Heavy Hitter Sports

Host Mark Hochgesang provides his take on the recent hiring of USC's new defensive coordinator, Gary Patterson. Mark also shares his thoughts on the upcoming Trojan season. Patterson's Introductory Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy2psH39BWQListeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate & review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. mphochgesang@gmail.com971-985-6909

Host Mark Hochgesang huddles with the inspiring and relentlessly optimistic Danny van Leeuwen—athlete, nurse, storyteller, and champion for living fully with a chronic illness. Danny doesn’t just talk about resilience; he lives it daily with multiple sclerosis while still pursuing movement, connection, and joy. His perspective flips the script from “What’s wrong?” to “What’s possible?” as we explore how folks can redefine success, choose hope, and keep moving forward even when the road gets rocky. If you’re ready for a conversation filled with energy, laughter, practical wisdom, and a contagious belief in what the human spirit can do—this episode is for you. Enjoy sports fans!Danny's Health Hats Website: https://health-hats.com/Danny's Health Hats Podcast: https://health-hats.com/new-health-hats-blog/EPISODE TIME STAMPS0:00 –  Opening and Episode Setup01:18 –  Meet Danny van Leeuwen02:07 – Athlete Roots and Early Lessons04:56 – Danny's Competitive Spirit06:10 -  The MS Diagnosis 12:00 – Movement Matters15:42 – Attitude is Everything17:40 – Teamwork Makes the Dream Work20:37 – Beautiful Music22:50 – Oh the Places You'll Go24:09 – Winning Redefined25:00 – Pathological Optimist26:10 – What Do You Do When You Can't?28:56 – Final Takeaways and ClosingListeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate & review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. mphochgesang@gmail.com971-985-6909

John Gassner & host Mark Hochgesang trade thoughts on how parents & coaches can best support young athletes with ADHD. John is an ADHD Life Coach, former DI athlete, sports industry veteran and has ADHD himself. Mark has recently returned to coaching youth baseball and is the father of an ADHD athlete. A 2024 Aspen Institute survey indicates that 20% of athletes between the age of 6 to 18 suffer from ADHD. Parents, coaches and athletes alike should find this episode illuminating. Order Out of Chaos Website: https://www.orderoochaos.com/John & Leslie YouTube Conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHAxsIWmELc&t=105sJohn's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-s-gassner/Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate & review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. mphochgesang@gmail.com971-985-6909

Guest Spiro Psaltis shares his deep love for baseball & engaging stories re his USC national title team, five pro ball career, Pete Rose relationship & a successful 40-year tenure as both a coach & announcer with host Mark Hochgesang, his long time friend & fellow fraternity pledge brother. Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate & review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. mphochgesang@gmail.com971-985-6909

Explore how baseball's lessons transcend the field and apply to life. Learn about resilience through life's curveballs and the importance of teamwork. Discover the value of small details and staying focused on your goals. Dive into nostalgia as the host reflects on childhood memories tied to America's pastime, revealing how the game shapes our experiences and outlooks. Enjoy personal anecdotes that resonate with anyone navigating the ups and downs of life.

Renowned mental performance coach Gary Chupik reveals the secrets of creating an elite mindset & unlocking your full potential. This master of sports psychology shares insights re visualization, goal-setting, team building & leadership. Enjoy sports fans!Elite Mindset Website: https://www.elitemindsetnation.com/Gary's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elitemindset/Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. Happy Holidays!mphochgesang@gmail.com971-985-6909

Les Badden, film & video guru & event planner extraordinaire, provides a behind-the-scenes view of Nike's magic making process during the company's golden era.  Tiger Catcher Poster: https://sportsposterwarehouse.com/products/lance-parrish-tiger-catcher-1983-detroit-tigers-vintage-wall-poster-nike-incListeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. Happy Holidays!mphochgesang@gmail.com971-985-6909

Host Mark Hochgesang shares his favorite guest moments from 2024. The advice, insight & untold stories are both entertaining & illuminating. Enjoy sports fans! Time-Stamped Show Notes0:45   Teresa Strasser: Making it Home 2:02    Laura Jorgensen: Strong as You Have to Be3:41     Scott Shirley: Balancing Act 5:17     Cody Gifford: The Race of a Lifetime 7:52     Jen Armbruster: Sports for All8:39    Dave Clark: The Climb 11:47    Santiago Halty: The Beautiful Game 13:44   Steve Harden: Formula for Success 15:55   Kirsten Jones:  Never Enough18:24   Ann Schatz: TrailblazerListeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. mphochgesang@gmail.com971-985-6909

Brian Baker, SRVP of Board Games at Hasbro, shares why he left a thriving design & product development career at Nike to chase his childhood dream of working in the toy & game industry. He also reveals how the recent successful Hasbro-Nike LeBron James collaboration transpired. Brian & host Mark Hochgesang discuss orchestrating career transitions, the power of AI & their mutual love for some of Hasbro's powerhouse franchises: Monopoly, Clue, Candy Land, Twister & Mouse Trap. Enjoy sports (and toy) fans!Brian's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandbaker/Hasbro Website: https://shop.hasbro.com/en-usTime-Stamped Show Notes1:15      The Dream Begins2:18     Ziba Design3:31     The Swoosh5:00    Metcon Rises9:05    Career Transition: Nike to Hasbro13:25    Building Credibility   15:13     Monopoly Matters17:37     Double GOATs: LeBron & Monopoly19:51     Monopoly Magic23:46    Hasbro Happenings27:44     Board Game Testing & Evaluation29:00    Artificial Intelligence31:33     Outsider Inventors33:46    Spreading Fun to All35:15     Competition: Mattel, Lego & Time38:00    Lightning Round38:44    The WrapListeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. Happy Holidays!mphochgesang@gmail.com971-985-6909

Pat Tillman set aside a lucrative pro football career for a valiant, yet heartbreaking military career. Host Mark Hochgesang pays tribute to this true American hero. Mark also shares his thoughts re the Iraq, Afghanistan & Ukraine conflicts.  * Pat Tillman Foundation: https://pattillmanfoundation.org/donate/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MG5BhD1ARIsAEcZtwSXZ7dzmA9rwDObpJ9g0wMPXD5vOaVwYt0sC1rlK2QX9UA1frvskTUaAuIAEALw_wcB* Remembering Pat Tillman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEw3Gd2RHY0* The Tillman Story: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568334/* Prince Harry's Pat Tillman Award Acceptance Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cvD8CWLWgU* Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, by Jon Krakauer: https://www.powells.com/book/where-men-win-glory-the-odyssey-of-pat-tillman-9780307386045* Mary Tillman's Statement: https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2813963* NBC News Article: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4815441Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. Ideally, please also rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Feel free to reach out if you have suggestions re future episode guests or topics. Mark's contact info is noted below. Many thanks. mphochgesang@gmail.com971-985-6909