Pre-Zero Sports Talk

Sid Bensalah
  • 5.0 (6)
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Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, with over 30 years of global sports industry experience, this podcast isn’t about quick fixes or empty talk. It’s a platform for authentic, purpose-driven conversations that go beyond the game to explore how sports can drive positive, actionable change. Born from a passion for impact, Pre-Zero Sports Talk dives into today’s most pressing themes: performance and well-being, leadership, innovation, coaching, community impact, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, governance, geopolitics, and more. Each episode cuts through the noise and greenwashing, engaging with trailblazers, changemakers, and thought leaders to uncover solutions and inspire new perspectives. This is a space for real conversations with real people about real issues — stories that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark transformation. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, business leader, or someone who believes in the power of sport to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you. Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, inspires, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in shaping a cleaner, safer, and more connected world — one episode at a time.

  1. I Spent My Life Trying to Prove Myself — Until I Found What Really Matters

    6D AGO

    I Spent My Life Trying to Prove Myself — Until I Found What Really Matters

    Send us Fan Mail On the milestone Episode 100 of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, Sid Bensalah sits down with Dr. Jack Groppel, a sports science pioneer and author of Mountains Within, for a raw, deeply personal conversation about success, faith, and identity. From a childhood shaped by a demanding father to a lifelong drive to prove himself, Jack opens up about what he calls “achievement addiction” — the relentless pursuit of external validation. Despite working with elite athletes and leading organizations such as the Human Performance Institute, he reveals that success alone was never enough. A turning point came during a 1996 hospitalization, when isolation forced him to confront deeper questions about purpose, relationships, and faith. What followed was a journey of transformation — guided by mentors, grounded in faith, and ultimately reshaped by fatherhood after adopting his son from China. Jack shares powerful insights into curiosity as a driver of growth, the role of fear in life and faith — reflected in Holy Easter and the human experience of fear — and the importance of character over performance. As he puts it, “I’m not a fan of pushing in sport, but I’m a big fan of being a great parent.” From an unforgettable trip to Alaska with his father to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with his son, this episode reflects on transformation, resilience, and the mountains  Timestamps 00:00 - I Spent My Life Trying to Prove Myself 00:01 - Redefining Success 03:07 - Early Life and Father Influence 10:27 - Curiosity, Pressure, and Validation 25:21 - Faith, Crisis, and Searching for Truth 31:15 - Becoming a Sports Science Pioneer 53:24 - Elite Performance and Human Potential 01:12:50 - Risk, Career Choices, and Achievement Addiction 01:33:32 - Adoption and Becoming a Father 01:50:00 - Kilimanjaro and the Mountains Within 02:04:06 - Final Reflections on Purpose and Success Support the show ☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk! Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations at the intersection of sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress. Follow, watch, and share your voice—because it matters. Follow & Engage  🔹 Spotify (Video) → Watch Full Episodes 🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Join the Conversation 🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST 🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 LinkedIn → Connect with the Community 🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 Substack → Get Exclusive Updates Your Voice Matters! 🎤 Got feedback or a topic idea? We’d love to hear from you → Send your thoughts here 💡 Support the Podcast 👉 Donate.

    2h 7m
  2. Why U.S. Soccer Fails: Pay-to-Play, Money, and the Truth About Football

    APR 3

    Why U.S. Soccer Fails: Pay-to-Play, Money, and the Truth About Football

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, 99, Sid Bensalah talks with Alex Lubyansky, Founder of Detroit Metro FC and former European Sporting Director, to reveal a tough truth about U.S. soccer. The system is built more for participation than actual performance. Alex discusses how the pay-to-play model prioritizes players by income over talent, explains how incentives shape behavior at both youth and professional levels, and describes how the U.S. differs from global soccer systems. From Europe’s merit-based promotion and relegation system to South America’s culture of access and street football, this conversation challenges how we view development, competition, and success. This offers a clear, honest perspective on governance, money, and the structural forces shaping the game. Timestamps: 00:00 Why U.S. Soccer Fails 00:01 Participation Over Performance 01:59 Meet Alex Lubyansky 02:54 From Ukraine to Pro Football 05:36 Building a Free Club Model 07:10 Europe Rewards Winning 08:36 U.S. Soccer Business Model 09:40 Why Transfers Don’t Matter 12:46 MLS: Entertainment vs Sport 13:44 Culture and Attention 24:35 Grassroots Costs 34:08 Detroit Metro FC 37:24 Promotion and Relegation 39:38 U.S. League Structure 41:16 Why Promotion Matters 42:27 Europe’s Club Culture 44:13 Pressure and Performance 47:05 Can the U.S. Change 48:36 Super League Risk 51:55 Pay-to-Play by Design 56:23 College Soccer 58:08 Money vs Culture 01:04:30 Brazil and Argentina 01:09:19 World Cup Impact 01:14:53 Lightning Round Support the show ☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk! Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations at the intersection of sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress. Follow, watch, and share your voice—because it matters. Follow & Engage  🔹 Spotify (Video) → Watch Full Episodes 🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Join the Conversation 🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST 🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 LinkedIn → Connect with the Community 🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 Substack → Get Exclusive Updates Your Voice Matters! 🎤 Got feedback or a topic idea? We’d love to hear from you → Send your thoughts here 💡 Support the Podcast 👉 Donate.

    1h 19m
  3. Play From Your Heart | Scott Martin on Losing His Hands and Rebuilding Through Sport

    MAR 20

    Play From Your Heart | Scott Martin on Losing His Hands and Rebuilding Through Sport

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 98, Sid Bensalah sits down with Scott Martin, an award-winning soccer coach, educator, and author of Play From Your Heart. After a life-threatening infection led to septic shock, a month-long coma, and the loss of both hands and parts of his feet, Scott was forced to rebuild his life from the ground up. What followed is a powerful journey of resilience, leadership, and rediscovering purpose through sport. Scott shares how coaching is not about control, but about putting players in a position to learn. He reflects on identity, confidence, parenting, and what it means to lead with empathy and accountability. From raising five adopted children to returning to the sidelines with prosthetics, his story is raw, honest, and deeply human. This episode explores leadership beyond the game, adaptive sports, and why playing from the heart changes everything. Timestamps 00:00 Play From Your Heart 01:04 Coaching as Learning 02:48 Parenting and Leadership 07:20 Life Changed Overnight 10:29 Driven Before Illness 14:25 Coaching Philosophy 19:46 Mentors and Culture 31:31 Illness Warning Signs 35:10 Coma and Wake Up 38:36 Identity and Grief 50:01 Adoption Journey 59:38 Return to Coaching 01:14:03 Writing the Book 01:18:53 Disability Advocacy 01:20:46 Paralympics and Media 01:30:05 Building a Winning Team 01:35:36 Empathy and Accountability 01:40:00 Lightning Round Learn more about Scott here. Support the show ☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk! Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations at the intersection of sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress. Follow, watch, and share your voice—because it matters. Follow & Engage  🔹 Spotify (Video) → Watch Full Episodes 🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Join the Conversation 🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST 🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 LinkedIn → Connect with the Community 🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 Substack → Get Exclusive Updates Your Voice Matters! 🎤 Got feedback or a topic idea? We’d love to hear from you → Send your thoughts here 💡 Support the Podcast 👉 Donate.

    1h 50m
  4. The Dyslexic Advantage: From First-Grade Reading to a Better Learning System

    MAR 13

    The Dyslexic Advantage: From First-Grade Reading to a Better Learning System

    Send a text What if dyslexia is not a disability, but a different method of processing information that schools still do not understand?  In this detailed episode, Sid Bensalah interviews Russell Van Brocklen, a dyslexia researcher funded by the New York State Senate, whose personal struggles with reading and writing drove him to pursue a 20-year mission to reevaluate dyslexia and learning. After being assessed at roughly a first-grade reading and writing level in college, Russell developed a system that challenges traditional ways schools teach dyslexic students and shows how parents, teachers, and coaches can better support them. Russell explains why many schools use the wrong cognitive approach, how his front-brain learning model functions, and why word analysis followed by articulation can quickly improve writing. He also shares case studies from state-funded programs, success stories led by parents, and his views on sports, motivation, neurodiverse thinking, and institutional resistance. This is a raw, honest, high-energy discussion on dyslexia research, education reform, learning systems, coaching dyslexic athletes, and practical steps for families and educators. Timestamps 00:00 The Dyslexic Advantage 00:58 The F That Sparked A Mission 08:49 Why Schools Miss Dyslexia 13:48 First Grade Level Evaluation 21:45 Law School Trial By Fire 30:22 Front Brain Strategy Explained 45:02 Building A Learning System 49:02 Kimberly And Reed Breakthrough 01:06:52 Schools vs Neurodiverse Brains 01:21:00 Sports as Strength Builder 01:27:01 Institutional Resistance 01:39:51 AI as Research Assistant 01:49:09 Final Advice and Closing Learn more about Russell → https://DyslexiaClasses.com Support the show ☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk! Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations at the intersection of sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress. Follow, watch, and share your voice—because it matters. Follow & Engage 🔹 Spotify (Video) → Watch Full Episodes 🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Join the Conversation 🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST 🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 LinkedIn → Connect with the Community 🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 Substack → Get Exclusive Updates Your Voice Matters! 🎤 Got feedback or a topic idea? We’d love to hear from you → Send your thoughts here 💡 Support the Podcast 👉 Donate.

    1h 52m
  5. Josephina Oji: The Outsider Advantage in Sport, Sustainability, Leadership, and Impact

    MAR 6

    Josephina Oji: The Outsider Advantage in Sport, Sustainability, Leadership, and Impact

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 96 of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah interviews Josephina Oji, Global Director of Impact, Sustainability, and Transformation, for an engaging discussion on leadership, sustainability, and the value of an outsider perspective in sports. Josephina shares her “squiggly career” journey from law, human rights, and government policy into global sports strategy. Drawing on experience in diplomacy, criminal justice reform, and health equity, she explains how new perspectives can challenge traditional thinking within the sports industry. The discussion examines why sport remains one of the most influential yet fragmented sectors regarding governance, sustainability, and long-term strategic planning. Josephina emphasizes that social and environmental responsibility should not be seen as a mere compliance task, but as a competitive advantage that can open new markets, build community trust, and generate lasting impact. From golf’s transformation and emerging markets to fan behavior, gender equity, and the role of storytelling in sustainability, this episode highlights how sport can become a powerful tool for global change. Josephina also shares her thoughts on leadership, navigating the industry as a young Black woman, and the importance of building allies and strategic partnerships to promote meaningful progress. Timestamps 00:00 Josephina Oji: The Outsider Advantage in Sport, Sustainability, Leadership, and Impact 04:24 Intro  08:47 Soft Power & Equity in Diplomacy and Pandemic Response 10:35 Leaving Government: Consulting and the Business Case for Impact 18:36 Will AI Replace Lawyers?  25:36 Why Sport Hired Her 31:18 Outsider Blind Spots, Barriers, & Leadership Challenges 38:17 Building Trust in Sport Through Expertise & Strategy 45:41 Allies in the Room: Influence & Advocacy 46:14 Why Sport Feels “Immature” & Why That Creates Opportunity 50:32 Fan Behavior, Storytelling, & Breaking Down Silos 01:02:15 Representation, Tiger Woods, & the Next Generation 01:06:04 Why Equal Pay Still Lags in Elite Sport 01:13:39 Lightning Round 01:21:27 AI, Legacy, & Sport as a Vehicle for Change Support the show ☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk! Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations at the intersection of sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress. Follow, watch, and share your voice—because it matters. Follow & Engage  🔹 Spotify (Video) → Watch Full Episodes 🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Join the Conversation 🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST 🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 LinkedIn → Connect with the Community 🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 Substack → Get Exclusive Updates Your Voice Matters! 🎤 Got feedback or a topic idea? We’d love to hear from you → Send your thoughts here 💡 Support the Podcast 👉 Donate.

