Jun 23

Episode 75: Season 5: In conversation with...Dave Jones "Soccer after 40...and your chance to be involved in an over 40s World Cup in 2027

The Pro Player Podcast – Introduction Featuring Dave Jones Welcome back to The Pro Player Podcast, where we sit down with the people who have lived the game at the highest levels and are now shaping its future. Whether you're a current player, a former pro, a coach, or someone who simply loves the beautiful game, this show is about the stories, lessons, and opportunities that continue long after the final whistle. Today's guest is someone whose soccer journey has taken him across continents, cultures, and levels of the game that few people ever experience. Joining us today is David Jones, Head Coach of the U.S. Senior National Soccer Legacy Program. Dave is a former professional player whose career began at Manchester United before taking him to top leagues in Hong Kong, Spain, Germany, and the United States. After a 16-year professional playing career, he transitioned into coaching and built an impressive résumé that includes international work with American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Belize, professional clubs, and collegiate programs. But what makes this conversation especially important isn't just Dave's experience. It's his mission. Too many athletes believe that once they reach a certain age, their competitive career is over. Dave is helping prove that's simply not true. Through the U.S. Senior National Soccer Legacy Program, elite players over 40 and over 50 have a structured pathway to continue competing at a national and international level. The program provides player identification events, national team selection opportunities, international tours, exhibition matches, and participation in global competitions. It was built to honor the past while creating meaningful opportunities for players who still have the passion, commitment, and ability to compete. In this episode, we'll talk about Dave's incredible journey from professional player to international coach, the lessons he's learned from working around the world, and what separates athletes who continue to perform at a high level from those who stop challenging themselves. We'll also discuss the growth of senior soccer in the United States, why competitive opportunities for experienced players matter, and how the game can continue to impact people's lives well beyond their twenties and thirties. Dave shares his vision for creating a true legacy pathway—one that allows former college players, former professionals, military veterans, and elite amateur players to continue pursuing excellence while representing something bigger than themselves. Most importantly, Dave wants people to get involved. Whether you're a former player wondering if you still have one more chapter left in your soccer story, a coach looking to contribute, a supporter who believes in growing the game, or someone who wants to help create opportunities for the next generation, this conversation is an invitation. An invitation to reconnect with competition, community, and the passion that brought us all to soccer in the first place. The game doesn't end when you stop playing professionally. It evolves. It creates new challenges, new teammates, and new opportunities to represent something meaningful. Today, we're talking about that next chapter. So if you've ever asked yourself, "Could I still compete?" or "How can I stay involved in the game I love?" this is an episode you won't want to miss. This is The Pro Player Podcast.

53 min

Jun 14

Episode 74: Season 5: In conversation with...Matthew Clement, Training Centre Manager FIFA

Welcome back to the Pro Player Podcast, the show where we explore the journeys, philosophies, and experiences of the people helping shape the future of elite sport. Today's guest is Matthew Clement, a football development leader whose work sits at the intersection of coaching, player development, education, and long-term strategic thinking within the global game. Matt has built a career around one of the most important questions in football: how do we create environments that help players reach their full potential? Whether that's through coaching methodology, talent development pathways, coach education, or building systems that support sustainable success, his work has consistently focused on helping people and organisations develop at the highest level. Currently working with FIFA and the FIFA Training Centre, Matt plays an important role in sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices with coaches, practitioners, and football professionals across the world. Through educational programmes, webinars, learning resources, and collaborations with some of the game's leading minds, he has helped contribute to the ongoing evolution of football development on a global scale. What makes Matt's perspective particularly valuable is his ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. He understands the realities of player development from the grassroots level all the way through to the professional game, and he brings a strategic lens that looks beyond short-term results toward long-term growth and sustainable excellence. Alongside his practical experience, Matt has also continued to invest in his own education and development. He recently completed a Master's degree in Sports Directorship, deepening his understanding of football strategy, governance, recruitment, talent identification, succession planning, squad building, and organisational leadership. This combination of practical experience and academic insight gives him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing modern football. In this conversation, we explore the realities of developing players in today's game, the importance of creating effective learning environments, how coaches can continue to evolve their craft, and what the future of football development might look like as the sport continues to change at an unprecedented pace. We also discuss leadership, decision-making, talent pathways, and the lessons Matt has learned from working alongside some of the most respected coaches, educators, and practitioners in football. Whether you're a player looking to maximise your potential, a coach searching for new ideas, a practitioner working in performance environments, or simply someone fascinated by the process of developing talent, there is a huge amount to take away from this conversation. So sit back, enjoy the episode, and get ready for an insightful discussion with a man who is helping shape how football learns, develops, and grows around the world. This is the Pro Player Podcast with Matthew Clement.

