What's Good

Even nine years later many people still remember track World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Manteo Mitchell for the 2012 Olympics. In a still unexplainable feat, he finished his portion of the 4x400 relay in London on a newly broken leg. But he is so much more than that one moment. As he prepares to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Mitchell joined #WhatsGood to talk about his new pursuit of bobsled, getting involved in bitcoin and how his son kept him on the track. Plus, with no shortage of adversity in his life, Mitchell offers important advice on how to work through challenges, process struggles and also stay laser focused on your goals.

Veteran soccer broadcaster Gary Bloom has called some of the biggest matches in Europe over the years, but he joined #WhatsGood to talk about his relatively new venture - psychotherapy. The only full-time psychotherapist employed by a professional soccer team in the UK (Oxford United), Bloom is helping to address mental health amongst athletes and help remove a stigma that still remains. We talked about his new book "Keeping Your Head In The Game" and some of the ways even the most talented and highly paid athletes in the world can understand that they need help. Bloom's 'rule of three' will prove helpful to anyone trying to sort through feelings that may need the help of a professional.

Ray Austin just wrapped season one of his dream, the Fan Controlled Football League. As one of four founders and the league commissioner, Austin spent years working on getting the league started and is excited for season two. The FCF is just part of Austin's journey. He joined #WhatsGood to talk about his path from Oklahoma where he played on the nation's best high school football team to Tennessee where he suited up with the likes of Peyton Manning. From there it was off to the NFL with the Jets and Bears before injuries decided a different course. The same work ethic that lifted Austin up through the football ranks was now channeled into acting and modeling with appearances on shows like Empire and Chicago PD. He shares some great stories including why getting recruited by Nebraska legend Tom Osborne didn't work out, how he brings the confidence of a defensive back into auditions and more.

Southpaw heavyweight boxer Otto Wallin got his start in Sweden where for many years professional boxing was banned. Introduced to the sport by his late father, Wallin rose up the amateur ranks hoping to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2012. While he fell short of representing Sweden in the Olympics, a new door opened as he turned pro shortly thereafter. Wallin joined #WhatsGood to talk about his boxing journey, his father's impact and his goals for the future. Plus we discuss how his 2019 bout with Tyson Fury raised his profile in the boxing world, the feeling of landing a punch and the mechanics of taking a punch. How he unplugs after a fight, the biggest misconception about Sweden and some appreciation for ABBA.

Fan Controlled Football running back and Trenton, NJ native Daryl Virgies has a story that is nothing short of inspiring. In and out of trouble as a kid, with some 45 juvenile charges, a reunion with his father in his early 20s changed everything. From there, Virgies left his past behind to focus on football, attending Virginia Lynchburg University. He eventually impressed NFL scouts, spending time in the off-season with the New York Giants in addition to playing in other leagues around the country. Virgies joined #WhatsGood to talk about his path, why he never wants to go back to his old life and how he built himself into a wrecking ball through weight training. This past Saturday Virgies helped the Wild Aces win the first ever FCF People's Championship.

35-year-old former NFL running back Quinn Porter thought his professional football days were in the past as he had embraced life as a personal trainer...then he heard about the Fan Controlled Football League. The former St. Louis Ram took the opportunity and has been a mainstay in the backfield this season for the Beasts. He joined #WhatsGood to talk about his football journey from Los Angeles to Stillman College in Alabama and then on to the NFL. We discuss how he started on the cheerleading squad at Stillman, why a pro day at Alabama courtesy of Nick Saban changed his career and what he learned about his NFL experience. Plus his time in the FCF, the big fan community and more.

Many sports leagues were put on hiatus or delayed in 2020 and that included the NWSL. The women's professional soccer league was the first pro sports league to resume last June with the Challenge Cup where our latest guest Shea Groom put on a show. She tied the Challenge Cup lead for goals with three and was named MVP of the championship match as the Houston Dash secured the title. We talked with Groom about preparing for her second year with Houston, her career in the NWSL including winning a championship with her hometown club FC Kansas City. Plus she discusses her college days at Texas A & M, her experience with Team USA and what goals still lie ahead. We also talk about the mechanics of a header (her speciality), how she knew she could compete at a high level and her affinity for Shea Stadium. #WhatsGood

Defensive lineman Donte Rumph gained notoriety back in 2014 after his NFL dream was halted by the Atlanta Falcons. The former Kentucky standout was cut as the NFL "Hard Knocks" cameras rolled, but as you'll come to find out there is no keeping Rumph down. One negative led to a positive. as he met his future wife at a Falcons team event. From there his football journey has continued through indoor leagues to the brand new Fan Controlled Football League. Rumph still has dreams of returning to the NFL but his bigger purpose is using his platform in a positive way to help the next generation. Anchored by his faith, Rumph joined #WhatsGood to explain how he always brings good energy to any situation, the excitement of a new league where fans call the plays and the one football moment that let him know he belongs.

Alyssa Spencer signed her first deal with Rip Curl at the age of 11; today the 17-year-old is one of the top young surfing talents in the United States. Winner of the 16U and 18U National Championship, Spencer joined #WhatsGood to talk about her career, goals and the thrill of getting back to competing after a long pandemic stoppage. We discuss the mental aspects of being ready to deliver at a competition, how to understand what judges want to see and the ideal wave. Plus, Olympic dreams with surfing making its debut in Tokyo, misconceptions about surfing and how to balance school work and an international event schedule.

We've got more 3x3 hoops this week on #WhatsGood with Zahir Carrington. An alternate for the USA Basketball 3x3 qualifying squad, Carrington still has Tokyo on his mind. After a stellar career at Lehigh, including a run to the NCAA Tournament, Carrington tells us how he ended up in the world of 3x3 hoops. Plus we talk about joining open runs at some of the legendary courts in New York City, what it takes to actually get on, and how coming from Philly left him wanting to prove he could play in the Big Apple. Carrington is a high flyer with a lengthy resume of poster jams so we talked dunks too, including his first jam and what it feels like to deliver a monster jam.