Ahead In The Count

BIP Wealth

On top of over 25 years of professional baseball experience, the BIP Wealth baseball division has established successful careers as financial advisors, helping newly drafted to recently retired players meet their financial goals. Take away something fresh, or find clarity on what was confusing before in the intersection of life on and off the field on Ahead in the Count, presented by BIP Wealth, with Nolan Alexander.

  1. FEB 5

    Ahead In The Count Ep. 115 - Inside College Baseball's First Pitch

    Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth. Georgia Tech Hall of Famer and legendary college baseball coach Danny Hall, alongside former Yellow Jacket Chase Murray, discuss college baseball pre-season preparation, training strategies, and what it takes to succeed before the first pitch of the season. Biggest Preparation Challenges (Early Discussion) Pitchers: Managing throwing programs during December-January break Weather dependency affecting practice schedules and development Balancing between overworking and underworking during the off-season The importance of non-conference wins for NCAA tournament resume building Mental Game & Routine Building How fall ball differs from spring competition mindset Developing consistent daily routines before the season starts The psychology of seeing opponents in different uniforms Building confidence through process-driven preparation "Fall Stars" Phenomenon Why some players dominate in fall ball but struggle when games count The importance of coaching trust and patience during slow starts Managing the long season from mid-February through June Peaks and valleys throughout the baseball season Newcomer Integration Transfer portal players joining established programs How freshmen adjust to college baseball's elevated competition The reality check: "Nobody cares who you were before you got here" Building respect and earning playing time Importance of veteran leadership in setting team culture Academic Success Systems Managing class load during fall vs. spring semester Creating homework routines around travel schedules The value of academic advisors and support systems Chase's homework strategy Getting ahead of assignments to avoid late-night cramming before games NIL & Revenue Share Financial Planning Handling 1099 documents from NIL deals Tax implications for college athletes BIP Wealth's role in helping athletes manage money Working with tax advisors (Allie Powell) for proper planning Final Advice for First-Year Players Danny Hall: Learning to handle failure and bounce back quickly Chase Murray: Preparing for off-speed pitches and staying disciplined at the plate The transition from high school success to college competition To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

    22 min
  2. JAN 26

    Ahead In The Count Ep. 114 - Essential Spring Training Prep Checklist

    Getting ready to report to spring training? Former pro ballplayers Jeremy Hermida and Chase Murray share insider advice on preparing for spring training, from physical preparation to financial planning. Whether you're heading to Arizona or Florida, this episode covers everything minor leaguers need to know before packing their bags. Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth. Key Topics Covered Housing (Priority #1) Book early - Prices increase as spring training approaches Secure your housing in January, not February Costs rise significantly the longer you wait Transportation Ship your car vs. rent - Consider the $1,200-$1,500 cost each way Arizona complexes may require different planning than Florida Factor in where you'll be assigned for the season Having your own vehicle vs. finding a teammate with a car Financial & Tax Documents Set up mail forwarding or have someone collect mail at home Tax documents start arriving during spring training Send financial documents to your advisor immediately LLC expenses - Track them throughout the season, not just in December Business Considerations for Players Off-Season Income Baseball camps and clinics Part-time work (Uber, etc.) Track all business expenses if you have an LLC Keep receipts and notes throughout the season Expense Management Use a dedicated credit card for business expenses Write everything down, even if you're unsure it qualifies Let your financial advisor determine what's deductible Review credit card and bank statements during the off-season Mental Preparation Getting in the Zone Arrive at complex early to flip the switch mentally Separate from off-season distractions and noise Access to facilities, coaches, and weight rooms before official report date Nothing replicates actual on-complex preparation Setting Goals Review what you did last season Set personal and financial goals for 2026 Every season is a new chapter of your career Control your preparation, not the outcome "You're only as good as your next at-bat" Action Items Before You Leave ✅ Secure spring training housing ✅ Arrange transportation (ship car or rental) ✅ Set up mail forwarding ✅ Notify financial advisor of your spring training location ✅ Gather any outstanding tax documents ✅ Track off-season business expenses ✅ Ramp up baseball activities ✅ Set personal and professional goals for 2026 Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count! To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com,

