Pivot Podcast

“I had to give up a whole childhood to be what I became.” Andre Ward

With boxing headlines shaking up the sports world from big names retiring, to legends returning to fights drawing millions of views, we had to get some insight and who better to give us perspective than one of the greatest to ever do it. ..Andre Ward sits down with Ryan, Channing and Fred for more than just a conversation about championships — it's a conversation of resilience, discipline, and evolution.

In this powerful episode of The Pivot Podcast, the undefeated two-division world champion opens up about the journey from Oakland’s toughest neighborhoods to Olympic gold and becoming one of boxing’s pound-for-pound greats. Ward reflects on the sacrifices behind the spotlight, the mental warfare of elite competition, and what it really took to retire on top.

But this isn’t just about belts and legacy. Andre speaks candidly about his childhood, navigating instability at home, witnessing addiction up close, and how those early experiences shaped both his edge and his empathy. Sharing the deeply personal moments that exposed him to life or death experiences, Andre reveals the promise he made that turned his life around, leading him down a new path, one paved by faith. From his experiences, He dives deep into mental health — the pressures of perfection, the identity crisis that can follow retirement, and the importance of faith, structure, and accountability in sustaining long-term success.

The conversation also explores fatherhood and parenting, with Ward sharing how breaking generational cycles became one of his greatest motivations. He discusses leadership inside his home, raising disciplined children in a distracted world, and redefining strength beyond the ring.

From addiction and adversity to championships and clarity, this episode is about transformation. Andre Ward doesn’t just talk about pivoting — he embodies it. A raw, honest, and inspiring discussion about purpose, pain, and what it means to win in life long after the final bell.

Pivot Family, comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know!
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“We all signed up for the criticism, and will to take a bullet for our team, that’s our job.” Bryce Young

Fresh off a breakout playoff run with the Carolina Panthers, former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young sits down with Ryan, Channing and Fred for a deeply personal and one of his most reflective conversations yet.

Bryce opens up about the pressure of being selected first overall in the NFL Draft, the early adversity he faced adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL as a business, and how criticism fueled his growth rather than defined him. From learning how to command a locker room to embracing failure as part of development, Bryce shares the pivotal moments that shaped his evolution from highly touted prospect to playoff quarterback.

From a long drive Bryce never envisioned making to the lessons the rough roads taught him, the guys talk about the complexity of Dave Canales' play calling, Bryce's unique bond with Xavier Legette, support from Cam Newton and how the Panther faithful can be hard to navigate but worth the privilege of being the team leader.

He also discusses the mental side of the game — staying grounded amid expectations, blocking out outside noise, and building resilience during tough stretches. The conversation dives into leadership, faith, preparation habits, and what it truly means to “earn it” at the highest level. Sharing a close bond with CJ Stroud, Bryce talks about CJ's strength and talent will put him back on track ignoring the noise of this past season.

Honest, thoughtful, and poised beyond his years, Bryce reflects on what the playoff run taught him about trust, accountability, and belief — not just in football, but in himself.

Pivot Family, comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know!
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“Human beings are the only puzzle I can’t figure out.” Aldis Hodge

On this powerful episode of The Pivot Podcast, Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor sit down with actor, producer, and master watchmaker Aldis Hodge for one of their most raw and revealing conversations yet.

Hodge opens up about being raised by a single mother whose strength and sacrifice shaped his work ethic and sense of responsibility from an early age. Growing up in an area where the presence of the KKK was real and racial tension wasn’t just history—it was lived experience—he reflects on how those early encounters with hate forged both resilience and purpose. Rather than shrink, he found his voice. A passionate, unapologetic Black voice grounded in truth, excellence, and accountability.

Best known for his roles in Straight Outta Compton, Hidden Figures, One Night in Miami, Hawkman in Black Adam, and currently the lead in Prime Video series Cross, Hodge shares the pressure of portraying cultural icons and superheroes alike. He discusses the responsibility that comes with representing real stories and real communities—and how he channels personal experience into every performance.

Beyond Hollywood, Aldis speaks about fatherhood and how being a proud girl dad reshaped his definition of success. Legacy is no longer just about career accolades—it’s about what he models at home, the protection he provides, and the standard he sets for the next generation. In a deeply personal moment, Aldis lets us in on a powerful exchange between him and his wife that has forever changed and guided him.

