The Abstract Athlete

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode nineteen of season six with U.S. Navy and U.S. Air force Veteran, owner of 3 college degrees and founder of the cognitive fitness and mental resilience training My Steady Mind, Seth Hickerson. Together they will discuss Seth's athletic past, how he got into two branches military and the incredible backstory of his p...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode eighteen of season six with internationally recognized and award winning photographer, creative and former athlete Jesse Rieser. Together they will discuss Jesse's athletic background and his resurgent interest in golf. This episode will discuss his amazing photography, how he sees and thinks, what inspires him an h...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode seventeen of season six with artist, mental health advocate and former professional soccer player Charlie Rugg. Together they will discuss Charlie's soccer career, including his time as a professional in the MLS and Europe. As well as his coaching, mentorship and mental health advocacy. This episode will discuss his...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode sixteen of season six with artist, creator, and former chief photo archivist for the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Matt Magee and his brother four-time winner on the PGA tour, former Golf Channel analyst and current BBC Golf contributor Andrew Magee. Together they will discuss Matt and Andrew's childhood and how sp...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode fifteen of season six with artist, athlete, designer, creator, personality and all around dynamo, the 81 years young marvel, Patsy Lowry. Together they will discuss Patsy's journey to becoming a champion tennis player. This episode will discuss her incredible life, her thoughts and what inspires her as a creative an...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode fourteen of season six with artist, entrepreneur, founder of Blu Art Foundation, former Penn State and NFL Defensive end, Matthew Rice. Together they will discuss Matthew's incredible football career as well as the brain surgeries that cut his career short and his current battle with cancer. This episode will discus...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode thirteen of season six with sports broadcaster, former voice of the Virginia Tech Hokies and entrepreneur and President and Founder of Laaser's Ladybug Society a platform focused on aiding mental health eductions and treatment, Jon Laaser. Together they will discuss Jon's history as a broadcaster, from minor league...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode twelve of season six with artist, educator and powerlifter, Danielle Rante. Together they will discuss Danielle's journey into becoming a competitive powerlifter. This episode will discuss her amazing art practice, as well as her influences and what affects her creative process . For information on Danielle Rante pl...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode eleven of season six with artist, creative, and former Tight end for the Colorado Buffalos, nine year NFL vet and Super Bowl Champion with the Los Angeles Raiders, Don Hasselbeck. Together they will discuss Don's football and art careers and how where they intersected. This episode will discuss his incredible painti...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode ten of season six with artist, entrepreneur and US Navy Veteran, Brent Fagg. Together they will discuss Brent's Naval and entrepreneurial history and his varied interests. This episode will discuss his journey into becoming a painter and how it has really changed his approach to life. For information on Brent Fagg p...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode nine of season six with musician, college World Series Champion for the Stanford, 13 yr MLB pitcher 3x All-star and 1993 Cy Young Award Winner Jack McDowell. Together they will discuss Jack's incredible baseball career, including his 1993 Cy Young, and his thoughts on todays game. This episode will discuss his how h...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode eight of season six with artist, creator, fly-fisherman and former BMX champion, KC Badger. Together they will discuss KC's journey to becoming a BMX champion and his passion for creativity. This episode will discuss his love of fly-fishing and his all around connected creative experiences. For information on KC Bad...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode seven of season six with artist, musician, entrepreneur, inventor, designer and former Ohio University and NFL defensive back, TJ Wright. Together they will discuss TJ's rise to becoming a star football player. This episode will discuss incredible drive and his many forms of creativity, and his visionary qualities t...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode six of season six with 2-time Emmy Award Winning Producer, author, entrepreneur and conservationist George Schellenger. Together they will discuss George's creativity, his incredible work in producing award winning documentaries and his future projects. This episode will discuss his love of the ocean and space...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode five of season six with photographer, writer, entrepreneur and former South Caroline, Wake Forest and NFL wide receiver KJ Brent. Together they will discuss KJ's incredible photography, his creative history and his ambition. This episode will his football career and his athletic background and how football rose to t...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode four of season six with entrepreneur, creative director, artist, actor, model, surfer and former professional and Puerto Rican national team Volleyball player Gabrielle Rivera Valedon. Together they will discuss Gaby's incredible childhood, her parents impact and her journey to becoming a professional volleyball pla...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode three of season six with painter, artist and outdoorsman Ben Miller and fine art gallerist and 7 degree black belt in Aikido, Gary Snyder. Together they will discuss Ben's incredible paintings and the physicality of his process. We well also discuss Gary's history and vision as an art dealer and passion for Ben's ar...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode two of season six with singer songwriter and former college track star Ellis Paul. Together they will discuss his journey as a high level distance track athlete and his road to Boston College. This episode will discuss his incredible music career, his inspirations and what the future holds. For information on Ellis...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode one of season six with adventure runner, world record holding mountaineer, educator, and all around epic human, Jason Hardrath. Together they will discuss his incredible journey to FKT's (Fastest known time) becoming a world record holding mountaineer/adventure runner. This episode will discuss his past as a distanc...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode twenty of season five with eleven year NFL veteran fullback, Yale graduate and CEO and founder of Peels, Chris Hetherington. Three year NFL veteran offensive lineman, entrepreneur and Sales rep for Peels, Derek West and special guest our guy incredible photographer, seven yr NFL veteran offensive lineman, and host o...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode nineteen of season five with Champion downhill skateboarder, creative director and filmmaker, Jenny Schauerte. Together they will discuss her incredible journey to becoming a champion downhill skateboarder and what led her to this pursuit. This episode will discuss her creative interests, her creative work and her u...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode eighteen of season five with CEO of the Richmond Flying Squirrels and President of the Montgomery Biscuits, the legend Tod Parney Parnell. Together they will discuss his over 30 year career and his love affair with baseball and how he became such a pillar in the baseball world. This episode will discuss all of the i...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode seventeen of season five with with entrepreneur, educator, mental health advocate and former Towson University football player, Brandon Allen. Together they will discuss his college football career and how it influenced his future endeavors including teaching and his entrepreneurial spirit. This episode will discuss...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode sixteen of season five with with with author, mental health advocate and former University of Louisville and NFL Outside Linebacker, Marcus Smith II. Together they will discuss his college and NFL career and his life long struggle with mental health. and how he has become such an incredible mental health advocate. T...

Join the art professor, Ron Johnson (Virginia Commonwealth University) for episode fifteen of season five with with guitarist and songwriter for the band Silence and light, US Army Ranger and Delta Force Veteran, as well as being awarded 5 Bronze Stars, Brad Thomas. Together they will discuss his military past and his ambition and how he became part of the elite US Army Rangers and Delta Force . T...