Elevate 2 Great

Trey Fowler

Elevate 2 Great is the podcast for athletes, sports organizations, and sports business leaders who want to build powerful brands, gain real exposure, and grow their impact both on and off the field. Hosted by the team behind Factory // 11, this show breaks down the strategies shaping the modern sports industry. From athlete branding and recruiting exposure to digital marketing, NIL opportunities, and fan engagement, each episode explores what it takes to stand out in today’s competitive sports landscape. You’ll hear conversations with athletes, coaches, sports executives, and industry leaders who are building successful programs, developing elite athletes, and creating brands that attract real opportunities. If you’re serious about growing your brand, your program, or your athletic career, this podcast will give you the insights, strategies, and mindset needed to elevate your game. Want help growing your brand, program, or athlete exposure? Book a coaching session with the Factory // 11 team:https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session/

  1. 2 days ago

    Why So Many Parents Accidentally Hold Their Athletes Back

    Most parents want what's best for their athlete. But what if some of the things meant to help are actually holding them back? In Episode 12 of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with leadership coach, author, speaker, and Florida PGF State Director Bill Hoopes to discuss the lessons every athlete, parent, and coach needs to hear. From overcoming childhood adversity and serving in the United States Navy to leading one of the nation's largest girls fastpitch softball organizations, Bill shares how leadership, communication, consistency, and purpose can transform athletes both on and off the field. Whether you're raising a young athlete, coaching a team, or chasing your own goals, this conversation is filled with practical advice that reaches far beyond sports. In this episode you'll learn: - Why parents unintentionally create pressure for young athletes - How to help athletes build confidence without tying identity to performance - The importance of consistency over short-term results - Lessons Bill learned from military leadership - What families should know about the recruiting journey - Why leadership begins at home - How athletes can become the best version of themselves Connect with Bill:  https://www.leadyourjourney.com https://www.instagram.com/60forme https://x.com/60formeLYJ https://www.youtube.com/@60-ForMe https://www.tiktok.com/@60forme Elevate 2 Great Links & Resources:  Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters:  0:00 Who Is Bill Hoopes? From the Navy to Youth Softball 7:17 How Rejection Teaches Athletes Perseverance and Patience 16:32 How Coaching His Daughter Changed His Approach to Youth Sports 28:48 How Travel Softball Has Changed for Athletes and Parents 37:21 Why Athletes Should Not Tie Their Identity to Performance 40:13 How Parents Can Stop Putting Too Much Pressure on Athletes 43:35 What Needs to Change in Youth Softball Today 45:53 Why Parents and Coaches Need to Take Care of Themselves 57:08 How Parents Accidentally Hold Their Athletes Back 1:00:45 Why Taking Care of Yourself Makes You a Better Sports Parent

  2. 1 Sept

    Why Most Athletes Never Fully Recover From Injuries with Dr. Drew Yeager

    What if the biggest mistake athletes make after an injury is the advice they're most often given? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Dr. Drew Yeager, founder of Moveworx Sport and Spine Clinic, to discuss injury recovery, athletic performance, movement, mobility, and the habits that keep athletes on the field. After suffering multiple injuries that ended his opportunities to play college football, Drew was forced to confront the loss of his athletic identity. That experience ultimately led him to dedicate his career to helping athletes recover smarter, move better, and perform at a higher level. This episode covers: • Why injuries impact more than just your body • The biggest mistakes athletes make during recovery • Why mobility matters just as much as strength • How athletes can reduce their risk of injury • What coaches and parents need to know about long-term development Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or someone dealing with chronic pain, this conversation is packed with practical advice that can help you stay healthy and active for years to come. Connect with Drew:  www.moveworxclinic.com Elevate 2 Great Links & Resources:  Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters:  0:00 Why Most Athletes Never Fully Recover From Injuries 2:54 How Injuries Affect an Athlete’s Identity 9:10 What Are the Most Common Youth Sports Injuries? 17:30 How Should Athletes Warm Up to Prevent Injuries? 26:53 Should Young Athletes Play Multiple Sports? 34:28 Why Recovery Is Just as Important as Training 38:32 How Sleep and Stress Affect Pain and Recovery 46:34 The Best 30-Minute Workout for Busy People 53:09 What Is the Most Overlooked Area for Athletes?

