Pivot Podcast

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Ryan, Channing and Fred sit down with the 20 year old superstar to talk about her fast-track to the top of the sport and how she handled life changing quickly going from a high school student to College student to NCAA champion to Olympic gold medalist to world champ in less than two years. Her meteoric rise and unprecedented success has Athing’s name in conversations with top athletes around the globe and expectations continue to grow which is both a good and bad thing for the young star. Unbeaten for 13 races, Athing is considered the future of of American sports and the most exciting runner in track and field at the moment where that pressure can seem overwhelming, especially for a young woman, but Athing takes everyday day with stride and realizes she is running for herself, focusing on her personal growth with each challenge she faces. The guys are blown away by her confidence and complete belief in herself to avoid the pressures and stress other athletes in her position may go through and just flat out compete. With her family migrating from Sudan before she was born, Athing doesn’t forget the sacrifices her parents made for her and although she runs for the United States she represents her homeland every time she steps on the track. Her passion for running is matched with her dream of walking the runways one day as a fashion model and with all the confidence, Athing believes she has room for both in her life and looks forward to the day she gets to trade her cleats for heels and step into that part of her realm being seen as more than an athlete. Gearing up for competition, Athing is currently training with Bob Kersee, husband of track phenom Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and is learning not just how to be a pro on the track but in life too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find In a stunning and unexpected loss this past August against Leon, Kamaru was dominating the entire match until Leon landed a kick to his head that knocked the Nigerian Champion out and gave Leon a come-from-behind upset victory. Never experiencing such an outcome, it was a struggle at first to rewatch it but Kamaru talks about the hardest part was seeing his daughter sad which in turn altered his mindset reminding him he needs to show her it’s ok to fall once in awhile but getting back up is what matters. With many worried that the mental toll of the loss and gravity of it is something difficult to overcome, Kamaru isn’t concerned with that part and confidently says that he knows who he is and what he’s capable of and needs to remind Leon who he is, a fighter that was down the entire time and dying on inside and got lucky landing one move. Refocused and more than ready, Kamaru understands the stakes this bout offers and is ready mentally and physically to regain his spot atop the ufc world. The final match of the trilogy match between Leon and Kamaru is this Saturday on ESPN+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Vena E, known as Pretty Vee on social media and an entertainment mogul, known for her hilarious skits and funny dances sits with Ryan, Channing and Fred for a conversation covering her journey from childhood to stardom. Growing up with her parents in south Florida, one of Vee’s greatest motivators and influences is her her mother, who spent her life as a pastor, educator and a constant force of encouragement to Vee’s aspirations to follow an unlikely career path. Seeing her parents hard work all her life, Vee worked several hourly jobs while trying to figure out the next steps to put her in position to follow her dream but the catalyst to start her journey was when Vee was fired and credits that moment of being let go to giving her the push to pursue her passion. Trying to break into comedy and what was considered for so long a man’s world, Vee never was intimidated and always motivated to reinvent herself and find new ways to use her skits to generate attention. Living by the philosophy of a delay is not denial, Vee never took a no as a never and turned very closed door into another opportunity to go after he dreams. Amassing a social media following over 6M, Vee continues to entertain the world with her comedic skits, risk taking storylines and dominate the industry with her savvy business skills, using her characters to create products for women to help boost confidence and a fun easygoing lifestyle. Sustaining longevity in a Hollywood lifestyle is the continued goal for Vee as her path has allowed her to capitalize on every opportunity, carving her own niche in the comedic space and build a brand sustainable with respect and success in a cut throat entertainment business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find In an emotional and layered conversation covering everything from his HBCU exit, to new job at Colorado, his grave health scare, the importance of family and progression...Deion doesn't hold back as the guys chat through many tough topics and are able to soak up the wisdom and grasp the spirit of a man willing to share his trials, tribulations as well as celebrate the wins along the way too. Following the recent social and cultural uproar from his comments on recruitment, leaving Jackson State University for Colorado- Coach