The Victory Degree

In this episode of The Victory Degree Podcast, Nik sits down with Marcellus Wiley - a former star Defensive End in the NFL, father, CEO, and sports media personality. Marcellus shares his journey from growing up in South Central LA and how it shaped his perspective on life to the decision to attend Columbia University and ultimately his experience playing professional football in the NFL. Marcellus's journey is one of success and failure, pain and joy, and family. My hope is you learn as much from listening to Marcellus as I did from interviewing him. 

Please Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Defensive End, Sports Broadcaster, Father, CEO - Marcellus Wiley

(00:35) Impact of Fatherhood

(01:48) Growing Up in South Central LA & A Run In With the Crips

(04:12) The Importance of Perseverance

(07:24) Influence of Marcellus' Grandmother

(10:57) Taking Football Seriously

(13:30)The Significance of Playing Against #27

(16:54) Why Marcellus Chose Columbia

(20:13) Noise Complaints at Columbia

(23:49) What Columbia Taught Marcellus

(27:21) The Beauty Pagent at the NFL Draft Combine

(30:39) Initial Reaction After Getting Drafted 

(33:53) Thoughts on Buffalo as a City

(38:46) First "Oh Sh*T" Moment in the NFL

(41:10) Learning Pass Rush Techniques From the Vets

(42:46) Stealing Bruce Smith's Shoes

(45:51) Free Agency and Signing with the Chargers

(51:22) The Impact of Junior Seau

(53:46) Health Effects of Football

(56:57) How Max Kellerman Saved Marcellus's Wife

(59:36) The Four Corners of a Football Career

(01:02:08) Life Advice

Connect with Marcellus Wiley:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcelluswiley

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@marcelluswileydatdude

Project Transition: https://projecttransition.org/

Buy "Never Shut Up": https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/572553/never-shut-up-by-marcellus-wiley/

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

In this episode of The Victory Degree Podcast, Nik sits down with Dan Jansen, a  four-time Olympian, seven-time World Cup Champion, and Olympic gold medalist in speed skating. Dan's story starts in Wisconsin, where he quickly picked up the sport of speed skating and set world records at the age of 16. However, tragedy struck Dan and his family as his beloved sister, Jane, tragically passed away right before the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Dan contemplated retiring but decided to keep competing as that's what his sister would have wanted him to do. Dan's performance in the 1988 & 1992 Winter Olympics earned him the nickname "Heartbreak Kid" as Dan often times slipped during his races and finished with sub-par results. However, with the support of an entire country, including President Reagan, Dan triumphed at the 1994 Olympics, winning a gold medal and setting a new world record in what would be his final race. Dan Jansen's story has inspired and touched the hearts of millions of Americans, and I hope it inspires you today as you navigate your own journey. 

Please Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Dan's Childhood

(01:49) Lessons Learned From Siblings

(03:58) Balancing Confidence and Humility

(06:31) Dan's Role Models Growing Up & Finding Speed Skating

(09:39) Setting World Records at 16

(10:27) What Does a Speed Skating Practice Look Like?

(14:12) What Was Dan's Motivation to Become the Best?

(17:32) Dreaming of the Olympics

(18:51) First Impressions of the Olympics

(22:06) Preparing for the 88' Olympics

(26:19) How Dan Dealt With the Tragic Passing of his Sister

(34:15) Debating Retirement

(39:41) Meeting Ronald Reagan and White House Visit

(42:36) The Influence of Peter Mueller & Dr. Jim Loehr and the Power of Self-Belief

(49:17) Visualizing Success

(52:41) Advice for Young Athletes

(54:54) The Emotions of Winning Gold

(57:09) The Pressure of Winning

(01:00:30) What Speed Skating Has Taught Dan About Life

(01:02:49) Would You Rather Have a 1 Minute Conversation With Your Past Self or Future Self?

(01:05:12) Dan's Life Advice

Connect with Dan Jansen:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/danjansen94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danjansen1994/

Dan Jansen Foundation: https://www.djfoundation.org/

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

In this episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with Adam Breneman: a former Penn State Tight End turned entrepreneur and podcast host. Adam discusses his relationship with football, the decision to join Penn State, how difficult it really is to be a good sports broadcaster, and lessons learned from some of his top podcast guests (Jersey Jerry, RGII, Will Compton, etc.). Adam also gives the audience a masterclass on how to play the tight end position which includes insights the average fan may not realize. As with every interview, the episode ends with Adam's life advice. 

Please Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction and How Adam Manages His Time

(03:01) Overcoming the Fear of Failure

(06:00) Balancing Feedback and Not Caring What Others Think

(09:22) The Influence and Impact of Adam's Father

(11:31) The Best Advice Adam's Father Gave Him 

(12:39) How Adam Differentiates Himself

(14:59) A Masterclass in Sports Broadcasting

(18:15) Why Adam Chose Penn State

(23:43) Adam's Impact on Penn State As Told By Coach James Franklin

(26:59) Adam's Football Regrets 

(31:28) The Story of the Chinese Farmer and How It Applies to Adam's Life

(35:22) Lessons Learned from Adam's Podcast Guest

(36:22) Jersey Jerry

(37:26) RGIII

(38:33) Michael Penix

(39:55) Michael Penix as a Draft Prospect

(41:29) Will Compton

(43:17) Kenny Pickett

(44:20) Jared Goff

(45:37) Celebrating Jared Goff's Success

(46:47) Football from a Tight End's Perspective

(48:40) The Greatest Tight End of All Time

(49:20) Adam's Life Advice

Connect with Adam Breneman:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamBreneman81

Next Up with Adam Breneman Twitter: https://twitter.com/NextUpWithAdam

Next Up with Adam Breneman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextupwithab/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpWithAdam

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with Jacob Turner: a former Detroit Tigers pitcher turned wealth manager and content creator. The conversation revolves around topics such as: Jacob's journey from high school to the big leagues, the influence of his father, what it's like getting drafted in the 1st round, how to handle receiving $1.2M at the age of 18, frameworks for success, how to build and protect wealth, and the best baseball fan bases and cities in the country. There's also a Mike Trout story thrown in there, because why not?

Please Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(00:44) Who is Jacob Turner?

(01:43) Why Jacob hates telling others he was a professional athlete

(03:35) Influence of Jacob's Father

(05:23) The Importance of Youth Sports

(08:12) Why Jacob Decided to Play Baseball

(09:35) The Motivation Behind Continuous Self-Improvement

(11:45) Draft Day Experience

(15:21) Receiving $1.2M at the age of 18

(17:12) #1 Financial Mistake Athletes Make

(19:21) Is St.Louis a Baseball Town?

(20:08) The Importance of Proximity in Entrepreneurship

(21:01) The Impact of Inputs and Perspective

(22:18) Level of Talent in the MLB

(24:48) Never Stop Growing

(27:50) Do Things That Don't Scale

(29:52) What Jacob learned from his roommate, Mike Trout

(32:19) The Importance of Delusional Self-Belief

(35:16) How You Can Choose to be Confident 

(38:51) Mental Hurdles as a Pitcher

(39:53) What is the Flow State and Why You Need It

(45:16) The Importance of Repetition

(47:55) The Power of Focus

(49:31) How to Know When to Quit

(52:38) Should You Set Goals?

(54:13) What was Jacob's Goal With Professional Baseball?

(56:33) Where It All Went Wrong for Jacob

(59:15) Lessons Learned from Playing in the MLB

(01:04:31) 70% of Athletes Go Broke Within 3 Years of Retirement

(01:07:56) Jacob's Personal Goals for Moment Wealth

(01:09:25) Always Make Time for Family

(01:13:21) Favorite Baseball Cities and Fan Bases

(01:15:37) Jacob's Life Advice

Connect with Jacob Turner:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheJacobTurner

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJacobTurner/featured

Moment Wealth: https://www.momentprivatewealth.com/

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with Dr. Jesse Morse: a sports and family medicine physician specializing in regenerative medicine. Dr. Morse discusses his personal journey, the responsibility of a sports and family medicine physician, the reactive nature of the healthcare system, regenerative medicine, the impact of genetics on injury proneness, analyzing NFL players' injury history, and the role of sports medicine in enabling longevity in athletes. He also highlights the limitations of traditional medicine and the need to explore non-traditional options. The conversation touches on concussions and the long-term effects of CTE, as well as Aaron Rodgers' injury and recovery. 

Please Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction and Jesse's Near Death Experience

(03:11) Responsibility as a Sports and Family Medicine Physician

(07:04) Why Healthcare in the United States is Terrible

(11:18) What is PRP and Why It's Beneficial to Athletes 

(17:19) Why Are Some Athletes More Injury Prone Than Others?

