The Abstract Athlete

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode eight of season eight with artist and painter, diversity and social justice advocate and former Vanderbilt University Wide Receiver, James Threalkill. Together they will discuss James' absolutely amazing life and his artistic journey that has taken him around the world. This episode will discuss his career from high...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode seven of season eight with entrepreneur, author, engineer and United States Air Force Veteran, Bob Taylor. Together they will discuss Bob's incredible life journey from college student to the United States Air Force to CEO. This episode will discuss his new book "From service to success," and his impact on his fello...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode six of season eight with artist, athlete, creative and United States Naval Veteran Whitney Elizabeth Moates. Together they will discuss Whitney's incredible life journey, through trauma and success. This episode will discuss her creative path and her amazing family tree and how they influenced her. For informat...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode five of season eight with entrepreneur, mental and breathwork coach, former professional volleyball player and former college volleyball coach, Saana Koljonen. Together they will discuss Saana's amazing journey as an entrepreneur and Mental Performance and Breathwork coach and consultant. This episode will discuss h...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode four of season eight with my former student, creative, currently working with IMG representing tennis players and former tennis player himself, Daryl Monifls. . Together they will discuss Daryl's path from tennis player to representing tennis players in their quest for greatness. This episode will discuss his c...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode three of season eight with artist, track coach and former University of South Carolina football player, Garrison Gist. Together they will discuss Garrison's incredible path as a creative and what the future holds. This episode will discuss his football career, his extraordinary community work and his work as a track...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode two of season eight with conservation photographer, wildlife biologist and United States Marine Veteran, Matthew Gutt . Together they will discuss Matthew's incredible journey and love of nature and wildlife photography. This episode will discuss his early life and how it influenced his path and where he wants...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) episode one of season eight with a big kickoff special episode! We have been enough to have worked with the NFLPA's Professional Athletes Foundation for the last 3 years so this episode is recorded out in phoenix during super week during their incredible smocks and jocks event!  Super excited about this podcast today...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode sixteen of season seven with current Master of Arts student, artist, pianist and World Champion Kickboxer in both the WAKO and ECE Enfusion series, Milana Bjelogrlic. Together they will discuss Milana's creative background, including classical piano and her MA thesis focusing on the convergence of Art and the Martia...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode fifteen of season seven with Active Duty United States Marine and incredible artist, Mike Reynolds. Together they will discuss Mike's journey from college to becoming a US Marine. This episode will discuss his return to creativity, his passion for art and how it affects his life. For information on Mike Reynolds ple...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode fourteen of season seven with United States Army Ranger Veteran, coach, mentor, leadership consultant and former Ohio State and Seattle Seahawk Defensive Tackle, Joe Brown. Together they will discuss Joe's incredible journey from professional athlete to Army Ranger to the injury that changed his life. This episode w...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode thirteen of season seven with wellness advocate and consultant, mentor, coach and former University of Virginia and NFL Linebacker, Wali Rainer. Together they will discuss Wali's incredible football career and how it influenced his life. This episode will discuss his impact in the community while coaching, being a m...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode twelve of season seven with with artist, former athlete and founder of the creative platform, Kendall Projects, Jason Kendall. Together they will discuss Jason's athletic history including playing football at the University South Carolina. This episode will discuss his incredible creative career and how he navigates...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode eleven of season seven with artist, sculptor, all around creative, and former professional baseball pitcher, Blake McFarland. Together they will discuss Blake's baseball career and the injury that caused his early retirement. This episode will discuss his incredible art and what inspires him, as well as his unique a...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode ten of season seven with artist, former athlete, traumatic brain injury survivor, entrepreneur and founder of TBIthrivers, Beckett Johnson. Together they will discuss Beckett's traumatic brain injury, his survival and how it changed his life in more ways then one. This episode will discuss his passion for helping th...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode nine of season seven with entrepreneur, creative, coach and former Ohio State Buckeye and NFL offensive lineman, Jamie Sumner. Together they will discuss Jamie's rise from high school to blocking for Heisman Trophy Winner Eddie George at The Ohio State to a short stint in the NFL. This episode will discuss his deep...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode eight of season seven with University of Florida/Drexel University/ North Florida-South Georgia Veterans Health System Research Team, they are working on the study “Effects of Art Therapy on Symptoms of PTSD After TBI and Indicators of Neurophysiological Response: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study”  This s...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode seven of season seven with author, speaker, real estate agent and former distance runner for the University of Oregon, Ben Andrews. Together they will discuss Ben's incredible journey, his perseverance and becoming an author and the person he is today. This episode will discuss his career as a distance runner at the...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode six of season seven with comic book artist, illustrator, former professional soccer player and 2010 MLS cup chompion with the Colorado Rapids, Danny Earls. Together they will discuss Danny's amazing illustrative skills, his comic books, future projects and his dreams of one day drawing Batman. This episode will disc...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode five of season seven with entrepreneur and founder of the clothing brand Still community, wellness advocate and professional basketball player, Ferrakohn Hall. Together they will discuss Ferrakohn's entrepreneurial efforts and his clothing brand, Still community and how the NBA helped him realize this dream. This ep...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode four of season seven with  wellness consultant and former Rutgers and New Orleans Saints Wide receiver, SOUL COLE. Together they will discuss SOUL's incredible vision and his work in wellness and health and how he is changing the world through his work. This episode will discuss his history as a football player...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode three of season seven with licensed professional counselor and champion ultra marathon runner, Katie Graff. Together they will discuss Katie's history and how she became a licensed professional counselor. This episode will discuss how she became interested in ultra marathons on her path to becoming a champion. For i...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode two of season seven with strength training and powerlifter and multi media artist Arjan Zazueta. Together they will discuss Arjan's trajectory into strength training and powerlifting and how it has changed his and his wives perspective and life. This episode will discuss his art practice and his thoughts on how he c...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode one of season seven with athlete, paddle racer, author, activist and founder of the athlete agenda, April Zilg. Together they will discuss April's business The Athlete Agenda and what her goals and the future holds. This episode will discuss April's rise to becoming a champion paddle board athlete. For information o...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode twenty of season six with co-founder and vice president of the very important and impactful Morgan's Message, Aberle Rodgers. Together they will discuss Aberle's background and the origin of Morgan's Message. This episode will discuss the new programs within Morgans Message and what is coming in the future. For info...