Defining Moments with Dustin

Dustin Heise

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Defining Moments with Dustin Heise is where leadership meets high-performance sport. Dustin, CEO of Canada Snowboard, sits down with the athletes, coaches, and leaders who know what it takes to build strong teams and values-driven cultures. Expect real conversations, practical insights, and a closer look at the world of snowboarding, from Olympic drama to grassroots beginnings.

3d ago

Madison Richardson - Professional Climber, Climbing Escalade Canada

What does it take to compete at the highest level while helping shape the future of your sport? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Madison Richardson, professional climber, Canadian National Climbing Team athlete, and Chair of Climbing Escalade Canada’s Athletes Commission. Madison shares the journey that took her from a young climber to competing on the world stage, including the breakthrough performances that proved to her what was possible when she fully committed to her goals. She also opens up about the pressure that comes with high-performance sport, learning to separate self-worth from results, and the mental work required to keep growing. The conversation explores Madison’s evolution from athlete to leader, her work advocating for athletes within Canadian climbing, and the realities of competing in a sport where resources can be limited. She explains why athlete voices matter in organizational decision-making and how sharing both victories and struggles can help strengthen an entire sporting community. Madison also looks ahead to one of the biggest challenges of her career: pursuing a place at the 2028 Olympic Games. With women’s bouldering becoming its own Olympic discipline, she discusses learning to trust her preparation, embrace the pressure, and give herself permission to see just how far she can climb. It’s a conversation about resilience, leadership, community, self-belief, and continuing to evolve when the next challenge gets higher.
Aug 4

Rob Ohno – President & CEO, ANNIKA Foundation

On this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Rob Ohno, President and CEO of the ANNIKA Foundation, to explore how sport can shape character, leadership, and lives far beyond competition. Drawing from decades of experience across the PGA Tour and global sport, Rob shares why the greatest lessons in athletics have little to do with winning. From coaching his own children to leading a foundation that empowers young women through golf, he reflects on the defining moments that changed his perspective on success, failure, and purpose. The conversation explores why great leaders prioritize learning over results, how community transforms performance, and why every athlete has more than one mountain to climb. Rob also shares the ANNIKA Foundation's mission to develop future leaders through golf and explains why the lessons learned in sport can become the foundation for an extraordinary life. Whether you're a coach, parent, athlete, or leader, this episode is a powerful reminder that the greatest victories aren't measured on a scoreboard—they're measured by the lives we impact.
Jul 28

Nicholas Lord – Co-Founder & CEO, NOCAP Sports

College sports is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in its history, and Nicholas Lord is helping lead the way. As Co-Founder and CEO of NOCAP Sports, Nick is building the commercial infrastructure that helps universities, brands, alumni, and athletes unlock new revenue opportunities in the NIL era. In this episode of Defining Moments, he joins Dustin Heise to discuss why the future of college athletics goes far beyond sponsorships, how athletic departments can rethink their business models, and why resilience has been his greatest advantage as an entrepreneur. Nick shares his perspective on the untapped potential within college sports, the importance of adapting in a rapidly changing industry, and why creating sustainable revenue ultimately creates more opportunities for athletes. He also opens up about the lessons he's learned from building a startup, embracing failure, and leading with a long-term vision. Whether you're a sports leader, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about the future of athletics, this conversation offers an inside look at one of the most significant shifts happening in sports today.
Jul 21

Aaron Eisman - Founder & CEO, Eisman Digital

What does it take to build billions of views in sport? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Aaron Eisman, Founder and CEO of Eisman Digital and one of the leading voices in sports social media. Aaron shares his journey from journalism graduate to helping power social media growth for some of the biggest brands in sport, including the NFL, Bleacher Report, Turner Sports, NBA on TNT, and more. Together, they explore: Why storytelling beats highlights aloneHow teams can create stronger connections between athletes and fansWhat separates great sports brands from the restWhy athletes are becoming brands in their own rightThe role AI will play in the future of content creationWhat organizations can do today to build stronger digital communities tomorrowWhether you're in sport, business, marketing, or leadership, this conversation is packed with practical insights on audience building, culture, innovation, and the future of fan engagement.
Jul 14

