Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

If the odds were stacked against you, would you run towards opportunity or from it? Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler was never supposed to make it to the NFL, much less star in it. Barely recruited out of high school, Austin starred at Western Colorado University, a Division II school, before signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He's since established himself as one of the best players in the league, leading the NFL in touchdowns the past two seasons. He's the founder of Eksperience, a fan engagement platform, and founder of the Austin Ekeler Foundation. On this episode, we talk about going all in on your goals, staying confident when you aren't getting opportunities, and putting in the work when no one's watching.

What does it take to build a career you love? Passion, curiosity and relentless drive! Kay Adams has made a name for herself as a sports TV personality by saying yes to opportunities and making the most of them. She is the host of FanDuel TV's daily morning show Up & Adams, where she is joined by current & former NFL players and other celebrities to talk about the top storylines around the league. Previously, Kay was the host of the NFL Network's Emmy-winning morning show, Good Morning Football and hosted People Magazine's syndicated TV show. The daughter of Polish immigrants, Kay learned the value of hard work at an early age and turned every job she had- from bartender to radio host—into a bigger opportunity. On this episode, we talk about taking risks in your career, the power of your network, and betting on yourself.

What does it look like to never give up on your dreams? At age 64, endurance swimmer Diana Nyad inspired the world by becoming the first person to swim the 110.86 miles from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, accomplishing the "Mount Everest of swims." It was a dream 35 years in the making and accomplished only after four crushing failures. This fall, Netflix will bring her story to the screen in the feature film Nyad starring Annette Benning and Jodie Foster. In our conversation today, Diana opens up about what it means to commit to big goals, face your fears, and live each day with no regrets.

Gary Keller, founder of Keller Williams Realty and bestselling author, shares his journey of discovering his purpose in helping others lead fulfilling lives. He redefines leadership as teaching thought processes rather than just directing actions. Discussion on building a training calendar reveals how leaders can cultivate a culture of learning and intentional relationships. Gary emphasizes that happiness comes from the journey, not wealth, and encourages counterbalancing life’s priorities rather than striving for perfect balance.

What separates the best from the rest? Mike Greenberg has a front row seat to peak performance as one of the signature faces – and voices- of ESPN for more than a quarter century. Mike is the host of Get Up, NBA Countdown, Greeny, and Bettor Days. He previously co-hosted Mike and Mike with Mike Golic, for which the duo has been inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Mike is the author of multiple New York Times best-sellers and his new book Got Your Number dives into the debate of which sports legends "own" which numbers. On this episode, we talk about the characteristics of high performers, stepping into new spaces in your career, and his favorite memories covering Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

A headline in The New York Times declared: "Taylor Rooks gets the interviews that go viral." Taylor Rooks is an Emmy Award-nominated sports journalist who has built a reputation for asking the bold questions that lead to revelatory conversations with sports' biggest stars. Taylor is the host and executive producer of Taylor Rooks X, her interview show for Bleacher Report, and a feature reporter for Amazon's Thursday Night Football. Previously, she worked as a host, reporter, and correspondent for the Big Ten Network and as a sideline reporter for CBS Sports Network. On this episode, we talk about the power in showing up fully yourself, how covering the NBA's bubble season changed her career, and why she constantly pushes boundaries in her career.

Steve Nash's Hall of Fame basketball career began with just one college scholarship offer. Born in South Africa and raised in Canada, Steve played multiple sports before focusing on basketball. It was his relentless drive that helped him transform from an unheralded recruit out of high school to a college mid-major star to a first round NBA draft pick. Steve went on to play 18 seasons in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers. He earned two MVP awards, eight All-Star selections, and is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Steve has served as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, consultant to the Golden State Warriors, and General Manager of Canada's Men's National Team. Off the court, he continues to deliver assists through the Steve Nash Foundation and is making his mark as an entrepreneur. His new training app BLOCK is centered around enhancing your healthspan through movement and daily routines. On this episode, we talk about the drive to get better, the mindset of the best and maximizing your potential.

Tunde Oyeneyin, a Peloton instructor and Nike athlete, shares her inspiring journey from makeup artistry to fitness. She discusses how losing 70 pounds transformed her life and built her confidence. Tunde emphasizes the importance of gratitude and resilience, reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth. She introduces her SPEAK framework, which focuses on surrender, power, empathy, authenticity, and knowledge to foster leadership and self-trust. Throughout the chat, she motivates listeners to embrace uncertainty and pursue their authentic path.

Stephen A. Smith is one of America's most popular sports media figures, known for dishing out his opinions on the hit show First Take. He's the host of the podcast Know Mercy and the founder of his own production company. But if you think you know Stephen A., you don't. In his new memoir, Straight Shooter, he shares the unlikely story of how he went from a sports-obsessed kid with dyslexia to the face of ESPN. His story is one of relentless drive, passion and grit. On this episode, we talk about the highs and lows of his career, showing up as your authentic self, and expanding his platform beyond sports.

What if you treated your home as your most important organization? Frustrated by all the unpaid, invisible work she was doing for her family—and recognizing she wasn't alone—Eve Rodksy set out to change society one partnership at a time. In her bestselling book Fair Play, Eve applies her Harvard-trained background in organizational management to create a system that helps partners rebalance their domestic workload and reimagine their relationship. On this episode, we explore the hidden costs of doing it all, and how to rebalance our home life through boundaries, systems and communication.