    1h 25m
  6. Modern Masculinity Crisis: How Men Reclaim Purpose and Self-Leadership | Maxim Shapiro

    FEB 19

    Modern Masculinity Crisis: How Men Reclaim Purpose and Self-Leadership | Maxim Shapiro

    Send us Fan Mail Are men facing a modern masculinity crisis? In Episode 95 of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, Sid Bensalah sits down with Maxim Shapiro, men’s purpose coach and founder of Forward Motion Coaching, for a raw and honest conversation about depression, identity, effort, and reclaiming authentic self-leadership. Maxim shares how years of drifting, negative self-talk, and playing it safe led to deep dissatisfaction. In his early 40s, a “jarring awakening” pushed him to move from Massachusetts to California, start a business, commit to a long-term relationship, and come off antidepressants. What followed was not comfort, but growth. This episode explores: • Why many men feel lost or displaced in today’s culture • The difference between the true self and the performed self • Effort vs results and redefining success • Loving as effort and leadership as presence • Digital culture, dopamine, and declining real community • Rebuilding belonging through hard, shared practices like jiu-jitsu • Practical steps to move from stuck to alive Maxim explains that self-respect grows from consistent effort, not outcomes. Big goals matter even without guarantees. Authenticity requires stillness, breathing, intuition, and the courage to say what is true. 00:00 – Weather Check & Setting the Conversation 02:10 – Depression at 19 and Early Negative Self-Talk 04:26 – Drifting Without Purpose 06:45 – Moving to California and Going All-In 12:22 – Effort Over Results and Self-Respect 18:13 – Big Goals and Redefining Failure 24:10 – What Success Really Means 32:54 – Coaching Men to Open Up 36:19 – Intuition, Stillness, and Authenticity 38:47 – True Self vs Performed Self 42:47 – Masculinity Today and Leadership 46:30 – Digital Culture and Disconnection 49:43 – Rebuilding Community Through Jiu-Jitsu 52:10 – Small Consistent Actions That Create Change 55:44 – Lightning Round 01:01:05 – Viktor Frankl Closing If this conversation moved you or gave you perspective, consider supporting the show.  Support the show ☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk! Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations at the intersection of sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress. Follow, watch, and share your voice—because it matters. Follow & Engage  🔹 Spotify (Video) → Watch Full Episodes 🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Join the Conversation 🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST 🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 LinkedIn → Connect with the Community 🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 Substack → Get Exclusive Updates Your Voice Matters! 🎤 Got feedback or a topic idea? We’d love to hear from you → Send your thoughts here 💡 Support the Podcast 👉 Donate.

    1h 2m
  7. Your Body Is the Business Plan, Training Leaders Like Athletes

    FEB 13

    Your Body Is the Business Plan, Training Leaders Like Athletes

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 94 of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, Sid Bensalah sits down with performance coach Tom Waite to explore why your body is the real business plan for any leader aiming for clarity, resilience, and long-term performance. Tom works with executives and founders, using athletic training principles, biometric data, strength work, and recovery systems to help high performers avoid burnout and lead with energy and purpose. Tom shares his journey from semi-professional athlete to coaching leaders, and explains why many executives miss the earliest signs of declining health. He breaks down the importance of understanding your “why,” how to build feedback systems that guide behavior, and why strength training, nutrition, and recovery routines drive better decision-making and mental sharpness. This conversation blends real stories, practical strategies, and honest reflections on leadership, identity, and sustainable performance. If you want to lead at a high level without sacrificing your health, this episode offers a clear roadmap grounded in experience, not theory. Timestamps 00:00 Your Body Is the Business Plan, Training Leaders Like Athletes 00:01 Introduction and Greetings 00:22 Discussing the Grind Culture 01:21 Introducing the Guest: Tom, the Performance Coach 01:58 Tom's Journey from Athlete to Coach 03:10 The Importance of Health for Executives 03:57 The Missing Element in Executive Health 06:33 Real-Life Stories of Health Transformation 15:27 Identifying Early Signs of Declining Health 17:12 Debating Weight Loss Medications 23:20 Building Effective Health Systems 25:43 Healthy Eating Habits 27:00 The Importance of Wearables 30:06 Morning Rituals for Success 31:52 Strength Training for Longevity 37:27 Travel and Nutrition Tips 41:27 Lightning Round Q&A 45:23 Final Thoughts and Contact Info If this conversation moved you or gave you perspective, consider supporting the show.  Fuel our Mission  Support the show ☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk! Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations at the intersection of sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress. Follow, watch, and share your voice—because it matters. Follow & Engage  🔹 Spotify (Video) → Watch Full Episodes 🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Join the Conversation 🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST 🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 LinkedIn → Connect with the Community 🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 Substack → Get Exclusive Updates Your Voice Matters! 🎤 Got feedback or a topic idea? We’d love to hear from you → Send your thoughts here 💡 Support the Podcast 👉 Donate.