1h 11m

Jun 14

Episode 73: Season 5: In conversation with...Jake Lister "Who am I when..." (Youth Pathway Lead Sheffield United Women FC)

Welcome back to The Pro Player Podcast, the show where we explore the stories, experiences, and lessons from the people shaping the future of sport and performance. Today's guest is someone who represents the evolving face of modern coaching—where performance excellence and human development go hand in hand. Joining us is Jake Lister, a coach, educator, and developer whose work spans academy football, coach education, and athlete development. Throughout his career, Jake has built a reputation for looking beyond the traditional metrics of success and focusing on what truly drives long-term performance: people. In a sporting landscape often dominated by tactics, results, and outcomes, Jake brings a refreshing perspective. His philosophy centers on creating environments where players can thrive not only as athletes, but as individuals. Whether working with developing players, supporting coaches, or helping shape football environments, he has consistently championed the idea that great coaching extends far beyond the technical and tactical aspects of the game. What makes Jake's journey particularly compelling is the breadth of experiences that have shaped his approach. From grassroots football to elite development environments, from coaching on the pitch to mentoring the next generation of coaches, he has developed a unique understanding of the challenges facing athletes and practitioners in today's game. Along the way, he has navigated personal challenges, professional growth, and the ongoing balancing act that comes with pursuing excellence while maintaining perspective and wellbeing. In this conversation, we're going to explore some of the most important topics facing modern sport. We'll discuss how coaching has evolved over the last decade, the role of emotional intelligence in player development, and why the best coaches are often the best communicators. We'll dive into the importance of creating psychologically safe environments where athletes can learn, grow, and perform at their highest level. We'll also talk about leadership, identity, resilience, and the responsibility coaches have in shaping the experiences of young athletes. Jake shares valuable insights into what separates good coaches from great coaches, how to build meaningful relationships with players, and why performance and wellbeing should never be viewed as competing priorities. For players, coaches, practitioners, and anyone working within high-performance environments, this episode offers practical lessons and thought-provoking perspectives that extend well beyond sport itself. It's a conversation about growth, purpose, self-awareness, and the human side of performance—topics that are becoming increasingly important as we continue to redefine what success looks like in modern sport. Whether you're working in professional football, coaching at the grassroots level, supporting athletes behind the scenes, or simply interested in leadership and human performance, there is something in this episode for you. So settle in as we dive into a fascinating conversation with a coach who is helping shape the future of player development by putting people at the center of the process. This is The Pro Player Podcast, and today's guest is Jake Lister. Enjoy the show.

1h 24m

May 24

Episode 72: Season 5: In conversation with...Shelly Shrestha, Chief Operating Officer Coachbetter Ltd "Life in the C Suite"