Prime is not shying away from the backlash and speaking honestly as he opens up to Fred, Ryan and Channing about the past couple months of change. In a long awaited conversation dating back to a previous exchange where Channing told Deion he didn't see him at a HBCU for a long time because of the lack of money and resources- Deion sets record straight that it was never about money, it was always about a calling to make a difference and create opportunities. Focused on what's in front of him and adapting to the opportunities life creates and the importance of bringing those close to him along on the journey, especially with his children. Ryan asks Prime how HBCUs will continue to grow without his footprint and blueprint, especially after bringing 5-star players like Travis Hunter with him in his exit and how will the programs maintain that level of attention without his contributions. Deion credits his time at JSU for making him the coach he is today and proud of the foundation he built for others to expand upon and explains why he felt it was his time to move on. Deion becomes emotional when Fred asks about the importance of community and continues to discuss family through his recent health scare. In a moment of vulnerability, Deion opens up about having no control as he battled one of the toughest things he’s ever been through and one of the scariest too, having blood clots in his lower extremities which led to amputation of two toes. Relying on those close to him, it was extremely difficult to be away from his children as Prime emotionally shares one moment with his son Shedeur which really put into perspective the effects change was having on not just him, but everyone close to him. Being one of the greatest athletes in our era and an icon on every level, Ryan talks to Deion on how doing the physical things that made him a legend are now the things he is unable to do and how that transition has been mentally. "I hope to run again one day...that's my goal, to be able to run," Deion says with watery eyes, it's the little things sometimes we take for granted who made us who we are that we no longer can do- that's when life becomes real. With the odds stacked against him, Deion is known for being a winner everywhere he goes and with everything he does which makes this transition to a new level, a challenging one. Ryan reiterates the importance of strong leadership and putting good people in proper places to excel and grow with him, which Deion has mastered. Close to selling out the stadium in Colorado for the first time in years, Prime talks about what it takes to build a championship program and his goals for the upcoming years as not just a coach but a father too. Deion’s next chapter as the head coach of Colorado is being documented for an upcoming series on Amazon Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Today we sit down with Mina Kimes, a woman and friend we all admire and truly respect for the niche she has created and breaking barriers for women in sports and television. As an ESPN NFL analyst, media personality and writer, Mina has set the standard and continues to raise the bar in sports analytics. This conversation covers everything from her academic success, embracing her Korean heritage and the importance of representation which has led to finding her voice in the industry. Graduating summa cum laude from Yale University, some may say Mina may be over qualified for talking football and stats but she shares her why with Channing, Ryan and Fred as she explains she took what she was good at and mixed it with doing what she loves. Mina opens up about her relationship with her father and the influence he’s had on developing her love for football. Being raised as a military child and always moving around, Mina credits her nomadic life as the foundation of her strength and adaptability. Being a Korean woman is not the traditional candidate for this job, which Mina talks about relying on her coworkers to give her confidence and acceptance but admittedly opening up on her struggles with imposter syndrome for a lot of her career and an extreme focus on perfection. Fred relates to this to fight or flight vulnerability and opens up about doubtful times he had during his rookie year and how he overcame it as well. Mina’s intelligence and unique spin combining numbers and football makes her a rarity in the sport media space and a pivotal member of ESPN’s highly respected NFL Live show. An avid Seattle sports fan, Mina couldn’t leave without talking football and proving her predictions for the organization and future with Geno Smith. Tap in every Tuesday at noon eastern for our premiere episode of the Pivot. Special drops on Friday afternoons at 3:30 pm. We are your one-stop platform for all your sports and entertainment content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Considered one of the best Defensive Ends in the game, Maxx Crosby’s journey to becoming a household name is more than just hard work on the field, it’s the humility and dedication as a man that truly makes his story inspirational. The guys sit down for a conversation that hits home for all of us as we all have moments in life we aren’t proud of or we try to keep hidden, but releasing the attachments and learning from the dark times is what makes the brighter days so