(20:23) Why Some Athletes Are Better at Dealing With Injuries 

(22:41) Compiling the Injury History of Nearly Every NFL Player

(28:05) Importance of Injury Histories in Drafting Players

(38:48) The Golden Era of Longevity and Advances in Sports Medicine

(46:41) A Discussion on Anti-Aging

(51:07) Daily Habits for a Longer and Healthier Life

(01:00:43) Concussions and CTE

(01:05:04) Aaron Rodgers' Injury and Recovery

(01:08:58) Life Advice

Connect with Dr. Jesse Morse:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrJesseMorse

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

Eternal Vitality Podcast: https://twitter.com/EternalVitPod

The Osteopathic Center: https://theosteocenter.com/

The Fantasy Doctors: https://twitter.com/TheFantasyDRS

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with Jamy Bechler: author of 5 books, professional speaker, leadership coach, and host of the "Success is a Choice" podcasting network. Before starting his consulting firm, Bechler Leadership, Jamy spent 20 years as a college basketball coach and high school athletic director. Bechler now works with high-level individuals and teams, such as the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks, helping them maximize their potential in the area of leadership, culture, and teamwork. In this episode, Jamy and Nik discuss the importance of choices, the victim mentality, the role of leadership, the impact of distractions, the significance of teammates and culture, the influence of role models, and overcoming challenges. Jamy shares personal stories and examples, such as Tom Brady and Pat Tillman, to illustrate these concepts and emphasizes the importance of hard work, a goal-oriented mindset, and learning from others. He encourages continuous learning and personal growth to become the best version of oneself.

Please Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:00) Introduction and Background

(05:13) How to defeat victim mentality

(13:06) The importance of leadership and a Fred Van Vleet story

(24:30) The role of teammates and George Pickens

(31:45) What makes CJ Stroud special

(32:37) Remembering it's a team game - praising Michigan football

(37:18) How Pat Murphy learned from other sports to improve Alabama softball 

(44:18) Choose your hard

(49:24) The story of Two Brothers and how to apply it to life

(53:25) Why Kobe Bryant reached the levels he did in the NBA (insane story)

(57:10) Should you strive to live a balanced life?

(01:03:04) Why Tom Brady's journey is a masterclass in belief

(01:06:36) Living by Ideals: The Story of Pat Tillman

(01:12:44) Jamy's life advice

Connect with Jamy:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachBechler

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

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

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamybechler

Jamy's Website: https://jamybechler.com/

"Success is a Choice" Podcast: https://jamybechler.com/podcast

The Bus Trip Book: https://jamybechler.com/TheBusTrip/

The Captain Book: https://jamybechler.com/thecaptainbook/

Bulletin Board Book: https://jamybechler.com/bulletinboardbook/

Online Leadership Program: https://theleadershipplaybook.com/

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

Email: [email protected]

In the latest episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with the NFL's first African-American punter: Greg Coleman. Greg shares his journey from the time he was a young boy in Jacksonville, Florida with a dream to play in the NFL to playing for an iconic NFL franchise: the Minnesota Vikings. Greg's journey is filled with disappointment, racism, and adversity but ultimately highlights the importance of resilience and the power of words in overcoming obstacles.  This conversation serves to shed light on to one of the greatest success stories the NFL has ever seen.

Please Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:00) Introduction & Greg's Jacksonville childhood

(18:11) Experiencing racism as a pee-wee football player

(19:39) The role of Greg's parents in his own success

(27:07) Punts are more important than you think

(28:35) Leading with love and prevailing against racism

(33:25) Second chances and Greg's journey to the Minnesota Vikings

(39:25) Getting up when life knocks you down

(41:23) Overcoming adversity & racism in the NFL

(45:23) Marquette King

(46:59) Racial Slurs and Challenges as an African American Punter

(48:19) Coming Together and Being a Light of Hope

(52:15) What makes CJ Stroud an incredible leader (a lesson on leadership)

(1:02:48) The psychology of punting (inside the mind of Greg Coleman)

(1:07:24) A deep dive on kickers and the importance of holders

(1:12:02) Greg's life advice and learning to P.U.N.T

Connect with Greg:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregcoleman8

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregcoleman08/

Greg's Website: https://gregcoleman8.com/

Buy "Punt: Flip the Field": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM5Y62MB

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

Email: [email protected]

In the latest episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with former NBA basketball player: CJ Watson. CJ's first stint in the NBA came with the Golden State Warriors in 2008, where he played for a couple of seasons until he joined the Chicago Bulls in '10. CJ went on to play for a multitude of teams including the: Nets, Pacers, and Orlando Magic until ultimately finishing his professional career in Turkey. CJ played with HoF players like Steph Curry and Derrick Rose and chronicles his journey in this exclusive interview. From humble beginnings in Tennessee to playing against LeBron James and the Miami Heat, CJ's story is one worth listening to. 

Please enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:00) Introductions and the Sacramento Kings

(2:18) What is CJ most proud of?

