Episode 5: Trials and Tribulations features Nate McGee, offensive lineman at North Greenville University, in a conversation about injury, perseverance, recruiting, work ethic, family support, and the mindset it takes to keep going when the path gets hard.

Nate joins Coach Nate Garner and Jim Padgett to share how he fought for a college football opportunity, from reaching out to coaches himself to eventually finding his place at North Greenville. He talks about battling through a broken knee in high school, another injury in college, and the mental toughness it took to keep pushing through setbacks. He also reflects on the role scout team played in his growth, the importance of preparation, and why his mother’s example continues to shape the way he works.

This episode is about more than football. It is about overcoming obstacles, staying grounded, trusting the process, and carrying an Alpha mentality through every challenge. Nate also talks about the team’s bigger goal moving forward and why the standard is now higher than ever.

Episode 4: The Proving Ground features Payton McBroom, defensive back at North Greenville University, in a conversation about football, faith, confidence, leadership, adversity, and growth.

Payton joins Nate Garner and Jim Padgett to talk about his journey from Greenville to North Greenville, how prayer helped guide his college decision, and what it has been like growing through the demands of college football. He shares the mindset it takes to play defensive back, how confidence changed his game, why film study matters, and what he learned from last season’s run to a conference championship.

The episode also dives into life beyond football, including Payton’s interest in cyber security, his future goals, and the importance of community, brotherhood, and player development inside the program. This is a conversation about team bonding, staying grounded in faith, and becoming the kind of competitor who keeps showing up no matter what.

Episode 3: The Selection features North Greenville defensive back Brannon Teamer in a real conversation about football, faith, humility, adversity, and growth. Brannon joins Nate Garner and Jim Padgett to share his journey from Spartanburg and Dorman High School to North Greenville University, what the transition to college football has taught him, and how trusting God helped him push through difficult moments. He talks about learning to stay humble, finding consistency on the field, building strong relationships with teammates, and why NGU feels like home. Brannon also opens up about life outside football, his interest in cyber security, and why he believes this year will be different for North Greenville football.

Episode 2: Built Different

In Episode 2 of The ALPHA Podcast, Nate Garner and Jim Padgett sit down with North Greenville football player Arber Lekani for an honest conversation about what it really means to be built different.

This episode dives into the daily reality of being a student-athlete, from early morning lifts and classes to practice, film, and the pressure of staying disciplined when nobody is watching. Arber shares his journey through the highs and lows of college football, including the emotional struggles of his freshman year, learning how to handle adversity, and the importance of faith, family, and friendship in shaping who he is.

Coach Garner also gives insight into what coaches notice most in players, why attitude and effort matter, and how football prepares people for life far beyond the game.

This is a conversation about resilience, growth, brotherhood, perspective, and the standard it takes to keep moving forward when life gets hard.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The real schedule of a college football player
• The hardest part of being a student-athlete
• Identity outside of football
• Faith and personal growth
• Dealing with doubt and difficult seasons
• Brotherhood inside the locker room
• Family, sacrifice, and perspective
• Building confidence after setbacks
• Why football is preparation for life

Key takeaway: Being built different is not about talking tough. It is about staying committed, trusting God, stacking good days, and refusing to quit when adversity shows up.

Listen now and learn more at thealphasports.com

Episode 1: Pilot

Welcome to the very first episode of The ALPHA Podcast.

In this pilot episode, Nate Garner and Jim Padgett introduce the podcast, share the vision behind it, and explain what ALPHA means to the North Greenville football program: Aggressive, Loyal, Prepared, Humble, and Armored.

Coach Garner talks about the journey that brought him to North Greenville, from playing at Arkansas and spending time with the Miami Dolphins, to coaching at multiple levels and stepping into his first year as a head coach. He reflects on the challenges of leading a program for the first time, what he learned from last season, and what it meant to win a conference championship in year one.

The episode also covers the current state of the roster, the impact of the transfer portal, spring ball, team development, and the bigger goal of using this podcast to shine a spotlight on North Greenville University, its athletic programs, and the people behind them.

This episode sets the tone for what The ALPHA Podcast is all about: football, culture, leadership, faith, growth, and building something bigger than the game.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The meaning behind ALPHA
• Coach Nate Garner’s football and coaching journey
• The mission of North Greenville Football
• Lessons from a first season as head coach
• Winning a conference championship
• Building culture inside the locker room
• The transfer portal and roster management
• Spring ball and preparation for the next season
• The vision for future podcast episodes

Key takeaway: ALPHA is more than a word. It is the standard for how this program wants to live, work, and compete every day.

Learn more at thealphasports.com

Episode 5: Trials and Tribulations is a conversation with Nate McGee about injury, perseverance, recruiting, family support, mental strength, and the work ethic it takes to keep earning your opportunity at North Greenville University. This episode is about fighting through setbacks, trusting the grind, and chasing something bigger.

Episode 4: The Proving Ground is a conversation with Payton McBroom about football, faith, leadership, confidence, and growth at North Greenville University. Payton shares his journey to NGU, the mindset it takes to play defensive back, how adversity built his confidence, and why faith and community continue to shape who he is becoming.

Episode 3: The Selection features North Greenville defensive back Brannon Teamer sharing his story of faith, football, humility, and growth. This trailer gives a preview of a real conversation about adversity, consistency, and why this year will be different.