The 18STRONG Podcast

This week on the 18Strong Podcast I am joined by Ashley Mayo, the Head of Brand at 8AM Golf, the parent company that owns and operates several other well-known golf brands like Golf Magazine, Golf.com, True Spec Golf, The Nicklaus Companies, GolfLogix, Club Conex, and Miura Golf. In this episode, Ashley explains exactly what her focus and role is at 8AM, and how their team is able to manage the individual brands to unify them under one umbrella. As a golf nut herself, she and her husband love to travel and play as often as possible so she shares some of the experiences that her position has allowed her to have including working with the Golder Bear Jack Nicklaus. And we had a chance to talk about the new direction of GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com which is very apparent from the new look and feel of the publications’ design and imagery. Ashley Mayo’s Background Ashley Mayo is Head of Brand at 8AM Golf, a company that owns and operates six golf companies: GOLF Magazine, GOLF.com, True Spec Golf, Nicklaus Companies, GolfLogix, Club Conex, and Miura Golf. Ashley is also GOLF’s Editorial Director and oversees the brand’s vision and strategy. Before joining the GOLF team, Ashley spent 11 years as an editor at Golf Digest. While there, she earned her Master’s degree from Columbia’s School of Journalism. Before joining Golf Digest, Ashley competed on the first-ever women’s golf team at the University of Virginia. Highlights from this Episode Ashley gives us an idea of what 8AM Golf is all about and how they direct the companies under their umbrella as well as her background into both golf and media/story telling.With having all these different companies that she has to oversee, she talks on what her average day looks like in focusing and forming the brand and her focus on Golf.com and Golf Magazine. She also talks about the big shift in perspective and feel for Golf.com and Golf Magazine and what their plans are for the future.The shift in trends in the consumer market and lifestyle aspect of golf that Ashley is seeing like using golf as an escape to beautiful courses. Ashley also dives into what they have discovered through both the history and retro-movement aspect and what the interests of their readers are.Her experience working with Jack Nicklaus and her favorite stories of times they were working together. She also talks on how closely she is working with him and his team on the Nicklaus Companies brand and what to expect later this year. Parting Questions Caddy Shack or Happy Gilmore?  Caddy Shack What would your walk-up song to the first tee box be?  Any song by Sia 18 Holes anywhere in the world with anyone, past or present: Where would it be and whom would you play? My Husband in New Zealand Follow Ashley Mayo: Instagram Twitter Follow 8AM Golf: Facebook Twitter Instagram Website Episode Sponsors SUPERSPEED GOLF: Go to 18STRONG.com/SuperSpeed to get your discount on all SuperSpeed products. LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week we have our good friends Gary Nicol and Karl Morris, the authors of The Lost Art of Putting and The Lost Art of Playing Golf.  They join us today to talk about ways to improve your game without fretting so much about your technique, but more about your intentions and attention on your SHOTS on the golf course, rather than your SWING! Highlights from this Episode What the lockdown looks like for them on their side of the world and how they have stayed busy and productive through the quarantine. Gary and Karl also talk on technology that they have been utilizing, out of necessity or convenience, to help with communication and online coaching.Karl talks on how he thinks the most important take away from the current climate is the importance of mindfulness during the game and how trying to focus on something physical during a daily walk can revolutionize your attentiveness and focus when you get back on the greens.The importance of adaptability and flexibility over consistency in a good golf game the lie and myth of consistency that we have been told. They also talk about how the great golf swing you had yesterday doesn’t have to be how your golf swing always looks.What to focus on when you get back on the golf course like doing a mental “shot tracker” and the importance of practicing vs. training for golf. Karl dives into how beneficial it can be to play 9 holes and play “deliberately miss” the green to train for the worst-case scenarios.They answer questions from the 18Strong community like wether or not there are too many gadgets and technology in the modern game and how a modern golfer avoids the over-marketing. Follow Karl Morris and Gary Nicol from The Lost Art of Golf: Instagram – Gary Nicol Instagram – Karl Morris Facebook Website Episode Sponsors SUPERSPEED GOLF: Go to 18STRONG.com/SuperSpeed to get your discount on all SuperSpeed products. LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

