2ndwind Academy Podcast
Ex professional footballer Ryan Gonsalves gets to the root of transitioning from an elite sports career to the world of work. Join a cadre of athletes for the ups and downs of entering an exciting new chapter of their lives. Are you ready to unleash your second wind? Schedule a conversation with Ryan at the 2ndwind Academy now on letschat@2ndwind.io
Episodes
126 episodes
Josh Perry - From BMX Pro to Embracing New Challenges
What happens when a BMX champion swaps the adrenaline rush of biking for the tranquil greens of golf? Join us as Josh, a former professional BMX athlete, narrates this unlikely transformation. After a brain tumor diagnosis, Josh reevaluated his...
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Episode 125
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50:00
124: Andrew Mewing - From Elite Swimmer to Thriving Construction Law Entrepreneur
Imagine balancing rigorous training with law school, missing out on the Olympics by just one spot, and still building a legal career that has taken Australia by storm. Today, Ryan is joined by Andrew Mewing, a former Australian swimmer turned c...
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Episode 124
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53:46
123: James Hilovsky - Franchising 101 for Athletes
How do athletes' skills on the field translate into successful franchise ownership? In this episode, we sit down with franchisee broker James Hilovsky from California. James shares his unique insights on the natural fit between athletes and fra...
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Episode 120
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42:32
122: Damon Mclean, From Jamaican Triple Jump Star to Sales Leader
From Triple Jumping in Jamaica to sprinting up the ranks in the tech industry, today’s guest has mastered the art of reinvention. As a former Jamaican World and Commonwealth Games track and field star, Damon McLean competed alongside some of th...
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Episode 122
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1:02:14
121: Skye Eddy - From Professional Soccer to Empowering Parents in Youth Sports and Real Estate Success
Ever feel like the sidelines of youth sports are more of a battlefield than a fun space? Between stressed-out coaches, over-involved parents, and young athletes caught in the middle, finding a balance can seem impossible. In this episode, Ryan ...
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Episode 121
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45:28
120: Malvin Kamara - When your First Dream Dies, What’s your Next Move?
What happens when a promising football career is suddenly cut short and the real world comes calling? In this episode, Malvin Kamara reveals the untold story of his rise and fall in professional football, and how the same drive that once fueled...
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Episode 120
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56:07
119: Myriam Robitaille - From Professional Indoor Volleyball in Europe to Beach Volleyball and Tech Startup Success
In today’s episode, we dive into the mind of Myriam Robitaille, a Canadian professional beach volleyball player who is redefining what it means to be an athlete. For Myriam, sport is more than just physical prowess; it’s a mental battlefield th...
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Episode 119
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45:41
118: David Watters - From Tech Innovator to Transforming Inclusive Gay Rugby Globally
In honor of LGBTQ History Month, Ryan is excited to speak with David Watters, an LGBTQ+ rugby player, innovation consultant, and business coach based in the UK. While many of our guests transition from sports to other fields, David's story is u...
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Episode 118
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48:18
117: Marilyn Okoro: Olympian to Shaping Inclusive Leadership - Navigating Cultural Expectations and Systemic Change
What if the toughest streets of Stonebridge, Northwest London, were the unlikely training ground for a future Olympian and corporate leader? In this episode, Ryan dives deep into the life and career of Marilyn Okoro, a British track & field...
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Episode 117
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1:06:12
116: Hannah Campbell-Pegg - From Olympian Luge to Leading Climate Change Research
What happens when an Olympian transitions from competing on the world stage to tackling global challenges like climate change? Join us as we welcome Hannah Campbell-Pegg, a former Australian Olympian in Luge, who shares her riveting journey fro...
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Episode 116
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51:57
115: Anna Pixner - Speed Skateboarder to Championing Gender Equality in Extreme Sports
What does it take to skateboard at 100 kilometers per hour down treacherous terrains while breaking gender barriers? Join Ryan today as he sits down with Anna Pixner, Austria’s fastest woman on skateboards. Anna is a two-time world champion in ...
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32:28
114: Staciana Winfield - From Olympic Gold to Navigating Olympic Stress Syndrome
Staciana, a gold medalist from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, shares her journey from a determined young athlete to teaching, coaching and becoming an author of The Stolen Dance An Olympian’s Perpetual Search for Healing from Trauma and Grief. <...
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Episode 114
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54:15
113: Jori Davis: From Pro Basketball to Bringing Transparency to Athlete Management, Agents and Contracting
In today's episode, Ryan dives deep with Jori Davis, a seasoned professional basketball player turned entrepreneur, whose journey spans over 13 years, nine countries, and four continents. From the early days in New Orleans, Davis realized the i...
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Episode 113
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1:11:03
112: Reinventing Life After Rugby: Baden Kerr's Path to Teaching and Coaching Success
Imagine having your dreams shattered by physical pain and emotional turmoil, only to find a new path that offers profound fulfillment. That's exactly what happened to our guest, Baden, a former professional rugby player whose career was marked ...
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Episode 112
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1:14:01
111: George Taylor - Overcoming Early Retirement from Rugby Concussion to Family Business
What happens when a career in professional sports comes to an abrupt end? Meet George Taylor, a retired Scottish rugby player who faced this exact dilemma. George shares his inspiring journey from the rugby field to the world of finance, detail...
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Episode 111
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44:43
110: How Will Hooley Created a Plan to Enjoy Rugby and Transition into Media
This week on the 2ND Wind Academy podcast we welcome Will Hooley, who shares his journey from the rugby field to becoming a technical director for Major League Rugby in the United States. Will opens up about his reluctance to follow conventiona...
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Episode 110
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1:02:25
109: Georgia Takarangi - Balancing Pro Netball and The Path to Clinical Psychology
Georgia, an outstanding netball player from New Zealand, transitioned from a mixed-sport upbringing to achieving International status at 24. She opens up about her journey, sharing the trials, triumphs, and the relentless perseverance that pr...
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Episode 109
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48:24
108: Gage Yesbeck - How College Sport Prepared Me for the IT Sector
How does a college athlete pivot from sports to a successful career in IT and entrepreneurship? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Gage Yesbeck, a former college basketball player whose competitive spirit led him to an unexpected acting...
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Episode 108
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47:41
107: Andy Cramond - How I Built a New Career from Concussions to Investments
Meet Andy Cramond, a former Scottish rugby player who turned his struggles with concussions into an early opportunity to plan for life after sports. In this episode, Andy opens up about his journey, sharing how he juggled late-night study sessi...
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Episode 107
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49:37
106: Rahhim Shillingford - From College Football Star to Real Estate Success: Leveraging Sportsmanship for Career Triumph
Ever wondered how to balance multiple passions and career paths successfully?Featuring Rahhim Shillingford, this episode showcases his extraordinary journey from college football star to a licensed broker in New York. Rahhim dives deep into the...
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Episode 106
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37:25
105: Simone Ragusi - How to Make the Move From Player to Coach: Mentorship and Growth in Italy and Ireland
What happens when a seasoned rugby player takes on the challenging yet rewarding role of a coach? Join us as we welcome Simone Ragusi, an Italian rugby veteran who has transitioned from player to coach, bringing with him years of experien...
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41:55
104: Dorian Pickens - From Professional Basketball to a Thriving Career at Fanatics
Dorian Pickens, a former professional basketball player, transitioned from the court to a thriving career in the sports business world. How did Dorian weigh the uncertain prospects of the G League and overseas play against the opportunities in ...
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Episode 104
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1:04:27
103: Carla Ryan - From Cycling Champion to Athlete Manager: Navigating Passion and Career Change
From living on a friend's floor to conquering the world of professional cycling, Carla's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Join us as we uncover the sacrifices she made, including financial struggles and overcoming severe injuries, to ac...
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Episode 103
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50:11
102: Alex Klein - Navigating Athletic Pivots and Embracing the Olympic Dream
From the basketball court to the icy bobsled tracks, Alex's story isn't one you hear every day. Tune in as we traverse the thrilling and transformative journey with our guest, whose leap from dunking basketballs to steering sleds is a mastercla...
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Episode 102
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41:43
101: Taj Dashaun - How a Sense of Falling Short Lead Me to Thrive After Sports
Today’s episode marks our 101st episode of the podcast. So what's better than creating a 101 of Athletic Career Transition. In this episode, Ryan, along with Taj Dashaun, founder of Thrive After Sports Life, peel back the layers of the a...
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Episode 101
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49:42