Advertise on podcast: Heavy Hitter Sports

Host Mark Hochgesang provides his take on the recent hiring of USC's new defensive coordinator, Gary Patterson. Mark also shares his thoughts on the upcoming Trojan season.  Patterson's Introductory Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy2psH39BWQ Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate & review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909

Host Mark Hochgesang huddles with the inspiring and relentlessly optimistic Danny van Leeuwen—athlete, nurse, storyteller, and champion for living fully with a chronic illness. Danny doesn’t just talk about resilience; he lives it daily with multiple sclerosis while still pursuing movement, connection, and joy. His perspective flips the script from “What’s wrong?” to “What’s possible?” as we explore how folks can redefine success, choose hope, and keep moving forward even when the road gets rocky. If you’re ready for a conversation filled with energy, laughter, practical wisdom, and a contagious belief in what the human spirit can do—this episode is for you. Enjoy sports fans! Danny's Health Hats Website: https://health-hats.com/ Danny's Health Hats Podcast: https://health-hats.com/new-health-hats-blog/ EPISODE TIME STAMPS 0:00 –  Opening and Episode Setup 01:18 –  Meet Danny van Leeuwen 02:07 – Athlete Roots and Early Lessons 04:56 – Danny's Competitive Spirit 06:10 -  The MS Diagnosis  12:00 – Movement Matters 15:42 – Attitude is Everything 17:40 – Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 20:37 – Beautiful Music 22:50 – Oh the Places You'll Go 24:09 – Winning Redefined 25:00 – Pathological Optimist 26:10 – What Do You Do When You Can't? 28:56 – Final Takeaways and Closing Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate & review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909

John Gassner & host Mark Hochgesang trade thoughts on how parents & coaches can best support young athletes with ADHD. John is an ADHD Life Coach, former DI athlete, sports industry veteran and has ADHD himself. Mark has recently returned to coaching youth baseball and is the father of an ADHD athlete. A 2024 Aspen Institute survey indicates that 20% of athletes between the age of 6 to 18 suffer from ADHD. Parents, coaches and athletes alike should find this episode illuminating.  Order Out of Chaos Website: https://www.orderoochaos.com/ John & Leslie YouTube Conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHAxsIWmELc&t=105s John's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-s-gassner/ Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate & review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909

Guest Spiro Psaltis shares his deep love for baseball & engaging stories re his USC national title team, five pro ball career, Pete Rose relationship & a successful 40-year tenure as both a coach & announcer with host Mark Hochgesang, his long time friend & fellow fraternity pledge brother.  Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate & review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909

Sports can be highly instructive. Much of what I have discovered about life comes from the baseball diamond. These are ten valuable life lessons that the game of baseball has taught me.  1) You have to adjust to the curve & bad hops 2) Umps are bound to make bad calls 3) Keep your eye on the ball 4) Hope springs eternal 5) It's the little things that matter most 6) It's a team game 7) Take your cuts 8) Not everyone can play short or bat fourth 9) Moms matter most 10) You only get to play so many seasons Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. Happy Holidays! [email protected] 971-985-6909

Renowned mental performance coach Gary Chupik reveals the secrets of creating an elite mindset & unlocking your full potential. This master of sports psychology shares insights re visualization, goal-setting, team building & leadership. Enjoy sports fans! Elite Mindset Website: https://www.elitemindsetnation.com/ Gary's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elitemindset/ Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. Happy Holidays! [email protected] 971-985-6909

Les Badden, film & video guru & event planner extraordinaire, provides a behind-the-scenes view of Nike's magic making process during the company's golden era.  Tiger Catcher Poster: https://sportsposterwarehouse.com/products/lance-parrish-tiger-catcher-1983-detroit-tigers-vintage-wall-poster-nike-inc Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. Happy Holidays! [email protected] 971-985-6909

Host Mark Hochgesang shares his favorite guest moments from 2024. The advice, insight & untold stories are both entertaining & illuminating. Enjoy sports fans! Time-Stamped Show Notes 0:45   Teresa Strasser: Making it Home 2:02    Laura Jorgensen: Strong as You Have to Be 3:41     Scott Shirley: Balancing Act 5:17     Cody Gifford: The Race of a Lifetime 7:52     Jen Armbruster: Sports for All 8:39    Dave Clark: The Climb 11:47    Santiago Halty: The Beautiful Game 13:44   Steve Harden: Formula for Success 15:55   Kirsten Jones:  Never Enough 18:24   Ann Schatz: Trailblazer Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909

