The Post Game Podcast

Lucas Espada is a former soccer player at Northeastern University, professional soccer player, and Founder of ShowNxt, an AI-powered recruiting platform reshaping how student-athletes connect with college programs across the US.With ShowNxt, he’s helping players promote themselves, connect with teams and scouts, and open new doors in sports and beyond.Lucas shares how he brought his idea to life from scratch, why the propensity to learn is more valuable than experience, and why giving away value for free early on can set you apart. What You’ll Learn:Lucas’ passion for entrepreneurship and building something from nothingWhat ShowNxt is and how it’s changing the game for athletesThe journey of bringing an idea to life from scratchWhy a propensity to learn beats years of experienceThe importance of giving value away for free early onHow to overcome fear and ask, “What’s the worst that can happen?”The revenue model and what’s next for ShowNxtTimestamps:(0:00) - Intro to Lucas(2:10) - Soccer background, ankle injury, and going pro(5:40) - Navigating pro soccer without an agent(6:25) - Becoming an entrepreneur(9:25) - What problem is ShowNxt solving?(11:15) - Equitable access for athletes(13:10) - Bringing the idea to life(14:40) - Visualizing what you want to build(16:10) - Propensity to learn(17:40) - Look in your backyard(19:40) - The first paying customer(23:25) - What’s the worst that can happen?(24:55) - What pushback does he get?(27:25) - Cornell story(30:40) - What’s next for ShowNxt?(31:40) - Where to find Lucas and ShowNxtLinks:Lucas Espada LinkedInShowNxt LinkedInLucas Espada InstagramThe Post Game Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast (@JoePod24) / X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-post-game-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Drew Shore is a former NHL player with the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks. After retiring from hockey, he transitioned into the business world, building a career as both an agent and a founder of Amalfi, an exclusive community helping athletes transition into business and connect with top entrepreneurs.Drew is also the host of a podcast Betting The Limit, where he talks to athletes who have successfully pivoted into the business world.What You'll Hear About:Why Drew views his hockey career as a “failure” and how that mindset fueled his business successThe mental side of hockeyHis transition into athlete representation with WassermanLaunching the “Betting The Limit” podcast Building Amalfi, an exclusive community helping athletes transition into business and connect with top entrepreneursWhy athletes should start building relationships before retirementHockey culture and missing the locker roomAdvice for current and former athletes on finding purpose after sportsTimestamps:(0:00) – Intro to Drew(2:40) – Growing up with three brothers & early hockey career(4:00) – Scoring a goal in the NHL(5:50) – When things didn’t go as planned(6:55) – Viewing “failure” as opportunity(7:50) – The mental game of hockey(9:00) – Transition to becoming an agent at Wasserman (11:55) – Starting Betting The Limit (13:55) – The origin of Amalfi(15:25) – How Amalfi compares to YPO(17:40) – The Shadow Creek event experience(20:55) – Daily highs and lows of entrepreneurship(22:10) – Balancing pricing and access for young athletes(23:25) – Does retirement uncertainty ever fade?(24:40) – Playing again at the DU charity game(27:10) – Closing the 5-year post-retirement gap(29:10) – Hockey media & athlete personalities(32:10) – The culture of hockey (33:40) – Advice for retiring athletes(35:10) – Building brand portfolios differently today(36:00) – Where to find DrewLinks:Drew Shore InstagramBetting The Limit InstagramJoin Amalfi WebsiteDrew Shore LinkedInDrew Shore (@Drew22Shore) / XThe Post Game Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Post Game Podcast (@JoePod24) / X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-post-game-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Jack Adler is the founder and CEO of Out2Win, a marketing platform that uses AI to match brands with athletes. He shares how he turned a passion for helping athletes into one of the most innovative companies in the NIL and creator economy space. From raising money to partnering with top college teams and brands, Jack discusses what it takes to build something meaningful in the constantly evolving NIL landscape as a first-time founder.He also dives into how Out2Win uses AI and data to rank athlete marketability, why posting consistency matters more than follower count, and the mindset that kept him from quitting along the way.What You’ll Hear About:How Jack built Out2Win from the ground upWhy Out2Win partners directly with brands Almost quitting and what kept him goingRaising money as a 23-year-old with zero revenueWhy one true supporter can change everythingHow athletes are becoming creators How Out2Win integrates AI and analytics into athlete rankingsWhy posting frequency matters more than follower countThe most marketable teams in college sportsHow to navigate the unknown as a first-time entrepreneurTimestamps:(0:00) – Intro to Jack Adler(3:00) – Jack’s upbringing and early drive(4:20) – Launching his first fundraiser with his sister(5:40) – Using social media for positive change(8:45) – The real story behind Out2Win(9:40) – What NIL really means today(12:00) – Partnering directly with brands(15:10) – Is social media essential for athletes?