Pre-Zero Sports Talk

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Sid Bensalah welcomes Lesle Lane , founder and lead photographer at Studio 13 in Indianapolis and a former U.S. national-level figure skater. Lesle’s story blends high performance, artistic leadership, and entrepreneurial grit. From her early mornings on the ice to reimagining a third-generation photography business, Lesle unpacks the mindset, mentorship, and...

Send us Fan Mail In episode #80, Sid Bensalah discusses with Marat Omarov , founder of The ARK , a regenerative village in the lush landscapes of Costa Rica, to explore one of the most radical life changes ever featured on the show. Born and raised in Kazakhstan during the collapse of the Soviet Union, Marat shares how his early life in a strict, hierarchical system of military school, government...

Send us Fan Mail In episode#79, host Sid Bensalah talks with Tareq Nazlawy , CEO of the sports-tech startup Trace and former Senior Director of Digital Strategy at Adidas. Tareq explains how he's closing the gap between elite sports brands and the 99% of fans who never enter a stadium by turning live sports moments into personal, digital experiences fans can truly own. From launching Adidas&a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Sid Bensalah is joined by Carlee Wolfe , a coach, inclusion strategist, and Paralympic pipeline leader with nearly 20 years of experience in volleyball and athlete development. From working with USA Sitting Volleyball to volunteering with the Bennett Blazers at Kennedy Krieger Institute, Carlee has championed access to adaptive sports at every level. She also...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating college admissions has never been more complicated, especially for student-athletes. In this episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk , host Sid Bensalah meets with Shellee Howard , a global college strategist, TEDx speaker, and founder of College Ready , to explore the truth behind scholarships, NIL, and the mental stress faced by young athletes today. Shellee shares her person...

Send us Fan Mail Lynn Colepaugh , a former bass guitar player, strategist, storyteller, and human AI collaborator, joins Sid Bensalah  to discuss her fascinating career shift from touring with a Jimi Hendrix cover band to running a strategy agency. Lynn shares insights on transitioning from the music industry to marketing, managing burnout, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, a...

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to nurture and guide kids through the challenges of a changing climate? In this episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah speaks with Bridget Shirvell , award-winning journalist and author of Parenting in a Climate Crisis . Drawing on her reporting, conversations with climate scientists, educators, and psychologists, as well as her own experi...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 74, host Sid Bensalah talks with Bishop Kevin Foreman , founder of Harvest Church and a strong voice in faith-based leadership, civic innovation, and whole-person coaching. Broadcasting from Sweden to the world, this conversation explores how grit, faith, and performance shape lives and communities. Bishop Kevin shares his journey from modest beginnings, explaining how...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Sid Bensalah speaks with Jim Caruso , Chief Innovation Officer at One Elevate , about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the sports industry. Jim brings a fresh perspective from his journey through enterprise tech and advertising, into helping global sports leagues solve real-world challenges with real-time data. Together, they unpack how AI can...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode #72, Sid Bensalah talks with Kevin Pallaoro , CEO of Teton Waters Ranch , to challenge everything you think you know about beef, methane, and sustainability. From his upbringing on a Colorado cattle ranch to leading one of America’s most purpose-driven grass-fed beef companies, Kevin shares a grounded and unfiltered look at regenerative ranching, the truth about methane...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode#71 host Sid Bensalah chats with Greg Lothian , an accomplished athlete, therapist, biomechanics innovator, and founder of Acculete . Greg discusses his journey from varsity sports to private practice, revealing pivotal moments that led him to redefine rehabilitation methods. The conversation explores the challenges of traditional rehab, the importance of long-term...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 70 of Pre-Zero Sports Talk , host Sid Bensalah welcomes Louis De Jaeger —author and global regenerative agriculture advocate—to explore how soil health impacts human performance, nutrition, and sustainability. Louis shares powerful insights from his book, SOS Save Our Soils , emphasizing the urgent need to regenerate 550 million hectares worldwide to ensure food securit...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply inspiring episode, host Sid Bensalah talks with Kate Grant , CEO of the Fistula Foundation and author of the memoir No Woman Left Behind . Kate shares her remarkable journey from Capitol Hill and Madison Avenue to leading a globally respected nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity to women suffering from obstetric fistula across Africa and Asia. Through stories fr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah sits down with veteran coach and educator Darren Ault , author of Out of Bounds . They explore the growing crisis of parental interference in youth sports, how power dynamics inside school systems fail coaches and players, and what authentic leadership, accountability, and community support should look like in today’s spor...

Send us Fan Mail In this must-listen episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah sits down with George Dom , aviation executive, author, and former Blue Angels Flight Leader and Topgun instructor. Together, they explore what it takes to build high-trust, high-performance teams in some of the most demanding environments on earth. George shares how trust, character, and competence...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, Sid interviews Frank Kelly III — former athlete, CEO of Kelly Benefits , coach, author, and faith-driven leader — to explore the deep links between sports, faith, business, and legacy. Frank shares about growing up in a mission-focused family, how his time in Japan changed his perspective on success, and why spiritual g...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk , host Sid Bensalah sits down with Bryant & Rebecca Haines, the visionary co-founders of PixSeat—a revolutionary platform turning stadium crowds into synchronized, interactive experiences using fans' smartphones. From the spark of inspiration at an Alabama football game to live testing in arenas, Bryant and Rebecca walk us through t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Sid Bensalah interviews Brant Stachel —psychotherapist, massage therapist, and high-performance coach—on the overlooked mental side of athletic success. From Olympic hopefuls to weekend runners, Brant shares how mental resilience, emotional safety, and process-driven growth unlock true potential. You’ll hear Brant’s journey from struggling athlete to performa...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast , host Sid Bensalah sits down with Phil Pelucha , a former professional footballer turned sports business strategist and founder of the Pelucha Sports Academy . From being homeless at 14 to building a global 8-figure consultancy, Phil’s journey is a testament to resilience, purpose, and bold leadership. He shares how spo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Dr. Chelsea Pierotti —sports psychology consultant, former professional ballet dancer, and host of the Passion for Dance podcast—to explore what it takes to perform under pressure in dance. From overcoming perfectionism and burnout to building confidence and redefining success, Chelsea shares real-life stories and practical strateg...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah sits down with author, historian, and strength advocate Haley Shapley to unpack the forgotten stories and modern realities of women in fitness. Drawing from her acclaimed book Stronger Like Her , Haley takes us on a compelling journey through history, culture, and the pursuit of physical power, beyond aesthet...

Send us Fan Mail - CONTENT WARNING - " This episode contains open and honest conversations about mental illness, substance use, and suicide. Some of these stories may be difficult to hear. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if needed." In Episode 60, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Tyler Kania , former rugby player, author of The Maniac with No Knees , and a raw, unfiltered...

Send us Fan Mail In this Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Roman Fischer , a high-performance coach dedicated to transforming lives through fitness, nutrition, and mindset. Roman shares his personal story—from early struggles with self-confidence and mental health to building a meaningful career coaching others. The conversation explores how fitness became a li...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Erich Archer , Emmy-winning TV producer, AI innovator, and creative force behind 1623 Studios , to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of sports storytelling and media. Erich shares his remarkable journey — from discovering his love for media as a teen to producing sports...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk , host Sid Bensalah sits down with Brian Hite , a Hollywood stuntman turned performance psychologist , to explore the mindset behind high-stakes environments. With over 30 years of experience in dangerous stunts and high-pressure moments, Brian has translated lessons from the stunt world into tools for building resilience, mental to...