In this episode, Bryan talks with Brett Johnson, co-founder of Benevolent Capital, about his journey from sports to investment, the challenges of professional sports, and the power of passion in business. They explore starting small in sports ventures, the impact of sports on communities, and the dynamics of working with family. Brett shares insights on the profitability of youth sports, key revenue drivers, and the role of character development in athletics. They also discuss the transition from sports to business, the importance of strategic involvement, and surrounding yourself with experienced mentors. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or investor, this episode offers valuable lessons on navigating the business of sports.

Key Moments

• 00:00 Lessons from the Playing Field
• 00:28 The Journey to Benevolent Capital
• 01:43 Family Business Dynamics
• 03:10 Investment Philosophy and Structure
• 05:28 Unique Investment Model
• 09:48 The Role of Passion in Investments
• 12:08 Starting Small in Sports Investments
• 16:29 Success in Soccer Ventures
• 19:18 The Importance of Community Impact
• 22:13 Challenges in Professional Sports
• 23:15 The Importance of Youth Sports
• 26:29 Revenue Drivers in Youth Sports
• 28:24 Lessons from Sports and Business
• 30:19 Advice for Athletes Transitioning to Business
• 33:56 Investing in Sports: Opportunities and Risks
• 39:30 The Entrepreneurial Journey in Sports

Connect with Brett Johnson

• Linked In: @brettjohnson

Connect with Bryan:

Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

In this episode, Bryan sits down with professional baseball player Shaun Anderson to discuss the incredible journey of navigating an 11-team career across multiple countries, including stints in Korea and Mexico. Shaun opens up about the discipline, resilience, and community-building that shaped his path in Major League Baseball and how those lessons apply beyond the field. From overcoming setbacks to embracing leadership, Shaun shares insights on transitioning from sports to business and discovering what’s next after a high-performance career. Tune in for an inspiring story about grit, growth, and redefining success.

Key Moments

• 00:00 The Journey of a Pro Athlete
• 02:50 Building Discipline and Community
• 06:05 Transitioning from Sports to Business
• 08:58 Navigating the Minor Leagues
• 12:07 Cultural Adaptation in Korea
• 15:04 Leadership and Team Dynamics
• 17:57 Preparing for Life After Sports
• 22:45 Navigating Life After Sports
• 25:27 The Importance of Community and Mentorship
• 30:10 Identifying Your Superpower
• 34:52 Planning for Transition and Future Goals
• 39:17 Learning from Experience and Regrets
• 43:31 Staying True to Yourself and Your Journey

Connect with Shaun Anderson

• Instagram: @shaun_anderson

Connect with Bryan:

Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

In this episode, Bryan interviews entrepreneur and innovator John Sarkisian. They explore the balance between innovation and operations in business, sharing lessons from John’s journey with SKLZ and Light Helmets. From building trust with inventors to scaling a business into retail giants, John offers actionable insights on leadership, mentorship, and product development. They also discuss the groundbreaking advancements in sports safety with Light Helmets, emphasizing the importance of strong teams, clear vision, and resilience. Tune in for a powerful start to the year filled with inspiration for entrepreneurs and leaders alike.

Key Moments

• 00:00 Introduction to Innovation and Operations
• 02:58 The Genesis of Skills and the Hit Away Device
• 10:02 Scaling Skills: From Product to Company
• 18:47 Transitioning to Retail: Challenges and Strategies
• 21:31 John's Superpower: Product Instinct and Leadership
• 22:22 Building a Strong Team for Business Success
• 29:07 The Importance of Leadership in Entrepreneurship
• 30:07 Innovations in Sports Safety: The Light Helmet
• 36:30 Navigating Challenges as an Entrepreneur
• 41:15 Key Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Connect with John Sarkisian

• LinkedIn: @johnsarkisian
• www.lighthelmets.com
• www.sklz.com

Connect with Bryan:

Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

In this special kickoff episode for 2025, Bryan shares his unique "halftime" perspective on the new year, inspired by his experiences in soccer and business. He reflects on the importance of assessing past performance, making bold adjustments, and confronting the truth without excuses. Bryan offers actionable insights to help listeners take charge of their personal and professional growth as they step into the year ahead. Tune in for a powerful conversation on reflection, strategy, and bold moves for success in 2025.

Key Moments

• 00:00 New Year, New Beginnings: A Halftime Perspective
• 05:18 Making Bold Adjustments for Success
• 10:33 Facing the Truth: No Excuses in the Game
• 15:20 Actionable Steps: Getting in the Game

Connect with Bryan:

Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

In this episode, Bryan welcomes Brian Doyle back to the podcast to dive into the challenges and breakthroughs of pivoting a business for growth. Brian shares how his athletic background led to founding Axios Core, and how shifting from direct-to-consumer sales to a scalable B2B model changed everything. They discuss lessons on leadership, overcoming setbacks, and the power of simplifying processes to drive success. This episode is packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs looking to scale, pivot, and lead with purpose.

Key Moments

• 00:00 Critical Reflections and New Beginnings
• 02:54 From Sports to Business: The Journey of Brian Doyle
• 05:47 The Evolution of Axius Core: A Shift in Strategy
• 09:09 Scaling Challenges: The Hamster Wheel of Startups
• 12:02 Finding the Right Ingredients: Product vs. Business
• 14:54 The Power of Humility: Learning from Others
• 17:46 Empowering Teams: Communicating Change Effectively
• 23:37 Empowering the Team for Success
• 26:31 Defining and Measuring a Pivot
• 30:20 Growth Rate: The Key Metric
• 34:02 Learning from Past Mistakes
• 39:46 Creating Luck Through Conversations
• 43:31 The Importance of Humility and Openness

Connect with Brian Doyle

• Instagram: @bgdoyle
• LinkedIn: @briandoyle
• Website: www.axiuscore.com

Connect with Bryan:

Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

In this episode, Bryan reflects on the biggest lessons from the past year, sharing insights on leadership, personal growth, purpose, and teamwork. Drawing from conversations with inspiring guests, he highlights how empowering others, embracing chaos, and staying authentic can unlock new levels of success. Bryan dives into the importance of personal branding, the power of teamwork in achieving goals, and why purpose-driven leadership makes all the difference. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways to help you grow, lead, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Key Moments

• 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude
• 01:52 Empowering Others and Leadership
• 06:12 Personal Growth and Self-Awareness
• 11:54 Purpose and Authenticity
• 17:57 Teamwork and Collaboration
• 24:09 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Connect with Bryan:

Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

In this high-octane episode of What’s Next, Bryan Finnerty sits down with Dave Alpern, President of Joe Gibbs Racing, to uncover the secrets behind leading one of NASCAR’s premier organizations. From starting as an unpaid intern in a broom closet to steering a team that competes at 200 miles per hour, Dave’s journey is a masterclass in leadership, culture, and intentionality. Discover how Dave’s “three-legged stool” philosophy—honoring God, putting people before profits, and relentlessly pursuing excellence—has shaped the culture at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Key Moments

• 00:00 The Indispensable Employee
• 01:28 Building a Winning Culture
• 07:06 The Journey from Intern to Leader
• 12:10 The Importance of Who Over What
• 18:18 Balancing Excellence and Influence
• 22:05 The Unique Dynamics of Team Competition
• 25:47 The Intensity of Competition
• 26:42 Transitioning from Athlete to Professional
• 30:04 Creating Pathways for Growth
• 32:28 The Importance of Being Indispensable
• 36:08 Legacy and Non-Negotiables in Leadership
• 39:54 Mindset and Stewardship in Business
• 42:13 The True Measure of Legacy
• 45:30 Balancing Life and Business
• 49:16 Empowerment Through Conversation

Connect with Dave Alpern

• Linked In : @davealpern
• Dave Alpern’s Book: Taking the Lead
• Proceeds benefit the JD Gibbs Legacy Fund supporting urban youth programs www.takingtheleadbook.com

Connect with Bryan:

Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

This week Bryan dives deep into the mental strategies that drive world-class performance with sports psychologist and best-selling author Dan Abrahams. Known for his work with elite athletes across soccer, golf, rugby, and Formula One, Dan shares insights on how to harness competitive spirit, transition seamlessly from sports to business, and avoid the pitfalls of burnout. Learn how intentional leadership, mindset mastery, and deliberate recovery can transform not only your performance but also your approach to life.

Key Moments

• 00:00 Taking Control of Your Performance
• 05:02 The Journey to Sports Psychology
• 10:01 The Power of Control in Sports and Business
• 15:13 Translating Competitive Spirit to Business
• 20:10 Mindset and Performance: The Key to Success
• 28:16 Mindset and Performance: The Feedback Loop
• 31:11 Leadership: Influence and Autonomy
• 40:17 Avoiding Burnout: The Importance of Rest
• 46:45 Multiple Identities: Balancing Life and Sport

Connect with Dan:

• LinkedIn : @DanAbrahams
• www.danabrahams.com

Dan’s Books:

• Soccer Tough 1 & 2
• Golf Tough
• Soccer Brain

Connect with Bryan:

Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.