Elevate 2 Great

Trey Fowler

Elevate 2 Great is the podcast for athletes, sports organizations, and sports business leaders who want to build powerful brands, gain real exposure, and grow their impact both on and off the field. Hosted by the team behind Factory // 11, this show breaks down the strategies shaping the modern sports industry. From athlete branding and recruiting exposure to digital marketing, NIL opportunities, and fan engagement, each episode explores what it takes to stand out in today’s competitive sports landscape. You’ll hear conversations with athletes, coaches, sports executives, and industry leaders who are building successful programs, developing elite athletes, and creating brands that attract real opportunities. If you’re serious about growing your brand, your program, or your athletic career, this podcast will give you the insights, strategies, and mindset needed to elevate your game. Want help growing your brand, program, or athlete exposure? Book a coaching session with the Factory // 11 team:https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session/

Episodes

  1. Jun 1

    Why Most Athletes Don’t Last (Lessons From a 17-Year MLB Career) with Charlie Culberson

    Why do most athletes fall short… while a few find ways to last? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Charlie Culberson, a former MLB player who spent 17 seasons in professional baseball with organizations like the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, and Atlanta Braves. Charlie wasn’t the biggest or the most recruited. But he built a career that most athletes never reach. This episode breaks down what it really takes to survive and succeed at the highest level, including: • How to stand out when you’re overlooked • The mindset needed to push through failure • Why most athletes struggle in the minor leagues • How to embrace your role and stay valuable • What it takes to handle injuries and setbacks From early struggles to clutch moments in the big leagues, this is a blueprint for athletes who want to last. If you're serious about developing as an athlete and creating real opportunities in sports, this episode is a must-listen. Follow Charlie Culberson https://www.instagram.com/charlieculberson/ Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Elevate 2 Great with Charlie Culberson 01:20 Growing Up Around Baseball in Georgia 03:10 Why Playing Multiple Sports Matters for Young Athletes 05:00 Lessons Charlie Learned From His Dad 09:15 Being an Undersized Athlete and Outworking Everyone 11:40 Charlie Culberson’s Recruiting and MLB Draft Journey 18:10 The Reality of Minor League Baseball and Early Failure 23:10 Getting the Call to the MLB and Debuting With the Giants 25:30 Charlie’s Legendary Walk-Off Home Run With the Dodgers 30:15 Is the “Clutch Gene” Real in Baseball? 36:25 Overcoming Injury and Returning After Getting Hit in the Face 46:45 Life After MLB, Broadcasting, and Giving Back to Youth Baseball

    58 min
  2. May 15

    What MLB Scouts Actually Look For (From a New York Mets Scout) with Brett Campbell

    What does it actually take to get noticed by MLB scouts? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Brett Campbell, former MLB pitcher turned scout for the New York Mets, to break down what separates players who get recruited… from those who get overlooked. Brett has seen the game from every angle. Player. Scout. Coach. And what he shares in this episode is what most athletes, parents, and coaches get completely wrong about the recruiting process. This isn’t just about talent. It’s about: How players are evaluatedWhat scouts actually pay attention toThe biggest mistakes athletes makeAnd how to position yourself for real opportunitiesIf you’re serious about playing at the next level, this episode is required listening. Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters:  00:00 Intro: Former MLB Player & Mets Scout Brett Campbell 05:42 Lessons From Growing Up With a Coach as a Dad 11:43 Brett’s Recruiting Journey, Injuries & Transfers 20:04 Grinding Through Minor League Baseball 27:47 Transitioning From MLB Player to Coach & Scout 36:40 What MLB Scouts Actually Look For in Players 43:53 Why “Process Over Results” Changes Everything 49:02 The Biggest Problems in Youth Travel Baseball 55:57 What Needs to Change in Youth Sports Today 58:52 How Parents Should Behave at Games 01:02:42 Playing Time, Tough Conversations & Player Development 01:11:16 Final Take: Why Failure Is Not Your Enemy

    1h 13m
  3. May 1

    The Mindset That Builds Champions (From a 3x World Champion)

    ​​What separates champions from everyone else? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Ann-Marie Saccurato, a 3x WBC Lightweight World Champion, Hall of Famer, and elite performance coach, to break down the mindset, discipline, and resilience required to build greatness. Ann-Marie’s journey is unlike anything you’ve heard. After a near-fatal car accident at 18 years old, doctors told her she might never walk normally again and would never compete in sports. Months later, she was back training and eventually became a world champion. But this episode isn’t just about fighting. It’s about what it really takes to:  • Overcome adversity  • Build an unbreakable mindset  • Develop elite athletes  • Sustain greatness over time If you’re an athlete, coach, or sports organization trying to reach the next level, this is a must-listen. Learn More About Ann-Marie Saccurato Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/am.saccurato RYSE Performance: https://www.instagram.com/ryse_performance_ Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net 0:00 Introduction – 3x World Champion Ann-Marie Saccurato 0:56 Early Sports & Leadership Development 4:13 Overcoming Adversity & Finding Purpose 7:15 The Mindset That Builds Elite Athletes 10:20 Life-Changing Car Accident Story 12:47 Doctors Said She’d Never Compete Again 16:33 Recovery, Training & Mental Toughness 18:08 How She Found Boxing 20:36 From Setbacks to World Champion 33:42 Traits of Elite Athletes & Fighters 40:45 Why Athletes Fail (And How to Fix It) 48:36 Advice for Athletes Facing Adversity