Welcome back to the Pro Player Podcast — the show where we bring you the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of the game on and off the field. Today’s episode is one that every coach, club leader, and ambitious football professional is going to take something from. Our guest today is Shelly Shrestha, the Chief Operating Officer at Coachbetter — one of the most innovative football technology and coach development platforms in the game today. With more than a decade of experience across strategy, consulting, and SaaS product delivery, Shelly has become a key figure in helping modern football organizations rethink how they educate coaches, develop players, and build better systems for long-term success. In this conversation, we go deep into the changing landscape of football development, the role technology now plays in coaching education, and why creating better environments for coaches ultimately creates better experiences for players. Shelly shares her journey into leadership, what it takes to scale a football-focused tech company globally, and why the future of the game belongs to organizations willing to innovate, collaborate, and embrace learning. We also dive into the challenges that still exist within football — from access and opportunity to diversity and representation — and discuss how the game can continue evolving in a more inclusive and forward-thinking direction. Shelly brings a unique blend of business leadership, operational expertise, and genuine passion for football development, and that combination makes this episode incredibly valuable whether you’re coaching grassroots, working in the professional game, or trying to build your own pathway in sport. Coachbetter has worked to simplify and modernize the football environment by giving coaches and clubs tools for session planning, player development, communication, education, and performance management all in one place. Their mission is centered around empowering coaches and helping players reach their full potential through smarter systems and better support. This episode is packed with insight into leadership, growth, innovation, and the future of football coaching. If you’re serious about improving your environment, developing players more effectively, or simply learning from people operating at a high level in the game, you’re going to enjoy this one. Before we get started, if you’re interested in joining our female-only mentoring group or want to connect with us at The Pro Player Soccer, head over to The Pro Player Soccer for more information and ways to get in touch. And if you want to learn more about Shelly and the incredible work being done at Coachbetter, make sure you check out Coachbetter. Now sit back, enjoy the conversation, and welcome to the Pro Player Podcast.

59 min

May 23

Episode 71: Season 5: In conversation with...Alexis Doss (Instagram's tough Love Coach) "Reinvention is about figuring out who you are when things fall apart"

Listener Warning: This episode of The Pro Player Podcast contains explicit language, strong opinions, and adult themes throughout the conversation. Listener discretion is advised. Welcome back to The Pro Player Podcast. Today’s episode is raw, honest, unfiltered, and packed with the kind of conversation that will either challenge you, motivate you, or make you uncomfortable in all the right ways — and honestly, that’s exactly the point. Our guest today has 100,000 followers on Instagram Alexis Doss, better known online as “The Tough Love Coach.”. No fake motivation. No polished “guru” act. No pretending life changes overnight because you watched a few inspirational videos. Alexis has built her platform around radical honesty, accountability, self-awareness, and helping people stop hiding behind excuses. You can check out her work at The Tough Love Coach Website and on Instagram at @thetoughlovecoach. What makes Alexis different is that her message comes from lived experience. She’s openly talked about rebuilding her life after toxic relationships, burnout, struggles with mental health, and completely reinventing herself multiple times over. Instead of hiding those chapters, she uses them as proof that growth is messy, uncomfortable, and never linear. And that’s exactly why this conversation fits so perfectly on The Pro Player Podcast. Because being a “pro player” isn’t just about sport. It’s not just about contracts, trophies, or what happens when the cameras are on. It’s about mindset. Discipline. Identity. Pressure. Confidence. Reinvention. It’s about figuring out who you are when things fall apart, when your confidence gets tested, and when nobody is coming to save you. In this episode, Alexis and I go deep into the realities that so many people avoid talking about publicly. We talk about why people stay stuck in cycles they secretly hate. We unpack fear, procrastination, self-sabotage, relationships, emotional regulation, social media addiction, entrepreneurship, and the pressure to constantly “have it all together.” One of the things I appreciated most about this conversation is that Alexis doesn’t speak in clichés. She challenges the way people think. She calls out performative self-help culture and talks openly about building discipline without destroying yourself in the process. There’s also a huge crossover here with elite athletes and high performers. So many players struggle silently with identity once sport stops defining them. So many people tie their confidence to achievements, followers, money, or relationships. Alexis speaks directly to that. She talks about creating standards instead of constantly chasing approval, becoming comfortable being misunderstood, and why real confidence is built through repeated action and self-trust. What I also loved is that this episode doesn’t pretend growth is clean or glamorous. There are moments that are funny, emotional, brutally blunt, and deeply reflective. There’s swearing, uncomfortable truths, and a level of honesty that a lot of people are afraid to have publicly. So if you’re someone navigating change, rebuilding confidence, trying to rediscover purpose, or simply becoming more honest with yourself about what’s holding you back, this episode is going to resonate. So wherever you’re listening from — in the car, at the gym, on a walk, or winding down after a long day — lock in for this one. This is The Pro Player Podcast with Alexis Doss, “The Tough Love Coach.”

