The Athlete Brand Advisor Podcast

Former Boxer Uses Athlete Branding to Write Book

Greg Glynn, founder and CEO of Pliable sits down with Mark O'Connor to talk about his boxing career and how he used his talented hands in the ring to then write a book.
Mark is from Saint Paul, Minnesota, and discusses his inspirational book, 'It's About Time,'
In 2024, Mark received the 2024 Minnesota Irish Network Literary Award from Tim Nolan for his collection of short stories and poems.
Mark Connor is a Literary Pugilist from Saint Paul, Minnesota. A lifelong boxer and Boxing Trainer, he runs a service called, Fighting Chance/Boxing For Life. His writing about Boxing, as well as his training services, can be found athttps://boxersandwritersmagazine.com.
He writes fiction, poetry, and journalism. He is the 2022 Boxing inductee to the Mancini’s St. Paul Sports Hall of Fame. He attended the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Regis University inDenver, Colorado, and graduated with a BA in English from the University of Minnesota. He has written and published many articles about Boxing, Irish culture, and people and events related to Irish freedom. He has also published local news and features on business, politics, and current affairs in Minnesota and the U.S.His Substack newsletter, Irish, Catholic, Punchdrunk in Saint Paul, can be found at https://markconnoricpunchdrunk.substack.com.
In this episode of the Athlete Brand Advisor Podcast, Mark talks about why he wrote the book and then shares some of his poetry with the listeners as well. 
Links:
boxersandwritersmagazines.com/books

Athlete to Author with Nick Peck

The podcast episode with Greg Glynn, founder & CEO of Pliable features guest Nick Peck, a former college athlete and award-winning journalist who transformed his football experience into a debut novel called "Only Way Out."
Nick shares his journey from high school football to becoming a successful author, discussing his writing process and the themes of his book which follows a high school athlete seeking escape through sports. The conversation concludes with discussions about marketing strategies, including potential NIL opportunities, and Nick's advice for athletes, while Greg promotes Nick's social media presence and future collaboration possibilities.
Football to Fiction: Nick's Journey
Nick discusses his football career, starting as an offensive lineman in high school, then transitioning to long snapping in junior college and later at Upper Hour University. He explains that writing has always been his true passion, and he used his athletic career as a stepping stone to become an author. Nick then describes his novel "Only Way Out," which is loosely based on his life experiences. The story follows a high school senior named Jalen Pierre who seeks to escape poverty and family issues through football. Nick emphasizes that the book's themes are common among athletes using sports as a means to improve their circumstances.
Nick's Journey and Writing Process
Nick discusses his process of writing a book, waking up at 4 AM daily for six months to write 10 pages a day before his day job as a journalist. He explains that he wrote from a third-person perspective to allow readers to put themselves in the story. Nick shares that his book aims to inspire by presenting a raw, genuine story of his journey, and he plans to continue writing books throughout his life, viewing it as his new purpose after his athletic career.
NIL Opportunities for Student-Athletes
Nick discusses the benefits of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for college athletes, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He expresses that he would have appreciated NIL opportunities during his time as a student-athlete, as he worked four jobs to make ends meet. Greg suggested that Nick could potentially use NIL to market his book by partnering with current athletes who resonate with his story, an idea Nick finds appealing.
Author's Marketing and Writing Journey
Nick discusses his approach to marketing his book, which includes leveraging social media, utilizing his connections from sports, and working with a publicist. He mentions becoming an Amazon bestseller and his efforts to showcase his post-athletic career. Nick currently works as a journalist covering the stock market for a publication called "With Intelligence," while also pursuing his author career. He has already started on his second book, which he plans to continue writing throughout his life. Nick is based in Austin, Texas, but enjoys a nomadic lifestyle, having lived in five different states and visited 47. 
Nick's Writing and Athlete Advice
Nick discusses his sources of inspiration for writing, mentioning role models like Kobe Bryant, Nipsey Hussle, and Patrick Willis. He explains that his book is available on various platforms and that fans can best connect with him through his Instagram account @nickpeckauthor. Nick offers advice to athletes, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and gratitude, encouraging them not to quit and to appreciate their journey rather than chasing fame and glory.
Links:
Websitehttps://www.nickpeckauthor.comSocial media accounts:Instagram: @nickpeckauthor

NIL Resources for Athletes from Brian DiNapoli of NILInsight.com

In this episode of the Athlete Brand Advisor podcast, Greg Glynn, founder & CEO of Pliable Marketing talks about NIL resources and advice for high school and college athletes with Brian DiNapoli, the founder of www.NILInsight.com.
NIL Insight.com is a passion project for Brian dedicated to supporting student-athletes and their families with trusted resources on mental health, substance abuse prevention, player safety, NIL opportunities, academics, and more. With over 25 years of experience in the public sector, Brian currently works in alcohol and drug prevention, serves as a dedicated community football coach, and helps coordinate housing support for justice-impacted individuals. He also hosts the NIL Mindset podcast, where he interviews athletes, coaches, and community leaders committed to helping student-athletes succeed both on and off the field.
During the episode, Greg and Brian discussed various athlete-led initiatives and community service projects, highlighting the positive impact athletes can have through their platforms and discussing the importance of mental health resources for student-athletes. The conversation concluded with plans for Brian to host live webinars and Instagram sessions to engage athletes and parents.
Greg and Brian discussed the positive impact athletes can have through NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities, highlighting various initiatives and collaborations. Greg praised Brian for his contributions to athlete-led causes, such as Logan Hale's "Putting for Puppies" event, and emphasized the importance of athletes using their platforms for good. Brian shared examples of athletes like Rutgers Women's Soccer team who engage in community service and mental health awareness, challenging the negative narrative about athletes solely focused on personal gain. Greg concluded by emphasizing the significance of preparing athletes for future success beyond their sports careers.
Greg and Brian discussed the importance of mentorship and education for athletes transitioning from high school to college. They emphasized the value of athletes helping each other through shared experiences and highlighted the need for more education about college athletic programs. Brian advised high school and college athletes to focus on paying it forward by helping others and volunteering, using the concept of a "force multiplier effect" to encourage positive deeds that create a ripple effect.
Brian discussed the importance of avoiding poor decisions during idle time and shared his social media presence, including his website, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts, where he promotes mental health resources and athlete-focused content. Greg highlighted the success of Pliable athletes including Cooper Farrall, Hannah Dukeman and Emma Eubank raising awareness and funds for various causes, emphasizing the power of aligning with charitable efforts to build a brand and generate support.
Resources:
WebsitesPliableMarketing.com
NILInsight.com
Social media
@pliablemktg on Instagram, X and Tiktok@nilinsight on IG and X.

Women in Sports Broadcasting with Jen Mueller

In this episode, Greg Glynn, founder & CEO of Pliable talks with sports broadcaster Jen Mueller about her career in sports journalism.
Jen shared her journey from high school guidance counselor to successful sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks, emphasizing the importance of consistent presence, networking, and strategic relationship-building in the sports industry. The discussion concluded with insights into Jen's broadcasting work, speaking engagements, and her experience hosting a cooking show, highlighting the value of building relationships and personal branding in sports media.
Jen and Greg discussed the format and goals of their upcoming podcast episode, focusing on Jen's keynote speaking and communication expertise. Greg explained the episode would be about 15-20 minutes, with an introduction added in post-production. They agreed to focus on Jen's career and personal brand, with a sales pitch towards the end. The episode is expected to be released in about a month, with no time-sensitive content from Jen's side.
Jen's Journey to Sports Journalism
Jen shared her journey from a high school guidance counselor's suggestion to pursue broadcasting over teaching, leading her to a successful career in sports journalism. She discussed her experience playing multiple sports in high school and her gradual progression from behind-the-scenes roles to becoming a sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks. Jen emphasized the importance of consistent presence and networking through daily attendance at events, rather than focusing solely on building relationships, which ultimately helped her secure her position.
Building Trust in Locker Room Interactions
Jen shared her 17-year experience working on the Seahawks sidelines, emphasizing the importance of building relationships through brief interactions in the locker room. She highlighted the need to be strategic and intentional in conversations with athletes, as these moments are limited and crucial for establishing trust. Greg agreed, drawing parallels to his own experience in pro sports, and noted the value of understanding the dynamics within the locker room to identify key individuals for storytelling.
NFL Athletes' Communication Strategies
Jen shared insights from her experience working with NFL rookies and athletes, emphasizing the importance of developing communication skills and personal branding. She highlighted the value of using specific, impactful language in sports and business contexts, drawing parallels between sports and professional communication. Jen advised athletes aspiring to enter sports broadcasting to become reliable and articulate interviewees, using their platform to build a strong personal brand and demonstrate leadership qualities.
Jen's Sports Media and Networking
Jen discussed her work in broadcasting and speaking engagements, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and leveraging opportunities in sports media. She shared her experience hosting a cooking show, "I Cook, You Measure," which features athletes in a different setting. Greg highlighted Jen's preparedness and expertise, and mentioned an athlete he plans to connect with her, aligning with his #MissionE50 initiative to promote women's sports. Both talked about the "grind" of a broadcasting career and the value of networking and confidence in career development.
Links:
Pliable Marketing's Mission E50
Talk Sporty to Me links
Website: https://www.talksportytome.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@TalkSportytoMe
X: @TalkSportytoMe and @JenTalksSports
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TalkSportyToMe
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmuellertalksporty/