Leaving the Pack

Episode 14: Strong Enough to Carry, Brave Enough to Heal: A Mother & Trainer on Resilience, Body Ownership & Breaking the Cycle with Dr. Tessa Koschel

Some friendships are forged in the fire. For Veena and Dr. Tessa Koschel, that fire was Miami — two young mothers holding down households while their husbands disappeared into the brutal hours of emergency medicine residency. In this episode, Veena sits down with her dear friend, personal trainer, and one of the most original voices in women's fitness today for a conversation about reclamation — of body, of identity, of the family story itself. Tessa is the creator of Fitness Therapy and the trademark owner of Perinatal Periodization™ — a methodology that's reshaping how women train through pregnancy, postpartum, and every season after. But before any of that, she was the mom in the trenches with Veena, navigating an existence almost no one talks about: the invisible labor of being married to a first responder while trying to hold onto yourself. In this conversation, Veena and Tessa get honest about: • The Miami years — how they held down their households, leaned on each other when no one else understood, and the unspoken weight carried by the spouses and families of first responders • Breaking generational trauma in real time — what it means to give your children a softer story than the one you inherited, and the exhaustion of parenting your kids while still parenting the parts of yourself that never got parented • The grief and grace of doing the inner work while the kids are watching — because they learn what wholeness looks like by seeing you choose it • How pregnancy changes a woman's relationship with her body forever — and what it really means to come back to it on your own terms, not anyone else's • Why most fitness programs fail mothers, and how Perinatal Periodization™ trains the body intelligently through pregnancy, postpartum, and every season that follows • The quiet revolution of women taking ownership of their bodies after years of giving them away — and why reclaiming your body and rewriting your family's emotional inheritance are the same work, just on different layers This is a conversation about sisterhood, survival, and what it looks like to come home to yourself — for your own sake, and for the children learning by watching you. If you're a mother trying to find your way back to your body, a first responder spouse who is in the trenches, or a parent doing the hard work of breaking cycles while raising the next generation, this episode is for you. — 🎙 Leaving the Pack with Veena Abraham — conversations for the ones rewriting the rules. Follow along: Instagram: @leavingthepack Learn more about Dr. Tessa Koschel and Fitness Therapy / Perinatal Periodization™ on Instagram @fitnesstherapy_org

Episode 13: Sweat Equity: The Grind Behind the Grid with Holton Irwin

Before the Instagram brand, the luxury listings, and the Tampa Magazine Real Estate awards — there was a homeschooled teenager stocking shelves and learning what hustle really meant. Holton Irwin has been outworking the room since he was 14, and nothing about his path was handed to him. First-generation college graduate with a double major from USF, Ritz Carlton trained, and now leading the Irwin Collective through Tampa Bay's luxury market. In this episode, Holton gets honest about the early grind, what homeschooling instilled in him that still drives him today, and how he built a personal brand that stands on its own in one of the most competitive markets in the country.

Episode 12: From the Stadium to CEO: Gerald Davis Jr. on the MLB, Mentorship, and Building "Pure Hitters"

What happens when the stadium lights go out and a new chapter begins? In this episode, we sit down with Gerald Davis Jr., a former MLB player who credits the game with not just giving him a career, but saving his life. Gerald opens up about his upbringing and how baseball was his escape and provided a path to success when the odds were stacked against him. We dive deep into his evolution from a professional athlete to the Founder of Pure Hitters, a clothing brand and lifestyle movement dedicated to those who strive for excellence. Tune in to hear how Gerald channeled his athletic mindset into entrepreneurship, why he is committed to mentoring the next generation, and what it truly means to be a "Pure Hitter" in business and in life.

Episode 11: Rise. Reinvent. Return: Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje’s Journey from Africa to Georgetown, the NBA, and the Basketball Africa League

In this inspiring episode, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje—a story that spans continents, careers, and limitless determination. Born and raised in Cameroon, Ruben followed the call of possibility across the ocean, becoming a standout scholar-athlete at Georgetown University before playing in the NBA with the Portland Trailblazers and Orlando Magic.   Yet his story didn’t peak there. With the same discipline that powered his game, Ruben reinvented himself—stepping confidently into a career in finance, then returning to the basketball world as a technical scout for the Philadelphia 76ers and later as assistant general manager for the Delaware Blue Coats.   Now, Ruben embraces a powerful full-circle moment as he returns to the continent that shaped him—taking on the role of Head of League Operations for the NBA’s Basketball Africa League (BAL). His mission: to help elevate the sport he loves while creating opportunity and impact across Africa.   Join us as Ruben reflects on resilience, reinvention, leadership, and the deep purpose that guides his work across sport, business, and global impact. This is a conversation about embracing change, honoring heritage, and shaping the future of basketball in Africa and beyond.

Episode 10: Bob Kendrick: The Power of Storytelling and the Enduring Legacy of the Negro Leagues

In this inspiring episode of Leaving the Pack, I had the honor to sit down with Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, for a heartfelt and energetic conversation about history, leadership, and legacy. Bob shares his incredible journey from a passionate volunteer to becoming the president of one of America’s most treasured cultural institutions. Through his signature storytelling style, Bob explores the power of narrative in shaping history, revealing how the Negro Leagues embody resilience, innovation, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence. He discusses why the Negro Leagues are not just a vital chapter in baseball’s story, but a profound reflection of American history and identity. The conversation also dives into the modern relevance of the Negro Leagues, from their inclusion in the hit video game MLB The Show to their celebration by the wildly popular Savannah Bananas, who carry the spirit of creativity and joy that defined Negro Leagues baseball. Bob reflects on the museum’s mission to preserve and expand the reach of this history, and his personal hopes for the legacy he wants to leave behind—one that honors those who played for love of the game and paved the way for generations to come. An episode full of passion, purpose, and timeless lessons — this is one you don’t want to miss.