Pivot Podcast

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findGoing from undrafted to playing his way through summer league into an All Star Point Guard and NBA Champion with Toronto Raptors, Fred VanVleet tested the free agency waters and landed himself a $130M contract with the Houston Rockets and is sitting down with Ryan, Fred and Channing to talk about his journey and what’s next. Sharing his story about how at age 5 VanVleet’s life changed after his father was killed and struggling with the pressures of not going down same path and creating a different life for him, VanVleet has always approached the game of basketball with a chip on his shoulder and betting on himself. This approach led him to score the most points in a championship game by an undrafted player in the 2019 NBA finals and help lead his team to a title.  Struggling with the choice to stay in Toronto or have a fresh start with a struggling franchise, VanVleet accepted the challenge to start over in a new city and hopes to make an immediate impact as a leader with the young Rockets’ roster.  Ryan asks him what he does for fun and if he ever smiles, as he’s known for his serious all work attitude but as usual Channing and the guys get him to break the ice and share a few laughs and stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findSpending July 4th in Tennessee at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg a few miles up the road from where Country Music Star Dustin Lynch grew up. Kicking off Summer by bringing together different lives, telling stories & doing life with people you’d never dream of hanging with, the guys are sitting down with Dustin for what is one of the more surprising and entertaining conversations we had as we learn what it takes to be that 1% in music. Going through med school, Dustin was on path to be a doctor when his passion for songwriting and performing led him to Pivot into country music, risking the steady and safe option to chase his dream. And the chase paid off as Dustin sits atop country music charts with his current hit “Thinking of You” while playing to sold out crowds across the world with Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and more. Dustin shares with the guys that urge to go after the ‘what if’ that lives in all of us and how sometimes taking that unlikely path is the one that we are meant to take. From playing 4 hours on Broadway for 35$ to mowing grass to make ends meet to playing local parties to practice performing, Dustin spent over a decade writing and side jobs before he got the call that changed his life and he opens up to Ryan, Fred and Channing on what the journey has really been like. We see the big crowds, hear the songs on the radio, sold out tours, lines of women waiting to meet him but it’s what we don’t see that made Dustin who is he is today. Dustin shares a jaw dropping story about one night in Vegas involving Bruno Mars and Halle Berry which leaves Ryan, Fred and Channing speechless and even Fred a little bit jealous. A diehard Florida Gators fan, Dustin, takes a little heat from Ryan after LSU just won the College World Series as Fred and Channing jump in to go back and forth about their prideful alma mater. Channing tries his singing skills with Dustin and messes up the words to a famous like as Ryan wears a different hat in this one and embraces the conversation of how 3 former NFL players can sit with a country music star and have so much in common. Tap in not to miss this episode filled with so many life gems and stories that will have you in awe as we learn how it’s never too late to give up on our dreams and create the life we want to live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findAfter attending the Hollywood Unlocked Awards in LA, Ryan, Channing and Fred were up late and had a lot on their minds to talk about in sports, culture, life and everyday pressures we face. As they normally do, the trio doesn’t hold back and shares their perspective mixed with own experiences on certain topics, their own lives and how to navigate daily stresses and pressure we put on ourselves to be the best we can in all areas of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findAccept, Adjust and Move Forward is the basis of any life pivot and this episode shares a story of making a big pivot from being at the top having it all, losing it and coming out on the other side of it better. Not only is this one of the most entertaining and wild conversations, we've had, but it's truly one of the most impactful discussions about overcoming adversity and the lessons learned along the way.  Artist and entrepreneur, Bobby Shmurda, born name Ackquille Jean Pollard, sits down with Ryan, Channing and Fred for a conversation covering everything from his music success to how his upbringing shaped his mindset to how he remained positive through tough moments and how he approaches everyday day and building for the future.In 2014, the young man from Brooklyn gained international fame as he found himself at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 charts with his hit single "Hot Nigga" followed by a record deal and his EP album Shmurda She Wrote. A few months later he was arrested in NYC and charged, along with several other members of GS9, with conspiracy to murder, weapons possession and reckless endangerment and ended up doing seven years in prison from 2014-2021. Regaining his life and freedom, Bobby shares what kept him hopeful while being locked away and his approach to life that completely changed the man he was to the man he is today. From his babysitters being drug dealers and him growing up in the streets, Bobby took his early childhood experiences to help mold a different outlook for while creating a new path for himself. Telling Ryan, Fred and Channing that change starts with our youth and how his real flex is making money but doing it legally and being able to brag about his investments and success the legal way vs what he used to do now gives him true validation. Ofcourse the guys address the rumor mill of his personal life and Bobby doesn’t deny having a sex addiction and opens up on the incident that caused him to seek therapy and change his ways. A conversation that could continue for hours with the laughs and gems dropped, Bobby shares how music and hip hop has lost its authenticity and that he only respects a few artists now which is why he is hesitant to get back into the business but leaves the door open for new music on the horizon.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findOnce one of major league baseball’s biggest stars, Torii Hunter, a.k.a Spiderman joins The Pivot to discuss how he refrained from being imprisoned by his upbringing and achieved success.A young man growing up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, no stranger to poverty, Torii was angry that an impoverished childhood chose him. He didn’t know that his pain would eventually serve as schooling and motivation to become one of the MLB’s biggest stars.Torii sits down with Ryan, Channing, and Fred to talk about overcoming the imprisonment of his pain, learning to be of service to others, and the role money plays in your relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findThe Pivot took a trip to South Bend, Indiana for a special visit to one of College Football’s most sacred programs and truly gained an entire fresh perspective on the Irish’s historical winning lineage. Yes that’s right, Ryan, Fred and Channing are sitting with Head Football Coach of the Fighting Irish, Marcus Freeman on his home turf, for an inside look at the football program, a special tour of campus highlighting the rich history and for an in-depth conversation covering Coach’s journey from young man to football player to father to husband to head coach. Being named as only the second black coach in Notre Dame history, Freeman embraces the challenge to get the Fighting Irish back to championship traditions and build off last season’s winning streak after a bumpy start as the head coach. Pulling from his roots and focused on family and faith, coaching was never something Freeman dreamed of doing but rather it became his calling after his playing career took a turn. As one of the most respected defensive players in college football and a NFL 5th round draft pick, Freeman’s professional career had a lot of promise until a few months in and results from a physical showed he had an enlarged heart valve and he would be unable to compete at the NFL level due to medical reasons. Leaning into his close relationship with former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, Freeman reached out immediately and the next day was mentoring as a college football coach, the start of a journey to becoming one of the most sought after defensive minds in football and now head coach of one of the most storied collegiate programs. Fred asks about the values instilled in players and focus as a leader for Coach Freeman while Channing asks about the pressure of getting it right at such a prestigious school and reestablishing winning ways. As a father of six children, Coach Freeman shares with Ryan the importance of a work life blend and how he uses same approach to unify his melting pot of children at home as he does to lead the locker room of young men and his coaches. Showing by example is far more impactful than just using words. Looking ahead to next season, Coach Freeman is ready to pick up where the team left off and continue to make an impact on and off the field.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findIn an exclusive conversation, Former NFL player and Florida State standout, Travis Rudolph sits down with Ryan, Channing and Fred a few days after being acquitted of all charges surrounding an April 2021 fatal shooting in front of his Florida home. In an emotional discussion, Rudolph opens up about how hard it's been on him from losing his father to gun violence to struggling through injuries in his football career to death of his nephew to the life altering incident in April 2021, where he took another man's life while injuring others in an attempt of self defense being attacked at his own home.  The shooting on April 7, 2021, came after an altercation between Rudolph and his then-girlfriend Dominique Jones. Not long after, Rudolph was confronted at his house by four men. It ended with Rudolph firing 39 shots in the direction of their SUV, leaving one deceased and three others injured. Rudolph claimed that he killed a man and almost killed three others in order to save his own life. After a two-week trial, It took Jurors four hours to find Travis Rudolph not guilty of first-degree murder and cleared of three counts of attempted murder from the fatal shooting outside his home in Lake Park, Florida. Taking Fred, Ryan and Channing through the series of events that led up to the shooting, Rudolph emotionally explains how his then girlfriend was upset over some text messages she read in his phone and contacted her brother and his friends to go shoot up his shit which led to them arriving at his home, first beating him up then drawing guns. After being arrested and facing charges, Rudolph spent time in prison awaiting his trial and a year on house arrest during a time where he went through a lot of loss and reflection. He explains how he's been grief stricken from the loss of his father who was shot and killed while he was working and his young nephew who passed away in a car accident while trying to stay strong in his mindset fighting for his life since April 2021. The former New York Giants and Florida State wide receiver, filled with tears, tried to put into words what the past few years has been like and the toll it's taken on him, his family especially his mother who was there the night of the shooting which prompted him to go into survival mode.  Rudolph, who was signed as an undrafted free agent out of college and spent the 2017 season with the Giants, but his career was stalled from injury before signing with a CFL team before 2020. Now that he is acquitted of all charges, Rudolph is looking to get his life back on track and try to get back into football and fulfill his aspirations of playing professional football, a path he started down years ago as a young high school star.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findLiving with the good, the bad and the ugly in front of the world while still finding a way to be great living and playing through the good, the bad and the ugly.Being a public figure or star athlete comes with a lot of highs but it also comes with a lot of eyes when living your life for all to see. Today we are sitting with MLB All-Star Chicago White Sox Short Stop Tim Anderson who has earned the respect on the field as one of the top players in the game and also become a well known face in Chicago for his efforts in the community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findA young man growing up in Brooklyn and could have taken many different avenues chose to pursue his passion for competition and made a career out out of living on the edge and taking the sport of BMX to all new heights.Nigel is sitting down with Ryan, Channing and Fred to share his journey on how he got into bike riding, how he used the sport to turn himself into a star and secure financial success along the way developing his persona as a brand the world adapted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST:MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcastINSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivotTWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivotTIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivotFACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcastFOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydadFIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/findA future first ballot hall of famer, CP’s storied basketball career from Wake Forest to the NBA to Olympic gold medals to being a 12x All-star to leadership as union President to trailblazing the fight against social injustices while creating a legacy far beyond the court, truly makes Chris Paul one of the most impactful athletes of our time.Opening up about these moments, sharing how he’s celebrated the good and learned from the bad, dealt with the heart aches of loss, injury, trades and the passing of his friend Kobe Bryant, Chris doesn’t shy away from answering tough questions and setting the record straight on rumors over the years and giving us a court side seat to his 18+ years of evolving as a man and teammate to earn the respect and carry on making the name on the back of his jersey one we will never forget.Reflecting on childhood moments that helped shape him as the man he is today, Chris emotionally remembers the strength and work ethic he learned at an early age from his grandfather who he tributes so much of his growth and success to. Scoring 61 points after his grandfather’s passing in his honor seemed serendipitous to the story of family and the foundation he would continue to build upon as his career and life evolved. Recognizing how fortunate he was to grow up with both his parents and maintain a close bond, Chris has prided himself in always being a hands on dad and takes that job the most serious and with the most joy.And of course Channing couldn’t let CP slide without asking him about the infamous Banana Boat photos that surfaced years ago…definitely don’t want to miss this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices