In this Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Jaclyn Strominger, founder of the LEAP Foundation. Jaclyn transitioned from corporate life to coaching, helping leaders transform themselves and their teams by focusing on mindset, vision, and accountability.Key Takeaways:Jaclyn's Shift to Coaching: Discover what pushed Jaclyn to leave a corporate career for coaching and why helping others became her true passion.LEAP Framework: LEAP stands for Communication, Energ...
In this episode, our host, Sid Bensalah, had the privilege of speaking with John Vallely, a former UCLA basketball star, and Paul Weissenstein, co-author of The Pyramid Principle, published by SpiritMedia.US. John’s story is not just about sports; it’s about resilience, love, and finding purpose through life’s trials. From playing under legendary coach John Wooden to overcoming personal challenges, John’s journey offers us valuable lessons.John shares how Coach Wooden's "Pyramid of Success" s...
In this episode, we talk with Georgina Donahue, a community-building expert who shares her practical insights on creating genuine, long-lasting connections. Georgina has spent over a decade helping brands build trust and loyalty by focusing on the fundamentals of community engagement. This conversation covers the key strategies, challenges, and rewards of creating a space where people feel connected to a brand and each other.You’ll learn about:The Basics of Community Building: Why it’s more t...
In this Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, Sid Bensalah sits down with Yosi Kossowsky, a leadership coach with over three decades in executive roles and 17 years in coaching. Yosi blends neuroscience with leadership principles to help leaders, coaches, and athletes unlock their potential and grow.Key Topics Covered:Neuroscience in Coaching: Yosi explains how understanding the brain can help leaders and athletes handle pressure. Learn stress management strategies grounded in neuroscience to...
In this episode, Sid Bensalah sits down with Jeff Patterson, martial artist, coach, author, and creator of the Yielding Warrior Method. Jeff’s unique approach blends physical, mental, and emotional yielding, giving athletes and professionals alike a way to unlock performance, resilience, and clarity through martial arts and meditation practices.Key Discussion Points:The Yielding Warrior MethodHow Jeff’s martial arts journey inspired a method that prioritizes awareness over brute force.Differe...
In this episode, Sid Bensalah talks with Brian Joseph, an animal care, conservation, and former U.S. Army Veterinary Corps major. Brian shares remarkable stories from his work with marine animals to military dogs, offering unique insights into animal welfare, climate change, and global sustainability. With compassion and deep reflection, Brian explores the ethical dilemmas of captivity, the challenges of conservation, and the profound impact animals—especially dogs—have had on his life.Key To...
In this episode, we sit down with Michael Seiler, an endurance and mindset coach based in Louisville, Kentucky, and co-founder of Metta Performance, along with Holly Benner. This brand combines endurance coaching with executive leadership training. Michael’s approach focuses on creating sustainable success by aligning the mind, body, and soul of both athletes and corporate leaders.We discuss:The inspiration behind founding Metta Performance and its evolution from Metta Endurance.Why aligning ...
In this episode, we sit down with Michael Huber, a certified sports psychology coach who works with young athletes to strengthen their mental toughness and resilience. Michael shares how his personal experiences, including overcoming gambling addiction, led him to this field and shaped his approach to helping athletes manage pressure. We explore the mental challenges faced by today’s athletes and how to address them through mindfulness and self-awareness.Key Topics Covered:Michael’s path from...
In this episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah engages in a dynamic conversation with Adam Lee Spencer. Adam shares a heartfelt perspective shaped by his military service and experience representing athletes on global stages like FIBA and FIFA.The discussion covers the evolving landscape of sports management, ethical challenges in athlete representation, and building trust in an industry where business meets social issues. Adam offers insights on racial dynamics in basketball, sub...
In this powerful episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Arif Mirza, a venture capitalist, fitness entrepreneur, and global sports event organizer. Arif’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—starting from a personal fitness transformation that led to a passion for empowering others through sports.Arif shares his experience of how fitness saved his life and how this personal journey led him to create Dubai’s largest fitness expo and support emerging athletes, especi...
In this powerful Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah sat down with Greg Walls, a former NFL cornerback and P.E. Sports and Recreation founder. Greg has dedicated his life to coaching athletes for success in both sports and life, and this conversation dives deep into leadership, accountability, and the challenges young athletes face today.Greg shares his journey from playing in the NFL to becoming a coach and mentor, offering no-nonsense advice on holding athletes to high s...
In this episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, host Sid Bensalah dives deep into the vital topic of conservation with Jason Crighton, conservationist, educator, and host of the award-winning Conservation Unfiltered podcast. Jason shares his inspiring journey from a nature-loving kid in Pennsylvania to the founder of Conserve the Wild, a nonprofit focused on mitigating the effects of urbanization on wildlife.Jason and Sid explore the intersection of sports, hunting, urban development, and wildlife c...
In this episode of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, we sit down with sustainability expert Lee Stewart, the author of "How to Build Sustainability into Your Business Strategy." With over 20 years of experience working with billion-dollar companies, Lee brings practical, real-world insights on how businesses—especially those in the sports industry—can integrate sustainability into their core operations and drive meaningful change.Lee breaks down the complex sustainability challenges and offers strategies...
In this episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, Sid Bensalah welcomes John Lamy, a seasoned consultant and strategic thinker with a rich background in engineering and leadership. With an education from MIT and an MBA from Cornell, John has been at the forefront of leadership development, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices and global consciousness in business strategies.Listen in as we dive into what it means to be a "Globally Conscious Leader" and how today's leaders can bal...
In Episode #13, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Harry Bailey, the inspiring visionary behind 'Run for the Ranger.' At just 20 years old, Harry has faced significant medical challenges and has shown remarkable resilience and determination to make a difference in wildlife conservation.Born nine weeks prematurely and battling numerous health issues throughout his life, Harry's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite these challenges, he founded 'Run for the Ranger,' an event that rai...
Rachel Kolisi is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Kolisi Foundation. In this episode, she shares the transformative work her foundation is doing to tackle critical issues such as education, food security, and gender-based violence in South Africa.Embark on a personal journey with Rachel Kolisi and the Kolisi Foundation. From the historic Rugby World Cup victory in 1995 to Siya Kolisi's inspiring leadership in the 2019 World Cup, we delve into how the Kolis have transitioned from sports icons to ...
Join Sid Bensalah in this enlightening Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode as we delve into the significant yet often overlooked world of sports and event branding. Discover its profound impact on the environment and communities across the globe, from the vibrant streets of South Africa to the bustling markets of the Middle East. This episode explores how sports branding intertwines with ecological and social responsibility through the innovative work of our guests.Key Points Discussed:Susta...
Join us as we embark on a voyage into the world of sailing with Fiona Morgan, the Chief Purpose Officer at SailGP. This captivating Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode explores SailGP's groundbreaking initiatives to revolutionize the sport while prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity. Despite not hailing from a sailing background, Fiona's determination and passion shine through as she shares her journey of joining SailGP and shaping its vision for a more sustainable future.Discover how ...
In this episode, we embark on a compelling exploration of an innovative solution that stands at the forefront of biodiversity conservation. With organisations worldwide embracing carbon offsetting, we focus on an inspiring alternative — Sacred Groves. The co-founder, Vikram Krishna, takes us through this revolutionary initiative, showcasing how it intertwines technology, community engagement, and a fresh perspective on protecting natural habitats.Key Takeaways:Beyond Carbon Offsetting: Explor...
Join Sid Bensalah, the passionate host of Pre-Zero Sports Talk, as he navigates through the impactful episodes of Season 01 and sets the stage for the exciting Season 02 ahead. Discover the sparks that ignited this journey, delve into the stories that shaped the narrative, and explore the critical intersection of sports, events, innovation, and sustainability. Highlights include: Episode #01: Carbon-Neutral Sports: Insights from Paul Coleman on the urgent need for the sports i...