He also dives into his passion for puzzles and engineering, explaining how building his own watch brand is rooted in ownership, precision, and creating generational wealth. Drawing powerful parallels between elite athletes and elite artists, Hodge breaks down why mastery demands hard work, sacrifice, and the courage to pivot toward purpose.

This episode is about perseverance through adversity, using your platform with intention, and building a legacy that stands taller than the obstacles meant to break you.

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“They would have had to cut my foot off before I didn’t play in Super Bowl.” Nick Emmanwori 

They say Defense wins championships, and the Seattle Seahawks backed that statement up with one of the fiercest units!

Keeping up Pivot tradition, we travled to the home of the world champions post Super Bowl to sit down with Nick Emmanwori, the Seattle Seahawks’ rookie safety who defied the odds and finished his first NFL season on top of the league. Nick takes us inside an unforgettable year — from his Nigerian roots to being selected as the 35th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, to becoming an anchor of Seattle’s defense and a key contributor to their championship run. 

We get into the biggest question looming Super Bowl week when a video of Nick surfaced not being able to walk as he opens up on the ankle injury scare heard round the football world as he shares missing the biggest game of his life was never an option and what he did to push through the unknown to stay locked in mentally and physically to help his team win the Lombardi. He takes Ryan, Channing and Fred into the locker room mentality to paint a picture of what Seattle truly built the past year and why he trusts a repeat is not off the table, recognizing all the pieces that need too fall in place to go back to back.

Beyond the big game, we dive deep into the ups and downs of his rookie campaign, falling to the second round of draft and rebounding with the early-season growth that earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year buzz and how he battled adversity to find his confidence on the biggest stages. Relying on veteran leadership, Seattle's locker room bonded together on a mission to never let outside noise affect the team goal which created the NFL's No. 1 ranked defense, known as the "Dark side". He opens up about his bond with head coach Mike Macdonald and what he had to do to soak in all of the football knowledge to adapt to X & O schemes that elevated his play.

Nick also opens up about the bond with Sam Darnold, whose own redemption arc culminated in a sturdy Super Bowl performance — proving that heart and leadership can outweigh the critics. The guys reflect on resilience, leadership, and the lessons learned in a season that none of his team will ever forget. And we couldn't not ask about the women in his life, from his mom's viral interview Super Bowl week to Dawn Stalely wearing his jersey to his girlfriend, Raven Johnson's unconditional support...this conversation covers it all.

From draft dreams to the Lombardi Trophy, this is the inside story of a rookie who refused to be ordinary and a team that rewrote the championship narrative. Pivot Family, please like, comment and subscribe- we love hearing and interacting with you all to see what resonates with you most!
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“There's something sort of romantic about losing everything and going back to zero.” Garry Vee

Continuing to champion a winning mindset after Super Bowl week, We sit down with serial entrepreneur, investor, cultural icon and friend of The Pivot Gary Vaynerchuk, better known to the world as Gary Vee. From immigrating to the U.S. as a kid and transforming his family’s liquor store into a multimillion-dollar business, to building VaynerMedia and becoming one of the most influential voices in entrepreneurship, Gary’s journey is all about betting on yourself and embracing the long game.

Gary dives right in on the do's and don'ts of navigating everyday life, offering research and guidance whether you are someone who feels stuck, looking for the next thing or experiencing self-doubt, he shares something for everyone in this conversation by making complex ideas seem relatable and breaking down what's hold someone back. He breaks down the fears associated with AI and how, electricity, something we couldn't live without now, was once feared that same way.

Gary gets real about taking chances before you’re ready, the fears that still drive him, and why self-awareness is the ultimate competitive advantage. He breaks down what most people get wrong about success, money, and happiness, and why patience, humility, and execution matter more than hype.

The conversation also dives into emerging business and media trends, where attention is really going in 2026, and how creators, athletes, and entrepreneurs can stay ahead without burning out. Plus, Gary connects his passion for sports to leadership, ownership, and legacy—and explains why athletes are perfectly positioned to dominate the business world if they play it right.

This is a masterclass in mindset, risk, and evolution from someone who’s lived every chapter and has a willingness to share information hoping to make an impact.

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