The Athlete Brand Advisor Podcast

Pliable Inc.
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The Athlete Brand Advisor Podcast with Greg Glynn features advice and interviews about name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for high school, college and professional athletes, including marketing ideas for athlete branding. Learn how marketing, public relations and broadcasting can grow your athlete brand. We also have special episodes to talk about recent news, events and anything in the world of sports.

  1. 3D AGO

    Life After Sport with John Coyle

    In this podcast episode, Greg Glynn, founder & CEO of Pliable and John Coyle, founder & CEO of the Art of Really Living discussed John's extensive background in sports, academia, and media. John shared his journey from Olympic athlete to motivational speaker and author, discussing his experiences in cycling, speed skating, and his work in innovation and design thinking. The conversation concluded with discussions about John's upcoming role as an Olympic analyst, his approach to handling stress and performance.   Olympic Athlete's Career Transition Journey John shared his journey from a young athlete to an Olympic silver medalist and his subsequent career transition. He discussed his early love for cycling and speed skating, his struggles and eventual success in the Olympics, and how he reinvented himself after retiring from competitive sports. John emphasized the importance of focusing on one's strengths and highlighted a pivotal moment when he realized his impact on a young skater, which led to a significant shift in his identity and career path. He now works as an analyst for NBC during the Olympics and is a motivational speaker, sharing his story to inspire others. From Athlete to Inspirational Speaker John shared his journey from being an Olympic athlete to becoming a successful public speaker and author. He discussed how a colleague encouraged him to give a TED Talk, which led to numerous speaking opportunities and the development of his personal brand. John emphasized the importance of storytelling and the impact of his talks, highlighting that he never knew who he would reach or inspire with his words. Design Thinking and Innovation Insights John discussed his career in innovation and design thinking, highlighting his experience studying under David Kelly at Stanford and his work with IDEO. He emphasized the importance of design thinking, a creative problem-solving methodology, and shared that his talks focus on reframing problems to achieve better outcomes. John explained his approach of designing for strengths rather than fixing weaknesses and helping athletes manage stress to perform better. Stress Management Through Athlete's Mindset John discussed his approach to handling stress by adopting an athlete's mindset, emphasizing the importance of gamifying challenges to alter neurochemical balance and improve performance. He also explored the concept of slowing down the perception of time, drawing from his upcoming book "Counterclockwise," and shared his previous works, including "The Time Manifesto" and "Design for Strengths." Greg appreciated John's positive approach and suggested ways to share this information with a broader audience. Embracing Challenges for Growth John shared his journey of pursuing adventures and writing about them for the past decade, emphasizing the importance of investing time in high-risk, high-reward opportunities. Greg discussed his plans to launch an online course to help athletes and parents understand NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities, acknowledging the rapidly changing landscape of sports and the need to leverage his strengths as a broadcaster. Both agreed on the value of using one's unique skills and embracing challenges to achieve personal and professional growth. Remote Olympics Analyst Role Discussion John and Greg discussed John's upcoming role as an analyst for the Olympics, which will be held remotely from Stanford, Connecticut, due to budget constraints. John expressed his disappointment at not being on-site, as he values the in-person experience and real-time communication with coaches and team members. Greg shared his own experience of remote broadcasting during COVID-19 and acknowledged the challenges of not being physically present at the event. They agreed to stay in touch and potentially collaborate in the future, with John offering his services as a keynote speaker for Greg's athletes transitioning out of sports.   Links: johnkcoyle.com PliableMarketing.com How to connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkcoyle1/ https://www.instagram.com/coylejohnk/ https://www.facebook.com/johnkcoyle/ https://www.youtube.com/@JohnKCoyle1 Email: info@johnkcoyle.com

