Skin in the Game

A Lifetime on Ice: Bonnie Shea on Hockey, Longevity & Purpose

At 15 years old, Bonnie Shea was told she could no longer play hockey simply because she was a girl. More than six decades later, she’s still lacing up her skates. This week on Skin In The Game, John Cimperman sits down with Bonnie Shea — an early pioneer of women’s hockey in Minnesota — to talk about her lifelong relationship with the sport, the barriers she faced growing up in the “State of Hockey,” and how she rediscovered the game at age 40 after decades away from organized play. Bonnie reflects on what hockey has given her physically, mentally, and socially throughout her life — from the exhilaration of skating to the friendships, camaraderie, and sense of purpose that continue to keep her active into her 80s. Cimperman goes on to explore the broader connection between sport, movement, and healthy aging with physical therapy expert Eric Herman, PT, FACS, from Buffalo Rehab Group, who joins the program to discuss why lifelong activity, mobility, and recovery are essential ingredients for long-term health and quality of life. They talk about injury risk, strength training, range of motion, and balance and coordination. Whether you still play the sports you loved as a kid — or hope to someday get back to them — this episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to keep moving.

The Business of Sports Cards: Inside the Explosive Growth of Collectibles with Tracy Hackler

Sports cards are no longer just childhood collectibles tucked away in shoeboxes—they’ve become a global business driven by technology, culture, nostalgia, and massive fan engagement. This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Tracy Hackler, Senior Brand Manager at Panini America, to explore the evolution of the sports collectibles industry—from vintage baseball cards to modern-day “golden ticket” chase cards and blockchain collectibles. Tracy shares how the hobby transformed during the pandemic, why women’s sports collectibles are surging, and how athletes like Caitlin Clark are reshaping the marketplace. The conversation also dives into NIL deals, the rise of digital collectibles, international growth, and the emotional connection fans still have to physical cards in an increasingly digital world. Along the way, Tracy reflects on his own journey from sports journalism to one of the leading voices in the collectibles industry—and reconnects with Tim over the early days of Beckett Baseball Card Monthly. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, a casual sports fan, or someone wondering if those old cards in the basement are worth anything, this episode is a fascinating look at how sports memorabilia became both cultural currency and big business.

Beyond the Field: Soccer, Trust, and Opportunity for Newcomer Youth

Soccer is often called the world’s universal language—but what happens when it becomes the only language you share in a brand-new country? This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Jennifer Tepper, Executive Director of Soccer Without Borders, and Bruno Contreras, Program Director in Massachusetts, to explore how the organization is using sport to build trust, belonging, and opportunity for immigrant, refugee, and underserved youth. With a model that prioritizes relationships over results, Soccer Without Borders has served more than 60,000 young people from over 120 countries, helping them find community, develop life skills, and simply rediscover the joy of play. From inclusive coaching practices and culturally connected mentorship to the realities of funding nonprofit work in today’s climate, this conversation reveals what’s possible when sport is designed for connection first—and competition second.

Athletes as Media Brands: The Future of Sports Storytelling with Lars Bengston

The lines between sports, media, and entertainment have officially disappeared—and athletes are now at the center of it all. This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Lars Bengston, Head of Agency at HardScope, to explore how the next generation of athletes are becoming media brands. From his early days at Vice during its explosive growth, to co-creating Some Good News with John Krasinski, Lars shares a front-row perspective on how storytelling, authenticity, and platform-native content are reshaping the sports landscape. The conversation dives into the rise of athlete-creators, the impact of NIL, and why today’s players don’t need traditional media to tell their stories—or build their businesses.

The Future of Soccer Training is Here | Eddie Lewis on TOCA Soccer

This week on Skin In The Game, hosts John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with former U.S. Men’s National Team standout Eddie Lewis to explore how innovation and technology are reshaping the future of soccer. After a 15-year professional career that included the World Cup and time in England, Lewis talks about the moment that changed everything. He found a way to get more meaningful reps and started to see real improvement in his game. That insight became the foundation for TOCA—now the largest operator of indoor soccer centers in North America. Lewis breaks down how technology, data, and deliberate practice are transforming player development at every level—from youth athletes chasing scholarships to professionals refining elite skills. He also dives into the evolution of TOCA Social, a bold new concept blending soccer, gaming, and hospitality into an immersive fan experience—often compared to “Topgolf for soccer.” Along the way, the conversation touches on youth sports specialization, the global state of the game, and why the U.S. still has ground to make up—especially in a sport where the eye to foot skills don’t really translate from anywhere else. This is a conversation about innovation, opportunity, and what it really takes to grow soccer—from player development to how people connect with the game in the first place.