Career Clarity with Athletes: A 2ndwind Podcast with Ryan Gonsalves

Send us Fan Mail Aleisha’s journey from elite synchronized figure skating to founding a rockstar media company is inspiring, and a masterclass in translating athletic discipline into business success. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we dive into the gritty reality of career transition: the identity crises, the $35,000 gamble that changed everything, and why "trust the process" isn&...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the roar of the crowd fades and the Olympic dream becomes a memory? For Rachel Lewis, the transition from elite athlete to "what’s next?" wasn’t just a career shift—it was an identity crisis, a financial struggle, and ultimately, a mission to change the game for future athletes. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Rachel opens up about: Writing &quo...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Ryan sits down with Marnie—a former dual international athlete (representing England in both netball and touch rugby), mum of two, and entrepreneur who’s revolutionizing early-years sports education and AI adoption in business. Marnie’s story is one of relentless determination, adaptability, and learning to thrive in multiple arenas—whether on the pitch, i...

Send us Fan Mail When Kuhoo Garg tore her ACL during her comeback tournament after COVID, little did she know this injury would redirect her life's purpose. As a former world #34 badminton player representing India, Kuhoo had dedicated everything to her sport—sacrificing normal college experiences, social connections, and career exploration in pursuit of Olympic dreams. The forced pause from...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Ryan sits down with Tarek Moustafa, a passionate advocate for personal development and athlete well-being. Tarek shares his unique journey from being a young boy diagnosed with autism to becoming a mentor, educator, and podcast host. Through his work in schools and his podcast Life in Sport , Tarek is dedicated to helping young people—especially athletes—d...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ryan sits down with Andrew, a former elite rugby player who carved out a 15-year career across Australia, Wales, Ireland, and France.  From captaining teams in Europe to managing operations for a global engineering company, Andrew shares how the lessons learned in rugby—discipline, teamwork, and resilience—translated seamlessly into his post-sport career. He opens...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we sit down with Mikel Thomas, a three-time Olympian whose journey is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. From his humble beginnings in Trinidad and Tobago to the global stage of the Olympics, Mikel's story is one of triumph over adversity, both on and off the track. He opens up about the pressures of li...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Ryan sits down with Christine Ngeve, a former multi-sport college athlete turned mental health advocate and career coach for athletes. Christine’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of preparing for life beyond sport. From her days as a three-sport athlete at university to her current work helping student-at...

Send us Fan Mail Transitioning out of a professional sports career is never easy, and for former international badminton player Mithula Umakanth, it was a journey of loss, self-discovery, and reinvention. In this episode, Mithula shares her raw and inspiring story - moving from the highs of elite sports to the uncertainty of finding a new career path. Now a Master’s student in Finance at UC Irvine...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when an Olympic gold medalist swaps the pool for the office? On this episode, we dive into the incredible journey of former world-class swimmer Mack Horton as he transitions from elite athlete to corporate professional. Mack opens up about the surreal experience of announcing his retirement from professional swimming and starting his first job at Clemenger BBDO Melbou...

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when life throws 25 shots your way? If you’re Rachel Howard , you save them, earn MVP, and rewrite the playbook for success on and off the pitch. From New Zealand’s national goalkeeper to General Manager of the Pacific Region at Adidas , Rachel has mastered the art of rising to the challenge and leaving a lasting impact wherever she goes. 💡 What You’ll Learn: Balan...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your career in sports—or any field you’ve poured your soul into—comes to an end? How do you prepare for life after the spotlight? In this episode, we’re exploring these pivotal questions with Evan Bush , a 16-year Major League Soccer veteran and one of the league’s oldest active players, and Julian Gonzalez , a former rising star in Colombian football turned spor...