  3. 15 Aug

    The Mental Skills Every Athlete Needs with Heather Larkin, Ed.D., LMHC, MGCP, MPM

    What separates athletes who perform at their best under pressure from those who fall apart when adversity strikes? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Heather Larkin, Ed.D., LMHC, MGCP, MPM, founder of ALL IN Counseling & Mental Performance and Founder & CEO of the Beyond the Game Foundation. Heather has spent years helping athletes, parents, and coaches understand the mental side of performance. Through her ALL IN Mindset™ system, she teaches athletes how to build confidence, overcome fear, handle pressure, and develop the resilience needed to succeed both on and off the field. This episode covers: • Why mental toughness is a skill that must be taught • How confidence is built through daily mental reps • The biggest mistakes parents and coaches make • Why perfectionism hurts athlete performance • How athletes can respond instead of react to adversity Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, or sports organization leader, this episode offers practical strategies that can improve performance while protecting the mental wellbeing of young athletes. Upcoming Event: Heather and the Beyond the Game Foundation are hosting the Student-Athlete Development & Future Readiness Summit on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 1:00–4:00 PM at Farmhouse Sports Academy in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Designed for student-athletes in grades 7–12 and their families, the summit will cover mental performance, wellness, leadership, college and career pathways, financial literacy, and more. Connect with Heather:  http://theallinpro.com https://beyondthegamefoundationinc.com https://allinrecruit.com Elevate 2 Great Links & Resources:  Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters:  0:00 - Meet Mental Performance Expert Heather Larkin 4:31 - How Athletes Build Mental Toughness 9:12 - Hard Work, Self-Belief, and Confidence 15:39 - The ALL-IN Mental Performance Framework 20:30 - Overcoming Perfectionism in Sports 28:49 - Visualization, Breathing, and Positive Self-Talk 36:41 - How Coaches Can Support Athletes’ Mental Health 43:08 - What Parents Should Say After a Bad Game 58:41 - The Mental Skills Every Athlete Needs

  4. 1 Aug

    Why High Performers Burn Out (And How to Prevent It) with Laura Robichaux

    Why do so many successful athletes, coaches, executives, and high achievers eventually burn out? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Laura Robichaux, a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, behavior change strategist, and founder of By Way of Grey. After building a successful career working with major brands and global organizations, Laura reached a breaking point. Her experience with burnout led her to completely rethink what sustainable success actually looks like. This episode explores: • Why high performers often ignore burnout warning signs • The simple habits most successful people overlook • How coaches can have a lasting impact on athletes • Why your identity should never be tied solely to performance • How to build success without sacrificing yourself Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, entrepreneur, or executive, this conversation offers practical lessons for building a healthier, more sustainable path to success. Follow Laura Robichaux Website: www.bywayofgrey.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bywayofgrey/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Laura_Robichaux Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 01:08 How Sports and Coaching Can Change a Life 06:46 The Hidden Cost of High Performance and Burnout 11:40 Why Coaches Must Help Athletes Feel Seen 18:17 The Foundations Elite Performers Often Ignore 22:38 Why Athletes Can't Tie Identity to Performance 24:22 Sleep, Recovery, and the Science of Peak Performance 39:00 Processing Failure, Grief, and Athletic Identity 52:11 The Simple Habits That Lead to Greatness

  5. 15 Jul

    How One Baseball Dad Solved a Massive Travel Ball Problem with Sean Holbrooks

    What happens when a travel baseball parent encounters a problem that nobody seems able to solve? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Sean Holbrooks, founder of Pickup Portal, a platform helping players find pickup opportunities while helping teams keep their schedules intact. After spending years navigating the travel baseball world with his son, Sean saw firsthand how difficult it was for players to find teams and for coaches to fill roster gaps. Instead of accepting the problem, he built a solution. This episode covers: • How Pickup Portal connects players and teams • Why many travel sports parents focus on the wrong things • Lessons learned from raising an athlete through travel baseball • What it takes to build a business from an idea • Why taking risks often lead to bigger opportunities Whether you're a travel ball parent, coach, athlete, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers valuable lessons about sports, business, and pursuing your passion. Follow Pickup Portal https://pickupportal.com https://www.instagram.com/pickupportal/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556981788989 Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 00:00 Meet Pickup Portal Founder Sean Holbrooks 03:35 How Pickup Portal Helps Travel Baseball Players Find Teams 06:47 The Biggest Challenges Facing Travel Ball Families Today 10:23 Are Young Athletes Playing Too Much Baseball? 14:29 The 5 AM Routine That Built Discipline and Success 17:20 Leaving the 9-to-5 to Build a Business 22:32 Advice Every Travel Ball Parent Needs to Hear 36:32 Toxic Sports Parents, Recruiting, and Team Culture 50:56 The "What If?" Mindset for Sports and Business Success

