Shows
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyHow Athletes Can Win Big in Franchising | Robert HaarMaking the transition from professional sports to life after the game isn’t easy. The questions are real: What’s next? Where do I channel my drive, discipline, and competitiveness?In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein, Founder and CEO of Alumni Direct, sits down with Robert Haar — an award-winning franchise consultant and Top 10 broker nationwide — to explore why franchising is becoming a powerful option for athletes stepping into their next chapter.Robert brings over 25 years of experience as a business owner and franchis...
2025-10-0137 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Football and NFL Player to Entrepreneur and Founder of SoleCareRx | Ben UtechtIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ben Utecht—a 6’7” Super Bowl Champion tight end, Chief Culture Officer, entrepreneur, award-winning speaker, author, and singer—to explore how athletes can embrace their identity beyond sports and design a meaningful second chapter of life.Ben reflects on his journey from playing at the University of Minnesota and in the NFL with the Colts and Bengals to building a multifaceted career in leadership, culture development, music, and entrepreneurship. Recipient of the prestigious Uncommon Leader Award from NFL Hall of Fame coach...
2025-09-2432 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College and Pro Basketball Player to CEO of CxORE | Darrell TeatIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Darrell Teat—a husband, father, corporate board member, and CEO of **CxORE**—to explore the realities of athlete transition and how networking, mentorship, and leadership can guide athletes toward lasting success beyond the game.Darrell reflects on his own journey as a former athlete who transitioned from the court to the corporate world, navigating the challenges of leaving sports behind while finding his path in executive leadership. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships, engaging with alumni networks, and seeking mentorship to prepare for life a...
2025-09-1738 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Baseball Player to Entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of 47 Inc |James ToaleIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with James Toale, a former college baseball player turned entrepreneur, mentor, and Founder & CEO of 47 Inc, to explore how resilience, community, and innovation can transform setbacks into success.James shares his journey from Coral Springs, Florida, where he and his brother both pursued baseball dreams—his brother John drafted by the Boston Red Sox, while James played at Miami Dade College until a torn ACL ended his path to professional sports. That pivotal moment redirected his life toward entrepreneurship, leading him to own multiple businesses befo...
2025-09-1034 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Former Pro Soccer Player to Co Founder and Chief Development Officer of Serve Consulting | Amobi OkugoIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein sits down with Amobi Okugo, former professional soccer player turned entrepreneur, consultant, and business leader.Amobi opens up about his transition from the pitch to business, why “checking in” with your network is a game-changer, and how athletes can redefine NIL to mean Network, Intellectual Property, and Leverage. He also shares the three-year reality of finding your “second game” after sports, and how his platform A Frugal Athlete evolved into Serve Consulting—helping athletes and organizations thrive through education, strategy, and resources.
2025-09-0333 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer MLB Player to Business Development in Financial Industry| Evan MarshallIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Evan Marshall, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, to explore his transition from the diamond to life after sports and how athletes can better prepare for the next chapter of their journey.Evan opens up about the challenges of moving on from a professional playing career, the role of networking in opening new doors, and why alumni connections can make a lasting difference for athletes. He also shares the lessons learned from both success and failure in baseball, the im...
2025-08-2743 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Football Player to Founder and CEO of The Players NIL | Mark KoestererIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Mark Koesterer, a former college football player turned Founder & CEO of The Players NIL, to explore how athletes can prepare for life beyond sports while navigating today’s evolving landscape of athlete branding and career development.Mark shares powerful insights on how sports shaped his identity, the lifelong value of networking, and the mindset shifts needed for a successful athlete transition. He also unpacks how the NIL era is reshaping opportunities for personal brand building, why alumni engagement can open...
2025-08-2031 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Football Player to Sports Attorney and NIL Educator | Jade GummerIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs – The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Jade Gummer, a former athlete turned sports attorney, to unpack what it really takes for athletes to successfully transition into life beyond the game.Jade shares powerful insights on the evolving world of youth sports, the life-changing impact of great coaching, and the emotional challenge of redefining identity after sports. From the opportunities NIL creates to the vital role alumni engagement plays in building lasting connections, this conversation delivers practical wisdom every current and former athlete should hear....
2025-08-1334 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Baseball Player, Trusted Advisor to Certified Financial Planner | Luke MelmsIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Luke Melms—former collegiate baseball player turned Managing Director at Firm Foundation Family Wealth—to talk about the power of process over outcome, and how athletes can harness that same mentality when stepping into business leadership.---Luke opens up about his journey from the diamond to the world of finance, and how staying committed to the process has led to deeper purpose and performance. He shares why it’s crucial for athletes to plan beyond the playing field, and how in...
2025-08-0634 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Soccer Player to Founder and President of Triumph Sports Marketing | Leonardo ScheinkmanIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein talks with Leonardo Scheinkman—a former college soccer player from Brazil who’s now a mission-driven entrepreneur and co-founder of Triumph Sports Foundation. From chasing goals on the field to building purpose-driven impact off it, Leonardo’s story is a powerful example of turning athletic experience into lasting legacy.---Rob and Leonardo explore the complex identity shift that happens when sports end, and how athletes can use the same grit, discipline, and drive that got them on the field to bui...
2025-07-3032 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer Taekwondo Champion To Co-Founder of ROOK | Marco BenitezIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Marco Benitez—a former Taekwondo national champion turned biomedical engineer, health tech innovator, and co-founder of ROOK. From the dojang to data, Marco’s journey is all about using technology to unlock healthier, more empowered lives.---Rob and Marco dive deep into the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports and how the skills honed in competition—discipline, consistency, and resilience—can fuel business success. Marco shares how his experience in martial arts shaped his mindset and ultimately led him...
2025-07-2339 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Football Player To Founder of Friends Wealth Management | John Fremont- SmithIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with John Fremont Smith—a former Boston University football standout turned financial leader and founder of Friends Wealth Management. From the locker room to Wall Street and now the world of NIL, John’s journey is all about building systems that truly support athletes—on and off the field.This isn't about John—it’s about the *mission*. As the **first Fiduciary in the NIL universe**, John and his team are committed, by law and by purpose, to acting in the *best interest of athletes*. With deep concern over the p...
