H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here)

PlayerProps.ai

H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) is a weekly show hosted by Trevis Waters — founder of PlayerProps.ai and one of the most unconventional builders in the modern sports world. Each episode features a 1-on-1 conversation with someone who's taken a nontraditional path in sports, betting, content creation, or entrepreneurship. No fluff. No highlight reels. Just real stories, smart risks, and the decisions that shaped the journey. Whether you're a bettor, builder, creator, or someone figuring out your next move — this show helps you learn how others actually got here, and how you might too.

  1. 25/11/2025

    Episode 20 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Paris Smith

    In this episode of H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here), I sit down with Paris Smith, one of the most influential leaders in the global sports betting industry. As the longtime CEO of Pinnacle, Paris helped shape the modern sports wagering landscape — from pricing innovation to risk management, sharp-friendly markets, and building one of the most respected brands in the world. We dive into: Her journey into sports betting leadership Building and scaling a global sportsbook brand What separates great operators from the rest The future of betting, data, and customer experience Lessons from decades at the top of the industry What she’s working on now and where she sees the industry evolving next This episode is packed with insight, wisdom, and perspective from someone who has truly been there and changed the game. If you’re into sports betting, entrepreneurship, leadership, or the behind-the-scenes world of iGaming… this is a must-watch. — H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) A weekly podcast featuring unfiltered conversations with the people who shaped the sports betting world — founders, operators, creators, and innovators — and the stories behind their rise. — Watch the full episode now: https://youtu.be/Sb2PTjkWGrU Like the video Drop a comment Subscribe for more episodes every week #SportsBetting #ParisSmith #Pinnacle #Sportsbook #iGaming #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #HowIGotHere #PlayerPropsAI #TrevisWaters

    33 min
  2. 18/11/2025

    Episode 19 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Jamie Garcia

    This is an episode of the H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast hosted by Trevis Waters, featuring guest Jamie Garcia. The episode details Jamie Garcia's professional evolution, covering her journey from her childhood interests to her current role in the gaming industry. Key highlights from Jamie Garcia’s journey: Early Interests & College She initially wanted to be a marine biologist [01:47], an interest that changed after working in a pet store kennel. She pursued an interest in pharmacology [03:48] before deciding to switch her degree focus to electronic engineering [06:11] in 2006. Entry into the Gaming Industry Jamie fell into the gaming space in October 2010 while still in college, starting at WMS Gaming in a marketing logistics role that involved setting up trade shows [07:28]. She became a full-time employee of WMS in March 2012 [13:08]. Career Transitions Her initial role ended in July 2015 due to the Scientific Games acquisition of WMS [15:04]. She later returned to Scientific Games in November 2015 as a Program Manager [16:43]. In 2019, she shifted roles internally to a Quality Assurance/Software Engineer Testing role to learn the intricate, technical workings of slot machines [20:52]. She transitioned to GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) as an Account Executive in January 2022, moving her focus from land-based to online gaming certification and gaining a 100% customer-facing role [26:29]. Her current role at Continent 8 began in April 2024, where she works across the IT vertical, focusing on hosting and cybersecurity for the gaming industry [01:05]. Jamie also discusses the importance of her experience testing slot machines as one of the most critical "butterfly effects" that gave her a fundamental understanding of platforms in the industry [32:54]. The video is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg0n_wa1Zvg

    35 min
  3. 11/11/2025

    Episode 18 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - John Wright

    Episode 18 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - John Wright (Channel: PlayerProps ai - Learn How To Bet & Stop Losing) In this episode of the How I Got Here podcast, host Trevis Waters sits down with John Wright, the founder of Stats Drone, to trace his remarkable career journey through engineering, professional gambling, and the iGaming industry. John shares his story, which includes: Engineering Roots: His early passion for problem-solving, which led him to study Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in robotics and AI at the University of Toronto, where he helped build soccer-playing robots [02:17]. The Unexpected Pivot: The surprising shift straight out of university into the world of professional gambling and online casino bonus hunting in the early 2000s, where he was making up to $1,000 an hour through analytical strategy [21:34]. The iGaming Rollercoaster: His move to the operator side of the casino business as a VIP/Affiliate Manager and the subsequent pivot to becoming an iGaming affiliate himself in 2010, which he describes as a profitable but ultimately "mindless" and boring role [30:55], [33:41]. The "Butterfly Effect": The story of his 2015 houseboat trip, an intentional "unplugging" that led to the idea for Stats Drone, a software solution designed to solve the statistical and reporting problems faced by iGaming affiliates [46:25], [52:48]. Founding Stats Drone: The challenges of building his software company, including an initial unsuccessful launch, before finally finding product-market fit in 2021 and going all-in on his passion for problem-solving and engineering [49:13], [50:20]. John emphasizes the importance of following your passion over chasing money, and how finding the right challenge—in his case, building Stats Drone—reignited his drive to succeed.

    57 min
  4. 04/11/2025

    Episode 17 - H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast - Sue Schneider

    Welcome to Episode 17 of the H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) Podcast! I'm your host, Trevis Waters, and on this episode, we sit down with the wonderful Sue Schneider. Sue has a fascinating and diverse career journey that spans social work, publishing, and three decades in the iGaming and sports betting industries. In this episode, we discuss: Early Ambitions: Her initial passion for travel and wanting to be a flight attendant, followed by a brief interest in the medical field. A Life of Service: The 12 years she spent as the first Executive Director for Youth in Need in St. Charles, Missouri—a non-profit she helped build from the ground up to support runaway youth. The Pivot to Gaming: Her 10 years of freelance writing and editing that led to her first venture into the gaming world with a riverboat casino publication. Building a Global Empire: Founding River City Group in 1999 and creating an international portfolio of B2B iGaming events and publications (including Gigsy and EIG) before successfully selling the company to Clarion. Driving North American Growth: How she teamed up with SBC in 2018 to spearhead their expansion into the North American market following the Supreme Court's ruling on sports betting. Defying the Odds: Her newest venture as a co-founder of Defy the Odds, a launchpad dedicated to supporting innovation and providing a voice for startups and underrepresented groups in the industry. Sue’s career is a masterclass in adapting, building community, and maintaining a relentless focus on policy and systematic improvement. Tune in to hear how Sue Schneider got here! Connect with Sue Schneider & Defy the Odds: Defy the Odds Website: defytheodds.com You can also find Sue on LinkedIn! Podcast Details: Host: Trevis Waters Channel: PlayerProps ai - Learn How To Bet & Stop Losing New episodes every Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. Eastern Time.

    50 min

About

H.I.G.H. (How I Got Here) is a weekly show hosted by Trevis Waters — founder of PlayerProps.ai and one of the most unconventional builders in the modern sports world. Each episode features a 1-on-1 conversation with someone who's taken a nontraditional path in sports, betting, content creation, or entrepreneurship. No fluff. No highlight reels. Just real stories, smart risks, and the decisions that shaped the journey. Whether you're a bettor, builder, creator, or someone figuring out your next move — this show helps you learn how others actually got here, and how you might too.