotopalmer?igsh=MTBncG13amE3M2JweA==

Show Sponsors:

Farm Haus Fitness

Gameday Men's Health-Tuscaloosa

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theothersideofsuccesspod

In this episode, Tyler Rutledge sits down with Andy Kennedy, head men’s basketball coach at UAB and one of the most respected voices in college hoops. From his small-town roots in Louisville, Mississippi, to a standout playing career at NC State and UAB, to leading Ole Miss for 12 years and now his alma mater, Coach AK’s story is packed with grit, resilience, and perspective.

Andy opens up about:

• ​Growing up in a blue-collar home and learning the value of work from his father, an electrician.
• ​How injuries shaped his playing career and ultimately pushed him into coaching.
• ​The wild path that led from being Bob Huggins’ assistant to suddenly becoming a Big East head coach with zero prep.
• ​His record-breaking run at Ole Miss, and what it was really like to live under SEC head coach pressure.
• ​Building culture and momentum at UAB during the NIL and transfer portal era.
• ​How faith, family, and perseverance shape his leadership on and off the court.

Coach Kennedy also reflects on marriage, fatherhood, and the role of faith in navigating life’s toughest challenges. This is more than just basketball—it’s about discipline, resilience, and becoming the best version of yourself.

Sponsors:

• ​Game Day Men’s Health (Tuscaloosa): Helping men optimize their bodies the way they were meant to be. Visit their first-class clinic on 13th Street.
• ​Farmhouse Fitness (Birmingham): Premier gym for movement, performance, and community.

👉 Subscribe to The Other Side of Success and don’t miss future episodes.📲 Follow us on Instagram: @theothersideofsuccesspod

In this powerful episode of The Other Side of Success, Tyler Rutledge sits down with his close friend and personal financial advisor, Arthur Strauss — President & CEO of Strauss Financial Group. Arthur’s journey takes him from a promising baseball career cut short by a devastating injury, to building a thriving financial practice, to facing the fight of his life with a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis at age 35.

Arthur opens up about:

• Growing up in a family rooted in faith, entrepreneurship, and service

• The crushing setback of a career-ending baseball injury — and how it shaped his mindset for future battles

• Being a husband, father, and business owner while undergoing six months of chemotherapy

• How his faith journey deepened, culminating in his baptism during treatment

• The importance of discipline, structure, and mental resilience during life-altering challenges

• Turning his battle into a mission — raising money for lymphoma research through marathon running

This episode is a raw and inspiring look at how one man faced life’s toughest pitches — and came out stronger on the other side.

Connect with Arthur Strauss:
Strauss Financial Group – Serving clients in 28 states
Website: Strauss Financial Group
Instagram: @arthur_strauss
LinkedIn: Arthur Strauss

🔗 All Podcast Links, Sponsors & More:
Tyler Rutledge Linktree

🛠 Sponsors:

This week on The Other Side of Success, Tyler sits down with Ashlyn Kuyrkendall—better known online as The Triple Threat Mom. Ashlyn has built a fast-growing Instagram following of over 26,000 by helping women find affordable fashion, avoid the comparison trap, and stay grounded in their faith and family.

But behind the curated reels and shopping links is a story of resilience, risk, and calling. From her days as a choir director and teacher, to a leap of faith into content creation, Ashlyn shares how she balances motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship while refusing to compromise her integrity.

In this conversation, Tyler and Ashlyn dive into:

How her husband encouraged her to step into influencing (and remains her #1 fan)

Leaving behind a decade of teaching to chase a new dream

The hidden grind of content creation: sourcing, editing, and posting daily

Fighting the comparison game when your life is built on visibility

How faith shapes her content, decisions, and the way she carries herself online

The lessons motherhood has taught her about humility, patience, and purpose

This episode is a masterclass in authenticity. Whether you’re an aspiring creator, a mom juggling everything, or someone struggling with comparison, Ashlyn’s story will encourage you to step out in faith, put in the work, and trust the process.

Closing Question: As always, we end by asking Ashlyn for her personal definition of success—and her answer is one you’ll want to hear.

