Especially for Athletes Podcast

In this episode of "The Sportlight Podcast," we explore a powerful quote from pro beach volleyball player, model, business owner, mother, and wife, Gabby Reece. When asked how she manages to juggle so many responsibilities, Gabby’s response was both simple and profound: “I had to ask myself, where is the energy best placed right now in my life?” This question aligns closely with one of the core Es...

In this timely episode of "The Sportlight Podcast," we focus on a critical yet often overlooked part of an athlete's journey—navigating life after the spotlight dims. With fall sports coming to a close, many young athletes are facing the challenge of transitioning away from the field, court, or track, and adjusting to a new reality. To shed light on this sensitive topic, we revisit a powerful conv...

In this powerful episode of "The Sportlight Podcast," we are joined by Super Bowl champion and Utah State legend, Robert Turbin. Robert's journey is one of incredible resilience and determination, as he shares his story of overcoming significant challenges and how his unique family situation fueled his drive to become the exceptional person and athlete he is today. We dive deep into Robert’s thoug...

Description: In this exciting episode of "The Sportlight Podcast," we sit down with the new Utah Valley University Wrestling Coach, Adam Hall. Fresh off his tenure at NC State, one of the nation’s premier wrestling programs, Coach Hall shares his ambitious plans to elevate UVU Wrestling into a powerhouse in the West. Throughout our conversation, we explore Coach Hall’s vision for the future of UVU...

Description: In this insightful episode of "The Sportlight Podcast," hosts Shad and Dustin dive into the results of a recent survey conducted with Especially for Athletes (E4A) Certified Athletes. The survey sheds light on the core principles most relevant to these athletes and uncovers their greatest concerns within their schools. Join us as Shad and Dustin explore which of the four core E4A prin...

Description: In this episode of “The Sportlight Podcast,” we have the privilege of speaking with 18-year NFL veteran Lee Johnson. Lee shares his incredible journey, highlighting the principle of resilience and how a pivotal moment in his youth set the stage for his illustrious career in the NFL. Throughout our conversation, Lee reflects on the various coaches he encountered over his 18-year career...

Description: In this enlightening episode of "The Sportlight Podcast," we are honored to sit down with University of Utah standout and NFL player, Britain Covey. Britain shares his journey and insights on how to balance the pursuit of dreams while staying grounded, and how to channel competitive energy in a positive and appropriate manner. Listeners will gain a wealth of knowledge as Britain discu...

Description: Join us for an inspiring episode of "The Sportlight Podcast" as we sit down with Zac Dart, former BYU Baseball Player and the 2021 5A Player of the Year. Zac shares his deeply personal journey of resilience, perseverance, and self-discovery, offering invaluable insights into overcoming adversity both on and off the field. In this candid conversation, Zac opens up about the challenges...

Description: In this captivating episode of "The Sportlight Podcast," we have the privilege of sitting down with All-Pro NFL Safety and New England Patriot, Brenden Schooler. Join us as we dive deep into Brenden's remarkable journey, exploring the core values of work ethic, resilience, and the invaluable lessons learned both on and off the field. Brenden shares insights into his experiences playin...

Description: In this episode of the Especially for Athletes Spotlight Podcast, we sit down with Cody Valdez, a seasoned coach and current athletic director, to gain insights into the evolving landscape of youth sports. Cody shares his perspectives on various topics, including the unique characteristics of today's young athletes, the role of sports in fostering resilience, and the potential drawbac...

In this podcast, we talk with former college quarterback Stephen H. Covey. We had a great discussion about the following questions: What is it like to see your brothers or teammates achieve your dreams and how do you handle that the right way? How can we recognize our intrinsic worth and help those we coach and our own children do the same? What did he learn from his well-...

After recording our first episode with Daniel Summerhays we knew we had to interview him again. He did not disappoint. We dove deep into the importance of sleep and its impact on performance. Daniel gave us some sleep tips he has garnered along the way as a professional golfer which was so insightful. We also dove deep into how athletes can prevent the downward spiral of performance after hitting...

In this episode of the Sportlight podcast, we sit down with Jaren Hall, BYU Great and current NFL Quarterback. Jaren shares insights into his transformative journey within the E4A program, discussing how its principles have profoundly influenced his mindset and approach to both sports and life. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating social media as a professional athlete, with J...

In this episode of the Sportlight Podcast, join us for an inspiring conversation with talented college dancers hailing from diverse campuses across the state. Explore the intricacies of the high school drill team world as they unveil the secrets of hard work and share invaluable lessons learned from honing their craft. Get ready for an epic episode where these dynamic dancers spill the beans on th...

We decided to reframe Episode 88, The Sportlight Podcast, Professional Golfer Daniel Summerhays. We think it is a good idea to pause during this week when we are thinking about the new year and resolutions and all that we want to do better, to also think about all that we love about ourselves. That was taught to us by professional golfer Daniel Summerhays. We hope that you enjoy. Especially f...

On this spotlight podcast we sit down with college all-american and world champion Wrester Ben Kjar.  Ben Kjar was born with Crouzons syndrome (a craniofacial anomaly), and as a young boy the doctors told him that he would live a different life.....and that’s exactly what he’s done!! Ben has risen above any of life’s challenges and become a Victor not a victim. He shares with us how he has do...

Join us in this exciting episode of the Sportlight Podcast as we catch up with Olympic hopeful Bradley Nicol. From discussing the core principles of Especially for Athletes (E4A) to diving into the thrilling experience of hurtling down an icy track at 90 MPH, Bradley shares the unique challenges and triumphs of his athletic journey. Learn about the award that holds special meaning for him, and get...

In this special episode of The Especially for Athletes Sportlight Podcast, join your host, Shad Martin, as he engages in an enlightening conversation with the remarkable Payton Day. A true standout in the world of high school softball, Payton's journey is filled with triumphs. As a two-time state champion and recipient of the prestigious 'Eyes Up Scholarship' during her senior year, Payton's exper...

Last week, we held the E4A Invitational Golf Tournament at the Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah, near St. George. Many professional and college athletes, coaches, business CEOs, presidents, and E4A supporters gathered for the event. During the tournament, we set up a camera on hole #17 and asked this great group of people to give a short answer to two questions. What advice would you g...

Join us in celebrating a major milestone - our 100th episode! In this special episode of The Sportlight Podcast, hosted by Especially for Athletes, we're taking a trip down memory lane to relive some of our favorite moments and memories from the past century of episodes. Over the course of these remarkable conversations, we've had the privilege of hearing from extraordinary athletes, coaches, and...

In this insightful episode, join us as we engage in a captivating conversation with Zac Jones, a seasoned golfer from BYU with a wealth of experience under his belt. Our focus centers on the pivotal E4A Core Principle of "Winning the Hour," delving deep into the intricacies of this principle's significance. Through the lens of Zac's remarkable journey, we explore the multifaceted dynamics of achie...

In Episode 99 of The Sportlight Podcast, your hosts Dustin Smith and Shad Martin dive deep into the foundational principles of Especially for Athletes alongside a lineup of remarkable guests. Joining the conversation are Elsie Murphy, Administrative Assistant to the Utah State Football Coaching Staff; Allie Bills, Former Pro Basketball player and coach; Eli Ballsteadt, who spent 4 years at UofU Ba...

Join us on The Sportlight Podcast for an enlightening round table discussion led by Especially for Athletes (E4A) founder, Dustin Smith. Our esteemed panel features a lineup of seasoned coaches and former athletes, including Cameron Stewart, Clay Churros, Shad Martin, Ali Bills, Nate Wilson, and Brandon Doman. Delve into the heart of E4A as we dissect its fundamental principles: "Win the Hour," "R...

Welcome to another insightful episode of "The Sportlight Podcast" from Especially for Athletes! In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with our dear friend, Dr. Sheldon Martin, an expert in Behavioral Health. Together, we delve into a fascinating discussion about the powerful impact of sports on healthy adolescent development. Drawing on research-backed insights, we explore how pare...

Welcome to another exciting episode of our podcast! In this episode, we have gathered some of the most inspiring and insightful comments made by our esteemed guests on the topic of "Winning the Hour." Get ready to be motivated and empowered as we bring together these incredible voices to share their wisdom. Join us as we dive into a compilation of powerful insights and perspectives on seizing the...