August 13, 2019
My guest is Devan Kline, CEO and founder of a fitness community sweeping the nation, Burn Boot Camp. Devan is all about helping the members of his gyms discover the values, passions, and causes that will motivate them to health, wealth, and peak performance. But like Devan says, in order to inspire people, you've gotta be inspired. So I grilled Devan on how to find that inspiration and how to connect the dots between a career as an athlete and whatever's next. Along the way, Devan spills some great insights for athletes in transition:
In today's show, you'll hear:
- The 1 key skill that Devan learned pitching with the San Francisco Giants that has shaped his business aspirations.
- The moment Devon knew that he couldn't work for someone else and had to start his own company.
- How to align your career plans with your built-in, unique-to-you standards.
- Why you have to love yourself now in order to pursue a better life tomorrow.
Check out the full show notes at blog.parallelplatform.com
July 30, 2019
Court Whitman has spent most of his professional life leading– in his career in the Army's elite Special Forces, in companies, and now in his own leadership coaching company. And in today's episode, Court shares how playing football in many ways prepared him for a career in leadership. Court and I have an in-depth, no-holds-barred conversation about goals and what makes elite performers elite. Truly inspiring.
In today's episode:
- Ever question the value of setting goals when you don't know what you want to do? Me, too. Court clears the air.
- Discover how Court uses "deliberate discomfort" to grow trust in teams and companies.
- Absorb the tactic court uses to pitch athletes' value to employers – no internships required.
Connect with Court:
See the show notes page at blog.parrallelplatform.com
July 16, 2019
My guest is Kovi Konowiecki, a professional photographer who is also a former Wake Forest University and professional soccer player. At one point in this episode, we joke about starting a club for former athletes that are now artists... and how small that club might be. It's true! But in today's episode, Kovi presents a truly compelling argument for athletes in the arts. Essentially, intentionally challenging ourselves to be creative and to explore hobbies can help us unlock our deepest professional interests and passions.
In today's episode:
- Learn how creatives like Kovi balance their passion projects with the need for, um, food.
- Discover how to sharpen your internal intuition to help you make difficult decisions.
- See how "distractions" from your sport may actually propel you toward a career.
Connect with Kovi
- Instagram @kovi.konowiecki
Connect with Us
- Twitter @Parallelco
- Instagram @ParallelPlatform
If you know a former athlete with a great story, let us know at podcast@parallelplatform.com
July 1, 2019
My guest is Jack McNamara, a former Colgate University and professional hockey player who is the founder of a growing energy drink company, DrinkTru. It is rare you can get an entrepreneur to speak so honestly about the struggles of building a business...as they're going through it. But as you'll see: honesty is not just central to Jack's success and drive, it's essential to the DrinkTru brand. A rare, behind the scenes look at the day-to-day life of a company on the brink of being the next big thing.
In Today's Episode:
- Learn how Jack creates viral video content that authentically propel's his companies brand
- See why Jack quit a job just after two weeks...and why he thinks it's one of the wisest business decisions he's ever made
- Discover Jack's reliable strategy for leveraging your "celebrity" as an athlete to find internships, mentorships and career opportunities
Connect with Jack
- Twitter: @drinktru and @_jackmcnamara
- Instaram: @drinktru
- YouTube: DrinkTru
Connect with Us:
- Twitter: @parallelco
- Instagram: @parallelplatform
Recommend An Athlete
Know a former athlete who is crushing it in life after sports? Email us at podcast@parallelplatform.com and let us know why you think they would be a great guest.
June 18, 2019
My guest is Bill Mayew, a former UNC-Wilmington basketball standout who is now Professor of Accounting at Duke's Fuqua School of Business. Bill's story is especially powerful for two reasons: (1) He did something that most athletes don't do - he pursued an advanced degree and works in the most rigorous academic research; and (2) He says that sports prepared him for that path.
In Today's Episode:
- See a day in the life of a university professor - see what it's like to get paid to research topics you're passionate about.
- Discover how to communicate the value of "stress-testedness" to future employers.
- Learn why former athletes so often make excellent teachers and coaches.
Show Notes
https://blog.parallelplatform.com/ep8-bill-mayew/
Connect With Us
Twitter
Instagram
Recommend A Former Athlete
Know a former athlete who's doing big things in life after sports? If so, email us at podcast@parallelplatform.com and let's chat about having them on the show.
June 3, 2019
My guest is Sebastian Little, a former Yale football player who is now an associate with the McChrystal Group, a world-renowned leadership and performance consulting company.
Seb found his career niche FAST after college. It can take college athletes years to find careers that they enjoy. Within just a few months of leaving Yale, he had secured an entry-level role in a field he was passionate about. How'd he do it? By focusing on everything but that thing in college. Through intentionally diversifying in college, Seb identified exactly what he wanted to do after college. And it has paid off big time.
In Today's Episode:
- Why sometimes, the best thing for the team is for you to be 100% you.
- How thinking outside the typical "student-athlete" box multiplied Sebs opportunities at Yale.
- How to turn LinkedIn contacts requests into interviews, internships and jobs.
- How to craft compelling interview stories that get you remembered...and hired.
Connect with Seb
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
Show Notes
https://blog.parallelplatform.com/
Connect With Parallel
Twitter
Instagram
Athlete Story?
Know an athlete with a great life after sports story? Please let us know at podcast@parallelplatform.com.
May 20, 2019
My guest is Chris Spatola, sports writer, commentator, and host of the SiriusXM show, "ACC Today."
And that's just the most recent of Chris's transitions to fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Since he graduated from the US Military Academy in 2002, each of his career stops have been more intense than the last-- from serving in Iraq, to serving as an assistant coach on the Duke Men's basketball team... Chris Spatola knows how to transition well when it counts.
In Today's Episode:
- One thing that can save you from alienating everyone around you after a tough transition.
- Practical tips for landing your first job in broadcasting.
- The Army Ranger mentality that Chris uses to continue performing at the top level.
Show Notes
https://blog.parallelplatform.com/ep6-chris-spatola-transitioning-well/
Connect with Chris
Twitter
Connect With Parallel
Twitter
Instagram
May 6, 2019
In this episode, we talk with Karlie Smith, a former East Carolina softball player who has hit the ground running since graduating in May 2018. In less than a year, she's become a rising star in sports media broadcasting. She's an SEC Digital Network color commentator, and she works in digital production at the University of Georgia.
In Today's Episode:
- What it's like to talk sports in front of a live tv audience
- The formula she used to land internships in local TV, radio and with sports media companies
- How she was able to get broadcasting reps well before she ever went live on tv
Show Notes
Connect with Karlie
Connect with Parallel
Connect with Tyler
April 22, 2019
My guest is Zach Maurides, who is the founder and CEO of Teamworks, the leading software provider of operations software to athletic organizations world wide.
The phrase "a glutton for punishment" comes to mind when listening to Zach explain his football career. When Zach talks about his 9 orthopedic surgeries during his college football career at Duke, there isn't the slightest invitation for sympathy. Instead, he tells the story with a sense of genuine accomplishment. After all, not quitting after your 2nd surgery is impressive, but 9 is just insane. And that pain tolerance (i.e. perseverance) is what Zach attributes as the primary reason for his success with Teamworks. In this episode, Zach shares what he's learned in growing a software startup from 4 guys with a dream to the 100 person machine it is today. If you're an athlete, you'll especially appreciate the unique perspective that Zach provides on how to get started in life after sports.
Show Notes
Website
Connect with Parallel
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/parallelco
► Blog: https://blog.parallelplatform.com/
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parallelpla
Connect with Zach
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/zmaurides
Connect with Tyler
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/tylerwbaker
April 8, 2019
There is a lot of talk about the transferable skills athletes develop while playing sports. Society praises the work ethic, teamwork, and perseverance it takes to compete at the highest levels in sports. However, the talk is often nothing more than general platitudes lacking specificity on how these transferable skills play out in the real world. In this episode, former Atlantic Sun Player of the Year, Thomas Sanders, takes us step by step through the ups and downs of his pro basketball career. He shares how his experiences as an athlete prepared him to start and grow a thriving Photo Booth company that is currently worth over one million dollars. He shares how pro basketball shaped his perspective and prepared him for life after sports.
Show Notes
► Web: https://blog.parallelplatform.com/ep3-pro-basketball-to-business-owner-thomas-sanders/
Connect with Parallel
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parallelpla
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/parallelco
Connect with Tyler
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/tylerwbaker
Whether you're and athlete who's currently playing, recently retired or perhaps just a friend, Life After Sports by Parallel is designed to help you learn from others just like you. To learn about other elite athletes who have transitioned into their post playing careers and are now crushing it in Life After Sports, visit: https://blog.parallelplatform.com/