(3:15) Where and how CJ's passion for basketball began

(4:53) CJ's college experience and setting records

(7:42) Playing with Deron Williams and Team USA

(9:42) Why you should play basketball for the love of the game

(10:10) How the NBA has changed since CJ's playing days

(12:23) Why is playing in a game so much more difficult than practice?

(15:18) Playing with rookie year Steph Curry and the importance of hard work

(17:47) The Rose flu

(18:55) The hardest player CJ had to guard

(20:13) CJ's draft night story and how to succeed at the highest level

(24:16) Do NBA players go out before games?

(26:26) The Pacers and Heat rivalry 

(28:29) Playing for Coach Thibodeau

(30:25) CJ's strategy for guarding the KD Warriors

(31:41) Making adjustments in the playoffs

(33:12) What was CJ's relationship with social media during his career?

(36:00) Top 3 players CJ played with and regrets from his time in the league

(37:10) Writing children's books, voiceovers, angel investing, and favorite teammates

(42:30) CJ's life advice

Connect with CJ:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Quietstorm_32

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quietstorm_32/

Quiet Storm Foundation: https://www.quietstormfoundation.org/

Children's Books: https://cjpens.com/

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

In the latest episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with the former #1 doubles tennis player in the world: Rajeev Ram. Rajeev's resume is impressive: 6 time major champion, 3 straight US Open titles, and doubles silver with Venus Williams at the 2016 Summer Olympics. But even more impressive was the advice he shared on how to live a happier and more fulfilled life. The conversation spans multiple topics including: how to maximize longevity, life lessons from tennis, and an exclusive Venus Williams story.

Please enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:00) Rajeev's background and introduction 

(1:18) What are you most proud of?

(2:02) Where and how did your love for tennis begin?

(3:29) What role should parents play in a young athlete's life?

(5:30) The moment Rajeev realized he could make money playing tennis

(6:47) The benefits and drawbacks of a coach

(10:03) Why Rajeev made the decision to focus solely on doubles tennis

(11:51) Brown Sampras

(13:22) How Rajeev wants people to remember him

(14:34) Where Rajeev's habit of continuous self-improvement stems from

(17:53) How to handle self-doubt and build self-confidence

(20:41) How to stay motivated and more present in key moments

(25:04) The attention to detail required to win at the highest level

(28:12) How to develop mental strength and the constant battle with our own thoughts

(30:12) How Rajeev deals with negativity during a tennis match

(33:23) Rajeev's greatest source of pressure

(34:17) Playing with Venus Williams

(39:18) The relationships between players on tour

(40:56) Life as a public figure

(42:13) Highest and lowest moments in Rajeev's career

(43:57) How Rajeev has managed to stay on top of his game at the age of 39 - a discussion on longevity 

(47:14) Rajeev's solution to get American tennis back on top

(49:18) The art of sacrifice and is it required?

(51:03) Life lessons from tennis

(51:58) Rajeev's plans after tennis and the Rajeev Ram Foundation

(53:31) Rajeev's routine during the tennis offseason

(54:46) Rajeev's life advice

Connect with Rajeev:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RajeevRam

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rajeevram318/

Rajeev Ram Foundation: https://rajeevramfoundation.org/

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic

In the latest episode of The Victory Degree, Nik sits down with Los Angeles Lakers reporter, Jovan Buha. Jovan graduated from USC in 2014, worked various jobs within ESPN, and then became a NBA reporter for the LA Clippers in 2018. A short 2 years later, Jovan found himself as a reporter for the LA Lakers. Through this role, he's had the opportunity to meet celebrities such as Dan Bilzerian & Migos and has been a guest on popular sports podcasts such as Bill Simmons & Chris Broussard.  

Please enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:00) Jovan's background and introduction 

(1:47) What has been Jovan's most unbelievable experience

(3:41) Jovan's relationship with sports growing up

(6:28) Highschool basketball star Jovan Buha

(8:53) Jovan details his experience at ESPN

(12:56) The do's and don'ts of NBA reporting

(17:28) The fine art of the post game interview

(22:30) Jovan describes the responsibilities of a NBA reporter

(26:17) Is Jovan friends with any of the Lakers players?

(30:28) Jovan's favorite moment covering the Lakers & Kobe's last game

(34:42) Being on the court for LeBron's record breaking night

(37:07) Are NBA reporters allowed to be fans of the teams they cover

(41:04) Trying out for the G-League

(47:34) The future of sports media & player podcasts 

(52:34) What has Jovan learned from covering some of the highest performing athletes in the world?

(57:09) Jovan's life advice 

Connect with Jovan:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jovanbuha

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

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

Connect with Nik:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_Atanackovic