Athletes IN Sports | The Parent Playbook

When Rachel Bergeson was offered her dream job as Athletic Director at Concordia College, she said no. Not because she didn't want it. Because she didn't think she was ready. A year later, she changed her mind. And the reason she changed her mind is the reason you're going to remember this episode forever. In Episode 30 of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast, Rachel sits down with Andrew De...

What does it take to keep chasing a dream after coming up just short—not once, but twice? In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast , Olympic Silver Medalist Korey Dropkin shares his incredible journey from missing the Olympic team in both 2018 and 2022 to standing on the podium at the 2026 Winter Olympics as part of the first U.S. mixed doubles curling team to win an Olympic medal. Korey...

In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast, we sit down with former NFL quarterback Brooks Bollinger to talk about the reality of youth sports — from the perspective of a player, coach, and parent of five kids. Brooks shares his journey from growing up in Grand Forks, to leading Wisconsin to a Rose Bowl, to playing in the NFL, and ultimately transitioning into life after football. But more...

In this episode of the Athletes in Sports Podcast , we sit down with MTV’s The Challenge star Nelson Thomas to talk about the hardest decision of his life—choosing to amputate his foot after a devastating car accident. Nelson shares his journey from growing up without a father, to finding identity through sports, to building a name on reality TV… and ultimately facing a moment that forced him to r...

We’re live at Viking Lakes for the Joy of the Pond Mite Jamboree with Minnesota Vikings rookie offensive lineman Donovan Jackson. Donovan shares his journey from playing multiple sports as a kid in Texas to becoming a first-round NFL draft pick, along with the mindset, discipline, and work ethic that helped him get there. He talks about the importance of having fun in youth sports, building confid...

In sports — and in life — failure isn’t optional. It’s required. In this episode of Athletes in Sports , Mike Welch , Tournament Director of the 3M Open and former Minnesota Timberwolves executive, shares how sports shape resilience, leadership, and confidence in kids and adults alike. This conversation explores: Why athletes fail more than they succeed — and why that matters How youth sports prep...

Pro golfer Carson Herron joins the Athletes in Sports Podcast to share his journey from being a kid who didn’t even want to play golf —because he’d rather go to Chuck E. Cheese —to chasing his dream of competing at the PGA level . Growing up as the son of PGA Tour veteran Tim “Lumpy” Herron , Carson opens up about the pressure of legacy, being labeled “ Lumpy Jr. ,” and how he learned to develop h...

Two-time U.S. Open champion and longtime ESPN analyst Andy North joins Max Smith and Andrew Deters onsite at the Sanford International to talk all things golf—mindset, majors, and making the game better for kids. From the pressure of standing over a must-make putt to why multi-sport youth development matters, Andy shares hard-earned lessons, candid takes on LIV vs. PGA , and what Tiger’s future on...

Natalie Darwitz is a Minnesota hockey legend, three-time Olympian, and one of the most influential figures in women’s hockey. In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast , Natalie shares her journey from growing up with an older brother and sister, strapping on My Little Pony roller skates, and breaking into a sport where few girls played, to becoming captain of Team USA. She opens up about:...

Welcome to Athletes IN Sports —the podcast that goes beyond the game to uncover the stories that shape elite athletes. In this episode, we sit down with Izzy Ashburn , former University of Wisconsin volleyball standout and national champion. Izzy shares how her parents’ steady support shaped her work ethic, resilience, and ability to thrive through the highs and lows of college athletics. She open...

In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast , hosts Max Smith and Andrew Deters sit down with Tom Buske — former University of Minnesota baseball player and founder/CEO of MASH Baseball . Tom shares his journey from growing up in Apple Valley and competing in 50 games a summer, to pitching for the Gophers, and ultimately building one of Minnesota’s most respected baseball training facilities...

In this episode of Athletes IN Sports , hosts Max Smith and Andrew Deters sit down with former University of Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber to explore his journey from leading the Gophers on the field to navigating the challenging transition into professional football. Adam shares the highs and lows of pursuing NFL and CFL opportunities, what ultimately led him to hang up the cleats, and how the...