  6. 1 Jul

    What It Really Takes to Reach the Next Level in Baseball with Travis Bergen

    What does it actually take to go from overlooked to the Major Leagues? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with former MLB pitcher Travis Bergen (a walk-on turned big leaguer) to break down the real path to high-level success in baseball. Travis wasn’t a top recruit. He didn’t throw elite velocity early. And he wasn’t handed anything. But through development, discipline, and learning what actually works, he built a career that took him from Kennesaw State to the MLB, and now into elite player development as Director of Pitching at Maven Baseball Lab. This episode is packed with real, actionable insight for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to understand what it really takes to reach the next level. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: - Why most athletes choose the wrong path during recruiting - The biggest difference between minor league and MLB hitters - How to actually develop velocity and command (what works + what doesn’t) - Why routine and preparation create real confidence - What Travis learned from MLB players during injury rehab - The truth about why some players make it… and others don’t 🏆About Travis Bergen Travis Bergen is a former MLB pitcher who debuted with the San Francisco Giants after being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. A former walk-on at Kennesaw State turned team captain, Travis now serves as Director of Pitching at Maven Baseball Lab, helping athletes develop using elite-level data and training systems. Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 0:00 Intro: MLB Pitcher Travis Bergen's Journey to the Big Leagues 1:37 How Travis Bergen Fell in Love with Baseball 4:49 Learning to Handle Failure and Build Mental Toughness 7:20 College Recruiting Mistakes Young Players Should Avoid 10:06 How Strength Training Added Velocity and Changed His Career 19:01 Getting Drafted and Overcoming Tommy John Surgery 25:20 The Mindset Shift That Helped Him Reach MLB 42:23 Starter vs Reliever: How the Routine Changes in Pro Baseball 57:07 How Young Players Can Improve Velocity, Command, and Confidence

  7. 15 Jun

    Inside the Mind of One of America’s Top High School Pitchers with Matthew Sharman

    What does it actually take to become elite? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Matthew Sharman, one of America’s top high school pitchers, a University of Georgia commit, Team USA athlete, and potential future MLB draft pick, to break down the mindset, discipline, faith, and consistency required to compete at the highest level. This conversation goes far beyond baseball. Matthew opens up about handling pressure, learning through failure, balancing faith with competition, and the sacrifices required to chase greatness. From mental performance and leadership to recruiting, routines, and identity beyond the game, this episode is packed with lessons for athletes, parents, coaches, and competitors at every level. In this episode: - The mindset behind elite athletes - How great players handle failure and pressure - The sacrifices required to reach the next level - Faith, leadership, and identity beyond baseball Connect with Matthew: Instagram – @matthew_sharman10 Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 0:00 Inside the Mind of an Elite High School Pitcher 1:45 How Did Matthew Sharman Fall in Love With Baseball? 5:30 What Makes Great Coaches So Important for Athletes? 9:15 How Do Elite Athletes Stay Calm Under Pressure? 13:45 How Should Athletes Handle Failure and Adversity? 18:45 What Is the Best Mental Routine for Success? 22:00 What Makes Someone a Great Teammate? 25:15 What Separates Good Players From Great Players? 28:45 How Do Elite Athletes Recover and Stay Focused? 33:00 What Advice Would Matthew Give His Younger Self? 36:30 How Did Matthew Commit to the University of Georgia? 39:45 How Faith Shapes Performance, Leadership, and Success

  8. 1 Jun

    Why Most Athletes Don’t Last (Lessons From a 17-Year MLB Career) with Charlie Culberson

    Why do most athletes fall short… while a few find ways to last? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Charlie Culberson, a former MLB player who spent 17 seasons in professional baseball with organizations like the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, and Atlanta Braves. Charlie wasn’t the biggest or the most recruited. But he built a career that most athletes never reach. This episode breaks down what it really takes to survive and succeed at the highest level, including: • How to stand out when you’re overlooked • The mindset needed to push through failure • Why most athletes struggle in the minor leagues • How to embrace your role and stay valuable • What it takes to handle injuries and setbacks From early struggles to clutch moments in the big leagues, this is a blueprint for athletes who want to last. If you're serious about developing as an athlete and creating real opportunities in sports, this episode is a must-listen. Follow Charlie Culberson https://www.instagram.com/charlieculberson/ Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Elevate 2 Great with Charlie Culberson 01:20 Growing Up Around Baseball in Georgia 03:10 Why Playing Multiple Sports Matters for Young Athletes 05:00 Lessons Charlie Learned From His Dad 09:15 Being an Undersized Athlete and Outworking Everyone 11:40 Charlie Culberson’s Recruiting and MLB Draft Journey 18:10 The Reality of Minor League Baseball and Early Failure 23:10 Getting the Call to the MLB and Debuting With the Giants 25:30 Charlie’s Legendary Walk-Off Home Run With the Dodgers 30:15 Is the “Clutch Gene” Real in Baseball? 36:25 Overcoming Injury and Returning After Getting Hit in the Face 46:45 Life After MLB, Broadcasting, and Giving Back to Youth Baseball

About

Elevate 2 Great is the podcast for athletes, sports organizations, and sports business leaders who want to build powerful brands, gain real exposure, and grow their impact both on and off the field. Hosted by the team behind Factory // 11, this show breaks down the strategies shaping the modern sports industry. From athlete branding and recruiting exposure to digital marketing, NIL opportunities, and fan engagement, each episode explores what it takes to stand out in today’s competitive sports landscape. You’ll hear conversations with athletes, coaches, sports executives, and industry leaders who are building successful programs, developing elite athletes, and creating brands that attract real opportunities. If you’re serious about growing your brand, your program, or your athletic career, this podcast will give you the insights, strategies, and mindset needed to elevate your game. Want help growing your brand, program, or athlete exposure? Book a coaching session with the Factory // 11 team:https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session/

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