Send us Fan Mail What if you let life’s twists guide you instead of forcing the next step? For Lewis Paris , this mindset turned an ACL injury into the foundation of a thriving fitness empire. From dreams of a football career to spinning records as a DJ in Greece, Lewis’s journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of following life’s unexpected opportunities. 💡 What You’ll L...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine standing perfectly still, focusing on a target 50 meters away as your heartbeat slows to match the rhythm of your breath. Now, picture doing this while navigating the chaos of moving continents, mastering a new language, and building a life with your partner—all while staying true to your identity as an elite athlete. What does it take to stay calm and grounded while pursu...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when elite sports and cutting-edge medicine intersect? Ryan invites Karen Brown, to the show. Karen Brown is an award-winning pharmacist and former Queensland Firebirds netball star transforming how athletes approach health, performance, and safety. Through Batch Tested , Australia’s leading platform for rigorously tested supplements, Karen ensures that athletes world...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to turn a lifelong passion into a movement that’s redefining dance for young children across the UK and beyond? Meet Anne-Marie Martin, the founder of Diddi Dance, a pioneering dance program that’s bringing rhythm, fun, and early childhood development into one dynamic package for kids under five. Once a professional dancer gracing global stages, Anne-Marie traded...

Send us Fan Mail Channing Chaston, famously known as the 1% Kid, shares the secrets behind his extraordinary journey from dreaming of playing college soccer to becoming a pro athlete with Phoenix Rising. Discover how Channing's mantra of "1% better every day" drove him to overcome the challenges of a rigorous recruitment process and unexpected coaching changes to secure his place at...

Send us Fan Mail Erin Cafaro, a former elite athlete turned neuropsychologist, joins us to share the incredible journey sparked by her father's diagnosis with vascular dementia. She opens up about the powerful influence of personal experiences on career transitions, illustrating how curiosity and passion can lead to unexpected and fulfilling paths. Listeners will learn how Erin's early l...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a BMX champion swaps the adrenaline rush of biking for the tranquil greens of golf? Join us as Josh, a former professional BMX athlete, narrates this unlikely transformation. After a brain tumor diagnosis, Josh reevaluated his life priorities and took the bold step to transition into a sport where every swing is both a challenge and a chance for growth. Discover...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine balancing rigorous training with law school, missing out on the Olympics by just one spot, and still building a legal career that has taken Australia by storm. Today, Ryan is joined by Andrew Mewing, a former Australian swimmer turned co-founder and partner of a leading law firm Batch Mewing Lawyers specializing in construction and employment law, who shares a riveting tal...

Send us Fan Mail How do athletes' skills on the field translate into successful franchise ownership? In this episode, we sit down with franchisee broker James Hilovsky from California. James shares his unique insights on the natural fit between athletes and franchising, explaining how the structure, teamwork, and coaching inherent in sports prepare athletes for franchise entrepreneurship. You...

Send us Fan Mail From Triple Jumping in Jamaica to sprinting up the ranks in the tech industry, today’s guest has mastered the art of reinvention. As a former Jamaican World and Commonwealth Games track and field star, Damon McLean competed alongside some of the best, pushing his limits on the global stage. He is no stranger to high stakes and high performance; he has faced some of the toughest co...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like the sidelines of youth sports are more of a battlefield than a fun space? Between stressed-out coaches, over-involved parents, and young athletes caught in the middle, finding a balance can seem impossible. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Skye Eddy, a former elite goalkeeper and the visionary behind Soccer Parenting, to unravel the unspoken struggles of youth s...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a promising football career is suddenly cut short and the real world comes calling? In this episode, Malvin Kamara reveals the untold story of his rise and fall in professional football, and how the same drive that once fueled him on the field helped him reinvent himself as a successful entrepreneur. From playing for top clubs like Cardiff City and Huddersfield T...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we dive into the mind of Myriam Robitaille, a Canadian professional beach volleyball player who is redefining what it means to be an athlete. For Myriam, sport is more than just physical prowess; it’s a mental battlefield that pushes the limits of the human spirit. From being scouted at 14 to dominating the indoor volleyball scene, Myriam’s journey has been one...