The Profluence Pod 🌐

Phil Wallin, the founder of Diesel Optimization, has built one of the most respected performance ecosystems in modern sports. What started as a small training operation has evolved into a data-driven human performance engine trusted by MLB athletes, top collegiate programs, and high-performing executives. Phil’s path from the Midwest to launching Diesel in Tampa reflects a blend of discipline, experimentation, and a relentless pursuit of measurable improvement.

At Diesel, Phil has developed a methodology that merges biomechanics, strength and conditioning, recovery systems, and cutting-edge wearable tech into a unified performance model. His approach emphasizes individualization at scale—helping athletes understand not just how to train, but why their bodies respond the way they do. This philosophy has shaped Diesel into a hub for innovation, attracting athletes looking for precision-based development rather than one-size-fits-all programming.

In this episode, Phil breaks down the evolution of athlete data, how Diesel is expanding into youth and developmental pathways, and why performance training is shifting toward holistic, tech-enabled systems. He also shares the lessons that guided him as a founder—building trust, creating structure, and developing the “dog mentality” culture Diesel is known for.

Podcast Chapters:

01:13 Phil's Journey: From Coaching to Entrepreneurship

04:21 The Importance of Adaptation in Business

07:57 Integrating Technology in Athletic Training

13:49 Capturing Young Athletes: A New Approach

17:52 Scaling Diesel: Balancing Coaching and Business

22:12 Lessons from Elite Athletes: Discipline and Drive

25:49 Staying Sharp: Balance and Continuous Learning

Brooks Wiley is an Austin native and longtime operator in the rapid rise of pickleball as both a sport and commercial industry. After discovering the game in 2018, he immersed himself in its emerging business landscape—exploring equipment, facilities, and the early community driving the sport forward.

His work alongside Steve Kuhn led to the creation of DUPR and Major League Pickleball, where he helped shape early partnerships, recruit pro talent, and build the league structure during a period of intense growth and national attention. His experience spans league operations, team ownership strategy, media ambitions, and the financial realities of scaling a challenger sports property.

Wiley now leads strategic partnerships at PickleTile, focusing on the infrastructure and technology powering pickleball’s expansion. His perspective covers the full ecosystem—from sound-mitigating court solutions to the broader trends driving amateur and professional participation worldwide.

Podcast Chapters: 

02:37 Brooks Wiley's Journey into Pickleball

05:20 The Impact of COVID-19 on Pickleball

07:53 Building Major League Pickleball and Duper

10:26 Navigating League Growth and Structure

13:04 Media Strategy and Distribution in Pickleball

15:22 Infrastructure Opportunities in Pickleball

18:19 The Future of Pickleball and Padel

20:56 Global Expansion of Pickleball

23:33 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

Raphael Eder is the Founder & CEO of the No Limits Tour (NLT), a new global sports and media venture redefining how action sports are built, owned, and experienced. Rooted in his lifelong connection to extreme environments, Eder created NLT to bring together the world’s top cliff divers and empower them as co-owners and co-creators of a new generation of sports IP. The tour blends world-class live events with cinematic, social-first storytelling — all designed to highlight the beauty of nature, culture, and elite performance.

Eder’s vision for NLT extends far beyond competition. He has architected a league model where athletes help shape governance, content, and long-term value creation, marking a shift toward athlete-driven sports properties. His approach includes identifying iconic natural locations for events, building a digital ecosystem optimized for Gen Z audiences, and structuring capital strategies to support the tour’s global ambitions. Under his leadership, NLT is emerging as one of the most innovative sports concepts of the decade.

Across the conversation, Eder reflects on the lessons learned while building a league from scratch, the complexities of operating at the intersection of sport and spectacle, and the long-term vision that guides NLT’s future expansion. His story highlights a blend of creativity, operational rigor, and entrepreneurial courage — all fueling the rise of a new frontier in action sports entertainment.