Brian Baker, SRVP of Board Games at Hasbro, shares why he left a thriving design & product development career at Nike to chase his childhood dream of working in the toy & game industry. He also reveals how the recent successful Hasbro-Nike LeBron James collaboration transpired. Brian & host Mark Hochgesang discuss orchestrating career transitions, the power of AI & their mutual love for some of Hasbro's powerhouse franchises: Monopoly, Clue, Candy Land, Twister & Mouse Trap. Enjoy sports (and toy) fans! Brian's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandbaker/ Hasbro Website: https://shop.hasbro.com/en-us Time-Stamped Show Notes 1:15      The Dream Begins 2:18     Ziba Design 3:31     The Swoosh 5:00    Metcon Rises 9:05    Career Transition: Nike to Hasbro 13:25    Building Credibility    15:13     Monopoly Matters 17:37     Double GOATs: LeBron & Monopoly 19:51     Monopoly Magic 23:46    Hasbro Happenings 27:44     Board Game Testing & Evaluation 29:00    Artificial Intelligence 31:33     Outsider Inventors 33:46    Spreading Fun to All 35:15     Competition: Mattel, Lego & Time 38:00    Lightning Round 38:44    The Wrap Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. Happy Holidays! [email protected] 971-985-6909

Pat Tillman set aside a lucrative pro football career for a valiant, yet heartbreaking military career. Host Mark Hochgesang pays tribute to this true American hero. Mark also shares his thoughts re the Iraq, Afghanistan & Ukraine conflicts.  * Pat Tillman Foundation: https://pattillmanfoundation.org/donate/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MG5BhD1ARIsAEcZtwSXZ7dzmA9rwDObpJ9g0wMPXD5vOaVwYt0sC1rlK2QX9UA1frvskTUaAuIAEALw_wcB * Remembering Pat Tillman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEw3Gd2RHY0 * The Tillman Story: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568334/ * Prince Harry's Pat Tillman Award Acceptance Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cvD8CWLWgU * Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, by Jon Krakauer: https://www.powells.com/book/where-men-win-glory-the-odyssey-of-pat-tillman-9780307386045 * Mary Tillman's Statement: https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2813963 * NBC News Article: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4815441 Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909

Adriana Caliri, former Nike Golf & Tennis GM & current leadership coach, shares insights on how to unleash your full potential. She reveals lessons learned by working with tennis greats Serena Williams, Roger Federer & Rafa Nadal. Adry & host Mark Hochgesang also rejoice in the return of Elliott Hill, the new Nike CEO. Enjoy sports fans. Renaissance: https://www.renaissance-cec.com/ Adriana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach.adry/ Adriana's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-caliri-9374355/ StrengthsFinder 2.0: https://www.powells.com/book/strengthsfinder-20-a-new-upgraded-edition-from-gallups-now-discover-your-strengths-9781595620156 The Inner Game of Tennis: https://www.powells.com/book/inner-game-of-tennis-revised-edition-9780679778318 Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909

Retired pro cyclist Laura Jorgensen shares how she & her co-founder created Fuel Goods, a sports nutrition company focused on everyday athletes. Laura talks about career pivots, building high performance teams & fueling sports performance by eating healthier. Enjoy this appetizing episode sports fans.  Fuel Goods & Together We Rise Donation Link: https://fuelgoods.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorqol7O_SG7LDvCYmoEonwfT487au3b7-460W6i21kFDpk5wTFr Laura's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-j-jorgensen/ Matthew McConaughey's Greenlights: https://www.powells.com/book/greenlights-9780593139134 Casey Means' Good Energy: https://www.powells.com/book/good-energy-the-surprising-connection-between-metabolism-limitless-health-9780593712641 Nix Website: https://nixbiosensors.com/

Taylor Cook, mental performance coach & retired professional ice hockey goalie, provides insight into how athletes & others can enhance your mental mindset. She & host Mark Hochgesang exchange thoughts on the power of positive self-talk, visualization and a growth mindset. Enjoy sports fans! Taylored Minds Website: https://www.taylored-minds.com/ The Athletic Mind Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-athletic-mind/id1610116010 Taylor's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorbcook/?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_more-articles Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorbcook_/ Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence by Gary Mack: https://www.powells.com/book/mind-gym-an-athletes-guide-to-inner-excellence-9780071395977 Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909

Former Penn State football player Scott Shirley shares how his entrepreneurial efforts helped raise over $400M to battle rare diseases & support a variety of other charitable causes. Scott & host Mark Hochgesang discuss how athletes, teams & sports can be a power for good & make life better for others both on & off the field of play.    Uplifting Athletes: https://www.upliftingathletes.org/ Pledge It: https://pledgeit.org/ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottshirley/ Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909

This illuminating conversation regarding the pitfalls of today's competitive youth sports world will benefit athletes, parents & coaches alike. The exorbitant cost of club sports, crazy tournament travel demands & the dangers of year-round sports specialization are all discussed by What is the Goal? authors, Jean Linscott & Ken Ruoff. Enjoy sports fans! What is the Goal?: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-is-the-goal-jean-linscott/1145009474?ean=9798990114302 Every Kid Sports: https://everykidsports.org/ Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit.  Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks.  [email protected] 971-985-6909