The Standard

Most programs build fast swimmers. Katie Robinson builds complete people — and the results speak for themselves. Katie Robinson is the former Associate Head Coach for women's swimming and diving at Stanford University, a two-time member of Team USA's coaching staff, and a former 11-time All-American and team captain at the University of Texas. With over 15 years of collegiate coaching ex...

868 wins. 36 years. 14 Coach of the Year awards. And Tim Neiman will tell you straight — none of that is the point. Tim Neiman is the DeSales University Head Coach with one of the most decorated careers in NCAA Division III baseball history. In 36 years and 1,401 games, he has built a .638 winning percentage, nine NCAA Tournament appearances, eleven conference championships, and a College World Se...

Most athletes get one shot at NIL. The ones who build something lasting are the ones who knew who they were before the deal arrived. Greg Glynn has spent 20 years helping athletes get to that place. Greg is the Founder & CEO of Pliable Marketing — a marketing, public relations, and broadcasting company and NIL agency based in Augusta, Maine. He is the only NIL agent in the country who holds Ac...

The discipline that built the athlete can build the business. Most people know that. Almost nobody knows how to actually do it. Demetric Felton does. A UCLA graduate and professional football player with NFL experience, Demetric is now an entrepreneur and founder focused on creating opportunities that connect sports, innovation, and leadership. His career taught him three things that most business...

The jersey comes off. The identity crisis begins. For most athletes, leaving the game isn't just a career transition — it's a loss of self. The structure, the team, the purpose, the identity — all of it changes at once. Most people aren't talking about that. Steven Davis Jr. is. Steven Davis Jr. is a Master Certified Life Coach, 3X author, athlete transition coach, facilitator, and...

Most people think mental toughness is something you either have or you don't. Joel Honigford knows better — because he's lived both sides of that lie. Joel is a Mental Strength and Conditioning Coach who specializes in pushing teams and individuals through the psychological resistance that keeps holding them back. He played for the University of Michigan, where he was a two-time Big Ten...

What actually happens in your brain when the stakes are highest? Most athletes train the body. Fewer train the mind. Almost none train the brain — and there's a difference. Dr. Kiersten Janjigian is a neuroscientist and mental performance consultant with a Ph. D. in Cognitive Motor Neuroscience and dual board certifications in biofeedback and neurofeedback. Her research focuses on the cortica...

From Grey Cup Champion to Mental Performance Expert: Jaime Elizondo's Journey to Elite Execution The difference between high potential and elite performance isn't talent — it's the mental performance systems that allow someone to execute consistently when everything is on the line. Jaime Elizondo has spent 25+ years discovering and developing these systems, first as a championship c...

From Business to Ministry: Troy Dennison on Cultivating Truth and Rediscovering Identity in Christ In a culture that often defines identity through performance, achievement, and external validation, Troy Dennison offers a different foundation for life and leadership. As founder of Cultivating Truth and regional leader within the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Western Montana, Troy has spent o...

Co-Founder Spotlight: Thomas Roe on Character Development and His New Book "TRoe FBombs: From Average to Asset" In this special episode of The Standard Podcast™, Erin Sarles turns the interview lens on her co-founder and partner in the Blueprint mission — Thomas Roe, Chief Athletic Officer of Blueprint to Bluechip™. This intimate conversation reveals the foundation of their shared vision...

From #1 Recruit to Youth Development Strategist: Britt Hunter's Journey of Finding the Lesson The path from being the #1 recruit in the country to becoming a trusted youth development strategist isn't typical, but for Britt Hunter, it represents a journey of transformation, purpose, and dedicated service to the next generation. Her story demonstrates that sometimes losing what you though...

From Division I Athlete to Mental Health Therapist: Mia Zambarano's Mission to Transform Athletic Mental Health The intersection of high-level athletic performance and mental health is complex, often misunderstood, and frequently stigmatized. Mia Zambarano has made it her life's mission to change that reality by bridging the gap between athletic culture and mental health support through...

The transition from athletic excellence to financial success requires more than just good intentions — it requires understanding that the same qualities that made you successful on the field can create lasting success in life and business. Jeff Durr has spent over 35 years proving this principle as a Senior Partner of RU Financial Athletic Department and Senior Vice President at MassMutual. Jeff&a...

