You Only Die Twice

Former athlete turned respected voice in sports media, Donnovan Bennett shares the real story behind his journey — from playing football at Western to carving out a space in one of the most competitive industries in Canada. In this conversation, we dive into identity beyond the jersey, the grind it took to break into sports media, and the behind-the-scenes realities most fans never see. Donnovan o...

In this episode, we sit down with Nakissa “Keesa K” Koomalsingh — founder and CEO of HOOPQUEENS and the visionary behind Canada’s first paid women’s basketball league. What started as frustration from lived experience quickly became a movement. After seeing the gaps, barriers, and lack of opportunity for women athletes, Keesa didn’t wait for change… she built it. HOOPQUEENS has grown into more tha...

In this episode, we sit down with Aryan Sharma, a former Western University basketball player and CEBL draftee, to talk about life after sport — and why content creation is becoming a natural next chapter for athletes. Aryan played four collegiate seasons at Western University, appearing in 101 games and helping lead the program to an OUA second-place finish and a U SPORTS semifinal. He posted a c...

How does someone from a town of just 20 people in Newfoundland end up sharing the court with LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and the U.S. Dream Team? In this episode, we sit down with Carl English — one of the most accomplished and overlooked players in Canadian basketball history. From growing up in one of the smallest communities in the country to becoming a national champion, elite scorer, and inter...

A talent like David didn’t go D1. After injury cut his career short, he built something from the ground up instead. @justbe_dt answers what happens (and who you become) when the dream changes. #YouOnlyDieTwice

What we all have in common goes far beyond the jersey. That’s what Friday is all about. Identity shifts, plot twists, and reinvention. Akil spent two decades narrating everyone else. Friday, he becomes the story.20+ years behind the mic, the camera, and culture itself. Now the real headline: fatherhood, rebirth, and what chapter comes next. Come for the media mastery, stay for the human evolution.

Some journeys don’t just test you — they remake you. Walid went from world-stage Taekwondo phenom to rock bottom after injuries tore his career apart and his identity with it. But what followed wasn’t a collapse… it was a reconstruction. Season 3 opens with a story about rebuilding from the inside out.

Born and raised in Toronto, Jevohn Shepherd carved a path from local courts to global arenas. From starring at the University of Michigan to suiting up for Team Canada, his pro career took him across Europe — with stops in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Romania. Now a familiar face on TSN and the Raptors broadcast team, Shep joins us to talk about what comes after the final whistle. In this...

@BreysChoice  made her mark at  @UNCGwbb , leading with grit, vision, and a smooth mid-range game that turned heads. Basketball was in her DNA, and her future in the game was undeniable. After building a successful career on and off the court and starting a family, life threw her another test: cancer. Open and vocal about her diagnosis, she fought through that transition with the same resilience t...

@hannaahall’s journey didn’t stop at buzzer-beaters and NCAA tournament runs. After leading Canada in assists at the 2016 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championships and earning All-MAC honours with the Buffalo Bulls, Hanna faced the question every athlete must eventually ask: What’s next? In this episode, Hanna opens up about her transition out of sport, the mindset shift it took, and how she’s navigati...

You only die twice, and for Tevaun Smith, the second life is just getting started. After making his mark as a wide receiver in the @NFL with the @Colts and @Jaguars, then in the @CFL with the @GoElks and @CFLRedblacks, Tevaun has pivoted from game days to business moves. Now leading @S.coLogisticsInc, he’s bringing the same drive and precision to the world of logistics, delivering excellence acros...

3-time @NBA champ @greenranger14 is stepping onto the #YouOnlyDieTwice court this Friday. He’s bringing more than just rings—he’s bringing wisdom on growth beyond the sport, purpose, and what it takes to win in the second phase of life.

From the volleyball court to the #CP24 news desk to her OWN podcast mic—@KaylaMarieTO is here to serve up real talk on life after sport 🏐 She’s from the ends… now she’s with us talking about when the game ends. Because in sport and in life, you only die twice.

You might recognize  @carolineszwed from her time as an on-air personality with  #Sportsnet , but her story starts way back on the field. A former national team player, Caroline represented Canada in the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and earned back-to-back Canadian Player of the Year nominations.  Her talent earned her a spot to play Division 1 soccer at  #WestVirginiaUniversity , but a devast...

They say athletes die twice: once when the game ends, and again when the world forgets their name. But for  @alyshanewman , at this rate, that’s not a death she’ll have to face.  Maybe you know her as “the one who twerked after winning an Olympic Bronze Medal.” Or perhaps as “Canada’s pole vault record-holder.” Thing is, titles don’t tell the whole story. So we made it our mission to capture it. F...

Feels surreal to say this. But welcome to SEASON TWO of #YouOnlyDieTwice 🎙️ And we’re starting off with a bang. We sit down with the unstoppable Dakota Whyte, a basketball star whose journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From her days as a standout guard at University of Wisconsin Badgers, where she racked up accolades and left her mark as one of the top players in the Big Ten, to repre...

How the tables have turned—the host is in the hot seat. We dive into deep reflection on all things YODT Season ONE, Warrens journey to the pros, his transition, where YODT is heading, key learnings from all our episodes and why you should continue listening. Love Y'ALL!!!

We delve into the incredible story of @nataliewideman, a true force in the world of Canadian softball. Over the years, she’s racked up an impressive collection of medals, including silver at the WBSC Americas Qualifier in 2013, gold at the Pan Am Games in 2015, and bronze at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Championships in 2016 and 2018.In 2019, Natalie continued to shine, helping Canada clinch si...

We dive into the incredible journey of @shanicemarcelle18, a true volleyball legend. From dominating the courts at the @ubcwvb, where she led the Thunderbirds to five-straight National Championships, to earning two National Player of the Year awards and the prestigious BLG Award as 2013 Female Athlete of the Year, Shanice’s achievements are nothing short of inspiring. Shanice joined the Canadian s...

In episode SEVENTEEN, we’re thrilled to bring you an inspiring conversation with Chris Osei-Kusi, a Brampton-born athlete and former @CFL player. This @QueensFootball alum’s journey began with the @mtlalouettes in the 2019 CFL Draft, signing with the @goelks not long after and making his professional debut in October 2021. Two years later, Chris joined the @ticats, further showcasing his skills on...

In episode SIXTEEN, we’re excited to present a conversation with Andrew Nicholson, an exceptional athlete from Mississauga, Ontario, and a former NBA player. From being drafted in the first round by the Orlando Magic to his time with the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, and Portland Trail Blazers, Andrew’s basketball journey is incredibly inspiring. Now thriving overseas, he shares his story of...

In a monumental episode FIFTEEN, we’ve got the one and only Joel Anthony in the building. You know the name—former NBA player, shot-blocking master, and defensive powerhouse. He’s got two rings with the Miami Heat, and he’s here to share his incredible journey. We sat down with Joel to talk about everything from his path to the hardwood, to the highs of winning multiple NBA championships, and the...

In this episode, we bring you the incredible story of Justin Alliman , from humble beginnings Justin is a defining example of what it means to use basketball. We discuss his early exit from the game, turning his passion into a business, and the process of doing so. Today, Justin is a renowned public speaker, author, and the founder of @dream.chaserzzz, a global basketball training organization tha...

Episode thirteen. We’ve come a long way. And this week, we get to sit down with Kansas State and University of Minnesota alumni Micaëlla Riché.  Currently holding the esteemed position of Director of Basketball Operations at Lay-Up Basketball, Riché reminds us that it’s not always a smooth journey to get to where you want to be.  From playing professionally in Greece to having thought she’d be coa...