Podcast Chapters: 

01:00 Rafael Eder's Journey to Extreme Sports

02:22 The Unique Approach of No Limits Tour

04:39 Building a New League in Cliff Diving

08:19 Identifying Locations for Events

10:51 Leveraging Digital Platforms for Growth

13:22 Selecting Participants for the Tour

15:22 Navigating Capital Markets for Funding

17:24 Vision for the Future of No Limits Tour

19:22 Unexpected Lessons in Building a League

21:00 Dream Locations for Future Events

22:06 Leadership and Mentorship in Sports

Raphael Eder:🏠 Website: https://nolimitstour.com/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaeleder/

Scott Garber:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

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TOCA is building the future of global soccer experiences — blending technology, training, community, and entertainment in a way the U.S. market has never seen before. In this episode, TOCA Founder Eddie Lewis and Executive Chairman Erik Anderson share how they are creating an ecosystem that develops better players, elevates fan culture, and makes high-quality soccer experiences accessible to everyone — from youth athletes to lifelong fans.

What started as a training innovation has evolved into a fast-growing global platform. TOCA now includes TOCA Training centers, TOCA Social entertainment venues, and proprietary technology that enables consistent, data-driven development at scale. Eddie and Erik break down how TOCA is “completing soccer” by delivering experiences across the entire player and fan journey — and why the model mirrors the explosive, community-driven growth seen in Topgolf.

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, soccer participation exploding, and experiential entertainment reshaping the landscape, TOCA is positioned at the center of a once-in-a-generation moment. Eddie and Erik reveal the strategy behind their expansion, the power of experiential IP, and how TOCA plans to become the world’s leading soccer experience company.

Podcast Chapters:

02:40 What TOCA Is: Training, Tech & Social Experiences

05:55 The Origins: Eddie’s Vision and the First Machines

08:12 How TOCA Completes Soccer Across the Full Player Journey

11:28 Expanding Youth Soccer and Player Development

14:05 The Role of Technology in Consistent, Scalable Training

17:20 TOCA Social: Soccer’s Version of Topgolf

21:48 Building Experiences That Connect Fans, Players & Families

25:03 Creating IP: Why TOCA Is Betting Big on Social Venues

28:42 The Global Soccer Moment Ahead of 2026

32:11 Strategy, Scale & Global Expansion Opportunities

35:26 The Future: Making Soccer a Lifelong Experience

Eddie Lewis & Erik Anderson:

🏠 Website: https://www.toca.social/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewiseddie/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikanderson9/

Andrew Petcash:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

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KlutchShots AI is reshaping the future of youth sports by merging advanced computer vision, machine learning, and creative storytelling into an instant-highlight engine for the modern sports ecosystem. Founded by Jeff Snyder and Irvin Garduno, KlutchShots AI set out to solve one of the biggest pain points in youth sports: capturing meaningful moments without forcing parents to film every play.

What began as a powerful iPhone app that creates real-time, professional-quality highlights has expanded into a fully autonomous enterprise system capable of capturing entire tournaments — from MADE Hoops to GASO — and delivering cinematic reels at scale. Their AI doesn’t just record the game… it understands it, reframing, editing, and producing vertical social-ready clips instantly while preserving full horizontal footage for coaching and analysis.

In this episode, Jeff and Irvin break down the origin of KlutchShots AI, the massive opportunity in the $69B youth sports market, and how technology is transforming athlete storytelling. They discuss the rise of autonomous video capture, how teams and clubs are using AI to enhance player development and recruiting, and why this moment represents a major shift in sports media and fan engagement.

Chapters:

02:51 The Birth of KlutchShots AI

05:46 Defining AI in Sports

08:26 The Future of Video Capture in Sports

11:15 Enhancing Value for Teams and Clubs

13:57 Recruiting Applications and Market Needs

16:47 Creating a Culture of Innovation

19:37 The Role of Hardware in Video Capture

22:19 The Pulse of Youth Sports Events

25:14 Lessons Learned as Founders

27:56 Looking Ahead: The Future of KlutchShots AI

Jeff Snyder & Irvin Garduno:

🏠 Website: https://klutchshots.ai

💼 LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsnyder2891/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/irvin-garduno-2a5068380/

Scott Garber:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

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 Overtime is one of the most disruptive forces in modern sports — building new leagues, cultural IP, and storytelling for a generation raised on highlights, creators, and connection. Led by Dan Porter, Co-Founder and CEO, Overtime has evolved from a digital media pioneer into a global sports ecosystem operating OTE and OT Select (basketball), OT7 (football), and OTX (boxing) — engaging nearly 100 million fans across platforms.

