The Champions Corner Podcast: Spotlight Story Ep. 8 - Coach Russell Hubbs

Champions Corner: Spotlight Stories Podcast Official Trailer

We’re proud to share the official trailer for the first 10 episodes of Champions Corner. A huge thank you to our incredible guests — from graduating student-athletes, coaches, and former professional players to professionals in medicine, finance, manufacturing, and beyond. Each brought unique insights and stories, all rooted in the values sports teach us. Champions Corner is more than a podcast. It’s a reminder that sports are our foundation — but the discipline, consistency, service, faith, and resilience we develop on the court become our competitive advantage in life after the game. This is only the beginning, and we’re just getting started. Let’s keep serving others and educating those around us. 🎙 Current & former student-athletes: tap into the community. 📢Follow us on all Socials: https://www.instagram.com/thechampions_corner/ https://x.com/ChampsCorner_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSXYgvkXdEQ&t=2s 💬 Drop a comment or reach out to us — Who should be on the podcast next? 🌐 Learn more and join the movement: www.thechampionscorner.org [http://www.championscornerpod.com] 🔔 Follow for new spotlight stories episodes biweekly, and conversations that inspire purpose beyond the game.

The Champions Corner Podcast: Spotlight Story Ep. 10 - Curtis Cobb III

Champions Corner Ep. 10 – Curtis Cobb III | From 46-Point Nights to Life After Basketball In this episode of Champions Corner: Spotlight Stories, host John Adams sits down with Curtis Cobb III, a former Division I standout and professional basketball player from Fall River, Massachusetts. Curtis reflects on his journey through Fall River, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Fairfield, UMass, and Wagner—highlighting lessons in consistency, faith, injury recovery, and mental growth. After college, Curtis went on to play professionally in Portugal and Vietnam, but unexpected injuries forced him to reevaluate what success meant beyond the court. We talk about the grind, the blessings of the game, the role of faith, and how he’s now pouring back into his community through mentorship. Don’t forget to follow the channel for more spotlight stories!! Timestamps: (0:00) – Trailer (3:41) – Introduction (4:53) – Wilbraham & Monson Academy: Foundational Years (9:27) – Fairfield University: Transition into College, Mentors, Consistency, Work Ethic (16:41) - 46-Point Game vs. Manhattan (21:28) – Transferring to UMass & Redshirting Season (29:43) – Wagner & 5th Year Growth - Leadership, Career Highs (32:46) - Reflection on all 3 Colleges & Collegiate Career (35:51) - First Generation College Student & Covid Times Delaying his Professional Career (40:25) - Covid Times Continued & Elite Group that Pushed each other during Unknown Times (43:56) – Going Pro in Portugal. The Call, Embracing the Culture, Exceeding at the Professional Level (47:55) - Lessons from Injuries, Embracing Setbacks, Faith being Challenged, Perspective Conversations (54:58) – Vietnam 3v3 & TBT Tournament, Basketball brought him All Around the World58:36 - Reflecting on What the Game Gave to Him, Blessings (1:00:44) – Season-Ending Injury & The Pivot, Life After the Game, Hanging up the Shoes1:02:34 - Transition Talk Further, Golf & Mentoring, Giving Back (1:08:27) – Faith Conversation1:14:44 - Fall River Roots & Reflection on what the City has Given to Him (1:18:33) – Final Question & Closing Remarks

The Champions Corner Podcast: Spotlight Story Ep. 9 - Aireus Raspberry

Episode 9: Champion's Corner Spotlight Story with Aireus Raspberry In this episode of Champion's Corner: Spotlight Stories, I’m joined by Cranston’s own Aireus Raspberry — a former teammate of mine, a standout at Johnson & Wales University, and a true Ocean State hooper. Aireus made the powerful decision to stay home and represent Rhode Island with pride, leaving a lasting legacy both on and off the court. We dive into his journey from growing up in Cranston and sharpening his skills in Providence, to his unforgettable 32-point game against URI, and the countless summer workouts that fueled his rise. We talk through the highs, the lows, and the mental grind of college basketball — plus the tougher transition into life after graduation. Aireus opens up about losing love for the game at times, rediscovering purpose, the power of discipline, and why serving others is the next chapter he’s chasing. This conversation is about more than basketball — it's about perseverance, growth, and moving forward with heart once the final buzzer sounds. Timestamps: (0:00) – Trailer (1:36) – Introduction (3:18) – Choosing JWU and staying close to home (6:30) – How Providence and Cranston shaped him (8:06) – Prep school experiences & maturing as a player (10:00) – College career: life lessons from basketball (14:30) – Welcome to college moment & the importance of competition/enemy (16:43) – Summers in Providence: the grind and growth (19:57) – Summer jobs & maturity on and off the court (23:34) – Struggles in college and the mental game (27:06) – Leadership, discipline, and maturity (29:47) - Maturing as an athlete & the power of discipline (31:05) - D3 spotlight needed (33:37) – Life after graduation: the reality check (41:07) – Possibly exploring professional basketball; (44:02) - Finding new passions and planning for the future (45:26) – Closing reflections: perspective, purpose, and giving back (47:24) - Coaching/Training Aspirations (49:13) - Final Question (51:01) - Conclusion & final words

The Champions Corner Podcast: Spotlight Story Ep. 8 - Coach Russell Hubbs

In Episode 8 of Champions Corner: Spotlight Stories, we welcome our very first guest who didn’t come from the world of college hoops—but whose impact in sports and in life speaks volumes. Coach Russell Hubbs, Associate Director of Strength & Conditioning at The Citadel, joins the show to talk about his journey from Division I football player to one of the most respected and high-energy strength coaches in the game. Russ shares how his experience as a cadet-athlete at The Citadel shaped his discipline, the identity shift that came with stepping off the field, and how he climbed the coaching ladder through hard work and genuine passion. We also dive into the mindset it takes to lead athletes every day, how to build culture and buy-in, and what it really means to be a Champion—both inside and outside of sport. This episode is full of wisdom, authenticity, and the kind of advice young athletes, professionals, and leaders everywhere can take to heart. Timestamps (0:00) Trailer (1:35) Introducing Coach Russ (2:27) Why The Citadel? (4:42) What were some of the biggest adjustments stepping into the challenges as a cadet and division 1 football player? (5:47) Lifelong Relationships Formed (6:55) Boarding School vs The Citadel Lifestyle (7:45) A Couple Stories from Russ while at The Citadel (9:28) Russ's Football Journey - 2 SoCon Championships and More (11:05) Highlight of his 2015-2016 Football Team (12:13) Qualities in a Championship Team (13:51) His Biggest Takeaways from Div. 1 College Football (16:50) Importance of Being Genuine, Social Media, & How Smart Athletes are these Days (19:26) Becoming an Intern, Change in Identity from Athlete to S&C Coach, & Diving into the Strength & Conditioning World (22:21) Russ's First Team he was Assigned: Riflery (23:12) Life's Struggles and Being Unemployed (24:08) Beginning his First Full-Time S&C Position (25:24) Importance of Starting Small & Building Relationships from the Ground Up (25:40) Reflection on the Transition away from Collegiate Football & the Grind it Took (27:13) Citadel S&C Culture, Always Being Energetic, Positive, and Ready to Go (30:46) Mindset, Motivation, & Importance of Energy (33:19) Biggest Philosophies as a Coach (34:17) Mental Side of Strength & Conditioning, Highlighting Coaches & Mentors, Motivational Speeches (37:15) Coaching Staff Conversation about Internal vs. External Talent, Building a Tight Culture (41:16) Handling Adversity & How to Handle It, First Story (44:26) Russ's Second Adversity Story, Importance of Staying Busy and Marching Forward, Showing True Character (48:25) Work Ethic Conversation (49:45) Faith & Reflection (50:57) Top 3 Pieces of Advice for Athletes Transitioning into their Careers (52:42) Final Question & Concluding Remarks

The Champions Corner Podcast: Spotlight Stories Ep. 7 - James Jolly

Champions Corner: Spotlight Stories – Episode 7 | James Jolly In Episode 7 of Champions Corner: Spotlight Stories, we sit down with James Jolly, a former collegiate basketball player whose journey from London to the U.S. is a testament to discipline, resilience, and self-growth. James shares why he pursued basketball and academics in America, the challenges of moving away from home at 15, and the lessons he learned at The Taft School and Salve Regina University. We dive into the highs and lows of his college career, from freshman-year struggles to becoming a two-year team captain. James discusses falling in love with the weight room, playing through injuries, and developing a tough-minded defensive identity. He also reveals how he transitioned from basketball to academics and professional development, excelling in accounting and internships while applying the same discipline that fueled his success on the court. James breaks down his self-improvement journey, the habits that shaped his mindset, and how Champions Corner has helped him grow. As he prepares for life after basketball, he shares advice for athletes transitioning into their careers and how sports shape success beyond the game. This episode is packed with wisdom, real-life experiences, and practical takeaways for anyone striving to grow—whether in sports, business, or life. Timestamps (0:00) Trailer (2:15) Introduction (3:05) Highlighting Jolly’s Journey from the UK to the USA: His Cousin, Soccer & Rugby, Bully Ball, & More (7:33) Moving Away from Home at 15, Growing Up, Boarding School (11:35) The Taft School, Moving to America, Salve Regina Reaching Out, Visit, Commitment, & Sports Crafting Our Young Lives (14:45) Beginning Life at Salve (Newport, RI) (17:00) Freshman Year Basketball, Struggles, Luck, and the Best Team He’s Played On (20:10) Transition to Sophomore Year, Falling in Love with the Weight Room, (22:30) Injury, Setbacks, Toughness and Playing through Injury (23:48) People Pleasing, Mental & Physical Toughness, Emotionless (26:13) Maturing on the Court, Bully Ball, Rugby & Defense Similarity, Taking Matchups Personally (30:15) Upperclassmen at Salve, 2-Year Team Captain, Leadership Evolution, Mental Side of Basketball, Being his Biggest Enemy (37:30) Junior Year Falling in Love with the Weight Room, The Self-Improvement Journey, Anchor of the Team, Be the Strongest & Most Physical Guy on the Court, Crafting his Identity, Sculpting Yourself & Creating Processes, Champions Corner Talk (45:30) Academics & School, Darkest Point at Salve, Choosing his Major, Changing Perception on Grades (49:16) Internships throughout College, Leadership, Growth (54:11) Correlation of Athletics to the Real World (55:00) What 3 Pieces of Advice would you Give for Balancing Habits You’ve Learned on the Court that You Now Apply in the Workforce (55:43) Advice #1: The Importance of Networking (57:19) Advice #2: Leave Your Ego at the Door, Ask Questions, Learn (58:26) Advice #3: Hard Work & Never Give Up (58:35) Jolly’s Self-Growth Journey, Joining Champions Corner, His Self-Improvement Evolution, Balance & Burnout, Improving & Challenging his Brain Daily, Accounting, Finding Enough Time in the Day (1:08:20) Description of the Growing Champion Corner Group & Network: Podcast, Private Call, Public Call, & Beyond (1:11:33) Sum Up Personal Growth Journey into 3 Key Habits (1:14:31) Weightlifting Callus, Adding to His Identity, High Self-Standards, Growth(1:15:53) What Jolly is Going Through Now: Concluding his Basketball Career & Transition into the Workforce (1:20:05) My Personal Situation with the Job Search & Transition to the Business World (1:22:05) Advice to those that Have Not Gone Through the Transition from Current Athlete to Former Athlete (1:23:35) Jolly’s Job Search & His Unique Situation/Dilemma (1:28:35) Jolly’s Personal Journey Summary & His Final Words (1:30:45) Final Question (1:32:16) Conclusion