SPKN’s Beneath the Armor

Former Ohio State standout Grant Schwartz sits down with hosts Asante Cleveland and Trevor Cote to talk about the real transition out of sport—identity shifts, losing the built-in support system, and rebuilding routine and purpose. Grant opens up about his path from college football and pro opportunities to a career in medical sales, and why he launched Conscious Athletics to help athletes navigate life beyond the locker room. The trio digs into what Coach Jim Tressel instilled at OSU (character, preparation, taking ownership), how little formal mental-health support existed back then, and the practical habits that made the difference—journaling, reflection, and finding a new team in your everyday life. If you’re a current athlete, a coach guiding players, or anyone facing a major pivot, this conversation delivers candid insight and concrete steps for landing on your feet with confidence and community.

Dive into an inspiring episode of Beneath the Armor with hosts Asante Cleveland and Dr. Trevor Cody as they engage with NFL veteran and Super Bowl champion, Dwayne Allen. Discover Dwayne's transformative journey from his humble beginnings to reaching the pinnacle of professional football and beyond. Learn how he navigates life's challenges, harnesses the power of learning, and imparts valuable wisdom for athletes at all levels.

Dr. Jen Welter is a trailblazer in the world of sports, making history as the first female coach in the NFL. A former professional football player, she made her mark on the gridiron as a standout linebacker for the Texas Revolution in the Indoor Football League. Welter's groundbreaking coaching career began in 2015 when she joined the Arizona Cardinals as a preseason intern, paving the way for women in coaching roles in the male-dominated sport. Beyond her athletic feats, Dr. Welter holds a Ph.D. in psychology, exemplifying her commitment to holistic player development. Her remarkable journey underscores her passion for advancing gender equality in sports.
 
#sportknowledge #sportleadership #SPKN
#Gridirongirls, #DrJenWelter, #NFLTrailblazer, #FemaleCoach, #FootballPioneer, #GenderEqualityInSports, #ArizonaCardinals, #HolisticPlayerDevelopment, #WomenInSports, #BreakingBarriers, #PsychologyPhD

Kevin Greene, or KG, formerly graced the University of Southern California as a collegiate football player, celebrated for his relentless dedication and selflessness. Initially a defensive end, he later embraced the role of a tight end during his college years. Following his college career, Kevin continued his football journey in the NFL, spending four years with the 49ers, Bengals, and Titans. Since his time in the NFL, he seamlessly transitioned into the corporate sector, amassing over seven years of invaluable experience in the tech industry, particularly in business development, sales, and project management. His profound commitment lies in aiding athletes as they traverse the path from sports to careers that resonate with their innermost passions and aspirations.
 
#sportknowledge #sportleadership #spkn
#49ers #Bengals #KevinGreene, #USCFootball, #NFLJourney, #TightEndTalent, #DefensiveEnd, #49ersAlumni, #BengalsPride, #TitansStrong, #TechIndustryLeader, #AthleteTransition

Joe Nedney is a former NFL placekicker who played for a number of teams throughout his 17-year career in the league. Nedney made over 80% of his kicks in his NFl career, including a career-long 56 yard field goal in 2005 as a part of a stellar season that earned him co-MVP honors on the team. Nedney retired from NFL kicking in 2011.
 
#Sportknowledge #sportleadership #SPKN #JoeNedney #NFLPlacekicker #FieldGoalKing #KickingLegend #NFLMVP #LongDistanceKicker #RetiredNFLPlayer #FootballCareer #SpecialTeamsStar #GridironGreats

Chris Waddell is a remarkable athlete and inspiration to many. Born in 1968, he excelled in skiing from a young age. After a tragic skiing accident in 1988, he became paralyzed from the waist down. Undeterred, Chris embraced adaptive sports and went on to become the most decorated male skier in Paralympic history, winning 12 medals. Beyond sports, he's an accomplished motivational speaker, addressing audiences worldwide on perseverance and resilience. As a passionate advocate for disability rights, he co-founded the nonprofit "One Revolution," promoting inclusivity through school programs. Chris Waddell's indomitable spirit continues to touch hearts and challenge perceptions.
 
#sportknowledge #sportleadership #SPKN
#ChrisWaddell, #ParalympicChampion, #AdaptiveSports, #MotivationalSpeaker, #DisabilityAdvocate, #OneRevolution, #InclusivityInAction, #ResilienceStory, #SkiingLegend, #OvercomingAdversity

Sara Doell is the esteemed Head Women's Golf Coach at the University of San Francisco, renowned for her unwavering passion and dedication to the sport. With a profound understanding of golf's nuances and strategic brilliance, she has steered her team to unprecedented success. A former professional golfer herself, Sara's expertise and mentorship have nurtured emerging talents, shaping them into formidable players. Her coaching philosophy combines technical finesse with mental fortitude, empowering her athletes to excel on and off the greens. Recognized for fostering a positive and competitive team culture, Sara continues to inspire the next generation of golfing stars at USF.
 
#Sportknowledge #Sportleadership #SPKN 
#BeneathTheArmor, #AsanteCleveland, #Dr.TrevorCote,
 #SaraDoell #USFWomensGolf #GolfCoachExcellence, #ProfessionalGolfer, #GolfMentorship #TechnicalFinesse, #MentalFortitude, #CompetitiveTeamCulture, #GolfingStars, #NextGenGolfers
#SaraDoell, #USF, #UniversityofSanFrancisco
#MentalHealth, #Coaching, #PlayerDevelopment, #SportPsychology, #Women'sGolf, #CoachingDevelopment, #AthleteDevelopment, #LifeSkills

Tianna Madison is an Olympic Gold Medalist and a renowned American track and field athlete. She achieved global recognition in the long jump and sprinting events. With an illustrious career, Tianna clinched the gold medal in the women's 4x100 meters relay at the 2012 London Olympics. In addition to her sporting accomplishments, Tianna is also actively involved in social initiatives. She is known for her work with the "Stay Gone" initiative, which focuses on raising awareness about domestic violence and providing support to survivors. Through her advocacy and dedication, Tianna strives to make a positive impact and empower those affected by domestic violence.
#sportknowledge #sportleadership #SPKN, #AthleteJourney, #OlympianStory, #GoldMedalist, #PersonalGrowth, #EffortOverConfidence, #LearningFromLosses, #FindingPurpose, #OvercomingAbuse, #StayGoneInitiative, #SupportingSurvivors #BTA Podcast #Athletementalhealth #athletewell-being, #Athletelife 

In this episode of Beneath the Armor, Odessa Jenkins, founder and CEO of Women's National Football Conference, shares her journey from being a football player to a successful executive. She emphasizes the importance of leadership, transparent communication, accountability, and consistency. She also highlights the role of mentors and support from others in personal and professional growth, and discusses Brene Brown's equation for finding your people based on openness and vulnerability. (2023)
#SPKN
#SportKnowledge
#BeneathTheArmor
#OdessaJenkins
#WNFC
#Dr.TrevorCote
#AsanteCleveland
#Football
#SportPsychology
#Coaching
#Transitions
#Trauma
#Authenticity
#Leadership
#Growth
#ProfessionalDevelopment

In this episode, Trevor and JP, a former major league catcher, delve into their experiences in baseball, transitions, and life after sports. They highlight the importance of mental health, sharing personal struggles with depression and anxiety. The conversation underscores the need to normalize mental health discussions, break stigmas, and encourage athletes to share their experiences. They also discuss embracing adversity, learning from failures, and the importance of networking during a sports career.
 
#Sportknowledge, #Sportleadership #SPKN, #MentalHealthInSports, #LifeAfterSports, #BreakingStigmas, #AthleteMentalHealth, #EmbraceAdversity, #LearnFromFailure, #SportsNetworking, #BaseballLife, #FormerAthleteJourney