    25 min

  2. OCT 21

    Choosing the Right College with Shellee Howard

    In this episode of the Athlete Brand Advisor podcast, Greg Glynn, founder & CEO of Pliable Marketing talks about helping athletes find the right college and how to get scholarships and reduce debt with Shellee Howard, the Founder and CEO of College Ready. Shellee Howard is the Founder and CEO of College Ready and a Certified Independent College Strategist who helps families navigate the college admissions process with a proven, personalized approach. A best-selling author and global speaker, Shellee specializes in helping students gain admission to top-tier schools and graduate debt free. With real-world experience as a mother of four college graduates, she empowers students to build standout strategies for academic, financial, and personal success. In the podcast, Shellee shared her background in college preparation and detailed her approach to helping students develop unique strategies for college applications, including identifying core values and pursuing authentic community service opportunities.  Shellee shared her journey into the college preparation business, inspired by her son's successful college application process. She emphasized the importance of viewing college as a business and highlighted her son's strategy, which included leadership activities and a focused approach, leading to full-ride offers from USC and Harvard. Shellee now helps families create similar standout strategies for their children, aiming to provide clarity and support in the college application process. Shellee shared her experience of touring 25 colleges and emphasized the importance of starting the college planning process early, ideally when children express career interests. She highlighted that students in their program start as young as seventh grade and explained the benefits of a long planning runway.  Discovering Student Core Values Shellee discussed a strategy for helping students identify their core values, passions, and gifts, emphasizing the importance of individuality and authentic self-expression. She encouraged parents to engage in one-on-one conversations with their children to understand their true interests and aspirations, rather than imposing their own expectations. Greg inquired about exercises to uncover core values, and Shellee suggested focusing on proven achievements and encouraging students to articulate their motivations beyond external influences. Authentic Community Service Greg and Shellee discussed the importance of community service in college applications. Shellee emphasized that while community service is crucial, it must be authentic and driven by passion rather than just fulfilling requirements. She advised against common activities like tutoring, which are often seen as easy and expected by colleges. Instead, she suggested pursuing unique and meaningful service opportunities that showcase a student's true character and dedication. Greg agreed with this approach, noting that it aligns with the concept of branding in college applications. College Admissions and Leadership Insights Shellee discussed her "vault" tool, which provides real data on college admissions criteria and requirements, helping students understand what each school values. She emphasized the importance of demonstrating leadership and community impact in college applications, highlighting her students' work with EmpowerEducation.World, which supports education projects in Uganda and Mexico. Greg and Shellee also discussed the realities of athletic scholarships, noting that while major revenue-generating sports like football and basketball offer significant funding, students in other sports should focus on combining academic excellence with athletic achievement to enhance their college applications. Student-Athlete Academic Success Strategies Shellee discussed the importance of balancing academic and athletic achievements for student-athletes, emphasizing that maintaining a high GPA can significantly increase their chances of college admission and success. She clarified that her organization does not engage in college outreach or NIL deal negotiations but focuses on academic support and intramural sports. Shellee advised parents to prioritize written contracts over verbal promises and encouraged realistic goal-setting for student-athletes. College Preparation for Student-Athletes Shellee discussed her approach to preparing students for college and life beyond sports, emphasizing the importance of developing a comprehensive plan. She shared her resources, including free materials, best-selling books, and a complimentary discovery call, as well as her pricing structure for various services. Greg appreciated Shellee's insights, particularly her emphasis on helping athletes focus on their core values and gifts rather than relying solely on sports opportunities. They agreed on the importance of preparing athletes for life after sports and discussed the potential for athletes to pursue NIL deals and community service opportunities. Show Links: Websites PliableMarketing.com www.collegereadyplan.com www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan https://www.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlan https://www.youtube.com/@collegereadyplan https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward/   Social media @pliablemktg on Instagram, X and Tiktok www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan https://www.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlan https://www.youtube.com/@collegereadyplan https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward/

    35 min

  3. OCT 7

    Former Boxer Uses Athlete Branding to Write Book

    Greg Glynn, founder and CEO of Pliable sits down with Mark O'Connor to talk about his boxing career and how he used his talented hands in the ring to then write a book. Mark is from Saint Paul, Minnesota, and discusses his inspirational book, 'It's About Time,' In 2024, Mark received the 2024 Minnesota Irish Network Literary Award from Tim Nolan for his collection of short stories and poems. Mark Connor is a Literary Pugilist from Saint Paul, Minnesota. A lifelong boxer and Boxing Trainer, he runs a service called, Fighting Chance/Boxing For Life. His writing about Boxing, as well as his training services, can be found at https://boxersandwritersmagazine.com. He writes fiction, poetry, and journalism. He is the 2022 Boxing inductee to the Mancini’s St. Paul Sports Hall of Fame. He attended the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Regis University in Denver, Colorado, and graduated with a BA in English from the University of Minnesota. He has written and published many articles about Boxing, Irish culture, and people and events related to Irish freedom. He has also published local news and features on business, politics, and current affairs in Minnesota and the U.S. His Substack newsletter, Irish, Catholic, Punchdrunk in Saint Paul, can be found at https://markconnoricpunchdrunk.substack.com. In this episode of the Athlete Brand Advisor Podcast, Mark talks about why he wrote the book and then shares some of his poetry with the listeners as well.  Links: boxersandwritersmagazines.com/books

    24 min

  4. SEP 16

    Athlete to Author with Nick Peck

    The podcast episode with Greg Glynn, founder & CEO of Pliable features guest Nick Peck, a former college athlete and award-winning journalist who transformed his football experience into a debut novel called "Only Way Out." Nick shares his journey from high school football to becoming a successful author, discussing his writing process and the themes of his book which follows a high school athlete seeking escape through sports. The conversation concludes with discussions about marketing strategies, including potential NIL opportunities, and Nick's advice for athletes, while Greg promotes Nick's social media presence and future collaboration possibilities. Football to Fiction: Nick's Journey Nick discusses his football career, starting as an offensive lineman in high school, then transitioning to long snapping in junior college and later at Upper Hour University. He explains that writing has always been his true passion, and he used his athletic career as a stepping stone to become an author. Nick then describes his novel "Only Way Out," which is loosely based on his life experiences. The story follows a high school senior named Jalen Pierre who seeks to escape poverty and family issues through football. Nick emphasizes that the book's themes are common among athletes using sports as a means to improve their circumstances. Nick's Journey and Writing Process Nick discusses his process of writing a book, waking up at 4 AM daily for six months to write 10 pages a day before his day job as a journalist. He explains that he wrote from a third-person perspective to allow readers to put themselves in the story. Nick shares that his book aims to inspire by presenting a raw, genuine story of his journey, and he plans to continue writing books throughout his life, viewing it as his new purpose after his athletic career. NIL Opportunities for Student-Athletes Nick discusses the benefits of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for college athletes, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He expresses that he would have appreciated NIL opportunities during his time as a student-athlete, as he worked four jobs to make ends meet. Greg suggested that Nick could potentially use NIL to market his book by partnering with current athletes who resonate with his story, an idea Nick finds appealing. Author's Marketing and Writing Journey Nick discusses his approach to marketing his book, which includes leveraging social media, utilizing his connections from sports, and working with a publicist. He mentions becoming an Amazon bestseller and his efforts to showcase his post-athletic career. Nick currently works as a journalist covering the stock market for a publication called "With Intelligence," while also pursuing his author career. He has already started on his second book, which he plans to continue writing throughout his life. Nick is based in Austin, Texas, but enjoys a nomadic lifestyle, having lived in five different states and visited 47.  Nick's Writing and Athlete Advice Nick discusses his sources of inspiration for writing, mentioning role models like Kobe Bryant, Nipsey Hussle, and Patrick Willis. He explains that his book is available on various platforms and that fans can best connect with him through his Instagram account @nickpeckauthor. Nick offers advice to athletes, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and gratitude, encouraging them not to quit and to appreciate their journey rather than chasing fame and glory. Links: Website https://www.nickpeckauthor.com Social media accounts: Instagram: @nickpeckauthor

