The Sport Fuels Life Podcast

Ted Rath: The Blueprint for Peak NFL Performance (Former Eagles VP of Performance)

Ted Rath: The Blueprint for Peak NFL Performance (Former Eagles VP of Performance)

Gain exclusive insight from Ted Rath, former Vice President of Player Performance for the Philadelphia Eagles, as he shares his extensive 16-year NFL journey. From securing two NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year awards to playing an integral role in the Rams' healthiest season and back-to-back Super Bowl runs with both the Rams and Eagles, Rath’s expertise exemplifies innovation and excellence.

Discover how his commitment to outcome-based goals, a process-focused mindset, and holistic training strategies translate into impactful leadership on and off the field.

Rath's story isn’t just about team wins but fostering the support systems and performance strategies that keep athletes at their best. As the first President of the Professional Football Performance Coaches Association (PFPCA), he represents an elite group dedicated to advancing the profession. Ted’s passion extends beyond football; he’s a published author and speaker with a deep focus on personal development and the power of connections.

Don’t miss this episode filled with valuable takeaways for athletes, coaches, and anyone inspired by the pursuit of elite outcomes.

Parker Byrd Doesn’t Let a Prosthetic Leg Stop Him From Playing College Baseball and More

Parker Byrd Doesn’t Let a Prosthetic Leg Stop Him from Playing College Baseball and More

In sports, injuries are an unfortunate reality. While we often brace for accidents on the field, the most unpredictable ones can happen far away from the game.

Parker Byrd's life took an unimaginable turn before his freshman season at East Carolina University when he was involved in a life-threatening boating accident. At just 18 years old, Parker lost his leg—just as he was about to live out his dream of playing Division I baseball.

But Parker’s story didn’t end there. His unbreakable faith, the support of family and friends, and an ironclad determination helped him through an excruciating recovery process. Despite the physical and emotional challenges that lay ahead, Parker refused to give up. In 2024, through grit and perseverance, he made history by becoming the first athlete to play in a Division I baseball game with a prosthetic leg, shattering expectations and inspiring others along the way.

Beyond the field, Parker’s journey has taken on a new meaning. His story isn’t just about overcoming physical challenges—it's about finding purpose, resilience, and using his platform to inspire those who may be struggling with their own setbacks.

Parker Byrd is living proof that no obstacle, no matter how insurmountable, can stop a dreamer with passion and faith. Listen in as we dive into his incredible journey and the lessons he's learned about courage, determination, and never giving up.

From Army Veteran to Pickleball Pro: Jonny “Pickleball” Andrews’ Inspiring Journey

From Army Veteran to Pickleball Pro: Jonny “Pickleball” Andrews’ Inspiring Journey

Today’s episode is all about pickleball—the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.—as we sit down with Jonny Andrews, also known as Jonny Pickleball. From serving his country as a U.S. Army veteran to carving out a niche as a professional pickleball player, Jonny found a new sense of joy, purpose, and community in a sport that has quickly become a nationwide phenomenon.

As a key figure in the pickleball world, Jonny wears many hats. Not only is he a pro athlete, but he’s also a commentator, coach, and director of camps with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA). His passion for the sport extends beyond just playing—he’s deeply involved in helping the sport grow and evolve. Jonny shares his unique story of getting involved with pickleball at its early stages, long before it became the sensation it is today.

Through his journey, Jonny highlights the mental and physical benefits of the game and how it's created a tight-knit community where anyone, from veterans to complete beginners, can thrive. His story is one of resilience, inspiration, and the power of finding a new path after service.

Tune in to our podcast to hear how Jonny’s passion for pickleball has shaped his life and the lives of countless others!

ATP Tennis Coach Chris Eaton Shares How He Transforms Teams Into Champions

ATP Tennis Coach Chris Eaton Shares How He Transforms Teams Into Champions

Some say that coaching is both an art and a science.  In today’s Sport Fuels Life podcast, we hear from Chris Eaton, a British professional tennis player who continued his tennis journey as a coach in the U.S. at both the NCAA and professional levels.  He shares how he has been able to successfully influence team dynamics, leading to high-level victories on the court.

Chris Eaton grew up outside London, England, and played tennis for seven years.  A few highlights among his many athletic achievements include qualifying and winning a round of singles at Wimbledon in 2008 and making the third round of doubles in 2010.  He also played for Great Britain in the Davis Cup in 2009.

From 2015 to 2016, he coached Australia’s John Peers and Henri Kontinen from Finland and then coached Wake Forest University Men’s tennis from 2016-2023.  Highlights at Wake Forest included winning a team and individual title with Wake in 2018 along with several ACC titles.  He currently coaches Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, who have won the US Open doubles over the past three years, World Tour Finals over the past two years, and won the Australian Open.

Coaching athletes to win on the world stage takes a special ability and comes with unique challenges.  Lean how he has been able to turn those challenges into competitive advantages.

Listen in to hear his approach to coaching a team to win championships.

Jean Francois Menard: Mastering High Performance from the Circus to the Olympics

Jean Francois Menard: Mastering High Performance from the Circus to the Olympics

In this Sport Fuels Life podcast episode, we have a very special guest who shares the valuable lessons he learned from working with Cirque Du Soleil.  This extraordinarily demanding contemporary circus provided a master class on high performance.

Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Jean Francois Menard is highly regarded in the field of performance psychology.  At the age of 25 and fresh out of graduate school, he joined the world-famous entertainment company Cirque Du Soleil, where he coached circus artists to handle immense physical pressures and perform their best (up to 450 times a year).  Five years later, he founded Kambio Performance and has since become a sought-after mental performance specialist.

During the past four Olympic Games, the athletes he coached won 17 medals for Canada.  His private clients are proven winners: Olympic gold medalists, X-Games and Super Bowl Champions, surgeons, musicians and corporate leaders.

Jean Francois Menard is a professional speaker for organizations such as the FBI, PepsiCo, RedBull, Cisco, RBC and NASA and is also a bestselling author of two books: "Train Your Brain Like an Olympian" and "Team Chemistry".

His insights on achieving high performance are helpful to athletes, coaches, and more!

Boosting Confidence and Positive Self-Talk with Tami Matheny

Boosting Confidence and Positive Self-Talk with Tami Matheny

If you’re looking for a little extra motivation or confidence, then you’ve come to the right place!  Confidence and overcoming adversity are today’s two main topics.

In this Sport Fuels Life podcast episode, we bring back returning guest, Tami Matheny.  She is a mental game coach, author, and Jon Gordon-certified trainer.  She has a background as an athlete playing basketball and tennis at Lenoir-Rhyne College, as well as coaching men’s and women’s tennis at the University of South Carolina Upstate.  She shares her knowledge to help people in all walks of life (not just athletes) with confidence, motivation, focus, mental toughness, leadership, and teamwork.

Tami emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process, not the outcome.  She shares ways that you can regain confidence and learn to have more positive self-talk.  She also has a new book to check out called Challenge Deeper!

Listen to our podcast to learn more!

Legendary Insights: Christopher Clarey on Federer, Nadal, and Elite Athletes

Legendary Insights: Christopher Clarey on Federer, Nadal, and Elite Athletes

Christopher Clarey: Renowned Sports Journalist and Bestselling Author

Join us on today’s show as we sit down with Christopher Clarey, longtime New York Times sports journalist with over 30 years of experience covering global sports, including 15 Olympics, 6 World Cups, and more than 100 Grand Slam tennis tournaments.

As one of the world’s leading authorities on tennis, Clarey shares fascinating insights into the routines and mindsets of elite athletes like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, subjects of his bestselling book "THE MASTER" and the upcoming "THE WARRIOR." Discover the habits that set these athletes apart and how we can apply their lessons to our own lives.

Tune in to hear behind-the-scenes stories of these legendary figures, and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to excel at the highest levels of sport.

Connect with Christopher Clarey:

• Instagram: @christophclarey
• X (formerly Twitter): @christophclarey
• Substack: Tennis & Beyond | christopherclarey.substack.com

Allistair McCaw: Allistair McCaw Explains how Mindset is Your Superpower

Allistair McCaw:  Allistair McCaw Explains how Mindset is Your Superpower

In this Sport Fuels Life podcast episode, we bring back a returning guest, Allistair McCaw!  He is a bestselling author and speaker who is an expert on leadership, team culture, and performance.

Born in Ireland and raised in South Africa, he is the youngest of four boys and has a background playing tennis.  When he first found a natural desire to be a champion (at a young age), he started by making a vision board to guide him down the right path.

He later found success on the world stage in the Duathlon as a five-time World Championship competitor.  His experience as an athlete became as much about the journey as the destination.

His powerful mindset has resulted in his becoming a sought-after keynote speaker and consultant for numerous organizations, corporations, Olympians, Grand Slam champions, NCAA colleges and professional sports teams.  He has recently published a new book called Mindset is Your Superpower.

Listen to our podcast to learn more!

 

Connect with Allistair McCaw

Instagram:  @Bechampionminded

Twitter: @AllistairMcCaw

Facebook: @AllistairMcCawpage

 

"At the end of the day, it doesn’t come down to who has the most talent or intelligence. It comes down to who is willing to make the choices that others are not willing to make. Like who is willing to shoot baskets in the dark when everyone else is sleeping? Who is willing to prepare more for an interview? Who is willing to work on their craft when no one is watching? That’s what separates the good from the great." Allistair McCaw

James "The Iron Cowboy" Lawrence: Triathlon Record Holder Explains How Failure is “An Opportunity to Succeed”

James "The Iron Cowboy" Lawrence:  Triathlon Record Holder Explains How Failure is “An Opportunity to Succeed”

Join us as we talk with James Lawrence, a.k.a. the “Iron Cowboy”, a Canadian native (now living in Utah) who is most famous for his triathlon records. In 2015, he set the world record for the most Ironman distance triathlons completed in one year in 50 states over 50 days.  Then, in 2021, he followed up his own record with “Conquer 100;” he completed 100 consecutive Ironman length triathlons with his family being a key part of his journey and travel party.

We also like the fact that he had the “courage to suck” without caring what other people thought.  It seems his wife signed him up for a four-mile fun run on Thanksgiving one year.  He didn’t want to do it at first, but he did it anyway because he couldn’t bear the thought of wasting money on the registration.  He stuck with it and accomplished some incredible undertakings in the sport!  He hated running and still does.

Now he has a book, The Iron Cowboy, and his own company, with his daughter as the CEO.  In his story, he embraces the perspective that failure is not possible, only an opportunity to succeed.

Listen to our podcast to hear the full story!

Unstoppable: Zion Clark’s Story – Conquering Challenges with Grit and Perseverance

Tune into the podcast to dive into the extraordinary life of Zion Clark. From being born without legs to becoming a successful wrestler and motivational speaker & taking on the America’s Got Talent stage. His journey of constantly overcoming adversity while remaining confident and graceful throughout the process will leave you in awe. Zion shares his journey and offers advice for anyone trying to overcome obstacles on their road to reaching their dreams.