Shows
The Athlete2Business Podcast#38 - Mike Bagnall - Leadership Lessons From Sport Turned Into Corporate SuccessIn this episode of the Athlete2Business podcast, we dive into the transformative power of sports in shaping leadership skills. Join us as Mike Bagnall shares his journey from aspiring rugby player to successful business leader. Discover how the discipline, resilience, and teamwork honed on the field translate into effective leadership in the corporate world. Whether you're an athlete considering a career transition or a business professional seeking inspiration, this episode offers valuable insights into leveraging sports experiences for leadership success.2025-07-2255 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#37 - Jason Cram - A Life Of Adventure, Career Success And EntrepreneurshipIn this episode of the Athlete2Business podcast, Jason Cram, a former world champion swimmer, shares his incredible journey from competitive swimming to running his own business, Swimly. He discusses the importance of mindset in sports, the lessons learned from training with Ian Thorpe, and the challenges of transitioning from an athlete to a business owner. Jason emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of swimming and the need to teach adults how to swim, especially those with a fear of water. He also highlights the emotional intelligence developed through sports and how it translates into business success.2025-07-091h 00
The Athlete2Business Podcast#36 - Zac Beveridge - How to effectively juggle duel careersIn this episode of the Athlete to Business podcast, host Alex Opacic speaks with Zac Beveridge, a semi-pro cricket player and Director at Colliers. They discuss Zac's journey from rural cricket beginnings to balancing a corporate career while pursuing his passion for cricket. Zac shares insights on the importance of time management, the decision to prioritize studies over a full-time cricket career, and the competitive edge that athletes bring to the business world. He emphasizes the value of networking and listening in professional growth, providing a comprehensive look at the transition from sports to business.2025-06-2441 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#35 - Stavros Yiannoukas - Purpose, Passion, and Career ChangeIn this episode of the Athlete2Business podcast, Stavros Yiannoukas shares his incredible journey from professional musician to sales leader at Hawke’s Brewing Co. Stavros opens up about his transition between two very different careers, the origin story of Hawke’s Brewery, and the passion that drives him in the business world today. His story is a powerful example of how to successfully pivot careers with purpose and grit. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating change or chasing a new professional dream.2025-06-0546 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#34 - Simon Morrison - How To Reach The Highest Pinnacles In CorporateIn this episode of the Athlete2Business podcast, Simon Morrison shares his inspiring journey from being an elite international rower and accomplished coach to becoming a senior business leader at global engineering giant Honeywell. With over 26 years at the company, Simon offers powerful insights into what it takes to thrive in the corporate world. He talks about applying the discipline and mindset of high-performance sport to climb the ranks in a global firm, mastering professionalism, and standing out as a leader in the boardroom. This episode is packed with next-level business advice and practical tips for athletes looking to...2025-05-2352 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#33 - Scott Smith - What Athletes Should Look for in Corporate RolesIn this episode of the Athlete2Business podcast, Scott Smith shares his journey from being a collegiate baseball player to building a successful career in sales and launching his own search firm in the material handling industry. He opens up about the transition from sports to business, the traits that make athletes excel in sales, and the lessons he’s carried over from the field to the corporate world. Scott also offers valuable advice for athletes looking to land their first corporate role, what to look for, how to stand out, and why a competitive mindset can be your grea...2025-05-0943 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#33 - Scott Smith - What Athletes Should Look for in Corporate RolesIn this episode of the Athlete2Business podcast, Scott Smith shares his journey from being a collegiate baseball player to building a successful career in sales and launching his own search firm in the material handling industry. He opens up about the transition from sports to business, the traits that make athletes excel in sales, and the lessons he’s carried over from the field to the corporate world. Scott also offers valuable advice for athletes looking to land their first corporate role, what to look for, how to stand out, and why a competitive mindset can be your gr...2025-05-0843 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#32 - Jon Moscot - From Pitching to ProfitsIn this episode of the Athlete2Business Podcast, Jon Moscot shares his journey from being a Major League Baseball pitcher and Olympic athlete to becoming a successful sales leader and private equity professional. He opens up about the challenges athletes face when stepping away from elite sports, how he found his footing in the business world, and the mindset shifts required to thrive after sport. John also dives into the lessons he's learned along the way and how former athletes can apply their competitive edge to succeed in corporate and entrepreneurial ventures.2025-04-1150 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#31 -Kyle Cleary - From Soccer to Sales. Athlete Career Transitions & Networking SuccessIn this