The Victory Degree

In today’s episode, Legendary Coach Jim Johnson shares the unbelievable journey that led him from being fired at 25… to building one of the most consistent winning cultures in high school basketball. We talk about his unforgettable encounter with Magic Johnson, the leadership lessons behind 23 straight winning seasons, and of course, the iconic J-Mac game that shocked the nation and became a global inspiration story (over 1 million views on ESPN). 

Coach Johnson breaks down: 

- The mindset shift that saved his coaching career 

- How imagery, confidence, and mental training transformed his teams 

- Stories from Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and the Van Gundy family 

- What separates the top 0.1% performers from everyone else 

- Why the J-Mac moment still gives him chills to this day 

Connect With Coach Johnson: 

Twitter: x.com/CoachJimJohnson 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/coachjimjohnson/ 

Website: coachjimjohnson.com/

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

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George Mumford

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Dr. Jim Loehr

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What does it really take to survive in the NFL — not just on Sundays, but in life? In this powerful episode of The Victory Degree, Super Bowl champion David Tyree shares the untold story behind one of the most iconic moments in NFL history and the unseen battles that almost ended his career before it ever peaked. This conversation goes far beyond highlights and box scores, diving deep into mindset, identity, and what true success actually looks like for a professional athlete.

Long before the Helmet Catch became an immortal moment in sports, David Tyree was fighting internal wars that few people knew about. He opens up about the pressure of the NFL, the mistakes that nearly cost him everything, and the turning points that reshaped his mindset on and off the field. Rather than glorifying the moment everyone remembers, David breaks down the preparation, resilience, and mental discipline required to stay ready when opportunity finally shows up.

We explore how leadership and culture inside the New York Giants created a championship environment, why timing and belief matter just as much as talent in the NFL, and how elite athletes separate themselves when the stakes are highest. David also reflects on the lessons learned from teammates, coaches, and moments of adversity that forced him to redefine his version of success beyond football.

This episode is about more than sports. It’s about overcoming personal demons, rebuilding confidence, and developing a mindset that holds up when life doesn’t go according to plan. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or anyone chasing excellence, David Tyree’s story offers timeless lessons on perseverance, faith, and purpose after the spotlight fades.

If you’re interested in sports, high-performance mindset, and the real stories behind legendary NFL moments, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Connect With David: 

Twitter: x.com/TyreeNation

Instagram: instagram.com/dtyree85/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidtyree85/

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

Spotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXu

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVB

George Mumford

Spotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaR

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBR

Dr. Jim Loehr

Spotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Jay Bilas joins The Victory Degree Podcast for an honest and thought-provoking conversation on confidence, criticism, and the evolving world of college sports. From his early days under Coach K at Duke to his insights on NIL, social media, and mental toughness, Jay shares the lessons that shaped his career as a player, coach, lawyer, and broadcaster.

We talk about:

- Why self-belief starts with hard work and mentors

- How to handle negativity, criticism, and “you suck” comments online

- Coach K’s biggest lessons on preparation and leadership

- NIL, sports gambling, and how money is reshaping college athletics

- What confidence really means — and how Jay built his

- Who the best college prospect of all time is

& much more...

Connect With Jay: 

Twitter: x.com/JayBilas

Instagram: instagram.com/jaybilas/

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

Spotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXu

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVB

George Mumford

Spotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaR

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBR

Dr. Jim Loehr

Spotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Former NFL defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko (Chargers, Steelers, LSU) joins The Victory Degree to pull back the curtain on the truth about the NFL — from how politics decide who plays, to how mental health and self-belief define success long after the game ends.

Breiden opens up about playing with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson, and what he’s learned about opportunity, timing, and resilience. We also dive into social media pressure, life after football, and why “delusional self-belief” might be the secret ingredient every athlete needs.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to make it — and stay — in the NFL, this conversation will change how you see the game forever.

Connect With Breiden: 

Twitter: x.com/BreidenFehoko

Instagram: instagram.com/bfehoko/

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

Spotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXu

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVB

George Mumford

Spotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaR

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBR

Dr. Jim Loehr

Spotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

NBA writer and best-selling author Shea Serrano joins Nik Atanackovic on The Victory Degree Podcast to talk about his new book, Expensive Basketball — a love letter to the moments, feelings, and players that make the game beautiful.

From Ray Allen’s jumper vs. Joakim Noah’s, to Tim Duncan’s quiet dominance, Shaq’s unstoppable force, and Kobe’s poetic 60-point farewell, this episode dives deep into the emotional side of basketball — the kind of stuff stats can’t explain.

