Pay Your Dues with Greg Inglin: Exploring the Struggle before Success

In many ways, Eric Floberg is like a lot of “hobby” runners…dedicated to his pursuit of improvement and chasing new goals to see what he can achieve. The times may be faster than what most people run, but the challenge is just the same: pushing himself to see what his body and mind can do. In this conversation, Eric Floberg shares his journey as a marathon runner, reflecting on the emotional highs...

The Seattle Seahawks have many reasons why they are Super Bowl Champions, but the one that stood out all season is team Unity.  Today, we hear from the team Chaplin, JonathanRainey, with an insider’s perspective on what made this team special. In this inspiring interview, Jonathan Rainey shares his unique journey blending faith and football, the importance of identity, and how spiritual principles...

The mind is the most powerful resource we have and many of us let negative thoughts drive our decisions and hold us back.  Today’s discussion will help in navigating how you think, feel, and work to have your thoughts help you each day. In this insightful interview, Collin Henderson shares his journey into mindset mastery, the science behind thoughts and beliefs, and practical tools to develop men...

Keegan Hall’s story is one you must see to believe. His life-like drawings have grabbed the world’s attention, including the likes of Michael Jordan, Rory Mcllroy, and Eddie Vedder. But this amazing career almost never happened. In this conversation, Keegan details his experience at theMasters, the challenges of creating intricate artwork, and the personal struggles he faced growing up. He discuss...

Brandon Bakke had a decision to make. After accepting a scholarship to play basketball at Fresno State, he found himself on the bench. A back-up, role player, or bench warmer is often the phrase and it can lead to resentment and negativity as most players want to get in the game. Brandon found a different approach, one as a culture builderand learned to own his role and to fight what he calls “me-...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Matt Jones,co-founder of Four Pillars Gin, as he shares his unconventional journey from economist to entrepreneur. Discover how strategic risk-taking, storytelling, and brand building fueled his success in creating a globally recognized craft gin brand. Matt’s journey takes him from Australia, to London, to NewYork, and back to Australia where the Four Pi...

Chris Ballew, burst onto the music scene in the mid-90’s in Seattle, when grunge was all the rage. But his unique sound with his fun-loving ban, The Presidents of the United States of America was a refreshing change that the world welcomed.  Chris takes us through his musical journey from early influences, navigating fame, and the pressure to perform once they had “made it”.  He also shares how he...

At one time, Keira D’Amato described herself as a “hobbyjogger”, but she’s about the only one that would see it that way. After a stellar high school and college running career, Keira became a professional runner, but injuries and the pressure that comes with being a pro lead her to retire in her mid 20’s. She took eight years off from running, got married, had twokids, and that’s when the hobby k...

James Donaldson has an amazing story you need to hear. He enjoyed a long, productive basketball career spanning 20 years, with 14 of those in the NBA. He is a big man with a big heart, and his energy can fill a room.  When he moved from the basketball court to the business world, it was a smooth transition. But that all changed suddenly in 2015 with a trip to the emergency room. A heart condition...

In this fun and engaging conversation, Jordan Brady shareshis journey from stand-up comedian to successful commercial director, emphasizing the importance of identity, creativity, and collaboration. He discusses the influence of his family on his career, the lessons learned from his time spent on the road as a comedian, and the evolution of filmmaking in the age of AI. Brady also reflects on the j...

Alan Stein Jr. spent 15 years working with some of the best NBA athletes in the world and he's taken those lessons into the next phase of his life. In this conversation, Alan discusses the power of mindset and the journey of self-improvement which are highlighted in his most recent book, Next Play. Alan shares insights on how to overcome fear, the importance of self-compassion, and practical s...

In this episode of Pay Your Dues, Greg Inglin talks withGeorge Gilder, a prominent American economist, futurist, author, and investor, famous for his influential work on supply-side economics (especially his book Wealth and Poverty) and his insightful analyses of technology's impact, predicting the rise of the internet and blockchain.  But did you know that George is also an accomplished runne...

There are few examples of resilience and perseverance betterthan Anthony Robles. Born with one leg, Robles refused to see limitation. Instead, he saw opportunity – and turned that belief into an NCAA Wrestling Championship Title, a best-selling book, and a major motion picture called Unstoppable. Join Greg Inglin as he looks back at this amazing journey with Anthony, who shares his struggles along...

In the high-stake world of high finance, pressure comes withthe job and can cause many great minds to burnout. Learning how to navigate such a stressful world has led Sebastien Page into a deep study on learning, leadership, and fulfillment.  Join Greg Inglin as he explores Sebastien’s book “The Psychology of Leadership” and the practical elements we all can use form his studies. Sebastien is Chie...

In this conversation, Craig Robinson opens up about his pivot from the C-Suite to author, mentor, and advocate for the pursuit of happiness. After attending MIT and Harvard Business School, Craig’s climb up the corporate ladder was impressive and his leadership skills put him at the top of some of the country’s largest real estate firms. However, Craig was seeking fulfillment in other ways that le...

Join Greg Inglin as he welcomes Jim Shapiro, renowned head football coach and dedicated foster care parent, for an authentic discussion on character development and the art of positive coaching. Known for building team culture at King’s High School near Seattle, Jim’s approach to mentoring goes far beyond the scoreboard. Over 32 years, he has shaped the lives of young athletes and fostered over tw...

Join Greg Inglin as he goes deep with Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of the Spartan Racing Series, entrepreneur, author, and lifelong advocate for pushing the limits of human potential. From his gritty childhood in Queens to nearly losing the Spartan business during COVID, Joe shares hard-won wisdom about resilience, doing the impossible, curating mental toughness, raising strong kids, and building...

Dive into the world of former NBA pro Spencer Hawes as he sits down with Greg Inglin to talk Huskies basketball pride,Seattle basketball brotherhood, the emotional departure of the Sonics, how he handled money and pressure during his NBA career, and the transformative power of mentorship. Spencer shares candid stories about NBA trades, setbacks,confidence, and life after basketball - including cur...

In this eye-opening episode, join Greg Inglin for an intimate conversation with Nathan Vass—a Seattle urban artist, filmmaker, and one of the city's youngest and most compassionate city bus drivers. From riding the notorious Route 7 through Seattle's most diverse neighborhoods to witnessing firsthand the complex realities of homelessness and mental health struggles that often unfold on the...

Discover the remarkable journey of Phyllis Campbell, a trailblazing leader in women’s banking and philanthropy, whose impact resonates throughout the Pacific Northwest. In this powerful episode, Phyllis shares her inspiring cancer battle and how it deepened her commitment to community impact, resilience, and gratitude. She discusses breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry, cha...

What happens after the whistle when NFL players hit the sidelines battered and bruised? In this episode of Pay YourDues, host Greg Inglin sits down with David Stricklin, Head Athletic Trainer for the Seattle Seahawks, to uncover the physical and mental grind it takes to compete in professional football. From 15-hour training camp days to recoveringfrom devastating injuries, Stricklin shares powerf...

In this episode of Pay Your Dues, host Greg Inglin sits down with veteran Major League Baseball umpire Mike Muchlinski to talk about his incredible journey from a baseball-loving kid in central Washington to one of the fewer than 100 full-time umpires in the big leagues. Mike shares his path, starting from his days as a player, to his decision to go to umpire school and his years of "paying h...

In this episode of Pay Your Dues, host Greg Inglin sits down with Fred Rivera to explore his remarkable rise from a blue-collar upbringing in Los Angeles to becoming a respected leader in sports law, Executive Vice President and Special Advisor for the Seattle Mariners, as well as CEO & Founder of The Rivera Group, a trusted sports business advisory firm. Drawing from the conversation, Fred sh...

Experience the passion, grit, and community at the heart of running with this inspiring episode featuring Mario Fraioli - renowned running coach, Boston Marathon veteran, and creator of The Morning Shakeout podcast and newsletter. Mario opens up about his deep connection to the Boston Marathon, his journey from improving as a young cross country runner to building a legacy as a coach, and the less...

Nearly 20 years ago, the Seattle SuperSonics were swept away by a new owner, relocating to Oklahoma City, and Sonic Fans still can't believe it ever happened. Today's guest does a deep dive into what lead up to Seattle losing it's team. If you’re curious about the true stories behind NBA superstars, lost franchises, and the real work it takes to “pay your dues” as a writer, this episod...