The Athlete Effect™ with Bonnie Bernstein

Bonnie Bernstein
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Once an athlete, always an athlete. Did you know 94% of female C-suite executives played sports? The Athlete Effect™ explores how sports build leadership, resilience, discipline, and confidence that fuel success long after the final whistle.Hosted by Emmy-winning sports journalist and former Division I gymnast Bonnie Bernstein, the show features athletes-turned-leaders across business, sports, media, medicine, entertainment, and tech.Featured guests include:Cathy Engelbert — WNBA CommissionerDominique Dawes — Olympian, entrepreneur & investorGinger Zee — ABC News Chief MeteorologistJessica Mendoza — ESPN analyst & OlympianKit Hoover — Host, Access HollywoodKristyn Cook — State Farm CMOMolly Battin — The Home Depot CMODr. Theresa Williamson — NeurosurgeonVernice “Fly Girl” Armour — First Black female combat pilot, U.S. militaryThe Athlete Effect™ is the companion podcast to The Champion’s Edge on ABC, where Bonnie Bernstein serves as creator, host, and executive producer.Download and follow for conversations on leadership, mindset, and performance beyond the game—a playbook for athletes, parents, and coaches.

  1. 2d ago

    From Walk-On to Commissioner: Jacqie McWilliams Parker's College Sports Legacy

    She walked onto two teams at Hampton University and nearly got kicked off one of ’em for bad grades. Could anyone have predicted then that Jacqie McWilliams Parker would one day become the first Black woman to lead an NCAA athletic conference, in any division? Probably not. That’s how stories become fairy tales. Since 2012, “The Commish” has led the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s oldest conference for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In this candid conversation, Jacqie shares how the confidence she developed through basketball and volleyball helped her squash the self-doubt that crept in early in her tenure. Jacqie reflects on the instability of growing up as a military kid and the sense of belonging she found on the court when she struggled to feel comfortable off it. She offers candid advice to high school athletes pursuing the next level and opens up about the deeper work of learning to love the person she sees in the mirror. In one of the most emotional moments of the conversation, Jacqie shares her journey to “locking” her hair, the boundary she drew when others challenged that choice, and the strength she found on the other side. This episode may change how you see leadership, confidence, legacy, and what it really means to earn your power. Topics covered: Jacqie McWilliams Parker, CIAA Commissioner, HBCU, D1, D2, D3, leadership, relationships, conflict management, being a good teammate, spirituality, transitions, confidence, letting go, vunerability, compassion, the joy and innocence of sport. Show Notes and Socials:  CIAA:  https://theciaa.com/ Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ciaasports/?hl=en Jacquie McWilliams-Parker: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqie-mcwilliams-parker-7ab5551/ Insta -  https://www.instagram.com/ciaacommish/?hl=en The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    From Walk-On to Commissioner: Jacqie McWilliams Parker's College Sports Legacy

  2. Aug 11

    Kristyn Cook: From Syracuse Basketball to State Farm CMO

    Slumps happen. Keep shooting. A lesson State Farm CMO Kristyn Cook learned from her high school basketball coach and one she’s carried with her from her days as a Syracuse hoops player throughout her 25+ year career in the insurance industry. In this episode, Kristyn joins Bonnie to talk about a pivotal decision she faced when her family moved during her sophomore year of high school and how that moment shaped the way she approaches life, sports and career. A Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year, senior captain and member of Cuse’s 1995-96 Big East Co-Championship team, she also speaks candidly about balancing academics and athletics at a major university and the role her parents played in empowering her and her two sisters to pursue college sports. Kristyn has been a State Farm “lifer,” but her career hasn’t been without its slumps. She shares how her athlete mindset helped her navigate challenges early in her career as an insurance agent, giving her the confidence and moxie to take on new roles and responsibilities along the way. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, sports parent or young professional, Kristyn’s story is a powerful reminder that the mindset you build through sports can serve you long after the final buzzer. Topics covered: Kristyn Cook CMO State Farm, Syracuse basketball, betting on yourself, women's team sports leadership, NIL, vulnerability in leadership, personal branding, authenticity, perseverance. Show Notes and Socials:  Drive by Daniel K Pink - Leadership Book   https://www.danpink.com/books/drive/Kristyn Cook:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyncookturner/The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    Kristyn Cook: From Syracuse Basketball to State Farm CMO

