The Champion Forward Podcast

Champion Forward
  • 5.0 (15)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join Founder and 2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist and John Harrison, VP of Champion Forward, as they engage in meaningful conversations on emotional intelligence, resilience, and connection in athletics. Focused on fostering a mentally and emotionally healthy sports experience, the podcast highlights strategies for personal growth, balance, and fulfillment—both on and off the field. Through discussions with Ambassador Program graduates, athletes, coaches, and other key voices in sports, each episode uncovers unique perspectives on the sports experience.

  1. 09/10/2025

    Back to School: Finding Balance in a New Season

    In this back-to-school episode of the Champion Forward Podcast, John and Ben talk about the shift from summer into the busy fall season. With athletes heading back to school, parents adjusting to new rhythms, and coaches gearing up for the long year ahead, Ben reflects on the challenge of starting a “new race” when the tank already feels low. Together, they share practical insights on how to navigate the pace of a new season, avoid burnout, and stay grounded in what matters most. Drawing from Ben’s experiences as a professional athlete and the tools Champion Forward teaches, they highlight simple but powerful ways to approach this transition with awareness, balance, and connection. This conversation is an encouragement for athletes, parents, and coaches alike: even when life ramps up, there are ways to lead with clarity, fuel your energy, and thrive in the season ahead.

    32 min

  2. 09/03/2025

    CF Ambassador Spotlight - Dr. Tony Suarez & Scott McCord

    In this Ambassador Spotlight episode of the Champion Forward Podcast, John sits down with Dr. Tony Suarez from Indiana and Scott McCord from Illinois to share how their personal journeys led them to Champion Forward. Scott reflects on how his background as a financial advisor and how his passion for mental performance in sports drew him into the movement, while Tony shares the surprising way a TV interview with Ben Zobrist first sparked his interest. Together, they discuss the unique Midwest connections that brought them here, the power of emotional intelligence in both sports and life, and what being a Champion Forward Ambassador has meant for them personally. From family influences to professional insights, their stories highlight the ripple effect that starts when people choose to invest in themselves and others.

    27 min

  3. 08/27/2025

    CF Ambassador Spotlight - Pat Lawson & Steve Thompson

    In this Ambassador Spotlight, John sits down with two leaders who’ve traveled different paths but share a common mission—investing in people through sports and service. Steve Thompson, Athletic Director at Baldwin Wallace University, and Pat Lawson, former Athletic Director turned nonprofit leader in Nashville, join the conversation to reflect on their journeys in athletics and beyond. Together, they share insights on what it means to lead with purpose, build community, and stay grounded while navigating the highs and lows of leadership. From the lessons learned as athletes and administrators to their passion for shaping lives off the court, Steve and Pat open up about the values and relationships that continue to drive them forward. This episode is a reminder that true impact in sports extends far beyond the scoreboard—it’s about connection, influence, and the legacy we leave behind.

    37 min

  4. 08/20/2025

    CF Ambassador Spotlight - Tim Owen & Carson Smith

    In this Ambassador Spotlight episode of the Champion Forward Podcast, John Harrison sits down with Carson Smith from DeKalb, Illinois, and Tim Owen from the Pacific Northwest. Tim shares his journey as a sports dad of three competitive athletes, opening up about the challenges of navigating pressure, failure, and emotion in youth sports. From difficult car rides home to the search for healthier sideline culture, Tim explains how small connections led him to Champion Forward and how the tools have shaped his family’s approach to athletics. Carson also reflects on his own experiences as an athlete and ambassador, highlighting the power of emotional intelligence and community in sports. Together, the conversation explores what it looks like to build resilience, connection, and perspective in the game—and beyond.

    28 min

  5. 06/04/2025

    CF Ambassador Spotlight - Mike Kohl & Andrew Hasik

    In the final episode of this special Champion Forward Ambassador Series, John is joined by two Illinois-based leaders, Mike Kohl and Andrew Hasik, for an honest conversation about leadership, family, and showing up well for the people who matter most. Mike, a longtime high school football coach, athletic director, and father of six, shares how the program challenged him to slow down, embrace vulnerability, and be intentional in his leadership at work and home. Andrew, a youth coach and father, reflects on the pressures of performance culture in youth sports and how Champion Forward’s tools have helped him shift his focus from outcomes to connection. Together, they trade stories about growth, fatherhood, and the power of emotional awareness — offering practical takeaways for coaches, parents, and leaders at every level. To learn more about the Champion Forward Ambassador Program or get involved, visit championforward.org.

    30 min

  6. 05/28/2025

    CF Ambassador Spotlight - Eric Baer & Ian Sanders

    In this fourth episode of our Winter 2025 Ambassador Program interview series, John sits down with two local leaders in youth sports and education — Eric Baer and Ian Sanders — as they reflect on their experience in the Champion Forward Ambassador Program. Ian, a high school counselor and head baseball coach at a high school in Franklin, Tennessee, shares how the program challenged him to slow down, be present, and lead with intentionality on and off the field. Eric, a longtime coach and father, opens up about how the tools of emotional awareness and authentic connection have reshaped the way he parents, coaches, and navigates life’s pressures. From the baseball diamond to playing outside in the neighborhood, this conversation is filled with honest stories and practical wisdom for parents, coaches, and leaders working to show up better for the people who matter most. To learn more or sign up for the next Champion Forward Ambassador Program, visit championforward.org/ambassador.

    23 min

  7. 05/21/2025

    CF Ambassador Spotlight - Michelle Donnelly & Antonio Marshall

    In this third episode of our Winter 2025 Ambassador Program interview series, John welcomes two standout graduates of the Champion Forward Ambassador Program: Michelle Donnelly and Antonio “Tone” Marshall. Together, they share how the program’s emphasis on emotional awareness, presence, and intentional leadership has reshaped how they show up in their families, careers, and communities. Tone, a husband, father of four, and university chaplain, reflects on integrating Champion Forward’s tools into his roles as a leader and father — embracing the importance of creating space for vulnerability and authentic connection. Michelle, a coach and mother from Franklin, Tennessee, opens up about the shift from performance-driven parenting to meaningful, grace-filled relationships, and how language like “emotional cheq-ins” has transformed conversations in her home. To learn more about the Champion Forward Ambassador Program, visit championforward.org.

    29 min

  8. 05/14/2025

    CF Ambassador Spotlight - Kristylyn Baker & Brian Harris

    In this second episode of our Winter 2025 Ambassador Program interview series, John Harrison welcomes two passionate leaders from the youth sports world — Kristylyn Baker and Brian Harris. Kristylyn, an educator supporting student-athletes at Elite Academic Academy in California, shares how the program deepened her ability to connect meaningfully with the students and families she serves. Brian, a former pro baseball player and founder of Harris Training in Nashville, opens up about integrating emotional intelligence and intentional leadership into his coaching philosophy, shifting from performance-driven pressure to presence and connection. Together, they discuss the growing importance of mental and emotional wellness in youth sports, the value of self-awareness for leaders, and how Champion Forward’s tools are reshaping their relationships both on and off the field. To learn more or join the next Ambassador Program, visit championforward.org.

    21 min
See All (54)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Join Founder and 2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist and John Harrison, VP of Champion Forward, as they engage in meaningful conversations on emotional intelligence, resilience, and connection in athletics. Focused on fostering a mentally and emotionally healthy sports experience, the podcast highlights strategies for personal growth, balance, and fulfillment—both on and off the field. Through discussions with Ambassador Program graduates, athletes, coaches, and other key voices in sports, each episode uncovers unique perspectives on the sports experience.

Information