2025-07-1646 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Baseball Player to Co-Founder of Success Beyond Game Day | Ryan SchachtnerIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ryan Schachtner—a former college baseball player who transformed a career-ending injury and a tough academic journey into a mission-driven life of impact. Today, Ryan is the Co-Founder of Success Beyond Game Day, where he helps athletes and coaches at all levels navigate the transition out of sports and into thriving careers.---Rob and Ryan explore what it really takes to build a meaningful life after sports. From leveraging the inner drive developed through athletics to ov...
2025-07-0931 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Basketball Player & Gym Owner, To Co-Founder of LASSO Framework | Sherman MerricksIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Sherman Merricks—a former college basketball player who made an incredible transition from gym owner to Co-Founder of LASSO Framework, a game-changing agency helping fitness businesses master marketing and sales.---Rob and Sherman dive into the athlete transition experience—from navigating life after the final whistle to using the discipline learned in sports to build a sustainable business. Sherman shares how the lack of formal support after college inspired him to forge his own path, and how...
2025-06-2536 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Football Player To Entrepreneur and Brand Builder | David WeeksIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with David Weeks—a former college football player who made a dynamic leap from the field to the food industry as a successful entrepreneur. David opens up about how his athletic journey shaped his mindset and how he used the skills he learned on the gridiron to build a thriving career in business.---Rob and David dive deep into the realities of athlete transition—exploring everything from the value of multi-sport participation growing up to the emotional chal...
2025-06-1839 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College and Minor League Baseball Player and Principal at JDS Sports | Karl BlumIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Karl Blum—a former college baseball player who pitched for both Duke and Rutgers before transitioning into the world of private equity and sports investment. Today, Karl is a Principal at JDS Sports, where he helps shape the future of sports and entertainment through strategic business leadership.Karl shares how his identity was shaped through baseball, and how stepping away from the game in 2019 forced him to redefine his purpose and direction. The conversation dives deep into the challenges of athlete transition, the power of cross-sport networking, an...
2025-06-1129 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer Educator and Div. I Head Basketball Coach To Founder of Stay Shaded | Vonn WebbIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Vonn Webb—a former Division I head basketball coach, high school principal, and educator who has taken his life experience and turned it into a powerful mission. Vonn shares his emotional and purpose-driven journey that led him to found StayShaded.org, a nonprofit focused on educating youth, parents, and athletes about the deadly dangers of fentanyl.Vonn opens up about the tragic loss of his son to fentanyl poisoning and how that life-altering moment became the fuel for his passion to make a...
2025-06-0431 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer Pro Cyclist to VP of Product Development and Co-founder of The Last Best Ride | Jess CerraIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Jess Cerra—a former professional cyclist, entrepreneur, and current VP of Product Development, Quality & Community at Alete Active Nutrition (makers of SaltStick). Jess shares her powerful story of transitioning out of elite athletics into entrepreneurship, advocacy, and impact-driven leadership.From overcoming injury and identity loss to launching businesses and scholarships, Jess opens up about the importance of mentorship, alumni support, and building networks that last beyond the finish line. Her passion for elevating women in cycling and creating inclusive communities shines through every step of he...
2025-05-2834 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer Olympic Silver Medalist to Founder and CEO of Noble West | Ali CoxIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ali Cox—a former Olympian in rowing turned successful marketing entrepreneur. From her unexpected start as a collegiate walk-on to competing on the world stage, Ali shares the incredible journey that led her to founding Noble West, a firm that merges her passion for agriculture with her leadership and branding expertise.Ali opens up about how the discipline, teamwork, and mental toughness gained through sports became the foundation for her business success. She offers candid insights into the challenges athletes face when th...
2025-05-2132 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyWorld Champion Shot Putter to Olympian and Coach | Ryan WhitingIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ryan Whiting —a former Olympian and track and field champion who’s transitioned from world-class competition to coaching, entrepreneurship, and mentoring the next generation of athletes. From the thrill of international competition to the realities of life after sports, Ryan shares his powerful story of personal growth, identity shifts, and building a purpose-driven path beyond athletics.Ryan opens up about the emotional and financial challenges that come with transitioning out of elite sports, the importance of building a st...
2025-05-1436 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Tennis Player to CEO of PolarityBio and CEO of Stoner's Pizza Joint | John StetsonIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with John Stetson—a former athlete who’s blazed an impressive trail through the worlds of finance, private equity, regenerative medicine, and national franchising. From competing in sports to closing multimillion-dollar deals, John shares how the lessons of the game prepared him for the complexities of business leadership.John dives deep into the mindset shifts required to navigate life after sports, the value of leaning into curiosity, and how simply asking good questions can open doors in any industry. He reflects on the impo...
2025-05-0739 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer Collegiate Wrestler to Founder of Ally Solutions | Trevor SchrierIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Trevor Schrier—former collegiate wrestler turned finance professional and founder of an innovative AI solutions company. Trevor shares his powerful story of transitioning from the grind of athletic competition to the fast-paced world of business, breaking down the mindset shifts, relationships, and lessons that fueled his transformation.Having walked the difficult path from athlete to entrepreneur, Trevor opens up about the identity challenges many face after sports, and how building strong networks—especially within the alumni community—can unlock powerful opportunities. His journe...
2025-04-3023 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer NFL Veteran to Founder of Money Vehicle Jedidiah CollinsIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Jedidiah Collins—former NFL fullback turned certified financial planner and founder of Money Vehicle, a groundbreaking financial education platform. With a heart for service and a mind for strategy, Jedidiah shares his powerful journey of reinvention—from professional sports to personal finance education—and the mission behind helping young athletes build financial independence and purpose after the game.Having experienced the abrupt end of an NFL career, Jedidiah understands firsthand the identity crisis athletes face post-retirement. This episode dives deep into the mental, emotional, and financial hurdles athlet...
2025-04-2333 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Football Player to Founder of Strive Higher After Sports | Steve Davis Jr.In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Steve Davis Jr., founder of Strive Higher After Sports and passionate advocate for helping athletes redefine themselves beyond the game. Steve brings a powerful blend of insight, experience, and heart to a conversation centered on athlete transition, identity, and building meaningful connections that fuel life after sports.As a former athlete who walked the road himself, Steve understands the emotional and mental challenges of leaving the sport you love. From facing identity loss to figuring out what’s next, he’s made it h...
2025-04-1638 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey4X World Champion Racquetball Player and Professional Speaker | Rhonda RajsichIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Rhonda Rajsich, a world champion racquetball player and passionate advocate for athlete empowerment, youth engagement, and mental resilience. Rhonda’s story is one of perseverance, purpose, and using the power of sport to inspire others long after the competition ends.Coming from a high-achieving athletic family, Rhonda embraced pressure as a privilege and developed a mindset that fueled her success on and off the court. With a career that includes multiple world titles, Rhonda is now focused on coaching, speaking, and raising awareness for racquetball, all while he...
2025-04-0933 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer Football Player to Founder and CEO of Salad House franchise | Joey CioffiIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Joey Cioffi, a former Monmouth University football player turned entrepreneur, to discuss the transition from sports to business ownership. Joey is the Founder and CEO of Salad House, a fast-casual health-focused franchise brand known for its fresh chopped salads, made-to-order proteins, and Create-Your-Own salad options.Coming from a family rooted in the restaurant industry, Joey took a leap beyond the traditional deli business and ventured into fast-casual dining. Through perseverance, calculated risk-taking, and relentless drive, he transformed Salad House into a scalable franchise. His journey—from working in...
2025-04-0232 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer College Golfer to Founder and CEO of Gymii.ai Selina LiIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Selina Li, a former collegiate golfer turned entrepreneur, to discuss the journey of transitioning from sports to business. Selina shares her experiences at the University of Pennsylvania, the challenges of leaving competitive athletics, and the importance of networking and alumni connections in carving out a new career path.Selina and Rob dive into the often-overlooked identity crisis athletes face post-sports, the evolving opportunities in **Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and how athletes can leverage their skills in the professional world. She also introduces her nutrition-focused app,[Gymii...
2025-03-2733 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyNFL Playmaker & Founder of Shelice’s Angels | Zaire FranklinIn this episode of The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Zaire Franklin, an NFL player, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to empowering athletes beyond the game. As a current professional football player, Zaire has successfully leveraged networking, alumni connections, and strategic planning to build a career both on and off the field.Beyond football, Zaire has embraced entrepreneurship, owning a franchise business and founding a non-profit organization focused on mentorship and community impact. He also shares his perspective on the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the challenges and opportunities it presents for today’s...
2025-03-1925 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer Harlem Globetrotter to CEO of Life After Ball | Jermal McCoyIn this episode of The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Jermal McCoy, a former professional basketball player, educator, and nonprofit leader dedicated to mentorship and community empowerment. With over 22 years in education, Jermal currently serves as the Graduation Coach Manager at Georgia Cyber Academy and is the founder of Life After Ball (LAB), an organization that helps athletes transition beyond sports. He is also the VP of Full Circle Consulting Group and a passionate advocate for financial literacy, leadership development, and generational wealth in underserved communities.Rob and Jermal dive into the...
2025-03-1235 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Professional Football to Founder of 73 Holdings | Garrick JonesIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Garrick Jones, a former professional athlete and founder of 73 Holdings. They dive into the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports, the power of networking, and the importance of financial literacy. Garrick shares how athletes can leverage their current status to create opportunities, build strong relationships, and prepare for long-term success. He also discusses his vision for empowering athletes through education, ownership opportunities, and the evolving NIL landscape.Key Takeaways:...
2025-03-0538 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Pro Basketball to Social Media Mogul with Adam ConstantineIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Adam Constantine, a former college and pro basketball player and the founder of Ace Creatives. They dive into the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports and the importance of networking. Adam shares how the skills learned in sports can be directly applied to business and how he successfully transitioned from college and professional basketball into social media and entrepreneurship. He also emphasizes the need for strong support systems to help athletes navigate their career transitions.Key Takeaways:...
2025-02-2631 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Professional Basketball to Athlete 2 Boardroom with Rodney WilliamsIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs , Rob Finkelstein sits down with Rodney Williams, a former college basketball player who transitioned into a professional career in Europe before entering the business world. They discuss the challenges that athletes face when stepping away from sports and how networking, alumni engagement, and mentorship play a crucial role in post-athletic success.Rodney shares his journey from collegiate athletics to professional play, the lessons he learned about professionalism, and how he built connections that helped him navigate his transition. He also highlights his work with **Athlete 2 Boardroom**, a...
2025-02-1931 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom NfL to Venture Development Leader | TJ WRIGHTIn this episode ofAthletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein interviewsTJ Wright, a former college and professional athlete who has successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship.They explore the challenges athletes face when stepping away from sports, the importance of financial literacy, and how networking plays a pivotal role in post-athletic success.TJ shares his insights onleveraging NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities, the entrepreneurial mindset that many athletes naturally possess, and how he’s applying these principles to his innovative business,Horizon Hover, which is developing cutting-edge hover bikes.He also discusses his vision for asports pr...
2025-02-1233 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom NCAA to Entreprenuership with Adam DaileyIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein interviews Adam Dailey, a former NCAA athlete turned successful real estate entrepreneur. They discuss the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports, particularly the lack of resources and guidance available for this shift.
Adam shares his experience navigating the world of real estate, highlighting the role that networking, alumni connections, and his athletic background played in his entrepreneurial journey. He also delves into the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities for athletes and the importance of education in helping athletes build careers after sports.
2025-02-0532 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Major League Baseball to Keynote and Motivational Speaker : Ryan LavarnwayIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein sits down with former Major League Baseball player Ryan Lavarnway to explore his inspiring transition from professional sports to entrepreneurship. Ryan’s story is filled with valuable insights on personal growth, networking, and embracing change beyond the playing field.
After a successful career in the MLB, Ryan faced the challenges that many athletes encounter when stepping away from sports. He discusses how he navigated this transition and found new purpose through mentorship, public speaking, and coaching, all while leveraging the relationships he...
2025-01-2927 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFormer Indiana State Baseball Player to CEO of Titan Bats | Todd StephensIn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, host Rob Finkelstein chats with Todd Stephens, the founder and CEO of Titan Bats. Todd’s journey is a powerful story of unexpected twists, resilience, and entrepreneurial grit.
After a successful college baseball career at Indiana State University, Todd initially ventured into the medical device sales industry. But his deep love for baseball and his competitive spirit soon led him down an entirely different path—starting his own company, Titan Bats, a leading manufacturer of high-performance baseball bats.
During their conversation, Todd opens up about:
...
2025-01-2228 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College All-American Sprinter to Evolutionary Entrepreneur Mark BurwellOn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein talk with Mark Burwell, a former All-American runner turned award-winning entrepreneur and business advocate. Known as the "Evolutionary Entrepreneur," Mark shares his transformative journey from athletics to the business world, emphasizing how the skills developed in sports—like perseverance and leadership—can fuel entrepreneurial success.
Mark opens up about:
✨ Navigating identity challenges after leaving competitive sports.
🎯 Why networking and relationship-building are essential for career transitions.
🤝 How alumni engagement can create lasting support systems for athletes.
📚 The powe...
2025-01-1534 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Former College Football Player to AIM7 CEO: Erik KoremOn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein sits down with Dr. Erik Korem, a High Performance thought leader who introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football. Erik transitioned from being a college football player to becoming a leader in sports science and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Erik Korem has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. He is an expert in sleep and stress resilience and holds a doctorate in Exercise Science. As the...
2025-01-0831 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyHall of Fame CFL Wide Receiver to Founder and CEO of AO Sports TV | Nik LewisOn this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey, Rob Finkelstein interviews Hall of Fame football player Nik Lewis, who shares his inspiring transition from the field to the business world.
They dive into the challenges athletes face when stepping away from sports, the importance of having a clear plan for life after athletics, and how networking and alumni engagement can open doors. Nik also discusses the struggles CFL alumni face and introduces his latest venture, AO Sports—a platform designed to help athletes connect with fans and monetize their content.
Ni...
2024-12-1839 min
Life Beyond LabelsEntrepreneurship, Athletics, and Alumni Networking with Rob FinkelsteinIn this episode of the Life Beyond Labels podcast, host Kelsey O'Connor interviews Rob Finkelstein, CEO and founder of Alumni Direct. Rob shares his journey from being a collegiate athlete to an entrepreneur, the challenges of transition when your kids no longer play sports, and the importance of building community through alumni connections. Rob shares insights on networking, the value of relationships, and the impact of his podcasting journey. Join us for an episode that will inspire you to be bold and expand your circle! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Rob Finkelstein and His Journey
2024-12-1729 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom NFL Kicker to Entrepreneur: Mike HollisIn this episode of Athletes and Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein interviews former NFL kicker Mike Hollis, who shares his journey from sports to entrepreneurship. They discuss the impact of sports on personal development, the challenges of transitioning out of athletics, the importance of education and networking, and the need for athletes to find their passion post-career. Mike emphasizes the significance of building relationships while still playing and offers advice for young athletes on preparing for life after sports. He also talks about his current endeavors in coaching and the importance of helping the next generation of kickers.Mike shares...
2024-12-1036 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Locker Room to Successful Business Leader with Dr. Matt WilsonOn This Episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey with Dr. Matt WilsonRob Finkelstein sits down with Dr. Matt Wilson, a successful speaker, educator, fundraiser, consultant, and connector with over 20 years of experience in college Sport Business teaching. Dr. Wilson, a former Division I student-athlete, has built a thriving consulting business working with athletes, sport teams, athletic administrations, and executives. He has developed customized leadership, communication, team building, and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) educational workshops to help individuals, companies, organizations, and parents navigate the college athletic landscape effectively.In this episode, they explore the journey...
2024-12-0340 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Kickboxing Champion to Business Icon with Ted Pryor"On This Episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey
Rob Finkelstein sits down with Ted Pryor, a three-time middleweight kickboxing world champion turned entrepreneur, whose life story is as electrifying as it is inspiring.
Ted opens up about his journey from dominating the ring to becoming a key player in the notorious 1980s Miami crime scene and, ultimately, a successful business leader. They discuss the challenges athletes face in transitioning out of sports, the power of mentorship, and the unique skills athletes bring to the business world. Ted also teases his...
2024-11-2632 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyGame Plan B : Negotiating the Journey from Injury to Managing Partner with Andres LaresOn this episode of Alumni Direct’s show, "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," Rob Finkelstein chats with Andres Lares about the often-overlooked challenges athletes face when stepping off the field and into the professional world.Andres opens up about his own journey from a promising athlete to a successful career leading to executive business leadership, sharing the ups and downs and lessons he learned along the way. They talk about why it’s so important for athletes to have a plan B, the power of starting your network early, and how the discipline and teamwork you build in sp...
2024-11-1937 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom the Field to Co-Founder of MADabolic "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS" with Brandon CullenOn this episode of Alumni Direct’s show, "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," Rob Finkelstein sits down with Brandon Cullen for an honest talk about what it’s really like for athletes when the game ends. They dive deep into the tough identity struggles many athletes face, how important it is to start building a network early, and the lack of support out there for life after sports. Brandon opens up about his own journey—how he went from athlete to co-founder of Metabolic—and shares how athletes can use their unique skills to thrive in entrepreneurship and franchis...
2024-11-1335 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneySnowboarding to Startups: Nicole Donnelly’s Journey"On this episode of Alumni Direct’s show, ""ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey,"" we talk to Nicole Donnelly, former professional snowboarder turned entrepreneur.
Nicole shares her transition story from professional snowboarding to founding BabyLegs and her current role with AI Smart Ventures. She and host Rob Finkelstein discuss the challenges athletes face when moving from sports to business, and how mentorship, networking, and community support are essential in that journey. Nicole highlights the importance of practice, connection, and lifelong learning in both sports and entrepreneurship.
Nicole’s advice for...
2024-11-0633 min
PurposePurpose #83: Rob Finkelstein - The Importance Of Building Quality RelationshipsIn today’s episode, I had the opportunity to talk with Rob Finkelstein, the founder of Alumni Direct, a platform dedicated to cultivating communities that are sources for collaboration, assistance, and guidance for alumni around the US. During our call, Rob shared how building quality professional relationships was critical to him having a successful corporate career and how it also applies to sales and entrepreneurship.To learn more about Rob Finkelstein: LinkedIn: Rob Finkelstein Instagram: Rob Finkelstein Facebook: Rob Finkelstein
2024-08-2439 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey100th Episode! From College Sports to Founder & CEO with Rob FinkelsteinOn this very special episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we turn the tables on our host, founder & CEO of Alumni Direct, Rob Finkelstein.
Rob is interviewed by his son Ryan, and tells us about how sports shaped his life, and the hard work and perseverance he learned from being a long-distance runner.
Rob's advice for current athletes:
"As an athlete, reach out. Build your network and connect with people...
2024-05-0130 min
Hey Coach!Building Relationships: Interview with Rob Finkelstein: S4E17 Interview with Rob FinkelsteinWalk-On at the University of Delaware, Rob was a track and cross-country runner.After college he spent the next years in sales. He found that he loved building relationships. While working he was very involved with the alumni association which gave him the idea for Alumni Direct. Rob is the CEO and Founder of Alumni Direct, LLC., The ultimate goal is to develop strategic partnerships to help benefit all those involved. This aligns with the philosophies of Alumni Direct.The goal of Alumni Direct is t...
2023-12-1930 min
Eat Blog TalkWhat is Supplier Diversity and How Does it Benefit Food Bloggers? with Rob FinkelsteinIn episode 441, Rob Finkelstein teaches us about supplier diversity and its importance in the recipe development/food photography marketplace. Rob is a lawyer, practicing for over 20 years in NYC. In 2017, Rob decided to pursue his passion of baking and went to culinary school for pastry arts. After graduating, not wanting to leave the law, Rob started blogging and found Cinnamon Schtick, which was also his entry into food photography. He worked with a number of brands and came to represent lots of food photographers in connection with their contracts and business set ups. Rob also spent more...
2023-08-3138 min
Eat Blog TalkLearn How to Protect Your Business and Brand Name with Rob FinkelsteinIn episode 419, Rob Finkelstein teaches us how to protect our business and brand name by forming a business entity. Rob is a lawyer, practicing for over 20 years in NYC. In 2017, Rob decided to pursue his passion of baking and went to culinary school for pastry arts. After graduating, not wanting to leave the law, Rob got started blogging at, http://www.cinnamonshtick.com, which was also his entry into food photography. He worked with a number of brands and came to represent lots of food photographers in connection with their contracts and business set ups. They all...
2023-06-1541 min
The Ultimate Blog PodcastMastering Contracts and Negotiations: Empowering Bloggers in Brand Collaborations with Rob FinkelsteinReady to tackle the world of legal contracts and feel confident in your negotiations with brands? Today, Rob Finkelstein is here to share more about that with us! Rob is a practicing lawyer who, several years ago, became a pastry chef, food blogger and food photographer. He created an online course, Understanding Food Photography Contracts, to provide food bloggers with a form contract and to teach them what all the legalese means, how to use that knowledge to leverage negotiations, and how to work from a contract form provided by a client. By the end of this episode, you'll f...
2023-06-0651 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom The World Series to Entrepreneurship with Trent ClarkOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Trent Clark, former college baseball and tennis player, MLB coach, and entrepreneur.
Trent talks with us about his journey growing up playing sports, overcoming "not-enough-ness", and going on to coach 3 winning baseball games in the World Series.
Trent's thoughts on athletes' transferrable skills:
"There are a bunch of skills that you as an athlete have that can take you to the next level of any career, entrepreneurship...anything that gets you ah...
2023-03-0838 min
Eat Blog TalkLegal Issues Every Food Photographer Should Consider with Rob FinkelsteinIn episode 390, Megan chats to Rob Finkelstein about why it’s important for food bloggers and photographers to have contracts and understanding important legal terms. Rob is a lawyer, practicing for over 20 years in NYC. In 2017, Rob decided to pursue his passion of baking and went to culinary school for pastry arts. After graduating, not wanting to leave the law, Rob got started blogging at Cinnamon Shtick, which was also his entry into food photography. He worked with a number of brands and came to represent lots of food photographers in connection with their contracts and business se...
2023-03-0649 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom the NFL to Wall Street with Scott BrunnerOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Scott Brunner, former college football player at the University of Delaware, former NFL player, and Wall Street executive.
Anytime I can bring a fellow Blue Hen onto the show, it's fantastic! Scott played college football at the University of Delaware. There have been quite a few quarterbacks from UD who played in the NFL. Scott, we are excited to hear more about your whole journey, starting from playing sports as a youngster, all the way through to what y...
2023-03-0133 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom the NHL to Medical Device Sales to Founder and Coach with Jordan PariseOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Jordan Parise, former Hockey player at North Dakota, NHL player, medical device salesperson, and founder and coach at Parise Hockey.
Jordan on the value of the skills you gain through sports:
"I didn't realize that businesses are looking for guys that are coachable, that have worked with teams before, that can persevere, that understand discipline...
But I realized very quickly that there is a market for those kinds of people. It b...
2023-02-1639 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Small-Time Football to Big-Time Business with Jim CedernaOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Jim Cederna, former college football player at Central Michigan University, businessman and CEO of multiple companies, and founder & CEO of Cederna International.
Tell people about growing up playing sports and how that shaped you, ultimately.
"Well first of all Rob, thank you for involving me, and I hope that my story of going from small-time football to big-time business can be lessons learned for others, and I hope I can provide some help t...
2023-02-0831 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom the Canadian Football League to Podcaster and Founder of Check Your Game with Gary RogersOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Gary Rogers, former football player at Vanderbilt University and in the Canadian Football League, and current podcaster and founder of Check Your Game.
Tell me about playing sports growing up. How did that shape you?
"Well, when I think about sports as a kid...I loved sports. I'm not sure why I loved sports so much, but I started playing baseball, and I just could not wait to play the games on Saturday m...
2023-02-0341 min
Timeout With Tackle What's NextEpisode 50: Timeout with Rob FinkelsteinCall a timeout with Rob Finkelstein, CEO and Founder of Alumni Direct and the host of the Athletes to Entrepreneurs Podcast. Find out what inspired Rob to become an entrepreneur and why he is so passionate about supporting athletes in life after sports. Plus, learn more about what inspired him to start his podcast around athlete entrepreneurship!
Join us Wednesdays at 6pm EST LIVE on IG as we chat with athletes and execs about the impact sport has made in their lives and what lessons they’ve taken from sport into their different endeavors.
Connect with...
2023-02-0229 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Professional Hockey to Advertising, Author, Entrepreneur and Founder with Stephen ClarkeOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Stephen Clarke, former professional hockey player, advertising agent, entrepreneur and founder & CEO of RTG group, a group of for-profit Social enterprises with a purpose on making a positive impact in the world.
What efforts are you seeing, back when you were playing and now, in educating athletes about how they can prepare for when their time in sports is over?
"Back in the day, that wasn't the case. There weren't any efforts like t...
2023-01-2431 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Football to Healthcare, Project Management, Founder and CEO with Keith HammondOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Keith Hammond, former college football player, project manager, and the founder of Hammond Solutions, LLC.
Talk about your transition out of sports.
"So, like everyone, after my last game, I bawled like a baby. And it wasn't that I was going to miss the game as much I as I was going to miss the locker room. I realized that I can always go outside and throw a football around, or run through a...
2023-01-2040 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Olympic Swimmer & Coach to CEO, Entrepreneur, and Founder with Myriam GlezOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Myriam Glez, former Olympic swimmer and coach, CEO of USA Synchronized Swimming, entrepreneur and founder of the nonprofit Athletes Soul.
Tell everybody about Synchronized Swimming and how that works.
"Synchronized swimming would be like gymnastics or ballet in the water. It's been around for quite awhile; it's a very popular sport in other countries, especially in Europe and Asia. So there were a lot of synchronized swimmers where I grew up. I saw i...
2023-01-1334 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Sports to Author, Founder and CEO with Mark MoyerOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Mark Moyer, former college athlete, author, founder and CEO of the Win Again Academy.
Mark on the difficulty of athlete transitions:
"I always thought that retired athletes are living the dream. Then I started speaking to them and I found that almost none of them are living the dream when they retire because suddenly they're losing not just their identity as an athlete, but they're losing the locker room, the camaraderie...their second f...
2023-01-0530 min
The SydcastThe Incredible Rob Kapilow: The Polyglot Pied Piper of MusicEpisode SummaryIn this final episode of Season 4, I bring you Rob Kapilow. A musical savant, innovator, and global presence, listening to Rob is like taking a master class in music, and in life. From Duke Ellington to Joseph Campbell, from Beethoven to the Beatles, and from Yale to Paris to Native American reservations, Rob Kapilow will take you on the classic Sydcast journey of discovery, creativity, and learning. Sydney Finkelstein Sydney Finkelstein is the Steven Roth Professor of Management at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Professor F...
2023-01-021h 06
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom D1 Swimmer to Podcast Host, Founder and CEO of Forever Athlete with Cory CampOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Cory Camp, former D1 swimmer, podcast host, founder and CEO.
Tell me about your experience growing up playing sports.
"I started taking swim lessons when I was 4 years old, and continued that throughout my childhood. I really took to the water and really enjoyed it. I wouldn't say I was a natural at it, but I was decent enough and more than anything, I just loved the time in the water, and that w...
2022-12-2352 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Basketball to the NBA to Strategic Consulting with Bernard RobinsonOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Bernard Robinson, former college basketball and NBA player, strategic consultant and founder of ES&E consulting and management.
Bernard on networking while you're still in college:
"Some of the greatest advice I ever got was to not ever forget about the students that you're going to class with and professors that you're dealing with. These are your future CEOs and future founders. Start to spark those conversations. When you're in that environment, you...
2022-12-2034 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Collegiate Runner to Producer, Youth Success Coach, and Podcaster with Phenom RobinsonOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Phillip "Phenom" Robinson, former collegiate runner, ESPN + Producer, Youth Success Coach, and successful Podcaster.
Have you seen some of the challenges that athletes are facing when they get hurt or when they are done with sports?
"Most definitely. There are always going to be challenges. I even had challenges myself because your whole entire life and schedule is revolving around your sport. Especially when you're in college, it is 10 times harder. Once you a...
2022-12-0925 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Elite Collegiate Runner to Literacy Advocate, Founder and CEO with Chantelle LottIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Chantelle Lott, former elite collegiate runner, literacy advocate, and the CEO and Founder of Bounceless.
Tell me about growing up playing sports and how that shaped your personality, leading up to college and beyond.
"Track was my thing. I started running track in middle school and I ran through college. Really, the mindset of an athlete: starting something and sticking to it, that started early for me. I think I've always had th...
2022-12-0224 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Basketball to the Air Force to Co-Founder and Entrepreneur with Corinne MilienIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Corrine Milien, former golf and basketball player, graduate assistant for the Tennessee Lady Vols, co-founder and entrepreneur.
Did the University of Tennessee do anything as far as developing programs to help athletes think about what comes next after sports?
"Yeah, I really got a chance to see that up-close at Tennessee. She (Pat Summit) won 8 national championships, but she also poured into a lot of great athletes, on and off the cour...
2022-11-2524 min
Aepiphanni Off the CuffBeyond the Athlete with Rob Finkelstein This episode welcomes Rob Finkelstein, CEO and Co-Founder of Alumni Direct. Rob discusses how his business is a new way for former and current athletes to connect with each other off the field; building mentorships and paying it forward to the community. Finkelstein wants listeners to know that athletes can have the resources and networks to be successful beyond their respective sport. Take a listen and learn about the athlete’s mindset and how Alumni Direct can be utilized to provide opportunity and inspiration.
2022-11-2135 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom growing up in sports to becoming a teacher, entrepreneur and the founder of PoweringU with Darrell DevaulIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Darrell Devaul, founder of the PoweringU Foundation.
Darrell on the importance of teaching young athletes about financial literacy and NIL:
"That's where I come in. I'm just really educating these high-school kids on how to build their brand, how to say the right things. Because content kills. Content helps you out. Whatever you put on there that's good, from your character, your leadership, your social, and giving back to the community, is goi...
2022-11-1132 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Basketball to Podcast Host, Speaker, and Entrepreneur with Keith SconiersIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Keith Sconiers, former college basketball player, podcaster, speaker and entrepreneur.
Did sports have any affect on shaping how you approach life?
"The thing that really shaped who I was and who I am as a person today really had to do with the relationship I had with my high school coach- the one who got me started playing ball. Prior to him meeting me, I had been expelled 6 times before I got t...
2022-11-0430 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom the NFL to Real Estate Agent, Speaker and Entrepreneur with Patrick VenzkeIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Patrick Venzke: former NFL player, real estate entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. Patrick is the first ever German-born athlete to make it into the NFL.
Was the school doing things to guide athletes into life after sports when you were a student athlete?
"It's funny you should ask me that. I love the idea of your organization so much because back then, I didn't have any connections or any network. Nobody reached out to...
2022-11-0233 min
The Athletes' JourneyEpisode #15: Rob Finkelstein - From Collegiate Runner To EntrepreneurIn today’s episode of The Athlete’s Journey, I have the pleasure of talking with Rob Finkelstein the Founder and CEO of Alumni Direct, a platform dedicated to helping universities foster better relationships with their current students and alumni to increase donor engagement, alumni success, and the overall impact of the university. In my call with Rob, we discussed his journey as a student-athlete and some of the career successes that led him to launch Alumni Direct. What I appreciate most about Rob, is his genuine heart to help universities and former athletes live better...
2022-10-2934 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Hall of Fame Soccer to founder, CEO, and ESPN Reporter with Renee WashingtonIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Renee Washington, a former college hall of fame soccer player, founder and CEO, and ESPN reporter.
Tell me about your transition out of sports.
"I always have been someone who juggled multiple things. I grew up playing many sports at once...and for me, as I started trying to figure out what I wanted to do career-wise and professionally, as a public relations major I was actively getting involved. Our school made...
2022-10-2626 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Baseball to Coach, Trainer, and Founder of The Champion Playbook with Scott FoxIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Scott Fox, former college athlete, coach and founder of the Champion Playbook.
Tell me how athletics shaped your personality growing up.
"My parents recognized early on that I had some athletic skill. They forced me, literally kicking and crying, to play baseball. I was about 9 years old at the time, and I stepped onto the field, literally kicking and crying, and I came away saying "I like this". My parents knew that i...
2022-10-2127 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Track to Attorney and Podcast Host with Sivonnia DeBarrosIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Sivonnia DeBarros, former college track athlete, attorney, podcaster, and "protector of athletes".
Tell me about your thoughts on NIL.
"I love the fact that college athletes now can monetize their own celebrity. It's something that should have been done a long time ago, and it's not a new concept....It's something that was overdue. I'm happy that they have the ability to do this now because institutions such as the NCAA are al...
2022-09-2934 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Baseball to Co-Founder and CEO with Reid MeyerIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Reid Meyer, former college baseball player, certified college counselor, and co-founder and CEO of Athletes to Athletes.
Tell me about your transition out of sports and how you handled it and what you're seeing around you with other athletes.
"Personally, my transition out of sport was the main impetus for why I founded Athletes to Athletes, because it was not great, for lack of a better term. I was one of those people...
2022-09-1339 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Major League Baseball to Franchise Consultant with Brandon BeachyIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Brandon Beachy, former Major League Pitcher and current top-performing franchisee & Franchising Consultant.
Growing up playing sports there are a lot of sacrifices you have to make. How do you think that shaped you throughout high school and into college?
"For me, it didn't feel like a sacrifice. I would have felt like I was sacrificing if I was doing something other than playing ball. Learning how to fail is the best thing...
2022-09-0236 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Football to the NFL to Professional Coach with Winston OctoberIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Winston October, former college football player, NFL player, and professional coach.
Did you have a dream growing of being a professional athlete?
"I did...I remember I told my Mom that I'd be a professional football player one day. She told me to go write that down and go pray about it. I never even thought in my wildest dreams that I would have played as long as I did...I'm 46 now...
2022-08-1330 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Intramural College Basketball to Business Branding Expert, Author, Podcaster and Creator with Jennifer GarrettIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Jennifer Garrett, author, business branding expert and creator of the "Move the Ball" movement.
Tell me about growing up playing sports.
"I played sports my entire life. Playing sports can really teach you to be successful in whatever it is that you're doing in life. People talk all the time about how sports are parallel to life. I think for me, it's really the competitive aspect. People always talk about the hard...
2022-08-0925 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Sports Management in College to Events Consultant and Entrepreneur with Danielle BermanIn the latest episode of “ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey” hosted by Alumni Direct, we speak with Danielle Berman, Events Consultant and Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Tackle What's next. Danielle chats with us about growing up playing sports for fun, to managing teams and sports communication in college, to becoming an Event Consultant and later founding her own company.
Tell me about how sports shaped your early years leading up to college:
"I really only played sports because that was what my family wanted us to do from...
2022-07-2633 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom college sports to Professional Basketball Coach, Motivational Speaker and Author with Jim JohnsonOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Coach Jim Johnson, Basketball Coach, Motivational Speaker and Author.
Coach Jim developing his players to be leaders:
"Our program became attractive because I was more than just a guy that wanted to win basketball games...I started really focusing on trying to develop our players to be winners on and off the court. And that was something we tried to do on a daily basis by sharing life lessons, talking about overcoming adversity...
2022-06-2330 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Professional Windsurfer to Entrepreneur and Coach with Kasten SpethmannOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Kasten Spethmann, retired professional windsurfer, recovering venture capitalist, nomad entrepreneur and coach.
Do they do anything at Portland University to teach athletes what to do next, after they transition out of sports?
"I can't speak to that with 100% certainty because I wasn't an athlete in college...but I can tell you from my experience going to speak at different universities, often times the athletic director and/or coach is not too thrilled about s...
2022-06-1537 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Basketball to Founder, Entrepreneur, and TV Host with Dominick DomaskyOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Dominick Domasky, former college basketball player turned founder, entrepreneur, and TV show host.
When you went to Pitt, what kinds of things did they do to help their athletes perform well and also transition out of sports?
"Education was huge. I remember that if I struggled, I had tutors. And even job placement; using the network to help place players with jobs during college and even after college. So there was an aspect o...
2022-06-1532 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Football to Sales Executive, Author, and Entrepreneur with Chris MichelOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Coach Chris Michel, former walk on college football player turned sales executive, author, and entrepreneur.
Talk to us about your experience as a walk-on football player in college.
"Overall it was a really cool experience. I walked on to a major university (The University of Illinois) and I got to play with some major players in the college scene. Many of these guys went on to play NFL football for a number of y...
2022-06-0838 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom National Handball Champion to Sports Psychologist with Dr. Daniel ZimetOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Dr. Daniel Zimet, 34-time National Handball Champion, Sports Psychologist, and Lead Investigator for the Athletes' Transition Study.
Tell us about growing up and playing sports and how that shaped you, going into college and beyond.
"Most of my sport activity was with soccer, and that was more organized. I also played baseball, tennis, I would almost always be found on my skateboard...and I'm a third generation handball player. Sport has been an e...
2022-06-0444 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Football to Author, Speaker, and Athlete Transition Coach with Taj DashaunOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Taj Dashaun, former college football player and Author, Speaker, and Athlete Transition Coach.
Tell us about your journey growing up and playing sports.
“My first sport was basketball, I started when I was five. Then I started playing soccer....And then I saw the movie "Remember the Titans", and I decided that I wanted to play football. I started playing football at the age of 10, and by my freshman year in high school, I wa...
2022-05-2026 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Elite Runner to Podcast Host with Hannah ValenzuelaOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Hannah Valenzuela, former elite runner and host of the Women's Locker Talk podcast.
Did you aspire to be an Olympic athlete or a professional runner?
“Absolutely. I competed at nationals every year for cross country and track. My senior year of high school I qualified for two world championships, so I had the opportunity to compete in Slovenia in the World Mountain Running Championships, and I also competed in Spain in the World Cro...
2022-05-2035 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Dancer, Cheerleader, and Coach to successful business owner with Julie ChaykinOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Julie Chaykin, former cheerleader, dancer, and coach.
Tell us about the practice and preparation required in cheer.
“A key factor in practicing for the sport of cheer is every single athlete being dedicated and present. This is imperative to the success of the sport. The multi facets that are involved in cheerleading require everyone's full attention and support in order to be successful."
What helped you transition from being a c...
2022-05-2017 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Pro Baseball to CEO and Founder with Pete MaestralesOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Pete Maestrales, former professional baseball player, Olympic baseball player, CEO and founder of Airstream Jets.
How does one go from being an athlete to owning a private jet charter company?
“I could never have been successful in business if it weren’t for my failures in sport” - Pete Maestrales, former professional baseball player, is living proof and speaks about how he went from baseball to owning a charter jet company in this intervi...
2022-05-1325 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Pro Football to International Keynote Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur with Marques OgdenOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Marques Ogden, former NFL player, keynote Speaker, entrepreneur and all-star podcaster.
AMBITION and DRIVE:
“For the success cycle, it is ambition, create your blueprint, drive, be inspired, over-motivated, hard work, focus on yourself not the competition.”- Marques Ogden Marques encourages athletes to focus on their professional and personal development and strongly recommends finding a mentor, “someone who you trust to help you prepare for the transition from student athlete, graduating and entering the work...
2022-05-1320 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Pro Baseball Player to Entrepreneur with Shea HillenbrandOn this episode of Alumni Direct's show "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey," we chat with Shea Hillenbrand: Former professional baseball third baseman and first baseman, who played in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays and more before he became an entrepreneur.
Shea’s drive to win his parents' love and respect led to a drive and competitive spirit to become the best in sports. He says his work ethic got him on the team in junior college and eventually drafted by the Boston Red Sox at twe...
2022-04-0545 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Athlete to Successful Entrepreneur with Adrian ArchieOn this episode of "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey", an inspiring series by Alumni Direct, we speak with Adrian Archie, former football player and entrepreneur. Adrian is the founder of petNmind Naturals.
He shares about how being an athlete changed his life and why athletes have a natural entrepreneurial spirit.
Don't forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Spotify.com/athletes-to-entrepreneurs
Visit Adrian Archie's Website: https://linktr.ee/petNmind
Connect with Adrian on LinkedIn
...
2022-04-0525 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Professional Skiing to Entrepreneurship with Dominik SennIn this episode of "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey" by Alumni Direct, join this fascinating conversation with Dominik Senn, whose love for skiing began in Switzerland at 3 years old in a city not known for skiing. Hear how he went on to become a national champion and then to win the European cup but due to knee injuries later in his sport career, he began his sports management company to represent skiers like himself and his colleagues.
Passionate about golf, Dominik is changing the face of Golf country clubs in America in building t...
2022-04-0530 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom College Baseball to President of US Cheerleading with Marc ChaykinOn this episode of "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey" by Alumni Direct we chat with Marc Chaykin, baseball player, college cheerleader, actor, and President of US cheerleading association.
Marc Chaykin’s college repertoire is extremely diverse. As a sportsman he double majored in Broadcasting and the Theatre Arts which led him to a career in acting and baseball to collegiate cheerleading and currently is the President of the US Cheerleading Association.
In terms of how alumni networks worked for him, he stayed in touch with a lot of peo...
2022-04-0537 min
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni JourneyFrom Track Athlete to Entrepreneur with Michael WhiteIn this episode of "ATHLETES TO ENTREPRENEURS: The Alumni Journey" podcast we speak with Michael White, former elite runner and entrepreneur.
How should athletes transition from the world of sports to the working world?
Michael White shares, “You put your disciplined self in front of people (future employers) and they see your determination and personality and they see that and they say Go get them! So you shift from the sports you just played in, to the business you want to get in and with that mindset.”
2022-04-0529 min