episode of the Athlete2Businness Podcast, Kyle Cleary shares his journey from playing collegiate soccer in the US to becoming a high-performing sales professional in the media industry. He dives into the challenges athletes face when transitioning into new careers, the power of networking, and how to leverage sports experience for success in the corporate world. Kyle also discusses his passion for helping athletes navigate career changes through United After Sports and the key steps to finding a fulfilling career beyond sports.2025-03-2554 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#30 - Belinda Kerr - Winning in the Recruitment Game: Mindset, Niches, and Business GrowthIn this episode of the Athlete2Businness Podcast, Belinda Kerr shares her journey from founding and scaling two successful recruitment businesses to coaching others on how to do the same. She dives into the challenges of entrepreneurship, the strategies behind building a thriving recruitment business, and the key factors that led to her success. Belinda also discusses the ups and downs of the market, the mindset needed to navigate business growth, and the essential tactics for those looking to start and scale their own business.2025-03-1047 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#29 - Jade Hopper - Knowing when to quit your sportIn this episode of the Athlete to Business podcast, Jade Hopper shares her unique journey from being a professional tennis player to a successful lawyer. She discusses the challenges of balancing her dual passions, the tough decision to retire from tennis, and how her athletic mindset has influenced her legal career. Jade emphasizes the importance of delayed gratification, the highs and lows of both sports and law, and the necessity of maintaining a structured routine to achieve success in her new field.2025-02-1644 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#28 - Ted Cofie - How to hustle your way to running multiple businessesIn this episode, we sit down with Ted Cofie, a former professional boxer who fought on the world stage before transitioning into a thriving career as a serial entrepreneur.Ted’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary, his early years in the ring are filled with captivating stories of grit, resilience, and triumph. Now, as a business owner and consultant, he’s making waves in the world of entrepreneurship across multiple ventures.Join us as we explore Ted’s inspiring path from professional athlete to successful entrepreneur. He shares the lessons he learned in and out of...2024-12-1753 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#27 - Kurt Dillon - From the footy field to success in IT recruitmentIn this episode of the Athlete2Business Podcast, we sit down with Kurt Dillon, a former NRL player who has made an impressive transition from professional sports to the recruitment industry. After starting his recruitment career just three years ago—knowing little about the field—Kurt has quickly risen to success and is now thriving at Allura Partners.Join us as we explore Kurt’s journey from athlete to recruitment professional, the challenges of stepping into an entirely new career, and his insights into why athletes are uniquely suited for roles in sal...2024-11-2852 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#26 - Mandy Louise Rawlinson - How mindset & attitude can transform businessesIn this episode of the Athlete2Business Podcast, we sit down with Mandy Rawlinson, a former elite equestrian vaulter who competed at the highest level, becoming a world champion in this unique and challenging sport. Following her athletic career, Mandy transitioned into law and eventually found her calling as a senior executive in the finance industry, working with the global firm Aberdeen.Join us as we explore Mandy’s journey from elite athlete to corporate leader, her strategies for successfully navigating major career changes, and her valuable insights for maintaining professional growth and financial st...2024-11-0856 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#25 - Rosealee Bartholomew - How a 9-5 job leads to entrepreneurshipIn this episode of the Athlete2Business Podcast, we sit down with Rosealee Bartholomew, a former elite sprint cyclist who competed at the highest level, including the Junior World Championships. After a successful 10-year career in track cycling, Rosalie made the leap into a new chapter as a recruitment professional and business owner. She now runs Elite Pathways, a firm specializing in accounting and tax professionals.Join us as we discuss her journey from athlete to entrepreneur, her insights into recruitment and sales, and practical advice on navigating career transitions. Whether you're curious about the recruitment industry...2024-10-0854 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#24 - Danielle O'Brien - From the Ice to a career as a Business AnalystIn today's episode I had an inspiring conversation with Danielle O'Brien who is an Olympic ice dancer.She shares her story of success in the sport, and how resilience and determination helped her reach the Olympics. Along with sharing insights into how she landed a successful career as a Business Analyst with Westpac post sport.2024-09-1952 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#23 - Anthony Grima - How athletes can run their own businessToday’s episode is a little inbetweenasode - We sat down with Anthony Grima the COO of Sport Star Academy which is a sports coaching franchise business.If you’re an athlete wanting to run your own sports coaching business, be self employed and make 6-figures doing what you love, this is how!2024-09-0240 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#22 - Chris Morgan - How to build a successful technical career after sportToday we had an inspiring conversation with