Legends of the Arena

Breaking Barriers in the Wine Industry | Jen Pelka

In this conversation, Jen Pelka shares her journey from the hospitality industry to founding Une feeme Wines, a sparkling wine brand that champions women winemakers. She discusses the challenges of entering a legacy industry, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the innovative experiences she aims to create in wine country. Jen emphasizes the need for women empowerment in entrepreneurship and navigates the complexities of alcohol distribution laws. The conversation concludes with her aspirations for the future and advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.

What It Takes to Build a Career in Sports Today | Lynn Lashbrook

Building a career in sports isn’t as simple—or as glamorous—as most people think. In this episode, Lynn Lashbrook draws from decades as a coach, agent, athletic director, and educator to break down how the sports industry really works today. John and Justin explore what’s changed in the NIL era, why relationships still matter more than résumés, and how access to education and opportunity is evolving worldwide. From navigating broken systems to creating new pathways into the business of sports, this conversation offers practical insight for anyone trying to build a meaningful career in a highly competitive industry.

How He Saved His Family’s Business | Dodds Hayden

When his father passed away, Dodds Hayden didn’t step into a thriving company—he inherited a family business on the brink of collapse. With just $9,000 left in the bank and $120,000 of payroll due, no credit line, and unfinished projects weighing the company down, Dodds had every reason to give up.  In this candid episode, he reveals how emotional discipline, perspective, and stoic principles helped him survive loss, conflict, and near bankruptcy on his journey to success. A raw look at courage, decision-making under fire, and what it really takes to survive in the arena of business and life.

The Real Story Behind Building Steiner Sports | Brandon Steiner

Brandon Steiner built one of the most recognizable sports memorabilia companies in the world — but his story starts long before the Yankees partnerships and multimillion-dollar deals. Growing up in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood, Brandon learned early that hustle creates opportunity. Brandon breaks down the mindset that carried him to becoming a pioneer in the sports collectibles industry, sharing secrets on how he convinced teams and athletes to partner with him, the art of selling, why most people misunderstand value, and what it really took to build a business from scratch without connections or capital.

He Sold Some of the Most Famous Reality TV Shows in 3 Minutes | Brant Pinvidic

Brant Pinvidic went from pitching reality shows in Hollywood to coaching Fortune 500 companies on how to sell their stories in three minutes or less. Known for hits like Bar Rescue, Extreme Weight Loss, and Biggest Loser, Brant’s creative genius was forged in the most competitive rooms in television. But as he reveals in this episode, his greatest breakthroughs came from learning when to walk away, fail fast, and find new meaning in his work.