At The Podium with Manuel Amezcua

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we're sitting down with Jeremy Sasson, the visionary behind Heirloom Hospitality, the group responsible for some of the most acclaimed dining experiences in the country.Jeremy shares his journey from his early inspirations to creating a hospitality brand known for unforgettable service, design, and cuisine. We explore the mindset it takes to scale a luxury dining concept, the lessons he’s learned as a leader, and the importance of staying true to your brand while evolving with your guests.CONNECT WITH MANNYPodcast: At The Podium with Manuel AmezcuaWebsite: https://thepodiumgroup.com/Instagram: / officialmanuelamezcuaLinkedIn: / mannyamezcuaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

From overlooked to undeniable.In this inspiring episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, Manny sits down with Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert to talk about his unlikely journey from Brother Rice High School to the NFL. An undrafted free agent out of Northern Illinois, DaRon has navigated position changes, injuries, and the pressure of proving himself in one of the league’s most competitive locker rooms.Together, they explore the power of perseverance, the coaches and mentors who helped shape DaRon’s mindset, and what it really takes to carve out a place in the NFL as an underdog. DaRon opens up about his time with Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions, the locker room culture that fuels their success, and how he’s preparing for life beyond football with a degree in Business Administration and a commitment to personal growth.Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or someone chasing your own comeback story, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and the importance of auditing your circle.Topics Covered:DaRon's high school and college football journeyLife as an undrafted free agent in the NFLOvercoming injury and earning a second chanceCulture inside the Lions’ locker room under Dan CampbellLessons from coaches, teammates, and adversityBuilding financial habits and preparing for life after footballCONNECT WITH MANNY Website: https://thepodiumgroup.com/ Instagram: @officialmanuelamezcua LinkedIn: Manny AmezcuaListen now and get inspired by a true Detroit underdog story.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we're sitting down with 4 x NBA Champion Draymond Green.Draymond has become a legend on the court, but his legacy off the court is growing swiftly.He has a major goal of becoming a billionaire one day, and in this conversation, we touch on how exactly he plans to get to that point, and what other young athletes should focus on to surpass their wildest dreams.0:00 - Intro2:52 - Draymond Joins the Show7:20 - Successful People Follow the Blue Print/Trust13:51 - NIL, Wealth Traps, Saying No, Delayed Gratification, Home Ownership21:28 - What Draymond Learned From Tom Izzo and Steve Kerr29:00 - Draymond's Business Empire and What it Takes to Win in Any Industry33:52 - Signs of a BAD Deal37:10 - How Draymond Sets GoalsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua welcomes former Chicago Bear, speaker, and author Desmond Clark to the mic.In this episode, Desmond shares his inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing in Florida to becoming a standout receiver at Wake Forest and achieving a 12-year career in the NFL.He opens up about the invaluable life lessons he learned from his coaches, including the transformative influence of Lovie Smith’s coaching style, and the sacrifices his mother made to support his dreams.Desmond explores the concept of "giving it your all vs. simply winning," offering insights on defining success through personal excellence.The conversation transitions to his post-NFL career as a motivational speaker and author, highlighting his book, Principles of Winning, and its powerful lessons for anyone striving to achieve greatness.Whether you’re an athlete, leader, or dreamer, this episode will inspire you to make a conscious decision to pursue greatness and live a life of purpose and excellence.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In a thought-provoking conversation, Charles L. Ruiz, a leadership performance coach and former pro baseball player, dives into the transformative power of presence in leadership and life. He shares his unique framework, emphasizing four pillars: Core, Community, Craft, and Creativity. Listeners gain insights on auditing their support systems, stacking micro-wins, and the importance of intentionality. Charles also highlights how self-awareness and meaningful connections can redefine success, creating a winning culture in professional and personal settings.

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Notre Dame Football starting guard Rocco Spindler.Rocco Spindler is the son of Marc Spindler, a former NFL defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions.He shares with us his upbringing, how wrestling made him a great football player, the reality of being a five star recruit in high school, and the promise he made his grandfather to join the Fighting Irish.Rocco Spindler is a true man's man and is honoring the legacy of his family each and every day at Notre Dame – there’s so much to draw from the lessons in toughness, grit, and compassion that he has learned along the way, so sit back and enjoy!0:00 - Intro2:36 - Early Life and Family Impact on Athletics4:57 - Dad’s Impact on His Football Life and The Value of Wrestling8:50 - Impact of Sisters Athletic Gifts11:59 - High School Football Memories and Influences16:30 - Reality of Being a 5 Star Recruit in High School20:34 - Process of Choosing Notre Dame25:12 - Rocco’s Grandfather’s Influence31:30 - Day One at Notre Dame37:33 - What’s Coach Freeman Like?39:04 - Overcoming Obstacles and Injuries47:44 - What Does the Future Hold?49:12 - Advice for Student Athletes51:12 - What’s Something People Don’t Know About Rocco Spindler?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of "At the Podium" with Manuel Amezcua, Wallo267 shares his incredible transformation from serving 20 years in prison to becoming a successful entrepreneur and social media influencer within just 7 years outside of the system.Wallo talks about the importance of having a clear end game, setting goals, and making lists to keep on track with your final end vision.He emphasizes the value of genuine mentorship and how to discern true leaders from modern-day unqualified motivational speakers.Known for his raw and unfiltered approach, Wallo reveals how he leveraged his hardships to inspire millions and form partnerships with major brands and corporations.This episode offers a candid look at resilience, purpose, and navigating the challenges of personal growth in a world full of superficial advice.CONNECT WITH MANNYPodcast: At The Podium with Manuel AmezcuaWebsite: https://thepodiumgroup.com/Instagram: / officialmanuelamezcuaLinkedIn: / mannyamezcua0:00 - Introducing Wallo2672:17 - Look at My Story Not My Glory5:40 - Stop People Pleasing7:56 - You Need an End Game10:01 - All The Ingredients to Win Are in America11:08 - Why Do People Care So Much About Fitting In?14:25 - Loyal People and the Illusion of Success17:23 - Wallo’s Brothers Death and Living vs Dying For People19:22 - The Prison System is Corrupt20:59 - Mentorship, Anthony Bourdain, Setting Goals and Creating a List23:54 - The Power of the Mind and Self Study25:07 - Fake Motivational Speakers28:35 - People’s Struggles Are the Same and Stress on Steroids32:06 - Mastermind Grifters33:47 - Wallo’s Foundation For Kids35:09 - People Are Afraid to Take it to the Next Level36:23 - How Will You Know You Made an Impact37:08 - “Pride” in Being From the HoodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with Josh Ross, linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens and former Michigan Wolverine. Josh takes us through his journey from Southfield High School to standout performances at Michigan to his ongoing career in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens.Josh shares the importance of family pride and how his family's unwavering support has played a crucial role in his success and development as both a man and an athlete. He talks about the belief in oneself and how that mindset, reinforced by his family's encouragement, has helped him face challenges on and off the field. Despite not being the most naturally talented, Josh's relentless work ethic sets him apart, driving him to excel and leave a lasting legacy for the name on the back of his jersey.Josh also dives into the mental side of football, highlighting how crucial mental toughness and focus are in today’s game. He explains how the mental game often makes the difference between good and great players, and the strategies he uses to stay sharp, resilient, and ahead of the competition. Additionally, Josh discusses the importance of time management as an athlete, sharing how balancing training, recovery, and personal life is key to