1h 20m

Mar 24

Episode 70: Season 5: In conversation with Allie Mastrangelo "mental health in college soccer from the student athlete perspective"

Welcome back to the podcast — today’s episode is one I’m really excited about, because we’re diving into the real journey behind being a student-athlete, a goalkeeper, and someone who’s building something bigger than just sport. Today, I’m joined by Allie Mastrangelo — known online as @AllisonGK2025 — a collegiate goalkeeper currently playing at the NCAA Division II level, who’s not just putting in the work on the pitch, but also documenting the reality of life as a student-athlete off it. From early morning lifts to late-night studying, from training sessions to recovery days, Allison has been sharing a transparent look into what it actually takes to balance football, academics, and personal development at a high level. But what really stands out about her journey is that it’s not just about performance — it’s about perspective. In a world where social media often shows the highlight reel, Allison is doing something different. She’s opening up conversations around mental health, athlete identity, and the pressures of recruitment and college sport — topics that don’t get talked about enough, but affect so many players coming through the system today. Throughout her journey, she’s also been actively involved in initiatives and conversations that support younger athletes — helping them understand not just how to improve as players, but how to navigate the challenges that come with chasing a sporting career. Whether it’s sharing training routines, day-in-the-life content, or honest reflections, she’s building a platform that goes beyond football. And that’s exactly why this conversation matters. Because today, we’re not just talking about goalkeeping. We’re talking about: what it really takes to reach the college level,how to handle the ups and downs of performance,the reality of the recruitment process,and how to stay grounded when the pressure starts to build.We also get into her personal experiences — the challenges she’s faced, the lessons she’s learned, and the advice she’d give to the next generation of players trying to follow a similar path. If you’re a player, a coach, a parent, or anyone involved in the game, there’s something in this episode for you. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this conversation with Allison — as we go inside the mindset, the journey, and the reality of life as a modern-day student-athlete.

55 min

Mar 24

Episode 69: Season 5: In conversation with Bailey Stokes "Setting out in your sports industry career"

Welcome back to The Pro Player Podcast, where we dive deep into the journeys, the mindset, and the real stories behind the people building careers in the game. Today’s guest is someone who represents the next generation of football professionals working behind the scenes to shape environments, support athletes, and build pathways into the game — Bailey Stokes. Currently working within the collegiate system in the United States as a team manager in women’s soccer, Bailey has quickly immersed herself in the high-performance world, gaining hands-on experience in elite environments while still early in her career. Alongside that, she’s taken on roles in coaching and administration, developing a well-rounded understanding of the game from multiple angles — from grassroots development right through to the demands of competitive college sport. What makes Bailey’s journey so interesting is not just where she is now, but how quickly she’s building a foundation across different areas of the game. Whether it’s working on the training ground, supporting team operations, or helping create environments where players can thrive, she’s gaining insight that many don’t access until much later in their careers. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to break into the football industry, especially on the other side of the touchline. We talk about the realities of starting out, the importance of adaptability, and why saying yes to opportunities — even when they’re outside your comfort zone — can open doors you never expected. We also dive into the differences between the U.S. college system and other development pathways, and what young players and aspiring coaches can learn from that environment. Bailey shares her experiences of balancing multiple roles, building relationships within teams, and the lessons she’s learned from being inside a high-performance culture day in, day out. This is a conversation for anyone looking to carve out their own path in football — whether that’s as a player, a coach, or working behind the scenes. So, if you want to understand what it takes to get your foot in the door, build real experience, and grow within the game… This one’s for you. Let’s get into it.

35 min

Mar 24

Episode 68: Season 5: In conversation with...Cathy Gruss "Helping You Bring Your Vision To Life" - this special episode is dedicated to all members of our armed services around the world - "we will remember them"

Welcome back to The Pro Player Podcast, where we explore the journeys, mindsets, and stories behind high performers from every corner of the world. Today’s guest is someone whose work sits at the intersection of resilience, identity, and the power of the human spirit. I’m joined by Cathy Gruss—an author, speaker, and advocate whose story is one of strength, courage, and transformation. Cathy’s journey is deeply moving. As a survivor, she has taken her life experiences and turned them into a mission—to educate, inspire, and empower others. Through her writing and speaking, she sheds light on the realities of trauma, healing, and what it truly means to rebuild and rediscover yourself after life’s most difficult moments. Her work doesn’t just tell a story—it creates impact. Cathy challenges perspectives, encourages difficult but necessary conversations, and reminds us all of the importance of empathy, awareness, and inner strength. She represents a level of mental toughness and emotional resilience that, in many ways, mirrors what we talk about in sport—but in a far more profound, human context. In this episode, we go deep. We talk about adversity, mindset, recovery, and the lessons that athletes, coaches, and leaders can take from experiences that go far beyond the pitch. This is a conversation about perspective, about gratitude, and about what really matters. This is one of those episodes that stays with you. More Info at https://cathygruss.com Let’s get into it. And before we begin, I want to take a moment to dedicate this episode. As this conversation was recorded around Remembrance Sunday, we dedicate this episode to all members of the military who have served and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Your courage, your commitment, and your willingness to stand for something greater than yourselves will never be forgotten. This episode is a reminder of perspective—of sacrifice, resilience, and service. We honour you, we remember you, and we thank you.

1h 34m

The ProPlayer Podcast

Episode 75: Season 5: In conversation with...Dave Jones "Soccer after 40...and your chance to be involved in an over 40s World Cup in 2027

Episode 74: Season 5: In conversation with...Matthew Clement, Training Centre Manager FIFA

Episode 73: Season 5: In conversation with...Jake Lister "Who am I when..." (Youth Pathway Lead Sheffield United Women FC)

Episode 72: Season 5: In conversation with...Shelly Shrestha, Chief Operating Officer Coachbetter Ltd "Life in the C Suite"

Episode 71: Season 5: In conversation with...Alexis Doss (Instagram's tough Love Coach) "Reinvention is about figuring out who you are when things fall apart"

Episode 70: Season 5: In conversation with Allie Mastrangelo "mental health in college soccer from the student athlete perspective"

Episode 69: Season 5: In conversation with Bailey Stokes "Setting out in your sports industry career"

Episode 68: Season 5: In conversation with...Cathy Gruss "Helping You Bring Your Vision To Life" - this special episode is dedicated to all members of our armed services around the world - "we will remember them"

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The ProPlayer Podcast

Episodes

Episode 75: Season 5: In conversation with...Dave Jones "Soccer after 40...and your chance to be involved in an over 40s World Cup in 2027

Episode 74: Season 5: In conversation with...Matthew Clement, Training Centre Manager FIFA

Episode 73: Season 5: In conversation with...Jake Lister "Who am I when..." (Youth Pathway Lead Sheffield United Women FC)

Episode 72: Season 5: In conversation with...Shelly Shrestha, Chief Operating Officer Coachbetter Ltd "Life in the C Suite"

Episode 71: Season 5: In conversation with...Alexis Doss (Instagram's tough Love Coach) "Reinvention is about figuring out who you are when things fall apart"

Episode 70: Season 5: In conversation with Allie Mastrangelo "mental health in college soccer from the student athlete perspective"

Episode 69: Season 5: In conversation with Bailey Stokes "Setting out in your sports industry career"

Episode 68: Season 5: In conversation with...Cathy Gruss "Helping You Bring Your Vision To Life" - this special episode is dedicated to all members of our armed services around the world - "we will remember them"

Ratings & Reviews

About

Information