Backed by top investors including Liberty Media, Andreessen Horowitz, Alexis Ohanian, Drake, and over 40 NBA and NFL players, Overtime’s mission is to reimagine how fans experience sports, how athletes grow their brands, and how culture drives community.

In this episode, Dan shares Overtime’s journey from content creation to league ownership, the power of Gen Z’s passion, and how storytelling, data, and innovation shape the future of sports. From NIL to AI to global fan engagement, this conversation explores what’s next for sports media and the new generation defining it.

Podcast Chapters:

• 01:09 The Evolution of Overtime: From Media to Elite Leagues
• 05:43 Lessons from COVID: Adapting to Change
• 09:05 Navigating the Landscape of Youth Sports and Capital Raising
• 09:41 Understanding the Audience: Gen Z and Their Interests
• 12:55 Cultural Insights: K-Pop, Demon Hunters, and Youth Engagement
• 16:14 Building a Community: Players, Creators, and Fans
• 18:50 Creating an Overtime Universe: Interconnected Stories
• 20:58 The Role of NIL in Athlete Development
• 23:47 Measuring ROI on Culture: Empowering Young Voices
• 28:08 Learning from the Margins: Insights from Small Creators
• 33:41 Kobe Bryant: A Lasting Impact and Lessons Learned

Dan Porter: 

Website: https://itsovertime.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danporter/

 Legacy25 is a newly launched private investment initiative transforming the U.S. college sports ecosystem. Backed by family-office capital and led by an elite group of professional athletes, Legacy25’s mission is to help shape the ongoing evolution of collegiate athletics — building a new legacy in the very system that launched their careers. Managed in partnership with Chiron Sports Group, the platform provides both strategic support and financial firepower to help institutions and businesses thrive in the next era of college sports.

At the helm of this new movement are Brian Hoyer, former NFL quarterback, and Leo Rifkind, founder of Chiron Sports Group. Together, they share how Legacy25 is creating a dual investment platform: “Gold Miners” — bespoke capital solutions for colleges and conferences, and “Picks & Shovels” — equity investments in the tools, technology, and services fueling college sports monetization. Their goal? To unlock synergies across the $13B+ industry and empower all stakeholders — from universities to athletes — to benefit from its transformation.

In this episode, Brian and Leo dive deep into the strategy behind Legacy25, how private capital is reshaping the NCAA landscape, and what the future holds for athlete-driven investing. It’s a conversation about innovation, opportunity, and the business of building a lasting legacy in college sports.

Podcast Chapters:

• 03:22 Brian Hoyer’s Journey from Athlete to Investor
• 06:18 The Strategy Behind Legacy25: Gold Miners & Picks and Shovels
• 10:45 How Chiron Sports Group Powers Growth in Sports Businesses
• 14:38 The $13B Opportunity in College Athletics
• 18:02 Athlete-Led Investment and NIL Evolution
• 22:47 Future Outlook: The Business of College Sports