Austin Pillado - Associate Head Swim Coach, University of Pittsburgh

What does it take to build athletes who succeed not just in sport, but in life? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Austin Pillado, Associate Head Swim Coach at the University of Pittsburgh and one of the rising leaders in collegiate swimming. Austin shares the defining moment that confirmed coaching was his calling, the importance of building trust before performance, and why the best coaches develop people first and athletes second. From coaching Olympians, NCAA champions, and All-Americans to bringing NCAA-level training and mentorship to East Africa, Austin offers a unique perspective on leadership, culture, and long-term athlete development. The conversation explores: The moment that made Austin realize he was meant to coach Why trust is the foundation of high-performing teams The habits that separate elite performers from talented athletes Lessons learned from bringing high-performance coaching to Tanzania How athletes can stay motivated when progress isn't immediately visible Why patience may be the most important ingredient in long-term success Austin's vision for the future of athlete development Whether you're a coach, athlete, business leader, or parent, this conversation is packed with lessons on leadership, resilience, and developing people for sustained success.
Jul 7

Keirsten Sires - Founder & CEO, 2aDays

What if student-athletes had access to the truth before committing to a college program? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Keirsten Sires, Founder and CEO of 2aDays, to discuss how transparency, trust, and athlete-first leadership are reshaping the college sports landscape. Drawing from her own recruiting experience, Keirsten shares the defining moment that inspired her to build 2aDays and why giving athletes a voice is more important than ever. The conversation explores the realities of the recruiting process, the pressure surrounding Division I athletics, the evolving NIL landscape, and how families can make better-informed decisions about their athletic and academic futures. Dustin and Keirsten also discuss leadership, communication, accountability, and why trust remains the foundation of every successful team and organization. Whether you're a student-athlete, parent, coach, or leader, this episode offers valuable insights on navigating change, building culture, and creating opportunities that put people first.
Jun 30

Garrett Ball – Chief Operating Officer, Golf Canada

In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Garrett Ball, Chief Operating Officer at Golf Canada, to explore the leadership lessons that emerge when sport, business, and purpose intersect. A five-time national lacrosse champion turned executive leader, Garrett shares the defining phone call that shifted his career trajectory and how his competitive drive evolved from the playing field to the boardroom. Together, Dustin and Garrett discuss building intentional cultures, leading through growth, and why protecting culture is one of leadership's most important responsibilities. The conversation also dives into Golf Canada's remarkable growth, the organization's world-class events strategy, and the transformative impact of First Tee – a program that has already reached more than 275,000 Canadian youth through the game of golf. Garrett shares his vision for the future of Canadian sport, the importance of innovation and accessibility, and why sport's greatest legacy extends far beyond the scoreboard. Whether you're a leader in sport, business, or community, this episode offers powerful insights on culture, purpose, and creating lasting impact. In this episode, you'll learn: The defining moment that launched Garrett's executive leadership journey Why culture must be built intentionally - not accidentally How Golf Canada scaled while maintaining a strong organizational culture The impact of First Tee and using sport to develop life skills Why the future of Canadian sport depends on participation, innovation, and accessibility How sport can create lifelong impact beyond wins and losses
Jun 23

Phil Andrews – CEO, USA Fencing

What does it take to lead change in a rapidly evolving sports landscape? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, to explore leadership, innovation, and the realities of transforming sports organizations in an era of constant change. Phil shares lessons from leading major organizational turnarounds, balancing commercial growth with athlete success, and building cultures that embrace accountability and innovation. The conversation dives into strategic planning, managing change, growing participation in sport, leveraging AI, and why communication remains one of the most important leadership skills in any organization. From expanding fencing's reach through creative partnerships and earned media to navigating the opportunities and challenges of emerging technology, Phil offers practical insights for leaders inside and outside of sport. Whether you're leading a national governing body, a business, or a growing team, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on adapting, innovating, and building organizations that thrive in uncertain times.

Defining Moments with Dustin Heise is where leadership meets high-performance sport. Dustin, CEO of Canada Snowboard, sits down with the athletes, coaches, and leaders who know what it takes to build strong teams and values-driven cultures. Expect real conversations, practical insights, and a closer look at the world of snowboarding, from Olympic drama to grassroots beginnings.

Creator

Dustin Heise
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

25
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Defining Moments with Dustin
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Defining Moments with Dustin

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