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The Travel Wins

The Travel Wins

Written by: The Travel Wins
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About this listen

 Transform your business travel experience by tuning into "The Travel Wins Podcast"! Our weekly episodes are designed to turn your journeys into joyful, rewarding adventures. Join me as I dive into captivating conversations with athletes, business moguls, and entertainers who share their secrets to making travel less of a burden and more of a victory.

Whether you're looking for practical tips, inspiring stories, or a sense of community, our podcast has something for you. Together, we'll transform business travel from a mere necessity into an enjoyable journey filled with personal growth and professional achievements.

Subscribe now, leave a comment, and share with your fellow travelers. Let's make each trip a victory together!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-travel-wins--3480301/support.Copyright The Travel Wins Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Politics & Government Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Tony Mandarich from the gridiron to visionary photographer Ep 331

    Tony Mandarich from the gridiron to visionary photographer Ep 331
    Dec 29 2025
    From The Gridiron to Visionary Photographer: Tony Mandarich reinvents greatness

    Some careers define chapters. Others rewrite entire stories.
    In this episode of The Travel Wins, I sit down with Tony Mandarich — known first to the world as a powerhouse offensive lineman, and now celebrated as a bold, imaginative photographer based in Arizona. His journey from the roar of football stadiums to the quiet precision of the studio is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity.
    Tony has always believed that true greatness lies beyond the comfort zone — that exceptional accomplishments demand the courage to explore uncharted territory. That belief took root early. During the mid-1980s at Michigan State University, he became a dominant force on the field, earning All-American honors twice and being named Big Ten Lineman of the Year in both 1987 and 1988. His team claimed the Big Ten Championship and the 1988 Rose Bowl title, cementing his place in college football history.
    Drafted second overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, Tony spent four seasons with the Green Bay Packers and three with the Indianapolis Colts. But even while football consumed his life, another spark quietly ignited.
    In 1989, during a Sports Illustrated photoshoot in Venice Beach, Tony discovered something unexpected: a fascination with the art of photography — specifically, the way light could be shaped, bent, and sculpted to create emotion. That moment planted a seed that would eventually transform his second act.
    After retiring from football in 1999, Tony devoted himself to mastering the craft. He didn’t rush. He studied. Experimented. Failed. Improved. Over time, his photography evolved into a distinct visual signature — a combination of technical precision and imaginative storytelling that captured the attention of art directors, advertising agencies, and digital marketers across the country.
    Today, Tony is known for his striking composite photography, seamlessly blending people and backgrounds to create images that feel cinematic, surreal, and deeply human. His willingness to embrace new tools — including emerging AI creative technologies — shows the same spirit that once drove him on the field: adapt, learn, and push the boundaries further.
    What I loved most about our conversation wasn’t just his success — it was his humility, honesty, and openness about reinvention. Tony reminds us that you can build an extraordinary second chapter, no matter where your first one began.
    Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, athlete, or traveler searching for your next direction, Tony’s story proves that growth lives on the other side of curiosity.

    🎙️ Listen to the episode — and get inspired by what happens when passion meets persistence.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-travel-wins--3480301/support.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Dear Iris east texas grit podcast interview

    Dear Iris east texas grit podcast interview
    Dec 22 2025
    On this episode of The Travel Wins Podcast, host Pete Kotzbach sits down with rising Texas-based country rock band Dear Iris for an honest conversation about music, travel, sacrifice, and chasing a dream while managing real-life responsibilities.

    Forged in the heart of East Texas, Dear Iris delivers a powerful blend of Texas country music and alternative rock grit. From the driving energy of “Kylie’s Song” to the emotional depth of “Restless On You,” the band’s sound is rooted in authentic storytelling and shaped by the miles they’ve logged on the road. Their music reflects both where they come from and where they’re headed — grounded in Texas soil but reaching for something much bigger.

    What makes this episode especially compelling is the band’s transparency about the reality of being an independent touring band. Dear Iris doesn’t tour full-time — they tour around day jobs, family commitments, and real-world responsibilities. During the week, they’re clocking in at work and showing up for their families. When time allows, they load up the gear, hit the highways, and bring their music to audiences across Texas and beyond.

    In this conversation, the band opens up about:
    · Balancing music careers with full-time jobs
    · Touring while prioritizing family and personal relationships
    · The mental and physical challenges of life on the road
    · Staying creative and motivated in today’s competitive country music industry
    · Building momentum without losing authenticity

    For business travelers, creatives, musicians, and anyone chasing a passion while juggling everyday responsibilities, this episode offers real insight and inspiration. Dear Iris represents the modern grind — proving that success doesn’t always come from shortcuts, but from consistency, sacrifice, and belief in the journey.

    🎧 Listen now to hear how Dear Iris is building a future in Texas country rock, one song, one show, and one mile at a time — only on The Travel Wins Podcast.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-travel-wins--3480301/support.
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    49 mins
  • Mark Mackay road shaped music Ep 329

    Mark Mackay road shaped music Ep 329
    Dec 16 2025
    Country singer-songwriter Mark Mackay joins The Travel Wins Podcast to share his journey through thousands of shows, iconic venues, and endless miles on the road.

    In this episode, Mark talks about:
    · How travel influences his songwriting
    · Staying authentic in today’s music industry
    · The stories behind songs like “Old Songs and Old Trucks”
    · Balancing creative growth with staying true to your roots

    If you love American roots music, country-rock, and real conversations about life on the road, this episode delivers.

    🎸🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with musicians, entrepreneurs, and high performers who travel for a living.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-travel-wins--3480301/support.
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    1 hr and 28 mins
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