The Victory Degree

NFL success isn’t just about talent — it’s about mindset, resilience, and survival . In this powerful episode of The Victory Degree , former NFL star John Abraham pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to make it — and last — at the highest level as a professional athlete. From his rise as one of the most feared pass rushers in football to his prime years with the Atlanta Falcons, John shar...

What if everything you’ve been taught about business , being an entrepreneur , achieving success , and mastering your mindset is actually leading you in the wrong direction? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Kevin Dahlstrom to unpack the truths most people in entrepreneurship never talk about. This episode challenges conventional wisdom around ambition, hustle, and achievement, and f...

In today’s episode, Legendary Coach Jim Johnson shares the unbelievable journey that led him from being fired at 25… to building one of the most consistent winning cultures in high school basketball. We talk about his unforgettable encounter with Magic Johnson, the leadership lessons behind 23 straight winning seasons, and of course, the iconic J-Mac game that shocked the nation and became a globa...

What does it really take to survive in the NFL — not just on Sundays, but in life? In this powerful episode of The Victory Degree , Super Bowl champion David Tyree shares the untold story behind one of the most iconic moments in NFL history and the unseen battles that almost ended his career before it ever peaked. This conversation goes far beyond highlights and box scores, diving deep into mindse...

Jay Bilas joins The Victory Degree Podcast for an honest and thought-provoking conversation on confidence, criticism, and the evolving world of college sports. From his early days under Coach K at Duke to his insights on NIL, social media, and mental toughness, Jay shares the lessons that shaped his career as a player, coach, lawyer, and broadcaster. We talk about: - Why self-belief starts with ha...

Former NFL defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko (Chargers, Steelers, LSU) joins The Victory Degree to pull back the curtain on the truth about the NFL — from how politics decide who plays, to how mental health and self-belief define success long after the game ends. Breiden opens up about playing with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson , and what he’s learned about opportunity, timing, an...

NBA writer and best-selling author Shea Serrano joins Nik Atanackovic on The Victory Degree Podcast to talk about his new book, Expensive Basketball — a love letter to the moments, feelings, and players that make the game beautiful. From Ray Allen’s jumper vs. Joakim Noah’s, to Tim Duncan’s quiet dominance, Shaq’s unstoppable force, and Kobe’s poetic 60-point farewell, this episode dives deep into...

After serving two years in federal prison for money laundering, Chad Dunn rebuilt his life from the ground up, transforming pain into purpose. Once a promising athlete turned felon, Chad used his time behind bars to redefine his identity, confront his demons, and build a mission around helping others overcome their limitations. Today, he is a certified behavioral change specialist with over 20 yea...

Taybor Pepper sits down with Nik to talk about the real side of the NFL — from getting cut by the 49ers just days into free agency, to what it’s actually like inside a Kyle Shanahan team meeting. He opens up about the chaos of bouncing between teams, the pressure of fighting for a roster spot every year, and how mindfulness helped him stay grounded through it all. They get into everything: NFL fre...

At 22, Mike Flynt was kicked out of college football for fighting. 37 years later, at 59 years old, he went back to finish what he started. This is the unbelievable true story of regret, redemption, and second chances. We talk about adversity, character, faith, and what it really means to never quit. In this episode: • How Mike turned his biggest regret into his greatest comeback • The power of ad...

Derek Sivers built and sold CD Baby for $22 million, walked away from fame, and chose a radically simple life. In this conversation, Derek shares the unconventional rules, frameworks, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey from overcoming fear to redefining success. If you’ve ever wondered how to find clarity in a noisy world, escape the trap of endless “inputs,” or design a life that’s truly...

What does it really take to push human limits? Brett Hawke — Olympian, world-renowned swim coach, and coach in the Enhanced Games — joins me to reveal the uncomfortable truths about elite performance. From why “working harder” is the most dangerous advice in sports, to how recovery, self-belief, and even delusional confidence separate good athletes from great ones, this conversation will change ho...

In this episode of The Victory Degree Podcast, I sit down with Aaron Golub, the first legally blind Division I football player, to talk about his inspiring journey from being picked last in childhood sports to playing at Tulane University and becoming an NFL free agent. Aaron opens up about the adversity he faced, the lessons he’s learned, and why he believes anything is possible with the right mi...

Preston Rutherford, co-founder of Chubbies, joins me to share the unfiltered truth about building a $100M brand, the struggles behind the success, and what he’s learned about entrepreneurship, mindset, and resilience. In this conversation, we cover: - How four Stanford friends turned a joke into a $100M brand - The hardest moments building Chubbies and how they overcame them - Why self-limiting be...

Former Seahawks center Justin Britt opens up like never before. From the highs of playing in the Super Bowl to the lowest moments of his career, he reveals the untold truths about football, mental health, and life after the NFL. In this episode, we discuss: The Super Bowl XLIX play that still haunts him His battle with depression and walking away from the NFL Pete Carroll’s leadership and why it c...

From being overlooked and doubted to earning a $76M contract with the Buffalo Bills, Christian Benford’s story is a masterclass in resilience, faith, and relentless self-belief. In this episode, we dive deep into: - The tears, doubt, and sacrifices that fueled his journey - Why regret hurts more than failure - How faith gave him unshakable confidence - The mindset shifts needed to go from high sch...

From high school phenom to “Mr. Irrelevant” in the NFL Draft, Chad Kelly’s journey has been anything but ordinary. In this conversation, the Grey Cup champion opens up about growing up in a legendary football family, the politics of the NFL, and the lessons he’s learned from both his triumphs and mistakes. Chad shares inside stories about Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck, and Aaron Donald, breaks down...

In this raw and revealing conversation, former NFL quarterback Kyle Sloter opens up about the harsh realities of professional football, from the euphoric highs of unexpected opportunities to the hidden politics behind team decisions. Kyle dives deep into his unconventional journey, his unique mindset fueled by proving doubters wrong, and the pivotal role that luck, preparation, and timing play in...

Eric Jorgenson — author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant — joins me for a deep conversation on ideas, growth, self-belief, and what it really takes to create lasting work. We talk about how to avoid audience capture, the difference between finite and infinite games, the power of cliche advice, and what it means to build something authentic. We also explore podcasting, social media, dating, and th...

What if the future of sports isn’t about fairness but about becoming superhuman? Dr. Aron D’Souza is leading the charge with the Enhanced Games, a radical new competition where performance-enhancing drugs aren’t banned, they’re embraced. But this episode goes way beyond sports. We dive deep into: - Why Aron believes biology should never limit human potential - His formula for achieving outrageous...

In this powerful episode, former NBA player Alex Acker opens up about his incredible journey from growing up in Compton with almost nothing—literally playing basketball with an orange—to reaching the NBA and beyond. He shares raw stories of his upbringing, the hunger that fueled him, and how his faith and family kept him grounded through life’s toughest moments. Alex talks about: What it really ta...

Max Browne shares his journey from top QB recruit to navigating the highs and lows of college football. He opens up about the pressure of the “bust” label, the role of luck and environment in success, and how NIL and social media are reshaping the game. Through it all, he highlights the power of mindset, resilience, and learning from failure. Connect with Max: Twitter: x.com/MaxBrowne4 Instagram:...

Josh Booty has lived a life most athletes only dream of—drafted in both the NFL and MLB, mentored by legends, and tested by the toughest environments in sports. In this episode, he opens up about the raw realities behind the headlines: the pressure of being a two-sport phenom, what it really takes to win in a place like Cleveland, and the mindset Nick Saban demands from his players. Josh shares po...

In this episode of The Victory Degree Podcast, Nik sits down with Los Angeles Rams safety Quentin Lake for a raw and insightful conversation. From his grind at UCLA to proving himself as a late-round NFL draft pick, Lake opens up about the mindset it takes to survive and thrive in the league. They dive into the lessons he learned from his NFL father, the power of discipline and daily routine, and...

In this episode of the Victory Degree Podcast, Cesar Ruiz shares his journey from playing football in his backyard to becoming a first-round pick in the NFL. He discusses the importance of enjoying the game, overcoming pressure, and the impact of family and loss on his career. Ruiz reflects on his experiences at IMG Academy and the University of Michigan, emphasizing the significance of routine an...