(17:10) – The hidden struggles of entrepreneurship(20:10) – Why the name “Out2Win”(23:40) – Raising capital at 23 with no track record(26:55) – Landing the first investors(28:25) – How he was intentional with his fundraising(30:40) – The tailwinds pushing college sports forward(32:50) – How Out2Win uses AI and data(34:30) – What goes into the Out2Win score(37:40) – NFL QBs and athlete content creation(40:20) – Deloitte’s role in NIL(43:40) – Making sure brands are educated(45:40) – Balancing athlete and brand interests(47:40) – The most marketable team in college sport(49:25) – Finding hidden gems in recruiting(50:10) – Why Instagram and TikTok matter most(52:10) – The $20.5M cap and its recruiting impact(54:55) – Expanding into pro and high school sports(57:10) – Competitors (and what sets them apart)(58:30) – What excites him most about the future(1:00:00) – Building Out2Win’s culture his way(1:02:40) – Favorite Philly athleteLinks:Out2WinJack Adler LinkedInJack Adler InstagramOut2Win InstagramThe Post Game Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/JoePod24⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-post-game-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Brandon Zachary and I talk on his Podcast, Athlete Resilience Center, which he co-hosts with his former teammate Matt Owens.We talked about the mental game of baseball, figuring out what was next after sports, building the Post Game Podcast, lessons learned from cold outreach, and more.We discussed:Lessons learned from college baseballSeparation through the mental game Confidence vs. doubting your abilitiesFiguring out what was after baseballStarting the podcast Using the athlete platform to your advantage Podcasting for networking & building relationshipsThe fear of rejection Lessons learned from the podcast Setting goals and having expectations Timestamps:(0:00) - Intro & Brandon's Intro(7:30) - Background & early baseball journey(9:30) - From Malvern Prep to Seton Hall(13:15) - Dreaming of pro ball(15:00) - Obstacles faced playing the game(16:30) - Lessons from failure(18:30) - Bryce Harper and confidence(20:45) - Gratitude and perspective(22:00) - Mindset lessons from Jalen Hurts(24:00) - Transitioning out of sports(26:15) - Building The Post Game Podcast(29:00) - Life after baseball: finding purpose(32:30) - Discovering interests beyond the field(35:30) - Putting yourself out there(38:00) - Starting the podcast journey(40:50) - Creativity in outreach and growth(43:45) - Overcoming the fear of rejection(46:00) - Just getting started(49:00) - Digging meaningful stories out of guests(51:30) - Biggest lessons learned from podcasting(54:30) - How to stay consistent with episodes(59:00) - Setting goals and expectations(1:05:10) - 10 Questions in 10 SecondsLinks:Athlete's Resilience Center | Find Your Performance ArcAthlete Resilience Center SpotifyAthlete’s Resilience Center (ARC) (@athletesresiliencecenter) • Instagram photos and videosBrandon Zachary InstagramThe Post Game Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/JoePod24⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-post-game-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Aidan Melograna is a college basketball player and founder of Melo Media, a fast-growing marketing agency helping local service businesses scale through Instagram and social media. He founded a second business recently, Ace1 Consulting, helping online creators scale through Instagram and YouTube. He shares how he went from cold-calling 100+ businesses with zero experience to generating thousands in revenue through Instagram marketing. What You’ll Hear:How Aidan came up with Melo Media after a summer internshipThe mindset shift from student-athlete to business ownerCold calling 100+ prospects and turning rejection into resultsBuilding Instagram pages optimized for sales, not vanity metricsWhy storytelling and founder-led brands dominate social mediaHow resumes are dying and portfolios are replacing themWhat it’s really like to start a business while still in collegeTimestamps:(0:00) - Intro to Aidan(2:30) - Basketball journey and path to Arcadia University(3:50) - Choosing a major in Global Media & Marketing(5:45) - Realistic outlook on D3 basketball(7:30) - From internship to entrepreneurship(10:00) - How cold calling landed his first $1,000 client(12:15) - The “value first” approach that worked(13:30) - Melo Media’s pivot to full-service Instagram marketing(15:30) - Why Instagram is the new website(16:30) - Speaking directly to your dream client(18:40) - The “best known > best” mindset shift(19:50) - Crafting the perfect Instagram bio(20:40) - The 4 essentials of a winning profile(22:30) - Why 22–40-year-olds are the ideal target audience(24:30) - TikTok vs Instagram for local service businesses(25:45) - How to win attention in a short-attention world(27:50) - Expanding into info products: Golf recruiting platform(29:30) - Why resumes are becoming obsolete(30:30) - Building digital real estate instead of interning(33:30) - Making real money and finding consistency(35:45) - The late-night grind and inconsistent income(37:30) - Handling doubt and criticism(40:30) - Power of connections and introductions(40:50) - Where to find Aidan Links:https://www.instagram.com/aidan.melograna/How I Used Storytelling to Generate 10K/mo. (USE THIS FRAMEWORK)Aidan Melograna | LinkedInThe Post Game Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/JoePod24⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-post-game-podcast/⁠⁠⁠Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Stephen Bienko is a former decathlete, former college football player at The Air Force Academy and Villanova, began his career as a state trooper, franchise owner, entrepreneur, and founder of 42U, helping athletes build their brands.We discuss life after sports, athlete branding, NIL collectives, and the evolving landscape of college athletics.Stephen shares how athletes can effectively transition beyond sports, build their personal brand while they're still playing, and navigate the opportunities that NIL has created in college sports.What You'll Hear About:How Stephen approaches major life transitionsWhy building your brand online matters more than everLessons from being a decathlete and state trooperThe story behind 42U’s branding kitsHis take on NIL collectives and athlete opportunityWhy confusion in college sports creates room for growthTimestamps:0:00 – Intro to Stephen2:40 – Competing as a decathlete6:10 – Life as a state trooper8:40 – Navigating transitions13:10 – What does branding really mean?15:25 – From 42G to 42U18:00 – The meaning behind 42U20:25 – Helping student-athletes discover identity25:25 – Working with individual teams27:40 – Athletes building their brand31:40 – How coaches embrace branding33:30 – Team branding strategies36:10 – NIL collectives & upholding standards39:00 – Business-minded collectives40:20 – Where money flows in college sports42:10 – Lessons from building 42U44:40 – How kids consume sports today47:00 – Where to find StephenLinks:Stephen Bienko | LinkedInStephen Bienko (@bienkostephen) • Instagram photos and videosthe42u.comThe Post Game Podcast:⁠⁠⁠https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/JoePod24⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-post-game-podcast/⁠⁠Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Jay Yang is the author of "You Can Just Do Things" and social media strategist for Alex Hormozi. He came on the podcast to discuss his unconventional path from college dropout to working with some of the biggest names in entrepreneurship, all before turning 23.In this conversation, Jay breaks down his "permissionless approach", doing the work upfront to make yourself impossible to ignore. He shares how this strategy landed him positions at fast-growing startups and eventually led to working directly with Alex Hormozi's team.What You'll Learn:How Jay built 250K followers with 1,470+ consistent posts over 5 yearsThe mindset shift from "working for" to "working with" successful peopleWhy Jay keeps a 200-page "running learning doc" from every jobHow he landed roles at Beehive, with Noah Kagan, and Alex Hormozi's teamThe psychology behind taking non-average actions for non-average resultsTimestamps:(0:00) - Introduction & Jay's Milestone(4:00) - The Psychology of Followers(6:00) - Discovering the Permissionless Approach(8:30) - The Power of Having a North Star(9:25) - Jay's Five-Dimensional North Star(11:00) - Strategic Relationship Building(12:10) - The Beehive Breakthrough Story(13:25) - "Working With" vs "Working For"(14:40) - The Learning Documentation System(15:10) - Sacrifices and Trade-offs(17:00) - Landing the Alex Hormozi Role(20:45) - Behind the Scenes with Alex Hormozi(21:30) - What Jay Would Do Differently(24:10) - Growing an Educational Brand(25:10) - The 3 C's Method for Content Creation(28:00) - The Permissionless Approach for Athletes(29:30) - Making Yourself a "No-Brainer"Links:Jay Yang InstagramJay Yang TwitterYou Can Just Do ThingsThe Post Game Podcast:⁠⁠https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/JoePod24⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-post-game-podcast/⁠Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

James Grugan is the founder of Five Star Hiring, a recruiting firm specializing in helping student-athletes and former athletes transition into successful careers.After spending most of his career at JG Wentworth, James identified a gap in the recruitment space, specifically working with student-athletes and helping them translate skills learned from the field to the workforce.What You'll Hear About:Why James left corporate life to focus on recruiting student-athletesBuilding a professional network that opens doors and how to leverage itLinkedIn strategies that get recruiters' attentionHow to identify and articulate transferable skills from sportsPositioning athletic experience as equivalent to internshipsWhy sales roles can be great careers for athletes Resume essentials that separate you from 95% of applicantsThe one-minute follow-up email only 3-5% of candidates sendInterview preparation tactics borrowed from elite athletic preparationCreative outreach methods in the application processTimestamps:(0:00) - Introduction to James Grugan(3:10) - Background at JG Wentworth and career transition(4:30) - Discovering the student-athlete recruiting niche(6:20) - Starting Five Star Hiring and early business strategies(7:20) - "People want to help people" (9:00) - LinkedIn strategy (11:30) - Authentic follow-up techniques(13:15) - The "Going Pro" presentation overview(16:00) - Making skills transferable from sports(18:30) - Performing under pressure and real-world application(20:30) - Why sales is ideal for student-athletes(23:00) - Resume essentials and common mistakes(24:15) - Networking as the #1 strategy(28:30) - Small actions that can lead to big advantages(30:15) - Interview prep strategies(36:50) -Universal job search principles(38:15) - Current job market conditions and opportunities(41:30) - Company partnerships and placement approach(43:00) - Future plans for Five Star Hiring(45:30)- Specialized approach vs general career services(46:15) - Contact information and where to find James Links:Email: jamesg@fivestarhiring.nethttps://www.linkedin.com/in/james-grugan-713246169/https://www.fivestarhiring.net/Social Media: @fivestarhiring (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X)The Post Game Podcast:⁠https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/⁠https://x.com/JoePod24⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-post-game-podcast/Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

Matt Hochberg is the founder of Hochberg Sports Marketing, a sports marketing agency specializing in women's soccer. Since launcing in 2019, he has built HSM into a boutique agency representing 20+ NWSL players both on and off the field. As a FIFA-certified agent registered with the NWSL Players Association, Matt handles everything from contract negotiations to brand partnerships for some of the top names in women's soccer.What You'll Hear About:Identifying gap in the market with women’s sportsHow he got started without official plan Deciding to focus just on women’s soccer Behind the scenes of NWSL contract Time as professional athletes just a short time of their livesOff the field storytelling by Ali Riley NIL outlook in women’s soccer Future opportunities in the business Timestamps:(0:00) - Intro to Matt Hochberg(2:05) - My First Million podcast connection(3:10) - The founding story of Hochberg Sports Media(4:30) - Launching without an official business plan(6:30) - Pitching his vision and sharing the story(7:50) - Running a primarily one-man operation(9:20) - The strategic shift from all women's sports to soccer focus(12:10) - "Doing the work" and positioning for opportunities(13:30) - The reality of NWSL player contracts and salaries(16:00) - NWSL expansion and valuation growth(18:50) - How athletes are focusing on personal brand building(21:30) - Ali Riley partnership (25:50) - Structuring brand deal durations and terms(28:15) - The positive impact of NIL on women's soccer(31:00) - Biggest day-to-day business challenges(32:45) - Growing through referrals and playing the long game(34:30) - Thoughts on the WNBA boom and FOMO(35:10) - Where to find Matt and HSMLinks:Matt Hochberg (@Hochberg) / XHSM | Women's Sports Representation & Advocacy (@hochbergsm) / XHochberg Sports Marketing - Sports Marketing, AthletesHSM | Women’s Sports Representation & Advocacy (@hochbergsm) • Instagram photos and videosThe Post Game Podcast:https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/https://x.com/JoePod24Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com

David Fales is a former NFL Quarterback who played seven seasons with the Bears, Lions, Dolphins, and Jets. He was a sixth-round pick out of San Jose State in the 2014 NFL Draft and played behind NFL veterans like Jay Cutler and Matthew Stafford.Since retiring from the NFL, he has worked in tech sales with Zoom and Docker and is actively involved with Pro Athlete Community, an organization that helps professional athletes navigate life after sports.What You'll Hear About:The unlikely path to quarterback: From backup right guard to NFL signal-callerThe power of visualization and mental preparation using techniques from "Mind Gym"Constant transitions: Navigating college transfers and NFL team changesWhat separates NFL players who last: Intelligence, communication, and natural giftsThe reality of NFL contracts: Living with weekly uncertainty about your jobThe decision to retireHis hardest year: Identity crisis and finding motivation without footballBuilding a career in tech salesPro Athlete Community: Resources for players transitioning out of sportsApplying football lessons to life after sports: Controlling what you can controlTimestamps:(0:00) - Introduction to David Fales(2:10) - Becoming a quarterback in 8th grade - nobody else wanted the position(7:00) - Nevada experience with Colin Kaepernick on the roster(7:50) - Transfer to junior college and the rock-bottom moment that changed everything(11:25) - Discovering "Mind Gym" and the foundation of mental training(14:40) - Visualization techniques: seeing plays before they happen(16:55) - High anxiety during the week vs. flow state on game day(21:35) - Never feeling settled in the NFL - living contract to contract(24:10) - What qualities help NFL players stick around (intelligence, communication, natural ability)(26:50) - Carson Wentz - how character shows in tough times(30:40) - The retirement decision and saying no to other leagues(33:10) - The hardest year of his life: losing football identity(36:10) - Why tech sales appeals to former athletes(38:00) - Pro Athlete Community and filling the resource gap for transitioning players(42:40) - Applying football mental tools to daily life - controlling what you can control(44:25) - Finding flow state again through golf(46:30) - Where to connect with DavidLinks:https://www.instagram.com/fales10/https://x.com/davidfalesThe Post Game Podcast:https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/https://x.com/JoePod24Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com