Shows
Quest for SuccessKurt Takahashi | Coaching Beyond the Diamond: Cultivating Champions in Baseball and LifeJoin the conversation with California's High School Baseball Coach of the Year, Kurt Takahashi, as he steps up to the podcast plate to share his extraordinary journey from the youthful fields of glory to the dugouts of mentorship. Discover the invaluable lessons of routine, mental preparation, and consistency that Kurt imparts, reflecting on his days under the sun with the San Francisco Giants and how stepping back from the batter's box led him to cultivate the next generation of champions. With humble beginnings, a rise through the minor leagues, and an inspiring state championship story, Kurt's narrative is a...2024-01-121h 23
Quest for SuccessVictor Leva | From NFL Glory to Coaching Future Stars: A Tale of Passion, Mentorship, and Life Lessons from the GridironVictor Leva's legacy reaches far beyond the football field, and as we welcome him to our podcast, he shares a lifetime of wisdom from his journey as an NFL player to a coach and Highway Patrol Officer. The heartbeat of his story is the dedication to the sport and the relentless spirit he champions, serving both as a guide to young athletes and a testament to the power of passion. As he reminisces about the influence of sports titans like Pat Tillman and Tom Brady, Victor's narrative becomes a playbook for success, full of strategies for not just winning...2023-12-291h 02Quest for SuccessAJ Watts | Athletic Director at Porterville Unified School District: Building a Winning Mentality in SportsWhen you think athletics, you think competition, resilience, discipline, and above all, the thrill of the game. Our chat with AJ Watts, the Athletic Director at Porterville Unified School District, encapsulates all of this and much more. AJ is no stranger to the pulse-pounding world of sports, boasting a career filled with unforgettable moments, victories, and lessons learned both on and off the field. From being an admirer of baseball great Ryan Sandberg to coaching a championship-winning team, AJ's journey is an inspiring tale of passion and dedication.Imagine standing at the helm of a struggling team...2023-12-151h 20
Quest for SuccessDavid Shimer | Superintendent of Burton Schools: A Profound Discussion on Leadership, Technology, and the Future of EducationWhat happens when you put a visionary superintendent, a technology pioneer and a fervent advocate for education in the same room? You get an enlightening conversation with David Shimer, the superintendent of Burton Schools, who has seen the transformative power of technology in the education field. In this riveting conversation, David takes us through his journey, from the inception of computer labs to the successful implementation of a one-to-one device program. He unpacks the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the immense satisfaction of seeing students flourish with these integrated tools.David also dives deep into the...2023-12-011h 36Quest for SuccessAlia Alvarez | Head Coach of the Porterville College Women's Basketball Program: A Fresh Perspective on Basketball, Personal Growth, and the Power of Parental Support in AthleticsWhat if a fresh perspective on the game of basketball could change the trajectory of your sports career? This enlightening episode with our guest, Alia Alvarez, Head Coach of the Porterville College Women's Basketball Program, promises to do just that! Alia’s unique coaching philosophy, her transition to coaching, her relentless determination, and her mission-focused approach to take her players to the next level are nothing short of inspiring. This isn’t your usual sports commentary. Alia is candid about her frustrations with lack of basketball IQ among players and the diminishing importance given to secondary defense. Her a...2023-10-201h 12Quest for SuccessJacob Wright | 4x NCAA Wrestling Tournament Qualifier at The University of Wyoming and Fresno State: Unwrapping the Journey to Elite Wrestling and the Vision to Shape Future ChampionsGet ready to grapple with the intricacies of wrestling as we engage in an intense conversation with Jacob Wright, a four-time NCAA Wrestling Qualifier at the University of Wyoming and Fresno State and the proud owner of Wright Wrestling Academy. If you've always wondered what it takes to reach the pinnacle of wrestling, Jacob's insights, drawn from a lifetime of dedication to the sport, promise to illuminate the path to success. Wrestling, for Jacob, is more than a sport; it's a discipline that shapes individuals, and you'll learn just how it does that.The narrative takes us...2023-10-061h 04Quest for SuccessMauricio Mejia | BJJ Black Belt and Muay Thai Kickboxing Instructor: Unveiling the Power of Jiu-Jitsu in Personal Development and Community BuildingEver feel like you're stuck in a rut and need some fresh and invigorating inspiration? Join us as we sit down with the exceptional martial artist and instructor, Mauricio Mejia, who not only holds a black belt in Jiu Jitsu but has honed his skills in the disciplines of Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. Together, we trace the lineage of the black belt, celebrate the growth of the Elite Team, and engage in a lively debate about the top three greatest martial artists of all time. As the conversation flows, we venture into the astounding potential nestled w...2023-09-222h 01Quest for SuccessRudy Ramirez | IFBB Classic Physique Pro Bodybuilder: An Intimate Exploration into the World of Competitive BodybuildingMeet IFBB Classic Physique Professional Bodybuilder, Rudy Ramirez, as he takes us through a captivating journey of the bodybuilding world. From a young admirer of Arnold Schwarzenegger to a certified professional, Rudy inspires with his tales of triumph, challenge, and resilience. He unravels the mystery surrounding bodybuilding, debunking myths, shedding light on his favorite exercises, and sharing the importance of conditioning and nutrition for success in this field.Join us as Rudy uncovers the grit and determination required for competitive bodybuilding. He delves into the rigorous process of preparation for competitions, stage presentation, and the critical role...2023-09-081h 34Quest for SuccessSteve Cox | A journey to the Major Leagues: A Candid Dive into the Life and Baseball Career of Steve CoxWhat would you do if you had the chance to sit down with a former professional baseball player and dive deep into their journey? You don't have to imagine, because that's exactly what we're serving up in our latest episode with Steve Cox. From his early days at Monache High School to playing at the highest levels of professional baseball, Steve gives us an insider's look into his impressive journey. He reveals the intense pressure of decision-making during his high school senior year, his experience being drafted in the fifth round, and the challenges of minor league baseball.2023-08-251h 22
Quest for SuccessBear Pascoe | From the Super Bowl to Rodeo: The Unyielding Spirit and Athletic Journey of Bear PascoeFrom the gridiron to the rodeo arena, former Super Bowl champion and rodeo athlete Bear Pasco's journey is a testament to the unyielding resolve of the human spirit. Our conversation delves into the role of quality coaching in the world of sport and how it has been a cornerstone of Bear's successful athletic career. Through the lens of his personal experiences, Bear highlights the critical importance of technique, fairness, respect, and integrity in coaching, reiterating the profound impact his own mentors had on his development as an athlete.Embark on this riveting journey as Bear takes us...2023-08-111h 26Quest for SuccessQuest for Success Season Finale | Season One Recap w/ Blain Smothermon & Zac Aguilar |Season Finale! The Final episode of Season 1 of the Quest for Success Podcast. Hosts @zac5aguilar & @blain6 sit down to recap season 1, talk about how Quest for Success all started and what’s to come for season 2 and beyond. Some big announcements will come out in this epsiode including a Quest merch drop, guests for season 2 and much more. We want to thank each and every one of you who has supported this project. We couldn’t keep this operation going at the quality we have without your tremendous support, from sharing our content, to listening or watching each epis...2022-09-071h 05Quest for SuccessEbony Madrid-Brown | Professional Soccer Player | Astra Hungary FCEbony Madrid-Brown is a professional international soccer player who recently signed to play in Hungary for Astra Hungary FC. Coming from a military family, Ebony moved and lived all over the world, including in South Korea, Germany and Hawaii. She would receive many awards which included Stars and Stripes Athlete of the Year, Osan Korea Athlete of the Year and the Ramstein, Germany Athlete of the Year. Ebony would eventually receive a scholarship offer to play at Hawaii Pacific University where as a Senior Madrid would be named the PacWest Conference Player of the Year. She was also named F...2022-08-2454 minQuest for SuccessJoe Soto | Former UFC Fighter and MMA Champion“Quest for Success Podcast” w/former @ufc fighter and @bellatormma champion Joe Soto (@joesoto135). We had a great time sitting down and talking to Joe about his childhood growing up, wrestling career, fighting in the UFC, being roommates with Jon Jones and Colby Covington.