    54 min
  4. Apr 15

    Inside the Fight Business: 23 Years Promoting MMA and Combat Sports with with David Oblas

    What does it take to build a successful combat sports promotion? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with David Oblas, founder and president of NFC Fighting, one of the top MMA and combat sports promotions in Georgia. David has spent more than two decades promoting fights across the Southeast. What started as a love for boxing and pay-per-view fight nights eventually turned into a full-scale promotion hosting events across multiple venues and showcasing fighters on their path to organizations like the UFC. The journey wasn’t easy. David lost money during his first year promoting fights, maxed out credit cards, and even got fired from his restaurant job before committing to fight promotion full-time. In this conversation, David shares the realities of the fight promotion business, the mindset required to stay in the game for more than 20 years, and the lessons he’s learned building one of Georgia’s top combat sports promotions. Topics include • How David Oblas got into fight promotion • The early struggles of building a fight promotion • The moment MMA exploded in popularity • What separates elite fighters from the rest • Common mistakes that derail fighters' careers Learn More About NFC Fighting https://www.nfcfighting.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nfcfights/ https://www.facebook.com/nfcfighting Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 0:00 Introduction to Elevate to Great 0:54 How David Oblas Got Into Fight Promotion 3:22 Losing Money Early and Going All In 5:12 Why He Never Quit 7:10 Why Passion Matters in Business 8:39 Early Obstacles in the Fight Business 10:20 The Fight That Made MMA Explode 12:08 What Sets Great Fighters Apart 15:14 Mistakes New Fight Promoters Make 17:14 Back Surgeries, Leadership, and Asking for Help 22:24 David’s Best Advice: Never Quit and Work Hard 31:46 The Most Unique Fight He Ever Promoted

    37 min
  5. Apr 1

    The Major League Mindset: How Elite Athletes Handle Pressure, Failure, and Adversity

    What does it take to succeed at the highest level of baseball and stay mentally strong through pressure, failure, and adversity? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with former MLB outfielder Brandon Guyer to talk about the mindset that separates elite athletes from everyone else. Brandon played seven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians, helping Cleveland reach the 2016 World Series. Known for his toughness and competitiveness, he led the league in hit by pitches multiple times and finished his career as MLB’s leader in hit by pitch per plate appearance. After retiring, Brandon founded Major League Mindset, where he helps athletes and organizations build resilience and develop routines for peak performance. He has served as the Head Mental Strength Coach for the Los Angeles Angels and currently works with the Virginia Cavaliers baseball. In this conversation, Brandon shares lessons from his MLB career and explains how athletes can build confidence, handle pressure, and perform at the highest level. Elevate 2 Great is powered by Factory // 11, helping athletes, teams, and sports organizations grow their brand through strategic branding, websites, video, and digital marketing. Learn more about Brandon: https://www.brandonguyer.com Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 0:00 Introduction to the Major League Mindset 1:45 Brandon Guyer’s Journey to the MLB 4:30 Hitting a Home Run in His First MLB At-Bat 7:15 What It Takes to Succeed at the Major League Level 10:40 Handling Pressure and Failure in Professional Sports 14:05 The Mental Toughness Elite Athletes Develop 18:10 The Reality of Adversity in Baseball 22:30 Why Routines Matter for Peak Performance 26:45 Lessons from the 2016 World Series Run 31:20 Transitioning from MLB Player to Mental Strength Coach 35:00 Building the Major League Mindset System 39:10 How Athletes Can Develop Confidence and Resilience 43:20 Advice for Young Athletes Chasing the Next Level 46:00 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

    55 min

About

Elevate 2 Great is the podcast for athletes, sports organizations, and sports business leaders who want to build powerful brands, gain real exposure, and grow their impact both on and off the field. Hosted by the team behind Factory // 11, this show breaks down the strategies shaping the modern sports industry. From athlete branding and recruiting exposure to digital marketing, NIL opportunities, and fan engagement, each episode explores what it takes to stand out in today’s competitive sports landscape. You’ll hear conversations with athletes, coaches, sports executives, and industry leaders who are building successful programs, developing elite athletes, and creating brands that attract real opportunities. If you’re serious about growing your brand, your program, or your athletic career, this podcast will give you the insights, strategies, and mindset needed to elevate your game. Want help growing your brand, program, or athlete exposure? Book a coaching session with the Factory // 11 team:https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session/