Athlete Money

Discover how Håvard Musabi used his event to boost his brand, create community, and generate income, all while staying true to his athletic roots. Learn practical insights on organizing athlete-driven initiatives, leveraging sponsorships, and growing organically—valuable for athletes seeking diverse income streams and brand building. In this episode: The origin of the Musabi Invitational and its e...

In this episode, Emil Gukild shares innovative ways athletes can monetize their expertise by building communities around races and training programs, emphasizing the power of social media and storytelling in modern sports careers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Athlete Monetization 01:59 Building a Community Around Events 05:54 The Role of Social Media in Athlete Branding 11:09 Crafting Your Uniqu...

This podcast exists to support athletes in learning to live from what they love. Every episode, Matt with chat with the likes of sponsorship managers of global brands athletes that are building products and businesses whilst competing and performing. The goal is simply to share knowledge and show how those that have succeeded have done it.

This episode explores the power of social media for athletes, how to build a personal brand, and practical strategies to start and grow your online presence. Nicola Rizzo shares her decade of experience working with athletes like George Russell and offers actionable tips for beginners. In this insightful conversation, Matt C Smith and Nicola Rizzo explore how athletes can leverage personal brandin...

Summary In this engaging conversation, the Matt and Samer discuss the journey of a Lebanese cross-country skier who overcame significant challenges to qualify for the Olympics. They explore themes of resilience, the beauty of Lebanon's Cedars of God, the experience of competing at the Olympics, and the importance of support systems in an athlete's life. The conversation also delves into th...

In this engaging conversation, I interview Bjørn Dæhlie, a legendary cross-country skier, discussing his journey from professional athlete to businessman. We explore Bjørn's passion for skiing, his experiences in the sport, and the coincidences that shaped his career. The conversation delves into training insights, the evolution of Norwegian skiing, and the importance of mental preparation for...

In this episode, I sit down with Kjartan Haugen a Norwegian Para athlete who lost his leg to cancer at 18yrs old. He went onto gain 6 Olympic medals, and in this conversation we touch on how he returned fro 10yrs, then came back and won another medal in Beijing and what that time off taught him about bing an athlete now. Takeaways Returning to sport after a long break can reignite passion and joy....

Summary In this engaging conversation, Seve De Campo shares his journey as a cross-country skier, from his early days in Melbourne to his experiences as an Olympian. The discussion covers the importance of mental preparation, the significance of personal branding for athletes, and the role of social media in building a community. Seve also reflects on the lessons learned from his Olympic journey a...

Summary In this episode, Matt C Smith interviews Markus Hoiberg, a three-time Olympian in curling, exploring the intricacies of the sport, its evolution, and the unique experiences of competing at the Olympics. They discuss the importance of teamwork, mental preparation, and the physical demands of curling, as well as the impact of recent scandals on the sport's equipment standards. Markus shares...

Zak Ketterson shares his journey as a cross-country skier, discussing his upbringing in Minnesota, the impact of the NCAA system on his career, and the importance of building a personal brand as an athlete. He emphasizes the role of social media and content creation in connecting with fans and sponsors, and reflects on his aspirations for the upcoming Olympics. Zak also highlights the significance...

Scott Meenagh is a former solder turned Paralympian. In this episode we get a master class in resilience from his journey into parasports, to his fight to keep his sport funded and represented. Takeaways The journey to success is often filled with adversity. Finding purpose in sport can lead to personal growth. The transition to a new sport can be challenging but rewarding. Military training can i...

In this engaging conversation, Matt and Boris Stanish explore Boris's journey as an aspiring biathlete aiming for the Olympics through his Project 509 initiative. They discuss the importance of social media in documenting the athlete's journey, the challenges of balancing training with content creation, and the impact of community engagement. Boris shares insights on his experiences, the s...

In this episode, Henrik Christiansen, a Norwegian swimmer and Olympic athlete, shares his journey from a young soccer player to becoming a world-class swimmer and the infamous 'Muffin Man.' He discusses the importance of authenticity in building a personal brand, the pressures of social media fame, and how he navigated his viral moment during the Olympics. Christiansen emphasizes the need...

In this episode, Rakan Alireza shares his journey from Jeddah to the TED stage, discussing the challenges of public speaking, transitioning from rowing to cross-country skiing, and the rigorous training required for Olympic qualification. He reflects on the importance of community support, overcoming fears, and the mental aspects of competing. Rakan emphasizes the significance of enjoying the jour...

In this recap, I pick my 5 favourite lessons from the last 5 episodes.

Alan Daniel Corona shares his inspiring journey as a self-taught cross-country skier representing Mexico at the Olympics. He discusses the importance of community, self-belief, and the challenges of balancing family life with rigorous training. The conversation delves into the significance of the Olympics, the unique dynamics of the Mexican skiing community, and the personal growth that comes from...

In this episode Michal & I discuss the journey to the Olympics, sharing personal experiences, cultural clashes, and the importance of mental preparation in sports. They explore the significance of character in athletes, the Czech cross-country skiing team's history, and the excitement surrounding the upcoming Cortina 2026 Olympics. We also touch on training strategies, audience questions, and...

This episode explores the journey of Holmenkollen Training Lab, the cultural factors contributing to Norway's success in winter sports, and the importance of team dynamics in coaching. The discussion also touches on the role of digital content in athlete training, the long-term vision for the training lab, and personal reflections on experiences at the Olympics. The podcast emphasizes the signific...

Summary: In this episode Nicole Burger, a skeleton athlete representing South Africa, shares her journey into the sport, the challenges she faces, and her aspirations for the upcoming Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The discussion covers the mechanics of skeleton, the psychological resilience required, the community of athletes, and the balance between her military career and sports. Nicole emphasizes...

In this episode of Countdown to Cortina, Matt has a heartfelt conversation with Italian cross-country skiing champion Federico Pellegrino. They discuss the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the importance of athlete representation, and the balance between sport and personal life. Pellegrino shares insights on training, the evolution of cross-country skiing, and the significance of maintaini...

In this bonus episode I wanted to recap the first 5 episodes with picking my favourite take away from each episode. 1. Andrew Musgrave: Athletes needing their personalities to show through - which goes back to a topic I really want to talk more about which is how athletes can become more multi-facetted. Meaning being seen as more than just the sport.   You are more than your results!  Muzzy discus...

In this conversation, Annika Malacinski shares her journey as a Nordic combined athlete, discussing the unique duality of ski jumping and cross-country skiing. She reflects on her experiences, the challenges of competing in a sport that lacks gender equality in the Olympics, and her aspirations to inspire the next generation of female athletes. Annika emphasizes the importance of mental training,...

In this episode, Dani shares her unique journey as a Paralympian from from discovering that there is actually a category for her disability, to then competing in not 1 but 2 Paralympics. She offers valuable advice for first-time Olympians, highlights the complexities of classification in para sports, and emphasises the need for inclusivity and understanding in the athletic community. Dani's in...

Today's guest is one of Norway's greatest Olympians, and coming from the land of winter olympians that's saying something.  Johan Olav Koss, is a 4 time Olympic Gold medal winning Speed Skater, 3 of which came during his home Olympics in Lillehammer 1994, where he not only won, he broke the world records while doing so!  Spoiler alert, Johann shares how making peace with losing, helped...

In our second episode of Countdown to Cortina, matt sits down with Carina Edlinger, Paralympic gold medalist from Beijing 2022. Carina shares how she overcame loosing her sight, and became the most decorated Austrian Cross Country Skier of all time.