Todd Smith is the President and CEO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) — the leading global trade association for sports and fitness manufacturers, retailers, and marketers. SFIA stands as the #1 source for industry research, advocacy, and thought leadership, driving growth and participation across the global sports ecosystem. Through its data insights and policy influence, SFIA champions innovation, accessibility, and vitality within sports and fitness communities worldwide.As a seasoned executive, Todd brings extensive experience across business development, partnerships, sponsorship and media sales, government affairs, and marketing strategy. His leadership spans multiple sectors — including sports, entertainment, non-profit, and government — where he has consistently built high-performing teams and executed initiatives that connect brands, athletes, and communities. At SFIA, he leads the charge in shaping industry strategy, expanding partnerships, and promoting participation at every level of play.An interesting fact: beyond the boardroom, Todd is deeply passionate about the power of sports to inspire healthier, more connected lives — a belief rooted in his own lifelong involvement as both an athlete and advocate for youth sports access.Podcast Chapters: 03:03 Participation Trends in Sports and Fitness 05:52 The Role of External Events in Driving Participation 09:06 The Future of Sports Participation 11:58 Todd's Role and Responsibilities at SFIA 15:08 Advocacy and Initiatives for Youth Sports 18:06 Impact of Tariffs on Sports Equipment 20:51 Accessibility and Facilities for Youth Sports 24:01 Global Perspectives on Sports Development 26:50 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Todd Smith:🏠 Website: https://sfia.org/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddjsmith8/

Andrew Petcash:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

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Matt Lederer is the Vice President of Brand Partnerships & Engagement at Comcast, where he leads the strategy and execution behind a $90 million portfolio of partnerships that bring the Xfinity brand to life across sports, entertainment, gaming, and music. With over 20 years of experience in brand and experiential marketing, Matt has positioned Comcast at the center of culture and innovation—connecting technology with passion. Under his leadership, Comcast has developed one of the most dynamic partnership ecosystems in the industry, managing more than 8,000 events each year through its national Events Center of Excellence.

Throughout his career, Matt has led high-impact collaborations with some of the world’s biggest names and properties—spanning NASCAR, the NBA & WNBA, Team USA, and Unrivaled, as well as partnerships with Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, FaZe Clan, and AEG. His data-driven approach has transformed Comcast’s sponsorship model, producing a 200%+ marketing payback and setting new benchmarks for brand engagement.

An interesting fact: Matt began his career as a grassroots marketer before scaling to oversee Comcast’s entire national partnership strategy. His journey from field marketing to leading a global entertainment and sports portfolio reflects his unique ability to blend creativity with analytics, ensuring every fan experience delivers both emotion and measurable value.

Podcast Chapters:

02:53 Navigating Partnerships in Sports and Technology

05:52 Evaluating New Partnerships and Audience Engagement

09:00 The Role of Data in Partnership Decisions

12:00 Adapting to New Sports Trends and Experiences

14:59 The Evolution of Sponsorships and Athlete Engagement

17:58 The Future of Media Consumption and Live Experiences

20:59 The Impact of AI on Sports Sponsorships

24:02 Looking Ahead: Major Events and Consumer Behavior

Matt Lederer: 🏠 Website: comcastcorporation.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjlederer/

Andrew Petcash:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

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Daniel J. McClory is an international investor, investment banker, and venture philanthropist with decades of experience leading equity capital markets and M&A transactions across the globe. As Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Boustead & Company, Dan has built a global financial powerhouse with a presence spanning Singapore, the UK, Switzerland, Mauritius, Monaco, and Latin America. His work has helped companies list on major exchanges including NASDAQ, NYSE, and the London Stock Exchange — earning industry recognition with multiple “Deal of the Year” awards.Beyond finance, Dan brings a philanthropic vision to his work, serving on the boards of the USA Track & Field Foundation, Alder Foundation, and other organizations bridging sports, capital, and social impact. His listing of the world’s first foreign-funded, venture philanthropy-backed IPO on Brazil’s Bovespa Social Stock Exchange stands as a landmark in blending business with purpose.In this conversation, Dan shares insights into global finance, the evolution of SPACs, and the intersection of sports, investment, and culture — revealing how innovative funding models and bold leadership continue to shape the future of international business.

Podcast Chapters:

01:01 The Formation and Strategy of Brera

04:51 Going Public: The Advantages of IPOs

09:02 SPACs vs. Traditional IPOs

12:06 The Future of Brera and Soulmate

16:24 Understanding the Crypto and Sports Connection

22:36 Cultural Perspectives on Risk in Business

26:42 Emerging Trends in Sports and Investment

Dan McClory:

🏠 Website: https://www.boustead1828.com/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mcclory/

Andrew Petcash:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/

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