Topics Covered:

- Why “Expensive Basketball” is about feelings, not numbers

- Shea’s defense of Steph Curry’s magic and Shaq’s speed

- The pain of the 2002 Kings-Lakers series (and why it still hurts)

- Why Tim Duncan is Shea’s favorite player

- LeBron’s rise from “great” to “greatest”

- The beauty behind Kobe’s final game

Connect With Shea: 

Twitter: x.com/SheaSerrano

Instagram: instagram.com/shea.serrano/

Buy The Book: amzn.to/3JsAhQr

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

Spotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXu

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVB

George Mumford

Spotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaR

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBR

Dr. Jim Loehr

Spotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

After serving two years in federal prison for money laundering, Chad Dunn rebuilt his life from the ground up, transforming pain into purpose.

Once a promising athlete turned felon, Chad used his time behind bars to redefine his identity, confront his demons, and build a mission around helping others overcome their limitations.

Today, he is a certified behavioral change specialist with over 20 years of experience in health, modern fitness, and human performance. Chad has trained NFL players, NBA prospects, and individuals recovering from catastrophic injuries, while co-founding and building MOVE Physical Therapy & Human Performance Center in Chandler, Arizona with his wife and business partner, Jackie.

In this conversation, we discuss:

- Why you should do hard things & face your fears 

- How prison became the best thing that ever happened to him

- What it takes to rebuild your life and business from nothing

- The power of true redemption

- Does money make you happy

& much more...

Connect with Chad:
Buy The Book: mindovervirtuallyeverything.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/moveperformance/

Website: moveperformance.com/

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

Spotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXu

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVB

George Mumford

Spotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaR

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBR

Dr. Jim Loehr

Spotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Taybor Pepper sits down with Nik to talk about the real side of the NFL — from getting cut by the 49ers just days into free agency, to what it’s actually like inside a Kyle Shanahan team meeting. He opens up about the chaos of bouncing between teams, the pressure of fighting for a roster spot every year, and how mindfulness helped him stay grounded through it all.

They get into everything: NFL free agency stories, life as a long snapper, Robbie Gould’s mentorship, battling mental health, the mental toll of football, and what it takes to survive nearly a decade in the league.

Connect with Taybor:
Twitter: x.com/TayborSnapping

Instagram: instagram.com/tayborsnapping/

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

Spotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXu

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVB

George Mumford

Spotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaR

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBR

Dr. Jim Loehr

Spotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

At 22, Mike Flynt was kicked out of college football for fighting.
37 years later, at 59 years old, he went back to finish what he started.

This is the unbelievable true story of regret, redemption, and second chances.
We talk about adversity, character, faith, and what it really means to never quit.

In this episode:
• How Mike turned his biggest regret into his greatest comeback
• The power of adversity and why quitting is never an option
• Lessons on faith, character, and choosing to be great
• What a 59-year-old linebacker can teach us about life

Connect with Mike:

🎥 Watch The Seniors in theaters Sept 19
Website: mikeflynt.com

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

Spotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXu

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVB

George Mumford

Spotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaR

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBR

Dr. Jim Loehr

Spotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

Derek Sivers built and sold CD Baby for $22 million, walked away from fame, and chose a radically simple life. In this conversation, Derek shares the unconventional rules, frameworks, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey from overcoming fear to redefining success.

If you’ve ever wondered how to find clarity in a noisy world, escape the trap of endless “inputs,” or design a life that’s truly yours, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:
• The lessons Derek learned from selling CD Baby for $22M
• Why fame is overrated and the hidden downsides no one talks about
• How to turn fear into confidence with one simple rule
• The dangers of consuming without creating and how to “run the program”
• Useful vs. true: the mental framework that changes everything

Derek’s perspective is both refreshing and deeply practical — equal parts philosophy and tactical playbook.

Connect with Derek:

Website: sive.rs/

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

Spotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXu

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVB

George Mumford

Spotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaR

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBR

Dr. Jim Loehr

Spotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21

What does it really take to push human limits? Brett Hawke — Olympian, world-renowned swim coach, and coach in the Enhanced Games — joins me to reveal the uncomfortable truths about elite performance.

From why “working harder” is the most dangerous advice in sports, to how recovery, self-belief, and even delusional confidence separate good athletes from great ones, this conversation will change how you think about success.

In this episode, we discuss:

- How comparison can unlock human potential

- The dangerous myth of “just work harder”

- How recovery became the real key to elite performance

- The mindset shift that turns fear into Olympic gold

Connect with Brett:

Twitter: x.com/insidewithBH

Instagram: instagram.com/hawkebr/

Connect with Nik: 

Instagram: instagram.com/victorywithnik/

Twitter: x.com/victorywithnik

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheVictoryDegree

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Josh Dobbs

Spotify: spoti.fi/4cmtQXu

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4e9hmVB

George Mumford

Spotify: spoti.fi/4bIywaR

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/45ltHBR

Dr. Jim Loehr

Spotify: spoti.fi/3yyddu8

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3AcnX21