Chris Morgan, an Olympic rower, world class athlete and successful business professional in the IT space2024-08-1257 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#21 - Chris Wilson - The science behind stress and how to control itWelcome to the Athlete to Business Podcast! Today, we're stepping into a unique zone with an episode that ventures beyond our usual interviews with former pro athletes turned successful business executives. Our guest, Chris Wilson, is a stress scientist a role dedicated to measuring and managing stress levels.In a world increasingly defined by stress and anxiety, particularly among high-performing business leaders facing burnout post-COVID, Chris offers invaluable tools, tips, and strategies for stress regulation. His expertise, honed from working with elite athletes and now corporate executives, centers on using hard data to navigate...2024-07-0157 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#20 - Jason Dunn - Transform your mind, transform your lifeIn this episode, we sit down with Jason Dunn, a professional Ironman whose remarkable journey began at the age of 35. Despite early dreams of becoming a professional footballer, Jason found success in the finance world before transforming his life through endurance sports.Join us as we delve into Jason's inspiring story of self-discovery and purpose, highlighted in his book "Unlimited: The Art of Being Limitless." Jason shares the challenges he faced, including 35 hospital visits, and offers invaluable insights into managing stress and anxiety in today's fast-paced world.2024-06-1758 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#19 - Goran Tomasevic - How to become an Olympian whilst working full time in high stakes bankingJoin us for an incredible conversation with Goran Tomasevic, a professional water polo player and Australian Olympian. Born and raised in Croatia, Goran has traveled the world, played Division One college water polo in the US, and built an impressive career at Macquarie Group in Australia.In this episode, Goran shares how he balanced the rigorous demands of corporate life with being an elite athlete in a sport that doesn't offer the financial rewards of football or basketball. Discover his strategies for effective time management and prioritization, and be inspired by his journey of resilience and dedication.2024-06-031h 04
The Athlete2Business Podcast#18 - Dan Lazar - How to build a global business with minimum costJoin us as we explore the inspiring journeys of athletes turned entrepreneurs. In this episode, we chat with Dan Lazar, a former elite tennis player who boldly transitioned to property development and the air dome business across Romania, Europe, and the US. Discover how Dan's decision to leave tennis early led to immense success in entrepreneurship. He shares valuable insights on why quitting isn't always a setback, his innovative business strategies, and his rapid rise in the business world. Tune in for a compelling conversation filled with lessons on resilience, strategic pivots, and entrepreneurial triumph.2024-05-2040 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#17 - Michael Stutes - What baseball teaches us about high pressure business situationsJoin us as we sit down with former MLB player Mike Stutes for an exclusive glimpse into his extraordinary journey from the baseball diamond to the business realm. From his unforgettable moments on the field to his flourishing career post-baseball, we delve deep into the tales, hurdles, and triumphs that have shaped his remarkable path. Through candid conversations and captivating anecdotes, Mike shares insights into the mindset required to excel at the highest levels of sports and business alike. So, grab your glove and get ready to step up to the plate as we embark on an immersive exploration...2024-05-061h 02
The Athlete2Business Podcast#16 - Cam Tragardh - How to network your way to CEOJoin us as we sit down with former Australian basketball standout Cameron Tragardh for an inside look at his journey through the highs and lows of professional basketball. From his days on the court to life beyond the game, we delve into the stories, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped his career and continue to inspire. Get ready for candid conversations, insightful anecdotes, and a deep dive into the world of hoops with Cameron Tragardh.2024-04-2250 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#15 - Guy Nardo - How to earn $400k+ in IT recruitmentOn today's episode, we had an amazing conversation with Guy Nardo, who's a former elite collegiate golfer, turned high performance mindset coaching entrepreneur and high performing recruitment executive in the world of IT. He works with a lot of athletes in the world of sports psychology, with golfers and other athletes as well. And he has been an absolute go getter, high performer, successful business professional in the world of recruitment for the past 10 years.2024-04-0855 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#14 - Drew Ginn - How to turn Olympic success into business successJoin us for a motivational episode when we look at the incredible journey of gold medallist Drew Ginn from the Olympics. Drew, a three-time Olympic gold medallist and multiple World Championship rower, offers insights into the leadership principles he learned over his remarkable career. Find out how he uses these ideas in his new coaching business to mentor and encourage people. Join us for an exciting discussion with Drew Ginn, one of Australia's most renowned athletes-turned-leaders. 