  3. Aug 4

    Black Belts & Boardrooms: How Taekwondo Helped Shelby Williams-González Become a Nonprofit CEO

    Inner City Arts CEO Shelby Williams-González believes her leadership philosophy was forged on the taekwondo mat. A first-degree black belt at age 12. A silver medalist at the National Collegiate Taekwondo Championships her freshman year at UC Berkeley. A career that, until college, entailed training and competing primarily against boys and men. Shelby's never been afraid of getting kicked in the face, literally or figuratively. During this week's conversation with Bonnie, Shelby shares how martial arts and professional dance shaped the resilience, discipline, and confidence that now define her leadership as a nonprofit CEO. She reflects on a childhood where sports were a way of life, sparks a lively debate over whether dancers are athletes or artists (or both!), and explains what it feels like to be in the zone as a dancer, known as "catching the ghost." Shelby also reflects on a mental health challenge during the pandemic that crystallized the importance of staying active long after competition ends, and offers thoughtful advice for athletes who are contemplating stepping away from sports. Whether you're an athlete entering your next chapter, a nonprofit leader building resilience, or someone balancing multiple passions, this episode is a reminder that the life skills developed through sports can become the foundation for lifelong leadership. Topics covered: Shelby Williams-González, CEO of Inner City ArtsLeadership lessons from taekwondo and martial artsBecoming a black belt at age 12National Collegiate Taekwondo ChampionshipsAthlete-to-artist career transitionDefining dancers as athletes or artists"Catching the ghost" and being in the zone as a dancerNonprofit leadership and arts educationMental health, resilience, and staying activeShow Notes and Socials: Donate to Inner City Arts: https://inner-cityarts.org/donate/ Inner City Arts:  https://inner-cityarts.org/staff/shelby-williams-gonzalez/info@inner-cityarts.orgShelby Williams-González: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-williams-gonz%C3%A1lez-4490a352/@shelbywillgonzThe Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    Black Belts & Boardrooms: How Taekwondo Helped Shelby Williams-González Become a Nonprofit CEO

  4. Jul 28

    From the Backcourt to the Boardroom: How CMO Vanessa Wallace Built Iconic Brands for Michael Jordan, Rihanna and Jay-Z

    Marketing executive Vanessa Wallace has run point for Nike’s Jordan Brand, Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, and GLD, which counts Jay-Z as a major investor. How'd she prepare for those high-pressure roles? Playing hoops for the Texas Longhorns. Vanessa dishes on how her four years as a starter on The Forty Acres equipped her with the team-building skills, preparation and discipline necessary to mobilize and lead elite teams in her career and bring out the best in each colleague.  She reflects on the courage it took to leave Nike after nearly two decades, the impact of Hall of Fame coach Jody Conradt, and how she learned to balance the toughness of an elite athlete with vulnerability, after losing her father and brother. Whether you work in marketing, aspire to enter the field, are navigating a career transition, or want to apply athlete leadership principles to your professional life, this episode offers powerful lessons on executive leadership, brand building, and personal growth.Topics covered: Vanessa Wallace CMO, Nike marketing career, Savage X Fenty, GLD, life skills from sports, preparation, intention, authenticity in leadership, grief, calculated risk-taking, career reinvention. Show notes and Socials:  GLD: https://www.gld.com/https://www.instagram.com/shopgld/https://www.tiktok.com/@shopgld?lang=enVanessa Wallace: https://www.instagram.com/vdub14/https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-wallace/The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    From the Backcourt to the Boardroom: How CMO Vanessa Wallace Built Iconic Brands for Michael Jordan, Rihanna and Jay-Z

  5. Jul 21

    She Replaced a UNC Legend at 22, Then Won the NCAA Championship: Erin Matson

    At 23, Erin Matson became the youngest Division I head coach to win an NCAA championship. Less than two months after graduating from the University of North Carolina, and after capturing four national titles as a Tar Heels player, Erin faced her next big test: taking the reins from Hall of Fame coach Karen Shelton. In this episode, Erin shares how the preparation and attention to detail she mastered on the field helped her earn one of the most prestigious jobs in college field hockey, and how she's evolved her communication style with players and assistants to build trust and keep her team aligned. Erin reflects on the pivotal role her family played in her development as an athlete, opens up about her Olympic aspirations, and shares her unique perspective on how student-athletes can approach NIL opportunities while intentionally building their personal brands. Whether you're a student-athlete, aspiring or current leader, parent, or coach, Erin's wisdom in this episode will resonate far beyond the game. Topics covered: Erin Matson, UNC field hockey, NCAA national championship, leadership, confidence, personal branding, NIL, coaching, young leaders, earning trust. Show notes and Socials:  UNC Field Hockey: https://www.instagram.com/uncfieldhockey/?hl=enhttps://www.tiktok.com/@carolinafieldhockeyhttps://goheels.com/sports/field-hockeyErin Matson:  https://www.instagram.com/erin_matson/https://www.tiktok.com/@erin_matsonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/erinsmatson/The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: instagram.com/BonnieBernstein  https://www.tiktok.com/discover/bonnie-bernstein     twitter.com/BonnieBernstein     https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    She Replaced a UNC Legend at 22, Then Won the NCAA Championship: Erin Matson

  6. Jul 14

    A Sprinter’s Mindset: How Donna Lamar Became a Creative Leader at Spotify, Twitter & Wieden+Kennedy Through Resilience, Reinvention and Empathy

    "You can't have 'amazing' without hard." It's the mantra Donna Lamar learned on the track and the leadership philosophy that's guided her entire career. The former Texas Tech sprinter has built an award-winning creative and production career, leading teams at Spotify and Twitter while shaping campaigns for iconic brands like Nike and Gatorade. One of the biggest influences on her success? A winding journey as a student-athlete that took an unexpected turn. In this week's conversation with Bonnie Bernstein, Donna explores how sports gave her the confidence to take risks, the resilience to reinvent herself, and the empathy to bring out the best in every colleague. Candidly reflecting on the end of her track career, she reveals why the moments that don't go according to plan often become the ones that shape us most. Whether you're transitioning out of sports, navigating a career pivot, leading a team, or simply wondering if the hard work is worth it, this episode is your reminder that resilience isn't built when everything goes right, it's forged in the moments that challenge who you are. Show Notes and Socials:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-lamar-0160875/https://www.instagram.com/donnamuses/https://x.com/StalkingMusesAd Campaigns Highlighted  by Donna Lamar:  First Wieden+Kennedy "Just Do It" - https://youtu.be/0yO7xLAGugQ?si=758xSS5qAVHIWngHW+K "If you let me play" - https://youtu.be/AQ_XSHpIbZE?si=i8KPV24Fe2m4pCjbThe Secret Tournament: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN8kTFPhQToThe Athlete Effect™ : instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/twitter.com/BonnieBernsteininstagram.com/BonnieBernstein

    A Sprinter’s Mindset: How Donna Lamar Became a Creative Leader at Spotify, Twitter & Wieden+Kennedy Through Resilience, Reinvention and Empathy

  7. Jul 7

    Elissa Kalver: From College Field Hockey Goalie to Stage 4 Cancer Thriver & Social Entrepreneur

    As a field hockey goalie at Babson College, Elissa Kalver knew every move she made... mattered. Little did she know then that an athlete mindset built on resilience, perseverance, and the ability to "control the controllables" would one day help her navigate profound loss, entrepreneurship, and a Stage 4 HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer diagnosis just days before her daughter's first birthday. At Babson, Elissa refused to lower either her academic or competitive standards. When a torn ACL and a dislocated shoulder ended her playing career, she immediately sought a replacement for the adrenaline rush of athletic competition. She quickly found it: sales.  That same drive has powered every aspect of Elissa's life after college sports: a record-breaking run in financial services, a stint as a gym owner, the loss of her brother, her terminal breast cancer diagnosis and her mission to turn pain into purpose with her nonprofit WeGotThis.org, the first gift registry for cancer patients.   Elissa joins Bonnie Bernstein to discuss the athlete's instinct to push through pain, why that mindset can become dangerous when it comes to your health, and how her mission to help others has been such a meaningful part of her cancer journey. Elissa is an author, sought-after speaker, wife and mother thriving with cancer, inspiring others to find joy each day, even amidst challenges.  Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, entrepreneur, or navigating cancer, this conversation explores athlete mindset, resilience, leadership, early detection, and the power of showing up when life doesn't go according to plan. Connect with Elissa Kalver, Live Like it Matters and WeGotThis.Org https://www.instagram.com/elissakalver/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissakalver/https://www.youtube.com/@livelikeitmatterspod?si=99Cip0ECRoaxLmHNhttps://www.tiktok.com/@elissakalverhttps://www.instagram.com/wegotthisorg?utm_source=qrThe Athlete Effect™ : instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/twitter.com/BonnieBernsteininstagram.com/BonnieBernstein

    Elissa Kalver: From College Field Hockey Goalie to Stage 4 Cancer Thriver & Social Entrepreneur

  8. Jun 30

    From Club Sports to the C-Suite: What College Volleyball Taught Former Sun Bum CEO Cynthia Herrera

    NCAA sports aren’t the only path to executive leadership, just ask former Sun Bum CEO Cynthia Herrera. Cynthia spent more than 20 years in executive sales and marketing roles at global consumer goods giant SC Johnson (think Windex, Pledge, Raid, and Method), including a six-year stint leading Sun Bum. In this conversation with Bonnie Bernstein, she shares how her club volleyball experience at Western Michigan helped shape the leadership style that propelled her into the C-suite centered on communication, quick, clear decision-making, and building trust through inclusion. With more than 2 million college club athletes in the U.S. each year, about four times the number of NCAA athletes, Cynthia’s story highlights an often-overlooked path beyond high school sports, where athletes can continue developing real-world skills that translate directly into career success. But this episode goes beyond milestones. Cynthia opens up about vulnerability, imposter syndrome, and setting boundaries, and shares stories highlighting why the strongest teams are built on trust, honesty, and real human connection. If you’re a student-athlete, or a parent of one, contemplating life after high school sports, this episode is for you. Especially if the NCAA route isn’t in the cards. Follow Cynthia Herrera on... Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiamherrera/Instagram: @cmh929The Athlete Effect™: instagram.com/the_athlete_effect tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect  Bonnie Bernstein: twitter.com/BonnieBernsteininstagram.com/BonnieBernsteinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/

    From Club Sports to the C-Suite: What College Volleyball Taught Former Sun Bum CEO Cynthia Herrera
See All (16)

About

Once an athlete, always an athlete. Did you know 94% of female C-suite executives played sports? The Athlete Effect™ explores how sports build leadership, resilience, discipline, and confidence that fuel success long after the final whistle.Hosted by Emmy-winning sports journalist and former Division I gymnast Bonnie Bernstein, the show features athletes-turned-leaders across business, sports, media, medicine, entertainment, and tech.Featured guests include:Cathy Engelbert — WNBA CommissionerDominique Dawes — Olympian, entrepreneur & investorGinger Zee — ABC News Chief MeteorologistJessica Mendoza — ESPN analyst & OlympianKit Hoover — Host, Access HollywoodKristyn Cook — State Farm CMOMolly Battin — The Home Depot CMODr. Theresa Williamson — NeurosurgeonVernice “Fly Girl” Armour — First Black female combat pilot, U.S. militaryThe Athlete Effect™ is the companion podcast to The Champion’s Edge on ABC, where Bonnie Bernstein serves as creator, host, and executive producer.Download and follow for conversations on leadership, mindset, and performance beyond the game—a playbook for athletes, parents, and coaches.

Information