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Jorrit DeVries is the Director of the Netherlands Business Support Office in Los Angeles (NBSO LA), an official trade office operating under the Dutch Ministry of Foreign and Economic Affairs. A former startup CEO and corporate executive with over two decades of international business experience, Jorrit works directly on the ground in California to bridge the gap between Dutch technology enterprises, US markets, and local government stakeholders. The Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) is a global network of trade offices established by the Dutch government to foster bilateral trade and economic growth in key international hubs. Operating out of Venice, California, NBSO LA acts as a strategic bridge for over 150 Dutch companies entering Southern California, with a specialized focus on sports technology, media, life sciences, and urban development. Jorrit explores how the Netherlands is leveraging Los Angeles’s upcoming "Decade of Sports", highlighted by FIFA World Cup matches and the 2028 Olympic Games—as a launchpad for international business growth. They discuss the differences between US and European venture landscapes, the mechanics of soft-landing foreign startups in California, and why international trade representation is becoming a key driver in the modern sports economy. Podcast Chapter: 02:43 The Role of the Netherlands in Global Trade 05:19 Establishment and Growth of MBSO in LA 07:59 Support for Dutch Companies in the US 10:33 Criteria for Dutch Companies to Enter the US Market 13:22 Sports Industry Opportunities in LA 15:55 Cultural Differences in Business Practices 18:36 Trends and Future Opportunities in the Sports Sector 21:17 Conclusion and Resources for Dutch Companies

Jay Ciccarone is a veteran inventor and product innovator with decades of experience spanning golf club manufacturing, consumer goods, and wearable performance technology. Driven by a passion for functional movement and sports science, Jay holds multiple patents centered around soft-weighted resistance technology designed to enhance athletic training, build targeted muscle strength, and assist in physical rehabilitation. His company, Lace Up, is a pioneer in weighted sports gear and wearable technology, offering a complete head-to-toe lineup of flexible resistance equipment. What began as a soft-weighted wrap for lacrosse sticks and baseball bats has expanded into weighted compression arm and calf sleeves, weighted footwear accessories, and the Heavy Hat—a targeted neck-strengthening tool used to build cervical resilience and lower concussion risks across contact sports and auto racing. In this episode of the Profluence Podcast, host Andrew Petcash sits down with Jay to explore how Lace Up evolved from a niche sports accessory into a multi-use wearable platform trusted by professional sports leagues, medical rehabilitation patients, and NASA. They dive into the mechanics of low-load resistance, how to spot unexpected market fits like Irish dance studios, and the key principles of scaling an physical product line without over-extending inventory. Podcast Chapters: 02:05 The Evolution of Weighted Sports Equipment 06:31 The Importance of Neck Strength in Sports 08:07 The Rise of Weighted Resistance Training 10:43 Innovating for Different Markets 15:01 Customer Service and Go-to-Market Strategies 18:19 Balancing Innovation and Product Management 20:31 The Science Behind Product Development 24:40 Learning from Customer Feedback 29:53 Future Goals and Market Trends 31:00 Emerging Trends in Fitness and Wellness

Jovany Ruiz is Co-Founder of Friday Stairs, a rapidly growing free weekly fitness ritual and community movement built on democratizing health and wellness.Ruiz shares his story from growing up in a 127-person village in Puerto Rico to playing Division I college football and track at the University at Buffalo, pursuing the NFL, and enduring seven knee surgeries. He details how overcoming adversity led him to realize that sports were merely a vehicle for his true purpose: building fellowship, leading without ego, and creating uplifting communities.The conversation dives deep into how Friday Stairs grew from an informal Tampa gathering into a waitlisted movement scaling to 50+ major U.S. cities, how to maintain authentic culture while monetizing through brand partnerships, and why "the stairs" represent the personal adversity everyone faces.Podcast Chapters: 01:01 Roots in Puerto Rico and Early Life02:45 The Pursuit of Sports and Personal Growth06:06 The Realization of Purpose Beyond Sports09:50 Defining Community and Leadership12:33 The Mission of Friday Stairs15:10 Balancing Community and Business19:07 Scaling and Expanding Friday Stairs22:15 Leveraging Sports and Influencers24:43 Lessons Learned from the Community27:05 Staying Grounded as a Leader

Eyal Arad (Co-Founder & CEO) and Amos Varon (Chief Business Officer) of Ripple Analytics (formerly Videocites) ulock the Hidden 80% of Social Media Value in Sports. They explore the shifting landscape of sports media and social media intelligence, discussing how rights holders, sports properties, and global brands can track the full value of user-generated content (UGC) and earned media far beyond their owned channels. Arad and Varon share the origin story of Videocites starting as an anti-piracy video-tracking technology in 2014 and its strategic pivot into an AI-powered social media intelligence platform. Drawing on Arad’s two decades in product development and Varon’s background leading partnership revenue at Madison Square Garden, BSE Global, and NASCAR, they break down why 80% of digital engagement happens outside official channels. The discussion covers leveraging super fans over mega-influencers, avoiding misleading metrics like raw impressions, and utilizing predictive AI to drive real revenue. Podcast Chapters: 02:52 - Amos Varon's Transition from MSG & NASCAR to Sports Tech04:02 - Eyal Arad on the Pivot: From Anti-Piracy to Harnessing Fan UGC05:48 - Evaluating Social Metrics: Beyond Followers and Standard Likes08:21 - The Tip of the Iceberg: Owned Channels vs. Earned UGC Reach09:59 - How Emerging Leagues & Younger Audiences Consume Clip-Driven Content12:18 - Turning "Pirates" into Brand Ambassadors & Fan Creators13:25 - Influencer Marketing Debate: Mega Influencers vs. Authentic Super Fans15:36 - Insights & Engagement Trends from FIFA World Cup & Major Events18:12 - Sports vs. Non-Sports Brands: How Content Strategies Compare22:40 - The Evolution of Athlete Personal Brands & UGC Monetization24:05 - The Future of Social Intelligence: Predictive AI & Fan Engagement27:45 - Rapid Fire: Undervalued Platforms & Overrated Metrics

Adam Sloustcher is the Co-Chair at Fisher Phillips, a leading labor and employment law firm. Sloustcher shares his journey from elite youth soccer at the U.S. Soccer Residency Program (IMG Academy) and playing Division I soccer at UNC Chapel Hill and Loyola Marymount University, to signing with the San Jose Earthquakes before transitioning into a legal career focused on labor and employment law.Sloustcher outlines how Fisher Phillips navigates employment and workplace law in the sports landscape, covering risk mitigation, cross-jurisdictional compliance, and proactive human resources management. He details how sports organizations, high-growth startups, and sports tech ventures manage labor regulations, implement workplace safety protocols, navigate state-level AI regulations, and lay compliant structural foundations. The discussion also covers scaling law office operations, corporate culture, and balancing executive output with family life.Podcast Chapters:01:26 - Adam's Origin Story: From AAU Basketball to Elite Youth Soccer03:11 - The Residency Program & D1 College Soccer at UNC & LMU04:39 - Life After Pro Soccer & Transitioning to Law06:51 - How an Athletic Background Shapes Legal Consulting09:48 - Navigating AI, Compliance, and Changing Regulations in Sports Tech13:39 - Who Fisher Phillips Serves: Early-Stage Startups to Pro Franchises18:43 - Scaling the Dallas Office & Client-Centric Growth Strategy20:32 - Redefining ROI: Return on Impact vs. Return on Investment25:35 - How to Connect with Adam Sloustcher & Fisher Phillips

