92 episodes

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

2ndwind Academy Podcast Ryan Gonsalves

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 9 Ratings

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

    91: Guin Batten - Charting Waters from Elite Rowing to Volleyball England Leadership

    91: Guin Batten - Charting Waters from Elite Rowing to Volleyball England Leadership

    From the relentless push of an oar against water to the strategic planning within the halls of Volleyball England,  Guin Batten's story is one of incredible transformation. As a world-class rower turned Deputy CEO, she joins us to unravel the journey that connects the adrenaline of elite sports with the finesse of sports administration leadership. In our conversation, Guin charts a course through the challenges of career transition, reminding us that success is hardly ever a straight sprint to the finish line.

    Tune in to learn more about:
    - The diverse existing and emerging disciplines encompassed within Volleyball England
    -  Playing loads of sports when she was younger as a means to get respect 
    - Nostalgia of how the one sport that she wasn't instantly good at brought her fond memories and adventures
    - How she embraced the shift from being a team athlete to an individual athlete
    - Beautiful perspective on caging out your inner confidence from her confidence battles
    - The time she realized her rowing flame had dimmed and the first step she took
    - How she learned to build and maintain a meaningful network as an athlete
    - Insights on the struggles athletes undergo when pitching themselves in their post-sports career
    - Motivation behind the amazing helpful work she has been doing 
    … and so much more! 


    Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out www.2ndwind.io 

    • 47 min
    90: Kari Mills - From Softball Star to Sports Marketing Leader

    90: Kari Mills - From Softball Star to Sports Marketing Leader

    Have you ever wondered what it takes for an elite athlete to pivot into a successful business leader? Come along as Kari, whose journey from the softball diamond to the boardroom at Life Fitness and Sweat Marketing Lab is nothing short of inspiring, shares her story. Kari opens up about the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from a collegiate athlete to a professional player in Europe, and finally to a powerhouse in the sports marketing industry. Her unique perspective illuminates the evolving landscape of personal branding and the critical steps for athletes, especially women, to carve out their place in the competitive world of endorsements and partnerships.

    Tune in to learn more about:

    - Carrie's background in sports and fitness, including her experience playing college softball and coaching
    - Transitioning from athletics to corporate America and finding her niche in sports marketing
    - The pivotal moment of being laid off and using it as an opportunity for self-discovery
    - Drawing inspiration from Phil Knight's "Shoe Dog" and recognizing the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals
    - Balancing her corporate job with running Sweat Marketing Lab and leveraging technology to manage time effectively
    - The significance of staying true to one's passions and pursuing opportunities aligned with personal values and interests.
    ... and so much more!

    Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out www.2ndwind.io  

    • 39 min
    89: Lee Grantham - The Making of an Ultrarunner Entrepreneur

    89: Lee Grantham - The Making of an Ultrarunner Entrepreneur

    When the final whistle blows on an athlete's career, the silence can be deafening. But for one former football enthusiast from Manchester, that silence heralded the start of an unexpected journey in recruitment and ultimately, a transition to professional running. This episode weaves through the guest's early days, where the stark realities of a small town with limited career guidance clashed with dreams of athletic grandeur, and how a seemingly temporary job became the launchpad for a fulfilling career shift.

    Sport teaches us discipline, teamwork, and a relentless drive for success—and these lessons don't end on the pitch. Our conversation traverses the unlikely odyssey from the football fields of Manchester to the recruitment offices and, astonishingly, onto the running tracks of Granada and Chiang Mai. Discover how our guest harnessed the skills honed in sports to navigate the corporate world and redefine success, swapping the roar of the stadium for the milestones of business and the runner's high.

    Turn in to learn more about:
    The profound significance of having difficult but right discussions with upcoming athletesWhy you should seize every opportunity even those from unfamiliar pathsSwitching his definition and vision of successWhat drew him back to running and why he thought he'd be good ín itThe changes in lifestyle and routine he enforced to optimize his running careerSignificance of learning what it takes for you to succeed The hardest part of trying to maintain a balance and how he dealt with it What he had to let go of and is working to let go to grow in the corporate world… and so much more! 

    Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out www.2ndwind.io  

    Links:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leegrantham 
    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jungle.vip?ig 

    • 1 hr 2 min
    88: David Smith - Conquering Change from a Paralympian's Glory to Wellness Coaching Inspiration

    88: David Smith - Conquering Change from a Paralympian's Glory to Wellness Coaching Inspiration

    When the roar of the crowd fades and the medals settle in their cases, what happens to the titans of the sports world? Join us as Paralympian David takes us through the labyrinth of life after elite competition, laying bare the complexities of transition that go far beyond the podium. From the unanticipated stillness of lockdown to the daunting reality of a personal divorce, David's candid revelation of the highs and lows of his botcha career underscores the resilience required to pivot from athletic glory to new ventures.