maintaining peak performance and overall well-being.Whether you're a sports fan or someone looking for inspiration, Josh’s story highlights the impact of determination, resilience, effective time management, and the power of a strong support system.CONNECT WITH MANNYPodcast: At The Podium with Manuel AmezcuaWebsite: https://thepodiumgroup.com/Instagram: / officialmanuelamezcuaLinkedIn: / mannyamezcua0:00 - Introducing Josh Ross4:54 - Childhood, High School, and Michigan Wolverines11:18 - Being a Hard Worker and Honoring His Family Name13:39 - Individualism in the Modern Game16:28 - Having a Clear Standard For Yourself and His Father’s Impact23:25 - Choosing Michigan and Favorite Michigan Memory33:34 - Grinding to Become a Starter with Devin Bush40:28 - Football is Intense But Mostly Mental44:43 - What Should Young Athletes Start Doing NOW to Be Better?48:05 - Message For Kids Thinking About Entering the Game of Football51:20 - Sound Mind Sound Body’s ImpactAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, we’re sitting down with National Champion, NCAA ‘24 cover athlete, and aspiring philanthropist Donovan Edwards.Donovan Edwards is entering his final year at Michigan, and is looking to help the Wolverines defend their national championship for the 2024-2025 season.With his head coach Jim Harbaugh leaving for the NFL’s LA Chargers, many thought that Edward’s would follow suit and declare for the draft, but as you’ll hear in this episode, he feels that he has unfinished business in Ann Arbour. Donovan shares with us in this episode the sacrifices that his father made after his mother’s untimely passing, how he grew as a leader, and how he’s looking to make an impact in his community before leaving for the big leagues.Donovan is an inspiration to young players around the country, and an example of what it means to constantly seek personal growth.CONNECT WITH MANNYPodcast: At The Podium with Manuel AmezcuaWebsite: https://thepodiumgroup.com/Instagram: / officialmanuelamezcuaLinkedIn: / mannyamezcua0:00 - Introducing Donovan Edwards3:08 - Donovan’s Childhood and His Early Trials7:30 - How Donovan Chose Michigan over Other Major Programs11:53 - What Made Jim Harbaugh a Great Coach to Play For?16:11 - Reaction to Harbaugh Leaving for NFL and Coach Moore18:21 - How Donovan Went From Bad to Great Leader25:11 - Donovan’s Growth and Purpose Outside of Football and His Charity33:56 - How You Speak to Yourself and What You Focus on Shapes Your Reality36:27 - Donovan’s Goals Entering His Senior Year37:45 - Donovan’s Daily Routine, Diet and Speed41:27 - Staying Focused on the NOW43:08 - Spread Love and Be the Change You Wish to See46:26 - Follow the Show and Donovan!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Brenden Rice is a professional football player for the LA Chargers, former Colorado Buffalo andUSC Trojan, and the son of the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Jerry Rice.In this episode of At the Podium with Manuel Amezcua, Manny and Brenden go deep onBrenden’s upbringing in Chandler, Arizona, the pressure involved in being the son of an NFLlegend, his time at USC with Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley, and his plans for life after hisNFL career comes to an end.This episode was recorded just days before the NFL draft, and will give you some insight onwho the Chargers are inheriting into their organization.CONNECT WITH MANNYPodcast: At The Podium with Manuel AmezcuaWebsite: https://thepodiumgroup.com/Instagram: / officialmanuelamezcuaLinkedIn: / mannyamezcua0:00 - Introducing Brenden Rice1:43 - Staying Focused During the NFL Draft Process2:20 - The Impact of His Mother on His Maturity3:32 - Brenden’s Backstory, His Influences, and Love For Football5:37 - The Pressure of Being Jerry Rice’s Son7:03 - Growing Up in Chandler Arizona8:16 - Why Brenden Originally Committed to Colorado and Why He Transferred10:35 - How USC Improved His Game and Playing with Caleb Williams14:36 - The NFL Combine Process and Building His Support Team18:12 - Who Did Brenden Want to Play For as a Kid?19:15 - Brenden’s Plans in His Rookie Season21:37 - Life After Football?26:01 - Staying Locked in Leading Up to Training Camp28:27 - Advice for Student Athletes and Parents of AthletesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands