The Grind and Gain Show: Life Stories from Winners Andrew Gleason, Jonny Esther

CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis joins the podcast to share her journey from reporting on high school sports to covering the PGA and NFL.  Amanda knew what she wanted early on obtaining a broadcast journalism degree from Hofstra University.  Amanda explains the grind she went through early on sometimes covering up to 4 games in one day.  Her big break came in 2017 when she joined CBS as a part-time golf reporter.  She now covers golf full-time and also covers select college and NFL football games.  

In this week's episode, we've gathered seven people from various backgrounds and beliefs to force some tough conversation in an effort to ultimately continue the focus on Black Lives Matter.  We discuss kneeling during the national anthem, Black Lives Matter versus All Lives Matter, white privilege, systemic racism, anti-racism, and how we can promote overall change.  Guests include Tameka Rish from Project Light, Josh Powell retired NBA Champ, Mackenzie Engram professional basketball player, Joey Godfrey Sales & Marketing Director, Justin Nicks Commerical Director,  Kevin Peterson Retired Green Beret, and Ben Schwaderer, Account Manager.  Great insight from all angles from an awesome group of people.

In this week's episode, Jonny and Andrew shoot the breeze about recent episodes, working out, and our recent Black Lives Matter recording which releases next week.  We dive into Jonny's recent workout program and he explains his approach to intermittent fasting.  Jonny is down 13 lbs and feeling great so his program is working.  Andrew shares about his recent discovery of renowned 'bio-hacker' Ben Greenfield and his book Boundless.  Lastly, we discuss how productive our recent recording was with seven participants.  We brought together people from all different backgrounds and experiences to discuss the recent events in America and how we can promote real change.  Stay tuned for that episode.  

In this week's episode, Tee Martin joins the show to share his journey from National Champion, to the NFL, to where he is at today; back at his alma mater as the Assistant Head Coach of Tennessee football.  We spend the first 20 minutes discussing what is happening in the country and how we can all be a part of the solution.  Tee gives us some insight into what the University of Tennessee is doing to help combat systemic racism.  Like always, we dive into Tee's journey and he provides some great insight into what it is like reaching the peak of your passion early on and then ultimately not realizing what he originally thought what his full potential as a player.  Tee has done a great job of being present in the current moment and he shares how that helped him transition from NFL quarterback to leading young men on the football field.  Tee explains the decision to accept the current position at Tennessee and he shares a couple of goals he has his eyes set on.  Tee doesn't get off easy as we force his hand in The Gauntlet.

We sit down with San Francisco Giants starter Tyler Beede.  Tyler is one of a few players that has been drafted in the first round...twice.  We discuss what it was like turning down the first-round offer out of high school in lieu of attending arguably the best baseball college in the country; Vanderbilt University.  In 2014, Tyler helped Vanderbilt win the College World Series and then was the 14th overall pick of the MLB draft.  We discuss what set that championship team apart from others and then Tyler walks us through his major league debut.  Tyler's MLB career hasn't come without bumps in the road as he divulges some of the mental hurdles he has had to learn from and overcome.  Tyler is also coming off Tommy John surgery and gives us some insight into his plan of attack to bounce back better than ever.  Lastly, we run Tyler through the Gauntlet.  Sneak peek...he would rather golf with Tom Brady over Tiger Woods.

In episode 23, we sit down with retired Green Beret Kevin Peterson.  Kevin shares how he got into the military and the route that led him into the Special Forces.  The Green Berets' overall mission is to help train and build guerilla units in war-torn territories so they can ultimately defend themselves.   In accomplishing this mission, Kevin shares some of the hurdles he faced in various parts of the world including communication and cultural barriers and how his team overcame them.  Kevin also shares his transition away from the military into the fire-department.  Kevin provides some great takeaways we can all pay closer attention to.