Al Parker went from the #1 junior tennis player in the country to battling injuries on the pro tour, then pivoted into investment banking, and ultimately built a wealth advisory business at Morgan Stanley. But this conversation is not about tennis or finance. It’s about transition, identity, and what to do when the path you trained for starts to change. We talk about the mental side of pressure, the grief that comes with leaving an old life behind, and how to rebuild confidence when you’re starting over with no guarantees. Al shares the real story behind choosing college over going pro, the injury that reshaped his trajectory, what investment banking taught him about intensity and tradeoffs, and how he learned to prioritize alignment, family, and sustainable success. If you’ve made it this far, thank you. I appreciate you. My goal is to continue creating real value for you. Feel free to comment below and share people you’d like to see featured next. Watch or listen to full episode of Same Game Different Turf via YouTube and streaming platforms. Newsletter on Substack. #PersonalGrowth #Careers #Reinvention #Leadership #Change

Mayo Sowell’s journey is one of the most powerful examples of redemption, identity, and purpose you will ever hear. After an injury ended his football career, Mayo chased instant gratification, turned to fast money, and eventually faced major prison time. But what happened in that season reshaped his entire life.

Former Oklahoma and NFL quarterback Nate Hybl shares how he rebuilt his life after football and created gusto!, a fast-casual brand rooted in optimism and purpose. A conversation about identity, transition, and doing the real work between dream and execution.

This episode reminds us that success does not always manifest the way we imagine. C. J. Stewart was drafted twice into Major League Baseball. Still, his big league playing career ended sooner than he hoped. What did not end was his impact. He went on to coach more than forty major league players. He was chosen as the physical model for the Hank Aaron statue at Truist Park. We explore how structure, self-reflection, and exposure to new ideas shape the lives we are capable of building.

Bonneau shows what it looks like to stay hungry through success, bounce back from failure, and build a team that thrives in high-pressure environments. If you’re navigating transition, chasing a new chapter, or trying to level up your leadership, this episode gives you the mindset and moves to make it happen. Newsletter on Substack. #PersonalGrowth #Careers #Reinvention #Leadership #Change #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

Everybody’s got advice, but few have lived the reality of navigating change and chasing a mission to the end. Grateful for this conversation with an amazing human and CEO of @thegatheringspot, Ryan Wilson.

Josh reminds us that opportunities often lie hidden behind roles that may not seem glamorous at first. What appears to be a detour could become your most significant period of growth. Josh has earned his way to become one of the top leaders and sports executives in the world, not by chance, but through adaptability and effort in turning possibilities into results.

I’m bringing you a new podcast called Same Game, Different Turf. I’m bringing you a new podcast names Same Game Different Turf. I started Same Game, Different Turf after navigating countless transitions on my journey —from NFL athlete to finance professional to amputee, and now to speaker and organizational psychologist. I find myself in conversations with people all over the world, and one thing keeps coming up. No matter the title or background, everyone is adapting to something new and trying to make sense of what’s next. As a former athlete turned organizational psychologist and leadership advisor, I’ve spent years studying how people adapt, perform, and find purpose when things change. This newsletter and the podcast are for anyone navigating that kind of shift. Here, we’ll unpack real stories and lessons from real leaders who have figured out how to navigate change in real time. Some are smooth transitions. Others are messy. All of them are honest. My goal is to build a space where we learn from each other, evolve through change, and remind ourselves that no one figures it out alone. We’re all on the same team — let’s grow together.