Veterans in Sports

After 20 years flying jets off aircraft carriers and working for NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Tesh Rao turned down airline jobs to pursue sports. The path went through Starbucks first—not as a detour, but as essential preparation. Working on government affairs and an Arizona State educational partnership, he learned to navigate corporate environments and built relationships that eventually con...

What does it take to build a SkillBridge program that creates lasting impact rather than just checking boxes? Linley Fenlason, Director of Talent Acquisition for the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, shares how moving deliberately helped them create one that’s already making a difference. Linley's path to human resources wasn't traditional, but a role recruiting patients for university research stu...

What happens when an infantry paratrooper decides at 27 to leave the military and become a full-time college student? Seth Tilton's journey from the 82nd Airborne to Detroit Pistons business development executive proves that starting over doesn't mean starting behind. Seth spent 10 years in the Army, including two combat deployments to Afghanistan where he turned 19 and 21, plus stations in Hawaii...

What happens when a combat photographer becomes the Pentagon's bridge to professional sports? Natasha Fultz-Castro's journey from documenting special operations to managing DOD's sports partnerships shows how military communication expertise translates into high-stakes civilian roles. Key Topics: From combat camera to crisis communications: telling stories under pressure Managing DOD sports partne...

CJ Tobin's journey from West Point football player to Black Hawk pilot to NASCAR's Director of Vehicle Systems proves that technical military careers aren't dead ends - they're launching pads. In this episode, CJ breaks down how he transitioned from flying helicopters to designing the safety systems that protect drivers at 200+ mph. What You'll Learn: Why starting early in your transition matters...

What happens when a 26-year Navy helicopter pilot becomes a Zamboni driver and uses that experience to revolutionize how sports teams connect with military communities? Russ Thompson's journey from commanding helicopter squadrons to driving ice resurfacing machines to building groundbreaking military outreach programs shows how unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary impact. After retiring...

What happens when military experience meets the sports industry? You're about to find out. I'm Katherine, Army veteran turned sports strategy leader, and I'm launching this podcast to share the stories you haven't heard yet. Over the next few episodes, you'll meet veterans, military spouses, military children, and industry advocates who've built incredible careers in sports - each taking their own...