Gridiron and Growth Podcast

How can perspective on failure and personal growth influence the path to championship-level success in sports and life? In episode 24, Hall of Famer Joe Mauer, one of the greatest catchers in MLB history, shares his journey from a small-town kid in Minnesota to becoming an MVP, a three-time batting champion, and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Join co-hosts Ryan Harris and Bennie Fowler in this insp...

What does it take to transform personal failures into entrepreneurial success? In episode 23, co-hosts Benny Fowler and Ryan Harris engage with Zaw Thet, an entrepreneur and the youngest graduate from Stanford Business School. Zaw shares his unique path from NFL fandom to Silicon Valley success, emphasizing the role of embracing failure in achieving success. His story goes through the early dot-co...

How does embracing failure redefine leadership and team success? In episode 22, co-hosts Ryan Harris and Bennie Fowler share what it takes to be a great leader and build a high-performance team. They share stories from their NFL days and insights from leading teams at big companies like Ford, revealing their lessons and keys to creating an excellent team. This conversation focuses on clear communi...

What leadership strategies lead the Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl LVIII? In episode 21, co-host Ryan Harris and Benny Fowler analyze the leadership and strategy that defined Super Bowl LVIII. From Patrick Mahomes' unparalleled playmaking to Andy Reid's masterful coaching and the 49ers' strategic missteps, this episode shows how determination, discipline, and adaptation are require...

Would you give 10% back to the charity of everything you own?  Angel Johnson, CEO and founder of the athleisure brand ICONIC, joins co-hosts Bennie Fowler and Ryan Harris in episode 20, to share her entrepreneurship story. After serving in the Air Force, Angel launched her own activewear business to create a brand that empowers and gives back. As one of the first 100 black women to graduate from t...

Can leadership, preparation, and emotional intelligence determine the champion of the 2023-2024 Super Bowl? In episode 19, co-hosts Benny Fowler and Ryan Harris analyze the world of leadership, preparation, and performance under pressure, as seen in the Championship Sunday in the NFL. They share their personal experiences and observations of recent games and explore how these elements are critical...

What secrets of NFL nutrition and training can help us achieve better health and performance?  In episode 18, co-hosts Benny Fowler and Ryan Harris engage in a conversation with Pratik Patel, an expert in nutrition and fitness. He shares his journey from handling personal health challenges to becoming a figure in sports nutrition, impacting the lives of athletes at Michigan State and in the NFL. T...

What does it take to pivot from a high-profile career to an entirely new chapter in life with confidence and success? In this conversation, we welcome Julius Thomas, former Pro Bowl tight end and soon-to-be Dr. Thomas, to discuss the challenges and strategies of transitioning from professional sports to different career paths. This discussion explores the psychological aspects of change, the impor...

How can a single word that represents your life purpose transform the way you communicate and lead? Erin Weed, founder of The Dig, TEDx speaker, and authenticity advocate, joins us in this episode to dive into her unique approach to distilling life stories into a single, meaningful word. She discusses her journey from founding Girls Fight Back, inspired by a personal tragedy, to becoming a guide f...

How can a single event, like a sports injury, unexpectedly shape and redefine your career path and life philosophy? Today, we talk to Jason Mendelson, a former venture capitalist turned musician, as he shares his multifaceted journey, from his roots in Michigan to his transformative journey through various career paths. He delves into how a sports injury led him from pursuing music to studying eco...

Have you ever considered how challenging your own 'realistic' expectations and overcoming self-imposed limitations can lead to extraordinary achievements? In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Ryan Lavarnway from collegiate underdog to baseball superstar. A Yale graduate, World Series champion, Olympian, dynamic keynote speaker, and an Ironman, Ryan recounts his experien...

The inspiring journey of former UFC fighter and successful gym owner, Eliot Marshall. In this candid episode, we uncover the transformative power of martial arts, the role of jiu-jitsu in cultivating mindfulness, and the significance of embracing fear to foster personal growth.  Eliot shares his invaluable lessons on scaling a business, the crucial balance of self-belief, and the power of daily af...

On the latest episode of the Gridiron and Growth Podcast our esteemed guest, Blair Nelson, dives into the dynamics of leadership and accountability in the fast-evolving business and media landscape. As the award-winning Director of Marketing at 9News and recent recipient of the Denver Business Journal's Outstanding Woman in Business Award, Blair discusses strategic planning, brand identity, a...

Today we delve deep into the challenges and victories of entrepreneurship, the biases in venture capital, and the journey from startup to a mature business—all through the prism of diversity and inclusion. We'll explore how the glamorization of entrepreneurship hides the hard work required to build sustainable companies, and we'll discuss Danielle's personal battles with imposter sy...

Financial coach Holly Morphew, shares her remarkable journey from drowning in credit card debt to achieving financial freedom. In this episode, our Super Bowl-winning hosts Ryan Harris and Bennie Fowler explore the crucial relationship between mindset, emotional control, and financial success.  Learn how to overcome financial struggles, adopt a wealth-building strategy, and prioritize financial in...

After many weeks of talking about leadership, imposter syndrome and overcoming their own limiting beliefs, Bennie and Ryan sit down to tackle the dynamics of NFL leadership and team communication, and the critical role of coaching in building a successful football team. Discover unique strategies for wide receivers to get open, the benefits of functional training, and the influence of skilled quar...

An insightful episode  with special guest Peter Lynch, the inspiring Chief People Officer at Cardinal Group. Listen as they delve into  topics such as enhancing company culture, realizing untapped potential, and the critical importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  Lynch, a business titan, led Cardinal Group to rank 54 in the top 100 US companies—outpacing giants like Sony and Appl...

A conversation on leadership with esteemed guest, Tami Door, co-founder of Denver Startup Week,  dives into her experiences in leadership and innovation.  Tami is a thriving real estate development CEO, combines passion for construction and team-building. She shares her journey from Flint, Michigan to establishing Denver's leading business event. Delve deep into her thoughts on leadership acc...

Today, inspiring leadership coach and business consultant, JP Flaum joins the show. The engaging conversation delves into JP's journey from the high-pressure world of Silicon Valley to leadership coaching and business consultancy. JP sheds light on the pivotal moments that led him to his current path, from tackling challenges in management to confronting his own chronic illness. The episode e...

In this exciting episode, hosts Ryan Harris and Bennie Fowler are joined by special guest Jordan Norwood, a Super Bowl champion, business owner, philanthropist and former owner of the longest punt return in Super Bowl history.  This episode takes a deep dive into Jordan's career and his incredible journey as an undrafted free agent. From his humble beginnings to playing in the Super Bowl and...

Welcome back to another episode of the Gridiron and Growth Podcast!  Join host, Ryan Harris and Bennie Fowler. Our special guest on the show today is a true leader and advocate for personal growth and development,  Margie Dubois.  In this episode, Margie shares her inspiring journey, starting from her early days as the executive director of a national low-income housing agency to her current role...

In this episode of the Gridiron and Growth, our guest Karl Sona is an entrepreneur through and through, working with NGC Capital investment group, the Kas Company and a co-founder of Streamlined Media.   Karl Sona, a 32-year-old who has lived most of his life for others, experienced a lot of trial and error along the way. Realizing that he had not been tuned in to his own internal voice, Karl emba...

Welcome back to a second exciting but shorter episode of the Gridiron and Growth Podcast, where we dive into the minds of business champions.  In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of Coach Prime, Deion Sanders, and his impact on the football program at Boulder.  But it's not just on the field where Coach Prime shines. We explore how he has leveraged his brand, licensing the nam...

Join Super Bowl Champions Ryan Harris and Bennie Fowler on the inaugural episode of the Gridiron and Growth Podcast, as they unravel the story behind their extraordinary partnership. Discover the pivotal moments that propelled them from the NFL to the forefront of entrepreneurship.  In this episodes your hosts unveil their mission to guide aspiring entrepreneurs in conquering setbacks, igniting bu...