In this episode, I chat with Juan David Tejada, a professional footballer currently playing for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL Championship. Juan has represented Panama at both youth and senior levels, including matches against Japan and the United States. Here he plays against world class talent including players like Takumi Minamino, Takefusa Kubo, or Christian Pulisic.We begin by breaking down the structure of professional soccer in the U.S.—the different leagues, tiers, and how the system works. Juan then takes us through his early years playing in Panama, his time in Spain, and the move to IMG Academy in the U.S.From there, we talk about the challenges of pursuing a Division I college spot and how he ultimately ended up playing Division II soccer. Juan explains how the PDL (Player Development League) became his pathway into the professional game, leading to his first contract with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He shares what it was like to receive call-ups for Panama’s U20s, U23s, where he wore the No. 10 during Olympic qualifiers, and eventually the senior national team.We also cover his journey across multiple USL clubs, the reality of transfers where players often have little say, and his move to Colorado. Finally, we discuss the USL’s ambitions to launch a new division that could compete directly with MLS.Follow Juan David Tejada on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/juandavidtejadaChapters:0:00 Trailer0:57 Intro & the US Soccer System03:58 Playing Youth Soccer in Panama and Spain07:50 Playing at IMG Academy & First Pro Contract Offer13:20 Playing University Soccer (Division 2)22:50 Turning Pro (and Playing vs Rooney)30:24 The USL Championship Structure33:29 Getting Called up for the Panama National Team41:27 The US Soccer Transfer System--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you would like to feature in a future episode, please reach out to chattingwithpros@gmail.com

In this episode, I sit down with Clement Benhaddouche, a professional footballer currently playing in Shenzhen, China, and the Hong Kong national team.

We start by talking about his early football years growing up in Hong Kong, and how that foundation shaped his career.

Clement then takes us inside his time at IMG Academy, one of the top high-performance schools for student-athletes, before sharing what life was really like competing in Division I soccer at the University of Massachusetts.

From there, we dive into the transition from college soccer to his first professional contract with Kitchee SC, one of Hong Kong’s biggest clubs.

Clement also breaks down his move to mainland China — specifically to Harbin, a city in northern China near the borders of North Korea and Russia — and what that experience taught him both on and off the pitch.

One of the most powerful parts of our conversation covers the serious injury he suffered during this period. A doctor told him there was only a 30% chance he’d walk normally again. He explains what the recovery looked like, the doubts he faced, and how he managed to come back stronger.

Clement’s journey comes full circle as he earns a call-up to the Hong Kong national team, eventually playing in a huge match against China.

Follow Clement Benhaddouche on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/clementbenhaddouche

In this episode, I speak with Fayik Abdi, a professional alpine skier and Saudi Arabia’s first-ever Winter Olympian. Fayik shares his remarkable journey—from playing football at IMG academy to discovering skiing and ultimately competing at the Olympic level. We discuss his experiences leading up to the Games, the challenges he faced along the way, and what it takes to train at the highest level. Fayik also offers insights into the growing future of skiing in Saudi Arabia, especially with the development of NEOM as a world-class ski destination.Follow Fayik Abdi on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/fayikabdi