The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe

Anja Vreg is a seasoned professional in the world of tennis, boasting a multifaceted career that spans over 25 years. Originating from Slovenia and Croatia, Anja commenced her tennis journey as a talented player before an injury redirected her path at the age of 14. Undeterred, she transitioned into officiating, accumulating a remarkable 14-year career that took her to over 60 countries and earned her a prestigious Silver Badge. Having officiated at 20 Grand Slams, the 2012 London Olympics, and the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, Anja officiated over 500 matches on the ATP and WTA tours, showcasing her expertise with top-tier players like Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, and Simona Halep. Notably, she managed the Show Court at the 2018 ATP Nitto London Finals before joining APG in 2020 as the Tournament Director of the Tianjin Open, where she also serves as the Coordinator for Marketing and Communications. Anja's academic achievements include a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, complemented by Masters degrees in Tourism Management and Sports Management. Fluent in six languages, including Croatian, Slovenian, English, German, Spanish, and Italian, Anja Vreg continues to leave an indelible mark on the international tennis landscape.

Connect with Anja on LinkedIn.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Nicola Vitali is a dynamic sports management professional with a diverse international background and a strong affinity for sports strategy, marketing, and innovation. With an MBA in Sports Management and a foundation in advertising, Nicola's journey has taken him through various cultural landscapes, including Milan, Madrid, Vienna, Linz, and Florence, where he has honed his skills and knowledge in the sports industry over the past decade.

His expertise encompasses a range of vital areas in the field, from Blockchain and Big Data to Sales Metrics and emerging technologies. Nicola's career has been centered on crafting and executing sports marketing and sales strategies, encompassing pricing analysis, ticketing, sponsorship, CRM, international tours, friendlies, and stadium events. He has lent his talents to esteemed organizations such as Real Madrid CF, ACF Fiorentina, and Under Armour, while continuing to collaborate with numerous sports entities, startups, and agencies as a dedicated consultant.

Beyond his professional commitments, Nicola is an Ambassador for the European University of Madrid in Italy and Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid CF, showcasing his commitment to fostering sports education and development. He is also the Founder and Managing Partner of The Step Over, a prominent Sports Consulting Firm headquartered in Milan, specializing in Football Clubs M&A, Sports Marketing, Stadium Project Management, and Business Development.

Connect with Nicola on LinkedIn.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Andrés Alarcón, born on May 22, 1970, is a prominent Ecuadorian former professional tennis player hailing from Quito. His career highlights include representing the Ecuador Davis Cup team in 1989 and 1990, achieving a career-best singles ranking of 351 in the professional tennis circuit, and competing in the 1994 Wimbledon Championships' qualifying rounds. In addition to his playing career, Andrés has made significant contributions as a coach at the IMG Bollettieri Academy in Florida, where he has mentored notable players such as Austin Krajicek. With a rich background as a top junior tennis player and his invaluable experience as a professional, Andrés has cemented his legacy in the world of tennis. Apart from his passion for tennis, he holds a degree in international business and has a deep love for golf.

Connect with Andrés on Instagram.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Patrick Oudejans is an accomplished sports coach and educator, launching his career in 2005 with a focus on working with children aged 6-12. He graduated with an Honors Bachelor's degree in Sports Management and Business in 2014, notably conducting his thesis at the prestigious AFC Ajax youth academy. Patrick's journey led him to Ajax in 2013 as a Data Analyst, where he contributed to the implementation of Plan Cruyff and ventured internationally to explore football environments. Transitioning to Cruyff Football in 2015, he expanded his influence globally, ultimately moving to Beijing in 2017 to successfully pilot sports integration into Montessori environments. This accomplishment led to the establishment of two fully operational CASA programs. Co-founding Montessori Sports in 2018, Patrick's passion for enhancing education through sports continued, and in response to the pandemic, he created an AMI-accredited program in 2020 for seamlessly integrating sports into children's daily activities, further solidifying his commitment to educational improvement through sports.

Connect with Patrick on Instagram.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Katarina Sokac is an international personal trainer and advanced yoga teacher who specializes in helping busy professionals become strong, flexible, and resilient. With a background in architecture and experience as a former vegan bikini bodybuilding athlete, she is passionate about guiding individuals to achieve their fitness goals through structured and systematic training. Katarina offers personal training, yoga, mobility coaching, and corporate fitness solutions, tailoring her programs to meet individual needs and health concerns, making her a dedicated partner in her clients' fitness journeys.

Connect with Katarina on LinkedIn.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Gonzalo López-Fabero is a former professional tennis player and a tennis coach hailing from Spain. He reached a career-best ranking of 169 in the world as a right-handed player and notably competed in Wimbledon qualifiers twice. His only appearance in the ATP Tour main draw occurred in the doubles event at the 1994 Croatia Open, where he partnered with Juan Albert Viloca. 

Since 1998, Gonzalo has transitioned into coaching, working with various players such as Julián Alonso, Teymuraz Gabashvili, Evgeny Donskoy, and Jesse Levine. With more than two decades of experience in the tennis world, including 14 years as an independent coach, he has developed a deep understanding of the sport's competitive dynamics. Additionally, he has shown a keen interest in the future of coaching, communication, and the digitalization of tennis, leading to his involvement in a "personal branding" project aimed at shaping the future of coaching in the sport.

Connect with Gonzalo on Facebook.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Andrés Gómez, the renowned Ecuadorian tennis player, etched his name in tennis history as the 1990 Roland Garros champion. He displayed exceptional skill and determination, defeating top competitors like Thomas Muster and Andre Agassi en route to victory. Known for his wicked left-handed forehand and delicate touch, Andrés achieved a career-high ranking of No. 4 in singles and No. 1 in doubles, securing 21 singles titles and 33 doubles trophies. His remarkable achievements also include two Grand Slam doubles titles and consistent year-end Top 20 singles rankings over nearly a decade. Beyond the tennis court, Andrés had a passion for marine biology and enjoyed surfing and golf. He is a devoted husband to Anna Maria and a proud father of two sons, Juan Andres Jr. and Emilio.

Connect with Andrés on Twitter.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Michelle Sigmann is a dedicated educator, wellness advocate, and principal with a remarkable journey of personal transformation. Overcoming the challenges of balancing motherhood, professional responsibilities, and self-care, Michelle embarked on a life-changing path seven years ago. Through relentless determination, she cultivated habits to strengthen both her mind and body, gradually piecing her life back together. Today, as a school principal, Michelle not only champions mental strength but leads by example, sharing her wellness curriculum with fellow administrators. She's a passionate wellness coach, particularly working with elite athletes using her innovative "Athlete Workbook" to nurture strong mindset skills. Michelle conducts workshops and speaks about habit formation, cultivating resilience, and staying present in the face of life's imperfections. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is a dedicated mother to two high-achieving boys and a loving wife, continually striving to find balance amidst life's demands. Her guiding belief that our perceptions shape our choices, which in turn determine our actions, results, and future, remains at the core of her inspiring journey.

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Billy Pate, a veteran of college coaching with 29 seasons under his belt, recently wrapped up his 11th year as head coach for the Princeton men's tennis team in the 2022-23 season. Revered as a leading figure in college tennis, Billy is celebrated for his emphasis on character-based values in his coaching approach. Across his tenure, he steered Princeton to 162 dual-match wins and 98 matches against ITA-ranked opponents, propelling the program to its highest ranking of No. 18 in March 2020. Billy's leadership extended to securing impressive victories, coaching players to All-Ivy League honors, and guiding the Tigers to the NCAA Championships, demonstrating his deep impact on the collegiate tennis scene.

Connect with Billy on Twitter.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Agustin Moreno, appointed as head coach of the women's tennis program on June 28, 2015, assumed the role as only the second coach in the program's history, marking his fourth season at LMU by 2018-19. Transitioning from his impressive nine-plus seasons leading South Florida's tennis program, Agustin directed them to two conference championships and six appearances in the NCAA tournament. With notable achievements during his tenure at LMU, including a 17-6 record and a share of second place in the WCC for the 2017-18 season, Agustin's coaching journey is enriched by his prior experience as a professional tennis player and his contributions to international and domestic coaching programs

Connect with Agustin on Instagram.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].