Athlete Alchemy

In Part 2 of this multi-part series, the BKR founders, Walt Pegues, Diamond Jones-El, Ishaaq Muhammad, and Justin Weldon, reflect on their college years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. They share the good and the bad, the lessons they learned, and how those experiences shaped their purpose and laid the foundation for the men they are today. This is Athlete Alchemy, where we empower athletes...

This special episode is hosted by Walt Pegues and features his close friends, former teammates, and business partners: Diamond Jones-El, Ishaaq Muhammad, and Justin Weldon. Together, they are the co-founders of Belief Knowledge Reward (BKR), a community-driven organization using creative, athletic, and educational tools to empower youth through wellness, exploration, and connection. In Part 1 of t...

In this episode of Athlete Alchemy, we dive into the inspiring journey of Charles Del Valle, a former college football player who turned a season-ending injury into a six-figure sports footwear brand and a mission to empower athletes. What started as a side hustle selling custom football cleats out of his New Jersey apartment became FB Cleat Heat —a business so successful his apartment couldn’t ho...

In this episode, we sit down with Jamal Cooley , Senior Digital Designer for the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles , to unpack his incredible journey — one that started as a walk-on football player and track & field at East Stroudsburg University and evolved into a thriving career in sports creative design. Despite dealing wit a number by injuries in high school, Jamal earned his way ont...

Kyle Jordan is a former college football player who began his journey as a walk-on at Howard University. Despite only playing one year of high school football in Philly, Kyle’s determination earned him a spot on the team at Howard. Eventually, he transferred back home to Temple University to focus on his academics and personal growth. Back in Philly, Kyle discovered a passion for science, filmmaki...

Helaun “Lonnie” Mulligan is a former D1 women’s soccer player who competed in the SEC at Ole Miss and finished her career at Southern University, an HBCU, as a graduate transfer. Her journey overcoming a major injury while at Ole Miss, and the strength she drew from her Mississippi roots and support system shaped her resilience and values—not only as an athlete but as a person and professional. In...

Vad Lee is a former professional football player and All-American college quarterback turned thought-provoking speaker, author, and leader. With over a decade of experience in coaching, mentorship, and public speaking, Vad is a dynamic force who inspires diverse audiences through his message of purpose, resilience, and transformation. In this episode, we explore Vad’s journey from winning state ti...

Terrell Bush, aka T Bush, is a former sprint football athlete at Chestnut Hill College who has carved out an impressive career in sports, media, and public relations. In this episode of Athlete Alchemy , we dive into his journey as he grows up in New York City, competes as a college athlete, juggles four jobs at once, and eventually finds his footing in the world of sports, media, and PR. T Bush s...

Kicking off the Athlete Alchemy interview series with Philly native and ESPN NFL Nation reporter Kris Rhim. Kris shares his journey from playing JV basketball to earning an opportunity to compete as a track and field athlete at Springfield College. He reflects on being a leader on campus and how his college journalism experience led to internships, which opened the door to telling powerful stories...

Hosted by Walt Pegues Jr., Athlete Alchemy explores the journeys of athletes transforming their athletic potential into lifelong excellence. Through real conversations with former athletes, industry pros, and thought leaders, we unpack the challenges, lessons, and wins that come after the game. Our mission is to empower athletes, former athletes, and aspiring sport professionals to thrive by focus...