Joel Bar-El is a tech entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of Swish. Bar-El previously co-founded Trax, a retail computer vision platform that grew into a multi-billion-dollar unicorn after raising over $1 billion in primary and secondary capital. Drawing on his lifelong involvement in basketball as a player and Israeli league referee, Bar-El has now turned his attention to transforming sports technology through low-cost sensor integration.Swish turns standard basketball courts into smart courts using self-installed LiDAR and computer vision sensors mounted to the backboard. Instead of requiring personal wearables or expensive enterprise camera arrays, the system uses on-device facial recognition to track player biometric data directly on their mobile devices while recording ball trajectory, shot arc, release speed, and biomechanical analytics. Bar-El discusses the company’s B2B2C deployment strategy across schools, academies, and community centers, its inclusion in the NBA Launchpad program, and his design philosophy around global leaderboards, remote challenges, and real-world gamification. He also reflects on founder discipline, navigating venture capital, and the realities of scaling and exiting a tech unicorn.Podcast Chapters:02:18 Fundraising Insights and Authenticity04:07 Market Opportunity in Basketball Technology05:33 The Swish Experience: Player Identity and Performance08:41 Gamification and Real-World Participation10:20 B2B2C Approach and Future Consumer Market11:26 NBA Launchpad and Global Expansion13:25 Focus on Basketball: The Path Forward14:56 Creating a Global Basketball Community17:05 Player Behavior Insights from Initial Launch18:39 Global Market Differences in Sports Tech Adoption20:16 Democratization of Player Performance22:40 Leveraging Data for Player Development23:47 Future Plans and Funding for Swish

London-born entrepreneur Jonah Lowenstein, co-founder and CEO of Aurora, dropped out of the University of St. Andrews at age 19 during the COVID-19 pandemic to pursue his passion for hyper-performing living. After launching and scaling multiple ventures, Lowenstein teamed up with the founder of the world’s largest digital concierge to build Aurora, a 24/7 "lifestyle operating system" backed by over $10 million in venture funding and powered by a global team across London, New York, and Los Angeles. Designed as an AI-enabled "global insider in your pocket," Aurora serves a high-performing community of professional athletes, premier founders, and family offices. The platform combines real-time human expertise with proactive AI agents that ingest biometric data from wearables like Whoop and Oura, scheduling personalized travel, high-end wellness access, and exclusive experiences in under a minute. By replacing fragmented, high-friction concierge services with a seamless digital interface, Aurora allows top performers to master the art of living without sacrificing health, relationships, or business performance. Jonah Lowenstein explores the mechanics of high-performance living and how Aurora is building a new category of third-space membership. Lowenstein breaks down the strategic value of "life architecting," why Aurora relies on 60-minute intake interviews to train its AI, and how the company applies a strict "truth-seeking" culture.  Podcast Chapters: 03:39 The Concept of a Lifestyle Operating System 06:05 Understanding High Performance Living 09:17 Personalization in Service for High Performers 12:12 Building Trust with High Net Worth Clients 16:11 The Importance of Co-Founders and Team Dynamics 17:30 Diverse Approaches to Problem Solving 20:47 The Importance of Truth Seeking 22:06 Maintaining Discipline in Business 25:03 Experiencing Unique Opportunities 28:41 Future Vision for Aurora 31:36 Integrating Sports and Wellness

Former Marine Corps F-18 and F-5 pilot Tim "Monk" Miller spent nearly 25 years in the skies, graduating from Top Gun, commanding a fighter squadron, and serving as an instructor pilot. Following his military retirement and a transition through business school, Miller set out to capture the high-stakes intensity, process improvement, and raw skill of fighter aviation for a global audience. Drawing inspiration from top-tier flight simulators and modern esports, he founded the Strike Fighter League (SFL) to bridge the gap between physical aviation and digital competition.The Strike Fighter League operates as a high-octane crossover between Top Gun, F1, and the UFC, sportifying air combat through two core verticals: the Online Tournament Series (OTS) and the Live Professional Series (LPS). Designed to push human limits, SFL competitions range from global digital trials to full-motion, high-G simulator rigs equipped with flight suits, oxygen mask surrogates, and real-time algorithmic telemetry scoring. By standardizing aerial combat skill sets into data-driven equations, the league provides a transparent, accountable platform for virtual aviators, top-gun graduates, and sim enthusiasts to test their mettle.Tim "Monk" Miller explores the technology, structure, and vision behind the Strike Fighter League. Miller breaks down how the SFL leverages defense-grade spatial hardware and simulator environments like DCS, the potential for hardware-agnostic brick-and-mortar competition hubs, and how the league is creating new STEM pathways for the next generation. Podcast Chapters:01:15 - Meet Tim "Monk" Miller: From TOPGUN to Sports Founder 03:56 - Transitioning from Marine Corps Flight Suit to Civilian Entrepreneur07:36 - What is the Strike Fighter League? (Top Gun Meets UFC & F1) 08:37 - The Two Formats: Online Tournament Series vs. Live Professional Series 10:51 - Who Can Compete? Amateurs, Sim Savants & TOPGUN Graduates 13:38 - How Competition Works: Trials (Speed, Precision, Accuracy) 18:38 - Spectator Experience: Streaming Live on Twitch & YouTube 20:28 - Full Motion Rigs, Centrifuges & High-G Combat Hardware28:11 - Applying Military debriefing & B-School Theory to Raising Capital

Former 35-year high-finance executive turned sports entrepreneur Tim Klitch has built a career around community, competition, and racket sports. Growing up in a Midwestern family where sports served as a path out of poverty, Klitch went from walking on to the Division I tennis team at Miami University to holding an ATP world ranking. Over his three-decade banking career, Klitch uniquely leveraged sports as a core business development tool, ultimately channeling that commercial expertise into the modern racket sports boom as an original founding investor in Major League Pickleball (MLP). Austin Pickle Ranch stands as a premier indoor pickleball destination built on the concept of the "un-country club." Designed to strip away the rigidity, elitism, and high financial barriers of traditional private clubs, the facility serves as an inclusive community hub in Austin, Texas. By combining accessible open-play programs, structured DUPR-rated competition, and beginner greenhorn clinics, Austin Pickle Ranch creates a welcoming environment for players of all backgrounds, skill levels, and walks of life. Klitch breaks down his journey from banking to MLP investor, explains why pickleball is the ultimate business networking sport, and shares how Austin Pickle Ranch is building a lasting, community-first legacy. The two also touch on the "Wild West" early days of Major League Pickleball, the mechanics of open play, and the story behind Klitch's signature cowboy hat. Podcast Chapters: 00:26 Introduction to Tim Klitch and Pickleball 07:14 The Journey into Pickleball 13:11 The Appeal of Pickleball vs. Tennis 20:24 Founding Major League Pickleball 26:56 The Austin Pickle Ranch and Community Impact

Former professional ice hockey executive turned sports administrator Phil Andrews has built a reputation as one of the most innovative leaders in the Olympic movement. After nearly a decade transforming USA Weightlifting as its CEO, Andrews took the helm at USA Fencing, bringing a growth-oriented, entrepreneurial approach to National Governing Bodies (NGBs). Known for his scrappy marketing tactics and operational modernization, Andrews specializes in taking niche sports, turning them into high-performing commercial entities, and preparing them for the global stage.USA Fencing serves as the official national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing across the United States. Operating at the intersection of grassroots participation and elite international competition, the organization oversees more than 400 sanctioned events annually, including massive national tournaments hosting tens of thousands of attendees. By implementing forward-thinking membership models, scalable digital broadcast infrastructure, and targeted brand partnerships, USA Fencing works to drive sport adoption from local grassroots clubs all the way to the Olympic podium.Phil Andrews explores the modern business of Olympic sports and NGB governance. Andrews outlines the unique mechanics of participatory sports media, highlighting how USA Fencing streams over 100 active strips simultaneously to serve its D2C audience.Podcast Chapters:04:26 Understanding National Governing Bodies in Sports09:53 The Role of Nonprofits in Sports13:25 Growing Membership and Engagement in Fencing19:22 Direct-to-Consumer Models in Sports26:58 Building Brand Partnerships and Revenue Streams33:46 Emerging Trends in the Sports World

Former Counter-Strike professional turned tech executive Jonas Gundersen has built a career navigating high-growth, fast-changing industries. From quitting school at 16 to compete globally, to coaching poker, scaling SaaS startups in San Francisco, and taking Ninjas in Pyjamas public on the NASDAQ as COO, Jonas's journey reflects the modern operator's playbook. Today, as Founder and CEO of Fusion Esports Group, he is leveraging his background across competitive gaming and software to pioneer a new, sustainable investment model for the gaming ecosystem. Fusion Esports Group was created to solve the unit-economic breakdowns currently facing traditional esports. Rather than relying on fragile venture capital dynamics or massive cash burn, Fusion operates as a micro-private equity holding company focused on acquiring distressed or severely undervalued assets. A year ago, Fusion made waves by acquiring the legendary Danish organization Astralis—four-time World Champions in Counter-Strike—stabilizing the business to profitability and setting a precedent for disciplined operations in gaming culture.Jonas unpacks how the business of gaming is evolving and why consolidation is the future. They dive into Fusion’s Multi-Club Ownership (MCO) strategy, modeled after groups like Fenway Sports Group and City Football Group, and discuss how holding companies can acquire team brands, creator channels, and high-margin product offerings to convert fan attention into sustainable, $50M+ profitable enterprises. Podcast Chapters:02:28 - From Professional Counter-Strike to Serial Builder 04:26 - Aging Out of Gaming Skills vs. Transitioning to Business 07:45 - The Micro-PE Playbook: Acquiring Distressed Gaming Assets 09:49 - Why Fusion Acquired 4x World Champions Astralis 12:38 - Understanding Astralis: Legacy, Roster, & Counter-Strike Ecosystem 15:25 - The Global Esports Circuit: Travel, Federations, & Viewership Scale 19:27 - The Multi-Club Ownership Model (FSG & City Football Group for Gaming) 22:22 - The Kylie Jenner Playbook: Turning Attention into $50M Products 26:05 - Where to Follow Jonas & Fusion Group

Rob Gough is a serial entrepreneur, investor, actor, and high-profile sports asset collector known globally for his sharp eye for market inefficiencies. He made international headlines after purchasing a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card for a record-breaking $5.2 million—a trophy asset that has since quadrupled in valuation. With a career defined by successful exits across tech and retail, Rob’s overarching investment strategy centers on identifying undervalued, historic assets with massive growth potential before the broader market recognizes their true worth.His latest move is the acquisition of the World Jai Alai League, stepping into ownership just as professional jai alai celebrates its 100th anniversary in Miami. Rather than launching a new sport from scratch, Rob chose to acquire an established property that already possesses rich history, media distribution, and legal live wagering across 25+ states. Under his leadership, the league is replacing temporary team leases with a deliberately limited, permanent franchise model, transforming temporary slots into city-aligned teams backed by long-term strategic investors, upgraded commercial infrastructure, and modernized venue hospitality.In this episode,Rob unpacks the strategic playbook behind acquiring underdeveloped sports IP and building long-term equity. They discuss how pattern recognition in alternative assets applies to professional sports ownership, why buying an existing league with built-in gaming integrations beats starting from zero, and how Rob plans to elevate jai alai into a global media phenomenon through a "fans-first" entertainment model, celebrity partners, and an upcoming streaming reality series.Podcast Chapters:02:49 Rob Gough's Journey and Investment Background05:51 The Value of High Lie and Market Opportunities08:56 Building a Media Property and Fan Engagement11:59 Team Structure and Ownership Opportunities14:47 Embracing Miami Culture and Community Engagement17:51 Technology and Innovation in High Lie21:01 The Role of Gambling in Fan Engagement23:55 Player Development and Recruitment27:04 Creating Memorable Fan Experiences29:55 Looking Ahead: The Future of High Lie

Alexandre Dreyfus is the CEO and founder of Chiliz. With over 30 years as an internet entrepreneur, Alexandre shares how Chiliz built a global ecosystem connecting over 80 major sports properties, including Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, Manchester City, and top South American clubs, through fungible fan tokens and blockchain infrastructure.Alexandre unpacks the operational realities of scaling a sports-fintech platform over the last eight years. He addresses the key differences in regulatory landscapes between the US and the rest of the world, detail-sharing Chiliz's strategic $80M investment across major US leagues (NBA, NFL, MLS) and its ultimate pivot toward US collegiate sports. The conversation delves into Chiliz's new "SportsFi" strategy, transitioning from pure utility-based loyalty tokens to fractional ownership and social equity models.Alexandre also discusses how sports assets serve as an emotion-driven asset class resilient to AI disruption, the launch of Chiliz's initial college athletic partnerships that channel token revenue directly into NIL pools, and the company's "2030 Manifesto." Alexandre offers valuable insights for founders on maintaining discipline, remaining self-funded, navigating market shifts, and keeping brand integrity at the forefront when managing billion-dollar sports properties.Podcast Chapters:01:30 Alex Dreyfus's Background and Journey03:11 The Concept of Fan Tokens and Engagement04:20 Challenges in the US Market and Regulation04:58 The 2030 Vision and Evolving Product Suite07:37 Global Adoption vs. US Resistance10:31 Education and Community Engagement12:57 Transitioning to Ownership and Equity15:26 Chili's Chain and Its Unique Position17:56 The Future of Sports Teams as Financial Ecosystems20:42 Opportunities in Youth Sports and College Teams22:51 Market Challenges and Competition24:48 Funding Strategies and Future Growth27:11 Key Takeaways and Future Directions

Scott DeRue is the CEO of The Ironman Group, the world's largest organizer of participation sports. Prior to leading Ironman, Scott served as President of Equinox, where he oversaw luxury fitness operations, and spent years as Dean of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. His career spans corporate executive leadership, higher education, and high-altitude mountaineering, including summitting Mount Everest and completing the Seven Summits, bringing a unique perspective on human performance, community-building, and experiential marketing to the global endurance sports landscape.The Ironman Group operates a massive portfolio of mass-participation endurance brands spanning triathlon, road running, trail running, and mountain biking. With over 230 events across more than 50 countries each year, the business reaches hundreds of thousands of athletes annually through flagship properties including Ironman, Ironman 70.3, the UTMB World Series, the Rock 'n' Roll Running Series, and the Epic Series. Under Scott’s leadership, the organization is capitalizing on major macro trends: the shift toward experience-based discretionary spending, surging investment in longevity and health, and the rise of global sports tourism.Scott explores how The Ironman Group manages a complex global supply chain of endurance events while deepening year-round consumer engagement. Scott details the economics behind race registrations, non-endemic corporate sponsorships, and municipal partnerships—highlighting flagship events like the Ironman World Championship, which generates up to $150M in local economic impact. Podcast Chapters:01:54 The Evolution of Fitness and Ironman’s Role07:56 Trends in Health, Wellness, and Experiences09:43 Building Community and Shared Identity15:46 Creating a Pipeline for Participation20:55 Business Model and Future Growth Strategies26:17 Professionalizing Endurance Sports31:17 The Elite Athletes of Ironman

Dean Braccia is the CEO and founder of Marquee, an AI-native operating system designed to transform how professional sports clubs handle recruitment, squad planning, and talent analysis. Dean brings a multi-exit entrepreneurial track record to the table, having previously built and exited an ad-tech company operating in the mobile user acquisition space. Beyond his software background, Dean is a diehard sports enthusiast and manager of the Israeli Arsenal fan community, a 7,000-member network where his passion for analyzing transfer window rumors, match tactics, and scouting data first sparked the blueprint for Marquee. Frustrated by the disconnect in professional sports scouting—where clubs drown in three to ten siloed data sources and over 60% of player transfers fail, Dean and his team built Marquee to serve as an intelligent decision layer. Backed by $6.5 million in seed funding, Marquee leverages 12 proprietary AI and machine learning models to automate up to 75% of the recruitment workflow. The platform translates complex data points into contextual, natural-language insights, helping clubs evaluate physical, mental, and financial fit, simulate squad lineups, and streamline internal player development. Podcast Chapters: 01:07 Dean's Journey and Passion for Sports 08:03 Understanding Marquee: The AI Native Operating System 14:11 Data Context and Club Integration 17:44 Governance and Security in Competitive Markets 21:34 Raising Capital: Insights for Founders 25:46 Future Vision and Market Adaptation