meaningful. Opening up about the tough times of addiction, how it affected his game, his relationships, his family- Maxx takes us through the moments that led to him the life changing pivot and how he’s faced adversity head on and has come out even stronger on the other side. Extremely difficult to imagine and re-live, listening to Maxx’s story gives a new perspective of beating the odds and rooting for the good guy. Coming up on three years of sobriety in March, Maxx highlights that as a proud moment but becoming a father to his daughter Ella is truly the pivotal moment in his life that has brought everything full circle. Maxx raves about being a girl dad in good company with Ryan, Fred and Channing who all know the feeling and also expresses intimate gratitude to his wife Rachel who has stood by his side through it all. Despite his addiction, Max performed at a high level on the field which often tricked him into believing he didn’t have a problem. But now with a clear heart, Maxx has taken his ability to another level and shares in the confidence that he can be one do the best to ever play the game at his position. After a difficult season, Maxx talks about all the changes this off-season and what the Raiders need to do to be back in playoff contention this coming year, starting with finding a new QB. Tune in now to hear Maxx’s thoughts on what the key steps are this off-season for him and his teammates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Ryan, Channing, and Fred sit down with Lil Duval in one of his first conversations since his life-threatening accident in the Bahamas as he shares how his life has changed both physically and mentally since. Opening up to the guys, Lil Duval shares his recollection of the incident and talks through his mindset laying on side of road while waiting for help and how he tried to find humor in the difficulty of it and how the accident has helped teach him reassurance and the vulnerability of having to depend on others for help. Transitioning the conversation to his multi talented career, Ryan asks about navigating social media backlash and how Lil Duval has mastered not caring what others think while maintaining credibility and honesty in sharing his experiences and thoughts publicly. Never having ill intent and always knowing his audience to understand their relatability to his jokes and comments has been important to his sustainability and success. Opening up about his truth and vision from a young age, Lil Duval has always envisioned his success and says he has no finish line because he’s reinventing himself and evolving daily. Sharing the Jacksonville connection with Lil Duval, Fred talks about how the power behind the name “Duval” has transcended the city and caught on in culture to put Jacksonville on the map and a new swagger to those who live there, especially with their beloved Jaguars team! Not missing an opportunity to use the guys and their stories as comedic material, Lil Duval has some fun imitating Fred as a host and making jokes about Ryan and Channing. With Rehab going well and Lil Duval feeling more like himself, next up for him is his “Back On My Feet” tour! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find For four seasons, Aaron and Jamaal were constants in the Green Bay Packers backfield before Jamaal settled for a two-year deal with the NFC North rival Detroit Lions in 2021. Aaron and Jamaal describe their relationship as more of “brothers” than friends. Fred and Channing curiously ask how they maintained the brotherhood despite competing for same role on same team and even now that they are on rival teams. Jamaal talks about how the decision to leave Green Bay to go to the Lions was hard but in the end had to do what was best for him and his family. One commonality that Aaron and Jamaal bonded over and share was having influential male figures in their life. For Aaron, his father and for Jamaal, it was his uncle/trainer. In an emotional conversation, Aaron and Jamaal open up about the recent loss of these men in their lives and how it’s affected them and changed their course of life. With one of the major NFL offseason storylines tracking where QB Aaron Rodgers lands, Aaron Jones talks about his teammate’s leadership and drive pushed him to be a better player on the field and understand more the impact of winning and how to handle disappointment. Jones said he doesn’t want to see Rodgers leave but is prepared for what the team may be like with his absence. With a trio of running backs sitting together, you know the show can’t end without Fred asking who their top 5 RBs currently in the league are and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Considered one of the most influential R&B artists of all time, Ryan, Fred, and Channing dive into Musiq’s path to this point and discuss his transformation to stardom. Musiq opens up about his upbringing which he attributes to a lot of growing pains over the years. Dropping out of college and leaving the house at 17, Musiq talks about being forced to grow up quickly and the impact it had on him personally and professionally. From Musqi’s perspective, it was all a big risk for him to pursue his passion and he questioned himself every step despite the success and quick climb up record charts! Inspired by the sounds of similar artists such as D’Angelo, Musiq talks about how he worried if his sound would be accepted by the majority. Learning more about music and using his pain to produce legendary songs, he reflects on his process of writing songs and what moved him to produce this style. Ryan, Fred, and Channing reflect back on their days of listening to Musiq’s songs and the romantic tone it set, especially his big hit, Love. Musiq lets the guys know that Love was actually a therapy session for him and a product of searching for his definition of love. Fred goes down to the path of what it’s like to be in the industry limelight and how the journey affects him. Despite his 20+ years of experience, Musiq shares how he still gets nervous under the bright lights and even still gets nervous with every performance. He talks about his struggles balancing being an introvert and having an extroverted profession. Inspired by Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder, Musiq plans to continue to make music that’s a soundtrack to life. Fred, Ryan, and Channing don’t shy away from letting him know that he’s a legend in their book and that his music has forever impacted moved them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Emmitt shares how a young man from Florida who had dreams of playing for the star turned his vision into a reality breaking the mold and going far beyond what he imagined. Opening up to Fred, Ryan and Channing- the football legend talks about how his purpose went far beyond the game and becoming an admirable man solidified his legacy. Meeting Walter Payton for the first time helped Emmitt shape his mission and knowing that breaking the running back’s record was on his radar, he worked everyday as that was his mission. Sharing memories and stories of playing for the Cowboys during the glory days of the 90s, Emmitt talks about what it was really like playing for America’s team. Away from the field and away from the bright lights and star, Emmitt shares how being a father and how finding life again after separating from his wife of almost two decades changed him and redefined his purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Seattle's Pro Bowl Quarterback Geno Smith joins The Pivot to talk his comeback story from overcoming adversities in a sports world who wrote him off to finding himself again as one of the top QBs in the NFL. In a rare moment, Smith who's known for being quiet and often reserved, is opening up to address early criticism of his NFL career, how he overcame certain perceptions on and off the field, dealt with conflicts and regained his confidence leading the Seahawks to the playoffs this season. Geno talks with Ryan, Fred and Channing addressing some of the obstacles he faced from draft wknd, to playing in NY to a fight with a teammate and how his close upbringing with his family helped ground him and shape the man he is today. Being one of the few black starting quarterbacks in the NFL, Geno shares his excitement and pride in seeing Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts face off in the Super Bowl and makes his pick as to what team he sees winning it all and why. Tap in every Tuesday at noon eastern for our premiere episode of the Pivot. Special NFL seasonal drops on Friday afternoons at 3:30 pm. We are your one-stop platform for all your sports and entertainment content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Super Bowl Champion and actor/entertainer Victor Cruz joins The Pivot for a conversation about being the underdog, his evolution as a man and how playing football shaped his purpose and led him on a path to stardom and success. Going from an undrafted rookie to impressive back to back early seasons with the Giants, winning a Super Bowl and becoming widely known for his touchdown celebration salsa dance moves, Victor used his on field success to help carve a niche for him in the Big Apple, finding himself in the spotlight with fashion, film and philanthropy. Growing up in Patterson, NJ attending boarding school, having some troubles in and out of college and losing his father, Victor credits his success to becoming the man of the house at an early age and to his upbringing watching his mother work hard made him want to do the same. No stranger to adversity, Victor made a career of overcoming setbacks and after suffering a very serious injury on the road in Philadelphia where he tore the patellar tendon in his right knee, the wide receiver documented his recovery process and shocked the world when he returned to the field a year later. Ryan, also undrafted turned Super Bowl Champion, talks about how the journey through the league is different for guys who don't get their number called on draft day and Victor echoes that sentiment and opens up on why his story means so much, especially to young people who are chasing a dream. Creating a legacy for his family and the young people of his hometown is most important to him and he shares with Fred why giving back and showing today's youth what is possible is most important. Channing isn't going to let him off easy and comes right out and asks about his very public break up with Karrueche Tran and how he landed the actress and model to begin with. Victor talks about dating in the public eye and the effect it has on his relationships, the headlines his daughter reads from it and how he navigates his personal life looking to be in a long-term relationship again. With the recent playoff run by his New York Giants, Victor shares his excitement around the team and gives his Super Bowl pick but Ryan couldn't let him off the hook without asking for the real story around the infamous boat trip Victor and his teammates took the morning after winning a playoff game a few years back that received public backlash and nicknamed a curse of a trip as the favored Giants ended up losing the next round. We get the real story on the infamous boat outing with Trey Songz! If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find After making an unexpected run in the post season, NY Giants safety and captain Xavier McKinney talks this past year, Head Coach Daboll’s success, the Eagles as the team to beat, his accident that threatened his career and how it changed his life. The former Alabama stand out is used to the spot light but playing in the New York market has proved to be a bigger opportunity than he imagined and grateful for his place as the Giants defensive captain and for the leadership he comes to work with everyday. Picking the Eagles to win the Super Bowl, McKinney talks about how playing against the divisional rival has motivated the Giants to elevate their play and continue to be a NFC contender. He talks about the offensive leadership and play by QB Daniel Jones and star running back Saquon Barkley as difference makers in the team output this season and how imperative it is to get them both signed under contract before next year. Crediting new head coach Brian Daboll for the change in team chemistry and attitude, Xavier believes his coach is the only choice for coach of the year because his commitment to winning and approach in leadership skills. During his bye week, Xavier suffered an ATV accident crushing his left hand and leaving him unable to play for seven weeks during the season. Xavier shares how humbling the incident was and how taking full responsibility for the mishap and the effect it had on his teammates. Returning in time for the last regular season games and two crucial play off wins, McKinney shared his gratefulness in getting back on the field and how it changed his perception. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Celebrating one year of The Pivot as we look back on our defining moments and the best of, as Ryan, Channing and Fred reflect on the past year and the pivots we all have made personally and professionally. We appreciate everyone who's been on this journey with us and invite you all to kick back and join us as we take a trip down memory lane sharing behind the scenes moments, our funniest times, the long days and long nights as we chat about the ins and outs of what has made The Pivot space it is today. Don't forget to leave us a comment on what your favorite moment and guest have been over the past year. Thank you for all the support...we are just getting started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find With the NFL being one of the most premiere sports leagues and a lucrative form of entertainment to people all over the world, but to many, it is still considered a job, especially the men who play the game. Today in a special edition of The Pivot, Ryan, Channing and Fred sit down with the man who is at the helm of the NFL's Player Union- DeMaurice Smith for an in-depth conversation covering the state of the union, player's contracts, injury clauses and the relationship with owners and the commissioner Roger Goodell. Ryan starts the conversation going back to working as player rep before the lock out in 2011 and how the league has changed from then and continues to evolve every year. De talks about how he got involved as the head of the union and his passion behind his purpose and explains why he is often seen as an adversarial figure between the players and the owners and league. Fred and Channing ask a lot of questions around injury clauses after what we saw happen with Damar Hamlin a few weeks ago as well as guaranteed contracts around quarterbacks and specifically ask about Lamar Jackson and what the future looks like for him as well as learn why it takes a unified front to go against a multi-billon dollar business. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find The former NBA first overall pick Kwame Brown, often known for being outspoken and his public rants about life, society and what’s wrong with culture and sports, joins The Pivot today for an in-depth conversation about who he truly is as a man and what he stands for. Ryan, Channing and Fred sit down with Kwame to peel back the layers of this once basketball great and find out if it’s anger or frustration that fuel his words. Selected as the first overall pick at age of 19 in 2001, Kwame talks about his experience as a child and rough upbringing to making it out to discover a life as not just a professional basketball player, but one of the best in the country at his young age. Kwame talks about playing with Michael Jordan, the misconceptions of his rookie year and why he was labeled a problem player and later known as a bust. He shares his experience of playing with Kobe Bryant and being on the court for the legend’s historic 81 point performances and also how Kobe shaped him as a better player and man. Sharing his truth regarding past issues and incidents between his ongoing battle with Stephen A Smith, the use of the word bust and former players speaking out on him- Kwame is not holding back and using his voice as an open book through his platform. Working now to help today’s youth and provide an outlet and teach through his experiences, Kwame is focused on bringing reality to young men in the community and helping them evolve into better people with hope through opportunities. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Former Rutgers star Football player Eric LeGrand became paralyzed making a tackle during a game in October 2010…since then Eric has used his experience to impact people all over the world and inspire perseverance during tough times. Filming this episode prior to Damar Hamlin’s incident, Ryan went back and visited with Eric to get his reaction and thoughts watching that Monday night game to include as part of the original episode. Visiting Eric in his home state of New Jersey, Fred, Channing and Ryan had the chance to sit and talk with the young man about his love for life, passion for football and will to help others. Eric described the play on the field and the moments after where he felt like his life was over followed by the realization that not only would he never play the sport he loved again but he’d never walk again either. Taking us through the trials and tribulations of that time, Eric has since parlayed his experience into an entrepreneurial spirit and created a legacy of motivation for anyone who knows his story. From Creating different brands around his name, to signing with the Tampa Bucs as an honorary player to being a sports broadcaster to opening his own coffee shop back in his home town…Eric has never spent a day feeling sorry for himself, only trying to become better and find more opportunities. Eric’s story is one everyone should hear and Ryan, Fred and Channing are extremely grateful for the opportunity to share his story and spend time with a young man who is a true role model and epitome of strength. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW THE PIVOT PODCAST: MERCH | https://pivotpodcast.com  YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/thepivotpodcast INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/thepivot TWITTER | https://twitter.com/thepivot TIKTOK | https://tiktok.com/@thepivot FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/thepivotpodcast FOLLOW HAPPY DAD: https://www.instagram.com/happydad FIND HAPPY DAD: https://www.happydad.com/find Sitting with one of the greatest tight ends to play the game, a super bowl champion and projected first ballot hall of famer…Travis Kelce shares with Ryan, Channing and Fred how his contributions in the sport are just hitting stride and his legacy is still a work in progress. With the NFL post season underway and the Chiefs have the number one seed, Travis says if the team plays flawless football as they are capable of- no team is beating them. Under the leadership of MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes, Travis shares why there is no one more cut out to lead a team than his quarterback and certainly no one more talented to play under center than #15 and that playing for Coach Andy Reid is one of the most motivating and rewarding experiences of the right end’s life. Being a part of this special unit, Travis credits the younger guys on the team for stepping up in unexpected roles this season and admits anything less than Kansas City winning a Super Bowl is a disappointment, but respects the road ahead with tough teams to face in Cincinnati and Buffalo. Always a family first mentality and having his older brother Jason to look up to, Travis credits his close bond with the Philadelphia Eagles star as his motivation to be the best version of himself on and off the field. Travis talks about his life transitions from being suspended at college to putting in the work to reflect and reevaluate his path to everything finally clicking for him as a player leaving behind behaviors that may have derailed his All Pro career. Considered one of the NFL’s most eligible bachelors, Travis is content playing the field right now and focused on football and whatever else is extra. Of course, Channing nominated himself to be a contestant on the next season of catching Kelce for a chance to run with the young, single Chiefs star. Travis talks on rumors of his past relationships and shares some of his craziest attempts by ladies to land a date. Fred talks about the accomplishments of tight end legends Shannon Sharpe and Tony Gonzalez who played before him and asks Travis if he considers himself the greatest of all time...tap in now to hear his response and much more. *Please note this episode was filmed prior to the Monday Night matchup between Buffalo and Cincy and scheduled to release Tuesday 1/3/23. Out of respect and care for Damar, we held the episode until aThe Pivot family and Travis decided we should hold the release of the show out of respect and concern for Damar. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 pre-game moneyline bet. Bet must win. $150 issued as six (6) $25 free bets. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. Ends 2/12/23 at 11:59PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices