The Champion Forward Podcast

CF Ambassador Spotlight - Patrick Whitlock & Dave McNiel

In this Ambassador Spotlight episode, John sits down with recently graduated Ambassadors Patrick Whitlock from Franklin, Tennessee, and Dave McNiel from Kansas City to explore how their long careers in athletics and leadership led them to Champion Forward. Patrick shares his journey from college basketball at Vanderbilt to years of coaching at the collegiate and high school levels, reflecting on the transition from coaching to serving as a district athletic director and how that shift has reshaped the way he thinks about impact and leadership. Dave brings his own perspective from years of experience in athletics and mentoring, highlighting the importance of awareness, growth, and intentional culture in sports environments. To sign up for the next Ambassador program please visit, ⁠⁠championforward.org/ambassador⁠⁠ [https://www.championforward.org/ambassador-program].

CF Ambassador Spotlight - Tricia Jacobson & Carrie Kimbell

In this Ambassador Spotlight episode, John sits down with Tricia Jacobson from Kansas City, Missouri, and Carrie Kimbell from San Antonio, Texas, to share how their experiences as athletes, coaches, and parents led them to Champion Forward. Tricia reflects on her journey as a multi-sport athlete turned coach and parent, sharing how walking alongside her daughter through the mental and emotional challenges of competitive sports deepened her passion for emotional intelligence and athlete well-being. Carrie brings her perspective as a former athlete and leader, discussing the importance of community, resilience, and creating environments where athletes are supported both on and off the field. To sign up for the next Ambassador program please visit, championforward.org/ambassador [https://www.championforward.org/ambassador-program].

CF Ambassador Spotlight - Joel Truss & Austin Jackson

In this Ambassador Spotlight episode, John sits down with recently graduated Ambassadors Joel Truss and Austin Jackson to hear how their personal journeys in sports, coaching, and community leadership led them to Champion Forward. Austin shares his path as a lifelong baseball player and coach, reflecting on how his own playing career, injury recovery, and work with youth and travel baseball athletes shaped his passion for mental performance and emotional awareness. Joel brings the perspective of a coach, father, and mentor, discussing the importance of community, leadership, and creating environments where athletes are supported beyond the scoreboard. To sign up for the next Ambassador program please visit, ⁠championforward.org/ambassador⁠ [https://www.championforward.org/ambassador-program].

Back to School: Finding Balance in a New Season

In this back-to-school episode of the Champion Forward Podcast, John and Ben talk about the shift from summer into the busy fall season. With athletes heading back to school, parents adjusting to new rhythms, and coaches gearing up for the long year ahead, Ben reflects on the challenge of starting a “new race” when the tank already feels low. Together, they share practical insights on how to navigate the pace of a new season, avoid burnout, and stay grounded in what matters most. Drawing from Ben’s experiences as a professional athlete and the tools Champion Forward teaches, they highlight simple but powerful ways to approach this transition with awareness, balance, and connection. This conversation is an encouragement for athletes, parents, and coaches alike: even when life ramps up, there are ways to lead with clarity, fuel your energy, and thrive in the season ahead.

CF Ambassador Spotlight - Dr. Tony Suarez & Scott McCord

In this Ambassador Spotlight episode of the Champion Forward Podcast, John sits down with Dr. Tony Suarez from Indiana and Scott McCord from Illinois to share how their personal journeys led them to Champion Forward. Scott reflects on how his background as a financial advisor and how his passion for mental performance in sports drew him into the movement, while Tony shares the surprising way a TV interview with Ben Zobrist first sparked his interest. Together, they discuss the unique Midwest connections that brought them here, the power of emotional intelligence in both sports and life, and what being a Champion Forward Ambassador has meant for them personally. From family influences to professional insights, their stories highlight the ripple effect that starts when people choose to invest in themselves and others.