In this exclusive live episode of the Athletes IN Sports podcast, host Max Smith sits down with Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin —right from inside the Wild penalty box . With the backdrop of the “Get IN” wall branded by Innovative Office Solutions , this conversation dives into the grit, leadership, and long-term vision behind one of the NHL’s most passionate franchises. Bill opens up a...

In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports podcast, host Max Smith sits down with Michael Floyd , former NFL wide receiver and Minnesota native, for a candid conversation on life after football. Michael reflects on his journey from playing under the lights at Notre Dame and in the NFL to finding a new purpose in real estate and his growing love for golf . He opens up about the transition out of pro...

In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports podcast, host Max Smith sits down with Charlie Sutherland and Kyle Remmington , standout players for the University of Minnesota Gopher Baseball team . They dive deep into what it is really like to be a Division I college athlete today—balancing school, competition, and the growing conversation around NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals. Charlie and Kyle...

Live from Joy of the Pond: A Conversation with NFL Linebacker Blake Cashman Presented by the InSports Foundation and proudly sponsored by Innovative In this special live episode of the Athletes IN Sports podcast, hosts Max and Bridget Smith sit down with Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman in front of a packed crowd at Joy of the Pond —a 38-team mite hockey jamboree hosted by the InSports F...

Join us for a special bonus episode of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast featuring former Wisconsin Volleyball player Izzy Ashburn as she shares her journey to becoming a Division 1 athlete. This session, hosted by Bridget Smith of the InSports Foundation , took place at our free Volleyball Camp at the MN Select Volleyball Center and is packed with inspiring insights and practical advice. Our Be The...

In this episode, we sit down with former PGA Tour player Donald Constable to dive deep into the mental side of sports and life. Donald shares his journey from playing Division 1 college golf for the Texas Longhorns and Minnesota Golden Gophers to competing on the PGA Tour, Web.com Tour, and PGA Tour Canada. Growing up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Donald honed his athletic skills across multiple sport...

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Levine, Founder of The Fortis Academy , to explore how sports can shape athletes far beyond the physical game. Josh shares his philosophy of training the ‘whole athlete’—focusing on mental toughness, emotional strength, and leadership skills alongside physical development. Drawing from his background in youth hockey, track, and soccer, Josh reflects on the im...

Step into the world of Division 1 athletics at a military college with Mike Fitzgerald , a former basketball player at the Air Force Academy. In this episode, Mike shares his journey of balancing the rigorous demands of college sports with the discipline of military training. From overcoming unique challenges to serving our country after graduation, Mike provides a raw and inspiring account of the...

In this inspiring episode of Athletes IN Sports , we sit down with Walter Bond, former NBA player and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker. Walter dives into the invaluable life lessons sports can teach kids, including the importance of independence, decision-making, and resilience. Drawing from his background in both athletics and business, Walter shares his perspective on why kids need unstructured play...

In this powerful Athletes IN Sports episode, former Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Champion Ben Utecht dives deep into the transformative power of sports and the lifelong skills it builds. We talk with Ben about the thrill of winning the Super Bowl, the invaluable mentorship from his coach Tony Dungy , and the lasting impact sports have on character, leadership, and integrity. Ben also shares why h...

In this episode of Athletes IN Sports , we sit down with former NHL defenseman Nate Prosser, best known for his time with the Minnesota Wild. Nate shares his unique journey of playing multiple sports growing up and not focusing on hockey until he was 17. We dive into his transition from high school to the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede, his college career at Colorado College, and his role as a...

In this episode of the Athletes in Sports podcast, we sit down with Pete Follese, CEO of National Insurance Brokers and a former college golfer from Forest Lake, Minnesota. Pete shares how his experiences on the golf course at Crookston University shaped his approach to leadership and business. We dive into his insights on the importance of mental health, staying physically active, and how these f...

In this episode of the Athletes IN Sports Podcast , we sit down with Ty McDevitt, Head Coach for Minnesota Gopher Baseball, to discuss the road to success in college athletics, the art of recruiting, and the importance of developing student-athletes both on and off the field. Ty shares his insights on leadership, coaching strategies, and how Gopher Baseball is building a winning culture. From navi...