From Athlete to COO Jaclyn Balben on Finding the Right Fit

Dr. Jo Shattuck on Trusting Your Gut and Rewiring Movement with PantherTec

Dr. Jo Shattuck is a former world-ranked racquet sports pro who started at 17, climbed to No. 6 in the world, and later walked away mid-season the moment her intuition told her it was time. She shares what it felt like to quit suddenly, why she needed a full year to grieve, and how that decision reshaped her identity. Now a neuroscientist and the founder of Panther Tec, Jo explains neuroplasticity, proprioception, and why real-time feedback helps athletes learn movement faster than watching film. This conversation is for anyone rebuilding after sport, chasing mastery, or learning to trust what their body already knows.

From Athlete to COO Jaclyn Balben on Finding the Right Fit

#29: Jaclyn Balben, COO at MD Ally and former college lacrosse player, shares how she built her career by focusing on self awareness and environment over titles. Her path spans startups and large companies, shaped by a clear understanding of how she works best. This conversation covers career mapping without a perfect plan, the difference between startup and corporate environments, and how athletes can use their mindset to navigate uncertainty and make better career decisions.

Former Olympian Nina Ligon on Trusting Her Gut, Growing Headspace, and Building Generation Sport

#28: Nina Ligon is a former equestrian Olympian who competed in the London Games and went on to build products at companies like Headspace before deciding to create something of her own. In this episode, she shares the nonlinear path that led her from elite sport and Stanford engineering to entrepreneurship. Nina breaks down why she founded Generation Sport, an athletic wear brand designed specifically for athletic bodies, and the gaps she saw in the industry that no one else was solving. This conversation covers identity shifts, trusting your gut, and what it really takes to move from high performer to builder and founder.

How to Stop Burning Out and Start Performing Sustainably with Katie Virtue

#27: Former Division I hockey player Katie Virtue shares how her athlete mindset fueled a fast climb in consulting and leadership, and how it eventually led to burnout. She breaks down her Sustainable Performance Playbook built on purpose, values, and behaviors, plus the energy habits that help high performers protect their sleep, set boundaries, and stop chasing productivity as a badge of honor.

From ESPN to FanDuel: How Jennifer Matthews Built Brands Across Sports, Media, and Betting

#26: Jennifer Matthews is a former Division I volleyball player at Siena University who built an executive career shaping some of the biggest brands in sports and media, including Sports Illustrated, ESPN, NBC, and FanDuel. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Brand Strategy at FanDuel, helping build the brand during one of the fastest-growing eras in sports. In this episode, Jennifer shares how her athlete mindset fueled her leadership, why she chose roles where she could build brands from the ground up, and how trusting a nonlinear career helped her grow with confidence. A must-listen for anyone navigating career transitions, leadership pressure, or building something without a playbook.