Follow Ashlyn

Instagram: @thetriplethreatmom

Instagram reels discussed in episode: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK4lRxBs25J/?igsh=djV0MHdrbXZodXB5 and https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMlGfzpsRHQ/?igsh=MW50Mnh5ZTltNWhwbA==

Have You Filled a Bucket Today: https://a.co/d/6Ud6pv6

Sponsors:

Farmhaus Fitness – Birmingham’s home for movement with purpose.

Game Day Men’s Health – First-class men’s health clinic in Tuscaloosa.

Capital One Business – Helping small business owners maximize travel and rewards flexibility.

https://linktr.ee/theothersideofsuccesspod

What do you do when the dream doesn’t go as planned?

In this episode of The Other Side of Success, Tyler Rutledge sits down with his good friend Blake Smith — a former Mississippi State relief pitcher whose story is packed with grit, humility, and lessons that go far beyond the baseball field.

Blake’s journey took him from small-town Alabama to junior college records, to walking on at Mississippi State, and ultimately standing on the mound in the SEC. Along the way, he faced rejection from his childhood dream school, battled through injury, and learned what it really means to trust God’s plan when life throws a curveball.

Now a successful State Farm agent, husband, and father of three, Blake shares how the highs and lows of baseball prepared him for business ownership, leadership, and family life.

We cover:

• Moving schools at 14 for a shot at college baseball — and the pressure that came with it

• Being told by Alabama coaches he “wasn’t good enough”… and proving otherwise

• Setting the ERA record at Shelton State and walking on at Mississippi State

• The torn UCL that ended his senior season — and how it turned him into a mentor instead of a player

• Why character outlasts talent, in sports and in business

• How Blake redefines success today as a husband, father, and leader

Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or someone chasing a dream in business, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success, resilience, and what truly lasts.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Blake Smith turned rejection, injury, and uncertainty into faith, perseverance, and leadership.

Show Sponsors and Links:

Gameday Men's Health Tuscaloosa

Farmhaus Fitness

Kill Cliff

Capital One Business Credit Cards

Legendary coach Josh Niblett joins Tyler Rutledge to kick off Season 2. From his days as an Alabama national champion under Gene Stallings to building dynasties at Hoover and Gainesville, Niblett shares how faith, discipline, and family keep him grounded through pressure, expectations, and the constant pursuit of excellence.

Coach Josh Niblett is one of the winningest and most respected high school football coaches in America. He played quarterback at Alabama, helped capture a national championship, and went on to lead Hoover High School to six state titles before taking on the challenge of building Gainesville High School into a powerhouse.

In this conversation, Josh goes deeper than X’s and O’s. He opens up about:

• ​Growing up as a coach’s son and competitor in small-town Alabama
• ​Playing under Coach Gene Stallings and what he still carries from that experience
• ​Leading Hoover through years of championships — and painful one-point losses
• ​Why he left Hoover for Gainesville, and how his family and faith guided the decision
• ​Dealing with pressure, anxiety, and the weight of being a role model
• ​What it means to build men, not just football players
• ​The cultural foundation of his program: standards, commitments, and doing things the right way

Coach Niblett also shares how his morning prayer drives his leadership, why “life is a pleasure, not a pressure,” and his current definition of success: giving the best version of yourself with no excuses.

Rapid Fire:

• ​Favorite pregame hype song: Flo Rida
• ​Hardest loss: 2012 State Championship vs. Prattville (35–34)
• ​Nick Saban in one word: Process
• ​Paid week off — Lake or Beach? → Beach

Links:

• ​Chasing Best Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/221jnvlOA2NHgRFTDxFcfH?si=112110836d2a488f
• ​Tyler’s links: https://linktr.ee/theothersideofsuccesspod

Sponsors:

• ​Farmhaus Fitness (Birmingham’s premier gym): https://www.farmhausfitness.com
• ​Kill Cliff (affiliate link): https://email.noreply.snwbl.io/c/eJw0ybFSxCAQANCvgTK
• ​Capital One Business Credit Card: https://i.capitalone.com/Jn0mAzhWT
• ​Gameday Mens Healh Tuscaloosa: https://gamedaymenshealth.com/tuscaloosa-al/

If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend who leads a team or family. Subscribe, rate, and review — it helps more than you know.

In the Season One finale of The Other Side of Success, Tyler sits down with Alabama’s most trusted voice during crisis — Chief Meteorologist James Spann. Known for his calm presence during deadly tornado outbreaks, Spann opens up about the private storms he’s weathered behind the camera: a broken home, early trauma, and the long road to faith and forgiveness.

This episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and hard truth — from electric fences and ashtray VBS crafts to leadership under pressure and rebuilding after loss. Whether you’re from Alabama or not, this one will stay with you.

• ​The childhood trauma that shaped Spann’s work ethic
• ​How April 27, 2011 changed his life forever
• ​The night a tornado hit his own house
• ​Balancing public pressure with private pain
• ​Why his real legacy is in children's ministry — not weather
• ​A deeply personal story about forgiving his father
• ​How he defines real success in today’s chaotic world
• ​📚 Book: Weathering Life by James Spann – Buy on Amazon
• ​📖 Recommended Reading: All Over But the Shoutin’ & The Prince of Frogtown by Rick Bragg
• ​🎧 WeatherBrains Podcast – weatherbrains.com
• ​Instagram @spannwx
• ​Twitter/X @spann
• ​Facebook @JamesSpann
• ​YouTube – Weather Updates
• ​Instagram: @theothersideofsuccesspod
• ​All Episodes & Platforms: linktr.ee/theothersideofsuccess

Enjoying the podcast? Share it with a friend and leave a 5-star review to help us keep telling stories that matter.

In this episode of The Other Side of Success, Tyler Rutledge welcomes Tommy McCollister, founder of High Level Husband — a global ministry that equips men to lead boldly at home, at work, and in the kingdom.

Tommy’s story is anything but surface-level. Raised in chaos, hardened by trauma, and later fueled by success that left him empty, Tommy opens up about what it took to finally surrender — and how that obedience unlocked everything God had planned for his life.

Inside this episode:

• ​Why most high-achieving men still feel empty and unseen
• ​The real reason men struggle to receive love (even from God)
• ​How marriage was never meant to “complete” you — and what to do when your wife feels more like the leader
• ​The painful preparation season that shaped Tommy's mission
• ​Why identity, spiritual leadership, and obedience must be built before external success
• ​The birth of High Level Husband and how it’s transforming men around the world

Tommy’s voice is raw, bold, and anchored in scripture. Whether you're spiritually stuck or hungry for next-level purpose, this episode will fire you up.

Connect with Tommy:

• ​Instagram: @tommymccollister
• ​Coaching + Speaking Inquiries: DM or visit www.highlevelhusband.com
• ​💡 Life-saving habit: Solitude
• ​🧠 Verse on repeat: 2 Peter 3:9 – God is not slow, He’s patient.
• ​🌊 Dream trip: The beach, no question.
• ​✅ Definition of success: A deep relationship with Jesus.

In this powerful Independence Day special, Tyler Rutledge sits down with Michael Stafford — a decorated U.S. Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and survivor of a life-altering IED blast in Iraq. Michael lost his left leg in combat but refused to let that injury define his future. From battlefield trauma to personal redemption, from addiction to spiritual breakthrough, this conversation is raw, honest, and deeply patriotic.

Tyler and Michael explore:

• ​What the 4th of July really means to a combat veteran
• ​The day of the explosion and how Michael stayed alive through pain, prayer, and grit
• ​Mental vs. physical recovery — and why healing the mind is often the hardest battle
• ​How golf became a surprising anchor in his journey toward wholeness
• ​Misconceptions civilians have about veterans, patriotism, and sacrifice
• ​Faith, redemption, and what it really means to come back from rock bottom

This isn’t just a story of survival. It’s a story of purpose. A reminder of what freedom costs — and why it’s worth protecting.

• ​Team Never Quit
• ​The Shawn Ryan Show
• ​Jocko Podcast
• ​Stories of veterans who turned trauma into testimony
• ​Golf, God, and gritty comebacks

🎧 Listen If You Love: