Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy, interviews former Major League Baseball player Nick Hundley. Nick discusses his journey, including his upbringing, early sports involvement, and professional baseball career spanning 12 seasons. He highlights the importance of competition, mental preparation, and the value of empathy in leadership. Nick shares his transition to working with the Texas Rangers, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptation. He also reflects on the significance of sports in personal development, community building, and overcoming challenges, drawing parallels to his own experiences and the lessons he imparts to his children. The conversation revolves around the lessons learned from overcoming challenges in sports and life. Nick discusses the impact of having a tough coach and how it can shape future decisions and life choices. Renato shares a story about sending his daughter Marina to a tough tournament in Brazil, emphasizing the value of hardship and resilience. Nick Hundley reflects on his minor league experience, highlighting the hardships but also the reward of achieving his professional goals. The discussion concludes with Nick encouraging young athletes to persevere through adversity, as the effort is ultimately worth it.

Introduction of Nick Hundley

• Renato introduces Nick Hundley, a former major league baseball player, highlighting his 12-season career, his work with the Texas Rangers, and his role as a father of two girls.
• Nick Hundley expresses gratitude for being on the podcast and reminisces about his days playing squash with the host, Renato Paiva.
• Nick shares his background, mentioning his parents' long marriage, his father's career as a college football coach, and the values of competition and winning instilled in him from an early age.
• Nick describes his family's frequent moves across different states and his early involvement in various sports, including baseball, track, tennis, basketball, and wrestling.

Nick's Early Baseball Career

• Nick recounts his early days playing baseball, influenced by his older brother Jake, who was a wrestler and aerospace engineer.
• He shares how his mother supported his sports activities, taking him to the field and allowing him to condition with the team from a young age.
• Nick's father, a college football coach, taught him the importance of competition and winning, which helped him develop a strong work ethic and mindset.
• Renato Paiva recalls Nick's father's involvement in his baseball training and the intense focus Nick had as a catcher from a young age.

Nick's College Experience and Professional Baseball Journey

• Nick discusses his decision to attend the University of Arizona instead of joining the major leagues, influenced by his parents' emphasis on education.
• He shares his experience of being drafted in the fifth round by the Marlins and his father's negotiation tactics to secure a better deal.
• Nick explains the rule that prohibits players from being drafted out of high school and the benefits of attending college for three years before being eligible for the draft.
• He describes his time at the University of Arizona, meeting his wife Amy, and the supportive environment of the baseball team, which included several players who later played in the major leagues.

Nick's Professional Baseball Career with the Padres

• Nick talks about being drafted by the Padres in the second round in 2005 and his initial excitement about playing for a major league team.
• He recounts the challenges of playing for a team that had to cut payroll after being sold and the support he received from manager Bud Black.
• Nick shares his experience of playing in the minor leagues and the quick progression to the major leagues, where he faced tough competition and learned to adapt.
• He reflects on the importance of mental preparation and the challenges of playing against top-tier pitchers like Randy Johnson.

The Role of a Catcher in Baseball

• Nick explains the unique role of a catcher in baseball, comparing it to the setter in volleyball and the point guard in basketball.
• He highlights the importance of anticipation, game planning, and leadership in the catcher's role.
• Nick describes the daily routine of a catcher, including pre-game preparation, mental and physical readiness, and the collaboration with pitchers and coaches.
• He emphasizes the mental exhaustion that comes from the constant engagement and decision-making required in the catcher's role.

Nick's Approach to Mental and Physical Preparation

• Nick discusses the balance between mental and physical preparation for a catcher, emphasizing the importance of being mentally exhausted after a game.
• He shares his daily routine, including pre-game preparation, in-game adjustments, and post-game recovery.
• Nick reflects on the lessons learned from veteran players and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation.
• He highlights the significance of empathy and understanding the different mindsets and challenges faced by players at various stages of their careers.

Nick's Transition to Post-Playing Career

• Nick talks about his transition to a post-playing career, working with Chris Young at Major League Baseball and later with the Texas Rangers.
• He describes his role as Senior Advisor to the President, where he contributes to various aspects of the organization, including manager hires, free agency, trades, and minor league staffing.
• Nick reflects on the challenges and rewards of working in the front office, including the flexibility to balance work with family life.
• He shares his experiences of working with minor league players and the importance of empathy and understanding in his role.

Nick's Philosophy on Leadership and Personal Growth

• Nick discusses his philosophy on leadership, emphasizing empathy, anticipation, and continuous learning.
• He reflects on the importance of meeting players where they are and understanding their unique challenges and motivations.
• Nick shares his personal growth journey, including the lessons learned from setbacks and the importance of finding intrinsic value beyond external success.
• He highlights the significance of community and the impact of sports on personal development and relationships.

Nick's Perspective on Sports as a Vehicle for Learning

• Nick shares his perspective on sports as a vehicle for learning, emphasizing the importance of community, accountability, and overcoming adversity.
• He reflects on the life lessons learned through sports, including mental toughness, teamwork, and the value of hard work.
• Nick discusses the impact of sports on personal development and the long-term benefits for success in various aspects of life.
• He shares personal anecdotes and experiences that illustrate the importance of sports in shaping values, character, and relationships.

Nick Hundley's Career Insights and Life Lessons

• Nick discusses the importance of learning from difficult experiences, such as having a tough coach, and how it can shape future decisions and behavior.
• Renato shares a story about sending his daughter Marina to a challenging tournament in Brazil, emphasizing the value of overcoming adversity and the positive impact it had on her.
• Nick reflects on the challenges of playing in the minor leagues, highlighting the hardships and the rewarding moment of being called up to the professional level.
• Renato praises Nick Hundley's career achievements and personal qualities, including his role as a father and golfer, and expresses gratitude for the conversation.
• The episode concludes with Renato encouraging listeners to seek new opportunities and inviting them to follow the podcast and Access Youth Academy for more inspiring stories.

About Access Youth Academy

Access Granted is the official podcast of Access Youth Academy, a social impact organization whose mission is to transform the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment, health and wellness, social responsibility and leadership using sports as a catalyst.  We believe every child should have equal access to achieve their full potential.  To Learn more about Access Youth Academy and explore how you can become a game changer, please visit our website.  

https://accessyouthacademy.org/

About Cloudcast Media

As the national leader in local podcasting, Cloudcast Media proudly produces "Access Granted" through its CauseCast platform to help amplify, augment, and accelerate the mission and reach of community social impact organizations.  For more information on Cloudcast Media, please visit their website at CloudCast Media.  

This episode was produced by high school student Associate Producers Natalie Beltran and Naol Hailemeskel. The episode was engineered / mixed / mastered by Christelle Auzas.