In this episode, we’re talking with 2-time PGA Tour winner, Nick Taylor. Nick joins us from home today talking on how he has adjusted to life at home in the last few months. We chat about the status of the tour in lock down and possible re-opening dates and procedures. Nick also breaks down his recent ProAm win at Pebble Beach, and gives us an inside look into the nice and not-so-nice times of a pro golfer. At the end of the show, Nick answers questions from the 18Strong community. Highlights from this Episode Nick talks on both how he is holding up through the pandemic and enjoying time with his family, and info on the PGA tour possibly starting back up and what events we may see in the summer.His history with golf: how he got started, his illustrious amateur career, and what his transition into pro golf looked like coming from college, going into Web.com, and eventually the PGA tour.He tells us his perspective of his recent ProAm win at Pebble Beach in February, some of the challenges he faced while there, and where he feels he has grown in his game. He talks about his personal strengths and where he feels he is working on improving.Nick recollects on a not so relaxing travel story while trying to get to South Korea for a tournament and other insights into the life of a pro golfer that isn’t as glamorous as you may think. Conversely, he also talks on the best tournament gifts he has received from a Theragun to a grill.He answers some questions from the 18Strong Community like what his favorite golf course designer or architect is and his perspective on how this current pandemic will affect the course of golf for pros and amateurs alike. Parting Questions: Caddy Shack or Happy Gilmore?  Happy Gilmore What would your walk-up song to the first tee box be?  The Imperial March (Darth Vaders Theme) from Star Wars 18 Holes anywhere in the world with anyone, past or present: Where would it be and whom would you play? Moe Norman, Ben Hogan, and Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach Who was your inspiration golfer that you looked up to? Tiger Woods and Mike Weir Follow Nick Taylor: Twitter Instagram Episode Sponsors LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week I’m talking with John Ashworth, Founder of LINKSOUL. We discuss everything regarding the company’s past and direction, the apparel itself, and we feature why we have partnered up with this great company as our preferred brand on and off the course. We also touch on how they are adapting to the current pandemic and their successful campaign for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, what new products they have coming up and what John would like to see for the future of golf apparel on the course, and their LinkSoul 2 Man Tournaments. Highlights from this Episode Which aspects of their business have and haven’t been affected by the current pandemic and what their current work looks like and their successful campaign to give back to the COVID-19 Relief Fund.John answers some questions from the 18Stong Community like where he started and how LinkSoul began, who he looked up to in the pro golf community growing up, and what golf fashion trends should be retired and what should be brought back.What new products and styles they have coming up that he is excited about, what golf trends he hopes to see come back as the game bounces back from the quarantine, and why public golf spaces should not enforce a dress code.The history and growth of the LinkSoul 2 Man Tournaments and their plans for adjusting it in the future once golf courses open back up. Follow John and LINKSOUL at: Website Twitter Facebook Instagram Episode Sponsor LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week I’m talking with Rob Collins, golf course designer/architect to catch us up on everything going on with his cultish wonder of a 9-hole course, Sweetens Cove down in Tennessee and what’s next for the dynamic duo of King Collins Golf. Rob explains how they’ve been affected by the COVID-19 situation, upcoming projects they have, and will be working on once everything clears up, how they approach designing these courses, and what the future of golf courses are going to look like as we stray away from the straight 18 holes. Highlights from this Episode What projects Rob has been working on since the last time we had him on the line, what projects are on hold until this climate clears up including a 9-hole course in Accord, New York and a 12-hole course out of Jackson, Mississippi, and what changes and developments have been made to Sweetens.Rob dives into how they approach their design work for courses like what they look for and what goes into the development of a course and also talks on their progress with the Landman course project and how it came about.Rob touches on what the future of golf courses will look like and how many new projects are moving toward the 9 and 12 hole route and away from the typical 18 to offer more variety and flexibility to the golfer, as well as courses he has been impressed by. He also answers a question from the 18Strong community on how one could take an 18 hole course and convert it or utilize it for a 12 hole regular course and a 6 hole short course.We wrap up talking about challenges come up when designing these courses, his most challenging projects to date, and unannounced leads on projects they have coming up throughout the southwest and Memphis. Follow Rob Collins at: Twitter Facebook Instagram Episode Sponsors SUPERSPEED GOLF: Go to 18STRONG.com/SuperSpeed to get your discount on all SuperSpeed products. LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week we continue with a LIVE via Facebook interview for the podcast talking with our close buddy, and professional golfer, Hayden Buckley. He joined us for a chat about his current golf standings pre-lockdown, what he’s doing to stay sharp on his game, takeaways from making the cut in 2 out of 2 PGA Tour events and how he plans to use that knowledge moving forward to break through to his dreams of permanently residing on the PGA Tour. We discuss what he thinks the future of golf tournaments will look like post lockdown (COVID-19) and Hayden also answers some questions from the 18Strong community including advice for younger players, which he thinks is better for making cuts: distance or short game, how he blocks out the noise while playing, and the biggest transitions when turning pro. Highlights from this Episode Hayden recounts what his game-plan and status was before the lockdown started, and the silver lining in the potential new tournament guidelines that could help him get into tournaments.What his home workout routine looks like and how he stays motivated to keep on top of his game and stave off the want to be lazy while at home. He also talks about a couple takeaways from making the cut on two tournaments and how he is shaping himself and what he is working on moving into the season re-opening.Hayden answers some questions from the 18Strong community like the biggest transition from turning pro, advice for younger players, what getting sponsorships looked like transitioning into the pro ranks, which is better for making cuts: distance or short game, who his favorite pro player to watch as a kid, and how he blocks out the noise and compartmentalize his nerves. Follow Hayden Buckley at: InstagramTwitter Episode Sponsors LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week I continue the live Facebook interviews for the podcast talking with Piers Ward and Andy Proudman, founders of one of the most prolific golf media companies in all of the game, MeAndMyGolf. They join us to talk not only about the journey of founding MeAndMyGolf, what they are doing during the COVID shut down and what they have in the pipeline for the future. Piers and Andy also share the tech they are using to expand the accessibility and understanding of their coaching, their favorite and funniest interviews and interactions with PGA professionals, and both their schedules and workout routines both at home and on the road. Highlights from this Episode Andy and Piers’ history together from growing up as junior golfers and going through their PGA training together to realize they didn’t want to play professionally, but rather coach and help others to play their best golf. Andy also touches on the learning curve with the implementation of the tech component and how that has evolved into the team they have working for them now.What their schedule looks like as far as content creation, working with individuals face-to-face, and working with individuals online. Piers gives an insight into what all goes into managing this 3-tiered approach to golf coaching and takeaways they have learned along the way.They both give their favorite  (and funniest) interview stories from being able to talk with both US and European Golf players. We also talk about how social media has allowed us to see the personalities of these golfers and add a more relaxed and fun feeling to seeing their interactions.What technology they are using to help with instruction, produce more visual graphics, and generally help their audience more than what we had 5 years ago like Trackman, Blasmotion, etc.What their workout routines look like and how they prioritize fitness while being on the road traveling constantly. Parting Questions: Caddy Shack or Happy Gilmore?  Andy: Caddy Shack Piers: Caddy Shack What would your walk-up song to the first tee box be?  Piers: Thunderstruck by AC/DC Andy: Some Jay-Z or Frank Sinatra 18 Holes anywhere in the world with anyone, past or present: Where would it be and whom would you play? Piers: Tiger Woods at AugustaAndy: Nick Faldo at St. Andrews Who is the most interesting person you have gotten to play a round of golf with and where? Piers: Playing with my friend before his wedding at The Old CourseAndy: Miles Fisher at Bel-Air Country Club Follow Piers and Andy, and find out more about MeAndMyGolf at: Instagram WebsiteTwitterFacebook Youtube Episode Sponsors SUPERSPEED GOLF: Go to 18STRONG.com/SuperSpeed to get your discount on all SuperSpeed products. LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week I continue the LIVE via Facebook route for the podcast talking with the founder of TRUE Linkswear, Jason Moore. Jason is on to talk about how the quarantine has effected TRUE, how he has utilized this time to hit the drawing board for upcoming shoe designs, and the process of what it takes to draft and create their shoes. Highlights from this Episode How LinkSoul and TRUE Linkswear got linked up and how starting their companies around the same time and their love for the game of golf sharing the same core values and vision.Being The Masters week during the interview, he recounts his experiences at The Masters be it as a spectator or caddying for his brother Ryan Moore (PGA Tour winner).How the quarantine has effected TRUE and the challenges of pivoting so quickly to how they have been able to help by donating 10% of their revenue to COVID causes. He also talks about how this quarantine and working from home has allowed him more time to hit the drawing board and both draft and engineer some of their most innovative new designs.Jason delves into the process of both what it takes and how long it takes for a product to go from idea to design to market. Follow Jason and find out more about TRUE Linkswear at: Instagram WebsiteTwitterFacebook Episode Sponsors LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week I continue the live via Facebook route for the podcast talking with the founder of the Nutritional Coaching Institute, Jason Phillips. We talk on his new quarantine routine, the caution we should take on overloading with high-intensity workouts during the lockdown, what his nutrition looks like and how to be more relaxed with your diet, what led to the founding of NCI, and his new audiobook Nutritional Coaching Secrets. He also answers questions from the 18Strong community like what coaches he is working with personally and who he would point to as his mentor/inspiration. Highlights from this Episode What his day to day looks like now and how he says he has worked harder in the last month staying connected to and keeping up with clients than he ever has before.He talks on the caution that we should take with this extra time we find ourselves with at home and how with all of these workouts coming to an online or virtual platform it is more possible than ever to overload yourself with high-intensity training and injury yourself.We talk about his nutrition doing the quarantine and how it has been affected, but also how he has been able to stick to a schedule/diet that allows him to be flexible and relaxed in terms of food options.What led him from coaching clients and individuals to finally deciding to go into coaching coaches and starting NCI with the mission of reaching a billion people, and what NCI has looked like over the years to what it is todayWe talk about the launch of his latest audiobook Nutrition Coaching Secrets where he talks on how he built his nutrition coaching business and the core foundations of where he succeeds with his clients like the business triangle of awareness.He answers questions from the 18Strong community like what coaches he is working with personally and who he would point to as his mentor/inspiration. Follow Jason at: Website Instagram Check out his latest audiobook here Episode Sponsors LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.

This week I continue the Facebook Live podcasts talking with PGA fitness coach, Damon Goddard. In this episode, we talk about how Damon has adjusted to the quarantine from a personal and professional perspective. Damon also gets into the tools and tech he is utilizing with his athletes during this time, how a recent injury has affected him physically and mentally, and the new PGA Tour initiative he is a part of, called “PGA Tour Active.” At the end of the episode, Damon answers questions from the 18Strong audience like changes he has made to his nutrition after his injury, how he is monitoring his client’s nutrition, and recovery protocols that he uses with his clients. Highlights from this Episode How he has adjusted to the quarantine and pivots he had to make with his coaching moving it to online and virtual platforms. He talks on how while this time is challenging for coaches and physical therapists, it can be used to grow your communication skills on how to make corrections without physically touching the athlete.Some of the tools and tech pieces he has been able to utilize like Fusionetics to deliver programing to athletes, the Whoop strap to log athlete analytics, and Zoom to conference and call.How he encourages journaling for his athletes to maintain mental health awareness and keeping note of the “core 4:” Body, Being, Balance, and Business. How a soccer injury at a young age catalyzed his interest in fitness and physiology as well as his career. He also talks on a recent injury he sustained that almost had him down and out.The new PGA Tour initiative his is active in, “PGA Tour Active,” creating a pool of wisdom from the top athletes, fitness professionals and strength coaches in the game.Damon answers questions from the 18Strong audience like changes he has made to his nutrition through his current situation, how he is monitoring his clients nutrition and food intake, and other recovery protocols that he uses with his clients. Follow Damon: Instagram Head over to Proze.com Use code GODDARD at checkout for 30% off your order and to send a product to somebody else. Episode Sponsors: SuperSpeed Golf: Use the code “18STRONG” at SuperSpeedGolf.com LINKSOUL: For your 20% discount on LINKSOUL gear, go to 18strong.com/linksoul or click the logo below.