    14 min
  3. 10/29/2025

    Ahead In The Count Ep. 110 - Welcome Danny Hall

    Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth. In this episode, get to know the newest member of BIP Wealth! Danny Hall joined as Vice President of Strategic Growth. Hall has long been connected to BIP Wealth, first through Randy Carroll, BIP's Chairman, and has coached a total of 5 current BIP team members over the years who played baseball at Georgia Tech (Michael Sorrow, Kyle Schmidt, Chase Murray, Drew Byers, and John Giesler). Hall and his family have been clients of BIP's Baseball Division since 2007 and had the privilege of having Jim Poole as their Personal Wealth Advisor before he succumbed to ALS in 2023. During his career, Hall racked up 1,452 wins across 38 seasons as a head coach of which 32 seasons were spent at Georgia Tech. He ranked 10th in NCAA Division I history in career wins before deciding to step away from coaching after the 2025 season. While at Georgia Tech, Hall guided the team to 7 ACC regular-season championships, 5 ACC Tournament titles, 24 NCAA Tournament berths and 3 College World Series. Across 32 seasons, Hall saw 146 players selected in the Major League Draft, with 41 going on to play in the major leagues. Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count! To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

    16 min
  4. 10/14/2025

    Ahead In The Count Ep. 109 - Arizona Fall League: Inside Baseball's Prospect Showcase

    Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth. In this episode, discover what makes the AFL a premier opportunity for baseball's rising stars. Learn how the league brings together the best prospects from all 30 MLB organizations to compete in a unique six-week showcase that runs from early October through November. In this episode, you'll learn: How the Arizona Fall League works and which prospects get selected The logistics of AFL participation: housing, pay, and travel arrangements Why scouts from every MLB organization attend these games The laid-back yet competitive atmosphere that makes AFL special Behind-the-scenes stories from John Hester's AFL experience playing alongside future stars like Max Scherzer How the league has evolved to include more international prospects What the AFL means for player development and trade opportunities Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count! To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

    14 min
  5. 09/30/2025

    Ahead In The Count Ep. 108 - Private Investment News with Mark Flickinger

    Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth. In this episode, Mark Flickinger returns to discuss why the fall of 2025 presents a unique opportunity for investing in private markets. The conversation covers current market dynamics, the importance of manager selection, and new accessibility options for private market investments. Key Topics Discussed Why Now Is an Attractive Time for Private Markets Valuation opportunities Buy low strategy Market fundamentals Current Market Dynamics Capital constraints Opportunity zone Consolidation potential The Private Market Shakeout Market correction: Approximately 50% fewer venture funds active compared to recent peak years Discipline matters Long-term perspective: Removing the COVID-era bubble reveals a consistent growth trajectory from 2017-forward Increased Accessibility to Private Markets Evergreen funds and BDCs 401(k) developments IRA options: Self-directed IRAs already enabling private market participation with tax advantages Investment Considerations for Ballplayers Manager selection is critical: Not all private equity returns are equal - performance varies significantly by manager Portfolio fit: Best investment available isn't always the right one for individual circumstances Professional guidance: Importance of working with experienced managers who evaluate deals daily Tax efficiency: Private credit investments work well in tax-advantaged accounts Please like, subscribe, and rate this podcast episode of Ahead in the Count! To contact the hosts, send an email to jhester@bipwealth.com, kschmidt@bipwealth.com, cmurray@bipwealth.com, or jhermida@bipwealth.com

    21 min

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About

On top of over 25 years of professional baseball experience, the BIP Wealth baseball division has established successful careers as financial advisors, helping newly drafted to recently retired players meet their financial goals. Take away something fresh, or find clarity on what was confusing before in the intersection of life on and off the field on Ahead in the Count, presented by BIP Wealth, with Nolan Alexander.