    As we traverse David's journey, we uncover the pivotal moments that shaped his post-athletic life, where the tenacity honed on the boccia court finds new expression in the realm of wellness coaching. This episode intertwines the delicate dance of balancing ambition and practicality, as David shares the insights gleaned from facing down the challenges of disability in his daily life, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of education and personal growth. The fortitude that propelled him to become a world champion now fuels his passion for empowering others through nutrition and wellness—a testament to the indomitable spirit of a true champion.

    Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out https://www.2ndwind.io/

    • 47 min
    87: Andrew Barton - An Athlete's Journey to Human Resources Excellence

    87: Andrew Barton - An Athlete's Journey to Human Resources Excellence

    Have you ever wondered what it takes to tackle a career pivot with the same force you'd tackle an opponent on the football field? Andrew, a former collegiate football star turned senior people partner in the cybersecurity industry, joins Ryan to unravel the playbook of his impressive transition. Together, they chart the course from the adrenaline of recruitment to the strategy behind talent management, offering you a seat at the table of an athlete's mind turned corporate maven.

    Shifting gears from the gridiron to the corporate ladder, they unpack the emotional intelligence and tenacity required to excel in human resources. Andrew brings to light the unexpected parallels between athletic coaching and corporate mentorship, sharing how the skills honed in competitive sports serve as a strong foundation for building relationships and fostering continuous improvement in business. His candid narrative, filled with personal growth and universal lessons, will ignite your appreciation for the transformative power of sports on professional development.

    This conversation highlights the importance of finding balance after hanging up the cleats, as Andrew reveals how personal hobbies and a supportive network are crucial in navigating life's transitions. Whether you're a player on the field or a professional charting your next move, this episode promises to inspire and equip you for the journey ahead. So, lace up your cleats one last time and join in for this engaging dialogue that transcends the boundaries of football and forges a path to success in the corporate world.

    Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out https://www.2ndwind.io/

    • 51 min
    86: Dylan Gray - From Rugby Fields to Tech Entrepreneurship and the Birth of Neo eX

    86: Dylan Gray - From Rugby Fields to Tech Entrepreneurship and the Birth of Neo eX

    Have you ever witnessed the raw determination of an athlete as they pivot from fierce competition on the field to the cutthroat arena of business? That's the gripping tale Dylan, our fearless guest, unfolds. His journey from a tenacious rugby player to an innovative entrepreneur at the helm of Neo eX is nothing short of inspiring. As he recounts the meticulous discipline he carried from the rugby pitch to the tech world, you can't help but be drawn into the parallels between scoring tries and navigating the startup ecosystem. Dylan's narrative is more than just a story of career transition; it's a playbook on harnessing the grit of sports for business success.

    Through the lens of Dylan's multifaceted life, we peel back the layers of what it means to balance diverse passions - rugby, acting, and academics - and still find your footing. The conversation takes us on an exciting sprint through his early days of juggling multiple roles, the serendipitous scholarship that led him to the professional rugby fields of Europe, and the mentors who steered his course. His tale is a testament to the idea that the path less traveled, while fraught with hard choices and sacrifices, can lead to enriching life experiences that shape us beyond our expectations.

    But what comes after the final whistle blows on a sports career? For Dylan, it was a period of introspection and a quest for meaningful engagement, culminating in the creation of Neo eX. Wearing the dual hats of founder and CEO, he tackles the challenges of chronic pain and identity loss with the same vigor once reserved for opponents on the rugby field. His story isn't just about personal reinvention; it's a masterclass in setting micro-goals and fostering community through technology. So, lace up your boots, and prepare to be moved by a saga of resilience and rebirth in the tech arena.

    Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out https://www.2ndwind.io/

    Connect with Dylan:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylgray/
    Website: https://www.neoex.io/

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

G2G Sports Invest ,

Professional and inspirational

As a guest on the show, it was a wonderful experience. The process was smooth and professional. The conversation inspirational and enjoyable. Ryan an engaging host. Grateful for the opportunity to have contributed.

Matt37493 ,

Inspiring conversations

It’s uplifting to hear so many diverse stories of athletes who have made the transition from elite competition to a new careers

mhadster ,

Inspirational

Inspirational and Insightful

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