Growing up in poverty without a father figure could have limited Hugo Maynard's possibilities, but instead of being defined by his circumstances, he chose to use them as fuel for authentic growth. His story represents the power of resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to build a life on your own terms. Hugo's journey through adversity taught him invaluable lessons about identity an...

From Teacher and Coach to Attorney: Tommy Cannella on Protecting What Athletes and Families Build The transition from educator to legal advocate might seem unusual, but for Tommy Cannella, it represents the natural evolution of a lifelong mission to serve and protect others. After 17 years as a high school Constitutional law teacher and collegiate baseball coach, Tommy witnessed firsthand how prop...

From Alexander McQueen to Jensen's Gin: Mark McCullum on Cross-Industry Transformation and Strategic Excellence What do fashion, television, law, and hospitality have in common? According to Mark McCullum, they all require the same fundamental principles of character, discipline, and strategic thinking to achieve sustainable success. Mark McCullum is a Senior Advisor at the Take It Easy Group...

From Michigan to Manchester: Craig Buhler on Evidence-Based Mental Performance and Building Flexible Mindsets In a world full of trendy mental performance techniques and quick-fix mindset solutions, Craig Buhler stands apart with his commitment to evidence-based coaching and holistic athlete development. Based in Manchester, England, and working as an educational consultant, Craig helps students a...

The Gold Standard of Excellence: Leah Amico on Olympic Success and Building Championship Culture Three Olympic gold medals. Three national championships. Over a decade representing Team USA. These achievements would define most athletic careers, but for Leah Amico, they're just the foundation for something greater — building championship culture that extends far beyond the playing field. A st...

Leadership Is a Sport: Shauna Griffiths on Training Leadership Athletes for High-Stakes Growth In business, just like in athletics, the difference between good and great often comes down to how you train. Shauna Griffiths, a strategic partner with nearly 20 years of experience, believes leadership is a sport — and she helps founders, executives, and leadership teams train like athletes to navigate...

Faith, Family, Football: Johnnie Perkins on Navigating NIL with Character and Integrity In the complex world of Name, Image, and Likeness deals, Johnnie Perkins brings a unique perspective shaped by faith, extensive government experience, and a lifetime in athletics. As an NIL compliance and athlete services strategist, Johnnie lives by three principles: faith, family, and football, guided by 1 Co...

Championship Culture From Both Sides: Preston Ingram on 14 Championships and Developing All-Americans What does it take to be part of 14 championships as a coach? Preston Ingram knows because he's lived it. With over 28 years of coaching experience — 22 at the collegiate level — Preston has built a career on developing championship programs and players through integrity, relationships, and pe...

From Factory Floor to Super Bowl Champion: The Sly Williams Story That Defies Every Odd Some stories are so unlikely they sound fictional. Sylvester "Sly" Williams lived one of them. Sly played one season of high school football at Jefferson City High School in Missouri. He started one game. Zero college programs recruited him. After graduation, he found himself working in a factory, ass...

54 Years of Coaching, One Mission: Nate Crandall & Steve Galley on Transforming Young People and Families When two veteran coaches with Masters degrees in Psychology and Counseling decide to partner together, something powerful happens. Nate Crandall and Steve Galley have combined 54 years of coaching experience, nearly 50 years of teaching, and a shared passion for developing young people int...

Substance Over Sizzle: Justin Brashear on What Athletes Need to Know About Agent Relationships Justin Brashear played collegiate and professional baseball, navigating the world of agents, contracts, and career decisions as an athlete. Today, he's on the other side — as an attorney, NFLPA certified contract adviser, and founder of College Athlete Consulting, working exclusively to protect and...

From ACL Injury to Protecting Athletes' Brands: Chris D'Avanzo's Journey from Basketball Court to Trademark Law Chris D'Avanzo was a basketball player until an ACL injury changed his trajectory. That injury led him to coaching — first high school basketball, then Duke University Summer Basketball Camp. His coaching experience inspired him to pursue law school, where he continue...