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

Send us Fan Mail Imagine the discipline of an elite athlete fused with the grit of a Royal Marines commando. That's the extraordinary life of Jordan, our guest this week, who shares his gripping tale of mastering the art of transition. His life is a masterclass in adaptability - from ruling the basketball court to serving with honor in the military, and now inspiring others through his coachi...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever look at a champion athlete and wonder what mountains they'll conquer when the cheering crowds have faded? Today, I have the pleasure of bringing you the extraordinary story of Peter Bakare, an Olympian whose competitive edge on the volleyball court has spiked into the imaginative realm of creative entrepreneurship. With the launch of Nutritroops, Peter is volleyin...

Send us Fan Mail From the relentless push of an oar against water to the strategic planning within the halls of Volleyball England,  Guin Batten's story is one of incredible transformation. As a world-class rower turned Deputy CEO, she joins us to unravel the journey that connects the adrenaline of elite sports with the finesse of sports administration leadership. In our conversation, Guin ch...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what it takes for an elite athlete to pivot into a successful business leader? Come along as Kari, whose journey from the softball diamond to the boardroom at Life Fitness and Sweat Marketing Lab is nothing short of inspiring, shares her story. Kari opens up about the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from a collegiate athlete to a professional player...

Send us Fan Mail When the final whistle blows on an athlete's career, the silence can be deafening. But for one former football enthusiast from Manchester, that silence heralded the start of an unexpected journey in recruitment and ultimately, a transition to professional running. This episode weaves through the guest's early days, where the stark realities of a small town with limited c...

Send us Fan Mail When the roar of the crowd fades and the medals settle in their cases, what happens to the titans of the sports world? Join us as Paralympian David takes us through the labyrinth of life after elite competition, laying bare the complexities of transition that go far beyond the podium. From the unanticipated stillness of lockdown to the daunting reality of a personal divorce, David...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what it takes to tackle a career pivot with the same force you'd tackle an opponent on the football field? Andrew, a former collegiate football star turned senior people partner in the cybersecurity industry, joins Ryan to unravel the playbook of his impressive transition. Together, they chart the course from the adrenaline of recruitment to the strateg...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever witnessed the raw determination of an athlete as they pivot from fierce competition on the field to the cutthroat arena of business? That's the gripping tale Dylan, our fearless guest, unfolds. His journey from a tenacious rugby player to an innovative entrepreneur at the helm of Neo eX is nothing short of inspiring. As he recounts the meticulous discipline he c...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features a former rugby player turned legal recruiter, whose story of adaptability and resilience captivates from the onset. Clint's  odyssey from the grassy fields to the corporate towers is a rollercoaster of triumphs, setbacks, and the relentless pursuit of new horizons. He takes us through his journey, discussing the blend of mental and physical grit needed t...

Send us Fan Mail When the whistle of life blows for an unexpected timeout, some lose their footing while others, like  Laura Du Ry , transform their game. Join us as we share the remarkable journey of a former Ajax goalkeeper who, after a career-altering injury, channels her competitive spirit from the grassy fields to the tech startup landscape. Weaving through the emotional challenge of losing h...

Send us Fan Mail When  Caragh McMurtry, a former Olympic rower for Team GB, shares her tale, it's not your typical sports saga. Our episode zooms in on her dual identity as an elite athlete and a neurodiversity advocate. Caragh's experiences highlight the untapped brilliance of neurodivergent athletes and the pressing need for a shift in the sports world's approach to these exceptio...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered about the life beyond the roar of the stadium for athletes? Barry Squires, a former university-level footballer turned sports leader, sits down with us to navigate that very transition. From the humble beginnings at AFC Bournemouth's academy to the strategic world of university sports administration, Barry reveals the complexities behind the pivotal decisions th...

Send us Fan Mail When Calum Giles, a double Olympic hockey player, steps into our studio, he brings with him a narrative that goes beyond the hockey field. His personal battles and victories over ADHD are as captivating as his athletic accomplishments. Understanding his journey helps us unravel the tight weave between neurodiversity and peak performance. Calum doesn't shy away from discussing...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ryan speaks to James Beeston, a former full-time footballer who successfully navigated a complex journey. In their riveting discussion, James recounts his journey from being scouted at the tender age of six, through his time at a youth academy, to the founding of Bisterra, his thriving supplemental soccer training company. In 2010 James was rejected from Port Vale...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered about the challenges and sacrifices an athlete has to make to pursue their dreams? Listen in for a glimpse into the world of Idan Kugel, a former professional football player from Israel who transitioned into the military. He shares his unique journey of trying to balance his love for football and the responsibility of military service, and the tough choices...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how athletes transition to "real world" careers after their sporting journey ends? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Olivia King, the former University of Victoria swimmer who switched gears to rowing and made it onto the Canadian national team. Olivia shares her candid story of balancing academics and competitive sports during her univers...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a former professional American footballer swaps the field for the corporate world? Monica Livingston, a former professional American footballer who has on and off the field represented DC Divas, a professional Women's tackle football team. She is also a corporate trainer, culture coach, two-time winner of Comcast SportsNet ‘Funniest Sports Celebrity’ in Wash...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Vera Ignjstovic, a former handballer representing Australia at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Negotiating her way into being a goalie in a male-dominated football team's inner childhood, Vera unknowingly laid the groundwork for her Olympic career and her later scientific ventures.  Fast forward 22 years, Vera is a seasoned Medical Resea...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Jamieson Doyle Taylor, the founder, and CEO of G2G sports, Private practice lawyer, and accredited AFL senior coach for women's sports. In Jamieson's under-18 football seasons, with dreams of having a dazzling career ahead,but like a plot twist in a gripping novel, a severe head injury knocked on his dreams, altering  his athletic...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what it takes to earn a spot in the Olympic Games? Join us as we sit down with Alex, an Olympian, coach, and entrepreneur, who gives us a fascinating look into her journey from the swimming pools of South Africa to the rowing lanes of the Olympics. It's an incredible story of resilience, tenacity, and the sheer will to succeed, even when the odds seem i...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Cecil Jee Thomas, a former professional footballer and dancer turned dynamic presenter and content creator. Cecil's journey is a testament to defying people's expectations, from being told he won't amount to anything bigger than being incredibly talented, Cecil now stands as a beacon of inspiration, from hosting TV shows and s...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Brett Smith, a former world-rated and Lightweight professional boxing champion.   Mentally battling addiction during his boxing prime, Smith rebounded and returned to the sport even stronger. He later left his high-paying job to start a successful business that scaled to seven figures in just two years. Additionally, he serves as a mindset a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ryan interviews Declan O'Hare, a skilled English footballer. Starting his journey at 12 with Lincoln Academy, he rose to professionalism at Lincoln City FC at 15. After successful stints at other clubs, he moved to the US to pursue his dream. Despite changing universities twice, he now juggles a dual career as a footballer and works in Logistics and Supply Ch...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Stephanie Inglis, a former professional Judo athlete who proudly represented Scotland and Team GB on the international stage, amassing an impressive collection of World Cup medals and trophies. The highlight of her illustrious sporting journey came when she clinched Scotland's inaugural silver medal at the prestigious Glasgow Commonweal...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Ryan speaks to Matt Hemsley, a former Scottish professional footballer. With the dream of playing for Leicester, Matt was picked to enroll in the Northampton Center of Excellence before playing professionally. Matt credits his smooth transition from sports to the gradual steps he took whilst in his sporting career and he has an amazing story he shares with...