Episodes

  • Eddie Taylor’s Winning NIL Formula: Building Transferable Skills for Student Athletes
    Oct 30 2024

    In t episode of Powerhouse Conversations, host Dream Big Fred sits down with Eddie Taylor, the Director of NIL at the University of Cincinnati, to explore the transformative power of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for student-athletes. Discover how NIL is reshaping the landscape of college sports and learn essential strategies for building personal brands and thriving in competitive environments. Eddie shares invaluable insights on identifying core values, overcoming self-doubt, and creating a supportive framework for NIL success. This conversation highlights the critical importance of developing transferable skills for life beyond sports, maintaining consistency in content creation, and mastering objection redirection during negotiations. Tune in as Eddie emphasizes the need for adaptability and the role of technology in streamlining athlete management. He shares success stories from his experience and provides practical advice for aspiring athletes on navigating their careers while enjoying the journey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to NIL and Career Building Strategies 02:52 Understanding Athletes' Core Values 05:26 Overcoming Pushback and Building Confidence 08:07 Creating a Supportive Structure for NIL Success 11:03 Balancing Comparison and Individual Growth 13:27 Developing Transferable Skills for Life After Sports 16:07 Essential Skills for Athletes' Toolkit 18:26 Defining Consistency and Adaptability 20:31 Tech Tools for Athlete Management 27:19 The Future of NIL in College Sports 31:15 Success Stories in NIL Management 33:57 Final Advice for Aspiring Athletes

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • The Athlete CEO Mindset Explained with Amobi Okugo
    Oct 22 2024

    In this episode of Powerhouse Conversations, host Fred Underwood speaks with former professional soccer player and entrepreneur Amobi Okugo. Amobi shares his transition from the soccer field to becoming the founder of A Frugal Athlete and emphasizes the critical importance of financial literacy for athletes. The episode explores how athletes can adopt the "Athlete CEO" mindset—viewing themselves as enterprises and entrepreneurs—and the significance of starting early to build a personal brand.

    Amobi highlights key strategies for navigating NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities, leveraging technology to grow and manage a personal brand, and the power of storytelling in connecting with audiences. He also stresses the need for athletes to develop a strong support system to succeed both in sports and business.

    The conversation delves into the evolving landscape for athletes, particularly the shift towards entrepreneurship, and how technology is a vital tool for athletes to manage their branding, IP, and business ventures.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Athlete CEO Mindset: Athletes should view themselves as enterprises, managing their personal brand like a business.
    • Start Early: Building a personal brand early in one’s career is essential for long-term success.
    • Leverage NIL Strategically: Athletes should focus on building a network and owning their intellectual property (IP).
    • Technology and Storytelling: Using technology effectively and mastering storytelling can help athletes build stronger relationships with their audience.
    • Support System is Key: A supportive team can help athletes balance academic, athletic, and business endeavors.
    • Future of Athletes: Success in the future will depend on athletes' ability to adapt and innovate beyond sports.

    For more insights on how athletes can transition to successful entrepreneurs and thrive in the business world, listen to the full episode!

    SEO Keywords: Athlete CEO, NIL opportunities, athlete entrepreneurship, personal branding, financial literacy for athletes, Amobi Okugo, A Frugal Athlete, athlete business strategies, storytelling in sports, leveraging technology for athletes, sports entrepreneurship.

    Links:

    • Website: ⁠www.athleteceo.me⁠
    • Instagram: ⁠Athlete CEO⁠

    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Powerhouse Conversations

    01:16 Transitioning from Athlete to Entrepreneur

    04:17 The Importance of Starting Early

    09:18 The Athlete CEO Mindset

    11:07 Building Your Team as an Athlete CEO

    14:18 Navigating NIL Opportunities

    21:01 Strategies for Building Brands and Partnerships

    22:42 Leveraging Technology for Business Success

    27:12 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways


    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Unlocking Athlete Success: NIL, Branding, and the Future of Sports with Aisha Foy
    Oct 11 2024

    In this episode of Powerhouse Conversations, Aisha Foy, a leading NIL coach and personal branding expert, breaks down the changing landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and what athletes need to know to stay ahead. Aisha shares her personal journey and valuable insights on how athletes can build powerful personal brands, land NIL deals, and effectively use social media to boost their careers.

    From the importance of strategic planning to leveraging technology, Aisha outlines the steps athletes should take to navigate the fast-evolving sports marketing world. Whether you’re a student-athlete looking to grow your brand or a coach/marketer aiming to help athletes succeed, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Tune in to learn how you can thrive in the new era of athlete branding!

    • 00:00 – Introduction to NIL and Its Importance
      Aisha explains how NIL is transforming the sports industry and why it's crucial for athletes to understand its potential.

    • 02:52 – Aisha's Journey and Brand Building
      Aisha shares her personal experiences and lessons on building a strong brand in the sports industry.

    • 05:38 – The Evolution of NIL in Sports
      A discussion on how NIL has changed the dynamics of sports marketing and opened up new opportunities for athletes.

    • 08:11 – Building Personal Brands: Lessons from Top Athletes
      Learn from top athletes who have successfully built their brands and secured major deals.

    • 10:58 – Key Pillars of Aisha's Bootcamp
      Aisha highlights the core strategies she teaches in her NIL and branding bootcamps.

    • 13:45 – Leveraging Technology for NIL Success
      Discover how athletes can use technology to increase their visibility and drive brand success.

    • 16:31 – The Role of Agents and Support Systems
      The importance of having the right team and agents to help manage deals and brand growth.

    • 19:08 – Current Challenges and Future of NIL
      Aisha discusses some of the biggest challenges in the NIL space and her predictions for the future.

    • 21:59 – Aisha's Vision and Educational Initiatives
      A look into Aisha’s mission to educate athletes on NIL and help them thrive beyond the game.

    • NIL coaching is essential for athletes to understand the complexities of NIL deals and sports marketing.
    • Personal branding is crucial for athletes to stand out, create opportunities, and secure profitable NIL deals.
    • Social media is a game-changer for athlete promotion, helping build visibility and connect with brands.
    • Strategic planning is key when it comes to managing and negotiating NIL deals for long-term success.
    • Athletes need to be proactive in seeking opportunities, building relationships, and collaborating with brands.
    • The future of NIL is promising, providing aspiring athletes with more control over their careers and financial success.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Dreaming Big in the NIL Era: Insights on Growth with Alexander Turner
    Oct 2 2024

    Summary:

    In this enlightening episode, Alexander Turner explores the intricate themes of personal growth, resilience, and the power of mindset, specifically for NIL athletes. Join us as we discuss the importance of dreaming big and the role of media in shaping perceptions within the world of college sports. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, Turner emphasizes that life’s challenges are essential stepping stones toward achieving goals in the NIL landscape. Discover how understanding the nature of life and death can deepen our appreciation for our experiences and motivate us to embrace every opportunity for growth.

    Takeaways:

    • Personal growth is a lifelong journey.
    • Understanding death helps us appreciate life.
    • Mindset is everything in achieving goals.
    • Life is full of challenges that we must face.

    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction and Overview of Apex Athlete Management

    02:30 Using Technology to Increase Brand Value

    04:20 The Importance of Financial Literacy for College Athletes

    06:06 Common Financial Challenges for Athletes

    08:02 Balancing Athletics and Business Opportunities

    09:55 The Future of the NIL Landscape

    12:21 The Role of Third-Party Services in Athlete Business Ventures

    18:37 The Shift from B2C to B2B in the NIL Space

    21:47 The Importance of Financial Literacy Education

    24:42 The Role of Technology in Brand Building

    26:31 The Future of Apex Athlete Management

    31:34 Dreaming Big and Setting Ambitious Goals

    35:23 Authenticity in Brand Building


    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Tech-Driven Futures for Athletes with Marcus Stevenson
    Sep 13 2024

    Summary


    In this episode, Fred Underwood interviews Marcus Stevenson, a leader at the intersection of tech and sports. Marcus works at M1 Advisory Group, where he helps athletes transition from the playing field to successful careers in the tech industry. They discuss the role of technology in sports business, the future of athletes in tech, and the importance of understanding analytics and transferable skills. Marcus also shares his experience with Black Sports Professionals and offers advice for breaking into the sports industry as a black professional. The episode concludes with a discussion on dreaming big and how M1 Advisory Group is helping student athletes achieve their career goals.


    Takeaways


    Technology is reshaping the business side of sports, particularly through streaming platforms that allow for worldwide viewership and increased revenue opportunities.

    Athletes can leverage their transferable skills, such as grit, teamwork, and adaptability, to be successful in the corporate space.

    The future of athletes in tech is promising, with more athletes launching tech ventures and investing in technology initiatives.

    Understanding analytics is crucial for athletes and business professionals alike, as it provides insights for improvement and decision-making.

    Diversity initiatives, such as those led by Black Sports Professionals, are important for increasing representation and opportunities for black professionals in the sports industry.

    To break into the sports industry as a black professional, it is essential to build a strong network, seek mentorship, and attend networking events.

    Dreaming big involves understanding your goals, finding role models, and taking action to achieve success.

    M1 Advisory Group helps student athletes and college students navigate their career paths and leverage their skills to succeed in the tech industry.


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction and Background of Marcus Stevenson

    03:00 The Impact of Technology on the Business Side of Sports

    08:34 The Future of Athletes in Tech

    11:23 Understanding Analytics for Success

    18:07 Advocacy and Diversity in Sports

    21:14 Breaking into the Sports Industry as a Black Professional

    27:26 Dreaming Big: Setting Goals and Taking Action


    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • The Power of Storytelling for Athletes with Brandon Wigley
    Sep 2 2024

    Summary


    In this conversation, Fred Underwood interviews Brandon Wigley, also known as the World Doc Connector, about the world of NIL, business development, athletes, and branding. Brandon explains why he is known as the world-class dot connector and discusses his company, Six Rings Firm, which bridges the gap between sports culture and technology. They emphasize the importance of storytelling in personal branding and how it helps athletes connect with their audience. They also discuss the process of bringing brand deals to life and the significance of authenticity in content creation. In this conversation, Brandon J. discusses his approach to athlete branding and marketing in the context of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of being proactive and creating content ahead of time to showcase potential business partnerships. Brandon also highlights the holistic approach his agency takes in curating an athlete's brand, including helping them with creative content, events, product creation, and PR. He discusses the emerging trends in NIL, such as schools becoming more involved in marketing deals, and the importance of athletes having a team that can create on their behalf. Brandon also shares his passion project, Florida Hoop Legends, where he highlights the rich basketball history of Florida and gives recognition to forgotten players. He concludes by discussing his vision for Six Rings as a leading sports marketing agency and the importance of collaboration.


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction and Overview

    01:18 Brandon Wigley: The World Doc Connector

    03:17 The Six Rings Firm and its Origins

    05:36 The Importance of Storytelling in Personal Branding

    09:15 Connecting with Your Audience as a Student Athlete

    11:30 The Role of Collaboration in Brand Partnerships

    14:00 Bringing Brand Deals to Life: The Process

    16:28 Authenticity and Building a Personal Brand

    17:12 Proactive Content Creation and Business Opportunities

    17:49 The Range of Services in Sports Marketing

    21:39 The Future of NIL in College Sports

    26:29 Highlighting Florida's Basketball History with the Florida Hoop Legends


    Takeaways


    Storytelling is key in personal branding and helps athletes connect with their audience.

    Authenticity is crucial in content creation and allows athletes to show their true selves.

    Inbound and outbound strategies are used to bring brand deals to life.

    Collaboration between athletes and brands is important in creating successful partnerships.

    Educating student athletes about personal branding is essential for their success. Being proactive and creating content ahead of time is crucial in showcasing potential business partnerships in athlete branding and marketing.

    A holistic approach to athlete branding involves curating their brand through creative content, events, product creation, and PR.

    Emerging trends in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) include schools becoming more involved in marketing deals and the importance of athletes having a team that can create on their behalf.

    Florida Hoop Legends is a passion project that highlights the rich basketball history of Florida and gives recognition to forgotten players.

    Collaboration is key in the sports marketing industry, as it allows for the sharing of resources and expertise to create dynamic and impactful campaigns.

    Keywords


    NIL, business development, athletes, branding, world-class dot connector, Six Rings Firm, storytelling, personal branding, brand deals, authenticity, content creation, athlete branding, marketing, Name Image and Likeness, proactive approach, content creation, holistic approach, events, product creation, PR, emerging trends, schools, athlete team, Florida Hoop Legends, passion project, collaboration



    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Navigating NIL: Unlocking Athlete Potential with Anthony Johnson
    Aug 13 2024

    Summary


    In this episode of Powerhouse Conversations, host Fred Underwood interviews Anthony Johnson, an agent from Renaissance Group, about the topic of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) representation in the sports industry. Johnson shares his background and journey to becoming an agent, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and providing value to clients. They discuss the opportunities and challenges of NIL for athletes, including the need for agent representation and the potential for creativity in leveraging NIL. They also touch on the impact of NIL at the high school level and the importance of athletes owning their own brand. The episode concludes with Johnson's advice for athletes to own their logos and domain names and to seek representation from agents who look like them.



    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Meta launches NIL Empower 2.0 class featuring HBCU Track & Field Star Acacia Lofton
    Nov 30 2022

    Powerhouse Conversations: Episode 47 - Clark Atlanta with Acacia Lofton

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins