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/findFrom unknown and unranked to NBA All-Star, Memphis Grizzlies Point Guard Ja Morant joins The Pivot to share his journey to stardom, his family's influence on success and what his goals are for this upcoming NBA season personally and for his team. Sitting down with Ryan, Fred and Channing, the conversation spans everything from family to basketball to legacy.Ryan opens the conversation, inquiring about Ja's father, Tee Morant and his influence on Ja's career. Known for his infectious energy and continuous encouragement court side during Ja's games, the Morant Family is no stranger to the public eye. And with the increasing spotlight, comes increasing scrutiny...which Ja attributes to navigating by keeping his circle small and being loyal to the ones who've been with him from the start. Getting into basketball talk, Ja reflects on his accomplishments this past season which include NBA All Star, Most Improved player, post season semi finals but also acknowledges falling short of his two main goals- winning Most Valuable Player and the NBA championship with his team. Focusing on staying healthy and being available for the season, especially as it gets into the postseason is most important for Ja who is joined by his trainer Mo Wells. The two discuss how they are using this offseason to maximize his availability, overall health and continued focus on being the best player on the court.  From transparency about the NBA’s competitive environment to the inspiration Ja receives from his fellow brothers in the league, Ja doesn't hold back opening up about his go hard and ask for forgiveness later mentality as well as the trash talking he does to keep himself and teammates in their opponents heads. Foreshadowing to the game against the Warriors on Christmas Day, Ja says his gift came early and that playing on Christmas is every NBA player's dream and to have this match up again is everything his team is looking forward to. Join our new DraftKings partnership, get ready for football talk and sports conversations throughout the coming months and for us to bring you some can't miss opportunities to make free money by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook App and checking out the special offers using the promo code PIVOT. Don't forget to like and subscribe to our youtube channel and check out https://www.thepivotpodcast.com.If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 wager. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Sponsored by DK. Ends 9/19/22 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility restrictions apply. See T&C at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.#1 Rated Sportsbook App based on Eilers&Krejcik (2Q22). Product Analysis: Testing, Scoring, and Ranking U.S. Sports Betting Apps 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/findDon’t miss out on all the NFL action this week at DraftKings! Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app today! Sign-up using http://Dkng.co/pivot or through my promo code PIVOT.As the NFL kicks off its first Sunday of the season today, we are getting in on the action too. Throughout this NFL season, we will be adding Sunday morning specials to our line up focusing on conversations with former and current NFL players, league updates, locker room buzz and breaking down key match ups as well as player and team outlooks. Kicking off our first Sunday morning, we visited the NY Giants facility and had the honor of sitting down with NFL legend and The King of NY, Michael Strahan. This is one of our favorite conversations filled with a lot of gems, funny stories as well as pivotal moments over the years that had Ryan, Fred and Channing intrigued and entertained laughing the entire time. Strahan, known for his 15-year hall of fame career with the Giants winning a Super Bowl, opens up on the current state of the NFL, the future of Saquon Barkley in NY and shares his thoughts on the type of year the young running back will have. Growing up as a military child bouncing all over the world and choosing to play college ball at a HBCU, Strahan credits his father for instilling core value but also a "when" mentality vs having the "if" perspective.Transitioning from football into the media and entrepreneurial space, Strahan has set the bar high for current and former players paving the way for them to seek big opportunities in production, business affairs, admitting that the length and duration of his career helped him outlast the mistakes he's made. Fred talks about Strahan's biggest pivot which he admits overtime has helped further his success off the field and asks about all the ongoing business endeavors he's involved with from the clothing brand, production company to Good Morning America to going into Space to the launch of his new skincare line Daily Defense. Setting an example to athletes globally, Strahan echoes the sentiment his father instilled in him that winning comes through positive relationships and true teamwork. Ryan tries to wrap the conversation and get Strahan's perspective on life after the NFL while Channing switches it up talking about men's underwear referencing a recent debate Strahan had on Good Morning America about whether men prefer underwear with a pee hole or ones without. As you can imagine, this part of the conversation is one you don't want to miss! 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/findDon’t miss out on all the NFL action this week at DraftKings! Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app today! Sign-up using http://Dkng.co/pivot or through my promo code PIVOT.It's Week 1 and the NFL season is underway...our training camp tour series highlighted the players and teams around the league and we plan to continue bringing you top guests and impactful conversations. Today we get to share a major life PIVOT for a man with ties not to just all the sports leagues and athletes, but a man making a major impact in business and culture.Bankrupt to Billionaire, Michael Rubin, the CEO of Fanatics and CoFounder of The Reform Alliance, joins The Pivot to share his journey of success and the parallels of business and sports in what was more like a masterclass of finding success through living life.Opening his NYC apartment to the guys, Rubin hosted Fred, Ryan and Channing for a conversation covering business, relationships, sports, mistakes and failures of life and the important initiatives fueled by his passion to help others. Storying his youth and attributing his entrepreneurial skills to growing up fearless of taking chances and betting on himself, Rubin opens up on how although life looks glamorous now, it comes with a history of a lot of losses that are just as big as the wins.“I was a god awful student and I was a terrible athlete.” This self-awareness forced Michael to gravitate to the sport of business at eight years old.Referencing relationships as the most important aspect of life and business, Rubin stresses you can have all the talent in the world on one team but still not perform well and that's because the key is not only to have the best people but get the best to all work together and build as one. Rubin shares how Tom Brady recently spoke to his entire company about how to translate leadership into winning and the importance of consistency in running the same plays which leads to crossing the goal line and bigger wins.Rubin says at this level, it's not about money, it's about doing what you love and making an impact. Although, there is no shortage of good times and famous friends- the guys give Rubin crap about his infamous White Party, which has become the star studded social event of the year.Fueled by a desire to win and something he doesn't plan on stepping back from, Rubin continues to expand his reach through the relationships he has cultivated. Ryan jokes that the people Rubin is in constant contact with are household names to the rest of us from Robert Kraft to Meek Mill to Jay Z to Tom Brady to Lil Baby to anyone you can think of really.Of all the endeavors Rubin has been a part of, one of the most rewarding experiences has been starting the Reform Alliance to help expose the struggles faced by those within the Black Community and dedicated to helping individuals who have been oppressed by our justice system. 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/findAs the NFL Season is set to kick off this week, we are wrapping up our training camp tour and had the opportunity to sit down with dynamic running back and recent Super Bowl Champion, Leonard Fournette.Lenny, a man of many nicknames and native of Louisiana, joins The Pivot for an in-depth conversation about football and family. With the guys always on Channing about his footwear, Leonard starts the show by gifting him a new pair of Dunks to upgrade his shoe game.Sharing the LSU connection and New Orleans roots, Ryan goes back to Leonard's early football days from watching him in high school to college to him becoming a 4th overall pick in the draft and recognizing that he's always faced turmoil and backlash throughout his career but has always been a dominant player.Known for his unique ability to pick up blitzes and run the ball, Leonard discusses the trials and tribulations he’s faced throughout life and his determination to persevere beating all odds from his time in little league through high school and college to getting drafted by Jacksonville in 2017, learning an important lesson along the way: to whom much is given, much will be required.Fred, understanding the Jacksonville organization, asks Leonard what really happened with the Jags and the final straw for him to leave there when he was vested as the future of the team. Being released 2 weeks before the 2020 season was one of the most shocking NFL moves as well as a shot to Leonard and the relationship he felt he had with the coaching staff, especially Doug Marone.However this move, considered a blessing and a curse, as Leonard answered the call from across the state and ended up signing with Tampa Bay to play with Tom Brady. Fast forward to winning a Super Bowl that season but more importantly, evolving as a man, a leader and developing a more mature outlook on football and business. Under the leadership of #12, Leonard has tried to pass down his experiences to the younger players as Brady did for him and reunited for one more season, the Bucs are in position and ready to make another run this year at winning the Lombardi trophy.A family first mentality and tight knit group, Leonard shares the hard times growing up, tough love from his father making him who he is today and the hardships they faced after hurricane Katrina and how it made them stronger as a unit and reminded them they can get through anything as long as they are together.Tap in every Tuesday at Noon Eastern for the premiere of our weekly featured episode with special episode drops on Fridays at 6p eastern throughout our training camp tour. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to our channel and check out www.thepivotpodcast.com. 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/findTaking a pause on our NFL Training Camp tour before we roll out the remainder of our camp episodes next week, We pivoted to this wknd as thousands of young men across the country take the field to chase their dreams! That's right, with all the excitement and buzz around college football kicking off, we had the opportunity to sit down with two of the nation's top players, Ohio State's CJ Stroud and Texas' Bijan Robinson. Ohio State starts the season hosting Notre Dame Saturday and Texas hosting LA-Monroe.Stroud, a front runner for the 2022 Heisman and possible No 1 pick in next year's NFL draft, is poised and excited to lead the Buckeyes to a winning season. Sharing his upbringing and opening up about his father not being around to watch him play now is an emotional but uplifting story of a son who is not just working for his team but for his family's future as the head of his household too.Texas, once known for a rich history of college football and top draft picks, went 5-7 last season and Bijan is on a mission this year to restore the school's winning ways and looks to be a top running back selected in next year's draft. Bijan talks about the current NFL guys he looks up to and watches, hoping to model his play after guys like Zeke, Saquon, Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor, who he feels should have been the league's MVP last year.A man of a faith, Bijan tells Fred that he is ready to run his way into history books for Texas while CJ shares with the guys that this year is the best he's felt about his teammates and the chemistry in the locker room.With NIL deals changing the college landscape, CJ and Bijan explain to Channing, Ryan and Fred how although seven figure deals are rolling in, they are still able to stay grounded and motivated by the love of the game and their teammates, not the money. Ahead of Ohio State's first game, CJ gifted each of his teammates $500 to buy a new suit and look the part to start their college season together as one. 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/findAs our NFL Training Camp Tour continues, we make a special Pivot stop in the Big Apple to sit down with one of the top running backs in the league.Sidelined by injuries and blurred by the noise from critics and media, Running Back, Saquon Barkley has more than a chip on his shoulder, he has a burning flame to remind the world just who #26 really is on the field.The running back says it’s no secret how quickly people flipped the switch on him from being the best they’ve seen to forgetting he could even play the position.Fred has a moment with his fellow running back and shares some of the tactics he used to regain his mental toughness and confidence after injuries that stalled him early on.Saquon talks about the importance of family and how his young daughter has helped keep perspective of what matters and his overall legacy. Ryan and Channing remind the young player all he’s accomplished and all that’s ahead of him personally and on the field.After an explosive rookie year in 2018, the world watched Saquon terrorize opposing defenses and run up yards and the score and in 2022, his contract year, it’s about leaving his mark in NFL history books. Excited for a new coaching staff and the accountability in the Giants locker room, Saquon is optimistic that Big Blue is ready to reclaim the NFC East. 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/findOur NFL Training Camp Tour stops in Tampa Bay to catch up with former teammate of Fred and Ryan's and family of The Pivot, the Super Bowl Champion Byron Leftwich who won both as a player and a coach and holds the current reins with the Bucs as the Offensive Coordinator.Winning the Super Bowl as a teammate of Ryan's in Pittsburgh and a coach of the Bucs in 2021, Byron talks about the urgency to get back to the big game and his reaction the moment he found out Tom Brady would be back for one more season. Discussing all the talent and how impressed he is by the offensive weapons especially with the addition of Julio Jones joining Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Byron feels the team is poised and ready to make one more run at the big game.Talking about Tom Brady and what makes him special, Byron says it's pretty cut and dry- Tom views the game as simple and approaches it that way every play. Citing no one works harder and spends more time on the game than 12. The guys talk about moments and players throughout their careers comparing them to today's talent.Channing chimes in with some of his commentary about Byron and makes him an offer he immediately refuses if he wins another Super Bowl. Fred and Ryan talk about how Byron wasn't just one of the best teammates but one of the best humans and going to make one heck of a head coach as he is next up.Reminiscing about Byron's infamous college game where he was hurt and continued to play with a broken leg, the guys ask Byron what that experience was really like and how he was able to push through that time despite the severity of his injury. Fred asks if that was his most defining sports moment before winning a Super Bowl. 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/findAs our NFL training camp tour continues, we continue to bring you the best of the best…And not that we ever need another reason to touch down in Vegas but visiting the Raiders training camp gave us a good one.In a rare sit down opportunity, Raiders Wide Receiver Davante Adams joins The Pivot for one of the most intriguing and open conversations we’ve done this summer. Allowing us into his mindset by sharing the little details that separate him from other receivers making him a true a 1 of 1.After creating a name for himself in Green Bay and becoming the league’s top receiver, Davante is ready for his next NFL chapter as a Las Vegas Raider.Understanding the foundation that the Packers gave him, Davante talks about his time playing with Aaron Rodgers, who he considers to have the Michael Jordan effect, making the people around him better and play differently just by being around them.Now, after signing with the Raiders and being reunited with his former college teammate and good friend QB Derek Carr, Davante believes the opportunity to win is inevitable and the talent on the team’s roster is loaded at each position. He breaks down his mindset and approach to each play before he lines up and shares what makes him such a threat to opposing defensesChanning pushes back on the “Best” label and says he sees other young guys who edge Davante out as being number one. But that’s one thing Davante has perfected, tuning out the noise and criticisms by letting his on field play do the talking for him.Signing a lucrative $140M deal, Davante is living differently these days but has never allowed the money to change him or make him forget where he came from.The star WR also shares how he recently sent a message to new head coach Josh McDaniels thanking him and acknowledging him as strong leader and someone who can turn this talented roster into a championship team. 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/findKeeping up with our NFL Training Camp Tour bringing you some of the best football conversations around the league, we were able to sit down with Derwin James of the LA Chargers as he prepared to become the highest paid player at his position in NFL history.With several safeties around the league receiving big contracts of late, Derwin wasn't worried where he would fall in the pack and always remained confident that his on the field play would speak for itself when it came time for numbers. Putting his trust in agent David Mulugheta, the Chargers Safety stayed out of the negotiations and conversations between his team and representative knowing that he was in a good situation. Despite not signing a new deal before training Camp, Derwin showed up to support his team and partake in team activities, just didn't participate in practice.Ignoring the noise that he is injury prone and hasn't done enough to prove his consistent skill level, Derwin says it comes with territories and doesn't allow others opinions to affect how he approaches the game or his relationship with his organization, knowing fully that when he is on the field and playing- he believes he is the best safety in the NFL. Fred related to that notion as he dealt with some of that affecting his career and contracts while he played too.With full confidence in his quarterback Justin Herbert at the helm, Derwin believes the Chargers are not only the best team in the AFC West but a Super Bowl contender. "The more we get the ball to #10, we are going to win way more than we will lose". The Safety admits that it would be a letdown to get anywhere less than the big dance in February because he knows the talent on his team and what they are capable of this season,In a surprising response to Ryan's match up questions, Derwin says that Hunter Renfro is a guy they watch and believe is one of the better on offense that they face. Channing asks how he has avoided the pitfalls of being a star first in college and now in the NFL and what are some of the choices he made to rise above those situations that often derail young careers. Of course, no conversation is complete without Channing being Channing as he shares his thoughts on guys who use poor excuses of becoming fathers unexpectedly, and as usual it's a must listen!Growing up in Florida, Derwin talks about how he got his work ethic from his parents and watched his mom work out constantly as they were growing up so he adapted and did the same. As a father of his own little girl now, Derwin understands how this contract is not only life changing for him and his family but generational change too. 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/findAs our NFL Training Camp Tour continues, we made a special Pivot Stop in Latrobe, PA, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers Training camp and as Ryan would say, the winning inspiration to our Pivot colors! While at St. Vincent's college campus, We spent time catching up with everyone's favorite Coach Mike Tomlin at practice and then sat down with not just one star but two- the Defensive Player of The Year, TJ Watt ANDDD Pro Bowl Running Back Najee Harris! Both conversations filled with football talk and off the field life conversations about the men they are today and the experiences that shaped them.Entering his second year with the Steelers, Najee Harris is setting high expectations to exceed last season's numbers and terrorize opposing defenses. Najee told Ryan, Channing and Fred, "I want to be the one who keeps defensive coordinators up trying to figure out how to play against me."Reminiscing about his draft party in a homeless shelter, Najee shares how he grew up in the Bay Area sharing how he will forever be indebted to how he was raised along with the loyalty and trust of those who help shaped him. Sharing some pointers and veteran advice, Fred opens up about some of the smaller things he can do as a running back that will have a big pay off in the end.Ryan is very candid about how Najee is perceived around the league by both teams and the media which has caused him to double down on always being his authentic self no matter the circumstances. Channing and Najee bond over playing for Coach Nick Saban although both speak on two entirely different experiences.Knowing the offense will be in a growth pattern with a new starting quarterback this year, TJ accepts the pressure for the defense to step up this year and help slow down some of the high powered offenses, especially in their rival AFC North. Growing up in a football family and following in the footsteps of his brother, future Hall of Famer JJ Watt, TJ talks about how living in the house with his two brothers helped mold him into the player he is today as well as the leader he strives to be on and off the field.Channing Asks TJ if he thinks he has his brother in talent and success on the field and in an emotional response, TJ takes the time to remind us of how good his older brother really is and all that he's accomplished in his career.Acknowledging that their team came up short last year and finished off with a record less than the standard of Pittsburgh Steelers football, Najee and TJ both share the sediment to get back to the post season and be Super Bowl contenders this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices