Welcome to a brand new episode of  The Quarter Four Podcast! I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.My guest this month is golf executive and entrepreneur Elisa Gaudet.Elisa has over 20 years of experience in the golf industry spanning across the United States, Europe and Latin America. In 2002, while working for the PGA Tour, she led the 2002 2002 EMC World Cup. She also headed up sponsorship, marketing and PR for the Latin PGA Tour.After working for the PGA Tour, Elisa became an entrepreneur as the founder of Executive Golf International, a strategy driven golf marketing firm that was responsible for creating Women’s Golf Day.Started in 2016, Women’s Golf Day is a global event held on the first Tuesday in June everywhere around the world. To date over 900 locations in 68 countries have participated engaging thousands of women worldwide through the game of golf thus creating a global movement. In a historically male dominated sport, Elisa has created an international movement that transcends language, culture, religion, politics and age.Prior to golf, Elisa worked in the entertainment industry for over ten years as a model and actress, appearing on numerous radio and television programs as well as being a guest speaker on a variety of golf topics.She’s also an author, writing a three-book series known as the Two Good Rounds book series. In her second book, Two Good Rounds SUPERSTARS– Golf Stories from the World’s Greatest Athletes, Elisa spoke to 54 of the top athletes in the world who shared ther passion for golf including Ray Allen, Wayne Gretzky and John Smoltz to name a few.In this episode, Elisa and I talk about her rise in the sports business world, how she made the transition from the PGA Tour to owning her own business, the evolution of Womens Golf Day and A LOT more. There isn’t much Elisa hasn’t done in the world of business and sports, and we talk about it all!So sit back and enjoy my conversation with golf entrepreneur, author and my friend, Elisa Gaudet.You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175https://mlelawfirm.comThank you for listening and enjoy the show!

Game 7: The Sports, Business & Lifestyle Podcast

Episode 29: Elisa Gaudet - Golf Entrepreneur and Author

Welcome to the 2021 Season Premiere of The Quarter Four Podcast! I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.In this season premiere I bribing you two ?s in the world of business and sports: Michael Lombardi and AJ Vaynerchuk. In conjunction with the Wharton School of Business Alumni Association, Michael and AJ take you inside the business of the NFL and sports in general.In this episode they discuss common business issues such as: building culture, identifying needs versus wants, and contract negotiation. I can&apos;t think of two better individuals to kick off the 2021 season. They&apos;re both very generous with their time and I&apos;m grateful that they&apos;re friends of the show!You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175https://mlelawfirm.comThank you for listening and enjoy the show!

Episode 28: Michael Lombardi and AJ Vaynerchuk - Inside the Business of the NFL

Welcome to a new episode of Game 7: The Sports, Business and Lifestyle Podcast. I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.My guest this month is the Executive Vice President / Chief Marketing Officer for the Boston Red Sox , Adam Grossman. Adam leads marketing and communications efforts for the Red Sox and Fenway Park. Adam oversees all aspects of the team’s Marketing, Media Relations, Corporate Communications, Social Media, Advertising and Content, and Creative Service departments.Adam is also head of marketing for Red Sox sister company Fenway Sports Management, a leading sports and entertainment agency that provides sales, marketing, and consulting services for Fenway Sports Group's elite portfolio of properties, including Liverpool FC, LRMR Marketing & Branding (a LeBron James company), NESN, and Roush Fenway Racing.Beginning his career with the Red Sox in 2002 as an intern, Adam was named Special Assistant to President/ CEO Larry Lucchino in 2004, and promoted to Vice President of Marketing in 2008. Prior to assuming his current role, Adam served as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the Miami Dolphins from 2009 to 2011.In this episode we discuss running a sports team during a pandemic, Adam’s rise through the sports business world, the differences between marketing in the NFL and major league baseball and a lot more!So sit back and enjoy my conversation with Red Sox Executive Vice President, Adam Grossman.Thank you for listening and enjoy the show!You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175https://mlelawfirm.com

Episode 27: Adam Grossman - Executive Vice President of the Boston Red Sox

Welcome to a new episode of Game 7: The Sports, Business and Lifestyle Podcast. I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.My guest this month is Nick Shaw, author and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization (RP)  a science-based nutrition and training company. In this episode, Nick and I discuss his newly released book, Fit for Success, which breaks success down to seven habits as learned from years of working with world class athletes such as CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning.Nick places these seven habits — work ethic, internal locus of control, positive mindset, discipline, purpose, failure, and recharge — at the core of the book, and we discuss each in this episode.Fit for Success dedicates a chapter to each habit, diving deep into what it means to, for example, work hard. Shaw takes what he’s learned in the past six years at the helm of RP, as well as research from books on topics like self-improvement and economics, then combines it with a real-life narrative to explain each habit. At the end of each chapter, he suggests ways to put the habit into practice. Thank you for listening and enjoy the show!You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175https://mlelawfirm.com

Episode 26: Nick Shaw - Author and Co-Founder of Renaissance Periodization

Welcome to a new episode of Game 7: The Sports, Business and Lifestyle Podcast. I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.My guest this month is Jeff Darlington. Jeff is an American television reporter with ESPN Productions, where he’s a regular on such shows as SportsCenter and NFL Countdown. He is known for high-level interviews with NFL stars like Antonio Brown, Tom Brady and Jared Goff. Jeff is known for breaking the story that Tom Brady was leaving the New England Patriots (something we discuss in detail in the show). Jeff previously covered the NFL for the NFL Network and NFL.com. For six seasons prior to 2011, he covered the Miami Dolphins for The Miami Herald and in 2010, he was named South Florida&apos;s "Best Sports Writer."Some of the things we discuss on the show:1. Jeff’s road from print journalism to television;2. The evolution of sports journalism from print media to social media platforms;3. Maintaining journalistic integrity in the minute to minute sports news cycle;4. The psychology of breaking the biggest player movement story in sports history; and much more.If you’ve ever wanted an inside peek into the day to day of those that are breaking sports news at the highest level, then this is the show for you. So, with that, I bring you my conversation w/ ESPN NFL reporter, Jeff Darlington.You can follow Jeff on Twitter: @jeffdarlington and Instagram: @jeffdarlingtonYou can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175https://mlelawfirm.comThank you for listening and enjoy the show!

Episode 25: Jeff Darlington - ESPN NFL Television Reporter

Welcome to a new episode of Game 7: The Sports, Business and Lifestyle Podcast. I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.My guest this month is Chip LaMarca, a member of Florida's House of Representatives and the sponsor of Florida's nationally recognized Name, Image and Likeness law!In this episode, Chip and I cover the intersection between sports and politics. Chip discusses the origins of the law, the process for getting the law passed and the law's immediate and future impacts.Chip takes listeners inside the process of how an elected official recognizes a problem and then works to solve that problem through legislation. If you're a fan of politics and sports then this is the episode for you!You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175https://mlelawfirm.comThank you for listening and enjoy the show!

Episode 24: Chip LaMarca - Florida State Representative and sponsor of Florida's groundbreaking Name, Image and Likeness law for collegiate athletics!

Welcome to a new episode of Game 7: The Sports, Business and Lifestyle Podcast. I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.My guest this month is Noah Ohlsen, the second fittest man on earth and a six-time competitor at the CrossFit Games, finishing second in 2019. In 2016, he finished number one in the world during the CrossFit Games qualifier known as The Open … that’s number one out of approximately 324,000 competitors!In addition to his competitive accomplishments, Noah’s a leader in the CrossFit and fitness community at large, lending his voice to issues beyond just the sport of fitness and athletics.In this episode, Noah and I talk about the social and practical issues facing not only his sport, but this country at large. We also talk about life, empathy, vulnerability, stoicism, business and much more.Noah is candid, forthright, articulate and has an emotional EQ that is off the charts. What comes through most in this conversation is that Noah is so much more than an athlete. He is truly a good human being, and we need more public figures like him in the world today!Whether you&apos;re a fan of sports, business or social issues there is something in this conversation for everyone. So sit back, and listen to my conversation with Noah Ohlsen.For those wondering, yes, we talk about Maximus as well! ?You can follow Noah and Maximus on:Instagram @nohlsen; @maximusohlsenYouTube You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175https://mlelawfirm.comThank you for listening and enjoy the show!

Episode 23: Noah Ohlsen - Second Fittest Man on Earth, Six-Time CrossFit Games Competitor

Welcome to a new episode of Game 7: The Sports, Business and Lifestyle Podcast. I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.My guest this month is 4-year NFL Veteran, turned tech entrepreneur Walter Powell. During his NFL career, Walter was a real estate entrepreneur, restoring damaged properties and opening them up for retired US Veterans. Walter actively works with other athletes and entrepreneurs to promote entrepreneurship, leadership and financial security to underprivileged communities.In June of 2018, Walter turned down several NFL offers to pursue his tech start up, “Politiscope”. Politiscope is a news and information aggregator mobile app that allows users to register to vote, stay up to date with polls, learn recent legislation and donate to candidates.With the 2020 Presidential election less than a year away, Politiscope is gearing up. In June, influencers Gary & AJ Vaynerchuk (a prior guest on this show) signed on as advisors and have provided services from their social and digital agency, VaynerMedia.Walter is the first NFL player in history to become the founder of a tech startup then named to Forbes 30 under 30 for 2020 in a year.In this episode we talk about Walter’s life as an entrepreneur, his advice for tech start-ups, his journey from the grid iron to the world of start-up fundraising and about having an intentional mindset.This is the last of my series from podcast row at Super Bowl 54, and it’s definitely one of my favorites. So, sit back and enjoy my conversation with tech entrepreneur, Walter Powell.Enjoy the show!You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175https://mlelawfirm.comThank you for listening!

Episode 22: Walter Powell - NFL Wide Receiver Turned Tech Entrepreneur, Founder of the app. Politiscope, Forbes 30 Under 30 2020

Welcome to a new episode of Game 7: The Sports, Business and Lifestyle Podcast. I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.My guest this month is NFLPA Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs, Casey Schwab.Casey is a leading up-and-coming executive in the sports media business, known as an innovative corporate and operational strategist skilled in aligning and executing successful strategy with anticipated changes in the sports, entertainment, media and technology landscape. In his role with the NFLPA, Casey leads negotiations on complex commercial transactions with partners in licensing, sponsorship, media, strategic investments and joint ventures in venture capital and private equity. He is also the union’s lead to the NFL on the commercial front, overseeing the development of the business side of professional football with the League. A zealous advocate of athletes’ rights, Schwab represents NFL players on issues of national importance. He is a founding board member of REP Worldwide, a group licensing agency owned by the athlete unions from the NFL, US Women’s National Team and WNBA. Internationally, Casey represents US-based athletes on the Commercial Sub-Committee of the World Players Association, the leading voice of organized players in the governance of world sport which represents +85,000 players in +100 countries. Prior to joining the NFLPA, Casey began his career at NFL Media, representing the League’s media business. Between his time at the NFL and the NFLPA, he served as Director of Business and Legal Affairs for FOX Sports. He is a sought-after public speaker and has keynoted topics including the impact of legalized sports wagering on athletes and integration of blockchain technology in sport.  Casey currently teaches at Howard Law School in Washington, D.C. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Juris Doctor degree from the USC Gould School of Law.In this episode, Casey and I discuss the evolution of the modern athlete and the role the NFLPA is playing in helping athletes beyond the playing filed including assisting athletes in business, branding and much more. This is a great episode for anyone interested in a behind the scenes look at what's happening with athletes off the field. So sit back and listen to my conversation with NFLPA Executive, Casey Schwab.Enjoy the episode!You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175https://mlelawfirm.comThank you for listening!

Episode 21: Casey Schwab - NFLPA Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs

Welcome to a new episode of Game 7: The Sports, Business and Lifestyle Podcast. I’m Michael Elkins, labor and employment attorney founder of the law firm MLE Law, and your host.My guest this month is New England Patriots Offensive Lineman, Marshall Newhouse. Marshall is a Super Bowl Champion and 10-year NFL Veteran. But Marshall is far more than a professional athlete.Marshall is one of four current NFL players on the Athlete Advisory Board for the National Football League Players Association’s “One Team Partners” which is an investment arm of the league’s union. The OneTeam initiative aims to help athletes maximize the value of their name, image and likeness rights through three components: group licensing, athlete marketing, and venture investing.Marshall is an investor with experience in private equity, venture capital and as an angel investor.His investment base ranges from fitness brands like Peloton, to plant-based food brands Impossible Foods and Superseed Life.In this episode, Marshall and I talk investing, business and how the modern athlete has evolved, taking greater control on and off the playing field. This is a great episode for anyone who has an interest in business and sports. So sit back and listen to my conversation with investor/athlete, Marshall Newhouse.Enjoy the episode!You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175www.mlelawfirm.comThank you for listening!

Episode 20: Marshall Newhouse - New England Patriots Offensive Lineman, Investor, Entrepreneur

We&apos;re back! Welcome to the 2020 Season!In this episode I talk to AJ Vaynerchuk. AJ is a co-founder of the athlete representation firm VaynerSports, with an ever-expanding NFL player client roster. He’s also the co-founder and former COO of VaynerMedia, a social-media-first digital agency. In addition to his responsibilities at VaynerMedia, AJ is a founding partner of the venture capital fund VaynerRSE. AJ and I discuss disruption in the sports representation industry, the shifting landscape for the modern athlete and the revolution of the athlete in business. AJ truly embodies the intersection between business and sports, and I couldn’t think of a better guest to kick off 2020. So sit back, and enjoy my conversation with AJ Vaynerchuck.You can follow AJ on Instagram @ajv and on Twitter @ajv and you can check out VaynerSports at www.vaynersports.com.You can follow the show on:Instagram @melkins1, @mle_lawTwitter: @melkins31175www.mlelawfirm.comThank you for listening!  

Episode 19: AJ Vaynerchuk - Co-Founder of VaynerSports and VaynerMedia, Serial Entrepreneur

I’m Michael Elkins, your host, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, investor and this is the final episode in 2019 of Game 7: The Sports Business & Lifestyle Podcast.On today’s show I sit down with former NFL Tight-End Julius Thomas. Ordinarily, I wrote my own guest introduction. For this episode, however, I&apos;m using an introduction from Julius himself, taken from his August 2018 retirement article in The Players&apos; Tribune:"I’m ready to admit that I’m okay with giving up the identity of &apos;Julius the football player.&apos; I’m O.K. with not being recognized as an NFL athlete — because I’m more than that. I have stepped out of my identity before, and I will continue to do it again and again throughout life. I believe helping others is what I’m supposed to be doing at this point in my life. Hopefully I can help by encouraging more of my peers to connect with who they are outside of the game. If ultimately that’s what I’m remembered for, I’d be very thankful.Because this is the thing I want to do most in the world, and now, I’m going to give all of myself to it."https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/football-julius-thomas-journey-into-selfJoined by Miami Dolphins Chaplain, Terry Boynton (a previous guest on the show) we discuss Julius&apos; journey from professional athlete to PHD student, his desire to help others with their emotions and feelings and the power of talk therapy. We also collectively discuss the impact of stress and breaking down emotional cultural norms.This is a really powerful episode for anyone interested in learning about the importance of mental health. Julius and Terry provide incredible insight and it was a pleasure to sit down with them both.  Enjoy the show!

Episode 18: Julius Thomas - Former NFL Tight-End, Current PHD Psychology Student

I’m Michael Elkins, your host, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, investor and this is an all new episode of Game 7: The Sports Business & Lifestyle Podcast.On today’s show I sit down with NBA front office legend Pat Williams. Williams' career in the NBA began in 1968 as the business manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. After stints with Chicago Bullas and Atlanta Hawks, Williams returned to the Sixers in 1974, remaining in Philadelphia for 12 years as their general manager, building the team that won the 1983 NBA Championship, by trading for Julius Erving and Moses Malone, and drafting Maurice Cheeks and Andrew Toney.Williams left the Sixers and became a co-founder of the Orlando Magic. Williams was an integral part of the team that helped convince the NBA to place a team in Orlando. Serving as the franchise's inaugural manager, Williams helped the Magic reach the NBA Finals in 1995 by drafting Shaquille O'Neal and trading a draft pick for Penny Hardaway.In his NBA career, Williams led his teams to 23 NBA Playoffs and five NBA Finals. He won four NBA draft lotteries, including back-to-back winners in 1992 and 1993 and most recently in 2004. Williams signed Billy Cunningham, Chuck Daly, and Matt Guokas to their first professional coaching contracts. Nineteen of his former players have become NBA head coaches.In April 2019, after a career that has spanned more than 56 years, including 30-plus years with the Magic and 51 years in the NBA Pat Williams announced his retirement from the Magic. Williams is also a motivational speaker. He has addressed thousands of executives in organizations ranging from  Fortune 500 companies and national associations to universities and nonprofits. Clients include AllState, American Express, Cisco, Coca-Cola, Disney, Honeywell, IBM, ING, Lockheed Martin, Nike, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Tyson Foods.Williams is the author of over 100 books and has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Reader's Digest,  The Wall Street Journal, The Maury Povich Show and Dr. Robert Schuller's Hour of Power.In this episode Williams take us inside the secrets for success in sports, business and beyond. This is an opportunity to get life lessons from a giant in Amercian Sports. Enjoy the show!

Episode 17: Pat Williams - NBA Front-Office Legend, Author, Speaker

I’m Michael Elkins, your host, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, investor and this is an all new episode of Game 7: The Sports Business & Lifestyle Podcast.On today’s show I sit down with NFL Super Agent, Brett Tessler. According to a 2018 article from the Washington Post, there are about 830 agents certified by the NFL Players Association — more than one for every three players in or around the league — which makes it a brutally competitive business. Roughly 75 percent of NFL players are represented by just 17 percent of all certified agents, according to NFLPA statistics. Brett Tessler is one of that 17 percent. Having done over 500 NFL contracts spanning a period of approximately 20 years, Brett has achieved enormous success in an extraordinarily cutthroat, competitive business.  Some of the things we talk about:How he got his start in the business;Taking advantage of opportunity;Surviving in the early stages of business;Boutique versus Large Firm challenges;Handling controversial situations.Whether you&apos;re a sports fan or not, this episode is enlightening and carries a lot of lessons that can be applied across any business. So, without further-adieu, I give you NFL Super Agent, Brett Tessler.Enjoy the show!

Episode 16: Brett Tessler - NFL Super Agent

I’m Michael Elkins, your host, labor and employment attorney, founder of the law firm MLE Law, investor and this is an all new episode of Game 7: The Sports Business & Lifestyle Podcast.On today’s show I sit down with Arkansas Razorbacks Head Coach, Eric Musselman. Coach Musselman is a thirty-year coaching veteran who, prior to coaching in the NCAA, spent time as the head coach of the NBA&apos;s Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. Coach Musselman brings energy, passion and raw emotion as he takes us inside his journey from the minor leagues, to the NBA, to the head coach of a Power 5 Conference program. Some of the things we talk about:The anatomy of building a staff – which applies to business as well as sports;Innovation – The desire and necessity of exploring new ideas both on and off the basketball court; Empowerment – Taking input from those around you, which builds trust;Leadership – How learning about different topics outside of basketball translates to being a better coach and better human being; andDealing with adversity in both the public and private domains.I think you’re all going to really enjoy this episode, I know that I was blown away by Coach’s candor, emotional EQ, and sheer excitement for growth and learning. So, without further-adieu, I give you Razorbacks&apos; head coach, Eric Musselman.Enjoy the show!

Episode 15: Eric Musselman - Head Coach University of Arkansas Men's Basketball Program

Game 7 explores the psychology of what makes individuals great in business, sports and life. Game 7 is hosted by lawyer, entrepreneur and investor Michael Elkins and former New England Patriot, Ellis Hobbs.

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Game 7: The Sports, Business & Lifestyle Podcast

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