Raising A Pro with Annie Apple Audioboom Studios

In the final show of the season, Annie picks out some of her highlights and favourite clips from our stellar guests. It was no easy thing trying to whittle down so much wisdom... 

“We saw Ryan’s life change in an instant. It made us not take anything for granted..it can happen to anyone”




Ryan Shazier is a former linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers after being drafted by the team back in 2014. Fast forward to December 4th 2017, it was during a Monday night football game when hearts stopped all over the world as Ryan went down in a game against the Steelers, clutched his back and couldn’t get back up. 






In this episode we hear from Ryan’s mother, Shawn Shazier. Shawn takes us back to the beginning of Ryan’s journey when he first fell in love with the game at just 5 years old, through his battle with Alopecia right up to his retirement from pro sports.  Speaking candidly about the moment she saw Ryan get hurt on the field, the incredible determination he showed throughout his rehab process and her unwavering faith that her son would heal and walk again. 

"I really believe that mental health is about safety and creating safety.  Emotional, psychological, social and interpersonal. As parents, we have to model that behavior"

Today we’re talking about the importance of the emotional wellbeing of athletes. Annie is joined by Dr. Herb Martin, a clinical psychologist and mental health expert. He is the president of Peak Performance Consulting Group and Team Clinician for the Los Angeles Chargers. 





 

“We told him. It’s a business and you totally lose all of your childhood when you sign that contract. You are a man…”




The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive captain, Cameron Heyward has been a Pro Bowler the last four seasons while also earning All-Pro honors in 2017 and 2019. He was drafted by the Steelers straight out of Ohio State in the 2011 NFL draft and he’s been with the team ever since. 




In this episode we hear from Cam’s mother, Charlotte Heyward, who is not only his biggest cheerleader in life but also works as Executive Director of The Cameron Heyward Foundation. She might also be the biggest Steelers fan you’ll ever meet..and long before Cameron joined the team. 




Charlotte takes us back to Cam’s early days on the field when she says he was not a typical recruit. We hear about his battle with asthma, why his draft day was his home coming and also the lasting legacy of his father, Craig Heyward, who also played in the NFL for 11 years  but sadly passed away in 2006.  

"It's ok to get accolades, you work hard and you happen to be one of the best at something - how many people can say that?"

Nick Bosa is defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers, he was drafted by the team second overall in the 2019 NFL draft. His brother, Joey,  is also an NFL defensive end and plays for the Los Angeles Chargers and and was selected by the team third overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. Both men cut their teeth playing college football at Ohio State after incredible high school careers. 

In this episode their mother, Cheryl Bosa chats to Annie and digs deep into their respective stories, both on and off the field. Sharing the highs and lows of a life lived out in the spotlight. We also hear from coach Larry Johnson, who talks about the incredible bond with the brothers and faith he's always had in their talent. 

"I was stressed every day, I got to a point in my fourth year where I was ready to get cut"

Last month, former NFL wide receiver Greg Camarillo, found a series of tweets he posted about mental health in and beyond football going viral. He spoke honestly and poignantly in the tweets after learning about the sudden passing of friend and former team mate Vincent Jackson. 

In this episode, Greg talks about his college football days at Stanford, his shock and delight at being signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2005 and his time playing with the Miami Dolphins and discusses what a toll working in such a high pressure high risk environment takes on both your physical and mental health.