    47 min
  8. Angela Lewis on Coaching, Equity, and Leading the Future of Women’s Sports

    JAN 30

    Angela Lewis on Coaching, Equity, and Leading the Future of Women’s Sports

    Send us Fan Mail Angela R. Lewis, a former Division I basketball player, championship-winning coach, author, and leadership consultant, joins host Sid Bensalah on the Pre-Zero Sports Talk podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of women's sports. The conversation covers visibility in women's sports, the importance of role models, and the growth and investment that drive the game's popularity. Angela delves into her V6 framework, which helps athletes transition from valley to victory, emphasizing character development over performance. She also highlights the significance of trust, resilience, and personal growth in coaching, shares insights on pay equity, and reflects on the impact of media portrayals in sports. Angela's new children's book and her existing publications aim to inspire and empower young athletes, emphasizing courage, heart, and community. The episode offers valuable insights for athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts seeking to foster a supportive and equitable sports environment. Timestamps 00:00 - Angela Lewis on Coaching, Equity & the Future of Women’s Sports 00:01 - Opening & Intro 00:16 - Visibility in Women’s Sports 02:04 - Meet Angela Lewis 03:24 - Her Coaching Journey 07:16 - The V6 Framework Explained 09:46 - Handling Setbacks & Growth 14:39 - Trust in Coaching Relationships 17:52 - Growth of the Women’s Game 21:15 - Media Coverage & Representation 29:29 - Humanizing Athletes 31:53 - Pay Equity: Where We Are 36:52 - Faith, Identity & Resilience 38:08 - Messages for Young Girls in Sports 47:14 - Lightning Round Q&A 50:20 - Final Reflections & Ways to Connect - Learn more about Angela: angelarlewis.com   If this conversation moved you or gave you perspective, consider supporting the show.  Fuel our Mission  Support the show ☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk! Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations at the intersection of sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress. Follow, watch, and share your voice—because it matters. Follow & Engage  🔹 Spotify (Video) → Watch Full Episodes 🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Join the Conversation 🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST 🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 LinkedIn → Connect with the Community 🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk 🔹 Substack → Get Exclusive Updates Your Voice Matters! 🎤 Got feedback or a topic idea? We’d love to hear from you → Send your thoughts here 💡 Support the Podcast 👉 Donate.

    52 min
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, with over 30 years of global sports industry experience, this podcast isn’t about quick fixes or empty talk. It’s a platform for authentic, purpose-driven conversations that go beyond the game to explore how sports can drive positive, actionable change. Born from a passion for impact, Pre-Zero Sports Talk dives into today’s most pressing themes: performance and well-being, leadership, innovation, coaching, community impact, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, governance, geopolitics, and more. Each episode cuts through the noise and greenwashing, engaging with trailblazers, changemakers, and thought leaders to uncover solutions and inspire new perspectives. This is a space for real conversations with real people about real issues — stories that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark transformation. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, business leader, or someone who believes in the power of sport to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you. Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, inspires, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in shaping a cleaner, safer, and more connected world — one episode at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Sid Bensalah
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pre-Zero Sports Talk
  • Show Website
    Pre-Zero Sports Talk