2024-03-0749 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#13 - James Matheson - Why and how athletes succeed in tech salesJames Matheson is a two-time Winter Olympian Mogul Skier, who transitioned into a post sport career as a Sales Executive at a Fintech company. What are his secrets to such a successful transition out of sport? Join us to find out!2024-01-3155 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#12 - Declan Stacey - How a career in recruitment can lead to a high 6-figure salaryDeclan Stacey is one of Athlete2Business's great success stories. As a former successful Gymnast and World Class Diver, he is now dominating the Recruitment world in his life post sport.2024-01-1855 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#11 - James Harvey - This is how to truly climb the corporate ladder and earn high 6-figuresJames Harvey has a 15-year career, which spans here domestically in the NBL and internationally as well, captained the Boomers, won numerous championships, individual accolades and is an absolute legend of the game. Since his retirement, he's gone onto having an incredible career in the corporate sector within property. development and energy sectors. Enjoy as we delve into his story of successes through mastery of both basketball and the corporate world.2023-12-2058 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#10 - Dean Anderson - What footy can teach us about business leadershipDean Anderson is a former AFL player who achieved glory with Hawthorn winning 2 premierships in 1989 and 1991. Dean also played for St Kilda and is still involved in the club’s leadership to this day.Alongside his impressive AFL career Dean worked his way up in the finance sector over a 30-year career. Dean is currently CEO of Leading Teams, an organisation which helps individuals and teams be high performing.2023-12-2057 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#9 - Ryan Martin - The power of focusing on learning new skills, not on passionToday we dive into the incredible journey of Ryan Martin, a former jockey with a 15-year career. From the highs of horse racing to the challenges of corporate life, Ryan shares his path to founding Remarkable Digital, a thriving digital marketing agency.Join us as we explore the hurdles and triumphs of Ryan's transition, offering valuable insights for athletes and entrepreneurs alike.2023-12-2058 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#8 - Ryan Griffiths - How networking leads to finding your post-sport passionToday we speak with Ryan Griffiths, a former professional footballer. His career spanned over continents and decades, taking him to some of the highest-level competitions across the world, including the Athen Olympic Games.In the conversation today, Ryan illustrates the good, the bad and the ugly about his journey as a professional footballer and shares how he was able to turn his passions away from sport into a profit.As the founder and director of Geek Media, Ryan is now a successful Digital Marketing Specialist with a passion for helping others succeed.2023-12-2057 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#7 - Deanna Kyriazopoulos - Fast track to 6-figures in businessDeanna is a former international Taekwondo superstar who has represented Australia on the world stage. Since, she has crafted a successful career in the recruitment industry within the insurance market.Deanna is an absolute go getter in everything she does, and she is a standout performer in the recruitment industry.2023-12-2046 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#6 - Stephen Halpin - Why athletes dominate in recruitmentLadies and gentlemen, welcome to today's podcast episode where we have the privilege of speaking with Stephen Halpin. Hailing from Ireland, Stephen's journey is one of incredible transformation and achievement.Before he made his mark in the world of technology recruitment, Stephen spent an impressive 12 years as a professional cyclist in Belgium. Today, he shares with us his journey that takes us from the world of professional cycling to the dynamic realm of business.As an athlete, he hadn't given much thought to what lay beyond the world of sports. When he eventually left professional...2023-12-2053 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#5 - Luke Lewis - Fast track to entrepreneurship and avoiding the 9-5As a former professional player, Luke Lewis is an undeniable icon of Australian Rugby League. His successful playing career spanned over two decades, both at home and on the international stage. But what truly set him apart, was his unwavering dedication, commitment, and relentless pursuit towards his goals. Now, Luke uses his inner drive taking over the start up world.Among his proudest ventures is iDlvr, a game-changing delivery service reshaping the landscape of logistics in Australia. As the nation's first personalised same-day delivery platform, iDlvr offers a remarkable range of vehicles, from utes to vans and...2023-12-2054 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#4 - Michael Reid - Learning to rediscover yourself post-sportIn this captivating episode, we delve into the inspiring story of Michael Reid, a former professional rugby player from New Zealand. Forced to leave the sport he loved in his early 20s, Michael embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that took him across continents, coaching, living, and working in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. It was during this time that he discovered his talent for sales, ultimately achieving the remarkable feat of becoming a three-time consecutive Salesperson of the Year for global company, DHL. Join us as Michael shares his incredible insights and valuable advice, making this...2023-12-2055 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#3 - Shay Spitz - How being humble and self aware leads to a 6-figure salary post-sportIn today's episode, we introduce you to Shay Spitz, a former professional footballer turned recruitment specialist. Join us as we explore Shay's fascinating journey, from his humble beginnings on the pitch to his global adventures and eventual transition into the world of recruitment. Discover the secret keys that propelled Shay to success as he shares his invaluable insights and inspiring story.2023-12-2054 min
The Athlete2Business Podcast#2 - Phil Moss - From Pro football coach to leader at WestpacIn today's episode, we speak with Phil Moss. With extensive expertise gained across various settings, we explore his experiences as a professional football coach, media personality and now leadership consultant with NAB. Together, we strip away the complexities and return to the essence of leadership, exploring the principles of high performance and the transformative power of vulnerability. Strap in for a captivating conversation that will leave you inspired and armed with newfound wisdom from the remarkable, Phil Moss.2023-12-201h 05
The Athlete2Business Podcast#1 - Olivia King - The art of transitioning careers 3 times!In today's episode, we speak with Olivia King, the queen of the water! Olivia is a former elite youth swimmer turned rowing national team representative. After retiring from her sporting career, Olivia moved to Australia to pursue a new career in tech recruitment. From one change to the next, Olivia has embraced every opportunity that has come her way and has never looked back. Brace yourself for a truly remarkable individual who embodies the epitome of determination, resilience, and perseverance – Olivia King!2023-12-201h 01
Hiring & Inspiring#51 Alex Opacic - From professional Basketball to Recruitment Business OwnerIn this episode I'm joined by Alex Opacic. Alex is a business owner, salesperson, recruiter and former pro basketball player. 4 years ago Alex diteched his previous sales job to launch is own recruitment company - Athlete2Business. A recruitment firm focused on placing former professional atheletes into b2b sales roles and recruitment positions.In this episode expect to learn:What Alex has learnt about himself since he became a recruitmnet business ownerHis advice to anyone looking to "go out on their own"Why he belives loosing a deal in Recruitment hurts more than l...2023-11-2935 min
DayOne.FMEP006 - Why professional athletes make great salespeople with Alex OpacicIn the sprint of startups, catch phrases like resilience, tenacity and rebound are brandished as the crowning qualities for success. But who personifies these better than athletes? Immersed in a world of discipline, diligence and constant iterations to improve, they bring in a fierce wave of value into the business landscape. Join us in this episode of Teaching Startups To Fish, where we dive deep into the potency of this ground-breaking synergy.Chartering this exciting territory with Mladen Jovanovic is no other than Alex Opacic, the brains behind Athlete2Business and a former professional basketball player. Opacic o...2023-07-3042 min
Career Clarity with Athletes: A 2ndwind Podcast with Ryan GonsalvesFinding Another Plan A while Chasing your Dream with Alex OpacicSend us a textIn today's episode, Ryan speaks to Alex Opacic, a former NCAA Division 1 player whose first sporting love was football. Alex gained a full scholarship to Furnham University in South Carolina where as a four-season USD one college Pro, he played against the likes of Steph Curry. Over the years, he has gained professional contracts and has also played in some of the top European basketball leagues. Fast forward to today, Alex is the founder and CEO of the Australian-based company Athletes2business. Alex’s company is a recruitment age...2022-09-2856 min
Money MindAlex Opacic would like business to hire attitudeIn the 12th episode of Money Mind, Tanya Carlson from Amplify Wealth Management talks to Alex Opacic, founder and owner of Athlete2Business.They chat about Alex's childhood as a refugee in Serbia, earning a college basketball scholarship in the United States, how a knee injury put a halt to his professional career, transitioning into a post-sport career and why he set up a business to help athletes use their skills in the corporate world.To connect with Alex please head to athlete2business.com.au To discuss your financial future with Tanya...2022-09-1544 min
Thrive After Sports w/ Taj DashaunAthlete2Business | Alex Opacic Ep 123Alex Opacic played basketball at Furman University, and went on to play professional basketball in Greece, Cyprus, Macedonia and Croatia.
He is the founder of Athlete2Business - a recruitment agency specializing in placing former professional athletes into roles that maximize their unique skills and experiences.
Learn more about Athlete2Business by visiting their website here: http://www.athlete2business.com.au
Connect with Athlete2Business on all social media platforms @Athlete2Business
Thanks for tuning in!
2021-12-2127 min
In The HuddleEP#22: Why Student- Athletes make the best employees with CEO of Athletes to Business and Former US College and Professional Basketball Player, Alex OpacicChris sits done with Alex Opacic, former college and professional basketballer and founder of Australian based company Athlete2Business, to discuss employability and unique opportunities for US college student-athletes graduates.2020-11-1340 min
The Athlete's Secret WeaponEp 13. Athlete to Business, elite athlete transition with Alex OpacicMeet my guest on this podcast, Alex Opacic
"I had a dream and it was to play college basketball and become a pro basketball player!
Given this love and obsession for the game, I quickly started emerging as one of the best players in Australia for my age.
Towards end of high school all my hard work started paying off as I was awarded a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), where I played alongside some of today’s NBA stars and greatest Aussie sports heroes – Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and...2020-09-2450 min