Champion This
Welcome to ”Champion This” - the podcast dedicated to sharing the incredible stories of athletes and entertainers who are using their platforms to create positive change in the world. Join us as we sit down with these purpose-driven champions to explore their personal journeys, uncover the driving force behind their actions, and discover the meaningful ways they extend their impact beyond their respective arenas.Our mission is clear: to inspire our listeners to find their own purpose and become catalysts for hope and inspiration within their communities. Tune in to ”Champion This” and be inspired to make a difference alongside these remarkable individuals.
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Episodes
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Former MLB player turned artist, Micah Johnson, joins hosts Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens to discuss his journey from professional baseball to becoming a visual artist. Micah shares insights about his baseball career with teams like the Chicago White Sox, LA Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves, and the importance of confidence and mindset. He also delves into the inspiration behind creating the digital character Aku, a symbol of limitless dreams, and his ongoing projects aimed at inspiring and empowering others to pursue their dreams.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Micah Johnson is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player who transitioned into a successful career as a visual artist. Johnson played as a second baseman for several teams including the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves. After retiring from baseball, he dedicated himself to the world of art, showcasing his work at renowned venues such as Art Basel in Miami and Dodger Stadium. Micah is also the creator of Aku, a Black astronaut digital character aimed at empowering marginalized communities. Aku has gained significant recognition, even featured on the cover of Time magazine as a symbol of limitless dreams and aspirations.
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Time Magazine Feature
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Join hosts Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens as they sit down with former NBA and Euroleague star Bostjan Nachbar. Dive into Nachbar's basketball journey from Slovenia to the NBA, his reflections on playing alongside greats like Tracy McGrady and Jason Kidd, and his thoughts on the pressures of professional basketball. Beyond the court, discover his impactful work with the Euroleague Players Association and his humanitarian efforts globally. Gain insights into finding passion and purpose, both on and off the court, as Nachbar shares wisdom learned from his successful career.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Bostjan Nachbar is a former Slovenian professional basketball player who has made significant contributions to the sport both on and off the court. Having played in the NBA for teams such as the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, and the New Jersey Nets, Nachbar also had a robust career in the Euroleague, representing top clubs in Spain, Italy, and his home country of Slovenia. Notably, after his playing career, he transitioned into an administrative role as the Managing Director of the Euroleague Players Association, which he helped launch in 2018. Beyond basketball, Bostjan Nachbar has been a Unicef ambassador, actively championing positive change across the globe.
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Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Former professional tennis player, Cici Bellis, joins Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens to discuss her meteoric rise in tennis, from playing at the US Open at 15 to her groundbreaking win at the Hawaii Open. Bellis candidly shares her journey through injuries, transitioning to venture capital, and founding Carton Capital. The conversation also covers her dedication to supporting female athletes and mentoring underserved youth through the USTA Foundation. Bellis’ insights into balancing a driven career while fostering impactful societal change provide a rich, motivational narrative.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Catherine "Cici" Bellis is a former professional tennis player who made waves in the sports world at a young age. In 2014, at just 15, she was the youngest player in the top 100 of the WTA rankings and reached the third round of the US Open. She won her first WTA title in 2017 at the Hawaii Open and secured several ITF titles before retiring in 2022. Post her tennis career, she completed her degree online at Indiana University and is now the CEO of Carton Capital, a venture capital firm focused on sports and health tech. Bellis is also actively involved with the USTA Foundation, which aims to enhance lives through tennis and education.
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Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Former NASA astronaut Steve Smith joins Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens to share his incredible journey of resilience and determination. From overcoming medical disqualifications to completing four space shuttle missions, Steve discusses the challenges, triumphs, and life-changing lessons from his time in space. He explores the importance of STEM education, balancing personal and professional life, and future space exploration. Tune in for insight into space missions, teamwork, and the power of perseverance.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Steve Smith is a retired NASA astronaut renowned for his significant contributions to space exploration. A graduate of Stanford University, Steve completed 4 space shuttle missions, conducted seven spacewalks, and spent over 49 hours outside of a spacecraft. He has played a pivotal role in the repair and maintenance of the Hubble Space Telescope. Beyond his work with NASA, Steve is a passionate advocate for STEM education and a former national champion in water polo. He continues to inspire future generations through public speaking and his involvement with the Positive Coaching Alliance.
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Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
In this episode of Champion This, hosts Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens engage in an inspiring conversation with Adrianne Ross, touching on her multi-faceted career journey from professional basketball to entrepreneurship. Adrianne highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and finding purpose in every room you walk into, drawing insights from her basketball career and her role as a stylist and creative consultant. This engaging discussion reveals how she integrates her love for fashion with philanthropic efforts and how she continues to influence young athletes both on and off the court.
She also discusses her early passion for basketball, rooted in a family with a strong sports background. Despite not being drafted into the WNBA, Adrianne's perseverance led her to a fulfilling professional career overseas. Transitioning to her post-basketball career, Adrianne shared heartfelt stories about starting her own style consulting company, Studio 33, inspired by her mother's wisdom and her own
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Adrianne Ross is a former WNBA player and overseas professional basketball player who has transitioned into a successful entrepreneur. An alumna of Texas Christian University (TCU) and an inductee into the TCU Hall of Fame in 2018, Adrianne has played for the San Antonio Silver Stars and the Las Vegas Aces. Today, she is the CEO and Creative Director of Style by Studio 33 and an Adidas global partner and stylist. In addition to her fashion endeavors, she is the founder of A-Train Basketball, where she mentors and coaches young athletes.
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Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
In this episode of "Champion This," hosts, Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens sit down with the multifaceted Cam Van. Cam’s journey, ranging from his accidental start in track and field to founding Couro, a platform supporting athletes with exclusive training content, is profoundly inspiring. He shares how perseverance through injuries and a strong mental game contributed to his sustained success. Cam's commitment to leveraging his skills to benefit the athletic community, including his involvement with build.org, emphasizes his dedication to creating impactful change.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Cam Van is a professional track and field athlete, All-American at Claremont McKenna College, co-founder and CEO of Couro, and a practicing attorney. He has a rich history of athletic and academic achievements, including being a UC Davis School of Law alum. Outside of his professional commitments, Cam is deeply involved with Build.org as a board member and volunteer, and is also an avid scuba diver and dog dad to his Great Dane.
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Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Join Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens as they dive into the inspiring journey of Kasra Mehdipournejad, an Olympic refugee Taekwondo athlete who escaped from Iran to find asylum in Germany. Hear about Kasra's challenges, the support of his wife, Parisa Farshidi, his unique perspective as a refugee athlete, and his dedication to advocating for human rights in Iran. Listen to how Kasra found his footing in Taekwondo in a new country and ultimately represented the refugee team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Kasra Mehdipournejad is an accomplished professional Taekwondo athlete and a member of the 2024 Paris Olympic Refugee Team. Originally hailing from Iran, Kasra fled to Germany in 2017, driven by a quest for safety and freedom. His remarkable journey in Taekwondo has earned him gold medals at the Dutch and Belgium Opens in 2018, and multiple podium finishes in 2019. Notably, Kasra had the honor of being the flag bearer for the Olympic Refugee Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony. Alongside his wife Parisa Farshidi, a two-time champion of the Asia World Championships for Taekwondo, Kasra continues to advocate for human rights and freedom in Iran.
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Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Fraser Grut, founder of the 10,000 Dreams project, joins Brianna Salvatore Dueck and Chelsea Poppens to discuss the power of dreams in building community and fostering change. From interviewing world leaders, celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Tony Hawk, to everyday people, Grut collects and shares diverse dreams. Discover the lessons learned from these encounters, the importance of authentic dreams, and advice for embracing your passion. This episode delves into the heart of what drives us and how understanding our dreams can shape a better world.
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Fraser Grut: Fraser Grut is the visionary founder of the "10,000 Dreams Project," a mission dedicated to capturing and sharing the dreams of 10,000 unique individuals. Since its inception, the project has recorded over 2,000 dreams, including those from high-profile personalities like prime ministers and celebrities, to the everyday dreams of ordinary people. Based in New Zealand, Fraser's passion for this project stems from his deep-rooted desire to connect, inspire, and promote a sense of community through shared aspirations. Fraser's background as a filmmaker shapes the perspective and quality of the dream recordings, making each one a compelling narrative.
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