WIN: Championship Traits for Life - Ryan Whitney

Which would you rather have: a long career as a pro-athlete or the #1 podcast in your sport in the world? Ryan Whitney accomplished both, through an NHL career and co-hosting Barstool Sports Spittin Chiclets.

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In this episode of WIN: Championship Traits For Life, Ryan dives deep with us into his NHL career and the ups and downs that players experience as pro athletes. We also speak about some of the leaders that have shaped him throughout his life and also the keys to creating not just a winning organization in sports, business, and podcasting, but one where people can thrive continually.

 

Show Notes

Ryan discusses his hockey development through school and how it impacted his NHL career: 1:32

Ryan shares why culture is so important to sports and business: 6:56

Ryan talks about how he learned to overcome his adversities: 12:38

Ryan talks about being selfless: 17:30

Ryan shares stories of the leaders he had and learned from during his NHL career: 21:47

Ryan talks about being an authentic leader: 28:20

Ryan touches how organizations can change to allow their players (or workers) to reach their full potential: 30:05

Ryan comments on how understanding the motivation of players can help inspire them to their maximum performance: 36:55

Ryan discusses what skills he learned from his professional and youth hockey career and applied to Spittin’ Chiclets: 47:09


WIN: Championship Traits for Life - Rick Nash

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Rick Nash, is a 15 year NHL veteran, former Captain, 5-time All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and current Director of Player Development for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

This week on WIN, he shares his philosophies of leadership as a teammate, captain, coach, and member of his organization while also telling us some incredible stories of his time in the game.

Show Notes

-Rick discusses who and what he thinks about when reflecting on the honor of having his number retired by the Blue Jackets: 1:21

-Rick talks about his current role as director of player development with the Blue Jackets: 3:36

-Rick shares the challenges he faced as the face of the Blue Jackets when he was drafted: 10:05

-Rick tells the importance of continuing to learn and grow as a leader while leading: 12:50

-Rick shares how he would approach a coach with an uncomfortable situation, as a young captain: 21:00

-Rick discusses culture and how important it is for the success of a team: 24:44

-Rick talks about understanding roles and how important it is to the culture of the team: 36:27

-Rick gives young coaches advice on leadership based on his career as a coach and under multiple coaching styles: 41:00

-Rick defines mental fitness and shares how he trains his: 47:18


WIN: Championship Traits for Life - Sergeant Major (Ret) Chris "Dutch” Moyer

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No team has ever succeeded when those involved are only worried about themselves. It does beg the question though, How do you create a WE over ME mentality for your team?

Our guest today, Sergeant Major (Ret) Chris “Dutch” Moyer will help craft you an answer.

Show Notes

-Dutch takes us through his journey to the military: 3:00

-Dutch defines being a good teammate and explains the importance: 9:25

-Dutch shares his techniques to press forward during adversity: 13:59

-Dutch discusses how he compartmentalizes fear and moves past it during difficult times: 20:43

-Dutch talks about the time spent training vs the time spent working in the military: 33:42

-Dutch shares his keys to leadership success: 46:43

-Dutch defines and shares how he practices mental fitness: 1:00:39


WIN: Championship Traits for Life - Matt Eversmann

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Courage, commitment, and teammates can be found on sports fields and battlefields.💪 US Army First Sergeant (R) & American Hero, Matt Eversmann, joins WIN! Learn about his story of survival, how it became the source material for Black Hawk Down, and how he maintains mental fitness.

How do you define the word “Courage?” Our guest today, First Sergeant retired Matt Eversmann, will provide you with an answer.

Matt served in the US Army from 1987-2008 and spent time with the 75th Ranger regiment and the 10th Mountain Division.

While his entire term of service was admirable, his time in the military will forever be immortalized through the events of October 3, 1993. Matt was placed in charge of a group of Army Rangers to lead a daytime raid against an eager enemy militia. Matt experienced the horrors of war when he and his fellow soldiers were trapped in a hostile district of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia, and marked for death by an angry mob. His inspiring story of survival became the source material for, Black Hawk Down, which recounts the harrowing experience. For his actions on the battlefield he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device.

Matt illustrates the importance of duty, courage and selfless service to succeed when ordinary circumstances become extraordinary challenges and we are honored to have had him with us on WIN.

Show Notes

Matt defines the word courage: 2:40

Matt discusses being a quiet professional rather than a loud motivator: 8:57

Matt talks about leadership and accountability: 18:51

Matt shares his cornerstone leadership tips: 37:17

Matt discusses the importance of showing that you care about those you lead: 44:26

Matt dives into bringing calm to the chaos of the events on October 3rd, 1993: 53:09

Matt defines mental fitness and shares how he practices it: 1:02:18

Matt talks about being played by Josh Harnett in Black Hawk Down: 1:07:17


WIN: Championship Traits for Life - Brian Covey

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What is the first thing you tell people about yourself? Is it your accomplishments? Is it what you do for a living? Is it about your family?

Our Guest today, Brian Covey, will make you rethink how you approach people in sport, business and life with his thoughts.

Brian’s resume is one that will get our audience excited. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Brian played soccer at the pro and Olympic levels before taking on a career as an influencer, speaker, top-rated podcaster via “The Brian Covey Show”, an author through his book “Conversations with Covey”, and a wealth Advisor while serving as the VP of one of the largest mortgage companies in America, loan-depot.

But beyond his professional accolades and titles, Brian is all about balance in fitness, wellness and life. One of the things that stood out to me when doing research, is that Brian always lists himself as a father, husband and family man first.

Show Notes

– Brian discusses being a family man first and foremost: 1:42

– Brian talks about the importance of a team bond and how to strengthen them: 7:38

– Brian shares a time where he faced adversity, what he learned, and how he overcame the obstacles: 11:53

– Brian discusses a collective responsibility for a team to keep team culture in check: 17:57

– Brian expands on his five tenants that are a pathway to success on the field and the importance of also utilizing this skill set off the field to be successful: 22:37

– Brian shares what it is that draws people in to work for him: 30:09

– Brian tells why its important to understand what motivates others: 36:32

– Brian shares what he would write in a text he would send to his younger self and defines mental fitness/how he practices it: 42:53


WIN: Championship Traits For Life - Randy Grimes

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Once a star center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Randy Grimes has an incredible life story to share involving his struggles with addiction and how he is now bridging the gap between other professional athletes and their mental fitness.

Show Notes

– Randy discusses how he got involved and fell in love with the game of football: 2:43

– Randy walks the audience through his journey with addiction: 6:47

– Randy speaks on the “suffer in silence” mentality and the full-year effort of being a pro athlete: 14:06

– Randy shares the message he’d give to an aspiring athlete on the verge of professionalism: 19:02

– Randy discusses faith and how his faith played a part in his career: 28:40

– Randy expands on the effects of CTE and how we should be taking care of our brain: 33:28

– Randy discusses the need for professionals in mental health to be present and for it to be destigmatized for athletes: 37:18

– Randy defines mental fitness: 45:47

– Randy shares what a text to his younger self would look like: 50:33

– Randy discusses the need for consistency in a program in order to build a winning culture: 53:39

– Randy discusses his non-profit – Pro Athletes in Recovery: 1:01:16


WIN: Championship Traits For Life - Eric Nystrom

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This week’s guest was the 10th overall draft pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and made his debut three years later with the Calgary Flames. Eric Nystrom joins the show this week to discuss his path to success and the lessons he learned that have remained with him throughout his life.

If you’re planning your own rise to success, Eric’s advice is exactly what you need to hear.

How do you map out a path for success? Once you’ve achieved that success how will you deal with adversity and the challenges that arise from greatness?

This week’s guest, Eric Nystrom, walks us through his path through hockey to the NHL and through his path of education and leadership which led him to becoming a successful entrepreneur after his playing career.

Eric was a four year letterman at University of Michigan before starting an 11 year NHL career having spent time with Calgary, Minnesota, Dallas and Nashville. Eric has also represented the United States in the World Junior Championship and World Championship. He’s very philanthropic and a leader on and off the ice, and we are pleased to have him here today.

Show Notes

Eric discusses the journey of playing multiple sports as a young athlete and shares advice to others on their own path to greatness: 1:39

Eric talks about the importance of bringing balance to a locker room: 10:36

Eric discusses being in the zone: 15:35

Eric talks about the need for positive locker room atmosphere even at the NHL level: 20:45

Eric talks about the importance of roles and communication on a team: 28:13

Eric defines mental fitness: 1:01:40


WIN: Championship Traits For Life - Phil DeCapito

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Sometimes adversity isn’t the failures we face, but the mountains themselves that we climb on the rise to the top. This week, University of Pittsburgh’s Coach DeCapito, shares how young athletes and budding coaches can use the determination and GRIT developed on the field in order to take their careers to the next level.

Phil DeCapito enters his third season as Pitt’s defensive quality control assistant and his sixth overall with the Panthers. He has been an invaluable contributor to a defensive unit that has ranked among the nation’s very best over the past two seasons.DeCapito initially served on Pat Narduzzi’s staff from 2015-17 as a defensive graduate assistant. He served in that same capacity during the 2018 season at Memphis, which finished as the American Athletic Conference (AAC) runner-up and earned a Birmingham Bowl berth.

Following the 2018 season, he was named the defensive coordinator at Lake Erie College, an NCAA Division II program in Ohio, before ultimately reuniting with Narduzzi at Pitt.

A native of Warren, Ohio, Phil was a standout football player and wrestler at Warren John F. Kennedy Catholic School, earning first-team All-Trumbull County honors as a senior lineman. He went on to play four seasons at Emory & Henry College, earning his bachelor’s degree in education and physical education.

Show Notes

– Phil talks about how he got into coaching – 2:03

– Phil discusses recruiting and the qualities he’s looking for in players – 4:26

– Phil talks about the importance of mentorship and teamwork and how it impacts the season – 23:15

– Phil explains the mentorship he had during his journey to coaching D1 and the experience he built up along the way 26:21

– Phil talks about his bond with Las Vegas Raider Jimmy Morrissey – 33:07

– Phil discusses Division 3 athletes and the love of the game that separates them from other athletes – 37:53

– Phil talks about some of the adversity he sees as a coach and the anchors he holds onto to overcome them – 48:12

– Phil shares his definition of mental fitness – 58:28


WIN: Championship Traits For Life - John Moloney, Chief Commercial Officer at Bose

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Iron sharpens iron. It’s a common phrase, but one that is not focused on enough as a tool for winning. This week’s guest, John Moloney, the Chief Commercial Officer for the automotive division at Bose, defines this statement in addition to giving us his perspectives of the importance of work, leadership, and mentorship – all which can be applied to sports and life.

John is an alumnus of Central Michigan University where he received his bachelor’s in Marketing and Finance and received his MBA from the University of Detroit in International Business.

As we said, John is currently a leader at Bose and also previously held executive positions with Michelin, Ricardo, and Bosch. John has also been involved in many entrepreneurial endeavors, notably as the chairman for FilterGrade LLC and as an advisor at MIT’s Entrepreneurship program and venture mentoring service.

Word on the street is that when John isn’t working or with his family, he can be found on the golf course or riding his bike.

John is an expert at enhancing a brand’s value, and we value that he joined our show.

Show Notes

John tells us about his rise to a business power player: 2:38

John explores the importance of embracing work: 6:53

John explains why he thinks continuing improvement is so important: 10:01

John gives us his personal and professional views on mentorship: 13:06

John tells us a story about one of his mentors: 20:01

John explains what drives his competitive nature and the importance of competition both physically and mentally: 22:25

John talks about his approach to teamwork as a leader at BOSE and how he inspires maximum performance from his team: 27:27

John shares a story to depict what leadership means to him and recounts a time when he bounced back from failure: 31:51


WIN: Championship Traits For Life - Mike Smith

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“The Greatest Of All Time” is a title that is earned by more than just championships, rings, and records. It recognizes the amount of adversity a person overcomes and how they respond to their environment on their path to achieving legendary status.

Mike Smith is the GOAT when it comes to Horse Racing, and this interview will show you a glimpse into the steps he took in order to get there.

What defines being the greatest of all time? In most sports, the immediate answer is championships, rings and records. And while they are absolutely part of the puzzle, WHO a person is, how they hold themselves, and how they respond to adversity – is what solidifies a persons status in the conversation of all time best.

This week’s guest on WIN: Championship Traits for life, is legendary Hall-Of-Fame Rider, Mike Smith.

Mike has been one of the leading riders in U.S. Thoroughbred racing since the early 1990s and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 2003. He has a RECORD 26 Breeders Cup wins and 10 American Classics wins including the Triple Crown in 2018 where he rode Justify at the age of 52. If that was not enough, in 2019 Mike took over the top spot of grade 1 wins by a jockey with 217.

To put it short, Mike is the GOAT when it comes to horse racing, and we had a great discussion about mental fitness with him that we’re very excited to share with you.

Show Notes

Mike takes us back to how he got started in horse racing, and how it shaped him as a person: 1:53

Mike shares a time he faced massive adversity and how he overcame it: 7:17

Mike talks about how he applies trust to his teams and how he develops that trust with a thoroughbred: 13:10

Mike shares how he creates maximum present moment awareness when he is riding: 17:27

Mike discusses the longevity of his career both physically and mentally: 24:43

Mike shares the question he wishes people would ask him about his career: 31:57

Mike shares what mental fitness means to him and how he practices it: 37:54

Mike talks about the mentorship for an up and coming jockey: 42:16