    16 min

  5. SEP 8

    NIL Resources for Athletes from Brian DiNapoli of NILInsight.com

    In this episode of the Athlete Brand Advisor podcast, Greg Glynn, founder & CEO of Pliable Marketing talks about NIL resources and advice for high school and college athletes with Brian DiNapoli, the founder of www.NILInsight.com. NIL Insight.com is a passion project for Brian dedicated to supporting student-athletes and their families with trusted resources on mental health, substance abuse prevention, player safety, NIL opportunities, academics, and more. With over 25 years of experience in the public sector, Brian currently works in alcohol and drug prevention, serves as a dedicated community football coach, and helps coordinate housing support for justice-impacted individuals. He also hosts the NIL Mindset podcast, where he interviews athletes, coaches, and community leaders committed to helping student-athletes succeed both on and off the field. During the episode, Greg and Brian discussed various athlete-led initiatives and community service projects, highlighting the positive impact athletes can have through their platforms and discussing the importance of mental health resources for student-athletes. The conversation concluded with plans for Brian to host live webinars and Instagram sessions to engage athletes and parents. Greg and Brian discussed the positive impact athletes can have through NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities, highlighting various initiatives and collaborations. Greg praised Brian for his contributions to athlete-led causes, such as Logan Hale's "Putting for Puppies" event, and emphasized the importance of athletes using their platforms for good. Brian shared examples of athletes like Rutgers Women's Soccer team who engage in community service and mental health awareness, challenging the negative narrative about athletes solely focused on personal gain. Greg concluded by emphasizing the significance of preparing athletes for future success beyond their sports careers. Greg and Brian discussed the importance of mentorship and education for athletes transitioning from high school to college. They emphasized the value of athletes helping each other through shared experiences and highlighted the need for more education about college athletic programs. Brian advised high school and college athletes to focus on paying it forward by helping others and volunteering, using the concept of a "force multiplier effect" to encourage positive deeds that create a ripple effect. Brian discussed the importance of avoiding poor decisions during idle time and shared his social media presence, including his website, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts, where he promotes mental health resources and athlete-focused content. Greg highlighted the success of Pliable athletes including Cooper Farrall, Hannah Dukeman and Emma Eubank raising awareness and funds for various causes, emphasizing the power of aligning with charitable efforts to build a brand and generate support. Resources: Websites PliableMarketing.com NILInsight.com Social media @pliablemktg on Instagram, X and Tiktok @nilinsight on IG and X.

    25 min

  6. SEP 1

    Women in Sports Broadcasting with Jen Mueller

    In this episode, Greg Glynn, founder & CEO of Pliable talks with sports broadcaster Jen Mueller about her career in sports journalism. Jen shared her journey from high school guidance counselor to successful sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks, emphasizing the importance of consistent presence, networking, and strategic relationship-building in the sports industry. The discussion concluded with insights into Jen's broadcasting work, speaking engagements, and her experience hosting a cooking show, highlighting the value of building relationships and personal branding in sports media. Jen and Greg discussed the format and goals of their upcoming podcast episode, focusing on Jen's keynote speaking and communication expertise. Greg explained the episode would be about 15-20 minutes, with an introduction added in post-production. They agreed to focus on Jen's career and personal brand, with a sales pitch towards the end. The episode is expected to be released in about a month, with no time-sensitive content from Jen's side. Jen's Journey to Sports Journalism Jen shared her journey from a high school guidance counselor's suggestion to pursue broadcasting over teaching, leading her to a successful career in sports journalism. She discussed her experience playing multiple sports in high school and her gradual progression from behind-the-scenes roles to becoming a sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks. Jen emphasized the importance of consistent presence and networking through daily attendance at events, rather than focusing solely on building relationships, which ultimately helped her secure her position. Building Trust in Locker Room Interactions Jen shared her 17-year experience working on the Seahawks sidelines, emphasizing the importance of building relationships through brief interactions in the locker room. She highlighted the need to be strategic and intentional in conversations with athletes, as these moments are limited and crucial for establishing trust. Greg agreed, drawing parallels to his own experience in pro sports, and noted the value of understanding the dynamics within the locker room to identify key individuals for storytelling. NFL Athletes' Communication Strategies Jen shared insights from her experience working with NFL rookies and athletes, emphasizing the importance of developing communication skills and personal branding. She highlighted the value of using specific, impactful language in sports and business contexts, drawing parallels between sports and professional communication. Jen advised athletes aspiring to enter sports broadcasting to become reliable and articulate interviewees, using their platform to build a strong personal brand and demonstrate leadership qualities. Jen's Sports Media and Networking Jen discussed her work in broadcasting and speaking engagements, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and leveraging opportunities in sports media. She shared her experience hosting a cooking show, "I Cook, You Measure," which features athletes in a different setting. Greg highlighted Jen's preparedness and expertise, and mentioned an athlete he plans to connect with her, aligning with his #MissionE50 initiative to promote women's sports. Both talked about the "grind" of a broadcasting career and the value of networking and confidence in career development. Links: Pliable Marketing's Mission E50 Talk Sporty to Me links Website: https://www.talksportytome.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@TalkSportytoMe X: @TalkSportytoMe and @JenTalksSports YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TalkSportyToMe LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmuellertalksporty/

    27 min

  7. AUG 12

    NIL Contract Talk with RevU

    In this episode, Greg Glynn, Founder & CEO of Pliable Marketing sits down with Calum Kuhn and Max Rusakov co-founders of Revu, an AI-powered platform designed to help athletes manage their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contracts. They discussed the challenges athletes face with NIL deals, the development and marketing of their tool, and potential features to improve contract management for athletes and agents. The conversation also touched on pricing, social media presence, and future plans for expanding their platform and collaborating with athletes and brands. NIL Deal Navigation Tool Development The discussion focused on the development and marketing of a tool designed to help athletes navigate NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals. Greg and Calum discussed the tool's accessibility for athletes in non-revenue generating sports and its potential to identify conflicts in contracts. Max explained the development process, highlighting the pivot and team expansion phases. Calum outlined their marketing strategies, including partnerships and direct engagement with athletes, while Max emphasized the importance of finding like-minded individuals to build the product. The conversation also touched on the evolving landscape of NIL deals, particularly in light of the recent NCAA vs. House settlement, and the tool's potential to support athletes in understanding and navigating new contract types. Social Media and Podcast Strategy Greg discussed social media presence and upcoming podcast episodes with Calum and Max, highlighting their Instagram, website, and LinkedIn profiles. Greg expressed enthusiasm for their work and mentioned potential athlete partnerships, including Katie and Cooper Farrell, for promoting their product. Greg also noted the importance of show notes for SEO and mentioned plans to discuss specific athletes in future episodes. Links: RevU: https://www.revu.deals/ Instagram: Revu.nil Linkdin: RevU Linkdin: Max Rusakov Listeners can RevU at info@revu.deals or DM @RevU.NIL Pliable Marketing: PliableMarketing.com

    27 min

  8. AUG 7

    NIL and your mental performance with special guest Kiersten Janjigian

    In this episode, Greg Glynn, Founder & CEO of Pliable Marketing sits down with Dr. Kiersten Janjigian, Neuroscientist and Mental Performance Consultant. Dr. Janjigian is passionate about the psychological aspect of sport and performance - the mental game - and brings value to high-performers and the organizations in which they thrive by teaching and implementing techniques that optimize the brain-body connection, increase self-awareness, self-regulation, and drive a fulfilling organizational culture. She assesses athletes’, coaches’, and teams’ psychophysiological strengths, weaknesses, and growth points, providing objective data under stress, and devises an empirically validated program that builds key areas essential to their sport or business and their individual needs focusing on performance enhancement, well-being, and high-performance culture. Dr. Janjigian is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) via the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) – the “gold standard” in mental performance coaching – and is Board Certified in Neurofeedback and Biofeedback. Her clientele varies from professional athletes, little leaguers and youth athletes, to lawyers and CEOs – anyone looking to level up and feel better doing it. In the episode Greg and Dr. Janjigian discussed her NIL mental performance and resilience toolkit. They explored Kiersten's background as a sports psychologist and neuroscientist, and discussed the impact of NIL deals on athletes' confidence and performance. The conversation concluded with plans for collaboration, including potential podcast appearances, classroom speaking engagements, and creating package deals for athletes to promote Kiersten's mental health toolkit and services. Resources: @drkierst on Instagram Email: kiersten@drkierst.com Book a free virtual consultation via: www.drkierst.com Pliable Marketing: PliableMarketing.com

    21 min
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About

The Athlete Brand Advisor Podcast with Greg Glynn features advice and interviews about name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for high school, college and professional athletes, including marketing ideas for athlete branding. Learn how marketing, public relations and broadcasting can grow your athlete brand. We also have special episodes to talk about recent news, events and anything in the world of sports.

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