—Joe Soto fought at the bantamweight division in the UFC. A professional competitor since 2006, Soto has also formerly competed for Bellator Fighting Championships, where he was the inaugural Bellator Featherweight World Champion and first ever winner of their Featherweight Tournament, and for Tachi Palace Fights where he is the former Tachi Palace...2022-08-101h 40Quest for SuccessTiffanie Yabut | Women's Head Golf Coach & Founder of the ImpacTour Golf TourThe “Quest for Success Podcast” w/ Cal State Bakersfield Women’s Head Golf Coach Tiffanie Yabut (@tiffanie_yabut) who is the founder of the @impactourgolf and an LPGA Professionals Member. It was a great pleasure having Tiffanie on the show to talk about her journey, golf career, being a head golf coach and her new journey with her Non Profit. Tiffanie is an amazing person who makes those around her better. She is the definition of what a great leader and role model should be. —Tiffanie Yabut is in her second season as Head Coach of the C...2022-07-271h 04Quest for SuccessSteve Brown | The All AmericanWe sat down and had a great conversation with Steve Brown, the Oregon State Hall of Famer and former All American Linebacker. We discussed Steve’s early childhood, work ethic, lifting weights, his playing days and what motivates him to continue coaching today! Steve Brown is a man’s man who lives and breaths football, but more importantly a man of faith, family and service! —Steve Brown, a 1969 Porterville High graduate and a member of the Porterville High Athletic Hall of Fame. He’s also a member of the Oregon State Athletic Hall of Fame. During h...2022-07-131h 18Quest for SuccessZhanique Lovett | The Ultimate American Ninja WarriorAre you an American Ninja Warrior fan? Zhanique Lovett (Zee) is the ultimate Ninja Warrior! We got to sit down with Zhanique Lovett (Zee) and had a great conversation with the American Ninja Warrior competitor. We learned a lot about her early childhood and perseverance to overcome many obstacles in throughout her life, experience on America Ninja Warrior, being vegan, mother, and an absolute beast of a human being. She is the ultimate Ninja Warrior! Zhanique is a personal trainer who first competed in Los Angeles in American Ninja Warrior 9. She has since been on 4 seasons of American Ninja...2022-06-291h 13Quest for SuccessJim Short | Former University of Nevada Football Standout, High School Teacher & CoachGrateful and humbled to announce Episode 4 of the “Quest for Success Podcast” w/ the great Jim Short. We caught up with Jim and had an absolutely incredible and humbling conversation with the former @nevadafootball standout, High School Teacher, coach and one of the greatest, most humble men you’ll ever meet. We call him coach, teacher, friend and a role model.—Jim Short grew up in the small town of Poplar, California. When Jim entered Monache High School in 1977, his childhood friend Jeff Brown was already blazing the sports trail, so Jim did what Jeff had, and...2022-06-151h 33Quest for SuccessRob Haynes | Fresno City College Men's Basketball Head Coach & College ProfessorEpisode 3 of the “Quest for Success Podcast” w/ @fresnocitycollege Head Mens Basketball Coach @rob81_04. We had an eye opening and deep conversation with Coach Haynes about growing up, his journey, playing career, coaching career and lessons learned along the way. —Rob Haynes is the head men’s basketball coach and professor at Fresno City College. Haynes previously served as head coach @portervillecollege . Rob Haynes inspires his fellow staff members and commands a presence in any basketball arena he enters. In addition, he is strongly committed to his family and community. In 7 seasons at Porterville, Haynes was know...2022-06-012h 02Quest for SuccessZack Grasmick | Small Town Hoops to Big Time SuccessEpisode 2 of the “Quest for Success Podcast” w/ Cal State Bakersfield Women’s Basketball coach and former CSUB basketball standout Zack Grasmick (@zgrasmick). We had a great conversation with Zack about his childhood, playing career, coaching career and what it takes to succeed and get recruited at the next level. —Zack Grasmick journey to success began at Granite Hills High School in Porterville, CA & continued on to Cal State Bakersfield where he will begin his 11th season as an assistant coach on the CSU Bakersfield women’s basketball coaching staff in the Fall of the 2022. Grasmick moved over...2022-05-181h 18Quest for SuccessTim Vanni | 2x Olympian, Team USA WrestlingWe are thrilled to announce the release of Episode 1 of the “Quest for Success Podcast” with 2x Olympic Wrestler Tim Vanni. We had an amazing conversation with this absolute legendary man, one of the all time greats, the one and only Mr. Tim Vanni! Tim Vanni is a two-time U.S. Olympic wrestler. He finished fourth in the '88 Games in Seoul and fifth in the '92 Games in Barcelona. Vanni also has six world championships placings, and is a five-time Senior U.S. national champion. He is currently a physical education teacher and wrestling coach for Porter...2022-05-042h 02Quest for SuccessQuest for Success TrailerQuest for Success Podcast hosted by Gym Owner and Trainer Zac Aguilar and Educator, coach, and Athletic Director Blain Smothermon. Sharing stories of people on the quest for success. Support the showQuest for Success Links | https://linktr.ee/questforsuccess2022-04-2100 min